Safety-Related Improvisation in Led Outdoor Activities: An exploratory investigation into its occurrence and influencing factors

Margaret J Trotter; Paul M Salmon; Michael G Lenne

doi:10.1007/BF03400967

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Safety-Related Improvisation in Led Outdoor Activities: An exploratory investigation into its occurrence and influencing factors

Journal article

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Safety-Related Improvisation in Led Outdoor Activities: An exploratory investigation into its occurrence and influencing factors

Margaret J Trotter, Paul M Salmon and Michael G Lenne

Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, Vol.17(2), pp.16-29

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400967

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Abstract

Specialist Studies in Education

Curriculum and Pedagogy

improvisation

safety critical situations

led outdoor activities

The dynamic nature of led outdoor activities means that, despite activity providers' best efforts, activity leaders can be exposed to unanticipated situations for which no procedures exist. Improvisation, the spontaneous, real-time conception and execution of a novel response, has been identified as a potential means of maintaining safety in such situations in other safety critical domains. This study examines improvisation in the led outdoor activity context with the intention of adding to the body of knowledge around activity leader decision making. In this exploratory investigation a survey study was undertaken in order to determine whether safety-related improvisation occurs during led outdoor activities, and also to identify the circumstances in which it occurs, the form it takes, and to establish by what factors it is influenced. Over 50% of respondents reported improvising in at least half of their activities, commonly as the result of unanticipated environmental conditions and/or the need for easier procedures. Respondents identified a range of factors that influenced their ability to improvise, many of which overlap with those found in other safety critical domains, but some that appear to be unique to led outdoor activities.

Details

Title: Safety-Related Improvisation in Led Outdoor Activities: An exploratory investigation into its occurrence and influencing factors
Authors: Margaret J Trotter (Author) - Monash University
Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
Michael G Lenne (Author) - Monash University
Publication details: Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, Vol.17(2), pp.16-29
Publisher: Australian Outdoor Education Council
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1007/BF03400967
ISSN: 1324-1486
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448806102621
Output Type: Journal article

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