The following are risk management suggestions for event leaders in the Nova Scotia Provincial Parks Events program.
Event leaders should advise registered participants of any known risks, or of any equipment requirements.
Event leaders must advise participants that the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables or its agents, may take photographs or videos during this event for potential use in advertising, print materials, displays or on its website. As this is a public event, participants’ presence here is deemed as consent to have their image recorded digitally or on film.
At the beginning of each event, event leaders should review and identify risks to the participants in a group discussion. Risks that could cause harm or injury include, but are not limited to, swimming in unknown or known water, eating non or apparently edible plants, variable trail conditions, participants not respecting their personal fitness limits, unexpected or harsh weather conditions, participants lacking adequate water, food and suitable equipment. Leaders should also determine any medical conditions which put individuals at risk (eg. allergies, heart conditions, etc.) or any other conditions that would prevent a person from participating safely.
It is important participants are fully aware of what the event entails so they can opt out if they do not feel up to the challenge. As well, event leaders, where circumstances require, may refuse to take along a participant if the participant is not properly equipped or not able to withstand the risks.
Event leaders should also provide instructions on behaviour during the event. These may include matters such as staying with the group (leave the trail at your own risk), advising the leader of any problems, the buddy system, or other procedures for leaving the group mid-event should be discussed.
Event leaders should get a list of participants and do a count of the number of participants at the beginning of the event and occasionally during the event.
For high risk events such as canoe trips and wilderness walks, these procedures and advice are of even greater importance. Event leaders should consider having participants sign a waiver form..