By: Abigail A. Aningalan
Head Teacher III/OIC, Dayap NHS-Mabacan Annex
Physical health and well-being in school is always a top priority when we talk about recreational activities such as sports or outdoor adventure and students are not far-fetched when it comes to such risks that may come with doing recreational or outdoor activities. So how can we be able to manage the risk of outdoor activities and adventure?
First is that we should identify hazards. What is a hazard and what is a risk? According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, hazard is a “source of danger”. It is also the effect of unpredictable and unanalyzable forces in determining events. While the word risk is the “possibility of loss or injury. When something is at risk, it means that it is in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility.
Secondly, we should know how to decide on who might be harmed and how. Because of this identification, we may be able to save them from such hazard or risk. For example, a camper or a hiker is set on an adventure on a mountain ridge, the persons involve might be young so in order to mitigate such risk in the undertaking of his or her adventure, we should advise the persons to bring with them safety gadgets for the adventure and make sure that the place is not that high for their safety. Unless they are professionals when it comes to that type of outdoor activity.
We should also evaluate the risks and decide on control measures. When we go to adventurous places like beaches or diving, we should bring proper attire and equipment to mitigate the risks.
Lastly, we should review and evaluate the assessments or findings that we have for such activities. In doing so, we can lessen the impact of such risks or quickly respond to such unavoidable circumstances. A risk management plan enables you to identify those potential risks and take steps to prevent the problems. You also gain a better sense of how to control the outdoor environment that is naturally difficult to control due to nature and weather elements.
We should include in our risk management plan the response for each potential threat should it happen. This helps you prepare for the worst-case scenario to prevent injury to guests or lost money for your event. An example is to plan for tents in case of light rain for an outdoor party. Creating a contingency plan or alternative location for the event is another way to plan your response to prevent damage or injury.
