Land activities

In most cases there is a single body that represents an activity and provides the training and experience guidance for anyone seeking to lead a group.

However it is not always the case and some activities are not represented or fall between two or even three governing bodies. It could well be that for some new activities the schemes of several could be applied, for example if you were to take a group 'coasteering' on coastal cliffs where there is both a rock climbing requirement and a marine background required.

It is also entirely possible that a leader of a field studies group will need to have the capability of being able to navigate if the group wants to work in remote areas.

The list below gives an indication of where for example navigation skills may be required in addition to activity competence:

• Environmental activities in wild forest or open country
• Rock climbing
• Mountain biking and other forms of off-road cycling
• Mountaineering expeditions including
• The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme
• Ten Tors event training
• Caving
• Orienteering
• Gorge walking

Adventure activities licensing requirements

The Adventure Activities Licensing (Young Persons Safety) Act 1995

Providers of most adventure activities to young people under the age of 18 are required to hold a licence. More details can be found at the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) website. The AALA manages the scheme on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive and their staff have similar powers. There are several options for contacting them from the site if you still have unanswered questions or would like to search for a provider anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Any adventure activity that is to be lead by a member of our staff must be notified to the Outdoor Education Adviser using form PSOE1 well before it goes ahead in case there is a need for it to be conducted under the Council's adventure activities licence.

Local factors to have in mind when selecting a safe location

For moorland areas subject to live firing then there is a need to check the Dartmoor firing notices provided by the military on the Dartmoor training area website.

Forestry, farming conservation and shooting activities can all impact on access and change normal access and safety, and so leaders should also carry out suitable checks with the managing agents and comply with any notices in force on the day.

River crossings are not recommended generally, they become dangerous in wet weather and routes should be planned to avoid the necessity. Looking at the weather over a period of time prior to departure will give an indication of whether water levels are rising or falling which may well also impact upon routes for walks.

As a guide, generally most people underestimate the force and depth of water required to knock a person off their feet. This force, when combined with the width of the river and its proximity to falls or connections with more major rivers, water temperature and the consequences of groups getting very wet, all need careful consideration.

This need is considerably more relevant when young people are operating independently. Leaders need to have in mind the capability of a group to make a safe decision under pressure when faced with a long walk around or give in to the temptation to cross a river instead.

Some areas, particularly those in more recent military use, can contain remnants of ammunition. These areas should be avoided if practical or at least anything encountered treated with the utmost respect and in some places this may well prevent any significant digging taking place.

Animals, domestic and wild, are to be found in open country and when crossing farmland use public footpaths. Most animals will keep their distance, some, however, may approach particularly when they have young. Students should be briefed on basic precautions and not leave food or deliberately feed animals as this makes the problem worse.

The coastline of Devon and Cornwall provides a very real live geology. In many places this is quite safe however there are some areas where the height of cliffs, the sea and wave action combine to create a greater level of risk than is to be found in many parts of the United Kingdom. This equates to the risks in mountains and highlights the importance of prior knowledge of sites, routes and venues that are to be visited by groups.

Locations should always be considered, as part of the risk assessment, for their exposure to weather, the distance that the group has to walk between access points, the presence of other public users and the consequent likely personal protective clothing requirements.

There are some areas where there is a risk of infection from insect bites or from water borne microbes if they are ingested. Guidance on Weil's and Lyme disease can be found below:

Lyme disease [41KB]

Leadership and supervision competencies

Specific requirements for the leadership of adventure activities can be found on their relevant governing body website.

For other less well regulated activities party leaders should bear in mind the following recommendations which give an indication of national best safe practice as a basis for comparison. In all cases the presentation of a certificate of activity leadership competence needs to be combined with a judgement of professional management capability of the holder together with a period of induction and heightened support. The Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) should be well placed to make this judgement and to add this endorsement to the records of staff competence with their other certificates.

In addition to competency, there needs to be personal recent activity, all leaders should regularly check the websites of the awarding national body for news and information updates. Some may be required to revalidate their certification.

Leaders of coastal activities are strongly recommended to undertake the training course provided within the south west mountain and moorland scheme, the coast and countryside leader award. This training sets out the management requirements for the coast and for countryside areas, that everyone needs to apply where generally the risks are lower than are to be found in open or 'wild' country.

Some coastal areas are, however, worthy of very careful consideration and local experience is a relevant factor for any approver to take into consideration.

• At least one person in each group that is to any significant extent independent should have a current first aid certificate.
• All staff assisting with or leading activities should be familiar with how to deal with an emergency, this should include how to safeguard themselves as well as the young people they are responsible for.
• All staff should be fit enough to be able to identify risk, navigate and remain safe and active in the field for up to two hours beyond the planned activities duration.
• The leader should have appropriate competence and experience.

Field study staff exemptions when working on the open moorland

Staff leading field studies can take groups out onto the open moor, without having a moorland leadership qualification providing that they have suitable experience and can apply the 'half hour rule'. They will need the endorsement of their Educational Visits Coordinator and will need to provide a suitable risk assessment that demonstrates that they are in compliance with this rule.

This requires that they do not go more than 30 minutes (walking on foot) from a major road or other check point where they would normally expect to be able to meet an emergency services vehicle or relocate themselves quickly. In effect anyone who cannot reliably use a compass and map, anticipate or provide the personal requirements to remain in open country, must be confident of being able to return to their vehicle or pick up point in the conditions that are likely to be encountered on the day. Any leader, whatever the circumstances, must be able to deliver on the risk management commitments arising from their own risk assessment.

Group considerations

Group sizes should be set to reflect the demand and capability of the activity and the staff leading it.

Group members should each have had appropriate training and preparation for any activity they are to undertake, particularly where they will have significant responsibility for themselves.

Activities and the locations should be within the reasonable capability of the group members.

Group dynamics sometimes lead to decisions that leaders have not predicted or anticipated particularly when the group are anxious and some distance from the supervising adults. This pressure and anxiety mix has lead to increased and unjustified confidence as well as low morale and early panic.

The magnitude of the impact can be even greater when combining young people of very different experiences or adventure thresholds. Another problem that occurs is the absence of a clearly defined leader. This causes problems in an adult group and can be an even more influential among a group of young people in an independent group.

Infections

There is a very slight risk of becoming infected whilst outdoors and particularly when in contact with stale water. It is therefore well worth bringing to the attention of all those who are likely to be exposed what they must do to prevent infection and what symptoms would be grounds for concern should they subsequently become ill. This is more important as the first signs are not likely to appear until after the event and young people have returned home.

Further information in the form of fact sheets can be found below or by visiting the NHS Direct website.

Leptospirosis and Weil's disease [28KB]

Soil and water infections [11KB]

Zoonosis [9KB]

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