> few people are prepared to accept responsibility for their own actions.

So very true :(

>How can you be expected to take responsibility for your own actions when you are unaware of what the result of those actions could be, and therefore rely on the establishment you are attending to make you aware, and provide the correct equipment or insist you have it with you when you start?

By being allowed to do the activities, on a proportionately very small scale, when you're very young. Climbing into a tree when you're 6 years old, all by yourself, but with only the risk of skinned knees or maybe a broken ankle if you get it wrong, means that you're automatically more aware of the risks involved with more organised extreme activities.

A friend who works on building sites says that the more rules and regulations about safety equipment that there are, the more often serious accidents happen, because people are lulled into a false sense of security and become complacent. People take greater risks when they think they can't come to harm ...

skinned knees or maybe a broken ankle
Or a broken back, head injuries giving brain damage......a 6 yr old can so eaisily slip, or due to their age have a false sense of security in their abilities. Hense the bark and soft landings play areas provide for children, to minimise risk.  Mine used climbing frames in the garden, under supervision so they didnt do anything stupid. (like fall out and try to push the other off, this happens between this age of child, they don't realise the consequencies)  Trees in the garden were a no no, because boughs are unsafe. A child will only learn the danger by itself once the accident has happened...and if alone they could be in a field for a few hours before they are found.

By the time you are old enough to rock climb you know what can happen if you fall....instructers teach you how to climb its not as simple as it may look, ropes are needed, safety equip and clothing, or are you suggesting just going up, no teaching, no assistance, no learning? Extreem sports have an age limit, by this time you have a fair idea of whats happening if you have an accident. Because you are old enough to comprehend whats being told to you. I'm not saying children should never do anything that has a danger to it, but it should be as safe as is possible under the circumstances and under the instruction of a responsible adult. After all, the child that has fallen out of the tree and broken an ankle may never want to climb a tree again, a child pushed beyond its capabilities or 'nerve' may be put off whatever that activity is, yet in carefully structured strides may become an expert in time. And a confident child.


A friend who works on building sites says that the more rules and regulations about safety equipment that there are, the more often serious accidents happen, because people are lulled into a false sense of security and become complacent. People take greater risks when they think they can't come to harm ..

A lot of builders simply hate the hassel and time all the red tape takes. If Health and Safety issues were not taken at workplaces and adhered to, we would be back to the victorian times with may being seriously injured.