Serious Risk Disclosure
Non-technical Caving
The serious risks you may be exposed to in this activity, and what AdventureWorks does to manage them.
▶★●
AdventureWorks Ltd is a registered Adventure Activity Provider under the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations. We are legally required to disclose any serious risks that participants may face when taking part in our activities.
This information is provided prior to booking and before the activity begins so that you can make an informed decision about participation.
What Is a "Serious Risk"?
A serious risk is one that could cause:
- Serious injury (e.g. fracture, spinal injury, concussion)
- Hospitalisation
- Permanent disability
- Death
These may occur even when all practicable safety measures are in place, due to the inherent nature of the activity.
Serious Risks in Non-technical Caving
| Serious Risk | Description / How We Manage This Risk |
|---|---|
| Flooding and Rising Water in a Streamway | Water rising in a cave can cut off the way out and drown a group underground. AdventureWorks cancels, postpones or relocates where the catchment forecast is outside the operational limits in the Location Management Plan, and the catchment, flood history and flood lines for each cave are recorded there. Instructors hold the competency for the cave and are familiar with it. A streamway cave is not entered where rain is falling, or forecast in the catchment during the trip, and the group leaves at the first sign of the water rising, by the route it came in. |
| Falling Objects and Unstable Roof | Loose material from a cave roof or an entrance can strike someone below. Caves with a known falling-object hazard are not entered during a MetService rain or wind warning. Cave selection is matched to participant experience and competency, and unstable roof, loose material and falling-object areas are identified in the Location Management Plan and updated as new hazards are found. The group moves through cave entrances without stopping in them, and helmets are worn. |
| Getting Stuck in a Tight Area or a Squeeze | A participant stuck in a squeeze cannot be moved quickly, and panic and cold set in. Squeezes, crawls and tight areas are recorded in the Location Management Plan and instructors are familiar with the obstacles in the cave. Routes are selected to suit the size, confidence and competency of the group, any tight section the group cannot manage is bypassed, and only one participant goes through a tight area at a time with an instructor positioned at it. |
| Fall on a Vertical Step, Ladder or Slippery Ground | A fall underground on wet rock can cause serious injury a long way from help. Caves with drops over three metres are outside this plan. Steps, climbs and slippery sections are recorded in the Location Management Plan, and only instructors holding the competency rig a handline. A handline is rigged on a short vertical step where one is needed and tested under load, and only one participant is on the step, ladder or handline at a time with an instructor positioned at it. |
| Separation Underground | A participant separated in a cave, or leaving the main passage, can be very hard to find. Instructors have been in the cave, or made a pre-trip visit, before leading in it, and a current cave map is held for every cave in use. The group order is set before entering — nobody ahead of the front instructor or behind the back marker — the group stops and counts at every junction and stopping point, and participants are briefed what to do if separated: stop, make noise, keep your light on. |
| Loss of Light Underground | Without light a group underground cannot move safely at all. One light per person, plus spare torches and batteries, are carried on every trip. Torches and batteries are checked and charged before issue, every light is checked before entering, and battery life is confirmed to cover the trip plus a reserve. Participants are briefed what to do if a light fails — stop, tell the person beside you, stay put. |
| An Instructor Incapacitated Underground | If the instructor is hurt underground, the group has to act on its own. Assistant leaders are briefed to take over group management and carry out the emergency plan, and the AdventureWorks Emergency Response Plan covers an overdue caving group. Intentions — group number and the time the group will be out — are left with the Primary Contact, a grab bag with emergency communications, a heat source, shelter and food is left at the entrance, and the group is briefed that if an instructor is hurt, the group stays put. |
| Emergency Response Delayed — No Communications From Inside | There is no phone coverage inside a cave, so an emergency underground is not reported until someone gets out or the group is overdue. The Primary Contact holds the intentions, the due-out time, and explicit instructions if the group is not out. The Location Management Plan records the nearest mobile coverage and the nearest point an ambulance can reach. The communication device is left at the cave entrance where there is no coverage inside, the Primary Contact is texted before entering and as soon as the group is out, and pen and paper are carried so a written message can be relayed out. |
| Cold and Exhaustion Underground | Caves are cold and wet, and participants get wet early and stay wet. Clothing requirements are communicated before the programme, instructors monitor participants for cold and fatigue continuously, trip length is set to the group, and a warming method and dry clothing are available at the entrance. |
| Natural Hazards | Participants may be affected by storms, high winds, lightning, flooding, tree falls, rockfall, landslides, tsunami or volcanic activity. These hazards can cause serious injury or death. Instructors check the Location Management Plan and the hazard registers before the activity, monitor conditions continuously, and apply pre-set trigger points. AdventureWorks will cancel, postpone, relocate or adapt an activity when a trigger point is reached rather than after. Emergency response plans include natural hazard evacuation. |
| Remote Medical Emergencies | A medical event such as an asthma attack, allergic reaction or cardiac incident in a remote location may delay emergency support. Instructors hold a current first aid certificate, carry an AdventureWorks first aid kit and a communication device — a PLB or satellite communicator where cellphone coverage is not assured — and know the access points and emergency routes recorded in the Location Management Plan. |
| Undeclared Medical Conditions, Allergies or Medication | An undisclosed condition, allergy or medication can turn a manageable situation into a serious one. AdventureWorks collects health information before every programme, instructors avoid known triggers where anaphylaxis is declared and know where personal medication is kept, and an adapted or alternative activity is offered where a condition makes the planned programme unsuitable. This control only works if conditions are declared — please tell us, including anything that has changed since you filled in the form. |
Participant Responsibilities
Before taking part, you must:
- Understand the risks involved in the activity
- Declare any medical conditions or medications
- Wear appropriate PPE and clothing
- Follow all safety instructions
- Notify staff if you feel unsafe or unwell at any point
Questions?
Please contact us or talk to your instructor if you would like more information before participating.
Email Sam@adventureworks.co.nz · Phone 09 846 2644
严重风险披露
非技术性洞穴探索
参加本活动可能面临的严重风险，以及 AdventureWorks 为管理这些风险所采取的措施。
▶★●
AdventureWorks 有限公司是根据《工作健康与安全（探险活动）条例》注册的探险活动提供商。我们依法有义务向参与我们活动的人员披露任何可能面临的严重风险。
此信息在预订之前和活动开始前提供，以便您做出是否参加的知情决定。
什么是“严重风险”？
严重风险是指可能导致以下后果的风险：
- 严重伤害（如骨折、脊柱受伤、脑震荡）
- 住院治疗
- 永久性残疾
- 死亡
即使已采取所有可行的安全措施，由于活动本身的特性，仍可能发生上述情况。
非技术性洞穴探索中的严重风险
| 严重风险 | 说明／我们如何管理此风险 |
|---|---|
| 地下河道洪水与水位上涨 | 洞内水位上涨可能切断退路，使队伍在地下溺水。若集水区预报超出地点管理计划规定的作业限值，AdventureWorks 会取消、延期或更换地点；每个洞穴的集水区、洪水历史和洪水线都记录在该计划中。教练必须持有该洞穴的相应资质并熟悉该洞。若正在降雨，或行程期间集水区有降雨预报，则不进入地下河道型洞穴；一旦发现水位开始上涨，队伍立即按原路撤出。 |
| 落石与不稳固洞顶 | 洞顶或洞口的松散物可能击中下方人员。在新西兰气象局发布降雨或大风警报期间，不进入已知存在落石危险的洞穴。洞穴的选择会匹配参与者的经验和能力；不稳固的洞顶、松散物和落石区域都在地点管理计划中标明，并在发现新危险时及时更新。队伍通过洞口时不在洞口停留；所有人必须佩戴头盔。 |
| 卡在狭窄通道或挤缝中 | 卡在挤缝中的参与者无法被迅速移出，很快会陷入惊慌和受寒。挤缝、爬行段和狭窄区域都记录在地点管理计划中，教练也熟悉洞内的各处障碍。路线的选择会考虑队伍成员的体型、信心和能力；队伍无法通过的狭窄段一律绕行；狭窄区域每次只允许一人通过，且教练在该处就位。 |
| 在垂直落差、梯具或湿滑地面上跌倒 | 在地下湿滑岩面上跌倒，可能在远离救援的地方造成严重伤害。落差超过三米的洞穴不在本计划范围内。台阶、攀爬段和湿滑路段都记录在地点管理计划中；只有持有相应资质的教练才能架设手拉绳。在需要的短垂直落差处会架设手拉绳并做载荷测试；台阶、梯具或手拉绳每次只允许一人使用，且教练在该处就位。 |
| 在地下走散 | 在洞内走散、或离开主通道的参与者，可能极难被找到。教练在带队之前必须已进入过该洞穴或完成行前勘查；每个使用的洞穴都备有最新的洞穴图。进洞前会排定队伍顺序——任何人不得走在前导教练之前或收尾人员之后；每到岔口和停歇点都会停下点名；并告知参与者一旦走散应如何应对：停下、发出声响、保持照明。 |
| 地下照明失效 | 没有照明，地下队伍完全无法安全行动。每次行程都保证每人一支照明灯，另备备用手电和电池。手电和电池在发放前会检查并充电；进洞前会逐一检查每支照明灯，并确认电池续航足以覆盖全程并留有余量。会告知参与者照明失效时的应对方式——停下、告知身边的人、原地不动。 |
| 教练在地下失去行动能力 | 若教练在地下受伤，队伍必须自行应对。协助带领者会事先接受简报，以便接管队伍管理并执行应急计划；AdventureWorks 应急响应计划涵盖洞穴队伍逾时未出的情形。行程意向——人数和预计出洞时间——会交给主联络人；洞口留有应急包，内含应急通讯设备、热源、避难物资和食物；并会告知队伍：若教练受伤，全队原地等待。 |
| 应急响应延迟——洞内无法通讯 | 洞内没有手机信号，因此地下发生的紧急情况只有在有人出洞或队伍逾时未出后才会被知晓。主联络人掌握行程意向、预计出洞时间，以及队伍未按时出洞时的明确处置指令。地点管理计划记录了最近的手机信号覆盖点和救护车可到达的最近位置。洞内无信号时，通讯设备留在洞口；进洞前和出洞后会立即向主联络人发送短信；并携带纸笔，以便把书面信息传递出洞。 |
| 地下的寒冷与体力耗尽 | 洞穴阴冷潮湿，参与者往往很早就淋湿，并一直处于潮湿状态。衣物要求会在项目开始前告知；教练会持续观察参与者是否受寒和疲劳；行程长度依队伍状况设定；洞口备有取暖方式和干爽衣物。 |
| 自然灾害 | 参与者可能受到风暴、强风、雷电、洪水、倒树、落石、山体滑坡、海啸或火山活动的影响。这些危害可能造成严重伤害或死亡。教练会在活动前查看地点管理计划和危险登记册，持续监测环境状况，并执行预设的触发点。一旦达到触发点，AdventureWorks 会立即取消、延期、更换地点或调整活动，而不会拖延。应急响应计划包含自然灾害撤离安排。 |
| 偏远地区的医疗紧急情况 | 在偏远地点若发生哮喘发作、过敏反应或心脏事件等医疗状况，可能延误紧急救援。教练持有有效的急救证书，随身携带 AdventureWorks 急救包和通讯设备（在手机信号无法保证的区域会携带 PLB 或卫星通讯器），并熟悉地点管理计划中记录的进出通道和应急路线。 |
| 未申报的健康状况、过敏或用药 | 未申报的健康状况、过敏或用药，可能使原本可控的情况变得严重。AdventureWorks 会在每个项目开始前收集健康信息；若已申报严重过敏（过敏性休克），教练会避开已知诱因并掌握个人药物存放位置；若某项健康状况使原定项目不适合参加，我们会提供调整后的活动或替代活动。这项措施只有在您如实申报时才有效——请务必告知我们，包括填表之后出现的任何变化。 |
参与者责任
参加活动前，您必须：
- 理解活动中存在的风险
- 申报任何健康状况或所用药物
- 佩戴合适的个人防护装备并穿着适当衣物
- 遵守所有安全指示
- 如在任何时候感到不安全或不适，请立即告知工作人员
有疑问？
如果您想在参加之前了解更多信息，请联系我们或与您的教练交谈。
邮箱 Sam@adventureworks.co.nz · 电话 09 846 2644