Systems Thinking Approaches to Safety in Outdoor Education

Abstract

Systems thinking is a theoretical approach that views systems holistically. In recent years, systems thinking has been applied to the development of methods to support and improve safety in outdoor education. This chapter describes the evolution of systems thinking, how it connects with the development of safety science, and how it is beginning to be applied in outdoor education safety. Examples of systems-based safety applications for outdoor education are described, and opportunities for future development are suggested.