Beneficial Risks
Beneficial Risks is a unique offering in the field of outdoor and experiential education, drawing from theory, research, and lessons learned from the collective experience of leading authors and experts in the field of safety science and outdoor risk management. This book challenges long-standing assumptions and traditional views of risk management, while exploring topics relevant to outdoor programs such as the value of risk, the relationship between mission and risk management, inclusive risk management practices, incident causation models, and the future of risk management for outdoor programs. This book is not about checking boxes or looking good; it is about the hard work, teamwork, and joy associated with running high-quality programs that support risk management.
Beneficial Risks is for the following audiences: outdoor and experiential education professionals, volunteers, or college and university students studying outdoor recreation. Organizations that would be best served by the concepts in this book include colleges, schools with experiential learning programs, outdoor education programs, gap year programs, outdoor guide services and outfitters, service-learning programs, volunteer clubs, wilderness therapy programs, and conservation corps.
Appreciations
Foreword
About This Book
1. Introduction
2. The Value of Risk
3. Mission-Aligned Risk Management
4. Organizational Risk Philosophy: Moving Beyond “Safety” as a Goal
5. The Role of Standards in Risk Management
6. What Causes Incidents (and Who Decides)?
7. The Role of Organizational Culture in Risk Management
8. Inclusive Risk Management Practices
9. Legal Principles: The Law Says “Yes” to Risk
10. Medical Assessment of Participants and Staff: An Essential Risk Management Strategy
11. Training: Paradigms and Practices
12. Judgment and Decision Making
13. Incident and Near-Miss Reporting
14. Crisis Management and Communications
15. Marketing and External Communications
16. External Reviews
17. The Future of Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
18. Epilogue
References
Biographies of Contributors