Are you in Canada? Click here to proceed to the HK Canada website.

For all other locations, click here to continue to the HK US website.

Human Kinetics Logo

Purchase Courses or Access Digital Products

If you are looking to purchase online videos, online courses or to access previously purchased digital products please press continue.

Mare Nostrum Logo

Purchase Print Products or eBooks

Human Kinetics print books and eBooks are now distributed by Mare Nostrum, throughout the UK, Europe, Africa and Middle East, delivered to you from their warehouse. Please visit our new UK website to purchase Human Kinetics printed or eBooks.

Feedback Icon Feedback Get $15 Off

Reduce the probability and severity of accidents

This is an excerpt from Risk Management in Outdoor and Adventure Programs by Aram Attarian.

Administrators, instructors, and professional guides working in adventure-based programs or organizations face critical decisions in their efforts to keep their participants safe from the dangers associated with risk-related activities. Risk is an essential element in the conduct of any guided or adventure program. The challenge for a guide or instructor is to strike a balance between real and perceived risk when delivering a course or program. Too little risk results in bored participants, whereas too much risk can be dangerous.


Taking appropriate risk management actions can reduce real risks while keeping perceived risks high. Managing risk in organized and guided adventure programs can reduce the probability and severity of accidents and injuries and minimize liability exposure for the organization and its employees. To minimize risk, program providers exert significant effort to address risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases the chances of a negative event occurring. Many of the misadventures that occur in guided and outdoor adventure programs are the result of inherent risks. Inherent risks are risks that cannot be eliminated without changing the nature of the activity.


To manage risks and enhance safety, program directors should establish a set of safety objectives while accepting the fact that mistakes can and will happen. Implementing backup systems, empowering employees to be responsible for safety, and analyzing and stressing the importance of accident and near-miss reporting should also be priorities for managing risk (Sagan, 1995).

Learn more about Risk Management in Outdoor and Adventure Programs.

More Excerpts From Risk Management in Outdoor and Adventure Programs