SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

FOR YOU

There are two main ones.

First, the organisers know you are there, and which course you are on. If you abandon a course, you should ALWAYS hand your card in, to avoid a needless search being mounted for you.

Second, you should always carry a whistle. Although not always checked by the organisers, a whistle is like a seat belt - you wear it when you think you don't need it, so it is there when you do. A whistle blown in a series of short blasts (three is the general outdoor distress signal, repeat after a minute) will bring help from anyone in earshot. If you've lost your whistle, try three of anything, eg shouts.

Use this only if you are hurt, or hopelessly lost. If you hear the distress signal, clearly someone else is in trouble, and helping them is more important than the competition.

If you are lost, but still mobile, don't immediately blow your whistle, but sit tight and listen for other orienteers. (It's amazing how much noise a person makes in the bush!) If you find none, look for a major stream or ridge, because this is where the searchers will look after they have been around the roads and tracks. If you are missing a friend or relation, DON'T dash out on a private search. There is always a controller for the event who will decide when to act and how to use the available searchers.

Only if the weather is really bad (southerlies on an exposed venue) will the event be put off. Listen to 2ZB at a quarter to and quarter past the hour. Once you've been bitten by the orienteering bug you may want to venture out in poor weather, so you should acquire suitable clothing. You're going to get wet no matter what you do, so you need fabric which will maintain its insulation. A layer of wool or polypropylene underneath a windproof barrier (light parka) is recommended instead of the more usual open-weave or cotton wear.

FOR THE SPORT AS A WHOLE

Orienteering events are held on someone's property and continued access depends on observing one or two rules. These are not simply a good idea, they are vital, we've lost the use of Waitangirua Farm by breaking some of these!

LEAVE GATES AS FOUND. Applies out on the course but especially when driving to and from. Beware the "Chinese Whispers" effect, where the front car assumes the one behind will close the gate, and the second car assumes the third car... The person who opens the gate MUST close it. No exceptions.
NO DOGS. Even though there may not always be stock, it is helpful when negotiating for use of an area to be able to say orienteers never bring dogs.
NO SMOKING. The same goes with forest owners, who are extremely sensitive to the danger of fire.
CARE OF FENCES. Fences are expensive and you should use a gate if feasible (hinge end) or at least cross fences at a main post, not at a batten.
PARKING. There may be public or farm traffic, and there will be anything up to 100 orienteers' cars. Park close to the car in front of you to minimise walking to registration, and on narrow roads park on one side only.
LITTER. Orienteers are absolutely marvellous about taking litter home with them, even biodegradeable stuff. Help keep our great reputation.

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