Key considerations to make when planning an outdoor activity, i.e.

○ health and safety (e.g. is the activity suitable for the group, have all potential risks been identified)

○ personnel (e.g. ratio of leaders to participants, is the activity leader suitably qualified)

○ Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (e.g. centres delivering outdoor activities have to have a license)

○ clothing and equipment (e.g. appropriate to the activity, not damaged/torn)

○ location (e.g. is the terrain suitable for the activity, is it suitable for the experience of the participants)

○ supplies (e.g. will there be access to food and water)

○ emergency procedures (e.g. is there a first aider available, is there an escape route should you become trapped, will there be mobile phone reception to contact emergency services)

○ contingency plans (e.g. alternative route should there be an unexpected obstruction, spare equipment should any break)

○ shelter (e.g. will an overnight stay be required, is there shelter from adverse weather conditions)

○ weather forecast (e.g. will the weather conditions be suitable for the activity, will the weather conditions cause any risk during the activity)

○ timing (e.g. is the time length of the activity suitable)

• hazards to be aware of when planning outdoor activities, i.e.

○ inappropriate supervision/tuition

○ poor/incorrect equipment (e.g. wrong type of footwear, a back pack that is too heavy)

○ unforeseen weather conditions (e.g. blizzards/flash floods)

○ illness/injury (e.g. dehydration, frost bite, fractures/sprains)

○ poor organisation (e.g. undefined roles within a team, inaccurate timings)

○ getting lost

○ unstable terrain (e.g. mud slides, avalanches)

○ animals and insects (e.g. insect bites, animals scavenging food).