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Games advice

19/01/2011

A recent judgement on a Scouting accident which occurred in 2001 relates to a game run in the dark and has led to enquiries from leaders.

The Judge in the case acknowledged the value that Scouting brings to young people and the wider community. It is important to appreciate that the judgement related to a specific case with specific circumstances where a game was intended to be played in the light and was simply transferred to dark conditions, indoors, without sufficient consideration given for the increased risk involved in the view of the Judge. 

This judgement does not mean the end of games in the dark.

Assess risk

The key message continues to be that you remember to assess the risk for your activity and consider whether it is suitable to take place in the dark and, if it is, what additional controls might need to be in place to keep it safe. 

Some games are best played outside only, where there is much more space.

Additionally, after a spate of Dodgeball incidents, please follow the same principles; assess the risks and consider the surface of the activity area, and whether it is free of slip and trip hazards.

Some games are played standing on chairs or benches. Be sure this is suitable for the age and ability of those playing. 

Considerations

In summary, when planning all games – consider:

1. The space and environment in which your game is taking place

• Explain boundaries or potential hazards that perhaps can’t be removed such as walls (lots of injuries are caused by running into walls to stop – broken wrists, bumped heads, for example), polished wooden floors, tables and chairs around the edge of the room.

2. The age and ability of those taking part

3. Do they know the rules?

• It is good to remind them in case of new joiners or if they have not played it for a while.

4. Ensure adequate supervision

Remember, those games, locations and activities we use most often are assumed the safest and may be forgotten as having potential for an accident when assessing the risk.

 

 

Comments

By John Spruce (21/01/2011 14:04) Good to see a dose of common sense in this response

By Akela (21/01/2011 17:42) Granny and suck eggs springs to mind

By Andrew Williams (21/01/2011 17:46) Thank goodness for a common sense answer to this one. I have already been assured in no uncertain terms by a leader who sees overwhelming danger behind every bush and tree that games in the dark had now been banned completely! We should always bear in mind a statement made by the instructor on my last First Response course - if you are not filling in the occasional accident report form then you are not doing the job properly.

By fimcg (21/01/2011 18:26) thanks for advice, but sometimes i think we wrap everything up in cotton wall,may be we should pad out the room with safty mats. we always do quick risk assements before games. any keep informing the kids the rules during the games too.

By fimcg (21/01/2011 18:29) i did visit a unit who had banned ladders games because if the risk of children having there fingers step on.but we still plat it i get the cubs to sit on there hands. it works

By Ron Hodges (21/01/2011 22:15) This is short and useful common sense. Let's hope the legal and insurance industries allow Scouters to continue to run sensible activities that don't require our members to be wrapped in cotton wool.

By Jim Green (22/01/2011 10:01) Good common sense prevails - :-)

By Brenda McGregor (22/01/2011 11:53) Back to common-sense again then????

By Ann W. Millington (22/01/2011 11:56) My Pack has recently taken part in a Night Hike. This was over a four mile area of paths, woodlands and marsh.It was organised by Leaders, Young Leaders and Explorers were in charge of the check points where we had to sign in with Group, Leader and time of arrival all being noted. Permission was obtained and there had to be one Adult per four Cubs. They were issued with florescent bands and Leaders given the opportunity to walk the route the week before. Maps etc. were given out on the night, and sweets were given out at check points. The last group round the course was followed at a short distance by Young Leader/Explorer "sweepers" and a truly fantastic time was had by all.

By J.E.McMullan (22/01/2011 17:36) Technically, getting out of my armchair exposes me to a plether of risks - I still do it because I do not want to become a vegetable. Risk assessments are a running issue and most responsible leaders do these automatically. The one thing no one can protect against are 'accidents' because according to the dictionary an 'accident is 'an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause'. Clairvoyancy is not included in any Modules I know so we make judgement calls. If 'adventure' is taking out of scouting the whole point of the Movement collapses. Suggestion: scrap the expensive insurance and have parents sign a waiver allowing young people to enjoy scouting. The most efficent safety nett for scouts is having responsible, properly trained, leaders.

By John Grantham (22/01/2011 22:23) It is important to remember that this is one Judgement in one particular case. Don't panic! In a previous case, where Scouts had to manouvre by feel through an obstacle course in the dark, the Judge held that it was a simple accident in a game which, otherwise, taught young people how to cope in the event of a power cut and not to be afraid of the dark!

By Adam Middleton (24/01/2011 09:56) It's good to see that there is still a strong sense of common sense on such things. If we wrap everything in cotton wool, we will risk losing any sense of adventure and fun. My Scouts love activities in the dark and we will not stop doing them, accidents do however happen.

By Jo Farmer (24/01/2011 12:44) Having had our pack be ultrasafe while back with games due to dangers of running on newly done floor due to dangers of slipping and being unable to stand on chairs and chairs as might fall, then losing control of the youngsters as they ran around at any opportunity due to sitting down so much it's nice to have common sense.

By Roger (24/01/2011 23:42) To Akela who's comment of grannie sucking eggs, unfortunately, not everyone is a grannie (or a grandpa in my case) so there are youngsters or those with less experience of even younger people and their ability to trip, slip or fall. Accidents will happen but we must be seen to prevent them whereever we can.

By Eddie Langdown (25/01/2011 10:12) Yes, sensible reaction by SA - thanks. As a leader who loves running night hikes, night games, blindfold trails etc I notice I have become more safety conscious over the years, often the kids are not aware of the extra checking, preparation and back-up; the dark is still the DARK! But every year we create a Chaos Room, where the hall if totally blacked-out and patrols have to feel their way through a tangle of chairs, ropes, poles, upturned tables etc to find things. This year we gave them helmets and ski goggles; it cost us nothing, but if it prevented a poke in the eye or a crack on the head it was a change worth making. It was still an incredible night for them.

By robin deane (25/01/2011 13:29) we must not forget all children are risk, its the controll that avoids some of the risk's common sense and good observation and baing alert at all times should eliminate most of the rest as already said an accident is an accident its our job as leaders to minimise the potential accident to happen.

By Richard (26/01/2011 17:03) It's good to see that some people do have some common sense, good on the judge. Despite the precautions we take, the risk assessments etc remember there are still some ambulance chasers out there. Where there's blame there's a gain (for some at least)

By Mark Gately (26/01/2011 21:53) An interesting case where two judges in the Court of Appeal decided for the injured party and one judge (LJ Jackson) decided for the Scout Association. I agree with the comments that this case was one that stands on its own but we must not be compalcent. Balanced risk is what is needed. In fact I was still playing a similar game to the one in this case only 4 years ago when I was running the troop.

By Mick B (25/02/2011 23:17) Come into the real world.