HEALTH & SAFETY

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Waterproof and windproof jacket. NB - emergency ponchos not recommended

• Thermal layer - long top. NB - cotton is not recommended

• Thermal hat - buff/beanie/balaclava acceptable. NB - wool or polypropylene recommended

• Thermal gloves - wool or polypropylene recommended

• Survival blanket (silver foil type)

• Whistle

• Personal medication (if required)

• Personal hydration and nutrition. NB - although aid stations are present on course they should not be relied upon as your sole source of hydration and nutrition

This is a recommended equipment list and is only a guideline to what participants should consider taking during the event. It is the responsibility of the participants to participant with equipment that is suitable for the conditions and their ability.

HAZARDS

The following (but not limited to) hazards exist on the event courses:

• Vehicles

• Other participants

• Inclement weather - Heat/Cold

• Personal injury and individual physical condition

• Challenging terrain

• Natural hazards e.g. rough surfaces, cliffs

• Manmade hazards e.g. stairs, fences, bridges, stiles, boardwalks

• Two-Way participant traffic. Some courses have specific lanes which you must adhere to and follow the directional signage

Identified hazards on course have been marked however; hazards can exist at any place and any time. As such, not all hazards can be marked. You must take caution and participate within you individual ability

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY CODE

It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they have read and understand all the course, event and safety information obtaining to their chosen event before entering the event. It is also the responsibility of the participant to ensure they are at a competent level to complete their choose event. All personal, contact, emergency and medical information given to Total Sport must be true and accurate.

RISK DISCLOSURE

"I have read and understand the safety information regarding this event and understand that I participate in this event at my own risk. I hereby attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for and reviewed the course descriptions and difficulty ratings of the event that I have chosen to enter. I agree to comply with the rules and directions of event officials and their personnel. I hereby allow the use of my name and image to be used in the media and for marketing purposes. I understand and accept that my details will be added to the Total Sport event database and I will be contacted from time to time in regards to upcoming events and promotions. I understand that my details will never be distributed to a third party. I hereby agree that in the case of event cancellation due to extreme inclement weather (at the discretion of event officials), my entry fee shall be non‐refundable. I hereby acknowledge this risk disclosure, release and indemnity discharge all persons, corporations, associations and bodies involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the event and their servants, agents, representatives, officers and employees. This includes but is not limited to the various committees, members, and employees of all independent contracted suppliers to the event, local councils, cities and districts and their respective officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, representatives, agents, volunteers, event organisers and sponsors whether or not the loss, injury or damage is attributed to the act or neglect of any or more of them. I agree to disclose any personal medical conditions which may affect staff, myself or other participants at a Total Sport event. I agree to disclose any specific patient details and/or relevant medical information when treated by a Total Sport staff member or Event Medic for an accident, for the purpose of continual improvement of the Safety Management System. The Privacy Act (1992) prevents Total Sport from releasing specific patient details, without patient consent."

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Sufficient preparation to complete your chosen event

• Ability to follow course marking

• Must carry any required gear with you

• Appropriate experience for the event you are competing in (see course ratings)

• Read all course and safety information prior to participating

COURSE RATINGS

(The ratings below are the minimum experience level required to participant in each specific event)

• 6km run/walk - First time

• 10km run/walk - First time

• 21km run/walk - Beginner

• 42km run/walk - Intermediate

• 26km mountain bike - Beginner

• 42km mountain bike - Intermediate
  

INCIDENT PROTOCOL

Should you encounter an incident on course, please follow these steps:

• STOP – do not place yourself in danger

• Try to communicate with the person

• Assist with basic first aid if you are capable and can do so safely

• Send the next participant through to notify the next event official of the situation and location of the incident e.g. two bikers collided, 4km back on the trail, one requires assistance to a sore arm

• Stop the next participant and request assistance if required

INCIDENT REPORTING FORM

If you have recently be involved with a Total Sport event and were involved or witnessed an incident please complete this Incident Reporting Form and email it to Julieanne at julieanne@totalsport.co.nz.

RULES

• All cyclists must wear a helmet that complies with NZ Road Rules at all times

• All participants must follow the course marking signs and instructions, this is your responsibility

• Participants are not allowed to leave event course routes. Should you wish to withdraw you must notify an event official e.g. marshal or course crew and await instructions

• On completing the event you must cross the finish chute as the timing transponder records you as finishing - this is used as a safety check for participants

• Participant equipment should be in a safe and functioning condition, this is your responsibility e.g. helmet, bike, shoes. There will be limited mechanical assistance on course and participants must take a basic repair kit and should be capable of minor repairs (bike only)

• Participants who require any personal medication or disability assistance devices while participating must carry those items. This is your responsibility

• You must wear your event number so it is visible at all times. You must wear your timing transponder correctly at all times.

• No littering

• When over taking other runners/riders you must signal to them that you are attempting to pass.

• If you are entered in a walk category you must walk 100% of the course. If you plan to walk and run/jog you are a runner.

• Leave gates as you found them

COURSE MARKING

You must follow all course signs and directions. You may come across the following course markings:

• Red arrows

• Caution, Slow, Keep Left, Keep Right, Wrong Way, Stop and Walk Only Signs

• Blue plastic Total Sport marking tape - small hanging pieces indicate the route and pieces crossing the ground indicate boundary/don't go.

• Distance markers in kilometers will be placed at aid stations on course.

Qualworx Safety Certification

Total Sport has a Safety Management System that has been audited and certified by Qualworx against the Safety Audit Standard for Adventure Activities.

Although this is not compulsory for us as we aren’t classed as an ‘adventure activity operator’, we do it voluntarily to make sure we keep our most important asset (YOU GUYS! 😊) as safe as we can!

SAFETY AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS – PEAK SAFETY

At Total Sport we have been using the safety services of Peak Safety for quite some time now – they really are top shelf! They have been in operation since 1996 (1 year longer than us!) so have a massive amount of experience to draw on; this combined with their absolute passion for the outdoors and everything safety really does make for a winning combination.

Not only do they offer a wide range of safety management services but they also run a large range of First Aid and Height Safety courses. If you or someone you know needs something in this department we highly recommend you get in touch with these guys first – very nice and very professional guys and girls! Learn more at peaksafety.co.nz