Training/Preparedness
Depending on the type of outdoor activity, you may require formal training and/or certification. Below is a listing of some common areas of training to get and keep you prepared and safe for field activity.
SFU (on-campus)
Anyone working in, or occupying, research laboratories at SFU is required to complete EH&S' Lab Safety Training. General Lab Safety is the minimum requirement, but additional sessions may be required depending on the type of lab activity. Training courses are run every semester, usually in the 3rd week of the semester.
Resources:
| SFU EH&S - Lab Safety Training | http://www.sfu.ca/srs/ehs/training-orientation/safety-training-information.html |
Wilderness Preparedness
If at all unsure, ASK! Don't hestitate to ask colleagues/supervisors about what to expect in the outdoors and how best to be prepared. Those with limited wilderness experience may want to consider taking a course(s) in wilderness preparedness/survival.
Resources:
| Emergency Management BC - Outdoor Safety Preparedness | http://www.pep.gov.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/outdoor_safety_preparedness.html |
| AdventureSmart -Survive Outside | http://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/surviveoutside.htm |
| BC Adventure - Basic Wilderness Survival Skills | http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/survival/basic.htm |
| Wilderness Survival Skills - Wilderness survival guide | http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/index.html |
| MEC - wilderness courses (note: not an endorsement, rather included as an example of wilderness training) | http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Community/Courses/BC.jsp |
| International Canadian School of Survival - wilderness courses (note: as above) | http://www.icsos.ca/index.html |
| Boreal Wilderness Institute - Modern Wilderness Survival & Navigation Courses (note: as above) | http://boreal.net/ |
| Bear Scare - training to prevent human-wildlife conflicts (note: as above) | http://www.bearscare.ca |
First Aid
Workers and supervisors need to carefully assess the types of environments (especially remote/backwoods areas) and activities they will be involved in and ensure Worksafe first aid requirements are met, and if necessary, that additional training is completed (e.g. wilderness first aid) in order to address particular circumstances.
Resources:
| WorkSafe BC - First Aid Regulations & Guidelines | http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/FirstAid/RegulationAndGuidelines.asp?ReportID=33601 |
| WorkSafe BC - First Aid Assessment Tool | http://www2.worksafebc.com/calculator/firstaid/default.htm |
| WorkSafe BC - First Aid & CPR Providers | http://www2.worksafebc.com/PDFs/FirstAid/FirstAid_training_providers.pdf |
| Slipstream - Wilderness First Aid provider (note: not an endorsement, rather included as an example of wfa training) | http://www.wildernessfirstaid.ca/ |
| St. John Ambulance - Wilderness First Aid (note: as above) | http://www.sja.ca/English/courses-and-training/Pages/default.aspx |
| Wilderness Medical Associates - Info on WFA courses (note: as above) | http://www.wildmed.ca/ |
| Canadian Red Cross - Wilderness & Remote First Aid (note: as above) | http://www.redcross.ca/cmslib/general/factsheet_crc_wrfa_2011.pdf |
| TRU - WFA providers | http://www.tru.ca/tourism/adventure/cmsg-certprg/additional/overview/advanced.html |
Boating
Transport Canada requires all operators of motorized marine vessels to be licensed. Vessels also have registration requirements - know what they are.
Resources:
Water/Diving
Resources:
| Canadian Red Cross - Swimming & Water Safety | http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=881&tid=024 |
| SFU EH&S - SFU Scientific Diving Program | http://www.sfu.ca/srs/ehs/research-safety/diving-safety.html |
| SFU EH&S - How to Become a Scientific Diver | http://www.sfu.ca/srs/ehs/research-safety/diving-safety/how-scientific-diver.html |
| Diver Certification Board of Canada - Diver Training | http://www.divercertification.com/English/DiverTraining.html |
Helicopter Safety
The pilot is the boss - always. Ensure you follow their instructions carefully. Whether it's your first trip ever or 4th of the day, know and follow proper proceedures.
Resources:
| WorkSafeBC - Safe Work Practices for Helicopter Operations in the Forest Industry | http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/helicopter_ops.pdf |
| Transport Canada - Helicopter Passenger - Safety Around Helicopters | http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp4263-tp4263-4455.htm |
| Rescue Canada - Helicopter Safety (note: not an endorsement, rather included as an example of available training) | http://www.rescuecanada.ca/helicopter/ |
| HeliCourse - Helicopter Awareness Training (note: as above) | http://www.helicourse.com/index.html |
| Rescue Dynamics - Helicopter Safety for Outdoor Leaders and Guides (note: as above) | http://www.rescuedynamics.ca/articles/pdfs/HeliLeader.pdf |
| BC Min. For. - Helicopter Safety and Survival Video | http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/Library/documents/bib39240.htm |
| BC Forest Safety Council - Helicopter Passenger Safety Guide | http://www.bcforestsafe.org/air_safety |
| U of A EAS Safety - Helicopter Safety | http://safety.eas.ualberta.ca/?p=33 |
| UBC EOS - Helicopter Safety | http://www.eos.ubc.ca/home/safety/procedures.html#helicopter |
Driver Training / Road Safety
Just because you can drive, doesn't mean you can drive. If operating unfamiliar vehicles or operating in unfamiliar conditions (e.g. off-road, towing, etc) get the necessary knowledge/training to operate in a safe and appropriate manner.
Resources:
| ICBC - Road Safety | http://www.icbc.com/road-safety/Pages/Default.aspx |
| Transport Canada - Road and Motor Vehicle Safety | http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/menu.htm |
| Wildlife Collision Prevention Program | http://www.wildlifeaccidents.ca/default.htm |
| BC Forest Safety Council - Tools for Resource Road Users | http://www.bcforestsafe.org/forestry_trucksafe/tools_roadusers.html |
| WorkSafeBC - Mobile Equipment | http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part16.asp |
| BC Min For - Driving Resource Roads (example is from Vanderhoof Forest District) | http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dva/Other%20Documents/Road%20Safety/Proc1%20-%20DRIVING%20RESOURCE%20ROADS.pdf |
| AdventureSmart - ATV Riding | http://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/atv.htm |
| ATV/BC - List of Safety Instructors in BC | http://www.atvbc.ca/taxonomy/term/17 |
| BC Power Sports - ATV Safety Course (note: not an endorsement, rather included as an example of available training) | http://bcpowersports.com/?page_id=26 |
Firearms
Check the policies of the organization for which you are working. What is their firearms policy?
You must be licensed to carry firearms in Canada. Ensure you are fully educated on safety and licensing requirements, and if you are not already licensed, be sure to plan ahead and know the timelines involved.
Resources:
| RCMP - Canadian Firearms Safety Course | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/safe_sur/cour-eng.htm |
| RCMP - Firearms Safety Training | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/safe_sur/index-eng.htm |
| RCMP - Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/safe_sur/cour-eng.htm#a2 |
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