Site Management Theory Allows leaders to assess risk and manage groups in the backcountry based on site type: –Stationary Site –Moving Site –Safe and Transition Zones Nicolazzo (2004)

Accident Data Trends and Patterns Kathy Capps

Who’s Publishing and Why? Large organizations: NOLS, Outward Bound, American Alpine Club, American Whitewater Land management or emergency management agencies: National Park Service, helicopter and county rescue services

What type of data is collected? Types and frequencies of injury and illness Activity Severity and evacuation status Demographic factors including age, gender, staff vs. participant, tourist vs. local Environmental and human factors

Study Findings

Conclusions Studies all present descriptive data and overview Ability to generalize is limited; studies are scattered and inconsistent Two activities with the most research are climbing and boating (canoe, kayak, raft) Additional research and findings should test available models and theories; compare results with similar studies

A Call to Action St. Paul Companies, an insurance conglomerate, and Outward Bound USA conducted a nationwide study of three hundred outdoor adventure programs (2001). Two of the primary conclusions of the study were: –Outdoor adventure programs have a clear need for better training resources and risk assessment tools. –The outdoor adventure industry as a whole, as well as its consumers and evaluators, need a clear and consistent way to assess risk and safety management systems. In particular, the industry needs a system in place to track and report accidents and injuries to get a clear picture of the risks inherent in the industry and how to mitigate these risks. (p. 3)