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Bushwalking/Hiking Safety - Laugavegur Trail in Iceland

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Bushwalking/Hiking Safety - Laugavegur Trail in Iceland

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General Information:

This hike is located in Iceland and is a 55km hiking route that takes about 4 to 5 days to complete, but due to the visual stunning environment around the hike, most hikers spend 5 to 7 days.

What special considerations do you need for this hike?

On the trail for this hike, there are some supplies available in the main spots along the way, including accomadation, food and water.

Food & Water

It is best if a hiker carries most of there food as they are expensive when buying from the shops along the way. Take at least 2 litres of water at the start of each day and extra just in case for any unforeseeable circumstances(weather etc).

Clothing

In terms of weather, it can be very unpredictable in Iceland; thus, a hiker should pack a range of clothes and gear that can accommodate harsh winds and snow. Dress in layers to stay warm, as even in the summer, the temperatures do not go above 15 degrees Celsius.

Time to go & GPS

Winter is most likely too harsh to hike safely along the trail, thus the wammer months will be better. Have a GPS device just in case you are lost or visibility gets low. When packing everything, make sure to have a waterproof bag.

Potential Issues

Across the trek, there are multiple river crossings and potential snow bridges. To stay safe around river crossings, always ask the hut wardens about current conditions, wear sturdy shoes when crossing and use trekking poles to help with balance. It is important to remember that broader sections of the river tend to be shallower, and narrower sections tend to be deeper.

SNOW BRIDGES

Glacial streams are common on the northern sections of the Laugavegur Trail. These streams can often be hidden by snow throughout the hiking season. Snow bridges form when snow covers a stream and melts from underneath, leaving an unstable “bridge” across the stream. These can be quite dangerous if they collapse underneath your feet. Always check your map and listen for running water to get a sense of where streams are located. Don’t blindly trust the paths carved by previous hikers, as conditions can change throughout the season and test the stability of a surface with a boot or trekking pole. Also remember to cross quickly.

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The red line highlights the trail, going through a diverse range of landscapes in the Icelandic Highlands, including geothermal areas, colorful rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, and glacial valleys.

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This hike is very different from the conditions found in Australia and most of the world, as Iceland has both snowy landscapes and volcanic activity. This leads to nature in the area being very different, making it popular and enjoyable. The natural structures interested me, and the various experiences you can have along the hike.

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Beach Safety:

I chose beach safety as my primary focus for water safety, as I live close to the beach and visit it frequently during the warmer months. I also enjoy swimming, and since there are many dangers at the beach, it would be helpful to know about them and how to stay safe around them. There are many things to do at the beach, including jetty jumping and if I want to do such activities, I need to know how to be safe in the water.

5 Critical Dangers:

Rip Currents

Jellyfish Stings

Alcohol & Drug Use

Conditions(Stormy/Lighting)

Sunburn/Heat Exhaustion

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Scenario 1

Dangers:

Swimming at night reduces visibility, making it harder to see rips and waves.

No lifeguards are present, so there is little chance of rescue if someone gets into trouble.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of drowning on top of the increased risk with no lifeguards.

Glass bottles, if broken, can create a risk of cuts.

Safety Measures:

Avoid swimming at night, especially after drinking alcohol.

If going to the beach at night, do activities onshore like music, games and bonfire.

Avoid glass, as it is night, to prevent injuries.

Have a plan in place, to ensure everyone can get home safely.

Importance of Safe Activities:

Planning safe activities makes sure that celebrations don’t turn into emergencies. By choosing activities that don’t involve high risks, like night swimming, friends can still enjoy themselves while still being safe. Planning and doing safe activities reduces the chance of injury or death, and makes sure the event is remembered for better reasons rather than a emergency.

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Road Awareness Tool kit entry Questions:

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Road Awareness Tool kit entry Questions:

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Why I chose the Car as my Road Awareness Category:

I chose the car because I have recently started driving, L plate, and it is the most common form of transport I will be using in the future. Cars give independence and convenience, but they also carry high risks if drivers or passengers do not act responsibly and safely. Learning about car safety now will help me become a safe driver in the future and protect not only myself but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

3 most important safety rules in regards to Cars:

Always wear a seatbelt : A seatbelt always reduces the risk of serious injury or death in an accident.

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue : It is dangerous to be under the influence or fatigued as it impairs judgement, reaction times, and awareness.

Avoid distractions such as phones : Staying focused on the road and not being distracted prevents crashes and accidents caused by inattention. It can also help me avoid accidents as I am focused on my surroundings.

Imagine your future adult self is informing you of specific strategies to stay safe within your selected category. Explain two of these strategies in detail.

Strategies:

Planning my Trips and Managing Fatigue : My future self would remind me to avoid driving when I am tired, as fatigue can be dangerous due to it impairing my judgement, reaction time, and awareness. On long trips, I should take breaks every 2 hours, stay hydrated, and share driving (if possible). By recognising early signs of fatigue (yawning, drifting lanes, heavy eyes), I can stop before an accident happens.

Limit distractions while driving : My future self would be safer by setting up things like GPS and music before starting the car. Using “Do Not Disturb” mode helps me to avoid distracting notifications. Staying fully focused means I can quickly react to unexpected hazards, keeping myself and others safe.

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Most Critical Danger:

To me, the most dangerous thing at the beach would be rip currents. They are a leading cause of accidental drowning at beaches because they are powerful, narrow channels of water flowing away from the shore, capable of quickly pulling even experienced swimmers out to sea.

What to Do?

It is always important to stay calm in dangerous situations and be rational, especially around rip currents. Panic and exhaustion can make it harder to escape. The first thing to do is to recognise which way is parallel to the beach, and swim in that direction, refer to the diagram. This will help you get away from the riptide, and then you can swim back to shore safely. Also, try to call for help and listen to the lifeguard's instructions if they are there.

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"People of all genders benefit from living in communities that promote gender equality"

Is the above statement true? Explain your opinion

I believe that the above statement, "People of all genders benefit from living in communities that promote gender equality", is generally true. When gender equality is promoted within a community, it can break down harmful gender stereotypes and allow all people of all genders to have equal opportunities and equal value in society. This is beneficial to everyone by making a community more just, inclusive and equitable.

List some of the benefits for men

In a society that promotes gender equality, men benefit through:

1. Being encouraged to be more involved as a father or a caregiver

2. Allows men to pursue a wider range of careers and hobbies without stigma

3. Men do not have to be the main financial provider, and it is more equal within a household

4. Men are able to be more emotional and vulnerable in society, as they are not restricted by gender norms

List some of the benefits for women

In a society that promotes gender equality, women benefit through:

1. Increased access to mainly male-based industries

2. Further access to education, employment and leadership opportunities

3. More equal sharing of responsibilities in a household and caring for children

4. Greater political influence and representation

Describe 5 actions/ strategies that young people can take to closing the ‘Gender Gap’ and work towards gender equality

1. Education on gender equality and gender-based issues, as well as educating others

2. Challenging gender stereotypes in their lives and communities

3. Supporting and creating policies and programs that promote gender equality in schools and society

4. Use inclusive/gender-neutral language when communicating

5. Volunteer or intern with organisations that promote gender equality

6. Advocate for more rights for all genders

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Tool Kit: Diversity of Sexual Attraction

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Tool Kit: Diversity of Sexual Attraction

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1. How does understanding the diversity of sexual attraction help us create a more inclusive environment?

Understanding the diversity of sexual attraction helps create a more inclusive environment by challenging the definitions of genders and promoting acceptance and respect for all genders. It can also ensure everyone can feel more welcomed and valued, and can be themselves, and people can be more open about their identity without judgment. One more thing it can do is address stereotypes and biases, as well as discrimination, to make it more inclusive.

2. Why is it important to respect and acknowledge different sexual attractions?

It is important to respect and acknowledge different sexual attractions because everyone has the right to express themselves and their sexuality and identity freely. It is also important for diversity as it is part of being human and recognizing different attractions promotes greater empathy, understanding, and inclusion. Respecting differences can help break down stigmas, and acknowledging all diverse attractions challenges the idea of a 'normal' gender.

3. What are some challenges people might face while expressing their sexual attraction, and how can we help overcome these challenges?

Some challenges people may face when expressing their sexual attraction include fears of social stigma, rejection and discrimination, as well as pressure to conform to the expectations of society/gender norms. There is also difficulty finding supportive communities or safe spaces, and society may cause themselves to have a negative self-perception due to them being 'different'.

To help overcome these challenges, we can educate ourselves and others on other sexual identities and how they experience society. We could speak about homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in our communities and have the stories of people with diverse sexual attractions. These stories will help as they will amplify the voices of all genders and make them more 'normal' within society. A final thing we could do is provide resources and support to those struggling with identity/sexual attraction and create inclusive environments where people can feel free to express themselves.