REPs Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 17

TECHNICAL • • • available, so if your session would normally require access to first aid indoors, then the same will apply to outdoor areas. The best advice for anyone organising events that could potentially affect people’s health and well-being is to use common sense, an obvious skill so often overlooked. ‘When planning to take your class outdoors for the first time, it is advisable to check your insurance cover, especially your Public Liability’, says Goulbourne, and further adds, ‘specific wording in the policy may not cover you outside of your regular studio environment, and may even preclude outdoor activity altogether’. If you’re unsure about your level of cover, then you should seek advice from your broker. children’s play areas, the regulations permitting its use by those over the age of 14 are often overlooked. Whilst very few trainers tend to offer advice on the use of this equipment, care should be taken with any instruction given, just like in a ‘real’ gym. If you’d like to find out more about the specialist Sports & Recreation schemes for trainers, clubs and coaches offered by Perkins Slade, contact them by emailing [email protected] or call on 0121 698 8160. Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Adding complexity into the mix is the prevalence of outdoor gym equipment, for use by the public. Given its frequent installation next to © Route55 | shutterstock.com • of a hardcore Zumba workout. Care should be taken to monitor the area for other hazards such as any nearby projectile sports such as cricket or football, as well as amateur kite or drone flyers. Are the weather conditions appropriate to exercise in? Excessive rain or hot sunshine will affect the suitability of the site for those taking part. Are the facilities adequate? Whilst not all outdoor spaces will have changing rooms and showers, appropriate sun protection and rehydration should be accounted for – even if that means the trainer providing bottles of water. An often overlooked issue outside of a studio is the lack of mirrors – participants can’t see themselves and won’t be able to check their form, so trainers will need to be extra vigilant for bad practice that may cause injury. Are there adequate first aid facilities on site? In many open spaces, first aid is not readily @REPsUK REPS_OCT_16-17 TECHNICAL_PERKINSSLADE.indd 17 17 21/04/2016 10:36