Pre-Visit

Prior to each walk a staff member from Sunday Creek (usually the leader taking the walk) will visit the school. The purpose of the pre-visit is to:

1. Remind the students of the purpose of the walk, and check that all present are choosing to be involved of their own free will.
2. Invite students to share what qualities they're wanting to bring to the walk, and what they're hoping to take away from the experience.
3. Clarify guidelines and consequences for these not being met.
4. Answer any questions students may have.

Leading the Trek

Sunday Creek will provide a staff member who is responsible for the safety and well being of the participants during the trek itself. The Trek Leader will hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate including CPR.

During the Trek the Trek Leader is responsible for facilitating de-briefs and managing any conflicts that may arise.

Post-Visit

Sunday Creek provides a post-visit after the Trek to help evaluate and support students progress back at school. This is included in the cost of the Trek.

Equipment and food supplied by the Centre

The following equipment is supplied by the Centre:

• Backpack.
• Sleeping bag.
• Inner sheet (to go inside the sleeping bag.)
• Poncho (raincoat.)
• Tent (shared between two).
• Methylated fuel stove & fuel (shared between two.)
• 2 water bottles with 2.5 liters carrying capacity.
• 3 Day food pack.

* Please notify the Centre before hand if there are any specialist food requirements
Eg. Vegetarians, allergies etc.

Safety and Crisis Management

Safety Equipment Carried by the Trek Leader:

• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Satellite phone
• Torch & spare batteries
• EPIRB
• 2 UHF Radios
• Shovel

Crisis Management Procedures

The following outlines the procedures to be followed in the event of a crisis occurring during the Wilderness Trek.

The Trek is conducted through both the Jimna and Kenilworth State Forests. While most of the walking is on trails, there are some very steep ascents and descents, which can be very demanding. The course traverses mainly open eucalypt forests but in some limited areas there is rainforest and during the later part, a number of creek crossings. There is limited mobile phone access in the area and UHF communication is difficult due to the nature of the terrain.

A thorough Risk Assessment of the trek has been completed as required by the DOEM and is available for the schools.

Level 1 Crisis

(illness or injury not requiring outside assistance)

• Group leader will deal with the crisis and walk will continue

Level 2 Crisis

(illness or injury while not considered life threatening but is such that the participant is unable or chooses not to continue)

• Group leader will deal with the crisis.
• Sunday Creek Environmental Education Centre will be contacted via phone carried by the leader and evacuation arranged by the standby vehicle at the first available time.
• If evacuation is carried out day 1, the school will be contacted and parents of a school officer on standby will be required to pick the student up from the Kenilworth Forestry Office.
• If evacuation is carried out day 2, the student will be taken to campsite with an option to be taken home by parents or stay the night with the group depending on the nature of the situation.
• If evacuation is carried out day 3, student will be taken to Booloomba Creek number 2 day picnic area with supervisor to wait for bus.

Level 3 Crisis

(illness or injury while not considered life threatening but is such that outside expertise or assistance is needed)

• Group leader will contact ambulance communication centre for advice via phone.
• Illness or injury will be carefully monitored.
• If illness or injury deteriorates and immediate evacuation is necessary, police communications will be contacted or the EPIRB will be set off.
• If stabilised, then evacuation will be arranged through Sunday Creek Environmental Education Centre.

Level 4 Crisis

(illness or injury is considered life threatening or unmanageable by staff and requires outside assistance urgently)