Safety
"Adventure
naturally involves some risk, risk is inherently a challenge and challenge,
ultimately creates exhilaration"
The over-riding concern at Wilderness Treks is SAFETY FIRST.
Our safety management philosophy is clearly defined and woven through every
aspect of our program. It is our constant endeavour to maintain highest
standards for quality and safety by not taking shortcuts of convenience and
risks. From the moment we welcome students to the time they are back home
our safety network is alert.
We have five keys to ensuring safety on our programs
We have qualified and well-trained staff. AAVE is certified by all
State and Local Agencies and also accredited by the American Camping
Association. They have voluntarily met or exceeded over 300 standards
including leader qualifications, first-aid, emergency procedures, vehicle
safety, etc. All the trip leaders are certified in the highest levels of
Wilderness First Aid, CPR and Lifeguard training.
Sail Caribbean's year round British Virgin Islands (BVI's) Dive facility at
Hodges Creek Marine in Maya Cove, Tortola and on Cooper Island has been
awarded 5 star Gold Palm IDC Resort Status by the Professional Association
of Diving Instructors (PADI) International Resort Association. This is
PADI's highest rank and it recognizes that the facility excels in providing
quality education and service. every member at Sail Caribbean has first-aid
and CPR certifications and there are highly trained Emergency Medical
Technicians or Wilderness First Responders with every fleet. Communication,
in times of emergency, is easily established as each Sail boat is equipped
with a VHF and every fleet has cell phones for contact between boats and
with the base in Tortola.
In the unlikely event that a student becomes sick or injured while on a
trip, we can treat the majority of ailments
We engage in safe activities. We do not participate in unsafe or
risky activities at Wilderness Treks. Obviously, because we are out in the
wilderness, kids and staff are exposed to certain hazards. But within this
context, we view each of our challenges as a perceived risk. Our safety
record buttresses this statement.
We bring our kids into the safety equation. Before participating in
an activity, students receive a safety briefing. This briefing includes a
presentation of all the possible risks involved in the activity and the
procedures used to minimize those risks. Evidence shows that participants in
a given activity perform in a safer and more responsible manner once
informed of the potential dangers of an activity and the possible
consequences of an accident.
We double check. Course Directors frequently visit trips in the
field to assure themselves that our philosophical commitment is being
translated into safe practices
Feedback about safety is fundamental to our evaluation process. Our
post-trip evaluations emphasize our desire to improve things for the
following year: on forms that we provide, leaders critique our systems,
policies, and each other; kids critique the trip; and parents critique the
experience from their vantage point. In addition, Course Directors make
recommendations for safety upgrades in their End of the Season Reports. All
of this information is taken to heart. Our systems are solid, but we will
continue to make improvements whenever they are deemed appropriate.
Safety is a central focus of every expedition and we are proud that our
impeccable safety record is unmatched.
