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MODULE 3 – PHYSICAL FITNESS

GRADE 12

Environmental Hazards
Outdoor recreational activities have so much to offer to people. These includes fun and pleasure,
general wellness of an individual, and sometimes environmental hazard.

According to the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Manual Booklet 1 of DepEd,
“hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, condition, substance, or human activity that may cause
loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption,
loss of livelihoods and services, or environmental damage”.

Mishaps are avoidable. The most effective way to prevent them is to adequately prepare for the
trip that includes knowing the environmental hazard you may encounter during the outdoor
recreational activity.

Robert Ernst (2003) emphasizes that, “most of us know that when we are outdoors, exposure to
the mix of heat, humidity, and sun can lead to serious heat- related illnesses. But a number of
other problems can occur from sunburns to insect bites and stings.” With these, he enumerates
guidelines when assessing environmental hazard, you need to look at the following factors:

1.Location and terrain

The terrain is defined as the specific physical features of an area of land. The location and the
terrain contribute to the hazardous conditions when staying and walking into the site. Below are
some environmental hazards that depend upon your location and terrain:
• Uneven surfaces, wet grass, and mud
• Holes in the ground can cause trips or falls.
• Rocky trails
• Exposed ledges
• Darkness
• Poison ivy
2. Season/Climate
Keep an eye on the current and predicted weather conditions. Know the signs for approaching
storms or changing weather conditions. Some areas are susceptible to certain types of severe
weather. Weather hazards include:

• Lightning and thunderstorms,

• Flooding and flash flooding,
• Strong winds and tornadoes,
• Freezing rain and hail, and
• Being Overexpose to sun.
3. Equipment and Transportation
Keep your equipment in good condition. Inspect them before your trip. Do not wait until you are
at the trail-head. Beyond the activity, the equipment and driving/ transportation are also
considered environmental hazards.
Equipment:
• Broken stove
• Boots not broken in
• Improper clothing
• Inoperative equipment
Driving/Transportation:
• Bad road conditions
• Darkness
• Unfamiliar road
• Difficult road (Class I-VI)
• Other erratic drivers
• Pedestrians/cyclists

Ten essential equipment for Mountaineering

According to mountaineers.org, “it is a great idea to work on a checklist that is tailored to the
nature of the outing when planning for your next mountaineering trip”. Here are ten essential
pieces of equipment that mountaineers should prepare and bring when climbing a mountain:
1. Navigation – Today’s mountaineer carries five essential tools while navigating to their
destination: map, altimeter, compass, GPS device, and personal locator beacon (“PLB”) or other
devices to contact emergency first responders.
2. Headlamp – In the outdoors, headlamps are the flashlight of choice, freeing hands for
anything from cooking to climbing. If the party plans to return before dark, each member should
carry a headlamp.
3. Sun-protection – This includes carrying and wearing sunglasses, sun- protective clothes, and
broad-spectrum sunscreen rated at least SPF 30.
4. First Aid – Carrying and knowing how to use a first-aid kit should not give you a false sense of
security. Avoid injuries or sickness is the best course of action to take in the first place.
5.Knife – These are useful for first-aid, food preparation, repairs, and climbing, therefore,
everyone in the group should carry one.
6. Fire – Most climbers carry a disposable butane lighter or two instead of matches. Either must
be reliable.
7. Shelter – Carrying some sort of emergency shelter from rain and wind, such as a plastic tube
tent or a jumbo plastic trash bag.
8. Extra Food – The food should require no cooking, be easily digestible, and store well for long
periods.
9. Extra water – Always carry at least one water bottle or hydration bag.
10. Extra clothes – It refers to additional layers that would be needed to survive long, inactive
hours of an unplanned camp.

Commonly used life-saving equipment in Aquatic Activities

According to www.shmgroup.com, “many disastrous accidents have been averted due to the
timely use of life-saving equipment by the sports enthusiasts as well as the accompanying
experts”. The following are the commonly used life-saving equipment in water sports and should
always be checked for availability.
1. Lifejackets - These can be of help to the person wearing it from drowning. Thus, it is important
to always wear a life jacket throughout the water activity.
2. Safety helmets – They are used mostly for water sports involving a higher risk factor, like
water skiing and kayaking activities, but it is important to use them whenever required.
3. Safety harnesses – They should be tied tightly enough to allow free movement in the boat or
on deck, but not so loose that the person may fall overboard, leading to a lot of injuries.
4. Lifebuoys – These are ring-like flotation devices that prevent people from drowning.
5. First aid kits - It is the first requirement for medical assistance in case of an emergency and
hence is a must-have safety measure on every boat.
6. Maps - It is important to navigate rightly and follow the basic safety rules while taking any
vessel out in the water, be it for rafting or boating.
7. Distress signals – These include light-emitting beacons and flares that are important to gain
the attention of passers-by for help during an emergency.
8. Radios – It will enable the person in need to get in touch with the control center and get
assistance in case of an emergency.
9. Weather Gauge - Carrying a weather gauge at all times helps one stay updated about the
climate and any potential weather change.
10. Personal locator - The beacon is an electronic transmitter that sends out a signal alerting
the rescuers of the location. People regularly use this device for crew saving in lifeboats and
shipping.
MANAGING RISK
According to Parkin and Blades (1998), “Managing risk in outdoor education hinges on the
reduction of the degree of real risk to a level considered acceptable to everyday exposure.
Understandably, this aim may be an objective of any outdoor program where risk of injury is
inherent. Safety is a paramount consideration; however, it cannot be guaranteed. This is
because there are many factors over which little or no control can be exerted (e.g. sudden rock
fall, gear failure, human error, or inclement weather). In most cases it is more practical to reduce
risk than to impose a rigid set of safety standards or safety precautions”.

Parkin and Blades (1998) identify the three (3) main steps to the management of risk in any
outdoor education program:
1. Risk Identification – primarily involves the identification of the dangers or hazards that can
give risk and thereby causing an accident.
2. Risk Assessment – degree of risk and the probability of an incident occurring relates to the
assessment of risk.
3. Risk Reduction – implement a range of strategies that will minimize risks to an acceptable
level in an attempt to prevent incidents from occurring.

In www.education.vic.gov.au, “a range of hazards can be present in the activities being performed outdoors and
the environment in which they are conducted”.

In addition, hazards associated with outdoor activities may include but are not limited to:
 traffic and pedestrian management
 ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure
 adverse weather conditions (rain, wind, ice, temperature extremes etc.)
 natural disasters (storms, fire, floods etc.)
 animals and insects
 noxious plants
 general environment (sharp objects, trip hazards, terrain etc.)
 participants with pre-existing medical conditions
 injuries and accidents
 uncontrolled environments (public places, strangers etc.)
 workplace bullying and occupational violence.

Essential Tips for the Outdoor Safety

In www.fs.fed.us, the most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip.
Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, limitations of your body, plus a little common sense can
help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The website introduces the following essential tips for outdoor activities:

1. Travel with companion.

You don't want to be by yourself in case of an emergency. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a
responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the
equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated, and when you plan to return. If you'll
be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is
hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is
unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least speak with those who do
before you set out. If an area is closed, do not go there. Know ahead of time the location of the
nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip.
2. Be in good physical condition.
Set a comfortable pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of
the group. If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider
and get approval before departing. Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or
hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter, or
give first aid. Practice your skills in advance. If 9your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical
condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper
acclimatization to the altitude.
3. Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs. Trees and bushes can't always be
trusted to hold you. Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with good footing.
4. Wear appropriate clothing for the trail conditions and season.
5. Check your equipment. Keep your equipment in good working order. Inspect it before your
trip. Do not wait until you are at the trailhead. Be sure to pack emergency signaling devices.
6. Be weather wise. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions. In this area,
weather can change very quickly. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing
weather conditions. Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning
storms. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Even in the summer, exposure to wind
and rain can result in hypothermia.
7. Learn basic first aid so you will know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses.
Carry a first aid kit with you. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke,
hypothermia, and dehydration, and know how to treat them.
8. Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted in many accidents from falls,
so travel only during daylight. Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs and learn the terrain during
daylight. If you have to leave camp after dark, stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend,
and always use a good flashlight.
9. Be alert for slippery areas and take your time to avoid tripping. Low-hanging branches and
variable terrains make running unsafe, and leaves can hide slippery areas underneath.
10. Alcohol and cliffs don't mix. If you drink, stay away from the cliffs. Judgment, agility, and balance are
all reduced by alcohol consumption.
11. Think before you drink. No matter how clean or pure stream water looks, it's likely to contain water
borne parasites and microorganisms that can cause discomfort and sometimes serious illness. Pack your
water in or purify through chemical treatment.