Outdoor Recreation for Seniors Hiking & Kayaking

SAFETY REMINDER: For the safety of all participants please adhere to the ORFS Health & Safety Guidelines below.

OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR SENIORS (ORFS)

Health and Safety Guidelines

COA’s overriding goal concerning ORFS is for participants to enjoy good exercise with a friendly and fun group in a safe and healthy environment.

The following guidelines are intended to encourage responsible safe practices while attending the various ORFS activities and members are expected to adhere to the protocols.

General:

1. All members of ORFS must first have registered with COA.
2. All members must complete and return the waiver and emergency contact forms prior to their first activity.
3. All members shall abide by the safety recommendations of the event leaders.
4. COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
5. Should a participant refuse the safety recommendations of the leader they will no longer be considered an ORFS participant. Their name will be removed from the attendance sheet, and they will be considered an independent hiker or kayaker.
6. Leaders will inform COA staff of the incident and further action may be taken.

Leader Responsibilities:

1. When providing the details of an outing leaders shall do their best to assure the accuracy of the description of the events. The hikes will be clearly marked as to the difficulty of the climb, the ability of the hiker to be successful, the terrain that is expected to be encountered, and the equipment that will be necessary.
2. Leaders shall monitor weather reports and inform members, by Meetup, no later than 8:00 AM that the event scheduled for that day has been canceled.
3. Leaders are expected to take attendance and submit attendance to COA in a timely manner following the conclusion of the event.
4. If the weather turns for the worse unexpectedly during an event the leader has the authority to stop the event immediately and instruct participants to return to their vehicles.
5. Leaders have the authority to ask a participant to leave if they do not have the proper equipment for the outing or refuse to follow safety guidelines and instructions.
6. Leaders shall carry a cell phone at all times and have a copy of the attendees’ list, including their cell phones, with them at all times.
7. To the extent possible, leaders shall take a count of the number of participants at the beginning of an event and, also, at the conclusion of an event, to ensure that all participants have been accounted for.
8. Leaders shall determine if a participant should be assigned a “partner” for safety reasons to ensure that no individual is left alone or behind.
9. Leaders are responsible for appointing a “lead”, the first individual in a group of kayakers or hikers.

    10. Leaders are responsible for appointing a “sweep”, the last individual in the group of kayakers or hikers.

11. If an individual participant must turn around prior to the rest of the group the leader is responsible for appointing another participant to accompany them. No one is to be allowed to turn around and return to the beginning point alone.

   12. Leaders are encouraged to carry basic first aid materials.

Summer Activities (Kayaking/Walking):

1. Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
2. Members are expected to consult with their own health care providers to ensure that their physical conditioning and health is appropriate for the expected outdoor activity.
3. Members shall wear, at all times while on the water, a PFD (lifejacket) for all kayaking events.
4. Members are asked to carry a cell phone with them at all times for emergency use.
5. Members shall inform the leader if they must turn around early, prior to the rest of the group, and wait until a “partner” has been appointed to accompany them on the return.

Winter Activities (Hiking/Walking):

1. Members shall come to all ORFS events properly prepared for expected conditions (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc.).
2. Members are expected to consult with their own health care providers to ensure that their physical conditioning and health is appropriate for the expected outdoor activity.
3. Members shall have snowshoes or microspikes available in the event the leader decides they are required.
4. COA leaders will have the authority to refuse participation to members unwilling to adhere to the safety precautions.
5. Members shall inform the leader if they must turn around early, prior to the rest of the group, and wait until a “partner” has been appointed to accompany them on the return.