SAFETY PLAN FOR ODS COURSES AT UAS

1. First aid kits, list contents and other first aid supplies
UAS outdoor education program maintains first aid kits for use during classes. Instructors are required to take one of these first aid kits on every course outing.

2. First aid skills of crew members and trip leaders, e.g., EMT, CPR and First Aid
At least one of the instructors will have medical training certification at the level of Wilderness First Responder or higher. The other instructor will have medical training certification of First Aid / CPR or higher.

3. Lost and overdue persons search procedures
Instructors are required to check in upon returning from the field. If the group does not check in by 9:00 p.m. on the designated day, depending on the location, weather and other relevant factors, the following options will be considered:

1) A search group may be organized and sent either that night, or at first light, from the UAS Outdoor Studies Program. 2) Contact Juneau Mountain Rescue or US Coast Guard. 3) Contact Alaska State Troopers.

All participants must be informed of UAS outdoor education lost person protocol before they enter the field.

1) If the whereabouts of a group member is unknown, the lead instructor on the outing must be notified immediately. If the lead instructor is the lost person, the assistant instructor must be notified immediately. 2) The group can begin a localized and controlled search that can last up to one hour. The group should not separate and risk having an additional person’s becoming lost. 3) If the group is not able to contact help with their communication device, the instructor(s) should be organizing a runner team during the first hour. The runner team must be comprised of at least two people. 4) If, at the end of one hour, the person is not found, a call should be made to the Alaska State Troopers. 5) If the group does not have a communication device, at the end of one hour a runner team must be sent to the nearest and/or safest trailhead or phone. The runner team must carry personal survival equipment. Once the runner team reaches a phone, the Alaska State Troopers must be notified and given details of the situation. 6) After contacting the Alaska State Troopers, the runner team must immediately attempt to contact the UAS Outdoor Studies Program coordinator(s). 7) The team in the field may continue searching during this period. However, the search must be conducted in a way that does not put any other team members at risk of becoming lost.

4. Contingency plans in case of emergency
Before every outing, instructors must meet with a program coordinator and discuss the area to which they are going, the capabilities of the communication devices that will be carried and possible contacts in case of emergency. Other information that will be covered with the instructors will be rescue plans and possibilities for evacuating an injured student or instructor.

5. Bear Safety; procedures and training for both instructors and students

If a class will be traveling off campus to an area in which there is a possibility of bear encounters, the instructor must discuss bear avoidance techniques with the students before the group enters the field. The instructor must also explain acceptable/unacceptable behaviors should a bear encounter occur.

During all such trips, each instructor is required to carry Counter Assault in the field. Students must be educated regarding the hazards and proper use of the material. Once a student has received this information and has demonstrated proper handling techniques, s/he is allowed to carry the material in the field.

6. Emergency survival supplies
Personal survival equipment (also known as the “10 essentials”) must be carried by the group for any day outing and by each participant for an overnight outing. The equipment must stay with the group or individuals at all times. The ten essentials are:

1. map and compass 2. flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries 3. extra food 4. extra clothing 5. sunglasses 6. first aid kit 7. knife 8. matches (in fireproof container) and firestarter 9. garbage bag 10. closed-cell pad

7. Search and rescue plans and procedures
Search methods depend on the situations and locations involved. If a decision to begin a search and rescue operation is made in the field, the instructor must notify, by the fastest and or safest way possible, the Alaska State Troopers, the Juneau Mountain Rescue Team or US Coast Guard, and the UAS Outdoor Studies Program Coordinator(s).

The first priority of a search and rescue operation must be the safety of the rescuers.

8. Crew and leader’s experience and training (boat handling, etc.)
Course instructor’s (the leader) must possess the following qualifications: technical skills specific to the course activity; extensive personal experience in the course activity; experience leading or guiding (in a paid or unpaid capacity) others in the course activity; and instructional competencies. Proof of these qualifications can be offered by way of previous employment, personal experience, certifications and/or demonstration, depending on the qualification.

Educational technicians or teaching assistants (the crew) need to possess the following qualifications: technical skills specific to the course activity; personal experience in the course activity; and instructional competencies. Proof of these qualifications can be offered by way of previous employment, personal experience, certifications and/or demonstration, depending on the prerequisite.

9. Evacuation procedures
If an evacuation is necessary an instructor needs to decide whether a self-evacuation is safe for the patient or group or whether assistance is needed. This will depend on the resources and strength of the group and the condition of the patient. If outside assistance is sought the following procedures must be followed.

1) An instructor or assistant needs to remain with the injured patient.
2) If a runner team is sent, an instructor or assistant needs to be sent with the team.
3) The runner team must carry:

• A list of who to call, (program coordinator(s), Alaska State Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue or US Coast Guard…) in what order, and telephone numbers
• A specific description of the group’s plan of action
• Complete SOAP notes for each patient
• A complete list of the group’s resources
• Personal survival equipment

10. Fire plans and safety equipment
UAS Outdoor Program groups do not carry any equipment for the primary purpose of extinguishing fires. At times on outings, fires may be built in designated campfire areas. When this is the case, standard fire precautions will be followed. All students on trips in which stoves will be utilized will be instructed on the safe use of the different styles of stoves they may encounter.

11. Student briefing procedures
All participants in UAS Outdoor Studies outings are students in the courses to which the outings are associated. Students will learn about the primary skills and safety procedures related to the area and activities involved in the outing before leaving the UAS campus.

12. Communication equipment and procedures.
A communication device must be carried on all overnight field outings. An instructor can consider taking an aviation or marine band radio, CB, or cellular phone, depending on where the outing will be held and communications limitations of that area.