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HOW TO SURVIVE A FIELD TRIP
1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY LIES WITH THE TEACHER AND THE
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT
Fieldwork is an activity involving inherent risks and hazards -
e.g. coastal exposure, quarries, river sections, power stations, farms,
and some urban areas. Severe and potentially dangerous weather conditions may be
encountered and it is the responsibility of each student to be equipped with
suitable clothing and to take appropriate action to reduce the risk of accidents
(see 4. below). Students are asked to observe sensible standards of behaviour
and to conduct themselves with good manners and consideration for others. For
certain work students may be required to identify themselves and their place of
study. They should bring no disrepute to their school or the Centre.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they do not endanger their colleagues
or members of the public. In your own interest your school and the Centre should
be informed of any existing medical condition or injury which might affect you
on a field excursion. Even modest hikes or climbs may be unsuitable if you
suffer from certain heart conditions or asthma, high blood pressure, epilepsy,
etc. If in doubt consult your own doctor.
2. STAY WITH THE PARTY, EXCEPT BY CLEAR ARRANGEMENT WITH THE
TEACHERS
If working away from immediate supervision, students must
report any personal injury or illness. They must be sure they can read a map and
have full instructions for the day’s activities, including the names and grid
references of sites. They should note down instructions concerning places of
assembly, carry a notebook and pencil along with any medication which they may
require. Students should have emergency telephone numbers including a mobile
number of a member of staff, and a written address of the hotel.
3. KEEP IN A MINIMUM GROUP SIZE OF FOUR WHEN OUTSIDE OF
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION
If an incident to an individual should occur, two can go to
seek assistance, and one remains with the injured party.
4. STUDENTS MUST OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY STAFF BOTH
ORALLY AND IN WRITING
This is vital in the interests of the student and the group. Failure to do so
may endanger both.
5. CARE OF AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
All students should be familiar with the Country Code. They
should protect the natural and human environment - e.g. by avoiding climbing
over dry-stone walls, leaving farm gates open etc.. They should avoid
leaving litter of any kind - organic or inorganic and particularly anything
which could start a fire - cigarette ends or glass, for example.
6. STUDENTS ON FIELDWORK MUST HAVE WITH THEM AND WEAR
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
This includes anoraks, waterproofs, warm clothing, headgear and
sturdy footwear. Jeans are unsuitable for some kinds of fieldwork and are
potentially dangerous in exposed situations where you are likely to get wet.
Brightly coloured clothing is advised. For fieldwork in the city of Barcelona,
appropriateness in personal dress is required. It is the responsibility of the
individual to provide appropriate sun-protection cream (see Appendix 1),
sunglasses etc. which will be required! Some activities call for special
protective clothing. You must wear a safety helmet when visiting mines, building
sites and quarries; the Centre requires that you wear a safety helmet when
working near cliffs, steep screes or wherever there is the risk of falling
debris. The Centre provides and requires that you wear safety goggles (this is
also a legal requirement) if using a geological hammer. The use of protective
gloves is required when handling unknown substances such as effluent, mineral
wastes and slurry. Staff reserve the right to prevent students from undertaking
fieldwork when they are not adequately equipped.
7. IN VEHICLES, SAFETY REGULATIONS MUST BE ADHERED TO
When travelling in a coach or minibus, the seats and central
aisle should be left free of bags and equipment - this is the law in Spain where
coach safety, as in the U.K., is a very topical and emotive issue. Eating and
drinking in the vehicle is not allowed for safety reasons. Loose equipment,
particularly objects likely to roll under the driver`s pedals, must be safely
stored.
8. AVOIDING DANGER
Students should avoid, where possible, confrontations with
dogs, livestock and wild animals. Students must be especially careful when
working near machinery and farm implements. They should avoid touching metal
objects discovered in the field. They should not consume water from dubious
sources and they should not walk barefoot where glass or other objects could
inflict damage (e.g. in streams and on beaches).
9. HEALTH AND IMMUNISATION
It is recommended that students should have a current status of
tetanus immunisation. Prior completion of E 111 forms allowing reciprocal
medical treatment is required. These forms are available at the Post Office.
HIV/Aids presents particular dangers (see Appendix 2).
10. MINIMISING RISKS
Whether working as part of a led group or on self-guided study,
students must always work in threes or larger groups. They must also always
leave details of their route and schedule with the teacher in charge. Every
student engaged in fieldwork should carry emergency contact addresses and
telephone numbers. No survey undertaken in Barcelona requires entering people’s
homes or visiting neighbourhoods where there could be an element of danger.
Surveys are conducted in daylight hours only. Give unsupervised dogs a wide
berth.
11. WORK IN THE PYRENEES
The Pyrenees can be subject to dramatic changes in weather
conditions. Teachers in charge should be equipped with safety rucksacks
containing first aid kit, compass, whistle, torch, survival bags, emergency
shelter and extra food - even though the study site may be only a few minutes
from the road and vehicle. Participants should move carefully over rough, rocky
or vegetation-covered ground avoiding loose boulders: they should never run down
steep hills or screes. They should never attempt to cross a bog of any type
unless it is unavoidable. The Centre is responsible for assessing the
likely weather conditions. Staff from the Centre taking groups into the
Pyrenees have undertaken Mountain Leader Training in the U.K..
12. SAFETY IN AND NEAR WATER
Safety lines and safety jackets must be used by students
engaged in fieldwork activity in fast-flowing water or in the surf zone when
conditions demand. Fast flowing water of knee-height or above is extremely
hazardous and students should minimise risks. No river should be crossed that
fits this description without the aid of a safety line, life jackets and
specific team 'huddling' techniques - and then only in an emergency situation.
Weil’s Disease constitutes a serious hazard (see Appendix 3). Take special
care in crossing drainage channels on salt-marshes where deep mud may be
encountered. Remember that drainage channels fill before the general marsh is
covered.
13. QUESTIONNAIRE PLANNING
When planning an interview, survey, or similar fieldwork,
students should be guided by their teacher in the preparation of questionnaires
and interview schedules so as to minimise potential disturbance to interviewees.
All questionnaires employed by students, either during led fieldwork or in
self-guided work, MUST be reviewed by their teacher before surveying begins.
14. INTERVIEWS
In all types of social survey work in Barcelona, students
should not work unsupervised. Identity cards carried will confirm that the
students are engaged on work as part of a Centre programme. In making contact
with potential respondents, it is important that they are informed of the
individual`s status as a student at Barcelona Field Studies Centre. Purposes of
the study must be explained, avoiding extravagant claims of its value. It may be
necessary to offer reassurance about the confidentiality of a respondent’s
answers - a pledge which must be honoured.
15. FIRST AID KITS
Centre staff will be carrying a first aid kit (see Appendix 4)
on all fieldwork. All field classes organised by the Centre are required to take
a first aid kit with them. There will normally be a qualified first-aider in
your party. Make sure you know who it is and report any illness or injury
occurring during the field trip. Accidents, however minor, should be reported as
soon as possible to a member of staff.
16. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Don’t panic. Assess the situation without endangering your
own life or that of others. Don’t move the victim. Identify the conditions
which might cause immediate death (breathing stopped, heart stopped) or danger
(severe internal bleeding, head injury, spinal injury, chest injury, severe
shock, unconsciousness). If first aid qualified, give immediate appropriate and
adequate treatment. Never leave the victim unattended. If first aid is not
available, use the international distress signal. Give six blasts of a whistle,
six shouts, six flashes of a torch, six flashes of a mirror, or six waves of a
brightly coloured cloth. Pause for one minute. Repeat. If you are in a party of
3 or more, send at least 2 members for help. You should have the following
information when going for help (write it down): location of accident, such as
map reference, local landmarks, whether in open or on cliffs, gullies, etc.,
time of accident how many are injured name(s) and sex of victim(s) nature of
injuries whether victims are conscious or unconscious whether victim has
specific problems (eg diabetes) first aid action taken and condition of the rest
of the party.
17. FOR ALL STUDENTS UNDERTAKING FIELDWORK ALONE
Permission for individual fieldwork is not normally given and
then only by the leader of the college or school party. All of the provisions in
this safety guide also apply to independent fieldwork. However, since the nature
of individual fieldwork involves an important element of self-reliance and the
ability to cope alone, students in this category are necessarily responsible for
their own safety in the field, and the following further advice is offered.
(1) Discuss likely safety problems or risks and check equipment
with your teacher before departure or start of work.
(2) Plan work carefully, bearing in mind experience and
training, the nature of the terrain and the weather. Be careful not to
overestimate what can be achieved. Make sure you are conversant with the
particular safety and health requirements of the environment in which you are
working.
(3) Don’t go into the field without leaving a route card
(sample included with this guide) and a map showing expected location and time
of return. Remember that this route card is only useful if you do not digress
from the route given. Never carelessly break arrangements to report your return
to local people.
(4) Check weather forecasts. Keep a constant look-out for
weather changes. Do not hesitate to turn back if the weather deteriorates. Local
weather forecasts are more useful than general forecasts.
(5) Know what to do in an emergency. Carry a first aid
kit and some emergency food at all times. A survival bag, whistle, torch, map,
compass and watch will be required when in remote areas.
18. HOTEL RULES
We would appreciate you complying with the following rules for
the convenience and comfort of the rest of the guests staying at the hotel. It
is important to respect their needs for a peaceful and relaxing stay.
-
Dress appropriately inside the hotel (for example with shirt and
shoes)
-
Please dry yourself before entering the hotel after swimming or
showering
-
Please do not slam doors or behave noisily in the hotel
corridors
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It is forbidden to jump or climb from one balcony to another
-
The hotel pool is open for the use of guests between 10.00 and
20.00; please do not use it outside these hours
-
Please dispose of litter in the bins provided
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After using the beach, please clean yourself and your belongings
of sand before entering the hotel
-
No ball games are allowed in the vicinity of the hotel
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Please report any problems or damage in your hotel room
immediately to reception to avoid any misunderstanding
-
Please look after the hotel facilities and report any damage
immediately to hotel reception
-
External telephone calls can be made through the two telephones
available at reception; the room telephones should not be used for this purpose.
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Please keep to the hotel restaurant eating hours
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The Hotel Victoria does not allow food and drink purchased
elsewhere to be consumed on the premises.
-
The gymnasium in the Hotel Victoria should not be used by
students.
If in doubt please ask at reception; the receptionist speaks
English and will be pleased to assist in any way possible.
Thank you for your kind co-operation.
APPENDIX: HEALTH HAZARDS AND ADVICE
1. SUNLIGHT
Over-exposure to natural sunlight can cause skin cancer
(melanoma). Skin types are divided into six categories according to how they
react to sunlight: 1. never tans, always burns 2. tans with difficulty, burns
easily 3. tans easily, burns rarely 4. always tans, never burns 5. genetically
brown skin 6. genetically black skin. The risk of skin cancer varies with skin
type, being greatest for type 1 and least for type 6. If a student has skin
types 1 or 2, they must wear protective clothing or use sunscreen cream. Cloud
cover does not much diminish, while blue sky and reflection from snow or water
greatly increases, exposure to UV radiation. The risk of developing skin cancer
is a long-delayed hazard of sunburn.
2. HIV/AIDS
(Human Immune Deficiency Virus: Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome) HIV is not easily spread. People may become HIV positive in a number
of ways, including:- (a) Penetrative sexual contact - through semen and vaginal
fluids. (b) Intravenous drug use. (c) By receiving contaminated blood products
(all Spanish blood donations are screened for the virus). (d) Unprotected
handling of blood spillage. Students should minimise risks to themselves by, for
instance, not engaging in unprotected sexual activity.
3. WElL’S DISEASE (LEPTOSPIROSIS)
This disease is usually contracted from water in canals,
stagnant pools, landfill sites and bodies of slow-moving water which have been
contaminated with urine from infected rats. Domestic animals, cattle and pigs
can also pass on this disease. Treat any still or slow moving water as suspect
and ensure that all cuts and abrasions are adequately covered with waterproof
dressings. Avoid contact with water known or suspected to be infested with rats.
4. MOSQUITOES
These are now very common throughout the year, with only
February and March being relatively bug-free. Barcelona mosquitoes are large,
difficult to hunt down and their bite can cause a severe allergic reaction for
some people. Cover arms and legs in the evening, use repellant and burn a
mosquito coil whilst asleep. These can be purchased in England and used in Spain
with an approved plug adaptor.
See What to Bring?
5. FIRST-AID KITS - CHECK LIST AND BRIEF FIRST AID
INSTRUCTIONS
First-aid boxes or bags should be made of suitable material and
designed to protect the contents, as far as possible, from damp and dust. Boxes
or containers should be clearly identified as first-aid containers: the marking
used should be a white cross on a green background. First-aid boxes or bags will
contain a card giving general first-aid guidance and should contain only the
following items and nothing else:
(a) 6 x individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings;
(b) 1 x sterile eye pads, with attachment, No. 16;
(c) triangular bandages: (1) 2 x calico 90cm x 127cm; (ii) 1 x sterile
non-woven suitable for covering serious wounds;
(d) safety pins;
(e) a selection of sterile unmedicated wound dressings, which should include
at least the following: -
medium sized sterile unmedicated dressings (approx. 10cm x 8cm) - large
sterile unmedicated dressings
(approx. 13cm x 9cm) - extra large sterile unmedicated dressings (approx.
28cm x 17.5cm);
(f) crepe bandages: (i) 7.5cm x 4.5m (ii) 10.0cm x 4.5m;
(g) I x pack sterile absorbent gauze;
(h) 1 x reel micropore tape;
(i) 6 x individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes;
(j) 1 x pair round ended scissors.
(k) 2 pairs of latex gloves
For field trips where groups are taking part in separate activities, there
must be one kit for each group.
