Bushwalking

Bushwalking is walking in predominately natural areas. This may be for a short period of time for example, a few hours or an extended period requiring overnight camping.

Bushwalking can occur in a diverse range of environments/natural areas including but not limited to:

• coastal
• plains
• forest
• arid or outback
• tropical
• mountain or alpine.

This activity GPG is not generally applicable to day walks using class 1 and 2 walking trails in non-remote areas.

Where camping occurs on a bushwalk, the Camping GPG must be complied with.
Consideration of the Bushwalking GPG should occur when conducting rogaining & orienteering activities with dependent participants.

Bushwalking specific planning considerations may include but are not limited to:

• the required navigation skills & equipment
• the suitability of maps for navigation
• what the intended route is
• identifying suitable sites to camp
• what terrain will be encountered on the route
• where sources of drinking water are
• the access to start & finish locations and throughout the activity.
• the impact of current seasonal factors
• identifying route specific hazards and risks
• determining the expected trail classification
• the expected weight of equipment activity leaders and participants need to carry
• having reasonable access in the initial stages, to enable practical assessment of participant’s abilities so that in cases where the participant’s ability does not match that needed to complete the activity, they can leave or withdraw without significant difficulties.

A non-participating contact must be used as part of the emergency management plan for:
• class 4, 5 and 6 bush walks
• remote bush walks
• overnight bush walks.

Pre-activity information given to participants should clearly communicate:
• the estimated overall backpack weight that a participant is likely to carry
• the equipment the provider will or can supply
• what equipment, clothing or footwear the participant needs to supply
• any necessary guidance as to the weight, size or type of equipment, clothing or footwear the participant needs to supply.

An appropriate pre-activity assessment should be completed to ensure participants meet the necessary requirements to carry the overall backpack weight that they are likely to carry.

Other environmental considerations other than climate or weather for bushwalking may include but are not limited to:

• e.g. impeding progress, ability to cut or scratch etc.)
• e.g. risks associated with venomous snakes, ants etc.)
• e.g. steep slopes, uneven or unstable footing, cliff edges etc.).

5.1.1 Weather information

Refer Appendix 3 – Weather information.

5.1.2 Severe weather triggers

Trigger points must be based on the relevant Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings and actual weather conditions.

The risk management plan and emergency management plan should include guidance on trigger points and associated actions for:

• severe weather warnings
• thunderstorm warnings
• coastal waters wind warnings
• tropical cyclone advice: watch and warning
• extreme cold temperature
• extreme hot temperatures.

Actions for relevant weather may include but are not limited to:

• cancellation
• modification and/or evacuation to a safe location
• avoiding locations affected by tides or surf
• avoiding areas and river crossings that have the potential for flash flooding
• preparations to avoid the risks associated with blizzards
• moving to areas that are protected from strong winds
• managing risks of flying or falling items during strong winds
• moving to areas that are protected from hail

preparations to avoid the risks associated with lightning

Refer Core GPG – Bushfire, prescribed fire and fire danger.

The crossing of swollen creeks, rivers, flooded bridges or fords, or the entry of floodwaters should be avoided.

When assessing the suitability of a potential crossing, considerations should include but are not limited to:

• if there is debris floating or flowing in the current as this can indicate the risk of being hit and/or swept away by debris
• how clear the water is and if the base of the crossing be seen as this can help determine the depth of crossing and its base
• the depth of the crossing as this can indicate the amount of water and force needed to be overcome to avoid being washed away
• the speed of the water as this can indicate the volume of water and force needed to be overcome to avoid being washed away
• where the water flows as the flow may wash people into dangerous or deadly situations (e.g. into trees in the water that act as strainers, into narrow rock crevices)
• the base of the crossing (e.g. pebbles, sand, small rocks or large rocks) as moving water can move the base increasing the danger of foot entrapment and/or reducing the likelihood of maintaining stable footing during the crossing).

5.3.1 Flash flooding

When camping, locations likely to experience flash flooding should be avoided.

Areas likely to experience flash flooding should be avoided during severe weather or thunderstorms.

The suitability of water for drinking during and after flooding should be assessed.

Procedures should be in place to minimise the risks associated with wildlife that may be encountered.

The types of wildlife encounters that may need to be considered include but are not limited to:

• crocodiles
• snakes
• ticks
• wild pigs.

Procedures must be in place to ensure appropriate clothing for the expected and foreseeable weather conditions is available.

Procedures must be in place to ensure appropriate footwear for the expected and foreseeable terrain is available.

Procedures must be in place to ensure a personal drink supply is available.

Procedures should be in place to ensure important equipment provided by participant(s) are appropriate for the activity context. Example equipment lists can be found in Appendix 2 – Common bushwalking equipment

Training for the appropriate lifting, lowering and manual handling techniques for backpacks must be provided.
Training for the appropriate fitting and adjustment of backpacks must be provided.

The activity leader naming convention enables this activity GPG to be related to Core GPG requirements.

The leadership naming conventions for bushwalking activities are:

Bushwalking guide is equivalent to Leader in Core GPG.

Assistant bushwalking guide is equivalent to Assistant leader in Core GPG.

7.2.1 Competencies overview

The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and Good Practice Guides refers to units from the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package for descriptive statements of the knowledge and skills required of activity leaders.

The Training Package units are used for the sole purpose of providing descriptions for the knowledge and skills required. It is not intended to imply or require that specific formal training, assessment or qualification is the only means of gaining or recognising knowledge and skills.

Providers can recognise activity leaders as having the ‘ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve expected results’ (i.e. competencies) in a number of different ways as detailed in the Core GPG – Recognition of competence.

The Training Package units listed can be found by searching for the units on the training.gov.au/Home/Tga website. The code provided with the unit name assists in this search.

7.2.2 Bushwalking competencies

Also refer to Core GPG – Competencies section.

Providers must determine the competencies required by activity leaders based on the context of the activity.

Refer Appendix 4 – Bushwalking leader competencies for recommended leader competencies for the different walking trail classifications.

For activities that involves overnight camping also refer to the Camping GPG.

7.2.3 Recognition of competence

Refer to considerations for recognition pathways outlined in Core GPG.

The following table outlines the maximum group size that should be used when leading bushwalks for specific classes of bushwalks.

Also refer to the Core Good Practice Guide – Recognition of competencies.

7.3.1 Bushwalking minimum group size

The recommended minimum group size should be three for class 4, 5 and 6 bushwalks.

7.4.1 Supervision considerations

Supervision ratios are dependent on the activity context and a range of considerations.

Prior to determining ratios, providers must consider the recommended supervision ratios provide in this document and considerations on Core GPG sections:

• Activity leader to participant ratios
• Land owner, land manager and other authorities’ activity leader ratios
• Land owner and/or land manager requirements
• Environmental sustainability principles
• Environmental sustainability procedures.

The following tables outline the supervision ratios that should be considered when deciding the leadership requirements for specific bushwalk classes.

7.4.2 Supervision recommendations for minors

7.4.3 Supervision recommendations for Adults

Responsible person(s) should have a first aid qualification.

Table Notes:

^Maximum group size = total of all activity leaders plus responsible persons plus participants.

*Suitable support available: Providers considerations for operating with only 1 activity leader include but are not limited to:

• factors identified in Core GPG – Activity leader to participant ratios & Land owner, land manager and other authorities’ activity leader ratios
• the skills and knowledge of the responsible person
• what nearby suitable support the provider has that can reach the group within a reasonable response time.

7.5.1 supervision and management

Procedures should be used to reduce the potential of participants becoming separated or lost.

7.5.2 Rogaining & orienteering supervision

Where dependent participants may not have activity leader direct or indirect supervision for parts of the activity, refer to the following sections of the Core GPG:

• remote supervision
• indirect and remote supervision instructions considerations
• leadership of training activities.

AAAS: Australian Adventure Activity Standard – See Preface for details.
Assistant bushwalking guide: is an Assistant Leader for a bushwalking activity
Bushwalking: walking in natural areas
Bushwalking guide: is a Leader for a bushwalking activity.
Camping: the use of a temporary site for overnight camping.
Day walks: bushwalking that has the intention and expected results of being completed without the need for camping or sleeping overnight.
Flash flooding: is flooding in a localised area with a rapid onset, usually as a result of relatively short intense bursts of rainfall.
GPGs: Good Practice Guide(s) – See Preface for details.
Trigger point: a particular circumstance or situation that causes an action to occur.

Also refer to the Core Good Practice Guide – Glossary.

Class 1:
Tracks provide opportunities for large number of visitors, including those with reduced mobility, to traverse the natural environment easily. They provide high level of interpretation and facilities. Steps allowed only with ramp access. Users need no previous experience and are expected to exercise normal care regarding their personal safety.

Class 2:
Tracks provide opportunities for large numbers of visitors to walk easily in natural environments. They provide moderate to high level interpretation and facilities. They are generally on low gradients. Users need no previous experience and are expected to exercise normal care regarding their personal safety.

Class 3:
Tracks provide opportunities for visitors to walk in slightly modified natural environments requiring a moderate level of fitness. They provide low level of interpretation and facilities. Users need no bush walking experience and a minimum level of specialised skills. Users may encounter natural hazards such as steps and slopes, unstable surfaces and minor water crossings. They are responsible for their own safety.

Class 4:
Tracks provide opportunities for visitors to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments along defined and distinct tracks with minimal (if any) facilities. They provide minimal interpretation and facilities. Users can expect opportunities for solitude and few encounters with others. Users require a moderate level of specialised skills such as navigation skills. Users may require maps and navigation equipment to successfully complete the track. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

Class 5:
Tracks provide opportunities for visitors with outdoor skills to discover the natural environment. Visitors require a higher degree of specialised skills such as navigation skills. Users may require maps and navigation equipment to successfully complete the track. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

Class 6:
Users require previous experience in the outdoors and a high level of specialised skills such as navigational skills. Users will generally require a map and navigation equipment to complete the track. Users need to be self-reliant, particularly in regard to emergency first aid and possible weather hazards.

The above classifications come from the Australian Standards 2156.1-2001: Walking tracks – Classification and signage.
A detailed review of the Australian Standards 2156.1-2001: Walking tracks – Classification and signage can be downloaded from http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=36771

The equipment required and the appropriate “type” of equipment used is dependent on the specific context of the activity.

Equipment used for bushwalking may include but is not limited to:

Emergency/rescue

• documentation (see Core GPG – Activity leader required documentation)
• emergency communication equipment (see Core GPG – Emergency communication)
• first aid kit in waterproof storage (see Core GPG – First aid equipment and medication)
• a waterproof method of storing and carrying documentation and communications equipment
• specific activity context equipment required
• emergency shelter where appropriate for the context
• emergency equipment to keep a patient warm (e.g. mat, sleeping bag) where appropriate for the context
• signalling device(s) (e.g. mirror, flares)

Activity Leaders

• communications equipment (standard communication rather than emergency communication where this differs) and spare batteries or backup “power banks”
• relevant maps and navigation information
• a waterproof method of storing and carrying maps and navigation information
• compass and/or other navigation aids (e.g. GPS)
• pen/pencil and blank writing paper
• watch or equipment suitable to tell and measure time for first aid purposes
• head torch and spare batteries
• appropriate spare equipment
• appropriate repair equipment
• same as for participant

Participant

• personal medications (including for asthma and anaphylaxis)
• personal hygiene requirements
• whistle
• strong backpack, suitably sized and adjusted
• waterproof pack liner
• water containers
• jumpers
• thermals
• beanie or balaclava
• sun hat
• raincoat suitable for the environment
• overpants
• footwear suitable for the conditions
• suitable socks
• shirt with collar and preferably long sleeves
• strong shorts or trousers
• underwear
• gloves
• light garden gloves
• handkerchief
• pocket knife
• sock covers or gaiters
• sunglasses
• spare prescription glasses
• walking pole(s)
• sit mat
• high visibility vest
• sunscreen

Group

• trowel for toileting
• toilet paper
• hand sanitiser
• water purification system
• repair kit
• food for duration plus spare
• rubbish bags
• multi-tool with knife
• sunscreen
• insect repellent

Repair equipment

• buckles
• needle and thread
• duct tape
• multi tool
• multi-purpose glue
• tent pole repair tubes
• sleeping mat repair kit

Refer Core GPG for first aid kit common content.

Additional equipment used for overnight or extended duration walks may include but is not limited to:

Emergency or rescue

• emergency fire lighting equipment appropriate to the activity and location

Activity Leaders

• as per participant

Group

• appropriate shelters (e.g. tent)
• cooking equipment and ‘lifters’ for pots
• cleaning equipment for catering equipment
• cooking stove and fuel
• matches/lighter
• glow sticks, spare batteries, candles

Participant

• small torch and spare batteries
• sleeping bag in waterproof bag
• eating utensils such as cutlery, bowl, plate and cup
• spare clothing
• spare shoes for camp
• sleeping mattress.

The Bureau of Meteorology also provides a range of services. For details refer to:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather-services/WeatherGuideLand.pdf
The following table details the:
• current Australian weather warnings
• associated weather for each warning
• mainland warning trigger points for issuing warnings for strong winds and hail.
Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings and associated weather Table:

The following table outlines the recommended competencies activity leaders should have when leading bushwalking for specific walking trail classes.