2023-24 Assumption of Risk 

Description and Acknowledgement of Risks

4.  The Parties understand and acknowledge that: 

a) The Activities have foreseeable and unforeseeable inherent risks, hazards and dangers that no amount of care, caution or expertise can eliminate, including without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, permanent disability, paralysis and loss of life

b) The Organization may offer or promote online programming (such as webinars, remote conferences, workshops, and online training) which have different foreseeable and unforeseeable risks than in-person programming

c) The Organization has a difficult task to ensure safety and it is not infallible. The Organization may be unaware of the Participant’s fitness or abilities, may give incomplete warnings or instructions, may misjudge weather or environmental conditions, and the equipment being used might malfunction

d) (COVID-19) The COVID-19 disease has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization and COVID-19 is extremely contagious. The Organization has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, the Organization cannot guarantee that the Participant will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, participating in the Activities could increase the Participant’s risk of contracting COVID-19 

5. The Participant is participating voluntarily in the Activities. In consideration of that participation, the Parties hereby acknowledge that they are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards and may be exposed to such risks, dangers and hazards. The Parties understand that the Organization may fail to safeguard or protect the Participant from the risks, dangers and hazards of the Activities, some of which are listed below. The risks, dangers and hazards include, but are not limited to: 

a) Health: executing strenuous and demanding physical techniques; physical exertion; overexertion; stretching; dehydration; fatigue; cardiovascular workouts; rapid movements and stops; lack of fitness or conditioning; traumatic injury; sprains and fractures, spinal cord injuries; bacterial infections; rashes; bodily injuries due to landscape terrain; the transmission of communicable diseases, including viruses of all kinds, COVID-19, bacteria, parasites or other organisms or any mutation thereof

b) Premises: terrain hazards which may lead to collisions with trees, rocks, fences, ruins, bridges and man-made objects; falling down cliffs, slopes, gullies, ditches, pits, or depressions; possibly being caught in watercourse hazards or streams, rivers, ponds and lakes; dangerous, unsafe, or irregular conditions on the ground or other surfaces; remoteness of the location and possible inability of rescue services or medical assistance to come easily or quickly; travel to and from the premises

c) Weather: extreme weather conditions such as rain, sleet, hail, or snow which may cause unstable surfaces/footing and/or hypothermia; excessive hot or humid weather which may cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and/or disorientation

d) Use of equipment: mechanical failure of the equipment; negligent design or manufacture of the equipment; the provision of or the failure by the Organization to provide any warnings, directions, instructions or guidance as to the use of the equipment; failure to wear safety or protective equipment; and failure to use or operate equipment within my own ability

e) Contact: contact that may lead to serious bodily injury, including but not limited to concussions and/or other brain injury or serious spinal injury; encounters with aggressive wildlife such as bears, coyotes, dogs, elk, deer, moose, snakes, ticks or wasps, which could result in injury; encounters with plants that produce allergic reactions

f) Advice: negligent advice regarding the Activities

g) Ability: failing to act safely or within the Participant’s own ability or within designated areas 

h) Cyber: privacy breaches; hacking; and technology malfunction or damage

i) Conduct: the Participant’s conduct and conduct of other persons including any physical altercation between participants

j) Travel: travel to and from the Activities 

Terms

6. In consideration of the Organization allowing the Participant to participate in the Activities, the Parties agree: 

a) That when the Participant practices or trains in their own space, the Parties are responsible for the Participant’s surroundings and the location and equipment that is selected for the Participant

b) That the Participant’s mental and physical condition is appropriate to participate in the Activities and the Parties assume all risks related to the Participant’s mental and physical condition

c) To comply with the rules and regulations for participation in the Activities

d) To comply with the rules of the facility or equipment

e) That if the Participant observes an unusual significant hazard or risk, the Participant will remove themselves from participation and bring their observations to a representative of the Organization immediately

f) The risks associated with the Activities are increased when the Participant is impaired and the Participant will not participate if impaired in any way;

g) That it is their sole responsibility to assess whether any Activities are too difficult for the Participant. By the Participant commencing an Activity, they acknowledge and accept the suitability and conditions of the Activity

h) That they are responsible for the choice of the Participant’s safety or protective equipment and the secure fitting of that equipment

i) (COVID-19) That COVID-19 is contagious in nature and the Participant may be exposed to, or infected by, COVID-19 and such exposure may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, or death 

7. In consideration of the Organization allowing the Participant to participate, the Parties agree: 

a) That the Parties are not relying on any oral or written statements made by the Organization or their agents, whether in brochure or advertisement or in individual conversations, to agree to participate in the Activities

b) That the Organization is not responsible or liable for any damage to the Participant’s vehicle, property, or equipment that may occur as a result of the Activities

c) That this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law of the Province of Alberta and if any portion thereof is held invalid, the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect 

Jurisdiction

8. The Parties agree that in the event that they file a lawsuit against the Organization, they agree to do so solely in the Province of Alberta and they further agree that the substantive law of the Province of Alberta will apply without regard to conflict of law rules. 

Acknowledgement 

9. The Parties acknowledge that basic personal information about the Participant (name, age, email address and home address) may be given to Orienteering Canada and to the appropriate Provincial/Territorial Association for the purposes membership management and reporting at the Provincial/Territorial and National levels. This information will not be given to any other organization.