Riving Crossings

Pre- Activity

• In consultation between client guide, lead guide, operations manager and CEO an assessment will be made as to GO/ NO GO.

  • Ultimate decision making falls to Lead Guide + CEO

During Activity

• If the guide has communication, the lead guide and CEO can cancel activities at any point during day due to safety concerns (even if this falls against guide wishes).

• Guide has authority to cancel activity if risk is deemed too great.

FLOW CHART??

Pre-activity setup, safety and equipment checks

• The river is checked for signs of flooding and submerged hazards

• Recent rainfall is taken into account when considering the river crossing

• The Guide checks the river for signs of brown water (sediment) flow, floating debris or fast (more than 6km/hr) flowing currents

• The Guide estimates the nature and terrain of the river bed at the intended crossing point

• The Guide estimates the water flow speed by walking along the river bank whilst attempting to keep pace with a floating object in the river. If the object floats faster than a brisk walking pace (approx 6km/hr) the river current may be too fast to cross safely

• The Guide estimates the deepest water level that is likely to be encountered during the intended crossing; water that is estimated to be at or above waist height of the shortest person in the group may be too deep to cross safely

• The Guide assesses the nature and extent of down-stream hazards; rapids, waterfalls and strainers are avoided (at a minimum of 300 meters upstream)

• The Guide considers the creek bed, water flow speed and water depth and down-stream hazards when determining if the river is safe to cross

• The Guide considers capacity, experience and skills of the participants when determining the depth of detailed required for the river crossing briefing and the extent of supervision

• Additional pre-cautions are taken when there are participants who are unable to swim

Pre-activity safety briefing

• The Guide articulates the plan for crossing the river

• Participants are advised to un clip any backpack waist belts

• Participants always wear appropriate footwear when crossing rivers

• Participants are advised to face up stream and walk sideways across the current

• The Guide articulates and demonstrates an appropriate river crossing technique

Conduct and supervise the activity

• The Guide maintains a position where appropriate supervision is possible

• The Guide considers the use of a down-stream safety person to assist with rescue (if appropriate)

• Progression across the river is conducted as indicated in the image below

• The use of a down-stream safety person, rescue rope and/or pole may be used where a risk of swimmers following a fall exists

Report

• The Guide communicates details of additional actions and/or evacuations to the Operations Manager at an appropriate time

• Guide completes INCIDENT REPORT within 48hours of evacuation