Safety Standards

News

April 2009

There have been NO accidents in this club... that's great . We need to keep monitoring standards to keep it that way.

Not to be taken as criticism in a negative way ... but something to help maintain safety standards and set a good example for members at the beginning of the new membership year.

Recently some event emails did not include enough details. It sets a bad example to follow for other organizers and there are many new members who will think that this is the way it is done. Others will think it is ok not to include details as ... other people did it that way.



1. Event Level
None shown.
No star rating, no mention of experience level needed. No mention of time hiking uphill which is important. One did include a map link but it doesn't show much detail.... we need to assume it is easy. Problem is you cant assume things when it comes to safety. It needs to be written in the email.

2. Hiking Route
Again none given in the emails by anyone. Description of path or terrain... any difficult places, altitude change, map time for each section, mountain names.
For planning it is common to leave some details out but before the trip all the details need posting to the events list (this is important point later).

3. Things to Bring
Again, all missing in three emails. People must be given a list of things, even for ** trips.
It might sound stupid but it is needed and covers you about safety - never assume they know.
Like a speech plan: tell them what you are going to say; then tell them; then tell them what you said.
Example;  one woman didn't bring water... assumed it was on tap regularly along the route.
Footwear and clothing; A French woman, a reasonable good hiker, came in jeans and gym pumps to Yatsugatake on ***+ hike - after being told not to wear jeans and to wear boots. She had her opinions and decided she was going anyway but some people just don't know... they rely on organizer details.
We have to say, just so we satisfy safety requirements.

Some Reasons

Imagine you are now a police officer and there was an accident or someone missing. It happens even in good weather, particularly easy in a small group, say 2 people. Someone slips and breaks a leg. No signal on phone. So you stay with person or go down looking for  help?
Maybe its late, maybe bad weather coming.

Police officer asks OCJ, " We have a report from relative of a missing person on OCJ trip. Where did they go? what was the route? and which mountain?"
OCJ answer ..." Sorry I dont know...er, Yamanashi".
Police officer, " Well, Yamanashi is a big place, where do we start looking? (near the south Alps, near Fuji, near Otsuki, near Enzan, near Mizugaki?).The weather is changing and we cannot search all the mountains in Yamanashi. Is this how you manage safety in your club?

We have to send out details before the trip so there is a record of the probable route or at least a choice of locations - anything that helps locate people.

Safety Waiver
Members agree to club terms and conditions which say they are responsible for their own safety and must judge for themselves.
But with poor or missing details in emails how can they make a reasonable judgement - no route details, no hike level, no equipment details, no hike times or information about steep sections or possible problem areas, no mountain name.
Many cannot read maps so links to maps only is not enough - must be some written details in emails. Some people don't have access to outside websites from offices.

Meeting Time & Place
Again... must be sent even if the night before. People need clear instructions on how to get to a campsite for instance. Don't assume they will look at a map link. I have found many people do not click links in emails - simple as that.
Post it with the email and give directions ... many people cannot read maps sadly. Example: getting to Hub in Akihabara using map.

Cost and travel details, train times
All missing. Cost could be posted in planning email easily.
Many people do not know where to change trains. New people to Tokyo also blank about costs.

Important point about posting details to the list - even if the night before.

1. We have a record - all members. In case of accident someone in the club knows where you went and your travel plans.

2. Safety Check.
If only those who contacted you know the details there is no safety check/ safety net.
As a group with many experienced members we can offer advice if a trip looks dodgy. If you do not post details we cannot make a comment or give advice.

Police Officer,  "This was not a ** route, it is clearly a difficult one. Why didn't you tell the organizer about this and prevent an accident?"

OCJ, "Well, officer, we don't always know where people go..."

If we cannot see event details, we cannot advise people. Its the last safety check.

From this I now also think we need a couple of volunteers. Someone willing to receive email from the website and put their name and phone number there. I'm not always here so someone needs to be available to answer questions if there is an accident. There will be another contact us from for this that will send  a few copies to those volunteers.



So please consider these points. There will soon be a 'workshop' for organisers anyway but try and keep standards high as others just copy.


The website pages give all the info necessary and a typical event email layout.
http://outdoorclubjapan.com/en/information/main-information/level-safety

http://outdoorclubjapan.com/en/information/main-information/club-system

Typical event email layout:

1. Subject line: Title, date and event level

2. Introduction: What to expect on the event and things to see and do. Routes for hikes and timetable. Any things to be careful about - safety.

3. Things to Bring: Equipment needed for that event

4. Meeting Time & Place: For the group to get together before leaving.

5. Cost: Approximate cost of any activities, trains, buses etc and accommodation.

6. Contact Details (and sign up conditions) : In case of problems the organizer can be contacted by other members.

Example:

Sunday Feb 25th: Nikko snow hike / snowshoe ** (quite easy hike but its winter!)

Introduction
This isn't a high mountain route and 2 weeks ago there was little snow around Nikko so snowshoes may not be needed. Its a quiet path, climbing up to only 1400m and probably no other people on the route. Good views of Nikko mountains and a good chance to see wild animals.

Route
Hosou Touge (Pass) [細尾峠] to Kouminehara [古峰原] about 4 hours plus 45 mins on a road.
>From Kouminehara by bus (1715) to Kanuma station (1817) and back on the Tobu line to Asakusa.

Things to Bring
Warm outdoor clothes as the temperature is -5 to 0 degrees in Nikko. Must have gloves, hat and boots.
4 or 6 point crampons.
Snowshoes - optional. May not be needed.
Food and drink.
Could take six hours depending on conditions so bring a headlight just in case.

Meeting Time & Place
Tobu Asakusa station at the ticket machines 0800. The rapid train leaves at 0810 arriving Nikko 1016 followed by a short bus ride to Hoso-Ireguchi.

Cost
Train is 1320 yen one way to Nikko;bus to Houso 520en
Including return bus + train =total about 5000en.

If you want to go email me, call me on 090 3346 7854, or meet at the front of the train. Now 4 people signed up.
Should be a nice day and nice hike.
Andy