Music Tour Survival Guide

A Music Tour is an activity involving inherent risks and hazards - e.g. coastal exposure and some urban areas. Severe and potentially dangerous weather conditions may be encountered and it is the responsibility of each student to be equipped with suitable clothing and to take appropriate action to reduce the risk of accidents (see 4. below). Students are asked to observe sensible standards of behaviour and to conduct themselves with good manners and consideration for others. For certain venues students may be required to identify themselves and their place of study. They should bring no disrepute to their school or the Centre. Students are responsible for ensuring that they do not endanger their colleagues or members of the public. In your own interest your school and the Centre should be informed of any existing medical condition or injury which might affect you on a music tour. If in doubt consult your own doctor.

If working away from immediate supervision, students must report any personal injury or illness. They must be sure they can read a map and have full instructions for the day’s activities, including the names of sites. They should note down instructions concerning places of assembly, carry a notebook and pencil along with any medication which they may require. Students should have emergency telephone numbers including a mobile number of a member of staff, and a written address of the hotel.

If an incident to an individual should occur, two can go to seek assistance, and one remains with the injured party.

4. STUDENTS MUST OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY STAFF BOTH ORALLY AND IN WRITING

This is vital in the interests of the student and the group. Failure to do so may endanger both.

All students should be familiar with the Country Code. They should protect the natural and human environment - e.g. by avoiding climbing over dry-stone walls, leaving farm gates open etc.. They should avoid leaving litter of any kind - organic or inorganic and particularly anything which could start a fire - cigarette ends or glass, for example.

This includes anoraks, waterproofs, warm clothing, headgear and sturdy footwear. Appropriateness in personal dress is required. It is the responsibility of the individual to provide appropriate sun-protection cream (see Appendix 1), sunglasses etc. which may be required.

When travelling in a coach or minibus, the seats and central aisle should be left free of bags and equipment - this is the law in Spain where coach safety, as in the U.K., is a very topical and emotive issue. Eating and drinking in the vehicle is not allowed for safety reasons. Loose equipment, particularly objects likely to roll under the driver's pedals, must be safely stored. Seat belts, where fitted, must be worn.

Students should avoid, where possible, confrontations with dogs, livestock and wild animals. Students should not consume water from dubious sources nor not walk barefoot where glass or other objects could inflict damage.

It is recommended that students should have a current status of tetanus immunisation. Prior completion of an European Health Insurance Card (which replaces the old E111 form) allowing reciprocal medical treatment is required. You can apply online at www.ehic.org.uk or via a form from any Post Office. HIV/Aids presents particular dangers (see Appendix 2).

All staff employed by the Centre are required to have a first aid kit with them. There will normally be a qualified first-aider in your party. Make sure you know who it is and report any illness or injury occurring during the tour. Accidents, however minor, should be reported as soon as possible to a member of staff.

Don’t panic. Assess the situation without endangering your own life or that of others. Don’t move the victim. Identify the conditions which might cause immediate death (breathing stopped, heart stopped) or danger (severe internal bleeding, head injury, spinal injury, chest injury, severe shock, unconsciousness). If first aid qualified, give immediate appropriate and adequate treatment. Never leave the victim unattended. If first aid is not available, use the international distress signal. Give six blasts of a whistle, six shouts, six flashes of a torch, six flashes of a mirror, or six waves of a brightly coloured cloth. Pause for one minute. Repeat. If you are in a party of 3 or more, send at least 2 members for help. You should have the following information when going for help (write it down): location of accident, such as map reference, local landmarks, whether in open or on cliffs, gullies, etc., time of accident how many are injured name(s) and sex of victim(s) nature of injuries whether victims are conscious or unconscious whether victim has specific problems (e.g. diabetes) first aid action taken and condition of the rest of the party.

We would appreciate you complying with the following rules for the convenience and comfort of the rest of the guests staying at the hotel. It is important to respect their needs for a peaceful and relaxing stay.

Dress appropriately inside the hotel (for example with shirt and shoes).
Please dry yourself before entering the hotel after swimming or showering.
Please do not slam doors or behave noisily in the hotel corridors.
It is forbidden to jump or climb from one balcony to another.
The hotel pool is open for the use of guests between 10.00 and 20.00; please do not use it outside these hours.
Please dispose of litter in the bins provided.
After using the beach, please clean yourself and your belongings of sand before entering the hotel.
No ball games are allowed in the vicinity of the hotel.
Please report any problems or damage in your hotel room immediately to reception to avoid any misunderstanding.
Please look after the hotel facilities and report any damage immediately to hotel reception.
External telephone calls can be made through the two telephones available at reception; the room telephones should not be used for this purpose.
Please keep to the hotel restaurant eating hours.
The Hotel Victoria does not allow food and drink purchased elsewhere to be consumed on the premises.
The gymnasium in the Hotel Victoria should not be used by students.

If in doubt please ask at reception; the receptionist speaks English and will be pleased to assist in any way possible.

Over-exposure to natural sunlight can cause skin cancer (melanoma). Skin types are divided into six categories according to how they react to sunlight: 1. never tans, always burns 2. tans with difficulty, burns easily 3. tans easily, burns rarely 4. always tans, never burns 5. genetically brown skin 6. genetically black skin. The risk of skin cancer varies with skin type, being greatest for type 1 and least for type 6. If a student has skin types 1 or 2, they must wear protective clothing or use sunscreen cream. Cloud cover does not much diminish, while blue sky and reflection from snow or water greatly increases, exposure to UV radiation. The risk of developing skin cancer is a long-delayed hazard of sunburn.

(Human Immune Deficiency Virus: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) HIV is not easily spread. People may become HIV positive in a number of ways, including:- (a) Penetrative sexual contact - through semen and vaginal fluids. (b) Intravenous drug use. (c) By receiving contaminated blood products (all Spanish blood donations are screened for the virus). (d) Unprotected handling of blood spillage. Students should minimise risks to themselves by, for instance, not engaging in unprotected sexual activity.

This disease is usually contracted from water in canals, stagnant pools, landfill sites and bodies of slow-moving water which have been contaminated with urine from infected rats. Domestic animals, cattle and pigs can also pass on this disease. Treat any still or slow moving water as suspect and ensure that all cuts and abrasions are adequately covered with waterproof dressings. Avoid contact with water known or suspected to be infested with rats.

These are now very common throughout the year, with only February and March being relatively bug-free. Barcelona mosquitoes are large, difficult to hunt down and their bite can cause a severe allergic reaction for some people. Cover arms and legs in the evening, use repellant and burn a mosquito coil whilst asleep. These can be purchased in England and used in Spain with an approved plug adaptor.

First-aid boxes or bags should be made of suitable material and designed to protect the contents, as far as possible, from damp and dust. Boxes or containers should be clearly identified as first-aid containers: the marking used should be a white cross on a green background. First-aid boxes or bags will contain a card giving general first-aid guidance and should contain only the following items and nothing else:

(e) a selection of sterile unmedicated wound dressings, which should include at least the following:

For music tours where groups are taking part in separate activities, there must be one kit for each group.

Student Music Tour Survival Guide