ID: GISHR02

 Date Identified: 26 Jan 20
WBS Item:

None

 Threat: Heat Stress and Heat Casualties

 

 Rating

Low (down from Extremely High)
Probability: Unlikely (down from Occasional) Context: Cache hunters who have hunted geocaches on Goat Island report that summertime temperatures and heat indices can reach into the high 90s and low 100s °F. These high heat indices combined strenuous outdoor activity could lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke which potentially fatal conditions.

 
Severity: Catastrophic
Originator:

 
Owner:

 
Trigger:

This is a risk inherent on all strenuous outdoor adventures in the summer.
SH Risk Responses:
Avoid The planning team will try to arrange for motorboats with qualified operators and monitors at the boat landings. A motorboat is the best way to get cache hunters suffering from heat stress off the island to shore if the emergency is great.   Having someone on the shore ready to depart is a good way to get someone suffering from heat stress to an emergency room.
Avoid The excursion will require all geocache hunters to carry water bottles with them and to consume 0.5L to 1L per hour while on the island.
Avoid or mitigate If enough people commit to going, the planning team will try to arrange for an emergency boat team from either the National Park Service or the local emergency responders. Having them on site would significantly reduce response times.
Avoid or mitigate Safety in numbers. There will be many geocache hunters on Goat Island. If someone starts to suffer from heat stress, chances are another hunter will notice it right away and can get them to safety.
Mitigate The planning team will try to arrange for a base camp with fresh water and shade tents to help those who start to suffer from heat stress.
Mitigate The planning team will remind all those on the island to brush up on their first aid skills, recognize the signs of heat stress, know their limits, and pace themselves while on the island.
Accept This is a risk inherent to any outdoor activity in the summer.
SH Risk Controls:
Accepted This is a risk inherent to any outdoor activity in the summer.
   
Status: Combining many the risk responses should reduce the probability from “Occasional” to “Unlikely.” This, in turn, reduces the risk from “Extremely High” to “Low.” “Low” is an acceptable range for a safety risk.

 

 
Lessons Learned:

 
Approved by:

 

 Closing Date:

 

 Closing Rationale: