NORTHERN PADDLE & TRAIL
NPT Safety - Outing Safety Plan
OUTING SAFETY PLAN
Goal: To prevent accidents and handle emergencies.
We hope that all our members will consider leading an outing, because everyone benefits when you share an outdoor experience with others. With some basic preparation and good directions to participants everyone can lead a successful, fun and safe outing.
These safety guidelines are, for the most part, simply a matter of common sense and reflect procedures that outing leaders should already be considering. Some guidelines may not be applicable for all outings and may vary based on the conditions of the day.
The outing leader must take into account the weather, group size, ability of participants, remoteness, water levels and much more. At no time does a set of guidelines substitute for good judgment and preparation.
NPT OUTING SAFETY PLAN
P Outing & Location
ß Determine Meeting Place & Time
ß Decide if participants should contact you before the outing or meet at the outing location.
§ If the outing is strenuous, requires special skills, or requires special equipment, it is a good idea to have the participants contact you to “register” for the outing. This allows you to inform participants of any special needs or logistics and if appropriate screen participants for the proper skill level or physical condition.
ß Determine Participants Equipment Needs
ß Determine Group Equipment Needs
§ (radios, trailer, tarps … )
P Prepare for Accident or Emergency
ß Bring appropriate First Aid Kit
ß Determine necessary actions in case of evacuation
ß Access medical personnel
§ Contact: i.e. cell phone, send someone, local telephone, radio …
§ Know travel route and time to medical personnel, i.e. hospital, EMS, rescue squad …
P Plan for Changing Conditions
ß Plan provisions for Heat, Sun, Rain or Cold
ß On water outings plan provisions for Wind and Water Level Changes
P Announcement & Participant Information
ß Describe the outing to everyone so participants will come properly prepared and know they are physically up for the experience.
§ Newsletter, Poster, Phone
§ Describe outing distance, how much time, how strenuous: vertical, swampy, portages, poor trail, easy, moderate …
ß Inform participants if they should bring specific equipment
ß Remind participants to bring the basics: drinking water, sun screen, extra warm cloths, change of cloths, rain gear ...
P ACA Outing Waiver
ß Most members signed an annual ACA Waiver when they renewed there membership.
ß Get the list of members that have a current signed waiver (available from Outing Coordinator).
ß Get blank ACA Waiver forms to the outing for members without a current waiver and/or guests (available from outing coordinator).
ß Note: Guests may only attend 2 outings per year and may be restricted from some NPT Outings.
OUTING BRIEFING
The Outing Leader (or designated person) needs to provide a safety briefing to all participants before the outing begins.
P Identify Contact Person
ß Lead person to contact incase of accident or emergency
P Describe Outing
ß Outing distance, estimated time, how strenuous (vertical, swampy, portages, poor trail …), so participants will be properly prepared and know they are physically up for the experience.
ß Ask participants to self assess their skills, physical condition and preparedness.
P Designate Lead and Sweep - For trails and river trips, designate a lead and sweep person.
ß Instruct the group to stay between the designated lead and sweep person.
§ NPT walkie talkies are available if needed
ß Describe how tightly you want the group to stay together, i.e. within eye sight, ear shot, 10 minutes …
ß Designate Regrouping: For longer trips leader may want everyone to regroup at a predetermined place or time to check in before moving on.
P ACA Waiver
ß Assure that all participants have signed a current wavier - check waiver list and/or have members and guests sign waiver before outing.
NORTHERN PADDLE & TRAIL
WATER OUTINGS
SAFETY PLAN
ALL NPT WATER OUTINGS
P All participants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket!
CLASS II OR HIGHER WHITEWATER OUTINGS
P Outing Leader
ß Must be familiar with the river trip
P Helmet
ß All participants must wear a properly fitting helmet
P Class II Safety Briefing
ß NPT Pre-Outing Safety Briefing
ß Review Basic River Safety
§ Defensive swim techniques: on back, feet pointed down stream and on top of water
§ Stay upstream of boat
§ Foot Entrapments: Don’t stand up in swiftwater
§ River hazards: Sweepers / Strainers, Hydraulics / Low Head Dams
§ River signals: Stop, Help, All Clear, Go Right, Go Left
§ Choose Paddle Buddies
CLASS III OR HIGHER WHITEWATER OUTINGS
P Class III Outing Leader
ß Outing Leader must have swiftwater safety training
§ (NPT Whitewater safety, or professional swiftwater safety course)
ß Outing Leader must review and approve all participants to assure they have adequate skills, experience and equipment appropriate for the outing conditions
ß Outing Leader must be familiar with river and current conditions
ß Outing Leader must assure that there are at least (2) throw ropes on outing
P Participants Must Have
ß Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets
ß Properly Fitting Helmet
ß Proper Boat Floatation Secured in Boat
ß Proper Cold Water Clothing
§ April Trips - Dry Suit Required
§ May Trips - Wet Suit or Dry Suit Required
§ Weather Dependent - proper cold water clothing required
P Class III Safety Briefing
ß NPT Outing Safety Briefing
ß Class II Safety Briefing
ß Review Whistle Signals
ß Review Portage & Scouting Safety