2024 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

In our programs and our workplaces, generative conflict can be an opportunity for your group to build trust, and create a culture of safety and risk awareness that is imperative to our risk management goals. When do you hold more power? When do you hold less? And how does this show up when conflict arises on our programs or between our staff? In this workshop we will review how power dynamics show up in our conflict responses, explore compassionate listening skills, and learn foundational tools for conflict transformation. All of this contributes to a culture of trust and empowers participants to engage in socially risky conversations. Participants will learn their own conflict styles and be able to recognize the conflict styles of others, as well as leave the workshop with tools to discuss power and conflict in their own organizations.

Supervision is a fundamental principle of outdoor leadership. It is as simple as placing yourself in a location where you can act to prevent an unwanted situation from occurring. Proper supervision can help you reduce accidents, make your outdoor activities safer and reduce liability. This session introduces three types of supervision: general, specific and transitory supervision. It applies these concepts to practical outdoor situations using case studies and group discussion. The basics are simple and straightforward. The question is whether the outdoor leader is applying these principles to what they are doing. Several outdoor legal cases hinged on improper supervision. Whether you are new to outdoor leadership or an experienced outdoor leader, this session helps you to answer the question whether what you are doing is what you should be doing.

As with all gravity sports, it is way too easy to equate an uneventful trip with being ready for the worst case scenario. We are fortunate that rivers are so forgiving but where are the gaps in our crews readiness for call to action when things go sideways. Join us in this interactive session to review trends in PPE, Rescue Gear, and Training Strategies.

In this workshop, you will learn the steps you can take as an individual or organization to create more inclusive and accessible space for the Deaf community in the outdoors with technology and communication access. Participants will learn about risk management from Deaf lenses in the outdoors along with some data gathered from the community. We also will be covering different technological advantages that can benefit Deaf people in the outdoors.

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes 8 parts: meditation, exercise, diet, cosmology, feng shui, bodywork, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. The more commonly known parts are acupuncture (needles) and plant medicine. As a Chinese Medicine Practitioner as well as a NOLS Wilderness First Responder, PSAR with the NPS, climber and hiker with special training in Trauma Medicine, I created a TCM Field Kit that I want to share during this workshop. Often times while responders wait for assistance we are handling mental trauma, shock, pain, bleeding and things that acupuncture and herbs are very good at treating. Learning how Eastern and Western Medicine compliment each other can enhance the healing process for the injured person during and after the medical response. The objectives of this workshop are to: learn points that are used for resuscitation, shock, bleeding, digestion, pain, blood pressure, bone and soft tissue swelling and more. Learn what herbs can be added to your FA kit to stop bleeding. Learn Battlefield and NADA Protocols using ear seeds to stop pain. And breathing to calm the spirit before, during and after any medical emergency for the patient and the responder by improving health and reducing risk.

This workshop introduces and utilizes the S.L.O.W De-Escalation model as a tool for frontline staff who may encounter challenging and potentially hostile interactions with another person. Tensions can rise with clients, colleagues, and the general public over many topics- some trivial and some of substance. Minor conflict has the potential to escalate if we do not recognize and respond appropriately. Whether it be program decisions, financial discussions, or something on a more personal level, we usually don't know what another person is carrying with them emotionally. This workshop will focus on responding not reacting, active listening, validating someone's concerns (which does not necessarily mean agreeing with them), and knowing when to walk away from an interaction. The overarching goal of this training is to learn a new tool for your toolbox with a focus on personal safety and wellbeing.