Risk Management Plan

Transcription

1 Risk Management Plan Revised June 14, 2011 by Bela G. Vadasz Technical Director Alpine Skills International Donner Pass Rd. Truckee, CA (530) w w w. a l p i n e s k i l l s. c o m 1

2 Alpine Skills International Risk Management Plan The following is a set of guidelines from which ASI instructors and guides can use as appropriate to the situation, season, terrain and activity. 1) Prior to any program, instructors/guides should review and be familiar with the Risk Management Plan. a. Review and update emergency numbers and ensure all instructors/guides are familiar with local emergency resources and likely response protocols. Instructors/guides should write important numbers in their field notebooks. b. Review cell phone, satellite phone or radio coverage for areas of field activity. c. Instructors/guides should carry a copy of the Program or Course Roster with participant names, medical information and emergency contact information. d. Each instructor/guide should carry a copy of the emergency response plan. 1) Accident Quick Reference 2) Accident Report Form Patient Assessment* 3) Accident Report Form Site Description* *5-9 thru 5-11, Technical Handbook for Professional Mountain Guides 4) Avalanche Involvement Report (short form) from CAA or AAA. 5) ASI Operational Stability Analysis and Forecast (AM & PM) e. Instructors/guides should obtain and carry a copy of weather and avalanche forecast when available and/or useful. 2) Morning and Afternoon Guide Meetings Whether by oneself or with fellow guides should discuss: *Use ASI Operational Stability Analysis and Forecast (AM&PM) AM discussion AM Observational Stability Analysis & Avalanche Advisory Review 1. How are things different? What's changing? 2. What are the critical factors? 3. Gaps in knowledge? 4. In terms of terrain choices, where don't we want to be? 5. Everyone agrees = unanimous. Summarize it: What's the big issue? What's forefront in our brains today? What are lesser issues? Target any Avy issues. For example, steep solar aspects, slide for life, etc. Lead guide draws Conversation to a Conclusion. 2

3 PM discussion 1. Was it different than we forecast? Did we get it? 2. Were there incidents or near misses to learn from? 3. What do we do to make it better tomorrow? Risk reduction? Communication? Human factors? Etc. 4. PM Observational Stability Analysis. *Using a level of detail appropriate for the program, make notes and record your thought process, decisions and observations in your guide s field notebook. 3) Check Application, Medical and Release Forms ASI instructors/guides will check Course Roster to make sure all participants have filled out, signed and returned the 1) Application, 2) Medical and 3) Release Forms. If not, instructors/guides must ask participant if they have brought theirs filled out to be collected. If not, the instructors/guides must ask to fill them out. The Course Roster and all forms must be returned to the ASI Office. A) Ask all members of the group during orientation if they have any questions of risks or hazards that are mentioned in the Release Form. Avoid answering any questions pertaining to legal matters we are not qualified to answer. B) Ask if anyone needs to discuss any medical issues with you. C) For selected programs, a Participant Screening Questionnaire may be available in the guide packet for the instructor/guide to review to help determine client profiles. 4) Avalanche Transceiver and Rescue Practice ASI Instructors/Guides should provide transceiver and rescue practice with clients, appropriate to the situation and time allowances on every program possible when avalanche safety equipment is being carried. This opportunity benefits both the instructor/guide as he or she demonstrates technique as well as ongoing education for clients. 5) Operational Records Daily operational stability and hazard forms, observations and field tests recorded in guide s field notebooks should be photo copied and filed on the appropriate clipboard in Guide s office. These copies should be reviewed by all guides to become aware of the recent hazard and trend analysis. The following topics should be considered when appropriate for backcountry programs away from the ski area or roadside rock climbing areas. a. Morning weather observations b. Weather forecast c. Stability rating d. Other hazards (increased rock fall, crowding, etc.) e. Other field observations 3

4 Recording incidents or near-misses: Any non-accident, incident or near misses should be noted in guide s field notebooks for future reference. 6) Emergency Response Plan a. 24-hour contact person should be available to help coordinate and facilitate rescue response. The 24-hour contact person is Bela or Mimi Vadasz, unless another person is assigned in their absence. b. Communication via VHF radio, cell phone or satellite phone should be ensured to help coordinate rescue c. Determine access to local medical facilities d. At the trailhead, instructors and guides inform participants of immediate emergency plan to include radio communications, emergency contacts, first aid kit, vehicle key locations, directions and bearings of locations and landscape features e. Self-rescue is the instructor/guide s responsibility. Outside rescue is only a backup. Each instructor/guide is responsible to organize the following group emergency gear for each activity category to include: Rock climbing Winter ice climbing Alpine climbing Ski and snowboard touring and mountaineering f. Incident/accident forms to be filled out after each incident where an injury has occurred. These forms are available to be photo copied from Technical Handbook for Professional Mountain Guides. g. Incidents or near misses must be recorded in guide s field notebooks. h. Guides must keep copies of full guide s field notebooks in a safe place for future reference. i. Post incident/accident debriefs are to take place with ALL instructors/guides and participants regardless of whether or not they were involved in the accident. j. A record must be kept of the discussion. k. Close calls (no injuries or actual avalanche involvements) should be debriefed in the same fashion. The group as a whole should be involved in this discussion to avoid changes in the facts in people s minds. Explain what happened and why. l. Regardless of type of incident, instructors should go through their own end of day internal review. Basic items for all categories include: Guide s Field notebook with emergency plan & emergency contact numbers Course Roster with participant names and emergency contacts (This roster should be carried in Guide s Field Notebook, then returned to Guide s Packet envelope after completion of program) First aid kit Emergency bivouac sack Electronic communications Watch Accident Quick Reference form Accident Report form - Patient Assessment Accident Report form Site Description 4

5 ASI Operational Stability Analysis and Forecast (AM&PM) when appropriate Digital Camera or smart phone (photos/videos) Water, food and warm clothing In addition to basic items previously listed, consider the following for: Rock Climbing Additional rope, protection, carabiners, sling and cordage for rescue Alpine Climbing Additional protection, carabiners, sling and cordage for rescue Map, compass, altimeter, GPS (when appropriate) Snow/weather study kit (when appropriate) Repair kit Transceiver, probe and shovel (when conditions warrant) Fire starter or mini stove and fuel Winter Ice Climbing Additional protection, carabiners, sling and cordage for rescue Hot-drink vacuum bottle Fire starter or mini stove and fuel Ski and Snowboard Touring and Mountaineering Emergency rope, carabiners, sling and cordage Transceivers, probes and shovels Spare transceiver, probe and shovel in vehicle at trailhead Map, compass, altimeter, GPS (when appropriate) Snow/weather study kit Rescue sled components Fire starter or mini stove and fuel Repair kit Spare food, water and extra clothing 5

6 Serious Accident With injury or death 1) Call to coordinate emergency rescue and medical if life-threatening and time sensitive. 2) Call to ASI Program Coordinator, Technical or Administrative Director. 3) Call to insurance carrier coordinator. Cooperate with medical, police and rescue authorities. Get statements from witnesses, written in their own words and signed. Note anyone refusing first aid, assistance or anyone who is a witness but refuses to make a statement. Photographs, videotape recordings, measurements, distances and other visual, technical records and data are beneficial. Do not conceal or alter facts. Refrain on commenting on accidents or incidents. Avoid speculation or assessing fault, blame or cause; whether the accident involves your party or any other. In case of fatality, do not move the body without permission from authorities. Information gathered by guides may be protected from use by others, including investigating authorities and agencies. This requires prior arrangements with legal counsel. Beware of making off-the-cuff statements to the media. Let authorities deal with the media. Appoint a media contact to coordinate such efforts if possible. Contact your insurer, legal counsel and a representative of your Association s Executive Committee (President/VP/TD) to inform them of the situation and obtain advice if necessary. 6

7 Emergency Phone Numbers Prioritize order as is appropriate to the situation. Emergency outside assistance required 911 Most domestic rescue or emergency transport efforts are coordinated through the county Sheriff s office. In national parks, efforts are coordinated through the parks rescue system. For out of the country emergencies: research and obtain appropriate contact numbers prior to the program. Please see Guides Message Board: You can also access this on the Guides Page (left column) on the ASI website: Username: onsight Password: Tradmaster Bill Seline s post (Apr 13, 2009) on Helicopter Rescue Procedure Dave Riggs s post (Feb 11, 2011) on Sugar Bowl area GPS coordinates ASI Technical Director: Bela G. Vadasz: c: h: ASI Administrative Director: Mimi Vadasz: c: h: ASI Office: c: ASI Office Manager: Tony Peterson c: h: Instructors/Guides are encouraged to review Risk Management 5-1 to 5-14 in the Technical Handbook for Professional Mountain Guides. Guides should note additional important phone numbers or radio frequencies of local resources that may offer assistance, such as local Search & Rescue groups, ski resort ski patrol near your area of operation, etc. Carry phone numbers of other ASI Guides who may offer insight for emergency management. Wells Fargo - Insurance Carrier Wells Fargo Attorney Mark Tokunaga AMGA President, Vice President, Technical Director Trip end call-in by Guides Immediately after the course closes after a backcountry trip, guides are required to call-in to the designated 24-hour contact and leave word with how the trip went. If you need to leave a voic message, please call a second number and leave a second message if necessary. This is an important time to describe any incidents, near misses or any other important information the Program Directors should know about prior to speaking with any of the participants. 7

8 ASI Guide s Avalanche Hazard & Management Reminders Data Class 1 - Avalanche Activity 1) Do you have information on recent or past avalanches on similar aspects or elevations? 2) If so, do the conditions still exist? Data Class 2 - Snowpack 1) Do you have adequate information about the snowpack in and on: - the surface? - the upper snowpack? - deeper in the snowpack? - on different aspects you plan to travel? - at different elevations you plan to travel? 2) What is your confidence level of your stability evaluation for different aspects and elevations? Data Class 3 - Weather 1) How could current or forecasted weather possibly affect snow stability on different aspects and elevations? 2) How could timing affect snow stability on different aspects and elevations? Terrain 1) Are there terrain features that can provide safer and safest travel options if necessary? Human Factors 1) Do you know or can you find out the a) physical condition b) skill level c) experience level with avalanche safety techniques of the group members to help you manage hazards? Continue to make field observations and re-evaluate assessments and options as necessary. 8

9 Keep copies of the following forms with you in the field at all times: 1) Accident Quick Reference 2) Accident Report Form Patient Assessment* 3) Accident Report Form Site Description* *5-9 thru 5-11, Technical Handbook for Professional Mountain Guides 4) Avalanche Involvement Report (short form) from CAA or AAA. 5) ASI Operational Stability Analysis and Forecast (AM & PM) 9