Line up and Abstracts for this year's symposium
Annual Risk Research Symposium, in partnership with the Wilderness Risk Management Conference
Co-Chairs: Dr Jeff Jackson and Dr Clare Dallat
Abstracts
When Help Is a Swipe Away: Technology, Scope Creep, and EMS Pressure in Algonquin Park
The changing profile of backcountry park users and easy access to powerful communication
technology has changed how users access help. Data is presented that show a sharp increase
in recreation backcountry emergency medical calls in and around Canada's Algonquin Park.
This increase in call volume has led to scope creep, exposes system vulnerabilities, and points
to other issues in need of consideration.
Author:
• Matt Cruchet (MSc, BSc, HBOR, ACP), Commander, County of Renfrew Paramedic
Service
Understanding Weather in the Outdoors: Insights from a National Survey of Practitioners
As severe weather events become more frequent and unpredictable, outdoor practitioners face
growing challenges in accessing, interpreting, and applying weather information. To better
understand these needs, the Australian National Centre for Outdoor Risk and Readiness
(NatCORR) partnered with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to survey the outdoor sector. The
results revealed over 100 different sources of weather information in use, with only 25% of
practitioners having received weather-related training in the past five years—and many reporting
low confidence in keeping pace with best practice. These findings have shaped an action plan
for targeted professional development and informed the design of a new digital tool in Australia
to strengthen outdoor practitioners’ skills in weather interpretation and risk management.
Authors:
• Dr Loren Miller, Outward Bound Australia
• Nicky Hanson, Outward Bound Australia
Wilderness Medical Emergencies Occurrence and Management in Key Tanzania National
Parks: A Field-Based Perspective.
Wilderness injuries in Tanzania’s National Parks remain a critical concern despite ongoing
interventions. This study analyzed 546 cases reported between January 2024 and July 2025
across the Northern Circuit Parks and Karatu lodges. Reported conditions included
gastrointestinal illness with dehydration (48%), physical injuries (29%), severe respiratory
distress due to infections and Altitudes (21%), ischemic heart disease (1%), and fatalities (1%).
In addition to clinical outcomes, qualitative findings highlighted emotional distress and reliance
on self-coping among frontline staff, which may undermine both wellbeing and tourist safety.
Strengthening practitioner support and safety measures could provide a valuable complement
to current initiatives, enhancing resilience within ecotourism settings.
Authors:
• Omary Mvano, GP - Wilderness Clinical Consultant
• Katharine Thompson, PhD – Medical Anthropologist and Scientific Illustrator
• Joram Sumawe, Registered Nurse – Emergencies
Affiliations:
• ParkDoctor of Tanzania.
• Foundation for African Medicine and Education (FAME) Hospital.
• Tanzania Summit Medical Specialists.
When Work Comes Home: Relationship Impacts of Serious Incidents in Outdoor and
Adventure Programs
Serious incidents in outdoor and adventure programs not only affect participants but also leave
lasting marks on practitioners’ personal relationships. Findings from an international survey of
147 practitioners reporting 171 incidents reveal that nearly 60% experienced relationship
impacts. Most were negative, with themes of partners unable to relate, communication
breakdowns, emotional withdrawal, and increased distance, sometimes leading to separation.
A smaller group described positive impacts, often where partners shared professional
understanding or provided strong support. These results highlight the critical need for
organisational awareness and targeted support that acknowledges relational as well as
professional consequences of serious incidents.
Authors:
• Clare Dallat, PhD. Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems, The
University of The Sunshine Coast, Queensland
• Denise Mitten, PhD. Prescott College
• Virginia Mitchell, M.Ed.
• Deb Ajango, M.S. Alaska Pacific University
• Stuart Slay, M.S.