SMUS Outdoor Education

Day or boarding student *

Day Student

Boarding Student

Swimming ability: *

Please indicate which of the following best matches the swimming ability of your son or daughter

Non-swimmer - They can't swim

They can swim 25 meters without stopping (minimum level required for sailing, stand-up paddling and sea kayaking)

They can swim 50 meters without stopping (minimum level required for surfing and Island Sampler)

They can swim 100 meters without stopping (minimum level required for whitewater kayaking)

General Outdoor Trip Risks and Hazards *

Statistics from the outdoor industry indicate that on average 6% of outdoor program participants are injured during trips and 5% of participants become ill. About ½ of those injuries/illnesses can be treated in the field and the other ½ will require evacuation. Minor injuries/illnesses occur frequently (on every trip). Typical examples include bumps, bruises, seasonal allergies, minor blisters, scratches and sunburns. These types of injuries are generally treated in the field and do not require additional medical treatment after the trip. We also see a range of more significant injuries/illnesses although less frequently (every couple of trips). Examples include major blisters, burns from cooking/stove use, flu, allergic reactions, sprained ankles/knees, heat or cold injuries, concussions, cuts requiring stitches and dislocations. In most cases, these students are evacuated from the trip and require additional medical treatment when they get home. Listed below are the hazards and risks associated with outdoor programs in general. In each case, we have included measures taken to reduce the frequency and severity of an event. ALLERGIES/INJURIES/ILLNESS: Guide First Aid certification. First Aid kit with lead guide/group. Medical forms reviewed prior to trip. Emergency communication procedures in place to contact EMS if needed. Prior to trip, parents asked about medical conditions, allergies and dietary preferences. ANIMALS: (bears, cougars, wolves, rodents, insects) No food in tents. Explanation about animal avoidance and what to do in the event of an encounter with specific animals of concern. COOKING/STOVE USE: Students provided with stove use lesson prior to operating stoves. An adult will oversee all stove use (on-site supervision). DARKNESS: Limited activity in darkness to avoid injuries. Students required to have a headlamp. DROWNING: Adherence to SMUS Swimming policies and procedures. Supervision by guides/instructors while on and near the water. Explanation of water hazard and boundaries if needed. DRUGS/ALCOHOL: Students made aware that school rules apply and that the safety implications are significant in such a trip. Use of Drugs and Alcohol strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the trip. EQUIPMENT FAILURE: Pre-trip equipment checks. Guides asked to report defective or damaged equipment to facilitate repair or replacement. FATIGUE: Proper hydration and nutrition throughout trip. Planned breaks during strenuous activities. Regular checks by the guides. FIRES: At the discretion of the guides/instructors and only in areas where fires are permitted. Supervision by adults. FOOT INJURIES: Students required to wear footwear that is appropriate for the activity taking place and the location. HORSEPLAY: Discussion with students about the complications of injuries in remote areas. HOT, COLD and FOUL WEATHER: Guides aware of heat and cold related illnesses/injuries. Pre-trip equipment checks. Proper hydration and nutrition during trip. Selection of activities, activity areas and equipment to avoid weather related injuries. Review of long-term forecast prior to trip. Alternate plans to accommodate inclement weather. LOST STUDENT: Pre-trip discussion about what to do in the event of a lost student. TRANSPORTATION: Students will be travelling in a school bus or a school van with a certified driver. Drivers must have a license valid for the vehicle being driven and have had their driving abstracts approved by the school.

I have read and acknowledge this information

Hiking Specific Risks and Hazards *

WILDLIFE.BEARS: Group travel procedures/buddy system. Guides carry bear spray for backcountry hikes. Food stored in food cache overnight. COMMUNICATION: Whistles carried by all instructors. Group travel procedures and communication signals explained early in program. Procedures in place to access communication with outside/EMS. Guides carry one or more of: Cell phone, Sat phone, InReach. FATIGUE/EXHAUSTION: Route plan selected based on student fitness and ability. Regular food and breaks. Regular checks by guides. Pre-trip gear check to assess pack weight. FOOT/ANKLE INJURIES: Pre-trip boot check. Use of appropriate footwear. Students recommended to use a hiking pole on trip. NAVIGATIONS/ROUTE FINDING: Guides familiar with area. Maps easily accessible. SLIPPERY ROCKS/BOARDWALKS: Hiking pole recommended. Pre-trip boot check. Reminder from guides of the need for additional care on slippery sections/boardwalks. TIDES/SURGE CHANNELS: Daily route plan and camp sites selected with consideration for tides and surge channels. Additional direction and supervision when crossing surge channels. WIND: Campsites selected with consideration for forecasted winds.

I have read and acknowledge this information

Paddling/Surfing Specific Risks and Hazards *

Paddling/Surfing Specific Risks and Hazards (required) Listed below are a number of hazards and risks specifically associated with surfing. The measures taken to reduce the frequency and severity of an event are also listed. COLD WATER/HYPOTHERMIA: Guides first aid training and certifications. Students dressed for immersion or wear full surf wetsuits and booties. Hoods and gloves available. Proper pre-trip nutrition. COMMUNICATION: Communication devices carried by instructors. Intra-group communication signals explained prior to activities. Procedures in place to communicate with outside/EMS. CONCUSSIONS/HEAD INJURIES: Explanation of activity hazards. Instruction on procedures for capsize/falling off board, board positioning and etiquette (avoiding collisions with others). CURRENTS: Guide pre-activity assessment of conditions (including wave height, wind, current...). Guide knowledge of activity location. Activity boundaries established to keep group in a appropriate beach/surf location. Communication system in place. DROWNING: Students will wear a PFD while participating in watersports. For surfing, students who are able to swim 50 meters are not required to wear a PFD. Students will be dressed for immersion (typically full surf suits and bright rash guards over wetsuit to aid in identification). Supervision by guides/instructors while on and near water. Whistle and emergency communication system in place. Explanation of water hazard, establishment of boundaries in/around campsite if needed. FOG/ADVERSE WEATHER: Evaluation of activity times, locations based on local experience and awareness of weather situations. Activities may be cancelled due to poor weather/fog. This will be determined by the lead guide. FOOT/ANKLE INJURIES: Use of appropriate footwear. Explanation of proper procedure for capsize, walking in shallows, falling off surfboard. HEAVY SURF: Water-based activities will not occur in areas where waves exceed 1.5 meters. Activities may be cancelled at the discretion of the guides. Pre-activity and ongoing assessment of conditions by guide. LOST STUDENT: Established group boundaries and supervision. Assessment of local conditions and weather/fog. During activity, guides perform regular checks and counts to keep track of all participants. For surfing, students wear bright (highly visible) rash guards or clear identifiers. MARINE MAMMALS: Discussion about what to do in the event of contact with marine mammals. SEPARATION: Established activity boundaries and supervision. Assessment of conditions and weather/fog. Guides have whistles. Whistle communication system in place. During surfing activity, guides perform regular checks and counts to keep track of all participants. Students wear bright (highly visible) rash guards or clear identifiers (helmets). SURF/WATER RESCUE/LOST PARTICIPANT: Established search and rescue procedures. Guides have whistles. Whistle communication system in place. During activity, guides perform regular checks and counts to keep track of all participants. Students wear bright (highly visible) rash guards over wetsuits.

I have read and acknowledge this information

Parent or Guardian Acknowledgement of Risk *

As a parent or guardian of the student, and having reviewed the material provided by SMUS about the activity, hereby: a) Consent to the student participating in the Outdoor Leadership 12 Course and associated activities. b) Recognize and understand the inherent risks associated with the activity including but not limited to the hazards of vehicle travel, wilderness travel, water travel, snow travel, accident/illness in places without nearby medical facilities, weather and other circumstances beyond the control of St. Michaels University School employees, related parties and agents. c) Authorize the activity leaders to consent to medical treatment for the student by any qualified medical practitioner as may be necessary in the event of an emergency. d) Understand the specific risks associated with the activity, including but not limited to: adverse weather conditions, winds, wildlife, the use of hiking equipment, the use of paddling and surfing equipment, the use of winter travel and camping equipment, swimming, slippery trails, the use of camp stoves, campfires and travel within and outside the activity area. Consequences of these risks may result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, drowning, death or damage to property or third parties. e) Understand that even though there are a variety of measures and practices in place to reduce the frequency and severity of injury/illness, residual risk remains. Accidents and injuries can still occur.

I acknowledge the risks and consent to my child participating in the Outdoor Leadership Course and associated activities/trips.