Safety
Safety is woven through and embedded in all we do. Whilst we strive to reduce the likelihood of incidents, we prepare and plan for the unexpected.
We break our safety precautions into 3 key areas:
1. Pre-expedition Incident Prevention
Recces
We carry out regular visits to our destinations to maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of the areas and activities that teams will visit and undertake.
Risk Assessments
After every reconnaissance visit, and along with feedback from previous expedition teams, we start to create the teams itinerary specific risk assessment.
Training
The team’s training weekend and our adult leader conference ensures that all team members are as engaged in our safety culture as we are.
Expedition Leaders
In all but exceptional circumstances the leader will be placed and lead their teams during the training weekend. This allows an important opportunity to form a functional and cohesive leader team whilst creating a shared understanding of the team’s strengths.
Medical Plan
We spend time working to identify the nearest medical care facility for each stage of the expedition. The Medical Plan is passed on to all adult leaders and at every stage of the itinerary, the Leaders know the casualty evacuation options, should this be required.
Continual Feedback
We receive comprehensive Post Expedition Reports from our leaders and use this information to ensure our safety and country knowledge is continually improving.
Compliance
True Adventure holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and British Standard 8848 both of which are independently inspected by the Expedition Providers’ Association. For UK based training and activities, we are also certified by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.
2. On expedition Incident Prevention
Satellite Communications
We monitor the team’s progress and position throughout their expedition. This is valuable information; if the team needs assistance of any kind we know exactly where they are. Not only do all our teams carry mobile phones, where permitted by local law, they also carry satellite phones. These give a robust method of communication in the rare event there is no mobile signal.
In-country Agents
Having a strong relationship with all our in-country agents we are able to gather information that may not be widely available and to use that information to strengthen our ability to look after the teams and manage any situation.
Operations Room
Whilst the primary role of our Operations Room is to react, it is also there to prevent. We are in regular communication with teams either by mobile or satellite phones, allowing the active passage of up to date or developing information. This can include such things as adverse weather, environmental factors, or any country specific issues that may affect the teams expedition safety.
3. Incident Intervention
Duty Staff
Our full-time staff are all technically skilled and experienced, meaning the people answering the phone are familiar with the expedition team and their itinerary. Amongst many things that sets us apart from others is that the Directors are contactable within our duty system.
Expedition Leaders
They are highly resourceful and vital in the event of any incident but we also train for situations where the incident involves the Expedition Leader, so we can quickly get additional support to the team.
In-country Agents
Their resourcefulness and local knowledge is invaluable. They act as a fixer, using their local contacts to coordinate any resources to assist in the management of an incident.
Satellite Communications
Where local law allows, all teams carry a satellite phone and a local mobile phone, so they can speak to our Operations Room to seek guidance and support in the event of an incident. The satellite tracker can also be activated to alert us if they require urgent assistance, and of course if they start to move, we can continue to monitor their location.
Medical Assistance
Alongside our insurers we work with medical assistance agencies that offer comprehensive medical support and logistics in all our destinations. This allows peace of mind that the care of those that need it is at the highest possible level.
Medical Kits
All teams carry highly comprehensive medical kits, including prescription only medicines that the Leaders are trained and authorised to use.
Comprehensive Insurance
We carry an extremely robust insurance policy. Cover includes, but is not restricted to, medical care, repatriation and emergency travel expenses. This ensures that financial impact is never an issue in the event of a major incident.
