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Para Clinics Aotearoa — Drug & Alcohol Policy

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Organisation: Para Clinics Aotearoa
Chief Instructor: Zachery Morris
Effective Date: 5 April 2024
Review Frequency: Annually or Seasonally

 

Purpose

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The purpose of this Drug and Alcohol Policy is to ensure that all training and coaching activities conducted by Para Clinics Aotearoa are performed safely and without impairment from alcohol, drugs, or medication.

This policy supports safe operations in accordance with the New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (NZHGPA) Operations Procedures Manual (OPM) and aligns with responsibilities under the WorkSafe New Zealand Health and Safety at Work Act.

Operating aircraft such as paragliders and speed wings requires full mental alertness, sound judgment, and physical coordination. Any impairment significantly increases the risk of incidents or injury.

 

Policy Statement

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Para Clinics Aotearoa maintains a zero-tolerance approach to impairment caused by alcohol, drugs, or medication during training and operational activities.

No person may participate in training, instruction, or operational activities while under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or any medication that may impair safe performance.

Safety will always take precedence over participation.

 

Alcohol Use

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The following rules apply to all instructors, students, and participating pilots:

  • No alcohol may be consumed within 8 hours prior to participation in training or flight activities

  • No person may participate while under the influence of alcohol

  • If alcohol consumption has occurred within the previous 8 hours, participation will not be permitted

  • Any person suspected of alcohol impairment will not be allowed to participate

Instructors retain full authority to restrict participation where alcohol use is suspected to affect safety.

 

Drug Use

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The following rules apply to all participants:

  • The use of recreational or illegal drugs prior to or during training activities is strictly prohibited

  • Any person suspected of drug impairment will not be permitted to participate

  • Prescription medications must be disclosed to the instructor if they may affect physical or cognitive performance

  • Participants using medication that may impair judgment, reaction time, or coordination must not participate in training or flight activities

If there is uncertainty about medication effects, participants are encouraged to seek medical advice before participation.

 

Medication Disclosure

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Participants must inform the instructor if they are taking medication that could affect:

  • Alertness

  • Judgment

  • Coordination

  • Reaction time

  • Balance

Participation may be restricted if medication effects are considered unsafe.

The safety of all participants will take priority over continuation of training.

 

IMSAFE Self-Assessment Requirement

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All students and participating pilots are required to apply the IMSAFE self-assessment model prior to participating in training or flight activities.

IMSAFE stands for:

  • I — Illness

  • M — Medication

  • S — Stress

  • A — Alcohol

  • F — Fatigue

  • E — Eating

Participants must not take part in training if any IMSAFE factor may compromise safe performance.

Instructors will reinforce IMSAFE awareness during safety briefings.

 

Instructor Responsibilities

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Instructors are responsible for:

  • Monitoring participants for signs of impairment

  • Reinforcing IMSAFE awareness

  • Refusing participation where impairment is suspected

  • Maintaining a safe operational environment

  • Exercising professional judgment in all safety-related decisions

Where impairment is suspected, instructors may:

  • Remove the participant from training activities

  • Delay or cancel participation

  • Provide safety guidance or recommendations

All decisions made under this policy will prioritise safety.

 

Participant Responsibilities

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Students and pilots participating in Para Clinics Aotearoa activities are responsible for:

  • Arriving fit to participate

  • Disclosing relevant medication use

  • Applying IMSAFE self-assessment honestly

  • Following instructor direction

  • Reporting any concerns regarding impairment

Failure to comply with this policy may result in removal from training activities.

 

Suspected Impairment Procedure

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If a participant is suspected of impairment:

  1. Participation will be suspended immediately

  2. The individual will be assessed informally by the instructor

  3. Training participation will be denied if impairment is suspected

  4. The situation may be recorded if safety concerns exist

  5. Participation may resume only when safe to do so

No testing procedures are required — instructor judgment is sufficient.

 

Return to Participation

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Participants who have been excluded due to suspected impairment may return to training only when:

  • They are no longer impaired

  • They meet IMSAFE readiness standards

  • The instructor considers participation safe

 

Review and Continuous Improvement

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This policy will be reviewed:

  • Annually
     

Any incidents related to impairment will be reviewed to improve safety procedures.

 

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