Frequent outdoor safety accidents: Team leaders struggle with liability, industry regulation needed

　　With the growing popularity of healthy travel, outdoor sports, a form of activity centered around exploration, has also attracted more and more enthusiasts. Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, trekking, and skiing have gradually become the top choices for travelers venturing out together. The close integration of outdoor sports and tourism has brought strong market demand, while also exposing many issues. As a composite product, outdoor tourism seems to be in a state of being "marginalized."

　　"Over a decade ago, the incident of outdoor enthusiast Xia Zi dying from severe hypothermia was almost common knowledge in this circle. From beginners to seasoned travelers, Xia Zi’s story serves as both a 'must-know for newcomers' and a frequently discussed cautionary tale," a mountain-climbing enthusiast with the online name Xiao Zhi told reporters. The "Xia Zi Tomb" landmark, which has grown alongside outdoor tourism and serves as a site of reverence and warning, should have also become a catalyst for certain mechanisms. Yet, to this day, outdoor tourism safety accidents continue to occur frequently, with no clear party to hold accountable and rescue efforts falling short.

　　According to statistics, in recent years, the frequency of outdoor tourism safety accidents in China has continued to rise, with incidents such as people being trapped, falling off cliffs, going missing, or vehicles overturning occurring from time to time.

　　"Spontaneous group activities are different from professional outdoor sports clubs. They lack professional operations, legal regulations, and even industry self-discipline," a person in charge of a sports association told reporters. Due to the significant differences between outdoor tourism and professional outdoor expeditions, these organizations—existing somewhere between tour groups and outdoor sports clubs—are highly spontaneous and not yet mature, leading to the frequent occurrence of outdoor tourism accidents.

　　Xiao Bu, a netizen whose part-time job is leading outdoor activities, admitted that currently, temporary mountaineering groups like theirs never require signing liability waivers. However, he will inform hikers in advance on bulletin boards to purchase outdoor insurance and explain that those who do not buy insurance will bear all risks themselves. Xiao Bu also expressed helplessness, saying that without these "agreements," the leader would definitely be held responsible in the event of an accident.

　　"In the activities I’ve participated in, nothing major has happened," Xiao Zhi told reporters. The team leaders and sweepers in his outdoor organization do their jobs very well, and the travel destinations are usually areas with low risk levels, so trips generally go smoothly.

　　In temporary outdoor traveler groups, the roles of the team leader and sweeper are crucial. As a team leader, Xiao Bu believes that while the professionalism of these leaders and sweepers may not meet the standards of professional outdoor sports organizations, there is at least some basic division of labor. "The team leader acts as a pathfinder, which requires them to be very familiar with the terrain and have some knowledge of first aid. The sweeper usually needs to have good endurance because each member of the climbing group has different physical conditions. The sweeper’s job is to take care of everyone as much as possible and ensure they keep up with the group."

　　However, when it comes to accountability, Xiao Bu firmly believes that it is difficult for team leaders to bear full responsibility. "As long as it's a spontaneous outdoor activity, there are definitely risks. Overall, the self-guided outdoor travel market is still in a spontaneous stage and will definitely need professional institutions to lead and regulate it in the future. The role of the team leader should be similar to that of a tour guide."

　　Rescue Teams Struggle to Become Main Force

　　After an accident occurs, rescue efforts begin alongside accountability. Currently, in the outdoor tourism community, some civilian rescue organizations have emerged. These organizations mainly operate through forums on outdoor travel websites and are also spontaneously formed teams. Reporters noted that in addition to rescue-related posts, these forum sections also feature many exchanges about rescue knowledge, giving off the vibe of professional rescue lectures.

　　"Rescue teams can play a role, but spontaneity also determines their lack of professionalism. They can assist in some rescue efforts, but they will never be the main force," Xiao Bu said, drawing from over a year of leading experience. Rescue team work, like that of team leaders, also needs to be standardized and systematized.

　　It is reported that currently, outdoor tourism rescue efforts are mainly led by local government departments and public security firefighting rescue systems. Liu Deqian, deputy director of the Tourism Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated, "The suddenness and complexity of outdoor accidents also add many difficulties to rescue efforts. Each rescue operation involves a significant mobilization of manpower and resources."

　　As outdoor sports develop and mature, rescue teams from local outdoor sports organizations have also become involved in outdoor tourism accident rescues. For example, many local mountaineering associations have specialized rescue teams that provide professional assistance in rescue operations.

　　Extended Reading

　　The name ISPO is also well-known in the outdoor community. This year, the 8th Asia Outdoor Sports & Fashion Exhibition was officially renamed ISPO BEIJING, and Beijing’s first outdoor-themed shopping mall has recently unveiled its mystery.

　　In recent years, with the increasing professionalization of outdoor sports, outdoor gear has also moved toward a more mainstream direction: second-generation outdoor products bring new family outdoor experiences, trendy equipment designs cater to fashion needs, and high safety ratings reflect the trend of outdoor sports becoming more recreational.

　　Xiao Bu, a former outdoor gear seller, told reporters that many Chinese outdoor brands are conservative, implementing product promotions annually based on set goals to reduce market risks. "That situation no longer exists," said Zhang, manager of a major outdoor gear production and wholesale department. "The outdoor gear market in China still has a lot of potential. In fact, many Chinese brands are gradually making a name for themselves internationally."

　　Liu Deqian, Deputy Director of the Tourism Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:

　　For individuals engaging in self-guided outdoor travel, it is essential to prepare mentally, intellectually, physically, and materially before departure. For organizers, in the absence of industry regulations, they should take on the primary responsibility for activities. Outdoor tourism is different from outdoor sports. We call on travel agencies to take on the systematic management of self-guided outdoor tourism products, exploring operations in aspects such as the planning and design of unconventional routes, product support services, and safety rescue plans. Outdoor tourism and outdoor sports are closely related, which also determines the inevitability of cooperation between relevant tourism and sports organizations. Joint efforts by the industry can drive the introduction of regulations for the management of non-traditional route tourism.