DON’T PANIC! O


nce an incident report is received by the DofE it is recorded and reviewed at the end of the expedition season


by the Expedition Advisory Panel. So what lessons can we learn from the incidents reported in 2016? In 2016, 121 incident reports


were received – a slight increase on 2015. Many of the incidents were accidents, due to slips and falls and resulting in minor sprains and breaks. A lot were also due to existing illnesses and injuries. However, there were a few types of incidents that we can group together and learn from for this year’s expedition season.


Stove safety


Participants must cover campcraft and equipment as part of the Expedition Training Framework and this must include how to use stoves and fuel safely.


The best way to do this is for the team to practise using them and ensure they can drain water safely; understand which parts of the pan get hot when cooking and know how to re-fuel safely. There is stove safety information you can use to train participants at DofE.org/stovesafety.


Behaviour


Every year, unfortunately, the DofE receives a number of complaints from landowners and members of the public. In 2016 there were reports of littering, leaving gates open, not using roads safely and damaging dry stone walls.


DofE Magazine Issue 27: SUMMER 2017 Mobile phones


A handful of incidents were exacerbated by the use of mobile phones. For example, teams calling friends or parents instead of following the correct emergency procedures. Participants should be aware of under which circumstances they should use mobile phones, in line with the policy set by their Assessor/ Supervisor.


The Supervisor and their team must also ensure they have a suitable communications plan in case of an emergency. If teams are taking mobile phones for use in emergencies, there must be no reduction in the quality of emergency training or equipment that is used.


As all Licensed Organisations and Approved Activity Providers will know, submitting incident reports is an important part of delivering the DofE. Lizzie Usher explains what happens after these forms are submitted...


All participants must be aware of, and adhere to, the DofE’s environmental impact policy (page 120, Handbook for DofE Leaders), and understand the expectations of behaviour from both their Licensed Organisation and the DofE. If your teams are travelling to


an area with a high DofE footfall perhaps their expedition aim could be to do an environmental survey and litter sweep, or design a guide for how other DofE teams can keep their expeditions green.


Bad weather


Last summer, a few incidents were caused or made worse by rapidly changing or bad weather. Do your teams know what to do if the weather closes in? Do they have escape/low-level routes to use as an alternative? Teams must be


properly equipped for all weathers and know the correct procedures to stay safe. Supervisors must ensure they have an up to date weather forecast for where they are undertaking their expedition. They must also know that alternative or escape routes must be followed (or expeditions postponed or ended) if the weather deteriorates to such an extent it is unsafe.


First aid


Most of the incidents reported to the DofE are of minor accidents. In almost every case, it is reported that participants follow emergency procedures and apply appropriate first aid which is great to hear. Therefore it is always important to make sure teams complete the appropriate Expedition Training Framework for their level, and are carrying the right equipment to ensure they too could deal with any situation out on the hill. Finally, please remember to continue to submit your incident reports so that we can continue to understand the issues that can occur on expeditions. A copy of the incident report form can be found in the eDofE Resource Zone, and DofE.org/emergencies.


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