Disclaimer & Safety

Scouts Bushcraft & Tomahawks

Last updated: August 2026

Scouts Bushcraft & Tomahawks provides information and educational resources relating to bushcraft, tomahawk throwing and associated Scouting activities.

While every effort is made to provide accurate, practical and safety-conscious information, all activities involving edged tools, tomahawks, knives, fire, woodcraft equipment or other potentially hazardous equipment must be properly assessed and supervised by a competent adult.

The information provided on this website should be used as a guide and must not replace appropriate training, supervision, risk assessment or the rules and procedures of your organisation.

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Safety First

Tomahawks, knives, axes and other edged tools can cause serious injury if they are used incorrectly.

Before undertaking any activity described on this website:

• Carry out an appropriate risk assessment.

• Make sure participants receive a suitable safety briefing.

• Use equipment that is appropriate for the activity and the participants.

• Check equipment before use and remove damaged or defective equipment.

• Ensure that participants are properly supervised.

• Establish and maintain a suitable safe zone and exclusion area.

• Never allow anyone to enter the throwing or working area while equipment is in use.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for all equipment.

• Stop the activity immediately if conditions become unsafe.

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Tomahawk Throwing

Tomahawk throwing should only take place at a properly prepared and controlled range.

The range should have:

• A clearly defined throwing line.

• Suitable targets that are securely mounted.

• A clearly identified safe area.

• An appropriate exclusion zone behind and around the targets.

• A designated person responsible for controlling the range.

• A suitable procedure for collecting and returning tomahawks.

• Appropriate supervision for the age, experience and ability of participants.

Never assume that a range is safe simply because a previous group has used it.

The Range Leader or instructor should check the range before each session and ensure that everyone understands the safety procedures.

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Children and Young People

Activities involving children and young people require particular care.

The person responsible for the activity must consider:

• Age and maturity.

• Experience and ability.

• Physical capability.

• Behaviour and concentration.

• Appropriate supervision ratios.

• The suitability of the equipment.

• The environment in which the activity is taking place.

Where activities are being delivered as part of Scouting, leaders should follow The Scouts' current rules, guidance, POR and relevant activity guidance.

If the requirements of your organisation, venue, governing body or insurer are more restrictive than the information provided here, the more restrictive requirements should be followed.

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Risk Assessments

The information on this website does not constitute a risk assessment.

Every activity and location is different. A risk assessment should be completed for the actual activity, equipment, participants, venue and environmental conditions.

Risk assessments should be reviewed when:

• The activity changes.

• New equipment is introduced.

• The venue changes.

• Participants have different needs or abilities.

• An accident or near miss occurs.

• Weather or environmental conditions change.

• New safety information becomes available.

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Equipment Checks

All equipment should be inspected before use.

Particular attention should be paid to:

• Loose heads.

• Damaged or cracked handles.

• Damaged blades.

• Excessive wear.

• Sharp edges or burrs where they should not be present.

• Loose fixings.

• Damaged targets.

• Unstable target stands.

• Any other equipment that could create a hazard.

If equipment is damaged, defective or questionable, do not use it.

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Fire and Bushcraft Activities

Bushcraft activities can involve fire, cutting tools, hot materials and other hazards.

Activities such as fire lighting, wood processing, carving and tool use should only be carried out with suitable supervision and appropriate controls.

Always consider:

• Fire safety.

• Weather conditions.

• The location and surroundings.

• Fuel and combustible materials.

• Water or suitable extinguishing equipment.

• Burns and hot materials.

• Smoke.

• Participants' abilities.

• Local restrictions and site rules.

Never light a fire where fires are prohibited or where conditions make doing so unsafe.

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Personal Responsibility

Anyone participating in an activity described on this website is responsible for following the instructions provided by the activity leader or instructor.

Participants must:

• Follow safety instructions.

• Remain in designated areas.

• Never handle equipment without permission where supervision requires it.

• Never enter an exclusion zone without being instructed to do so.

• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses.

• Stop and ask for assistance if they are unsure about something.

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Website Information

Scouts Bushcraft & Tomahawks aims to provide useful and responsible educational information. However, information can become outdated, and practices, regulations, organisational requirements and manufacturer's recommendations may change.

We therefore recommend checking the latest information from the relevant organisation, manufacturer, governing body or landowner before undertaking an activity.

You should always use the most current official guidance available.

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No Guarantee of Safety

Following information on this website does not guarantee that an activity will be free from risk.

Bushcraft and tomahawk activities inherently involve hazards, and accidents can still occur even when appropriate precautions are taken.

The responsibility for deciding whether an activity is suitable, safe and appropriately supervised rests with the person organising and supervising that activity.

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Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, Scouts Bushcraft & Tomahawks cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss, damage or other consequences arising from the use or misuse of information, equipment, techniques or activities described on this website.

Nothing in this disclaimer is intended to exclude or limit liability where such exclusion or limitation would be unlawful.

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Important

Safety must always come before completing an activity.

If you are unsure whether an activity, piece of equipment or technique is safe, stop the activity and seek advice from a suitably qualified or competent person.

For Scouting activities, always check the current official Scouts guidance and rules before proceeding.

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Use Common Sense. Stay Safe. Have Fun.

Scouts Bushcraft & Tomahawks is intended to help leaders and participants develop skills, confidence and adventure through responsible bushcraft and tomahawk activities.

Good preparation, competent supervision and effective safety procedures are essential.