Environmental Hazards in Outdoor Activities

Environmental Hazards of Outdoor Recreational Activities

• The Philippines offers various land formations and natural water resources.
• The country hosts outdoor recreational activities that support the tourism industry.
• Land based options include camping, mountain climbing, and trekking.
• Water based activities are diving, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and sailing.
• Air provides options such as skydiving, paragliding, and parasailing.
• Outdoor activities are fun and exciting but also bring hazards.
• This module covers environmental hazards, personal safety protocol, etiquette, and safety in using facilities and equipment.

Environmental Hazards

• Outdoor recreational activities offer fun and wellness, but can sometimes present environmental hazards.
• A hazard is a dangerous phenomenon or condition that may cause loss of life, injury, property damage, social or economic disruption, or environmental damage.
• Mishaps are avoidable through proper preparation.
• Preparation includes knowing the environmental hazards that may be encountered during outdoor activities.
• Assess potential environmental hazards considering three factors.

Location and Terrain

• Terrain is defined as the specific physical features of an area of land.
• The terrain contributes to hazardous conditions.
• Environmental hazards dependent on location and terrain include uneven surfaces, wet grass, mud, and holes, which can cause trips or falls, rocky trails, exposed ledges, darkness, and poison ivy.

Season and Climate

• Awareness of current and predicted weather conditions is important.
• Knowing signs of approaching storms or changing conditions are useful.
• Some areas are prone to severe weather.
• Weather hazards include lightning, thunderstorms, flooding, flash flooding, strong winds, tornadoes, freezing rain, hail, and overexposure to the sun.

Equipment and Transportation

• Keep equipment in good condition and inspect it before the trip.
• Equipment and driving/transportation are also considered environmental hazards.
• Equipment related examples include a broken stove, boots not broken in, improper clothing, and inoperative equipment.
• Driving/transportation encompasses bad road conditions, darkness, unfamiliar roads, difficult roads (Class I-VI), erratic drivers, and pedestrians/cyclists.

Essential Equipment for Mountaineering

• Its a good idea to work on a tailored checklist when planning a mountaineering trip.
• Ten essential pieces of equipment to prepare and bring when climbing a mountain:
  • Navigation tools such as a map, altimeter, compass, GPS device, or personal locator beacon (PLB) to contact emergency responders.
  • Headlamp to free hands for cooking or climbing, especially if returning after dark.
  • Sun protection, including sunglasses, sun-protective clothes, and broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
  • First aid kit and knowledge of how to use it as a precaution.
  • Knife for first aid, food preparation, repairs, and climbing.
  • A disposable butane lighter or matches for fire.
  • Emergency shelter like a plastic tube tent or jumbo plastic trash bag.
  • Extra food should require no cooking, be easily digestible, and store well.
  • Extra water, always carry a water bottle or hydration bag.
  • Extra clothes as additional layers for unplanned camps

Life-Saving Equipment in Aquatic Activities

• The timely use of life-saving equipment can avert disastrous accidents.
• The following are commonly used pieces of life-saving equipment:
  • Lifejackets can prevent drowning and should always be worn.
  • Safety helmets are mostly used in water sports involving higher risk, but should be used whenever required.
  • Safety harnesses should be tied tightly enough to allow movement without risk of falling overboard.
  • Lifebuoys are ring-like flotation devices that prevent drowning.
  • First aid kits are essential for medical assistance in emergencies.
  • Maps are important for navigation and following safety rules.
  • Distress signals, which include light-emitting beacons and flares to attract attention.
  • Radios enable communication with a control center for assistance.
  • Weather gauge helps stay updated on climate and potential weather changes.
  • Personal locator includes a beacon which is an electronic transmitter that sends a signal to rescuers.