Accepting Risk(Taking Calculated Risks)

From the Safety Officer’s PerspectiveMarch 17th, 2015

Education or Catastrophe?

Topics for Today

Safety Topics Survey SummaryDaily Risk AcceptanceTraining Risk AcceptanceMission Risk AcceptanceFoot StompersAdditional Thoughts

RichFerguson

San Diego State

Safety Survey Results…75% Return Rate (18/24)

1. Summer Season Briefing will cover most topics requested.2. Free Time Activities

A. Normal Recreational Activities (Unicycle)B. Normal Sports ActivitiesC. Normal HobbiesD. Normal Physical Fitness (about 1/3 of you walk or run)

3. Intentionally Tan?Yes…3No….15Nobody Uses a Tanning Bed…Good Choice (Unless you like UVA)

4. Drive? YES=9 NO=95. Energy Drinks? YES= 2 NO=166. New “toy” Procedure

A. Fire it up 1B. Briefly Scan the Instructions 5C. Thoroughly Read the Instructions 7D. It depends 5

Calculated Risk Taking

He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea.

- Thomas Fuller (1608 – 16 August 1661)

Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.

- Warren Buffett

Sometimes….it is necessary to accept risks

Accepting Normal Day to Day Risks

Accepting Risk In Everyday Life…It’s Mandatory!We do it every day…it can’t be avoidedWe are still alive because we managed the risks well

Currently…daily risks are minimal for most of youMotor Vehicles pose the greatest riskSchools shut down in hazardous weather

Consider doing research (education) about your leisure activities (Specific websites or Magazines)…READ!

Keep doing what you are doing … “sail out to sea” Give Risk Management some thought every day

but don’t be a psycho about it…use rational common sense

READ….ANYTHING…you’ll gain knowledge!

READ whatever interests you(everybody knows something about something)

Pilots read aviation magazines

Don’t Take Needless Risks

Just say “No” to stupidity

Remember These?Warning Labels Gasoline When you are “OFF” the ground

Don’t Forget These Either!Fatigue Bad weather Lack of experience

If you are doing something new…give it some thought before you start

So….are we good on managing everyday risks?

Accepting Risks During Training…. (CAP Training)

Accepting Risk In CAP Duties … will be required…Sometimes!

During Training … accepted risks will be MINIMALtraining events usually don’t justify accepting elevated risk of injury

HOWEVER…Training is very important.A well trained crew is essential for successful mission accomplishmentGet all of the training you can…just be careful not to hurt yourself

During Training….You must still accomplish “Risk Management” processthere will always be some minor risks

identify the risks and mitigate them … avoid injury

Do You Remember how to get started on the Risk Management Process?

Start with one of these

Involve everyone Solicit input from all

Look for Coconut Trees Look for Sharks

Keep lookingbeforeduringafter

NOT an acceptable risk during training!

Examples of acceptable training risks?

Accepting Risks on CAP Missions

Sometimes surprises are not welcome…it’s best to know what you are in for!

The Big Red 1

Big difference between going to war and going on a SAR mission…but there might be risks!

That’s why we are talking about it now!

Again, the risks associated with a SAR mission are minor…but they are still there.So…..with that being said

It’s time to go save a life or two

SAR = SEARCH and RESCUE

THAT’S what YOU are here for….Right?You are here to save lives when called on.

Neither you (nor the victim) can wait for “favorable” weather…you probably need to go NOW!

If it’s going to be a bit risky…You still need to go NOW!

The additional risk (if any) will be accepted by the IC.YOU will manage the risks.

Accepting Risks = Managing Risks

Remember “The Principles” of Risk Management? (shake your head up and down)These were written for operational missions (not so much for training).

Accept no unnecessary riskMake risk decisions at the appropriate levelAccept risk when benefits outweigh the cost

Risk Management does NOT eliminate risk (CAPR 60-3), It doesn’t try to create the least level of risk, it aims to have the best combination of acceptable risk and overall mission success.

If you have comprehensive and effective mitigation techniquesno one will get hurt badthe IC will accept the additional risk (so you get to go do your mission)

Once Again…Elevated Risk on SAR missions … should be expected!

When it’s time to go save a life … You need to go!(You can’t wait for it to warm up…or cool down...or whatever)

Life Saving events DO justify accepting the elevated risk of injury

That DOESN’T mean throw caution to the wind.Identify the risksMitigate them

It will be up to the IC to determine if the risk level is just too high or acceptable.

A Reminder:When you are planning a real SAR mission…

it will still be difficult to identify 100% of the risks …The BIG risks will be fairly obviousBe on the lookout for “coconut trees” before and during the mission.

Mitigating the risks is of the utmost importance for two reasons

no one gets hurt badyou will be allowed to go on the mission

Do the best you can to minimize injury…and to accomplish the mission!

Do you remember how to get started on this Risk Management Process?

Start with one of these

The Big Risks on THIS mission:Cold Weather (easy)Lack of Experience (tough)

Since the “RISK LEVEL” is High…your ability to mitigate risks is critical(convince the IC that you will be OK)

Remember…the Seniors will be helping you

Examples of mitigation techniques:

The Big Picture:

SAR is one of our primary missionsSometimes under difficult (risky) circumstances In harsh weather and over challenging terrain

Do it well…AND do it safely.(that’s what everyone up the food chain expects)

Accepting Risk During CAP Missions

Who has questions?

FOOT STOMPERS

1. Think about Risk Management every day (don’t over-analyze).2. Identifying risks (hazards) is a GROUP effort3. Keep looking for risks (especially after the mission starts).4. During training...don’t accept many risks at all.5. For a SAR Mission…plan on accepting some risks.

Additional thoughts from a novice observer (that would be Me)…

SAR is physically demanding duty…something you must be prepared for well in advance

Odds are, you won’t ever experience one of those “CHALLENGING” missions.

3 ½ miles is a fair estimate of the distance you will be required to cover…one way.On the return leg you might be carrying a LOT of extra weight with you.

Walking long distances on harsh terrain in rotten weather can completely exhaust you.

If you move slowly or are not able to move at all (exhaustion)…that could possibly endanger the lives of the people you are trying to save.

It appears to me that a physically fit SAR Team is more likely to be successful.

We (CAP) can provide almost everything (training / equipment) EXCEPT your personal physical fitness.

So…give your own physical conditioning some thought

A lot of you are participating in “fitness” activities already

We will talk more about physical conditioning the next time.

Any more Questions?

Comments?

Concerns?

DID EVERYONE SIGN THE ROSTER?

I’ll see you next month!