The following is a brief warning and a few steps that if taken can help insulate you and your group from an incident. In any outdoor environment the there is usually a thin line between a fun time and a tragedy. Once an "incident" occurs there is often times again a very thin line until an "accident" occurs. For example, a rolled ankle at one point in the day can turn into a bad pendulum swing later on for the limping victim causing a rappel assist to take place by another individual in the group opening the doorway for two or more people to get injured or killed! Often times when someone gets hurt they will try to down play it by not sharing it with the group. That is simply not fair! The group needs to know! Humans can be very protective of their ego and image. In a remote setting this can be disastrous! All it takes is for one person to get injured just slightly enough to slow the entire group down for there to be in place dozens of catalysts for and accident. Group dynamics are a very important piece to be aware of. Everyone in a group has the ability to be a leader. Even if for only a moment! Team work is key! I have been involved with dozens of out door emergences and they all have the same thing in common. Their existed by either an individual or by the group at least one point of the trip either in the early work or during the trip its self and attitude of ego that said something like "well be fine" or nothing is going to happen as long as we have our leader" or I've done this canyon route so many times nothing will happen, I know the canyon like the back of my hand" etc... An attitude of indifference or intolerance to change is usually what keeps all of the odds from being stacked to the favorable side of things.

A canyoneering trip is usually quite simple. But once things begin to go wrong they usually go very wrong. During an incident or an accident emotions usually run high and poor decisions are easily made. Below is a list of things to do that will help keep the odds on you and your group's side even if you are not the leader.

Come prepared with contingencies: Head lamps, batteries, communication device's extra rope, and rescue gear. Even if you know the route and its anchors. Canyons change!

Gather as much current info about the route as possible: Canyons Change daily! The anchor that you read about may not be there any longer or is in an uncomfortable location to approach. There may be other factors such as bees or snakes?

Look at and watch the weather before and during you commitment time: Weather changes and weathermen have been wrong! Understand topographically what drainage areas serve the canyon you are in and keep an eye out in that direction

Have planned escape routes and make them known: each person in the group should have the same escape route or contingency plan as the leader on an updated basis! Make sure that as a leader you have in place the skills to assist the weakest member of the group into a safety area.

Have your EMS plan before you go and make it known: Learn what it would take to activate the EMS (Emergency Medical system) before and as you go! Find out who has 1st aid training and the "First Aid Kit".

Think for yourself: If the group is going to jump off of a bridge, are you going to follow? You will be in groups that will all jump a water fall that you are not comfortable with. Voice it and make the group explain why that is the "safest" thing to do? Your inner monkey usually doesn't lie!

If it is happening to you it is happening to the rest of the group: If you are cold, tired, hungry etc., you are probably not alone. VOICE IT!

Think globally: Think of the people who went before you and of the people to come after you! Leave behind professional work.

Don't get tunnel vision: Often times there is an alternative that is right outside of your vision that will have T.E.R.M. savings!

Keep your team together: Even if this is done by radios or time line decisions. It is important that if something happens that everyone is informed.

Get everyone's point of view: Each person will have a different point of view on how to handle a situation. Humans are fallible by nature.

Act decisively but remain flexible to changing environments including your own:

Be able to always ask for help: Learning is the key for us all; the best teachers are also the greatest students!