Dave Addis
Oct 9, 2023
As an outdoor instructor in Hong Kong, it's important to understand the differences between guidelines, standards and laws within the outdoor adventure education industry. While these terms may seem interchangeable, they each have distinct meanings with their own implications. 作為香港的戶外教育員，了解戶外冒險教育行業中指引、標準和法律之間的區別非常重要。雖然這些術語可能看似可以互換使用，但它們各自具有獨特的含義和影響。
As an outdoor instructor in Hong Kong, it's important to understand the differences between guidelines, standards and laws within the outdoor adventure education industry. While these terms may seem interchangeable, they each have distinct meanings with their own implications.
Guidelines are recommendations made by professional organizations or experts in the field. They provide advice on best practices, safety considerations, and other important recommendations for activities in the outdoors. Guidelines are typically voluntary and are meant to help organizations create policies and procedures that align with industry expectations. As an instructor or provider, it is important to be familiar with these guidelines and to incorporate them into your teaching practices to create a safe and effective learning environment for your participants. An example of relevant guidelines in Hong Kong are the EDB’s Guidelines on Outdoor Activities updated in May 2023.
Standards are similar to guidelines, but they are typically more formal and specific. They are often created by industry associations or relevant organizations to establish minimum requirements for certain activities or practices. Standards are designed to set a baseline of competency and safety for instructors and organizations to meet. Outdoor adventure education standards often include areas such as risk management, staff training, equipment use, and emergency response procedures. Compliance with standards is usually optional, but it can provide a seal of approval or certification for a program, such as the HKOLA Provider Badge or AEE accreditation.
Laws, on the other hand, are binding rules or regulations that are enforced by the government. They are created to protect the safety and well-being of participants, as well as the environment. Outdoor adventure education programs must comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as those related to transportation, equipment, and permits. Failure to comply with these laws can lead to legal repercussions and put both participants and instructors at risk.
It's important for new outdoor instructors to have a thorough understanding of guidelines, standards, and laws within the industry. While guidelines and standards may not be legally binding, they do serve as important resources for ensuring the safety and well-being of participants. Ignoring laws and regulations, however, can have serious consequences and should never be taken lightly.
By staying up-to-date on industry best practices and legal requirements, outdoor instructors can help promote the growth and development of a professional sector, while providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
身為香港的戶外教練，了解戶外探險教育產業內的指南、標準和法律之間的差異非常重要。雖然這些術語看起來可以互換，但它們各自具有不同的含義和各自的含義。
指南是由該領域的專業組織或專家提出的建議。他們提供有關戶外活動的最佳實踐、安全注意事項和其他重要的建議。指南通常是自願的，旨在幫助組織制定符合行業期望的政策和程序。作為教師或提供者，熟悉這些指南並將其納入他們的教學實踐中，為戶外活動參與者創造一個安全有效的學習環境。香港相關的最新指引是由教育局於 2023 年 5 月更新的《戶外活動指引》。
標準與指南類似，但通常更正式和具體。它們通常由行業協會或相關組織創建，以確定某些活動或實踐的最低要求。標準旨在為教師和組織設定能力和安全基線。戶外探險教育標準通常包括風險管理、員工培訓、設備使用和緊急應變程序等領域。是否遵守標準通常是可選的，但它可以為專案提供批准或認證印章，例如 HKOLA 的提供者徽章或 AEE 認證。
另一方面，法律是由政府執行的具有約束力的規則或法規。它們的創建是為了保護參與者的安全和福祉以及環境。戶外探險教育計畫必須遵守適用的法律和法規，例如與交通、設備和許可證相關的法律和法規。不遵守這些法律可能會導致相應的法律後果，並使參與者和教練老師們都面臨風險。
對於新的戶外教練來說，全面了解業界的指南、標準和法律非常重要。雖然準則和標準可能不具有法律約束力，但它們確實是確保參與者安全和福祉的重要資源。忽視法律法規可能會產生嚴重後果，絕不能掉以輕心。
透過了解最新的行業最佳實踐和法律要求，戶外教練可以幫助促進專業領域的成長和發展，同時為所有參與者提供安全、愉快的體驗。
Further Reading
Guidelines on Outdoor Activities (Updated May 2023), EDB