NZ Mountain Safety Council - OnTrack Newsletter

PHOTO KERRY ADAMS

Issue 13 July 2012

Instructor Tips | New Resources | Programme Updates | Queens Birthday Honours | News | Volunteer Focus

SoMe o F MSc’S dedIca ted adMIN IStrat IoN oFFIce rS

welcOme

darryl carpeNter, cHIeF eXecUtIVe Winter is here! the first major snow fall of the year certainly arrived with a vengeance in early June and while the sun is out occasionally, we hope more is on its way.

This edition of OnTrack provides an opportunity for you to see what we have been planning and implementing this winter season.

Enjoy the read and look into the new innovations we have made in avalanche awareness, public avalanche advisories and our other winter specific projects and programmes.

leanne McKenzie auckland

Wend y Stic hbury Gisbo rne

Also included is a summary of what we have delivered over the summer: social media, new aspects of our education, communication and key outdoor safety messages. The team have included news of our ongoing work such as firearms and hunter safety. We have many good people doing many great things.

However, with the number of recent incidents and the too often repeated call on our Search and Rescue (SAR) colleagues’ time, there is still more to do to reach people so they are aware of key outdoor safety principles and have the skills, knowledge and resources available to put these into practice.

On a more positive note, two of our people received Queen’s Birthday honours for their considerable commitment to delivering outdoor safety training and education in their communities. Noel Bigwood and John Ransfield are deserving recipients.

One last observation: having recently returned from extended leave, I am concerned that the challenging economic and financial issues we face may have a detrimental effect on our individual and collective ability to sustain ongoing support for outdoor safety.

Kasey Gibb Manawatu

I do, however, remain encouraged by the tremendous work being done throughout our sector, within our own programmes, projects and communities. I wanted to reassure you that Council remains committed to working collaboratively across all our activities to achieve our stated outcome of ‘more people participating safely in land-based outdoor activity’. Enjoy winter and discover more safely - Darryl

FOcUS Bridget Newman Queenstown/Wakatipu

MSc’S adMINIStratIoN oFFIcerS IN tHe SpotlIGHt

Administration officers keep the wheels turning at local branches, providing support and performing a variety of tasks to ensure instructors, volunteers, members and the public have everything they need. www.mountainsafety.org.nz www.avalanche.net.nz www.incidentreport.org.nz

DISCOVER MORE, SAFELY

NeW ZealaNd

mOUNTAIN SAFeTY cOUNcIl tHe NeW ZealaNd MoUNtaIN SaFety coUNcIl Level 3, 19 Tory Street, Wellington, PO Box 6027, Wellington, 6141 tel: 04 385 7162 Fax: 04 385 7366 www.mountainsafety.org.nz

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www.avalanche.net.nz

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is a national organisation with a mandate from our member organisations to encourage safe participation in land-based outdoor activities.

We facilitate the setting of standards, offer training and education opportunities, create and distribute resources, lead public awareness campaigns and foster positive support in the community so that more people can discover and enjoy New Zealand’s outdoors safely.

oUr MISSIoN IS to: Enable people to enjoy their in the outdoors Foster positive community support for outdoor safety Promote the development and maintenance of national outdoor safety standards for land-based activities

oUr oUtcoMe: Imore people participating safely in land-based outdoor activity

oUr GoalS: IIncreased number of leaders/teachers/ instructors/guides are inspired, inspiring, competent and retained as leaders.

Groups and Clubs effectively promote and deliver increased safety in the outdoors.

Commercial operators operate safely.

The community is more aware of outdoor safety.

MSC is financially strong.

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www.incidentreport.org.nz

NatIoNal oFFIce StaFF MeMBerS ceo > Darryl Carpenter education Manager > Leonce Jones Business Manager > Richard Brodie avalanche & alpine programme Programme Manager > Andrew Hobman Asst. Programme Manager > Gordie Smith Bushcraft & risk Management programme Programme Manager > Chris Owens Firearms & HUNtS programme Programme Manager > Mike Spray Training Co-ordinator > Tracy Wakeford Marketing & communications Manager > Andrea Corrigan administration team: Finance > Alex Cordier Branch Network Manager > Jane Hoedemaeckers Administrator > Christine Oakley-Hall Administrator > Nina Klauke Membership Officer > Jill Knight Resources Manager > Lindsey Pickering Please direct any research and evaluation and outdoor first aid queries to Leonce Jones.

aBoUt oNtracK editor: Andrea Corrigan published by: The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council The OnTrack newsletter is published by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council in March, July and November each year. disclaimer and submission guidelines >> All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy but no responsibility will be taken by the Mountain Safety Council for errors or inaccuracies or for any consequences of reliance on this information. If you have any feedback, ideas or items that you would like to submit for consideration please email: marketing@mountainsafety.org.nz >> Submission deadline is 5pm, Friday 19 October 2012. Publication is not guaranteed and the editor’s decision is final.

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

New FAceS

at tHe MoUNtaIN SaFety coUNcIl

SHaroN HodSoN // MSc WaIKato adMINIStratIoN oFFIcer Hello everyone, my name is Sharon and I am the new Administration Officer for the Waikato branch of MSC. I am married with three children and my husband is an MSC Instructor.

I particularly enjoy baking and getting out and about whenever we can with our kids.

Here is a photo of us at the lookout at the base of Wairere Falls, one of our favourite local short walks. Hope to see you out in the bush real soon, regards Sharon.

We have lived in NZ for the past 5 years and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! We have truly fallen in love with the great outdoors here, which is truly stunning and we get out most weekends local to where we live and some longer tramps when we can.

cHrIStINe oaKley-Hall // NatIoNal oFFIce adMINIStratIoN I started my role as administrator at National Office in June. Thank you to all the team there who have given me a helping hand.

I am originally from the UK but after having been here in beautiful NZ for 20 years now I like to think of myself as a ‘born again kiwi’!

Having come from a city lifestyle I now enjoy camping, fishing and the great outdoors. I can quite often be seen hauling a craypot over the rocks at Tora whatever the weather.

My professional background varies from the Department of Building & Housing to recruitment and the NZ Computer Society. I also have experience working within a firm of chartered accountants and an office removal company which was interesting I also spent a few years running my own business as a massage therapist called ‘Massage on the Run’.

I am enjoying the challenges being presented to me and looking forward to the year to come.

I have two children Leonie who is 21 and completing her teacher’s diploma and James who is nearly 19 and completing a building course in Auckland.

MIcHelle MetHerell // MSc caNterBUry adMINIStratIoN oFFIcer A bio... where to start?

In the beginning I was a very young Chair of MSC in Dunedin, in the days when all active members of the OTMC became bushcraft instructors and ran courses for over 100 participants!!

Real qualifications were just emerging but I headed off to Colorado and began having children.

I took the job of Administration Officer (AO) in Canterbury when my 18 year old daughter Selena was born and shared myself between Trade Aid Importers and MSC.

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

Five years ago I left again, this time to retrain as a primary teacher which I did successfully. I have had a number of long term relieving positions and love the job! I have 4 children, Jeremy working overseas in North America, Selena at University in Dunedin and currently competing in Slovakia in orienteering, Kieran on exchange in Japan and Cameron at home here in Christchurch, along with a Brazilian exchange student.

In my free time (haha) I still love getting into the outdoors, running, tramping and skiing and swim most mornings to keep fit.

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BRIeF NewS

WHat’S NeW oNlINe aNd IN Store?

mSc Facebook is growing!

In the last issue of OnTrack we mentioned the development of our Facebook page. This page has the opportunity to interact with a huge number of people of all ages.

Above: The MSC Facebook page

Within the last five months we have gained 133% more ‘likes’ (these are new people who are interested in what MSC is all about). Our goal moving forward is to continue increasing the number of people who get our daily messages (regarding the store, courses, seminars, competitions, weather warnings, media releases and much more). Thank you to all who are currently folowing the MSC Facebook page and we hope that you all find this a useful hub of information and interaction. www.facebook.com/NZMSC

mSc website has been updated!

If you haven’t already had a look, make sure you check out www.mountainsafety.org.nz and have a look at our updated website. While this is still a work in progress, we hope you will find it easier to locate what you are looking for, and you will also find some great safety tips to keep you safe.

Outdoor First Aid manual updated!

Some of you may have noticed that the Outdoor First Aid manual is out of stock in our online store at the moment.

This is due to a huge review and update of the manual.

The manual is in the last phases before it heads to print and is due on shelves in September. We apologise for any inconvenience however we hope many of you will invest in one of these fantastic manuals when they hit the shelves.

Like the Bushcraft manual, this is a must have for all of you who love heading into the outdoors.

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Right: The updated Outdoor First Aid manual Below: The old Outdoor First Aid manual, now out of stock.

Above: The updated MSC website

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

Right: A Chamber Safety Device

chamber Safety Devices now in-store Due to high demand we now stock Chamber Safety Devices (CSDs). The device can be inserted into the chamber of a firearm which then clearly demonstrates that it is empty of live ammunition. For more information, click on ‘download’ next to the CSDs in our online store.

FRee downloads in-store now Check out the new downloads which are currently available for free download. Downloads are continually being uploaded to our online store. Avalanche resources have been uploaded along with river safety information however more downloads including gear guides will be coming soon.

mSc branded clothing available now New MSC branded clothing is available for MSC members including polo shirts, jackets, vests, caps, beanies etc.

Contact your branch Admin Officer to see the catalogue and place an order.

On the right are just some examples of MSC branded clothing now available.

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New! Avalanche cards available now The highly anticipated Avalanche cards have now arrived in store. Two cards are available to purchase separately or together in a value pack. The cards available are:

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Above: New FREE downloads

Avalanche Assessor - A simple checklist to help you make evidence-based decisions in avalanche terrain, including a mechanism to help measure slopes.

Avalanche Rescue - A simple checklist of what to do if you get stuck in an avalanche, and how to use your transciever.

Right: The new Avalanche cards

Left: New MSC branded clothing

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

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FIReARmS SAFeTY

“No Meat IS Better tHaN No Mate”

MSC Firearms and Hunter Safety programme manager Mike Spray is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on firearms safety and writes firearms safety articles for a number of publications. In this article Mike talks about the causal factors behind hunter deaths in New Zealand.

In all but two of the incidents, the shooter and victim were in the same hunting party. A primary physical factor was that they became separated for whatever reason and continued hunting which put themselves at increased risk of being shot by their mate.

Why does a hunter end up shooting another hunter? A mate shooting a mate?! It’s a good question and one that has been considered by many people as we try to understand why a hunter would intentionally fire at another person thinking they were a deer.

A common psychological factor known as ‘buck fever’ is where the emotion of seeing what you believe to be a deer overrides logical thought to the extent that what the eyes see is not necessarily what the brain sees.

There were two deer hunter fatalities during the April roar, the time when stags become very vocal persuing hinds.

In the full decade between 2002 and 2011 there have been 10 deer hunter deaths. In nine of these incidents, target non-identification was the primary causal factor. In other words the shooter failed to ‘identify the target beyond all doubt’.

As well as target non-identification there are a number of other factors that can contribute to one hunter shooting another and generally it is a culmination of these factors that lead to tragedy.

Research specifically into deer hunter deaths by Inspector Joe Green in 2003 concluded that both physiological and psychological factors contributed to the 33 deer hunter deaths analysed between 1979 and 2002. The contributing factors for 9 of the 10 incidents over the past decade are consistent with Inspector Green’s research and have reinforced the recommendations that came out of the research.

Above: New firearms safety web banners. Please contact marketing@mountainsafety.org.nz if you would like to use these on your website.

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Not being able to see enough of the target to be able to complete positive target identification is also a factor. Simply not enough time is spent on the process of target ID and there can be an overwhelming temptation to snap shoot at movement or colour.

No hunter death is acceptable and all could have been avoided if the shooter had complied with the basic common sense rules that make up the Firearms Safety Code. All hunters are responsible for identifying and managing risk. The question remains: ‘why does a hunter end up shooting another hunter?’

For more information about firearms safety visit: www.mountainsafety.org.nz/firearms - Mike Spray, Firearms programme manager

Above: A selection of the free firearms safety pamphlets

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

FIReARmS UPDATe INStrUctor QUalIFIcatIoN Update Firearms instructor qualifications are part of the wider MSC education delivery activity. We believe that through a qualification process, our people will have the opportunity to up-skill or in the case of new instructors, to gain the required knowledge and experience to deliver our outdoor safety education and be recognised as being competent. This also provides a measure and reassurance of quality and consistency.

Earlier this year, MSC re-established its business relationship with Whitireia Community Polytechnic as an interim measure, while we establish qualifications with our Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and their workplace assessment mechanisms.

As a result, the firearms programme is continuing to offer the following firearms qualification, Certificate 10: Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Firearms Leadership) which is a Level 5 certificate requiring 40 credits.

In order to gain this qualification, instructors need to be assessed for the firearms lecture against standards LCC40, 9131 and 9692 (which relate to instructing arms legislation and safe use and security of firearms as well as presenting

information orally to an audience) AND also gain the MSC range officer warrant. This is achieved by completing a range officer course and the associated prerequisites and assignment.

To date, 75 firearms safety instructors have been assessed during their firearms lectures and 28 of these have qualified for Certificate 10. The remainder have yet to do a range officer course in order to meet all the requirements for the qualification and we have several of these courses planned to accommodate those wishing to pursue this opportunity.

Tracy is overseeing the firearms assessments and qualification programme, assisted by a number of assessors around the country.

If you would like to know more about this qualification and are keen to pursue this opportunity please contact Tracy via email: tracy@mountainsafety.org.nz - Tracy Wakeford, Firearms Programme Training Co-ordinator

FIReARmS NewS NIcole’S oN tarGet

One of MSC’s firearms instructors, Nicole McKee, has been selected as the team captain and coach of the New Zealand ladies’ rifle team. The team will head off to South Africa in March 2013 for a tri-nations match held between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa).

Nicole will manage the team, but in her additional role as coach she will also be responsible for wind picking every shot each woman takes during the competition. While in South Africa, the team will also compete in the South African Nationals as individuals.

Nicole is also involved with multiple shooting sports both locally and nationally, and has represented Wellington in both smallbore and fullbore shooting competitions.

I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Nicole on her achievement and we look forward to hearing how the team got on when they return.

Nicole is looking for sponsors for the team – if you can help please contact her at le303@xtra.co.nz - Tracy Wakeford, Training Co-ordinator

Firearms

Programme

Nicole is a woman of endless energy and not only does she volunteer her time as one of our instructors, she also is the firearms co-ordinator for MSC Wellington Central and a member of the MSC firearms technical advisory committee.

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

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INSTRUcTOR TIPS SoMe BaSIc prINcIpleS Over the past 18 months or so, the firearms team has been travelling around the country delivering training seminars to our firearms instructors. The focus of these seminars has been to connect with our instructors and also to provide some upskill training. One of the sessions in this training has been on presentation skills based on the MSC Instructors’ Handbook.

Whilst this book has been around for a long time, it still has some great information and is worth a review every now and then.

I often ask instructors to reflect on why they do what they do, and in most instances why they’ve continued for so many years?! More often than not, the reply is to give something back to a sport/recreation they have had so much enjoyment from and to teach the safety messages to others so they can enjoy the outdoors as much as we do.

This leads into why we as instructors need to think about learning and how best to get our messages across with the limited amount of time we have – so that the information can be retained as much as possible by the learner.

There are many different theories on learning but here are some basic principles (summarised from a paper on learning theories from Stanford University): •

The brain plays a role in learning – we know that different parts of the brain perform different functions and learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain by expanding the brain’s capacity. Based on this information – we are never too old to learn!

Individuals process information differently, often having a preferred learning style based on which brain pathways are more developed (for more information see ‘Learning styles’ in the instructor handbook).

•

Learning is a process of making connections between what is known and new information (associations). Prior knowledge is important in learning, so as an instructor it is helpful to know what the learner already knows and build on that.

•

The learning environment makes a difference – learning occurs best in environments that are rich with stimuli and provide feedback in response to the learner’s efforts. This is further enhanced by instructors who can model, explain and discuss what is being learned.

•

Emotions play a role in learning. Learners who are feeling scared, anxious, or distracted cannot focus to process information. Positive emotions can help learners to think, perform and process new information.

What can you do to ensure the learners experience is enjoyable and therefore has a lasting impact?

So how do we do this during our instruction session(s)?

•

We accommodate each of the learning styles through breaking the lectures up with ‘hands-on’ activities such as handling demonstration firearms

•

We ask the learners what their experience and interests are and use this to add in examples in our lectures that appeal to them (moving from the known to unknown)

•

We have variety in our sessions and use a variety of training aids to enrich the learning environment

•

And finally, we teach people that the outdoors can be safe and not something to be afraid of. Also, we engage our learners by being genuine, passionate about the topic and our positivity about sharing our knowledge with them.

I hope this information can be food for thought about why we do things the way we do. Thank you to all of our instructors who certainly make a difference in their communities, by helping people to discover the outdoors safely.

- Tracy Wakeford, Firearms Programme Training Co-ordinator

Right: The MSC instructors’ handbook

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

vOlUNTeeR FOcUS aleX aNd HeleN WarrINer, MSc aUcKlaNd It can be said that Alex and Helen Warriner are the life-blood of Auckland Branch of the Mountain Safety Council. Both have busy and demanding jobs, but they constantly find time to share their skills and enthusiasm for the outdoors with new MSC recruits and members of the public who come on our courses to improve their knowledge of the outdoors.

Alex joined Mountain Safety in 2001 and gained his Bush 1 qualification in 2004 and Risk Management Facilitator qualification in 2007. He has been the Chair of Mountain Safety Auckland for five years. Helen also joined Mountain Safety in 2001 and has been a committee member and Outdoor Leader Co-ordinator for several years.

leaders themselves. Alex is the National Training Leader for the Scouts and in this role, he oversees the training for adult scout leaders. Helen is the National Scout Leader and one of the major things she organises is the Scout Jamboree.

They are an outstanding example of good-hearted people who often put aside their own needs and concentrate on doing great things for the community they live in, often on a volunteer basis.

Both Alex and Helen are people who have a great combined depth of experience and knowledge of which they are very generous with, in helping the branch, instructors, trainees and the Mountain Safety Council as a whole.

Alex is in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Helen works in property management, but most weekends they can be found either taking courses for MSC or travelling around New Zealand providing guidance and training for Scout leaders throughout the country.

The Mountain Safety Council would like to thank the Warriners for their contribution and indeed all of our passionate and committed volunteers across the country.

If you know of any MSC member(s) who deserves to be recognised or your branch is doing something exceptional that you want to let everyone know, please contact Jane Hoedemaeckers on jane@mountainsafety.org.nz or call on 04 383 7896

Together they run the youth leadership course (Sandford course) for senior scouts and put between 40 and 60 youngsters aged 12-14 years through their courses. Many of these participants go on to learn the skills to become scout

ABSeIl UPDATe

tHe aBSeIl proGraMMe NeWS

Abseiling has wound down a little now winter is upon us.

However we are busy setting up for the next round of activity for the summer. The plan is to run a regional training workshop in the South Island later in the year. The dates and other information will be sent out as soon as this is finalised.

The focus of the regional training sessions is largely to bring everyone up to date with the latest changes and expectations for abseil. There is a lot of discussion around site management at the moment so this may be a consideration for this year’s session.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the abseil programme have just been reviewed and a draft should also be available for feedback before regional trainings occur. We also look forward to getting your feedback and suggestions around the programme and what is of particular importance for instructors at the moment.

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

The MSC abseil handbook has been reviewed and the new version will go to the printer shortly. It is a testament to the quality of the original that no changes were needed, so at this stage a decision has been made to make no alterations. We have however refreshed the design so it is consistent with other MSC publications. We will advise members and the public when we have copies ready for sale.

We recognise that a more substantive review of the handbook is required. This will need to take into account some of the newer types of activity and work on planning this is already underway.

We look forward to catching up with you in the spring or early summer.

- Richard Brodie, Abseil programme manager

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BUSHcRAFT UPDATe

BUSHCraFT & rISk MaNageMeNT PrOgraMMe UPDaTe

So what’s going on with the programmes? Well, we have been working with MSC Canterbury and MSC Auckland in trialling a pilot scheme where Outdoor Leader (ODL) trainees were assessed against the current MSC criteria and at the same time assessed against the Skills Active Walking Bush Leader Qualification. These are exciting times as we prepare ourselves to be a Private Training Establishment (PTE) with NZQA, and will enable us to issue unit standards autonomously.

Mid-May also saw the AGM of the NZ Mountain Radio Services here in national office. This is encouraging as it was an opportunity to get the three organisations that make up the service to discuss the similar issues they face and develop the objectives they want to meet collectively, as opposed to working independently. MSC supports these organisations and their development as they are an integral part of outdoor safety throughout New Zealand.

The second of this year’s regional training weekends was run in May at Pirongia Forest Lodge (just outside Hamilton) with around 45 participants. It was a good opportunity to further upskill MSC’s instructors via some excellent workshops (see later article for more info).

In June we had the second meeting of the combined Bushcraft and Risk Management Technical Advisory Committees. This is great news as the Risk Management Committee had previously become non-existent. Having a combined meeting means that an already active group transfer their positive momentum to Risk Management and its development.

Please note the next regional training will be in Waimate between 24-26 August for all instructors from MSC Canterbury, Ashburton, South Canterbury, North Otago and Dunedin. Please get your registrations to me as soon as possible for this valuable and worthwhile training opportunity.

- Chris Owens, Bushcraft and Risk Management Programme Manager

Left: Regional training Kiriwhakapapa: MSC instructors refreshing their outdoor first aid skills.

DATABASe UPDATe PrOJeCT UPDaTe

We are in the process of developing a new database to replace our existing Member Management System. NZ Police have been a key sponsor in this project and the new system will provide much improved management of qualifications and training related data, as well as a far more integrated vetting process.

The first part of the project will provide a system to replace the existing system with a lot more functionality. This should be up and running by the end of quarter one. As soon as this is in place, work will begin on the integration of the course booking system and greater web access to a range of web based functions.

At the same time we will be working with Administration Officers and key office holders to ensure they are comfortable with the using the new system.

It will take a little while to get the whole package up and running but we will keep you informed and will be sending out updates and information. To help with this process it would be good to know that the e-mail addresses that MSC holds for you are current and correct.

MSC members can advise and update national office of ALL of your details as you complete this year’s revalidation form.

- Richard Brodie, Business Manager

Over the next few months you will see some changes to the page where members update their personal information.

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

RegIONAl TRAININg

MSC NOrTHerN regIONal MeeTINg. PIrONgIa, May 2012

In this article, kerry adams (MSC auckland) shares his experience of attending a Mountain Safety Council regional training weekend. additional reporting by Chris Owens.

I was recently invited to attend the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) Northern regional training held in Pirongia, just outside Hamilton. I have recently become more involved in the MSC, first as a participant on a range of their courses and now as the official photographer.

My involvement with the MSC began when I decided to attend a Basic Bushcraft course. I had been trying to get out into the bush a bit more for a while, and the course was a good motivation, as well as an opportunity to up-skill myself in the process. Since then I have attended the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Bushcraft Courses, the Outdoors First Aid, River Safety and Risk Management Course.

All of which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend.

At the River Safety course I took along my camera equipment, and tried to spend some time taking some shots of the participants. Photography and the outdoors sit as two of my favourite past times, so the opportunity to combine them was always something I was going to lean towards.

Some of those photographs ended up down at the MSC National Office in Wellington and I was then asked if some could be used to accompany a media release. Since then, I have been regularly sending photos down for their use on the website, brochures and other marketing material.

A recurrent theme during the weekend was the increasing amount of attention the outdoors community needs to place on the health and safety aspects of the ‘industry’. The environment in which we work and play is changing and there are some requirements that MSC need to meet and adapt towards in order to be compliant.

In addition to that, every weekend we hear news reports of more members of the public getting into strife in the outdoors, and the increasing call for operators and providers to take responsibility and guide the way, despite the overarching notion that safety in the outdoors is a personal responsibility.

All of this confirms the on-going need for the Mountain Safety Council to educate people about the outdoors, not only via courses but via the public awareness campaigns, the advocacy they undertake, the collaborative projects such as AdventureSmart and Outdoors Intentions and all of the things stated in the outcomes model.

I met heaps of new people on the weekend, all with a genuine love of the outdoors and keeping people safe. I look forward to helping them out by providing them heaps of new photos to utilise in their work.

- Kerry Adams and Chris Owens

The Regional Meeting was a chance to meet more of MSC’s volunteer instructors, as well as take some more photographs of the proceedings.

One of the aims of MSC regional training is to upskill instructors. With so much new information and changes to ‘best practice’ happening with the industry – it is a good way to discuss and disseminate the information to a large group of key people.

First aid, river safety, navigation and more were on the agenda, with relevant internal and external experts sharing their knowledge on their specialist subjects.

One of the highlights was the Saturday night ‘cook-off’, where everyone brought along and cooked a gourmet outdoor meal including lots of homemade dehydrated meals, a surprising amount of desserts and even a Supplejack (kareao/ripogonum scandens) salad!

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

Left: Photos of the nothern regional training taken by Kerry Adams.

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OBITUARY

wIllIaM ‘wIllIe’ MaCrae, 1957-2011

William was firearms safety instructor based in Kaitaia, who passed away in an extremely tragic helicopter crash last December. Known to his friends as ‘Willie’ he had been a member of the MSC firearm instructor team since 1984, after joining at the young age of 27.

Willie had shown an interest in firearms and hunting from an early age. His interest extended to reloading and maintenance of firearms. He was a talented and successful instructor who had a particular affiliation with Maori communities.

read Jenny’s note below: Macrae: William Samuel Where do we begin?

This page is not big enough

Willie was a popular member of the Kaitaia firearms instructor team and contributed enormously to the firearms safety programme. In 1994, Willie was acknowledged for his service to MSC and firearms safety programme and received a Council Award.

nor are there words that can totally express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you. Over the past 6 months, since the accident that claimed the lives of William and Prickles, our families have been helped, supported and loved by a countless number of individuals.

He will be sadly missed by the firearms group, as he will be by the wider Northland community.

From the bottom of our hearts, to all of you, thank you so much for everything you have done and are still doing for us.

Willie’s partner, Jenny Larson, contacted me recently to say thanks for the huge support that she and her family has received. Thank you Jenny, and on behalf of MSC and the firearms safety programme we pass on our best wishes to you and all your family.

Jenny, Shauna and Paul, Samuel, Ellyse, Kyle, Daniel and all of William’s extended family.

By Mike Spray and Jenny Larson

OUTDOORSmARk UPDATe As part of our decision to apply for Department of Labour (DOL) registration, we are required to undertake an assessment of our quality management system. This also supports our desire (and expectations placed on us by our member agencies and the communities we are working in) to ensure we meet all quality and safety standards for all of our work.

We have chosen to use ‘OutdoorsMark’ as this is the recognised outdoor safety audit. We also believe that going through this audit will further support the wider outdoor safety messages we communicate, the adventure tourism operators as they meet the requirements under the DOL regulations and that it will better support our public education and support for our member agencies.

The OutdoorsMark process we are going through consists of a pre-assessment phase against 50 audit requirements, a desk audit and then a field audit (often called ‘an audit of practice’). The field audit will be completed on National office and about 10% of our Branches (selected at random) within 12 months of the desk audit.

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We have contracted Ray Goldring to do our pre-assessment phase and to develop the documentation ready for the desk audit. Ray is also guiding our programme managers, MSC management and Branches through what is required and helping with the preparation for the field audit. Ray is a registered outdoor auditor and is one of the approved OutdoorsMark auditors and has had many years of active association with the MSC. Ray is currently preparing our documentation ready for submission to Outdoors NZ and the OutdoorsMark desk audit by the end of June 2012. We will keep you posted of further progress.

For more information regarding the Outdoors Mark, please visit: www.outdoorsnz.org.nz/outdoorsmark

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

OUTDOOR FIRST AID proGraMMe Update

As my contract with MSC nears its conclusion, I reflect on six months of incredible variety. I’ve written a book (or helped update one at least!) I’ve met with government officials, quality assurance people, compliance regulators and assessment developers and got straight answers to help with our direction.

I’ve discovered the inner workings of unit standards and the necessities of assessing them effectively. I’ve learnt about ongaonga, helicopters, pulmonary embolisms, high altitude medication, cyanide poisoning, haemorrhoids and tourniquets.

I’ve answered tricky questions and if I didn’t know the answer I dug until I found it. Most importantly, I have worked with and talked to talented, passionate, dedicated first aid instructors who leave me aweinspired at the time and effort they put into their communities.

are recognised by the Department of Labour. Many people will choose to do the optional Outdoor Emergency Management course if they work in an outdoor sector job which requires them to gain unit standard 424.

Come on one of our ‘Workplace First Aid in the Outdoors’, and you’ll experience all the scenarios, problem solving and passionate instruction that has always made an OFA course loved by many outdoor minded folk around NZ. INStrUctor WorKSHopS In June we ran two workshops for OFA instructors, one in the South Island at Kaiapo in the snow (!) and the other in the North Island at Whakapapa (also in the snow!) The purpose of the two workshops was to: • Revalidate the PHEC and CPR Level 2 qualifications, which is a requirement to instruct first aid.

Here’S aN Update oF WHere We are at: FIrSt aId MaNUal Update

• Introduce the new courses and related assessment material.

We’ve made good progress on the review and update of the MSC Outdoor First Aid manual.

Dr Dick Price has again given valuable medical advice on content. LIFT Education has been in charge of the structural and copy edit.

They have asked lots of curly questions (all of which I’ve either had or found the answers to) and their suggestions for the text will result in an easy to follow, logical, reader friendly book.

The workshops were filled with lots of information, thinking, questioning and first aid practice and were well attended. See table on the following page. From the photos you can see we all had a lot of fun. Some of us got ‘damaged’ for the purpose of scenarios. I had a fractured femur… which I can assure you required lots of screaming and yelling to emphasise the pain.

I apologise to the ears of my first aiders who kindly straightened my leg and put it in a traction splint.

Dani Millar our talented designer will soon be flat out laying out the columns, pictures and tables. Trevor Plaisted, the original illustrator has been back on board making alterations to existing pictures and drawing new ones.

We’re on track to having a new manual on the shelves, on courses and in the MSC online shop by end of September this year.

NeW coUrSeS Mountain Safety Council Outdoor First Aid (OFA) courses have a reputation of being hands on, experiential, outdoors, fun, exciting, relevant and real. Due to changes in NZQA’s requirements, the OFA programme is undergoing some changes however the changes do not compromise these things.

Above: From the top: Gail Gaenge assessing Marius Handcocks injuries, Simon Williamson performing CPR and Pete Zimmer with a leg.

From July 1 2012 there will be three courses under the OFA umbrella: •

Workplace First Aid in the Outdoors (16 hours)

•

Outdoor Emergency Management (8 hours)

•

Outdoor First Aid refresher course (8 hours)

Many people (MSC and the public) will choose to do the two day course and gain the Workplace First Aid unit standards, which NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

South Island workshop

North Island workshop

Full and trainee OFA instructors

12

20

Potential new trainees

5

0

Instructors who came from other island

3

0

Total

20

20

Leonce found himself damaged up a tree requiring rescue and bandaging. Dr Dick Price, our medical advisor, (aka Fred the SAS guy) needs to work on his direction when parachute landing as he landed in trees two weekends running! Thank you to Dr Price for bringing your wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the workshops and to the programme.

Once again, thank you everyone for your support, enthusiasm and dedication to the first aid programme. And I’m sure I’ll bump into some of you in the hills on a river somewhere!

- Jen Riley, Outdoor First Aid programme manager 13

AvAlANcHe UPDATe At the time of writing, winter has well and truly arrived for many parts of the country and the danger from avalanches was highlighted early in the season by the incident that swept two men down Mt Taranaki. Luckily they survived but it was a timely reminder that any time there is snow on the ground and the slope angle is steep enough (between 30° 45°) an avalanche can happen.

The 2012 Avalanche Awareness evenings started with Auckland. Thanks to the support of the Auckland branch we had a good turnout at the Snow Centre. This kind of event has not run in Auckland before and following the success of the first one we are planning a second evening in August. Keep your eyes out for the Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington, Taranaki and Ruapehu evenings.

The public avalanche education programme has kicked off with the first course being run at Mt Ruapehu. This year we have a freshly updated course with new participant workbooks and the Avalanche Assessor and Avalanche Rescue Cards. These changes have attracted plenty of positive feedback from the regional avalanche instructor trainings and we hope this continues as the season continues.

The Backcountry Avalanche Advisories started in June and are posted on www.avalanche.net.nz and if you are heading into the hills this winter then this should be your first stop for weather and avalanche conditions as well as following the outdoor safety code to plan and prepare your trip.

Thanks to the marketing team of Andrea and Dani, we have been able to advertise and promote the alpine and avalanche courses in a wide array of publications and websites. This should have a positive effect on the course participant numbers and getting our message out to the public.

We have also been keeping the design/marketing team busy with the publication of two new pamphlets for avalanche.

The Avalanche Rescue pamphlet replaces the Transceiver pamphlet and shifts the focus from just the transceiver search to include more on the probing, digging and patient care. The Avalanche Safety pamphlet is a new resource that details the basic process for making good decisions when travelling in avalanche terrain. Both are available to download at: www.mountainsafety.org.nz/resources

Then once you have returned from your trip, log in and ‘Make an Observation’ on the regional pages left hand menu. This is the place to comment on the conditions that you encountered and post a photo. This information is then available for others to use in their trip planning and helps our forecasters to produce a better advisory.

Enjoy your winter recreation safely and I hope to see you out on hills.

- Andrew Hobman, Alpine and Avalanche programme manager

Above: Just some of MSC’s 2012 winter safety messaging campaign. From left: New Zealand Skier, Chill and Adventure Magazine.

Avalanche awareness, advisories and info

Above: New Avalanche safety web banners. Please contact marketing@mountainsafety.org.nz if you would like to use on your website.

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

AlPINe UPDATe The redevelopment of the MSC Alpine Programme is well underway and although it’s largely business as usual for this winter, 2013 will be a fresh start.

The Alpine Technical Committee (ATC) is producing a set of technical alpine climbing standards that will help inform and support the content of the instructor training and public courses. This work will also provide the information for a revised Mountaincraft manual.

We have been working closely with other organisations that deliver alpine education and the alpine safety messages.

Many of these groups are part of the Mountain Safety Council and their work helps us to progress our aim of ‘more people participating safely in land-based outdoor activity.

Much has been done to ensure that the MSC Alpine programmes are compliant for the OutdoorsMark safety audit.

This includes a revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), hazard evaluation, course briefing structures and emergency procedures. This has been a very positive process and the members, instructors and participants will benefit from the increased level of support that this process provides.

With the change in our relationship with Whitirea, we have been working to create a National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation - mountaineering strand. This will replace the current Alpine 1 qualification and we intend to have this available for assessment at the end of the winter.

The current course content will not change greatly and our aim is to have a smooth transition between the two qualifications.

The National Certificate is a valuable qualification and has NZQA units that are recognised nationally, will stay permanently on your record of learning and could be applied to further qualifications.

As the ATC and qualification process become more defined we can complete the work of aligning all the public courses across the country. Over the spring we will develop new resources for these courses and have them ready for delivery in early 2013.

More detailed information on these changes will be communicated via direct newsletters and instructor trainings.

- Andrew Hobman, Alpine and Avalanche programme manager

ceO ROADSHOw MSc cHIeF eXecUtIVe HItS tHe road Some of you may be aware that Mountain Safety Council’s Chief Executive, Darryl Carpenter, has been hitting the road this winter/autumn and visiting many of the MSC’s branches around the country.

When

Location

28th June

Wairarapa

30th June

Whakapapa

9th July

Waikato

10th July

Auckland

16th July

Southland

17th July

Wakatipu/Wanaka

It’s an opportunity for MSC members to come along and find out more about where the organisation is heading and ask questions about any aspect of the organisations activities.

1st August

Tauranga with invitation extended to EBOP-Rotorua

6th August

Manawatu

Whilst the Wairarapa, Whakapapa, Waikato, Auckland, Southland and Wakatipu/Wanaka, regions have already been visited, at the time of going to press there are still a number of visits planned (see table below).

7th August

Wanganui

7th August

Taranaki

24/25/26th August Regional Training Weekend Waimate

Canterbury, Ashburton, South Canterbury, North Otago, Dunedin,

27th August

Hawkes Bay (Leonce Jones replacing)

25th September

Gisborne

23/24/25th November Regional Training Weekend

Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast and Buller Regional Training Weekend- Upper South Island. Venue TBC

As well as a general ‘hello’ and catch up, the purpose is to follow up and report back on actions since Chris Owens’ road show last year, introduce the new MSC business plan and explain what our focus is for the coming year.

To confirm dates and specific times and venues please visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz/roadshow or contact your local branch administration officer.

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

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cOmmUNIcATIONS UPDATe NeW WeB BaNNerS

adVeNtUreSMart WeBSIte

New web banners promote outdoor safety messages One of MSC’s outcomes is that ‘the community is aware of outdoor safety’. One new way in which MSC is trying to get the message to more people is via creating web banners and then establishing relationships with key stakeholders like MetService, Hunting & Fishing and New Zealand Alpine Club to get the web banner on their website.

Plan and prepare before you go The AdventureSmart website has recently celebrated its 20,000th visitor! Since re-launching in September 2011, people from more than 119 countries around the world have logged and looked at the links to safety information for various activities.

Interested people will click on the web banner and be taken to relevant page on the MSC, Avalanche or AdventureSmart websites for further information. Using Google Analytics we can also see how many people are visiting our websites as a result.

If you would like to use any of our web banners or link to any of our websites, please contact andrea via marketing@mountainsafety.org.nz

MSc IN tHe MedIa MSC are a leading authority on a number of subjects and disciplines and we are regularly contacted by the media for expert comment and opinion.

Did you know we also write and distribute our own media releases often to more than 180 TV, radio, newspaper and magazine outlets? Whilst sending them out doesn’t guarantee the editor is going to choose to run them but more often than not many of our key messages are getting out there.

I also write a number of articles for magazines about various aspects of outdoors safety and have recently been published in Adventure magazine, Wilderness magazine, Ki Waho magazine, Australiasia Parks & Leisure amongst others. I often work with journalists who write their own stories too.

The website also made a couple of star appearances in June on Campbell Live –first when the American trampers who survived in the hot pools were rescued and then when the tramper who was lost in Hunua ranges was found. The visits to the website certainly peaked that day!

Visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz for tips and advice of how to plan and prepare for your land, snow, boating, water or air adventure. Tell someone before you go!

oUtdoorS INteNtIoNS The AdventureSmart website is also the home of the Outdoors Intentions process which has different mechanisms you can use to complete your written outdoors intentions BEFORE you go into the outdoors! Outdoor safety is your own personal responsibility and I know I prefer to tell someone who cares about me before I head out on a tramp and who I trust to raise the alert if I don’t come back. It’s up to you how you do it – just make sure you ‘tell someone’!

Visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz/outdoorsintentions for more information - Andrea Corrigan, Marketing and Communications Manager

you can view MSC’s media releases here www.mountainsafety.org.nz/media and I plan to create a section where the magazine articles can be uploaded too.

Above: From left: A selection of web banners available, MSC in the headlines and the Adventuresmart website 16

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

TRANSFORmATION proJect Update

Two pilot groups are currently trialling the Skills Active Assessment processes and completing the Skills Active National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Leadership) Level 3 in the Bush Walking strand. The information gained from these two pilots will be used to determine the transition from the Outdoor Leader Programme currently used through Whitireia Polytechnic to this National Certificate Programme.

The Transformation Project has been largely focused on the development of new course parameters around Outdoor First Aid and I am pleased to report that the two recent instructor workshops held in Kaiapoi in the South Island and Tongoriro National Park have paved the way for the introduction of changed course formats and clarity around training delivery expectations instructor pathway and participant assessment.

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) and Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) have been working with Skills Active ITO to establish an Overnight Camping Unit Standard that will be included in this qualification to ensure the qualification has an overnight leadership component. We are confident that this will be added to the current qualification during the Targeted Review of Qualifications (TRoQ) process currently being undertaken by NZQA in conjunction with ITO’s and Industry Groups.

Thanks to Jen Riley I am confident we are well placed to achieve NZQA registration and accreditation for the OFA programme for Workplace First Aid Unit Standards and the Outdoor Emergency Management Unit Standard.

Gaining this initial accreditation will set the groundwork for accreditation across all our programmes and the development and introduction of qualifications evolving from the TRoQ process.

Members continue to gain NZQA qualifications through a Recognition of Prior Learning Processes and this has been well received by members.

We are also collaborating with a private provider to trial a seven day course to deliver to the requirements of the National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Leadership) Level 3 in the Bush Walking Qualification as an alternative process to current processes used in MSC to complete instructor pathway requirements.

I am pleased that as the result of information being put out in publications like this and the workshops being held around the country, a much better understanding of the NZQA Framework is now evident. With the changes taking place in education generally we continue to be challenged to meet the high standards required.

While we recognise that this form of delivery may not suit all of our volunteer instructors, we have found a good deal of support for such a programme and to date we have good external financial support and backing from a number of the youth member agencies who are keen to be part of a small series of trial courses.

- Leonce Jones, Education manager

Left: Leonce Jones presenting an award to Bridget Janse at the MSC Northern Regional Meeting

RevAlIDATION reMINDer Revalidation is well underway and forms are coming in. We’d just like to remind you if you haven’t already completed the form to do so ASAP. Please ensure that you complete all sections of the form and return this with your supporting documentation to your local branch as soon as possible.

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

Please note, photo ID is only necessary for those of you for whom we do not hold a current ID or those of you who do not hold a NZ Passport. If your current first aid certificate was gained through MSC, evidence of this should be held by us and is therefore viewable through the member section of the MSC Website.

For more information please contact your local branch administration officer

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QUeeN’S HONOURS

Well-deSerVed QUeeN’S BIrtHday HoNoUrS

Noel F. BIGWood, MNZoM ‘Meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits’ is the description given by Wikipedia as the reason for making Noel a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The award acknowledges Noel’s 35 years of service given to Land Search and Rescue and will be proudly added to his bulging cupboard of trophies as awards.

As well as his day job with New Zealand Police where he has chalked up 44 years of service and six awards, and the many years involved in search and rescue activities where he has received an award from LandSAR, he has also somehow he has also managed to find time to volunteer for 24 years with the Mountain Safety Council.

During his time with MSC, Noel has been heavily involved in the bushcraft programme, especially via his role as Chairperson of the Bushcraft Technical Advisory Committee. Noel has also received recognition having been awarded the MSC Lifetime Award and the Outdoors New Zealand Outdoor Excellence Volunteer of the Year Award.

Noel has made an impact on the lives of many people over the years with his depth of knowledge, his generosity of his time, willingness to impart the safety message and bush skills to all walks of New Zealanders who want to explore our

backcountry. As well as the public, Noel has given many hours volunteering to MSC to help train and develop young instructors on their pathways. His openness to mentor our trainees is well known and very rarely is he unavailable to help or give advice to whoever asks.

Above: Noel Bigwood (in the water) actively demonstrating river safety techniques in the freezing Mataura River, May 2012.

At the end of June, Noel retired from Police, and by the time we go to print he will probably be winging his way to Europe and the UK on his ‘OE ‘ with Linda, where he tells us he might try and get his award presented at the Palace. Oh yes, and did we mention in his ‘spare’ time he was actively involved in hut and track maintenance in the Western Tararuas?

Well done on all of your achievements Noel, we are very proud to count you as a Mountain Safety Council member.

- Chris Owens, Bushcraft and Risk Management Programme Manager

JOHN raNSFIelD, QSM MSC congratulates John Ransfield for his achievement of the Queen’s Service Medal. John has been awarded this accolade for service to the Police and the community.

This excerpt from his nomination conveys the sentiment that inspired his recommendation: “John’s drive to succeed, albeit in a very soft, calm and inclusive manner has been unwavering and always keeping the end goal in focus. He is an exceptional and very humble man who is one of the quieter champions of his generation, who does not seek nor aspire to any formal or public recognition of his service to others. John is a man of great mana!”

John’s long list of community service includes membership of seven Maori trust boards, two marae trusts, President of the Rotorua Hunting Club, member of the NZ Deerstalkers’ Association, Rotorua Pistol Club, Department of Conservation, Search and Rescue, and affiliated with 53 hunting clubs throughout New Zealand.

John has also served the NZ Police for the past 20 years vetting firearms licence applications and has been an active member of MSC for the past 30 years as a firearms safety instructor and since 2009, vigorously involved in our Whakatūpato (firearms safety) programme for rural communities.

18

John not only instructs on the Whakatūpato programme, but recruits and mentors new instructors, participates in the working group that drives the programme and helps set up new programme deliveries throughout NZ.

Above: John Ransfield (right) training

John’s commitment firearms safety never stops – when I phoned him during Queen’s birthday weekend to congratulate him he was very honoured and humbled to receive the award.

He also commented he was disappointed that he did not have this photo, as he wanted to use it for the newspaper interview about his award to promote the programme – now that is dedication!

Thank you John for your extensive service to our organisations and your community, and congratulations!

- Tracy Wakeford, Firearms Programme Training Co-ordinator NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

SHOP gUIDe to tHe MoUNtaIN SaFety coUNcIl Store Your guide to buying the perfect gift for yourself or the other outdoor enthusiasts in your life, to keep safe in the outdoors.

A

B

c

a. avalanche assessor Card

The Avalanche Assessor Card provides a simple checklist to help you make evidence-based decisions in avalanche terrain. The durable card allows you to measure the approximate angle of the slope.

RRP: $9.99 (intro price) *$19.99 including Rescue card

D

C. Chamber Safety Devices

A Chamber Safety Device can be inserted into the chamber of a firearm which then clearly demonstrates that it is free of live ammunition. The device is great to use while travelling with firearms, during storage in the home and on the range where they are particularly helpful, and in some cases, mandatory.

RRP: $7.50 (incl GST) for a pack of five (5)

B. avalanche rescue Card

The Avalanche Rescue Card is a durable card that provides simple instructions to help remind you of how to rescue someone caught in an avalanche and how to use your transciever.

RRP: $9.99 (intro price) *$19.99 including

D. Hypothermia Handbook

Designed to help all outdoor users understand what hypothermia is, how to recognise the symptoms and how to treat it.

RRP: $5.00 *Limited stock, get in quick!

e

e. MSC Premium Survival pack The Mountain Safety Council has produced survival packs at an all new low price. This premium pack is essential for anyone who enjoys heading into the outdoors. The premium survival pack includes a safety whistle, pocket survival bag, packliner, The Bushcraft Manual and essential safety information.

RRP: $50.00

To purchase, ask your branch administration Officer or visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz/resources

Assessor card

NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |

19

cAleNDAR

dateS For yoUr dIary

date

eVeNt

19 Aug

Manawatu Firearms training Seminar

NZ MoUNtaIN SaFety coUNcIl MeMBer orGaNISatIoNS >> The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council is formed of a number of member organisations all with a stake in promoting safe participation in New Zealand’s great outdoors.

Where: Levin Police Station.

Review of the new instructor guide and some refresher training for firearms instructors from the Manawatu,

24-26 Aug Mid South Island regional training Seminar Where: Gunn’s Bush Christian Camp, Waimate For more details contact Chris Owens at National Office

first week MSc executive meeting Where: National Office of Sept 29 - 30 Sept

Sika Show

10 Oct

regional representatives and committee convenors

Where: Taupo Trade Show and Hunting Competition. Look out for our MSC Firearms safety stall!

Where: National Office A light lunch at 12 with the sessions to commence at 1pm

11 Oct

council aGM Where: West Plaza Hotel, 110 Wakefield Street Commencing at 9am

12-13 Oct

the outdoors Forum 2012 Where: The Comfort & Quality Hotel, Wellington More info at www.the-outdoors-forum.org.nz

26-28 Oct Bush 1 and Bush 2 Nth Island assessment Where: TBC For more details contact Chris Owens at National Office

2-4 Nov

Bush 1 and Bush 2 Sth Island assessment Where: TBC For more details contact Chris Owens at National Office

23-25 Nov Upper Sth Island regional training for all instructors

Where: Nelson/Marlborough area, TBC For more details contact Chris Owens at National Office

For more important dates and further information please visit the MSc website: www.mountainsafety.org.nz

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NZ Mountain Safety Council | OnTrack | July 2012 |