Safety must be each and every individual's primary concern. It is the host's and/or organizer's responsibility to communicate safety standards to all volunteers and participants. It is impossible to cover all safety issues that might arise in the variety of ways that STEP OUTSIDE can be applied. It is up to all organizers to review and address all potential safety issues.

Tell all involved not to be timid when it comes to safety. Anyone observing a violation of safety precautions has an obligation to tactfully remind or educate the person on safe handling practices.

• Instructor and Participant Safety Procedures
  • Firearms Activities
  • Archery
  • Fishing/Casting
  • Hunting
• General Safety Guidelines for Group Activities

Firearms Activities

1. Make sure all participants use hearing and eye protection.
2. Have appropriate and adequate back stops for all shooting locations -- know where shot, bullets and arrows can potentially travel and have these clearly marked as no-entry zones.
3. Prevent individuals from entering into the line of fire by securing these areas with highly visible barrier tape.
4. Use only factory loaded ammunition.
5. Prior to allowing participants to handle firearms, review safety procedures. Some of the more important ones include:
   • Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
   • Point the muzzle in a safe direction. When on the firing line, muzzles must always be pointed downrange.
   • Keep finger off trigger unless actually shooting.
   • Keep action open and gun unloaded unless actually shooting.
   • When the action is closed, always have the safety mechanism engaged and disengage only when ready to fire.
   • No one is permitted to pass through the waiting area onto the firing line, unless they have been asked to do so by the range officer. Spectators are not permitted on firing line.
   • Firearms may only be loaded on the firing line and only at the command of the range officer.
   • Muzzles must extend beyond the firing line when firing.
   • All shooters must remain behind the firing line while the firing line is "hot."
   • Shoot only at designated targets.
   • When the range officer says "Cease Fire," stop firing immediately, open the action to your firearm, remove ammunition and keep the action open.
     (refer to the hunting section for additional safety rules)
6. Make sure that all participants have heard and understand how the firearm operates, how to hold the firearm, how to align the sites, how to take the appropriate stance, how to operate the safety, and how to squeeze the trigger.
7. Have a ratio of one coach to each new shooter.
8. Following are some suggested ways to manage the firing line for rifles and handguns where shooting is going on.
   • Prior to the start of shooting activities, have firearms uncased and laying on the shooting bench. Firearms must be empty with actions open and be pointing downrange. From now until the end of the activity, the firearms should ALWAYS point downrange.
   • Begin with shooters and coaches standing behind the shooting benches.
   • Make sure range and downrange areas are clear.
   • Announce "You may proceed to the shooting bench and commence shooting."
   • One minute before you call a cease fire to check and change targets, announce "ONE MINUTE TO BREAK. ONE MINUTE TO BREAK."
   • To call a cease fire (for any reason), announce "CEASE FIRE. CEASE FIRE. OPEN AND EMPTY ALL FIREARMS. REMOVE ALL MAGAZINES. REMOVE ALL AMMUNITION -- REMEMBER TO CHECK THE CHAMBER. WHEN YOUR FIREARMS ARE COMPLETELY UNLOADED AND ACTIONS OPEN, PLEASE STAND BEHIND THE SHOOTING BENCH."
9. Do not allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to participate.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation offers the following booklets to further spread the safety and responsibility message beyond your event: Firearm Safety Depends on You; Firearm Responsibility In the Home; A Parent's Guide to Recreational Shooting for Youngsters. Consider ordering a supply and having them available to provide to your guests.

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Archery

1. Prior to each archery session inspect the equipment for signs of wear or damage, such as but not limited to, the following:
   • Frayed bow string.
   • Loose nuts, screws or associated brackets
   .
   • Any cracks or dents that may affect performance.
   • Inspect arrows for any signs of cracks in either the shaft or nock. If the arrow shaft is cracked or badly bent, throw it away immediately. If a nock is cracked or fits the string poorly, replace it.
2. Provide archers with arm guards. Use of safety glasses is recommended when working with or around mechanical devices.
3. Make sure archers hear and understand the safety rules before they are handed the bow. Some that should be stressed include:
   • Begin shooting only when you are told to begin.
   • Always keep your bow aimed down range. If you need to ask a question, lower your bow and just turn your head.
   • Never point an arrow at anybody, or anything you do not intend to shoot. Only shoot at the targets provided.
   • Never shoot arrows straight up or high into the air.
   • Never pull back and release a bow string without an arrow attached. This is called "dry firing" a bow and each time it occurs you significantly reduce the life expectancy of the bow and may cause immediate damage to both the bow and yourself.
   • When the range officer says stop shooting, stop shooting immediately.
   • When asked to finish shooting, lower your bow and step back from the shooting line.
   • Do not retrieve arrows (unless) until the range officer gives permission.
4. Make sure the shooters hear and understand your instruction on how to appropriately stand, how to nock the arrow, hold a bow and bow string, set up for pre-draw, draw the bow, how to anchor the string, and how to aim, release and follow through, before they start shooting.
5. Make sure bows, draw lengths and arrow lengths are matched up to each individual participant.
6. Beginners and youth should be closely supervised.

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Fishing/Casting

1. Make sure all anglers are wearing glasses. It is also highly recommended that participants wear a brimmed hat, with brim worn over the glasses which provides added protection for the eyes and head.
2. Prior to handing out fishing equipment, instruct participants in the safety rules. Some that should be stressed include:
   • Hooks are sharp, be careful when handling, casting, retrieving, and removing them from fish.
   • Always look behind you to make sure people, animals or obstructions such as a tree or power line are not in the way of your back cast. (Remember your line can extend far behind you.)
   • Look up and around to be sure your line will not be caught in trees, power lines or other obstructions.
   • Form a safety circle around you by holding your rod straight out in front of you and then turn in a circle. If your rod touches another person, then move further away.
   • If your bait or casting plug gets stuck, do not pull back hard. If you do, and it comes loose, it can fly back at you like a bullet and hurt you.
3. Teach the appropriate way to handle the types of fish that can be caught to avoid injury to the fish and the angler.
4. Make sure all anglers hear and understand how to handle and operate the rod and reel, including the grip, operating the reel, stance and casting technique.

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Hunting
Most states require hunters to complete a hunter education course. However, even if your guest has passed the course, it is important that you review the commandments of firearm safety prior to your trip and to review any other potential safety concerns regarding your specific trip. Fifteen primary safety rules are as follows:

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2. Control the muzzle direction at all times.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger except when firing.
4. When first picking up a firearm, and when finished shooting, open the action and be sure there is no ammunition in the firearm.
5. Be sure of your target and beyond before you pull the trigger.
6. Never shoot a bullet at water or a hard flat surface.
7. Avoid all horseplay with a firearm.
8. Only point a firearm at things you want to shoot.
9. Be sure that you carry only ammunition of the proper size for the gun in use.
10. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of all obstructions.
11. Never pull a gun toward you by the muzzle.
12. Never climb a tree or cross a fence with a loaded firearm.
13. Store firearms and ammunition separately.
14. When not in use, keep all firearms unloaded and beyond the reach of children or careless adults.
15. Avoid drugs and alcoholic beverages when around firearms.

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1. Follow the safety rules of each activity and make sure personal safety equipment (eye, ear, arm protection) is available and used.
2. Review safety standards with all participants before they go out on the course and stress the importance of following each safety rule. See the Instructor and Participant Safety Procedures for details.
3. Be sure that you have qualified, competent instructors at all stations.
4. Make sure everyone knows where the first aid stations are located.
5. It is critical to have in place an emergency plan that addresses emergencies such as injuries, health problems and severe weather.
6. Make sure you have plenty of water on the grounds to prevent dehydration.
7. Make sure all field equipment is in good working order.
8. Know where the closest phone is and post emergency numbers in case an accident occurs that is more serious than your first aid station can handle.
9. Know the laws regarding your activity and follow them. Secure permits if necessary.