OUTDOOR SAFETY
Springtime is a time for many
groups to take advantage of the nice weather and getting kids out on
field trips and hikes to explore the outdoors. Safety is the most important
concern of teachers and of Wildlife Stewards. As a leader, teachers
and Wildlife Stewards are responsible for the safety of their group.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
- Your students, their physical
capabilities, judgment, and ability to cooperate
- How to administer first
aid
- The area you are hiking
- The hiking distance and
how long it will take
- What to do in an emergency
- What outdoor clothing
to use in various weather conditions
- How to recognize and voice
or safely negotiate physical and climatic hazards
- How to control and pace
a group while hiking
- How to read a map and
use a compass
- What to do if a person
or the group gets lost
ACTIVITIES THAT WILL
HELP
- Play games that involve
teamwork, cooperation and building self-esteem
- Take a first aid class
- Prehike the area
- Start with short hikes,
until you know the group better
- Discuss an emergency plan
with the group. Test them by role-playing an accident
- Visit an outdoor equipment
store with the group
- Check out local weather
and snow conditions prior to outings. Have a plan for lightening storms
- Place the slowest person
right behind the front leader
- Practice map reading and
set up a compass course at your school
- Pretend a hiker has been
lost and role-play what to do
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