CELP Canoe Trip Risk Management Plan
The following is a list of hazards associated with the CELP canoe trip. The potential risks are
identified and then rated for both severity and frequency. They are then placed in one of four
categories and mitigated from most important to least.
Operating Hazards
Canoe Tripping Hazards
Frequency
Often
Occasional
Severity
Rare
Severe
1) Drowning
X
X
2) Extended Exposure to Cold
Water
X
X
3) Athletic Injuries (Head and
Spinal Chord)
X
X
4) Animal Encounters
X
X
5) Allergic Reaction
X
X
6) Driving Accident
X
X
Moderate
Minor
7) Burns
X
X
8) Water Contamination
X
X
9) Extreme Weather
X
X
10) Lost Person
X
X
11) Cold Related Injuries
X
X
12) Heat Related Injuries
X
X
13) Cuts
X
X
14) Equipment Failure
X
X
Risk Prevention Strategies
1) Drowning
- Swim assessment prior to identify weak swimmers
- Personal Floatation devices worn at all times in canoes and always completely zipped and
buckled up
- Swims life guarded by qualified leaders in designated area only. Areas will be checked out in
advance for swimming hazards. Life guard will have a throw bag with them.
- A buddy system will be used when students are swimming
2) Extended Exposure to Cold Water (due to flipping a canoe)
- Group will always travel within 400 metres of shore
- Magnetawan canoe route is specifically chosen for having no large lakes where waves and
wind become any kind of safety factor
- T rescue technique will be used by instructors to get students out of water and back into their
boat
3) Athletic Injuries (Head and Spinal Chord)
- No diving will be allowed at any time during the trip from any height
- Proper technique instructed for carrying canoe and wanigan.
- Tump line shall not come below forehead when carrying wanigan
4) Animal Encounters
- No food eaten in tents at any time
- Menu will not have highly smelly and greasy food in it
- Food will be hung up in packs at night
5) Alllergic Reactions
- Medical Lists will be studied in advance by head leader and information transferred to all
leaders
- Proper Epi Pen will be carried by leaders if anyone is identified on medical list. Students with
known allergies will be asked to supply back-up epi-pens.
- Benadryl is carried in first aid kit to give to anyone if a reaction has begun
- Menu designed to avoid highly allergic foods
6) Driving Accident
- A professional school bus company will always be hired to transport students on the trip. If a
student must ride in the personal vehicle, it will be driven by a teacher of the school board.
7) Burns
- Oven Mitts will be provided for cooking
- Fire irons must be inspected by leaders prior to cooking for stability
- Fall area of large cooking pot will be clear
- No horseplay with or near the fire
8) Water Contamination
- All drinking water will be purified using the filter pump and bladder system provided
- All water used in cooking (eg. for pasta) will be boiled for a minimum of 10 minutes
- Proper hygiene will be encouraged at all times. Students will wash hands after all bathroom
visits. Each group will be provided with a community soap and shampoo.
- Dishes will be cleaned using the two dish tub system: One with hot soapy water and one with
hot rinse water. Changing of the dish water will be encouraged
9) Extreme Weather
- No traveling by canoe will be permitted during thunderstorms
- If extreme weather sets in (high winds, extreme cold, or heavy rains) leaders will be
encouraged to “sit it out” and set up a tarp rather than trudge on
-In case of severe lightning (once every 15 seconds) all persons will spread out on shore, away
from tree roots, crouch low, and away from potential branches falling.
10) Lost Person
- Students shall not wander far from the campsite (always keep the campsite within visual
contact)
- Whistles will be available in all canoes
11) Cold Related Injuries
- Proper dress will be taught in advance of the trip
- Good rain gear is a must
- Waterproofing technique of sleeping bags and personal gear will be taught in advance and
checked.
- Leaders will check all clothing and sleeping bags prior to the trip and an extra down sleeping
bag will be available
12) Heat Related Injuries
- Hat and sun screen will be on clothing list and encouraged to be worn on trip
- Students will be encouraged to remain hydrated at all times (filtering water into bladder will be
part of daily chores)
13) Cuts
- Proper technique and practice in advance of trip for saw use will take place
- Hands must be 6 inches from swede saw blade when cutting
- Students will be instructed on proper use of kitchen knives
14) Equipment Failure
- Only good quality equipment will be purchased.
- All equipment will be checked annually before the trip
- Extra rope and a repair kit will be carried by the leaders
Emergency Plan and Procedures
There will be a minimum of 3 leaders on the canoe trip. One to eight ratio.
Each leader will have the medical information of every student
Each leader will be provided with all emergency contact numbers
Each leader will have a topographic map of the route and be familiar with the route and territory
Joel Barr, Arlon Popkey, Janet Dalziel will be designated the “teacher in charge”.
A fully equipped first aid kit will be available for each group
**** If an emergency occurs and a student must have medical help as soon as possible, the
satellite phone will be used. It is capable of making a call anywhere in North America as long
as there is direct contact with the sky. All leaders will be familiar with how to operate this
phone.
The Ontario Provincial Police will be contacted (the satellite phone does not allow for a 911
call) and an emergency response will take place based on the decision of the local authorities.
The closed hospital is in Parry Sound. Air ambulance out of Sudbury will most likely be the
transport of choice during the daylight hours and Military Search and Rescue out of Trenton will
most likely be the transport of choice during the evening hours. As well, the OPP have access to
boats and aircraft.
In case of an evacuation, the teacher in charge will remain with the student and have the phone in
their possession. One other leader will find a suitable landing area and mark it with a red tarp or
other suitable signal.
One teacher will accompany the student to the hospital. The teacher in charge shall remain with
the group.
The administration of the school shall be contacted immediately and informed of the
circumstances. The parents of the student shall then be contacted and kept continuously
informed of the situation. All events and times will be recorded by the teacher in charge to the
best of his/her ability.