Between safety and risk: A model for outdoor adventure decision making

Abstract

The quality of outdoor leadership is an important factor in providing safe and enjoyable adventure education experiences for participants. A framework model of outdoor adventure decision making is described and proposes ongoing decisions by expert leaders is about finding an ideal balance of challenge (the interaction of risk and competence). The model draws on naturalistic decision making (NDM) processes and emphasises the importance of situational recognition and prior experience as the basis for sound decision making. The complexity of the socio-cultural environment is recognised with key information being drawn by the leader from the natural environment, people and goals. The model predicts that if situations of over or under-challenge exist then steps are taken to increase or reduce the challenge level accordingly. Failure to recognise or act on critical information leads to crisis situations. Two case studies are presented in support of the model.