Back Country Horsemen of Washington
Emergency Evacuation Plan – Trail Ride Leader
Need:
Despite the inherent dangers and risks associated with equestrian recreation, equestrians are often complacent in matters of emergency evacuation management.
Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) checklist must be compiled and completed to avoid liability assessment in an injury accident case during an equestrian recreational event conducted by Back Country Horsemen (BCHW) and/or BCHW chapter(s).
“USFS EEP” and “USFS After Hours Communication” guidelines were used for compiling the BCHW Emergency Evacuation Plan guidelines.
Objective:
Implementation of an EEP is not only a requirement of most land management agencies but is also essential for BCHW and/or BCHW chapter(s) plus personal liability protection during an equestrian recreational event.
An EEP document is critical for proper managing an injury or life threatening situation involving equestrian recreational events.
Chapter’s Trail Ride Leader(s) is responsible for developing field emergency evacuation checklist for procedures in the event a person(s) becomes seriously ill or injured during an equestrian recreational event.
Implementation:
1) Prior to an equestrian recreational event conduct a briefing to insure that an EEP checklist is in place before embarking and/or leaving trailhead.
2) Follow existing land manager procedures for a Communication Plan (CP).
Trail Ride Leader(s) must record CP procedures as part of the EEP checklist.
3) Develop and implement EEP and CP procedures for each specific BCHW
and/or BCHW chapter(s) equestrian recreational event. Do not rely on cell
phone coverage.
4) Participants in equestrian recreational events must complete a liability
release form required by hosting BCHW chapter(s). (See Liability Release
form)
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5) Participants in equestrian recreational events must provide a name and
phone number for personal contact information required by hosting
BCHW chapter(s).
6) Participants in equestrian recreational events under the age of eighteen
not accompanied by a parent or guardian must be required to have a
“Permission to Treat” form before the minor is allowed to participate in
BCHW chapter(s) equestrian recreational events.
7) Abatement actions for Trail Ride Leader(s).
a. Carry an updated first aid kit.
b. Stay current on first aid and CPR training
c. Be aware of any allergies, medical conditions or other physical
limitations of members in the equestrian recreational event.
d. Carry maps and a GPS, plus be competent with their usage.
e. Have a second person knowledgeable about the area and knowing the
way back to trailhead.
8) Be prepared to provide the following information when reporting a
health/injury incident.
a. Nature of the injury or illness.
b. Type of assistance needed.
c. Location of emergency with best access route – road and trail numbers.
d. Radio frequency and/or phone numbers.
e. Contact person – land management agency and/or personal.
f. Local hazards – ground vehicles or aviation.
g. Weather conditions.
h. Topography – especially in wilderness situations.
i. Number of persons to be transported.
j. Estimated weight of passengers for air evacuation.
9) Be prepared at the first opportunity to immediately provide the following
information when reporting a health/injury emergency to the patient’s
personal contact.
a. Nature of injury or illness.
b. Type of assistance needed and/or provided.
c. Location where a family member can meet the injured person.
d. Location of emergency or professional medical assistance and
contact information.
e. Estimated time of arrival at meeting location.
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f. Disposition of trail stock and equipment that require care and
transportation.
10) BCHW chapter must immediately report to the land management agency a
health/injury incidence that occurred during an equestrian recreational event that
subsequently required professional medical assistance.
11) BCHW chapter must immediately report to the BCHW President a
health/injury incidence that occurred during an equestrian recreational
event that subsequently required professional medical assistance and be
prepared to report in writing a full account of the incidence (see BCHW Incident
Report form).
It is recommended that an EEP Checklist be included in the First Aid Kit provided for a BCHW chapter(s) equestrian recreational event. Additionally a BCHW Incident Report form plus land management agency’s incident report form be included in a packet compiled for a BCHW chapter’s response in case of an injury accident during an equestrian recreational event.
The items listed above serve only as guidelines for the development of an Emergency Evacuation Plan Checklist for a BCHW chapter’s equestrian recreational event.
BCHW Safety Committee
Revised - February 2015