Train Safe While Rucking & Tabbing, Briefing Notes for Informal Events.
- Alastair Hunt
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
As someone who organises a casual group of ruckers, all training with a common purpose for a strenuous event but without the resources of a ticketed event... what can we do to have a safe session for everyone? This is beyond the friends and family 'going out for a hike together' space, in case of emergency there might be some liability on the person who creates the event, even if it is a 'casual' one.
First and foremost, what can we do to stay safe when out on the road? Rucking can be a strenuous activity, well beyond the scope of a simple walk. What happens when we are simply trying to practise our own healthy lifestyle, with others in participation? Can the organiser be liable for the lack of knowledge or physical misadventures of fellow session participants? Being aware of the risks while rucking - many are not - and what to do in an emergency is a key step to being safe.
The legalities will depend on where you are. Sharing information, a pre-session briefing - supports safety. For my mixed group of ruckers from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels, a document shared as a .pdf before the session, is a vital first step.
Download
We have chosen to use a one-page format that is easy to share and to read. This format - or even the language - may or may not suit your specific requirements, so tailor as necessary.
Route Cards
Also consider creating a Route Card, to be shared ahead of the event. This describes basic event / session details such as the physical route and key features, landmarks or hazards that will be encountered: anything from a river or road crossing to the location of a gas / petrol station to resupply water or snacks.
I also like to provide a phone screensaver version (below), with the very basic information - route, key landmarks and distances - that can be used by participants during the session.
This is for a regular route that we use, in our hometown of Singapore. It is an urban environment, we try to avoid road crossings and fortunately have a route that accommodates this. We also have a 'strongly recommended' water-stop at a gas station (Caltex) enroute. "TAP" designates a Turn Around Point. We also supply a .gpx file, for those with GPS watches with mapping.
Whether you are leading five people around a park loop or twenty through an urban ruck course, a little preparation goes a long way. Share the brief, know the route, have a plan if something goes wrong. The rucking community is built on a culture of looking out for one another, and that starts before anyone puts a pack on their back.
Alastair
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