Analytical Tools for Lost Person Prevention and Trauma Reduction
Tracks
Monarch Room | In-Person Only
| Tuesday, July 23, 2024 |
| 1:25 PM - 1:45 PM |
Overview
Steven Schwartz, James Cook University
Details
Key Presentation Learnings:
1. A phase based understanding of lost wilderness tourist events.
2. A stakeholder analysis of lost wilderness tourist events.
3. Empirically backed tools to assess lost preventive search and rescue strategies and tactics.
Speaker
Mr Steven Schwartz
Phd Candidate
Aies
Analytical tools for lost person prevention and trauma reduction
Abstract
Wilderness based recreation is an important contributor to social and economic well being. Recreational wilderness users enter wilderness areas in pursuit of leisure and pleasure but sometimes things don’t go as planned and people become lost. When these lost events happen they can be costly and traumatic for all involved. In spite of this preventive search and rescue is currently under researched.
This presentation will overview the findings of a four year doctoral research project into lost wilderness tourist trauma reduction. The project utilised a qualitative methodology to define and interpret lost wilderness tourist events. Empirical data came from in depth interviews with key stakeholders including lost wilderness tourists, first responders and friends and family of lost wilderness tourists. This data was interpreted through generally accepted qualitative research methods and the finding were used to develop analytical tools.
Key takeaways from this presentation include an empirically backed definition of lost wilderness tourist, a phase-based understanding of lost wilderness tourist events, an understanding of lost event stakeholders and the presentation of empirically backed assessment tools.
Defining lost wilderness tourist creates working parameters for this work and for future research. Developing a phase based understanding allows for in depth analysis and grounds the research in accepted disaster management tools including the PPRR model and Faulkner’s tourism disaster management framework. Conducting a stakeholder analysis that is linked to Boon et al.’s adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model allows in depth insight into who constructs lost wilderness tourist events and how. Developing assessment tools allows people with an interest in lost person prevention to develop policy and tactics to reduce the frequency and trauma of lost wilderness events at individual, site based or event based levels. Grounding these tools in disaster management creates validity and develops new research pathways.
This presentation will overview the findings of a four year doctoral research project into lost wilderness tourist trauma reduction. The project utilised a qualitative methodology to define and interpret lost wilderness tourist events. Empirical data came from in depth interviews with key stakeholders including lost wilderness tourists, first responders and friends and family of lost wilderness tourists. This data was interpreted through generally accepted qualitative research methods and the finding were used to develop analytical tools.
Key takeaways from this presentation include an empirically backed definition of lost wilderness tourist, a phase-based understanding of lost wilderness tourist events, an understanding of lost event stakeholders and the presentation of empirically backed assessment tools.
Defining lost wilderness tourist creates working parameters for this work and for future research. Developing a phase based understanding allows for in depth analysis and grounds the research in accepted disaster management tools including the PPRR model and Faulkner’s tourism disaster management framework. Conducting a stakeholder analysis that is linked to Boon et al.’s adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model allows in depth insight into who constructs lost wilderness tourist events and how. Developing assessment tools allows people with an interest in lost person prevention to develop policy and tactics to reduce the frequency and trauma of lost wilderness events at individual, site based or event based levels. Grounding these tools in disaster management creates validity and develops new research pathways.
Biography
Steve Schwartz has strong academic and practical backgrounds in search and rescue and emergency response. He is in the final stages of his PhD through the James Cook University Center for Disaster Studies. Through his doctoral work Steve has examined what causes lost wilderness events, what makes them traumatic, and how to reduce the frequency and trauma of lost events. Steve is a local controller in the Far Northern SES and has responded to numerous lost person events and natural disasters. Steve is also a Queensland committee member and a CESM with the Australian Institute of Emergency Services.
