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How Accidents Occur: Examples of Hazards
Environmental Hazards
When assessing the potential environmental hazards you need to look at three factors.
1. ACTIVITY
Static - activities in which the environment is realtively unchanging
(e.g. hiking)
Dynamic - activities in which the environment change change very
quickly in unpredictable ways (e.g. whitewater paddling, biking)
2. LOCATION
In remote locations you need to exercise additional precuations. One
common method of accomplishing this is to increase the
rating of the rapid by one class if you are in a remote setting. For
example, a Class III becomes a Class IV. This helps take into
account the increase in Accident Potential (see below).
3. SEASON/CLIMATE
Weather and the possibility of weather changes also have a significant
impact on Accident Potential.
A) Environment
Rocky trail
Exposed ledges
Cold temperatures
Rain
Darkness
Overexposure to sun
Poison ivy
Beestings
B) Equipment
Broken stove
Boots not broken in
Improper clothing
Inoperative equipment
C) Driving/Transportation
Bad road conditions
Darkness
Unfamiliar road
Difficult road (CLASS I - VI)
Other erratic drivers
Pedestrians/cyclists
Human Factor Hazards
A) Participants
No awareness of hazards
No skills to avoid hazards
Resistence to instructions
Irresponsible/careless attitude towards self,
others, equipment>
Need to "prove" self, macho attitude
Poor physical strength, stamina
Fear, anxiety
B) Leaders
Lack of knowledge of environmental hazards
Inadequate skills to extricate group and self
from hazards
Poor safety judgement
Poor teacher of necessary skills
Instructions unclear
Poor supervisor, does not correct problems
Ineffectual under stress
Lack of teaching plan
C) Drivers
Poor driving skills
Rushing to meet schedule
Overly tired on long drives
Not driving defensively
D) Group
Group not yet formed, lacks cooperative structure
Interpersonal frictions unresolved
Poor communication patterns excessive competition
Scapegoating or lack of concern for slow or
different individuals
Excessive pressure or stress to "perform"
- macho
No practice in working harmoniously under
stress
Lack of leadership within group
Splintering into sub-groups
