Bushwalking

WebPartZone1_1

PublishingPageContent

Guideline review date: 28 October 2021

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template.

Activity scope

This guideline relates to student participation in bushwalking in mainly natural areas as an activity to support curriculum delivery during daylight hours.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than one CARA guideline (e.g. bushwalking while camping) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

Schools should consider conducting this activity at a Department of Education Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre (OEEC) and consult with OEEC centre staff for risk assessment requirements.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record. For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Risk level

Medium risk level
Bushwalking activities in controlled areas up to and including class 3 tracks as defined in the Australian Standards 2156.1-2001: walking tracks—classification and signage.

Class 1

Tracks provide opportunities for a large number of visitors, including those with reduced mobility, to traverse the natural environment easily. They provide high level of interpretation and facilities. Steps allowed only with ramp access. Users need no previous experience and are expected to exercise normal care regarding their personal safety.

Class 2

Tracks provide opportunities for large numbers of visitors to walk easily in natural environments. They provide moderate to high level interpretation and facilities. They are generally on low gradients. Users need no previous experience and are expected to exercise normal care regarding their personal safety.

Class 3

Tracks provide opportunities for visitors to walk in slightly modified natural environments requiring a moderate level of fitness. They provide low level of interpretation and facilities. Users need no bush walking experience and a minimum level of specialised skills. Users may encounter natural hazards such as steps and slopes, unstable surfaces and minor water crossings. They are responsible for their own safety.

High risk level
Bushwalking activities in intermediate areas and uncontrolled areas (class 4 to class 6 tracks as defined in the Australian Standard 2156.1-2001: walking tracks—classification and signage).

Class 4

Tracks provide opportunities for visitors to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments along defined and distinct tracks with minimal (if any) facilities. They provide minimal interpretation and facilities. Users can expect opportunities for solitude and few encounters with others. Users require a moderate level of specialised skills such as navigation skills. Users may require maps and navigation equipment to successfully complete the track. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

Class 5

Tracks provide opportunities for visitors with outdoor skills to discover the natural environment. Visitors require a higher degree of specialised skills such as navigation skills. Users may require maps and navigation equipment to successfully complete the track. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

Class 6

Users require previous experience in the outdoors and a high level of specialised skills such as navigational skills. Users will generally require a map and navigation equipment to complete the track or route, which are usually mountainous or in remote areas. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

If any other safety recommendation cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard.

All risk levels

Reference to Australian adventure activity standard, bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide is required when planning this activity.

Prior consultation is required with local authority (e.g. Department of Environment and Science [for track closures] and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Permission/permits are required to be obtained from land managers (e.g. QGPF, local councils or private landholders), if applicable.>

WebPartZone1_2

Collapse all Expand all

Students

Emergency and first-aid

Emergency plans and injury management procedures (e.g. provision of) must be established for foreseeable incidents (e.g. separation from group, medical emergency, thunderstorm, first aid, preventing and managing snake bites).

Adult supervisors must have:

emergency contact details of all participants;
a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
communication equipment suitable to conditions (e.g. two-way radio, mobile phone) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice. Note that battery life can be impacted by weather conditions
recovery/rescue equipment suitable to the location (e.g. emergency position-indicating radio beacon [EPIRB] or personal locator beacon [PLB], flares)
an appointed emergency contact (e.g. the Principal, a park ranger, or local police) who is provided with a route card listing activity details (outline of the route to be followed, the number and names of the party, the estimated time of departure/arrival
emergency shelter/protection locations and alternative routes that consider foreseeable emergencies (e.g. injury, bushfire, thunderstorm, extreme temperature, tides).

Safety procedures must be determined for the location (e.g. location of first aid support and equipment, roll marking, process to rapidly communicate emergency advice to adult supervisors of impending severe events).

Access is required to first aid equipment and consumables suitable to the activity for foreseeable incidents.

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area. Emergency qualifications include:

HLTAID009—provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
HLTAID011—provide first aid
HLTAID013—provide first aid in remote situations
or equivalent competencies.

Induction and instruction

Consent

Supervision

Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).

For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students’ medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.

The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students’ ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. The bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide should be consulted for supervision ratios.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record
must assess weather conditions, and obtain accurate information on tides, depths, currents and other expected water conditions (if applicable) and conditions of the terrain prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers (e.g. fire or flash flooding susceptibility and potential flying items during strong winds).

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be readily identifiable
must closely monitor students with health support needs
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Supervisor qualifications

Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

At least one adult supervisor is required to be:

Medium risk level

a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching bushwalking activities
or
an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with qualifications relevant to bushwalking activities from the sport, fitness and recreation training package or similar. Refer to the competencies outlined in the bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide for guidance.

High risk level

a registered teacher with qualifications relevant bushwalking activities from the sport, fitness and recreation training package or similar (or equivalent demonstrated capability). Refer to the competencies outlined in the bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide for guidance
or
an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with Certificate III in outdoor leadership or Certificate III in sport and recreation, similar or higher. Refer to the competencies outlined in the bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide for guidance.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability. Consider the geography when planning the route, to avoid walking along cliff edges (slipping hazard) and below cliff faces (falling rocks). Plan alternative routes in case of emergency situations (e.g. bushfire, thunderstorm, extreme temperature, king tide).

Participants must wear personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. long-sleeved shirt and pants for all weather extremes, wind and rain jacket and suitable enclosed footwear).

Personal equipment for all participants required including, but not limited to:

individual drinking containers with each participant carrying 2–3 litres of water for each day
personal food supplies in excess of the requirements of the planned walk, including emergency rations for 24 hours more than the initial planned duration
insect repellent, sunscreen and personal hygiene items as necessary
toileting equipment (if applicable)
a bag for rubbish and
waterproof containers for all equipment that can be damaged by water.

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Establish and employ a process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity.

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

If privately owned equipment is being used, Principal approval, owner consent/insurance details must be obtained prior to the activity.

Hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards	Control measures
Animal bites/diseases Stings Poisoning Infection	Observe wildlife from a safe distance. Instruct students not to feed wildlife and how to respond to approaching wildlife. Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in insect viruses and allergies.
Environmental conditions Weather Surrounds Surfaces	The school's sun safety strategy must be followed. Brief all participants on the potential hazards (e.g. thorned flora, steep slopes). Constantly monitor surroundings for weather, terrain and wildlife hazards during the bushwalk. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions. Monitor participants for cold related illness (e.g. hypothermia) in cold weather conditions. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks.
Student considerations	Control measures
Injury	Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment.
Physical exertion Exhaustion and fatigue	Conduct appropriate lead-up activities. Participants able to easily carry the overall backpack weight. Establish rest stops, considering the age and fitness level of students. Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Adopt system of signals to clearly communicate the need for assistance if in difficulty.
Student issues Separation from the group High risk behaviours	Maintain contact between all group members through regular checks on group numbers. Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants. Appoint designated group roles (e.g. leader, group member, tail end).
Visibility	Have students wear easily identifiable clothing (e.g. high visibility rash vest). Ensure staff can easily recognise those students with health support needs and are familiar with their needs.

Additional links

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

WebPartZone2_1

WebPartZone2_2

WebPartZone2_3

WebPartZone3_1

WebPartZone3_2

WebPartZone3_3

WebPartZone3_4

WebPartZone4_1

WebPartZone5_1

WebPartZone5_2

WebPartZone6_1

WebPartZone6_2

WebPartZone7_1

WebPartZone7_2

WebPartZone8_1

WebPartZone8_2