Source Article Details

APA Citation:   Cooley, R. (2000). How big is the risk in wilderness treatment of adolescents. International Journal of Wilderness, 6(1), 22-27

Abstract:
Incident rates for four wilderness treatment programs compared to rates for other activities indicate that the injury risk of wilderness treatment is as follows: about on par with cross-country skiing; a little safer than canoeing; somewhat less risky than going on a summer adventure camp for adolescents; half as risky as overnight backpacking in general; considerably safer than downhill skiing; about 18 times less likely to result in injury than are high school football practices and cheerleading; and less than half as risky for fatal accidents as motor vehicles are for 15-19 year olds.

Keywords:   wilderness treatment, adolescents, risk, backpacking, skiing