Integrated Risk Management for Leisure Services First Edition

When I started whitewater paddling 45 years ago no one knew what "risk management" was. Those rivers were dangerous, everyone knew that! Since then, as the participation base has grown,we've learned a lot about how to prevent accidents by carefully designing programs and facilities. We've also learned some things about managing the aftermath of accidents and injuries that this aspect of outdoor recreation. Many outdoor professionals will fund some parts tough going, but it's worth the effort to keep reading! It represents the latest thinking in the field, something that took people like Dr. Kaufman and myself decades to learn. There are parts which help even someone as experienced as I am understand the issues better.

I did a quick read on "Integrated Risk Management for Leisure Services" for the first time several years ago. It was during a time I was the Executive Director for a National Non-Profit safety advocacy organization. The focus of the organization was to promote safety, through appropriate preparation and situational awareness. I believe the book is a good read for anyone organizating outdoor community activities that pose the element of risk to the participant. Some of the strategies and recommendations outlined in the book are critical to recreational activity planners and agencies, especially those promoting the "so-called" adventure experience. This is a outstanding reference book in addressing the myriad of issue in managing risk. I recently picked up the book to refresh myself on background knowledge needed for a professional certification program which I am the Chair of the Commission. I was looking for criteria on management, leadership, accident investigation, emergency preparedness, and several other skills that one should be familiar in being a certified recreational boating professional. The book gave me an excellent overview. It truly covers the essentials in risk management for outdoor recreation programming and leadership.

This text uses the case of my son's drowning...never contacted us during writing, never contacted us for a review of facts or input, never even contacted us to tell us such a book was written using his case. The facts of his story are incomplete and the resolution is omitted. Not worth the money and conclusions and recommendations are erroneous. Poor scholarship....non-existent communications with victim's family.

I enjoyed the read, although not the field I study in Integrated Risk Management for Leisure Services gave me a good perspective and tools I need to continue my studies in Risk Management with a better understanding of the competency.Thanks Robert B. Kauffman and Merry Lynn Moisichik