land activities
orienteering and offsite visits
VENUE
On-site climbing walls
STAFFING
Instructor SPA holder
or in-house training and induction, plus assessment by MIA
Assistant competent adult with suitable in-house training
Visiting staff and group members may assist following instruction and under supervision of Instructor
Other There must be at least one responsible adult present during session aware of the abilities and disabilities within the group
RATIO
Maximum number of climbers in hall at one time - two groups of eight
No more than three active climbers on each wall at one time
EQUIPMENT
All equipment must conform to current EU standards
Equipment must be recorded and dated when new
Checks: logged monthly inspections will be carried out
Equipment checked when setting up and putting away
Faults: Faulty equipment should be labelled (red band/yellow tag) and removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.
Note: HELMETS
Under normal circumstances all participants must wear helmets. Where there is a compelling reason for a student to climb without a helmet (eg headsize, phobia) the instructor may use discretion and allow such a climb to take place. The permission of the student and/or responsible person must be obtained. It should be stressed that only in exceptional circumstances will this be allowed.
PRE SESSION
To be carried out prior to arrival of group, unless unavoidable
All equipment to be set up or checked by instructor responsible for session noting:
Walls to be rigged in accordance with procedure
Equipment in good condition and fully functional
Safe practices observed when setting up
Ensure climbing zones and fire exits are clear of obstructions
SESSION
Instructor responsibilities:
· To assess needs and aims of group, including consideration of medical issues
· To pass on safety information, as appropriate, eg, helmets, unroped climbing, potential hazards, climbing calls
· To ensure appropriate manual handling
· To ensure that equipment is used correctly and the activity is carried out safely
Group supervision:
· Instructor to maintain an awareness of the whole group - involving visiting staff in this
· Instructor to stress that safety on the climbing wall is his main responsibility and that group control is the responsibility of visiting staff members
Climbing equipment:
· Harnesses must be correctly fitted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and checked by instructor before roped climber leaves the ground.
· Appropriate sizing and fitting is crucial and is the Instructor’s responsibility
· Chest harness must be used when necessary (eg underdeveloped hips or if there is a danger of inverting)
· Harnesses must be visible to allow constant check and waist belt must be above hip bone
· Helmets must be worn at all times (see note)
· Students must remain on belay system when off the ground (unless bouldering under supervision)
Clothing:
· Ensure appropriate clothing and footwear is worn
· Where necessary ensure that baggy clothing is tucked away, rings and watches removed, long hair tied back, helmet straps tucked, sharp objects removed from pockets
END OF SESSION
· Equipment to be put away, unless other arrangements made
· When equipment is to be left out (eg for following session) steps should be taken to prevent tampering
· As when setting up instructor must observe safe practice and take care with equipment
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
VENUE On site indoor archery range
On site outdoor range
STAFFING Instructor GNAS leader
Assistant competent adult under direction of instructor
RATIO One:eight
EQUIPMENT
Equipment must be kept in a good state of repair
Logged monthly checks will be carried out
PRE SESSION
Check equipment
· Bows, arrows and armbraces in good state of repair
· Range clear of obstructions, net fully extended (be aware of noise hazard)
· Bosses correctly seated
· Target faces in acceptable condition
· Back boards in position - separating shooting line from waiting line
· Doors in front of shooting line to be kept locked, other exits clear
SESSION
Give safety talk, directed at visiting staff and students, taking into account group comprehension ability, highlighting:
· Need for common sense and safety while participating in archery
· Behaviour of those shooting, and those waiting their turn
· Visiting staff instructed to assume responsibility for preventing students from entering shooting area
· Position of fire exits
· Explain and demonstrate good practice while loading, loosing, retrieving and carrying arrows
· Ensure rules of the range are followed
RULES OF THE RANGE
1. Those awaiting their turn must remain behind backboards. No-one may move across the shooting line without the permission of the instructor
2. Bows must not be loaded or drawn except when archer is standing on the shooting line and facing the target
3. At the instructor’s command archers must stop shooting immediately and remove arrow from bow
4. Archers should not cross the shooting line until all shooting is completed and the instructor has given permission
5. When collecting arrows archers must walk, not run, down the side of the range
6. When removing arrows from target care must be taken
Up to two archers may shoot from the same shooting line at one time
Distance from shooting line to target may be reduced if appropriate.
No-one is to shoot at the same time from any other shooting line
THE INSTRUCTOR MUST BE ABLE TO SEE AND CONTROL ALL PERSONS ON THE SHOOTING LINE AT ALL TIMES
END OF SESSION
Bows and arrows must be locked away when not in use
Damaged equipment to be removed from use for repair
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
low ropes course, tunnels, team challenge
VENUE
On site low ropes course, including night line & tunnels and problem solving area
STAFFING
Low ropes course, night line & tunnels and problem solving area should only be used under the direct supervision of QE2 Activity Centre staff or approved person
Technical expert - RCD trained
Instructor - in house induction, training and assessment by Senior Instructor
RATIO
One:eight
In addition to the instructor there must be at least one responsible adult present during session aware of the abilities and disabilities within the group
EQUIPMENT
· Equipment must be kept in a good state of repair
· Logged monthly checks carried out by Centre staff
· Faulty equipment should be labelled (red band/yellow tag) and removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.
· Improvised use of equipment as a physical challenge or for problem solving activities to be kept within the bounds of the operating procedures
PRE SESSION
· Consideration given to group abilities, including medical issues, health and behavioural problems
· Consideration given to weather conditions, etc
· Ensure an appropriate level of control and support is available
· Pre session check to be carried out by instructor, ensure course is free from obstructions, eg wet leaves, overhanging branches.
SESSION
Helmets must be worn on low ropes course, nightline and tunnels (see note). Protective over-suits to be worn while caving
Pass on safety information relevant to the level of activity being undertaken
Brief staff and group members in the role of spotting; visiting staff and students should be encouraged to take an active role in spotting for each other
Ensure that appropriate clothing and footwear is worn.
Advise participants that wearing jewellery is not recommended
No part of the ropes course should be used ‘against the clock’
END OF SESSION
· Equipment to be put away at end of session
note: HELMETS
Under normal circumstances all participants must wear helmets. Where there is a compelling reason for a student not to wear a helmet (eg head size, phobia) the instructor may use discretion and allow this to happen. The permission of the student and/or responsible person must be obtained. It should be stressed that only in exceptional circumstances will this be allowed.
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
VENUE
On site zipwire
STAFFING
· Zip wire should only be used under the direct supervision of QE2 Activity Centre staff or approved persons
· Instructor - in house induction, training and assessment by Senior Instructor
RATIO
One:eight
There must be at least one responsible adult present during session aware of the abilities and disabilities within the group
EQUIPMENT
· Equipment should be recorded and dated when new
· Equipment should be checked when setting up and taking down
· Logged monthly checks of structure in accordance with safety check form
· Faulty equipment should be labelled (red band/yellow tag) and removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.
PRE SESSION
· Consideration given to group abilities, including medical issues, health and behavioural problems
· Consideration given to weather conditions, etc, eg, overhanging branches, wet leaves on runway
· Ensure an appropriate level of control and support is available
· Ensure equipment is correctly fitted in accordance with operating procedures
SESSION
· Helmets must be worn on zip wire (see note: if helmet not worn chair must be held)
· Ensure path of rider is clear
· The number of rides taken at one time should be limited
· Take care when moving and handling
· Student may be lowered top or bottom of zipwire
END OF SESSION
· Equipment to be put away at end of session
· Ensure trolley is chained and locked
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
orienteering and offsite walks
VENUE
Onsite Manor Farm Country Park
Manor Farm
Offsite Royal Victoria Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park
Swanwick Nature Reserve
Hamble River circuit
Portchester Castle
Other venues as appropriate, instructor must have sufficient local knowledge of site
STAFFING
QE2 Activity Centre staff plus visiting staff
RATIO
Will vary depending on nature of group and activity
Minimum 2 staff (ie, one QE2 Activity Centre, one visiting)
Maximum 1:8
EQUIPMENT
Safety sack: first aid kit, mobile phone, bivibag & throw line if near water
PRESESSION
When planning the session consideration needs to be given to
Weather
Group ability
Suitability of location
Leave details of destination, eta, etr, on whiteboard
Complete “offsite activity register” or register
Ensure group members are wearing suitable clothing
SESSION
Safety talk - site specific dangers (see risk assessment), behaviour
Appropriate group control (NB - level of support/independence will vary, according to group, location, conditions)
END OF SESSION
Make contact with base to confirm completion of activity
VENUE On site QE2 Activity Centre, offsite within Manor Farm Country Park
STAFFING Instructor in house training
Assistant competent adult under direction of instructor
RATIO One:eight
EQUIPMENT
Safety equipment: first aid kit, mobile phone
Activity equipment must be kept in a good state of repair
Cooking equipment will be hygienic and in a good state of repair
Improvised equipment must be suitable for the task
PRE SESSION
Check site for hazards,
Check equipment
Report/record destination, nature of activity, time of return
Knowledge of group needs and abilities
SESSION
Give safety talk, directed at visiting staff and students, taking into account group comprehension and ability, highlighting:
Need for common sense and safety
Behaviour
Boundaries
Need to make clear instructor/visiting staff roles
Specific activities:
Building shelters and other structures;
need to take care with location, appropriate materials, using only fallen materials
tools: use of tools should be directly supervised by a competent person
care should be taken not to cause damage to the woodland
Water & food;
Care needs to be taken when introducing visitors to natural foods.
Consideration needs to be given to hygiene, allergies, level of understanding
Fire: small and manageable fires only,
water should be available to put out fires
accelerants will not be used
only approved methods to be used for firelighting, under supervision
fire to be extinguished before leaving site, take fire bucket and folding spade
Use of Trangiers: only under supervision
Site clearing is an important element of bushcraft, not an afterthought
all traces of the activity must be removed
END OF SESSION
Equipment stored properly when not in use
Damaged equipment to be removed from use for repair