Emergency Preparedness — Key Information

Emergency Preparedness

Having a well-practised emergency response is as important as preventing emergencies in the first place. This guidance covers what you need to have in place before something goes wrong.

Written Emergency Procedures

Every operation should have documented procedures for:

• Serious injury or illness of a participant
• Death of a participant
• Missing person
• Evacuation (on foot, by water, aerial)
• Vehicle incident
• Sudden weather change
• Natural hazard event (flooding, landslip, earthquake, volcanic activity)
• Communication failure in a remote area

Safety Monitoring Systems

While activities are running, someone must be monitoring:

• Participant and staff wellbeing
• Weather and environmental conditions
• Communication check-ins from field staff
• Activity progress against planned schedule

For remote or multi-day activities: establish regular check-in schedules with a responsible person who will raise the alarm if a check-in is missed.

Backup Plans

For every activity, have a documented backup plan:

• Alternative route or exit point if the primary route is blocked
• Alternative activity if conditions make the primary one unsafe
• Backup communication method if primary fails
• Backup emergency contacts if primary contact is unavailable

Staff Training for Emergencies

All operational staff should:

• Know the emergency procedures for every activity they work on
• Have practised emergency scenarios, not just read about them
• Know who to contact, in what order, and what information to provide
• Know how to use all emergency equipment (first aid kit, emergency locator beacon, radio)

Communication Systems

Minimum requirements:

• A method to call for help from any location you operate in (satellite communicator, PLB, or reliable cell coverage)
• A method for field staff to communicate with each other
• Clear protocols for who makes decisions and who communicates with external agencies

First Aid Provisions

• First aid kit appropriate for the activity and remoteness
• At least one staff member with current first aid certification on every activity
• More advanced first aid (wilderness first aid) required for remote activities
• Oxygen supply for water-based activities where practicable

Emergency Equipment Register

Maintain a register of all emergency equipment including:

• First aid kit contents and expiry dates
• PLB/EPIRB registration and battery status
• Radio equipment (charged, tested)
• Evacuation equipment specific to your activity