Risks
What is meant by the term risk?
The possibility that something harmful or unwanted could happen.
Give one reason why young people may participate in risk-taking behaviour.
Peer pressure, curiosity, excitement, wanting to fit in, testing boundaries or wanting independence.
What is one strategy that can reduce the risk of injury during physical activity?
Follow safety rules, use appropriate equipment, warm up, listen to instructions or have appropriate supervision.
What does swimming between the flags mean?
Swimming in the area supervised by lifeguards at a patrolled beach.
Who is one trusted person a young person could speak to if they are unsure about a risky situation?
Parent/carer, teacher, school counsellor, coach or another trusted adult.
Which situation involves the greatest risk?
A. Swimming between the flags at a patrolled beach
B. Bushwalking with an adult and appropriate equipment
C. Swimming at an unfamiliar, unpatrolled location
D. Walking on a marked path
C
A group of friends encourages Liam to do something dangerous because “everyone else is doing it.” What influence is affecting Liam?
Peer pressure / influence from friends
Why can planning an activity before participating help reduce risk?
Planning allows people to identify hazards and prepare strategies to manage them.
Why is swimming between the flags safer than swimming at an unfamiliar location?
The area is supervised by lifeguards and is selected as an area considered safer for swimming.
Why is asking for help an important strategy when dealing with a risky situation?
A trusted person may provide advice, support and help the young person make a safer decision.
Explain the difference between a safe decision and a risky decision.
A safe decision considers possible dangers and uses strategies to reduce the chance of harm. A risky decision ignores or increases potential dangers.
Explain how peer pressure can influence a young person's decision-making
A young person may make a risky choice because they want to fit in, impress friends or avoid being left out.
Give three strategies that could reduce risk during a bushwalking activity.
You notice a swimmer being pulled away from shore by a rip current. What should you do?
Alert a lifeguard or responsible adult and signal for help rather than attempting to swim against the current.
A student receives unkind messages online and doesn't know what to do. Give two actions they could take.
Two students want to swim. One chooses a patrolled beach between the flags. The other chooses an unfamiliar river because it is closer. Identify two factors that make the second choice riskier.
Mia knows that swimming at an unpatrolled location could be dangerous, but her friends tell her she will look “uncool” if she doesn't join them. Identify the risk factor and explain how it could affect her decision.
Peer pressure. It could encourage Mia to ignore the potential danger and participate even though she knows it is risky.
A Year 7 class is going bushwalking on a hot day. Identify four strategies the teacher could use to reduce the risk of injury or illness.
A group wants to swim at an unpatrolled river because it is closer than the beach. Explain three reasons why the beach may be the safer option.
Maya notices her friend has become quieter and upset after receiving unkind messages online. Give two ways Maya could use her people skills to support her friend.
A student says, “If something has never gone wrong before, it isn't risky.” Explain why this statement is incorrect.
Something can still be risky even if nothing bad has happened previously. Risk is based on the possibility of harm, not whether harm has happened before.
A student wants to take part in a risky activity because they are curious and their friends are encouraging them. Give two strategies they could use to make a safer decision.
Your class is planning a bushwalk. The forecast predicts extreme heat, some students have limited fitness, and the track is unfamiliar. Explain how you would modify the activity to reduce risk.
Students should identify the hazards and adjust the activity, such as choosing a safer/shorter route, changing the time, increasing supervision, ensuring water and sun protection, checking the track beforehand and having an emergency plan.
A community program wants to include hiking and swimming during summer. Design a plan containing four strategies that would allow the activities to occur while reducing health and safety risks.
Trained adult supervision
Jayden is worried about telling someone that he is receiving unkind messages because he thinks people will believe he can't handle it himself. Explain three strategies Jayden could use to seek help and one way his friend could support him.
His friend could listen without judging, show empathy and encourage him to seek appropriate adult support.