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Sanctioning Request a USARA Sanctioning Package Promoter Benefits Event listed on USARA web site calendar with link to promoters web page Event included in USARA National Ranking System Free race directors kit including an event planning guideline USARA promoters tentative & final event calendar, helps prevent scheduling conflicts Most comprehensive insurance package available in the sport Supports and promotes the growth of Adventure racing Guidance available to assist race directors in conducting safe & well organized events Participant, staff & volunteer medical coverage Opportunity to apply for regional qualification status Membership give promoters clout when seeking event sponsorship Status as a safe and well managed USARA event complying with minimum event sanctioning requirements USARA database; send racers up to date information on all upcoming events Discounts on Chronomix timing equipment Status as an ecologically sensitive event complying with USARA Ecological Standards USARA Compliance Committee The USARA has created a safety compliance committee for racers to report unsafe practices by event promoters and event promoters who are not following the minimium safety standards. The USARA would also like to encourage racers to report events which are practicing exceptional safety standards. Compliance Committee Mission Statement: To review complaints about dangerous situations or non-compliance with USARA minimum safety standards and develop the USARA recommended course of action. Non-Compliance Review Process: Receive formal written complaint Review complaint with racers from event and event promoter Develop a USARA recommended course of action for the event Contact event promoter and present the USARA recommended course of action Promoter & Compliance Committee agree on the USARA recommended course of action Submit the USARA recommended course of action to the Executive Advisory Board Contact complainant and explain the USARA recommended course of action Follow up by insuring promoter has implemented the recommended USARA course of action USARA Minimum Event Sanctioning Requirements Race Management Race Directors must Complete a USARA Event Sanctioning Agreement All participants must sign the USARA Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement. Race Management should keep for 7 years for adults and until maturity + 4 years for minors. Race Director should select and design a safe venue to conduct the event. Race Director must secure required permits from local, state & federal authorities with permission to hold event, including permission to use city & county roads Race Directors must have a communication plan for reaching race personnel and emergency medical services during event. Race Directors should plan for unforeseen conditions (weather, construction, etc.) which develop before the race that may necessitate a change of plans. Race Director must have an adverse weather plan. USARA suggests that the Race Director should notify private parties and others whose property lies along the course concerning the date and time of the event and any other precautions. The Race Director should notify local law enforcement, fire rescue and hospitals of the date and time of the event. Teams that have a member under 14 years old must have an adult on the team if the duration of the event is over 8 hours. Teams that have a member between 15 - 17 years old must have an adult or guardian present if the duration of the event is over 8 hours. Teams that have a member under 17 years old must have an adult on the team if the duration of the event is over 24 hours. Medical Plan Develop a comprehensive medical plan that identifies the person in charge and includes information on personnel, support, emergency communication and medical forms. Must meet minimum on site medical staff requirements. All races must have a minimum of 1 Paramedic or EMT or Wilderness First Responder or higher certifications present during entire race. Beyond the minimum staffing requirement set forth above, the race organization is encouraged to provide additional first aid-trained staff or volunteers, in such numbers and locations that take into account all of the following: Number of race participants Duration/Distance of race Cell phone coverage availability Team composition (are soloists permitted?) Time/Distance to nearest clinic or hospital Availability of local search and rescue team Must have an emergency reaction plan with local Emergency Medical Service that informs them of the event and possible EMS pick up areas such as transition areas. Must have means of immediate communication to local Emergency Medical Services, (radio, cellular telephone, satellite telephone, telephone, etc.). If any teams will still be on the race course after 24 hours, the event must require the following minimum team first aid kit to be carried by all teams in the event at all times. Events may add contents to this minimum first aid kit but may not subtract any contents. Teams may use the Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight .7 or build their own kit as long as the kit contains the following listed required contents. (8) 2x2 or 3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1) conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive bandage, (1) tape ½”x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage, (8) 200mg. Ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2) afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic ointment, (1) tincture of benzoin, (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2) pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer, (3) safety pins, (1) duct tape, (2) alosak. Race Director must complete USARA incident report upon completion of the event if there is a medical problem. Safety Plan This program cannot be used for adventure runs with obstacles or mud pits. Race Directors must have a search and rescue plan for missing teams or racers. Race Directors must have a process of monitoring teams’ positions while on the course. No motorized vehicles of any kind may be used by participants in the event. No animals of any kind may be used by participants in the event. No firearms, BB guns, paintball guns, crossbows, bow & arrows, spears, tomahawks or weapons of any kind may be used in the event. If your course could cause lacerations to the racers (sharp plants, etc) you should inform the racers of the dangers of blood born diseases being passed from racer to racer or infections from exposure to dirt or water and suggest the racers wear long pants and long sleeves to protect themselves. Race Director must have a water safety plan which addresses methods of searching for missing teams and rescue methods for stranded or capsized teams. All participants are required to wear a Type I, II, or III PFD while boating or boogie boarding at all times. All participants are required to wear a Type I, II or III PFD while swimming on moving water, unless swim is announced to participants prior to race day. All participants are required to wear a certified climbing helmet, bicycling helmet or Protec helmet while boating, boarding or swimming on any class II or higher river. All participants must have a functioning glow stick attached to their PFD while paddling, boarding or swimming at night. All participants must have functioning glow sticks attached to the bow and stern of their boat while paddling at night. Must have a minimum of 1 safety boat if paddling is on the open ocean or paddle is on a lake for a distance in excess of 15 miles. USARA recommends a motorized safety vehicle in open water where racers are over ½ mile from shore at any time. Extra precautions must be taken for rivers Class III and above and lakes that are prone to extreme winds or weather. USARA recommends swift water rescue personnel at named rapids. Race Directors must have a minimum of 1 qualified person in charge of each ropes event. Qualified rope personnel can usually be located by contacting climbing gyms, mountain guide services & fire departments. Rappeling/ Tyroleon ropes must be a minimum of 10.5mm and must be protected from rock damage and abrasion during use. All participants are required to wear a climbing helmet (UIAA,CE) while on ropes of any type. The following helmets are only approved for climbing and cannot be used for cycling: Kong Scarab, Petzl Meteor, Salewa Helium. Petzl Picchu children’s helmet is the only dual certified helmet in the US. All ropes must have redundant and independent anchors and must be fixed and manned by qualified personnel. All rappelling must have some form of safety belay (prusik, firemans belay, etc.). All tyrolean traverses must have a redundant belay system. If you are using an existing high ropes or cable course (example: at a YMCA camp). You may not enter into a hold harmless agreement between the facility and promoter. Secure a safe zone under all ropes to prevent falling objects from injuring spectators or participants. Clear participants out of the safe zone as quickly as possible. No spectators allowed in the safe zone. Each motorized safety boat owner shall provide and maintain, at the boat owner’s expense, the following insurance for claims arising out of the use and operation of the owner’s boat in connection with a USARA sanctioned event: Watercraft Liability insurance with limits of not less than $500,000 each accident for bodily injury and property damage arising out of the use and operation of the boat (**see note below**). Said policy shall include the following parties as Additional Insureds: USARA, its sponsors, directors, employees, volunteers, members, clubs, associations, sport disciplines & divisions. Watercraft Physical Damage insurance covering the boat, motor(s), trailer and any additional equipment (such as electronics) on an agreed value basis in the event of theft, loss or physical damage. The boat owner may elect to self-insure this exposure at the boat owner’s sole risk and expense. All such insurance required above shall be (1) primary to and non-contributory with any insurance maintained by USARA for losses arising out of use and operation of the boat in connection with a USARA sanctioned event; (2) shall be written by insurance companies with ratings of “A” or better in the latest edition of the A.M. Best key rating guide; and (3) shall provide that coverage may not be canceled unless thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof is furnished to USARA. Post Race Clean up race site; leave no trace of your event. Return USARA applications and proper fees to USARA within 14 days. Keep participant Waivers for 7 years.

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