KDSS Outdoor Education

Algonquin Canoe Trip Outlineand

Safety Management Plan

June 11th – 15th, 2012

Supervising Teacher: Mr. Tim Luinstra

Introduction and Rationale

This canoe trip plan outlines the route and activities for a 5-day canoe trip in Algonquin Park for students enrolled in the KDSS Outdoor Education Physical Education course (PAD 3O). The trip will provide students with an opportunity to apply knowledge learned in class, demonstrate leadership skills, and experience personal growth in a challenging outdoor setting. The trip occurs at the end of the semester and facilitates a culminating activity experience for the participants. This outline covers the following topics. All documents related to the trip along with other course information including this document are available on the class website at

Table of Contents

  • Introduction and Rationale1
  • Table of Contents1
  • Itinerary2
  • Leader Qualifications3
  • Student Qualifications3
  • Safety Equipment3
  • Lifeguarding3
  • Cost Breakdown3
  • Identification of Group3
  • Communications Plan4
  • List of Participants5
  • Group Travel5
  • Family Emergencies5
  • Emergency Procedures6-10
  • Roles of the leader6
  • Role of Chaperones/Group Leaders6
  • Signaling an Emergency6
  • Lost Person6
  • Search and Rescue7
  • Canoe Capsizing7
  • Evacuation Plan Non-Emergency Situation8
  • Evacuation Plan Emergency Situation8
  • Emergency Contact Info and Numbers9
  • Curriculum Expectations10
  • Pre-Field Trip Learning Activities11
  • Directions to Access Point11
  • Canoe Route Map12
  • Canoe Route Way Points13

Itinerary

Monday, June 11th

  • LeaveKincardine & DistrictSchool at 6:00 am
  • 11:00 am Register at Algonquin Park Office in Kearny (phone: 705-633-5572)
  • 12:00 pm – Arrive at MagnetawanLake Access #3
  • Packed Lunch on the road or can be purchased in Huntsville
  • Canoe to site on Little Trout Lake, via Hambone lake and Ralph Bice, including three portages (135m, 295m and 435m)

Tuesday, June 12th

  • Canoe to island sites on Misty Lake, via Queer Lake, Tim River, Shah Lake, Pandion Pond including five portages (175m, 1550m, 1125m, 335m,705m)

Wednesday June 13th

  • A canoe loop will be done returning to the same site to camp. The loop includes a trip to Timberwolf lake with two portages (765m, 130m)

Thursday June 14th

  • Canoe to sites on DaisyLake, via Little Misty Lake and the PetawawaRiver, including three portages (935m, 450m, 135m)

Friday June 15th

  • Canoe to Access #3 MagnetawanLake via HamboneLake, including three portages (420m, 55m, 295m)
  • Return to Access #3 MagnetawanLake at 12:00 PM
  • Return to KDSS by 6:00 PM

Student Qualifications (at the time of trip)

  • All students have been instructed in basic wilderness first aid and adult CPR
  • All students have participated in the Bronze Medallion Lifesaving course. Students who did not pass the course must have passed the OPHEA guidelines swim test of canoe-tripping.
  • All students have been trained in ORKCA Level 1 Flatwater Canoeing which includes canoe safety and handling, recommend strokes for power, steering, turning and pivoting, skills required in portaging and canoe over canoe rescue.

Leader Qualifications

  • Supervising Teacher has Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR Training, National Lifeguard Service Certification, and ORCKA Trip Leader II certification, along with over 100 days of wilderness camping experience and more than 50 days of wilderness canoe tripping experience.
  • Additional Chaperones have St. John Ambulance with CPR Training, with extensive experience with canoe-tripping, extensive experience organizing and leading groups of young people in outdoor environments.

Safety and Equipment

  • The supervising teacher will carry a copy of each student’s BWDSB Medical Information Form.
  • Between the supervising teacher and the chaperones, they will carry a large first aid kit, one satellite phone, one SPOT personal Messenger, a cell phone, and each will carry a walkie-talkie.
  • Each student tent group will carry a small first aid kit.
  • Each group leader will carry a copy of the trip route and itinerary, a copy of the evacuation procedures and emergency contact information.
  • When on the water each participant will wear a certified PFD.
  • Each boat will be equipped with a floating throw line and a bailing device.

Lifeguards

  • The supervising teacher and one student are NLS certified lifeguards and at least one will be the designated lifeguard anytime students are swimming.
  • In addition some students in the class will have completed the Bronze Medallion course and will be capable in assisting in any potential rescues.

Cost Breakdown

  • Trip Costs include $100 transportation fee, $100 equipment/canoe rental, $50 camping fee, $75 for food for a total cost of $300.
  • Pizza card Fund raising is expected to raise between $100 and $150 per student. Fund Scrip continues to raise money for the program equipment costs. One addition fund raiser with the support of parents is expected to raise additional money to be used to support the trip.

Identification of Travelling Party: Outdoor Education camping groups will be identifiable by their grey tents, large blue tarps, and primarily yellow “Canoe Algonquin” rental canoes.

Communications Plan

Within the Group

  • Each leader will carry a walkie talkie which will be used to communicate between leaders on a regular basis throughout the day.
  • Group leaders will meet at least once each day to report any problems or concerns to Mr. Luinstra the supervising teacher.
  • All participants on the trip will carry a whistle for short range communications
  • One Whistle – Face and pay attention
  • Two Whistles – Gather as a group
  • Three Whistles – Emergency gather quickly and wait for instruction.

Outside the Group

  • The satellite contact number will be given to the principal. The phones will only be turned on between 8pm and 9pm daily to conserve battery power but still allow for emergency incoming calls.
  • The group will check in with the principal on a daily basis using the SPOT personal messenger.
  • The group will call in on Tuesday and Thursday of the trip to check in with the Principal, an agreeable time will be arranged for these calls.
  • If any problems arise the principal will be notified. The principal will then take responsibility for notifying the parents, should that be necessary.
  • In the event that the Principal is not available the Vice Principal will be contacted and resume the duties of the Principal until he/she is available.
  • In the event both the Principal and the Vice Principal areunavailable then direct contact to a parent may be made if deemed necessary by the supervising teacher. Communications with the Principal or the VP will continue until one is reached.

Principal

  • Randall DeKraker
  • School 519 396 9151 Ext 527
  • Home 519 364 1860
  • Cell: 519 378 4775

Vice Principal

  • Sheryl Elliot
  • School 519 396 9151 Ext 526
  • Home 519 395 5056
  • Cell: 519 386 2291

List of Participants

The list of participants will be those students who have fulfilled all the pre-trip requirements and are enrolled in the KDSS Outdoor Ed course (PAD 3O)

Group Travel

The participants will be divided into three equal sized groups and a group leader will be assigned. Each of the three groups will follow the same trip route each day. Each group will travel independently to prevent congestion at portages and on the water. Groups will be in contact with each other from time to time throughout the day via direct contact or radio contact at set times. When ever possible the supervising teacher’s group will be the middle group.

Chaperones

Finalization of the chaperones list will occur in the months prior to the trip. The trip will not proceed if a minimum of three qualified chaperones, one of each gender are not able to attend. Possible chaperones

Mr. Tim Luinstra – Trip Leader.

Mr. Andy Ferguson

Mr. Peter Wolfe

Ms. Karen Armstrong

Ms Hiedi Hack

Ms. Annemarie Hack

Family Emergencies occurring during the field trip: If a medical or family emergency occurs at home while a student is on this field trip and the parents find it necessary to contact their son or daughter during the trip, the following procedure will be followed:

  • Call the high school and discuss the situation with the Principal or Vice-Principal. A decision will then be made if contacting the group is absolutely critical.
  • The principal will attempt to make contact with the group via the satellite phone and along with the supervising teacher will make arrangements to communicate with the appropriate student(s) and arrange to have the transport to the access point if necessary.
  • The Principal has the option to call the Ontario Provincial Police Office atHuntsville 1-800-461-6777 and provide the dispatcher with the relevant details of the emergency as well as the fact that the student is within AlgonquinPark on a canoe trip.

Field Trip Behaviour Code of Conduct

All students along with a guardian must sign the Field Trip Behaviour Code of Conduct.A copy of the code of conduct is available at the course website.

Algonquin Canoe Trip Emergency Procedures:

Delegation of Authority:

Role of Trip Leader: Tim Luinstra:

a) To coordinate all emergency procedures.

b) To effectively delegate roles and responsibilities in a calm and organized fashion.

c) Accurately report events regarding emergencies.

d) Carry medical emergency information on all participants (AF 6813)

e) Carry an emergency medical first aid kit at all times.

f) To make final decisions regarding all trip procedures and medical emergencies (in consultation with other trip leaders).

Secondary Leaders: Chaperones and or Group Leaders.

Roles:

a) To be in charge of individual assigned groups of students.

b) Carry out instructions according to the trip leader.

c) Report injuries, missing persons or emergency situations immediately to Tim Luinstra.

d) Be familiar with emergency action plans.

e) Carry medical emergency information sheets on team participants.

f) Gather students and assemble at a predetermined location.

Signaling an Emergency: All participants on this trip will carry a whistle. Any three consecutive long whistle blasts constitutes an emergency situation. In the event of an emergency, all trip participants will quickly assemble with their Group Leader, count off, and wait for instructions. The other Group Leaders will organize his/her group to travel to the location of the Trip Leader. When all trip participants have assembled, the Trip Leader will explain the situation and delegate responsibilities. Note: any combination of three signals -loud sounds, light flashes, and signal flags, etc. shall constitute an emergency.

Methods of emergency signaling will include:a mirror; a large plastic blue tarp; fires; whistles: each participant will carry a whistle and be instructed in proper signaling use

Lost Person: All trip participants will be instructed on what to do if they become lost.

a) Stay put

b) Blow whistle

c) Never attempt to move at night

d) Conserve energy

e) Make signals in immediate area (especially if near a shoreline)

Search and Rescue

Stage 1: Send a runner (with a whistle) to the location where the person was last seen or last heading. Check tents and latrine. Count canoes. Blow single whistle blasts if person is found.

Stage 2: Sound emergency alarm -three whistle blasts. Tim Luinstra will organize search and delegate roles and responsibilities. Medical kits will be brought to search location. Tim Luinstra will stay in a central location to which searchers can return. An assigned student will record events, places searched, and by whom, times, and ensure all searchers have a whistle. Leader 2 will initiate a shoreline water search. If the victim was last seen swimming, Leader who holds lifesaving qualifications will initiate an underwater search.

Three whistle blasts will indicate the person has been found and needs medical attention. At this time, a leader will go to the victim and Tim Luinstra with gather the participants. Two whistle blasts will call search off and assemble searchers.

Stage 3: If the person still hasn't been found after 20 minutes of searching, a more thorough grid search will be conducted. Tim Luinstra will orchestrate but not participate in the grid search. Searchers will spread out within visual distance of each other and proceed 20 paces then realign. Blow a single whistle blast if the missing person has been found.

Stage 4: If the person still hasn’t been found, then Tim Luinstra will use the Satellite Phone and call 911 to initiate OPP Search and Rescue response personnel. At this time, Tim Luinstra will also call the Principal to inform him of the situation and the actions taken to date.

Canoe Capsizing: If a canoe tips, victims should stay with their canoe and get as much of their body out of the water as possible. Three whistle blasts should be signaled. The nearest canoe shall approach the victims and ask them to remain calm. Each victim should go the end of the rescue canoe and hang onto the bow and stern to stabilize the canoe. They can pull as much of their body out of the water but no attempt should be made to get into the rescue canoe at this point. The third victim (if there is one) should go to the end of the upturned canoe and help to turn it perpendicular to the rescue canoe. All participants in the rescue canoe should be on their knees. An attempt to canoe over canoe rescue the upturned canoe can be made.

If a second rescue canoe arrives, it can raft up parallel on the non-rescue side of the rescue canoe. Participants can secure the two canoes together by grasping the gunwales of both canoes. At such time as the upturned canoe has been righted the victims can then attempt to get back into their canoe by entering between the stem of the rescue canoe and their own canoe. Only one person should attempt to get back into the canoe at a time. If further canoes arrive, they can raft up. When the trip leader arrives a decision can be made to send one boat ashore to prepare a fire and set up a tent to assist in warming the victims.

Evacuation Plans for Non-Emergency Situations(non-life threatening illness or injury)

  • The road access for all points of the canoe route is the Forest Tower Rd to Access #3 MagnetawanLake (see attached map). The canoe route is such that an experienced canoeist, such as any of the adult leaders, could paddle back to the access point within one day from any point during the trip.
  • In a non-emergency situation where a student becomes injured or ill, the supervising teacher would remain with the group while one or more of the chaperones and one or more healthy students would accompany the injured or ill student to the access point and on to the hospital (if necessary). Meanwhile, the supervising teacher would arrange for emergency transportation to arrive at the access point, and would notify the principal, who would then notify the parents according to the communication plan. The group would continue on route, and the chaperoneswould rejoin the group as soon as possible.

* Transportation will be available at the Access #3 MagnetawanLake through Canoe Algonquin Outfitters. They may be reached during or after business hours at 705-636-5956. A 911 call will access a local ambulance well as the Kearney First Response Team, who are available to travel into the park and aid in casualty evacuation.

Evacuation Plan for Emergency Situations (Immediate threat to life)

  • In an emergency situation, the supervising teacher would contact the OPP. An evacuation can be arranged by ground or air depending on the location and severity of the injury or condition.
  • After immediate emergency needs are taken care of, the supervising teacher would contact the principal, who would then notify the parents according to the communication plan. Any further decision regarding the group would be made with the guidance of the principal.

Copies of all trip information and the route details will be left with: the KDSS office, Mr. Randall DeKraker and Mrs. Sheryl Elliot and will be posted online at the class website which includes this document, maps to the access point, route map and GPS waypoints and all other required trip forms.

Emergency Contact Information and Numbers:

Location: AlgonquinPark Kerney Office

Hwy 11, 1 hour north of Huntsville and about 1 hour south of North Bay

Emergency Services911

OPP Command Centre1 888 310 1122

North Bay OPP Dispatch1 705-287- 2881

Huntsville OPP1 705 789 5551

MNR Main Office Peterborough1 800 667 1940

MNRPark Office in North Bay1 705 475 5550

HuntsvilleHospital1 705 789 2311

North BayHospitalToll free 1-866-469-0822; 705-523-7100

Lakelands Airways1 705 569 3455

Group Leader Satellite PhoneTBA

Satellite Phones on standby mode8:00 to 9:00 pm each night (receive calls)

Text messages to the above satellite numbers can be sent at any time and retrieved from the message waiting inbox whenever the phones are turned on. Outgoing calls and text messages can be made at anytime with the satellite phones. There is no charge incurred for text messages sent or received.

KDSS telephone: 519-396-9151

Supervising Teacher: Tim Luinstra