PLANNING OFF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

Scope
Flat water canoeing or kayaking
White water canoeing or kayaking
Sea water kayaking
Safety
An appropriate First Aid Kit must be carried at all times.
Before commencing the trip, it is the leader’s minimum responsibility to ensure to the best of his or
her ability that:
each party member has the knowledge, ability, skill and equipment to participate safely
a risk analysis of the area is conducted prior to the activity to determine whether the area is
suitable for the number of boats and skills of participants
likely hazards are well researched
group experience/capabilities (where possible) are confirmed
the Australian Canoeing Safety Guidelines are adhered to
a full briefing of participants is clearly carried out and understood
environmental conditions (i.e. river levels, weather reports, weather forecast) are checked
all group equipment is stored correctly
a head count before departure and throughout trip is confirmed
there is an alert for the physical and psychological condition of the group
the pace of the group is controlled
the group is rested if and when necessary
participants do not get into situations beyond their capabilities
responsibility is designated to other leaders
a headcount is confirmed after the trip.
appropriate persons are notified of safe completion
all equipment is checked upon return.
Pre-activity preparation should include:
briefing students about the program, using equipment, emergency procedures and safety
signals
establishing the roles of assisting adults.
students should be able to swim confidently under a canoe or kayak wearing canoe clothing
and a level 50 or 50S Lifejacket and surface on the other side.
younger students – that is upper primary – should be restricted to fixed locations with
enclosed flat water.
students should not be introduced to white water until they have developed adequate skills on
flat water.
day and multi-day trips should not exceed 10km per day.
Please refer to the online copy of this document (TASED-4-1765), located on the Tasmanian Department
of Education’s website to ensure this version is the most recent. P a g e | 48