Emergency management skills

1. Emergency management skills An emergency is cause for concern at any time but when the emergency is in a remote area, resources are limited and help may be some time away. If the situation is not brought under control quickly, a manageable condition can rapidly deteriorate. Taking time to learn a few emergency management skills is a valuable investment.

2. -Wilderness first aid With all first aid situations, the first priority is the safety of the rescuer, followed by that of the rest of the group, then by that of the injured person(s). It is important not to forget this key point, so that the rescuer does not become part of the problem. -Thermoregulation Thermoregulation refers to the human body’s ability to keep its core temperature within certain boundaries. In normal environments, this temperature is approximately 37 degrees Celsius; however, in hot or cold weather and with exercise or illness, this temperature can change. If the body’s temperature increases or decreases by even a few degrees, serious illness, or worse, can occur. Heat-induced illness is called hyperthermia, and illness brought about by a drop in the body’s temperature is called hypothermia. In the outdoor environment, it is important to be aware of these conditions and to take precautions to prevent them from happening. Precautions include wearing the appropriate clothing, staying hydrated, and keeping an eye on each other for signs and symptoms so they can be treated early.

3. Snake Bite Snake bite Australia has many different types of poisonous snakes. Although some snake bites can be fatal, the number of people who actually die from them is relatively low, especially if they receive the correct first aid. Refer to the table in your textbook pg 308 for Signs, Symptoms and considerations for the outdoors

4. -What to do when you are lost If you become lost, follow the procedure below. • If you become lost, STOP and do not panic. • Find shelter and discuss the situation as a whole group. • Examine maps carefully and consider retracing your steps back to the last known point on the route plan. • If the group is not confident about retracing their steps – stay together – keep a smoky fire going to attract attention – conserve energy – set up shelter – listen for voices – stay where you are. • Distress signals for search and rescue include three short whistle blasts, flashes of a signal mirror, smoke from fires and waving bright clothing. • If conditions are bad and it is likely that anyone setting off will get into difficulty, the whole group should remain together. Part of effective planning is ensuring that others know your route and expected time of return. Provided you have stayed on the route, authorities should be able to locate you.

5. Most injuries or loss of life in a bushfire are caused by ignorance and panic. The greatest danger is from radiated heat, hence it is vital to protect yourself by covering all of your skin. If caught out while bushwalking, remember the following points. • Woollen clothing is best as synthetic materials may melt and bubble. • Dampen your clothing (use wet mud if possible) and drink a lot of fluid. • Breathing difficulties may be eased by using a damp cloth as a filter. • If caught on a ridge line, it is best to stay low to the ground as the air there contains less smoke. Finding a hollow, wombat hole or cave can help. • Fire generally burns fastest uphill. The fire will race up the slope, pause at the top and may be less intense as it passes over, so the leeward side of a ridge could be the safest. • In a gully seek a stream, cave or damp bank, but avoid being halfway up a slope. • If your clothing catches on fire, stop, drop and roll on the ground. • Once the front has passed, danger remains from half-burnt logs, falling trees and frightened wildlife. • If you are in your car, stay there. Cover yourself and lie on the floor until the front has passed. -Bushfire procedures-

7. Lightning storms can be very frightening when camping outdoors. If storms are present, use the following guidelines. • Erecting tents in sheltered locations of a grove of low shrubs is best. • Avoid stopping under very large or isolated trees. • Stay away from wire fences or rock crevices. • If caught out in the open, remove all metal objects such as trangia stoves and sit on your backpack with your feet and hands off the ground. -Lightning -Flooded rivers It is best to plan routes to avoid crossing large rivers, which can be very hazardous. Possible hazards include: • unstable banks • fast-flowing water • deep holes • cold water • debris caught on the river bed.

8. If the river is considered safe to cross, the following guidelines should be followed. • Throw a stick in the flow to check the speed of the moving water. • If the water is below knee height, cross the river as individuals, in a diagonal, downstream direction. • Ensure your gear is in waterproof bags. Use a large plastic bag to line your pack. • Leave your shoes on unless the river has a clear, sandy bottom. • Release the waist belt on your pack. If you are swept off your feet, remove the pack from your shoulders. • If the water is above knee height, try to find a long stick that four to five people can hold onto at waist height. Cross in a diagonal, downstream direction. • Individuals may cross a river on their own, aided by a stick that they can plant on the upstream side and lean into as they cross. • Packs can assist with flotation if sufficiently waterproofed inside. Lean back onto the pack and keep your legs and feet up. However, in many instances packs should be shed, as they can become very heavy and weigh down a weak swimmer. • If in doubt, do not cross.

9. What impact does group dynamics have on the outdoor experience? The very nature of outdoor recreation makes it an excellent setting for group activities. When groups of people are put together in an exciting and dynamic environment, they can create certain outcomes, such as team bonding, discovering new skills or developing leadership abilities. These outcomes can be planned, for example, the Wallabies attending an outdoor adventure camp to specifically improve team cohesion and fitness, or the outcomes can be unplanned and left to chance. Either way, a group participating in outdoor recreation will be affected by the experience. Similarly, dynamics within a group will also affect the experience. Understanding how group dynamics work means outdoor leaders and instructors can have greater success when planning outdoor recreation for specific c outcomes.

10. Leadership Styles -Democratic Democratic leadership is generally considered the most effective leadership style. Democratic leaders offer advice and guidance to the group members. They also listen to their group members and encourage their input when group decisions are being made. Individuals in a democratically led group often feel important and valued, resulting in increased motivation levels. A weakness of democratic leadership is that it takes time to make decisions, and input from inexperienced group members can be incorrect. In addition, conflict may arise when different points of view are aired.

11. -Laissez-faire A laissez-faire leadership style is characterised by a very casual leader who is often disorganised and leaves decisions to chance. This style can promote leadership opportunities for group members, as they may feel forced to take charge. This leadership style may be effective when group members are skilled in the area of expertise; however, it often leads to poorly defined roles and lack of motivation. It can also result in a dangerous situation developing, as there may be a lack of guidance when required, for example, at the top of a cliff or when crossing a river.

12. -Autocratic Autocratic leaders provide clear instructions for their group members, telling them what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done. With autocratic leaders, there is a clear distinction between leaders and followers. These leaders make decisions independently of the group, often allowing little or no input from the group. This style of leadership is often required in potentially dangerous situations, where accurate decisions need to made, and made quickly. In an autocratically led group, members may feel as though the leader is bossy or controlling, and that thoughts and input from other are not wanted. This could possibly lead to frustration and conflict.

13. -strategic non-intervention Strategic non-interventional leaders actively observe their group members and step in when dangerous situations or valuable learning opportunities arise. This style of leadership, if used correctly, can promote group decision making, teamwork and leadership within the group. If, however, the leader delays in stepping in, or does not identify the need to step in, a dangerous situation can arise. Questions Describe four situations that could arise on a school outdoor education camp where a school teacher may use a different leadership style for each situation. Discuss what type of leadership style a rock-climbing instructor may adopt.