Health and Safety
Sections of this page are taken from the Members Handbook in the Rules & Forms page.
Bushwalking, like any other activity, carries a risk of injury. Members of Brisbane Bushwalkers must act to reduce the risk to a reasonable level, and then accept that reasonable level of risk.
Our motto is Minimum Impact and Maximum Safety.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has another useful motto: "Your safety is our concern but your responsibility."
The bush is an uncontrolled environment. It has not been tamed by safety engineers, nor by your leader.
The hazards in the bush are different to city hazards, so you must become familiar with them and know how to deal with them.
You are Responsible for Your Own Safety
As a member of a group activity, your primary concern should be your personal safety and well-being.
However, you also accept a duty of care for the safety and well-being of all other participants in the activity, the Club and the public, to unreasonable risk of injury or loss.
The leader cannot predict all the hazards that could be encountered on an activity
- The leader may not be aware of your skills and limitations.
Your responsibility begins in selecting an activity for which you have the necessary skills and fitness. The grading system will assist you, but if you have any doubts or concerns discuss them with the leader.
First Aid
A basic knowledge of first aid is useful when bushwalking. In an emergency situation there may be some delay before medical assistance becomes available.
To encourage members to maintain a current first aid certificate, the Club offers subsidised first aid courses for members.
Every member must carry a first aid kit while attending club activities.
All members should be prepared to assist in providing first aid, but direction should be taken from registered health practitioners, then those with current first aid qualifications.
A guide to the equipment to put in your first Aid Kit is provided in Section 8.3 of the members Handbook and under Recommended Equipment on the Club website..
There are books in the Club Library from the Queensland Ambulance Service that describe first aid procedures.
Guide for Leaders
Duty of Care
Duty of care is the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of others. BBW leaders have a duty of care to BBW members on the walk and to the public in general.