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Resources

Safety Tips

There is a huge amount of good – and awful – material on outdoor recreation for hikers, ramblers and cyclists on Youtube and elsewhere on the Internet.  Here are a few good examples.

Safety Awareness for Trail Maintenance Volunteers

Points For All Trail Maintenance Participants

  • You will be working physically in a bush or wilderness environment. Dress appropriately. Outer layers may become dirty or torn. Choose your clothes appropriately. Bring work gloves, gaiters & suitable trail footwear which includes purpose-designed hiking boots or trail shoes, that provide full coverage of the foot (e.g. no open-toed sandals or flip flops allowed) and have an aggressive tread to provide traction in loose soil as well as in wet, muddy or snowy conditions, all of which may be encountered during typical VOC activities.
     

  • A first aid kit & radios are provided. Remember to bring them along. The club owns an FSR frequency radio for use if active logging is taking place. The club also owns an emergency locator beacon which should be carried if heading into remote locations (e.g. Monashee hikes).
     

  • For trails that are a long drive on forest service roads into the bush, consider bringing extra snacks and water and leaving them in the vehicle, in case a problem occurs when trying to drive home and the crew is stranded far from a well-travelled road.
     

  • All trail maintenance volunteers must sign a VOC liability waiver before participating.

  • Wear layers and dress remembering that trail maintenance may continue in the rain. Spring & Fall trail maintenance may encounter snow and low temperatures at altitude. Summer trail maintenance may encounter heat and continuous sunshine. You may wish to bring bug repellent and sunscreen. Bring enough food and water for a long day of physical work.
     

  • The crew should leave details of their route and estimated return time to Vernon with a responsible adult so the alarm can be raised if the crew does not return by a prearranged time.
     

  • You should not continue with trail maintenance or the operation of a chainsaw if any member becomes fatigued or ill. In these circumstances the crew should consider abandoning the trail maintenance and returning home. Don’t try to complete the job to the point where someone is put at risk
     

  • Don’t risk injury by doing anything that appears outside your abilities, such as lifting a weight that is too heavy or operating equipment for which you have not been trained.
     

  • Don’t participate if you are ill or under the influence of prescription or recreational drugs that may impair your ability to safely maintain a trail. Like other club events, anyone under the influence of alcohol may not participate in trail maintenance.

Disclaimer: Trail maintenance can be fun and rewarding. But hazards and risks may exist. Maintaining trails involves hard physical work in a wilderness setting using sharp tools which can cause injury. Volunteers acknowledge that trail maintenance involves risk and that participation is entirely at their own risk.

Points for general crew members or “helpers”
 

  • You will be expected to carry gear for the chainsaw operators – food, water, spare clothing.
     

  • You may wish to bring ear plugs as you will be working in close proximity to a chainsaw.
     

  • Safety glasses are a good idea in dense brush, etc.

  • Stay clear of chainsaw operators when they are cutting and remember they probably cannot hear you over the noise of a saw at full power!
     

  • Remember to flag the trail if the route is unclear. Flagging tape is provided in the trail maintenance backpacks. If trail head signage is missing or damaged, advise the Trail Maintenance Coordinator.
     

  • If trail head signage is missing or needs repair, please report it to the ramble or Sunday hike coordinator as appropriate.

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Points for chainsaw operators:

 

  • Prior experience and/or training is essential. If you have limited experience felling trees, consult with the Trail Maintenance Coordinator before volunteering.

 

  • Safety equipment – Kevlar chaps, CSA certified hard hat with ear protectors and a full face-guard – are provided by the club and must be worn.

 

 

  • Don’t attempt to make cuts or fell trees beyond your skills and experience. For example, if you don’t know how to safely fell a hung-up tree or cut a branch that is bent and under severe pressure, don’t try it on VOC trail maintenance.

 

  • Don’t keep working if you get tired. Fatigue increases the chance of accident.

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Hike, Ramble Leader & Sweep Guidelines

Leader guidelines:

 

  • As a leader, you have the right to refuse to include anybody in the activity you are leading, if in your opinion, they are inadequately equipped, intoxicated, refuse to follow club rules or are physically unable to complete the day’s program at a pace consistent with that of the overall group. In the event that a participant is having difficulties along the hike route, he/she may be accompanied back to the trailhead by another hiker. Alternately they may wait in place for the return of the group if the same route is used to return to the trailhead. Other actions may be possible and should be agreed upon by both the leader and hiker.
     

 

  • Ensure you have received the Safety Kit from the Coordinator(s) containing the First Aid Kit, trail radios, and for remote locations the InReach Emergency Beacon. For radio-controlled logging roads there is a FSR radio available. Ensure the Coordinator(s) have explained how to use the equipment.

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At the meeting place:

 

  • In the case of local hikes and others that are readily accessible by highway, many hikers prefer to go directly to the trailhead. If they plan to do this, this should have been indicated in their registration. Otherwise, the meeting place will be at City Hall for Sunday hikes, and the curling rink for rambles.
     

  • At the clearly identified meeting place, introduce yourself and describe the day’s activity. A brief round of self-introductions is always appreciated. Discuss any potential hazards such as bears and ticks, and any other information as required such as a description about challenging parts of the trail.
     

  • Remind people they MUST have suitable trail footwear which includes purpose-designed hiking boots or trail shoes that provide full coverage of the foot (e.g., no open-toed sandals or flip flops allowed), and have an aggressive tread to provide traction in loose soil as well as in wet, muddy or snowy conditions, all of which may be encountered during typical VOC activities.
     

  • Remind everyone that they should carry easily accessible emergency contact information for use in case of an emergency. They should also carry their own personal first aid items and medication they may need.
     

  • Review the driving route to the trailhead if starting from town and provide a map where necessary. Request a count of the number of drivers and confirm the number of participants and arrange for a rendezvous enroute if appropriate (e.g., at the start of the xyz FSR off the black top). Drivers should be advised to wait for the vehicle behind them at all critical intersections and turnoffs.
     

  • Choose a sweep and ensure everybody knows who it is and what he/she will be doing. Make sure that you and the sweep know how to operate the radios and test them before departure.
     

  • Emphasize that everyone MUST remain behind the leader and in front of the sweep.
     

  • Inform participants that they must tell someone, preferably the sweep, that they need to make a nature call. Ideally, they should place their pack on the trail when stepping off.
     

  • Point out that if a person does get separated from the group, to stay put; an individual is much easier to find if they remain on the trail and refrain from wandering off.
     

  • Mention the suggested carpool gratuity amount (listed on the event schedule) and that everybody is encouraged to pay. Point out that it is not paid to the driver until the activity is completed (again, insurance reasons - we are not Taxi Drivers!)
     

  • If not organized in advance by email, ask if anybody needs a ride and help set that up.
     

  • Remind people the activity will take place at the pace of the average participant. As a leader it is your responsibility to lead the group at this pace – likely slower than some would prefer and faster than some would prefer!

At the trail head:

 

  • Do a head count and compare to sign-in sheet. Check for additional participants who may have driven there direct and get them to sign-in.
     

  • Remind people the activity will take place at the pace of the average participant. As leader it is your responsibility to lead the group at this pace – likely slower than some would prefer and faster than some would prefer!
     

  • Ask sweep to do a head count as people enter trail.

Sweep guidelines:

 

  • If you have never swept before let the leader know before you volunteer.
     

  • At the trailhead the sweep should make sure everybody is aware of who you are and what your key responsibilities will be.
     

  • At the beginning of the hike, count the participants as they head out along the trail.
     

  • During the activity, emphasize that everyone MUST remain behind the leader and in front of the sweep. Ask the leader to enforce this as well if they are not aware of an issue.
     

  • The sweep should ensure that anyone who takes a nature call is accounted for before the main group gets too far ahead.
     

  • If part of the group starts to consistently lag behind the front of the line, radio the leader and ask them to slow the pace. This is an essential part of your job as sweep.
     

  • Radio the leader if you observe that anyone is having significant difficulty of any kind. A decision can then be made on how best to proceed.
     

  • Be aware of any faster hikers or bikers that are coming up behind you, and pass the information along to others. (Could be up the line or down the line although for the sweep at the end of the line, it would likely be up)
     

  • Recount the participants after any stop including lunch. At the end of the hike also do a head count to ensure that everyone is accounted for.

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Cycle Leader & Sweep Activities

Leader guidelines:
 

  • As a leader, you have the right to refuse to include anybody in the activity you're leading if, in your opinion, they are inadequately equipped, intoxicated, refuse to follow club rules, or are physically unable to complete the day’s program at an average pace for that group.
     

  • The leader should confirm with each registrant via email that their request to register has been received and accepted.
     

  • Should the leader be unfamiliar with a registrant’s name, the leader should check that the registrant is either a fully paid-up member of VOC, or is wishing to join the group as a guest. Guests should be reminded of the requirement to follow the instructions on the calendar for the event or be referred to the General Instructions for All Activities under Resources.
     

  • The leader must be familiar with the route that they have chosen to lead, generally scouting it beforehand in order to note any limitations such as, road closure. In addition, should the leader require any special notes added to the calendar event, the cycling coordinator should be contacted to discuss the matter.
     

  • Based on registrants, the leader may choose to split the group into two separate groups for safety reasons or if it is determined that two different speeds are appropriate; this may be considered ahead of time or at the meeting place. Both groups require a leader and sweep.
     

  • On the morning of the ride, should the ride be CANCELLED (e.g., due to inclement weather), the leader notifies registrants via email and requests that the coordinator update the calendar to reflect this.
     

  • At the meeting point, before the ride begins, the leader should:
     

    • Review the route to be taken, including stressing any deviations from the posted route (e.g., due to road works). The leader may also wish to ask who has a hard copy of the day’s route (.pdf document from the calendar) or are using RWGPS on their electronic device.
       

    • Appoint a sweep.
       

    • Provide all cyclists with leader’s cell number (and sweep’s number, if appropriate).
       

    • The leader may wish to check that all new cyclists have read and understand Members Activity Guide (under Resources tab) or Cycling information (below Cycling Calendar).
       

    • Check that all participants are familiar with safety guidelines (also part of the above), stressing any that are particularly relevant to the day’s ride (e.g., need for SIGN POSTING).
       

    • Provide cyclists with an opportunity to ask questions.

Sweep Guidelines:

 

  • Count cyclists as they leave the start point to confirm the number.
     

  • If part of the group is lagging, confer with the leader.
     

  • Note any cyclist leaving the ride.
     

  • Confirm numbers at end of ride.
     

  • Remain at the end of the group.

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