Risk assessment for overland track with children

Submitted by geoff on Tue, 25/01/2011 - 22:06
in

Before our walk I've thought through a few of the problems that we may encounter in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of something bad happening and also to have a plan when something does go wrong. While in no means is this an exhaustive list it was a helpful exercise for me. I've been working through the concepts with Daniel so he knows what to do in certain situations. I'm hoping that this won't just help keep us safe on this hike on the overland track but also to enable him to think about risks and learn to plan to minimise risks naturally.

As the old saying goes:

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Hazard: Significant bad weather change

While out of the track in potentially exposed situation there could be sudden changes in weather including potential snow, strong winds and heavy rain

Risk mitigation

  1. Keep an eye on the weather to avoid being caught out. Forecasts, barometer, clouds.
  2. Carry clothing and gear at all times suitable for protection in these conditions.
  3. Waterproof jacket and pants.
  4. Warm top eg. Fleece.
  5. Beanie.
  6. Be prepared to stop and camp at any location.
  7. Be prepared to stop a side trip early.
  8. Slowly warm up child (emergency space bag, in sleeping with adult etc)

Hazard: Physical or mental exhaustion

This is when the child just becoming over it, too tired to walk or carry their pack and just want to give up. They may also become emotionally stressed.

Risk mitigation

  1. Plan long breaks for lunch when the child can play.
  2. Be mindful of their food intake. Adults can push through being hungry better than a skinny kid.
  3. Use games, songs and rewards when necessary to keep them moving.
  4. Be prepared to camp early.
  5. Plan for rest and play days.
  6. Use base camps for shorter and lighter exploring days.
  7. Make the most of good weather.
  8. Make the most of early mornings when they feel best and camp early.

Hazard: Separation from party

When the child becomes separate from the party and lost. This could happen if they wander off, drop behind when walking, during the night when they get up etc.

  1. Risk mitigation.
  2. Always stay together.
  3. Dan only walks in position 1 or 2 so there is someone behind him.
  4. Wears bright coloured top.
  5. Never left alone. If party needs to separate then one adult will always stay with Dan. Eg side trip or other emergency.
    Always play/explore/toilet in eye sight of adult.
  6. One Adult responsible for watching him with handover when this changes so there's no chance both adults think the other is watching him. Geoff to be default.

Separation procedure

  1. Sit down and stay still.
  2. Blow whistle (always around his neck).
  3. Start stopwatch.
  4. We will search for him.
  5. Continue to blow whistle.
  6. Get help from others if they are around.
  7. Prepare to stay the night out if it's getting late (get sleeping bag out). Stay warm and eat/drink.

Hazard: Catastrophic gear failure

This is where a critical piece of gear fails such as a tent, a wet sleeping bag, the stove, etc.

  • Tent failure
    • Take basic repair kit (sail repair tape, needle and thread etc).
    • Plan route through huts.
    • Share the remaining tent.
  • Wet sleeping bag
    • Childs sleeping bag is synthetic so will still be warm when wet.
    • All packs to have seam sealed waterproof liners (or doubled plastic liners).
    • Space blanket for every person in the party (preferably the type that is a bag).
    • Use techniques such as sharing body warmth etc.
  • Failed stove
    • All food is pre-cooked and dehydrated so can be rehydrated over a longer period of time and eaten cold.
  • Failed GPS (low batteries, water logged)
    • Use map and compass.
    • Avoid traveling off track in thick fog when necessary.
  • Failed footwear such as sole coming off or extreme blisters
    • Most members will carry a pair of camp shoes which could be worn.
    • Bare feet.
  • Loss if pack or significant amount of gear (eg pack rolls down off a cliff or flash flood takes tent and contents away)
    • Make an attempt to retrieve gear if safe to do so
    • Plan for closest exit point
    • Seek help from others
    • One member could walk/run out and get help leaving remain gear with those staying

Hazard: Serious injury

I am classifying a serious injury as something that prevents self rescue and requires external help.

Note the preference is always to be self reliant and perform self rescue if at all possible. External help should be sought only when in "grave and immanent danger".

Risk mitigation

  1. Stay one body length away from edges of cliffs.
  2. Don't take unnecessary risks when climbing etc.
  3. Only use stove in vestibule when necessary and ensure maximum ventilation when doing so. Monitor for carbon monoxide poisoning.
  4. If one adult is by themselves (eg side trip) they should have necessary gear including PLB or SPOT to notify someone incase they are immobilised.

SEE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BELOW

Hazard: Minor injury

A minor injury is defined as something that requires self rescue. It is not life threatening and the injured person can still function enough to 'limp out'. An example may be a broken finger.

Risk mitigation

  1. Stay one body length away from edges of cliffs.

  2. Don't take unnecessary risks when climbing etc.

  3. Monitor and manage blisters.
  4. If one adult is by themselves (eg side trip) they should have necessary gear including PLB or SPOT to notify someone incase they are immobilised.
  5. Select water sources carefully (upstream of camp sites, running water, etc).

SEE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BELOW

Hazard: progress too slow, overdue

We may be slow getting out and delayed. Next of kin will have the schedule and be aware of our delay.

  1. Use SPOT to communicate with NOK (OK check ins).
  2. If needed send a message to NOK/parks by another walker.
  3. Ration supplies.

Emergency procedure

  1. Keep calm, stop and think through things clearly.
  2. Establish the nature of the emergency.
  3. Is it life threatening? If YES then plan evacuation.
  4. Can it be stabilised or will time help? YES camp and plan for self rescue.

Evacuation

  1. Attempt to contact outside.
  2. Mobile phone (if in range).
  3. Ranger or other party/guide may be able to contact help easily.
  4. Are we close enough to an exit to send someone for help?
  5. Activate PLB if no other communications work (or secondly SPOT) - SEE IMPORTANT NOTES BELOW
  6. Prepare for rescue
  7. Remaining same location
  8. Helicopter signalling (V, something bright to wave etc)
  9. Monitor and document the injured (while continuing first aid)
  10. Make camp (it may take 24 hours or more for rescuers to arrive)

Self rescue

  1. Determine quickest and best place to exit.
  2. Enable the injured person (eg take most or all of their weight, make crutches etc).
  3. Contact outside if possible (phone, ranger etc. NOT PLB) and make preparations. Use SPOT to make a 'not ok check in' (but not an SOS).
  4. Make way out.
  5. Notify parks and next of kin when out of change to plan.
  6. Seek help needed.

PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) Procedure

A PLB (also often referred to as an EPIRB) is way of notifying SARSAT via satellites. The PLB we will be carrying will be GPS equipped which means our location will be transmitted in the distress signal to an accuracy of less than 100m. This is a digital 406mHz beacon meaning that the search and rescue coordination centre in Canberra will know who's PLB has been set off. They will then call the numbers listed in my profile to make sure it's not an accidental activation. My NOK will have the details of us including our itinerary and medical issues and be able to provide helpful information to validate our distress call. Read more about PLBs at Bushwalker Wilderness Rescue Squad.

THE PLB WILL ONLY SET OFF WHEN IN A SITUATION OF GRAVE AND IMMANENT DANGER

The PLB is to be used as a last option when all other methods of communication have been exhausted. As will we be carrying a SPOT as well (primarily so others can track our progress) we will use this after the PLB has been activated and it's batteries have run flat. I consider the SPOT a distant second in this life threatening situation.