Fact or folklore? Exploring “Myths” about outdoor education accidents: Some evidence from New Zealand

Abstract

This paper provides analysis on the frequency and nature of accidents and near accidents that have occurred in larger outdoor education centres in New Zealand. This is the first time that information of this type has been collected and analysed in New Zealand. All 25 of the known outdoor education organisations employing three or more full-time staff were invited to participate in a study that would extract and review data from their records about accidents and near accidents. Twelve agreed to participate. The data collected is analysed in the context of various myths that are often heard referred to by the outdoor education community. These are that: i.focusing on minor incidents prevents major accidents occurring, ii.selecting activities with high perceived risk but low real risk reduces exposure to accidents, iii.more accidents occur while under the supervision of male rather than female instructors, iv.accidents are more likely in the afternoon than the morning, and v.outdoor education is dangerous compared to other risks in life. The results lend some support to the factual nature of “myths” iii and iv, but help consign “myths” i, ii and v to the category of folklore. These results provide insights that may assist in developing strategies to improve safety in outdoor education. In view of the current size and importance of the outdoor education sector in New Zealand and its likely future growth, one of the main recommendations arising from this study is for the establishment of a national system to formally record and report incidents and accidents.