STATE OF RISK: TGR’s Dirk Collins teams up with Tracey Knutson to educate industry

TGR teams up with well-known recreation lawyer to educate outdoor industry

Teton Gravity Research doesn’t normally do educational training films, but when an old friend asks for help it’s hard to say no.

Last spring Tracey Knutson, an outdoor recreation lawyer from Alaska, teamed up with long-time friend and TGR co-founder Dirk Collins to create State of Risk – Risk Management in the Outdoor Industry. The DVD aims to help outfitters, guides, educators, and land administrators understand the legalities of operating in the outdoor sports industry.

“The goal of the film is to educate the industry on all aspects of risk and how it plays out on paper,” says Collins. “I’ve known Tracey for a long time and she has the best understanding of this kind of law.”

In today’s world of adventure sports and outdoor pursuits there is often a misguided feeling of invincibility when a guide is by your side. One of the objectives of State of Risk is to make operators and their staff aware of how important release waivers and safety briefings are to an operation.

“I hope it [the DVD] will create a situation where the operator is more aware of the legal issues surrounding what they’re doing, and that will lead to fewer accidents,” says Knuston, who has been practicing recreation oriented law for over 15 years and represents several heli ski operators. “The industry hasn’t spent enough time focusing on what the client’s responsibilities are. People have this idea that releases and waivers don’t mean anything, but they do — they mean everything.”

For backcountry outfitters and heli ski operations, State of Risk provides a unique way to educate their staff.

“It is a mandatory part of our guide training,” says Chugach Powder Guides manager Chris Owens. “It’s important for our guides to understand how their presentation of risk affects the cliental.”

Litigation has always been a concern for heli-skiing operations because of the unique level of risk involved and the uncontrollable environment in which guides operate. Most heli ski companies operate on state and federal land, which requires an annual permit. In order to obtain a permit an operator has to have the right insurance, which cost can cost up to $5,000 for a 12-week season.

According to Owens, there are only a couple of companies that provide insurance for heli ski operations; maintaining a good relationship with them is vital. And, as Knuston adds, the DVD helps strengthen these ties.

“A lot of the large insurers in the industry are offering a best management practices credit if an operator uses the DVD in their operation,” says Knuston. “They want to demonstrate that the operators they insure have watched and understand the information in the DVD.”

While State of Risk won't eliminate accidents, it may help guides and clients stay free from the ever-growing litigious world.

“You can’t prevent litigation from occurring, but this DVD and our training provides a way for us to cover our bases should litigation come about,” says Owens. “It also allows us to stand behind our guides, God forbid that an accident did occur.”

Purchase the DVD or check out the trailer at www.traceyknutson.com.