“Our Safety Standard”
We design and deliver programs with a rigorous risk-management framework: risk assessment and approvals, trained bilingual guides, clear emergency communication, appropriate insurance, weather-informed decision-making, and Leave No Trace. Families and faculty get peace of mind—participants feel supported every step of the way.
What our standard covers
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Risk assessment & trip approvals
We identify hazards and put controls in place before departure. Each program is approved through a documented review process. -
Guide training & ratios
Bilingual lead and assistant guides. Ratios defined by activity, terrain, and age group. -
Emergency communication & evacuation
Clear chain of command, sat communication where needed, and evacuation routes pre-planned. -
Insurance & medical screening
Appropriate coverage plus pre-trip medical/consent forms for minors and adults.
Protocols in detail
Risk assessment & approvals
Scope: route and activity risk analysis (environmental, weather, logistics, transport, accommodation).
Controls: equipment checks, guide competencies, supplier vetting, alternative plans.
Approvals: documented pre-trip checklist and final go/no-go sign-off.
On trip: dynamic risk assessment at every stage (adjust route, pace, or plan as needed).
Guide training & ratios
Competencies: wilderness first aid, navigation, group management, and activity-specific skills.
Supervision: lead + assistant guide for youth groups; additional specialists for technical sections.
Ratios: adjusted by age, terrain, and activity. (See “Guide–participant ratios” below.)
Emergency communication & evacuation
Comms: primary (cell/VHF), backup (satellite messenger) based on coverage.
Chain of command: who leads on-site, who contacts parents/university, who liaises with authorities.
Evacuation: route options, rendezvous points, vehicle/boat/air coordination, and hospital handover.
Documentation: incident log, debrief, and corrective actions.
Insurance & medical screening
Coverage: medical/evacuation insurance appropriate to remote areas; supplier liability where applicable.
Screening: pre-trip medical forms, medication disclosures, consent for minors, and fitness-to-participate criteria.
Records: secure handling of sensitive data.
Weather policy & decision-making
Forecasting: multiple-source checks prior to departure and daily briefings.
Thresholds: wind, precipitation, temperature, visibility—pre-defined for each activity.
Decisions: conservative approach (modify, delay, reroute, or cancel) and communication protocol to parents/faculty.
Leave No Trace & community commitments
LNT: waste minimization, campsite ethics, wildlife distance, and water protection.
Community: local hosts fairly compensated; cultural respect and consent for photos/stories.
Sourcing: majority local women suppliers; no single-use plastics in programs wherever feasible.
Operational clarity
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Emergency Protocols (at-a-glance)
1. Stabilize & secure (scene safety, ABC, first aid).
2. Inform (led guide → safety coordinator; time/location/condition).
3. Decide (treat on-site, assist exit, or evacuate).
4. Execute (route, transport, hospital handover).
5. Document & debrief (incident form, lessons learned) -
Weather & Go/No-Go
Pre-trip: forecast checks T–48h / T–24h, confirm equipment.
Daily: morning briefing + mid-day review; use local intel.
Thresholds: if exceeding activity-specific limits → reroute, delay, or cancel.Comms: faculty/parents informed promptly when plans change.
Guide–participant ratios
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Teens hiking (non-technical)
1:8 (Lead) + 1:8 (Assistant)
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Family day activities:
1:10 (Lead) + 1:10 (Support)
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University fieldwork (low risk)
1:12 (Lead) + 1:12 (Support on call)
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Water-based / technical (kayak, high wind, snow):
Stricter ratios as per activity SOPs
