Joining us on an event?
To ensure that you and everyone else can have a great and safe day it’s important that you read and understand the useful information set out below, particularly the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and Equipment listed below.
We are really looking forward to getting to know you on the day and to exploring some unique locations with you.
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
If you are between the ages of 15 and 69, the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire will tell you if you should check with your doctor before you significantly change your physical activity patterns. If you are over 69 years of age and are not used to being very active, check with your doctor. Common sense is your best guide when answering these questions. Please read carefully and answer each one honestly: check YES or NO.
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Question 1List Item 1
Has your doctor ever said you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor? YES or NO
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Question 2List Item 2
Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity? YES or NO
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Question 3List Item 3
In the past month, have you had a chest pain when you were not doing physical activity? YES or NO
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Question 4List Item 4
Do you lose your balance because of dizziness, or do you ever lose consciousness? YES or NO
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Question 5
Do you have a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee, or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity? YES or NO
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Question 6
Is your doctor currently prescribing medication for your blood pressure or heart condition? YES or NO
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Question 7
Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity? YES or NO
If you have answered NO to all the above questions, you can reasonably assume that you are fit to safely enjoy the activity days Positive Steps Outdoors has to offer. If you answered YES to one of more of these questions, you should consider consulting your GP/doctor to clarify whether it is safe for you to undertake the activity.
If you answered yes to question 7 please provide the details on the Consent and Medical Form when making your booking (see below).
Consent and Medical
Everyone attending a Positive Steps Outdoors event must complete and submit a Consent and Medical Form prior to taking part. Failure to do so will result in not being able to participate. The Consent and Medical Form can be accessed via a unique and private Eventbrite booking link that will be emailed to you to forward to all your participants.
Event Evaluation
We really value your feedback. It helps us improve what we do so we can continue to meet people's needs. The statistics also help us submit grant bids to fund future services so please ask all your participants to take 5 minutes to fill out the Evaluation Form that will be emailed to you after your event.
Commercial Terms and Conditions
You can access out Terms and Conditions at the button below.
Mandatory Equipment
The following is a list of mandatory and optional equipment. You will receive this list in your confirmatory email once you register for an event.
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For your safety and the safety of the group you must have the following mandatory equipment.
In particular anyone without the first 8 critical items will not be permitted to participate.
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1. Footwear suitable for mountain or moorland terrain. Walking boots or trail shoes with good grip and ankle support that you know fit correctly and are comfortable. Anyone wearing trainers, deck shoes, street shoes or equivalent will not be able to participate.
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2. Fully waterproof coat with sealed seams and a hood.
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3. Canvas walking trousers or tracksuit bottoms. Denim is not permitted.
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4. Hat (ideally sufficient to cover the ears) and gloves.
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5. A layered approach to warm clothing (such as a T shirt, light fleece and windproof).
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6. Additional warm layer to put on when stopped, such as a down jacket or heavy fleece.
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7. Any required medication.
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8. 1 lt bottle of water (sugary soft drinks are not advised).
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9. Lunch and some snacks (such as chocolate bars or similar). No alcohol. Remember you have to carry it so think about what you need.
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10. A rucksack suitable to hold the above items, with items placed in waterproof bags.
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11. Zip lock bag, toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
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12. Fully waterproof over trousers (can be carried).
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13. Spare clothes (including footwear) to change into after the walk and a towel (do not need to be carried on the walk).
Optional Equipment
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A thermos flask of hot drink.
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A camera.
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Buff / snood or similar.
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Spare gloves.
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Midge net (Summer / Autumn).
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Sun cream (weather dependent).
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Phone.
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Walking poles.
Medical and Emergency
- COVID-19 – to prevent the spread of infectious disease (e.g. COVID-19), you must not attend if: you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 5 days prior to your activity day, and you have continued to test positive after day 5 of this period; you have had any COVID-19 symptoms in the 5 days prior to your booked activity (see NHS website for a current list of symptoms). Whilst participating in our activities there is a low risk of transmission of COVID-19, due to the outdoor environment, however we cannot eliminate this risk fully. You are aware of and accept this risk.
- Consent Form & Medical Declaration – Walking can be a strenuous activity and you should never underestimate the strenuous nature of walking, especially when it is undertaken in different environments (e.g., hills or mountains). Due to this, you agree to fill out our PAR-Q and medical declaration truthfully and accurately, and to inform the walk leader of any injuries or illnesses which may affect your ability to partake in the activity on the day.
- Accident & Injury – PSO will always have suitably qualified leader(s) and First Aiders on a walk as the Walk Leader(s). PSO accept no responsibility for personal injury or accident or loss or damage to personal property unless caused by negligence of our Leader(s). We strongly advice that you have sufficient personal insurance cover for accident, injury, or death as well as travel insurance in case of cancellation. All participants must take note of any safety information, guidance or hazard warnings given by the Walk Leader during the pre-walk briefing or whilst on the walk.
- Emergency Contact - An emergency contact number will be supplied to all participants prior to the event and participants should ensure they have both this number and a phone with them during the event.
Environment
- Environment & Terrain – Part of the attraction of hill and mountain walking is the challenge associated with tackling different terrain and weather conditions both of which come with an inherent risk. Every effort is made to minimize potential risks and hazards in our risk assessment for each activity, however the nature of our activities means that there is an inherent risk of personal injury. Common accidents which can result in injury are slips, trips, and falls and common personal injuries are blisters, strained muscles, heat or cold injury, scratches/stings (this is NOT an exhaustive list but only the common examples). More serious accidents can occur due to difficult terrain or extreme weather conditions which cannot always be anticipated. You are aware of and accept these risks. We also reserve the right to alter or cancel an activity if it is not safe to proceed. This is most likely in the event of extreme weather conditions.
- Weather – The weather is not always predictable and so on your activity day, adverse weather conditions may present themselves on the walk even if not anticipate. The Leader(s) will continually monitor the weather and ground conditions and may alter the route on the day to ensure the safety of all participants. You should also be aware that some weather conditions may bring about personal discomfort (e.g., being wet, cold, too hot, etc.). You should come prepared for the weather conditions of the day with suitable clothing including (but not limited to); warm clothing, waterproof coat, shoes, or boots suitable for the terrain and follow any kit lists that are sent out prior to your activity day. Most activities, particularly guided events, have alternative routes in the event of adverse weather. Leaders will decide on the day as to whether the event will proceed, or an alternative will be offered. Their decision is final.
- Toilets – Try to go to the toilet prior to the start of the walk. If you need to go to the toilet during the walk the key is to leave no trace. If urinating then choose a discrete location out of sight and try to urinate onto gravel or rock. If defecating borrow the leader’s trowel, move to a discrete location away from popular spots and bury solid waste 15cm deep, replacing the earth afterwards. Pack out your toilet paper and sanitary products in a zip-lock bag. Wash up and toilet a minimum of 50m from any paths or water sources.
Responsibilities
- Behaviour & Personal Responsibility – All participants must abide by instructions issued by leaders, including health and safety instructions. Anyone failing to abide by these instructions may be asked to leave the activity if, in the opinion of the leaders, their actions could jeopardise anyone in the group, including themselves. The walk leader(s) reserves the right to refuse or terminate the participation of any persons who they deem are unable to take part in the activity, wearing unsuitable clothing or whose behaviour and/or language falls below the standards causing offence to others within the group or causes risk to others in the group. If a participant(s) ignores direct instruction from the Leader or chooses to leave the group at any time during the activity and makes it clear and obvious they are leaving the group, the responsibility and liability the Leader has over the person(s) ceases with immediate effect.
- Alcohol & Drugs – PSO has a zero tolerance towards alcohol and drugs, and any participant deemed to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs will be refused participation in the activity. The Walk Leader(s) reserves the right to terminate the participation of any person(s) found to be consuming alcohol or taking drugs during the activity.
- Smoking (including E-cigarettes), Music & Photography - Smoking (including the use of E-cigarettes/vaping) is permitted but must be done on designated breaks, downwind of the group and any person(s) smoking must follow the direction of the walk leader as to when and where they should smoke to ensure all members of the group and staff are comfortable. Loud music is not to be played when hiking and please do not take photographs of others or add them to social media posts without their permission.
- Dogs – Dogs are welcome to be brought along on our activity days if they are well trained, always kept on a lead, and any dog waste is packed out. Your dog MUST be insured and wormed. Some walks may be unsuitable for dogs due to livestock and/or nesting birds etc. and so you must seek permission from PSO prior to the walk to ensure it is okay to bring your dog. The Walk Leader(s) reserves the right to refuse a dog to be brought on the walk if prior permission was not sought. Registered assistance dogs are always welcome.
