Subcontracting for adventure program services is frequently done. It opens up a wider spectrum of experiences than any one organization could readily provide. It offers other potential benefits of low startup cost, ease of switching providers or discontinuing a program, and transfers liability to another organization that specializes in providing the particular adventure.

Using a subcontractor brings its own set of hazards however and demands a different kind of risk management than running programs directly.

Hazards of Subcontracting for Adventure Programs
Some of the commonly experienced problems of using subcontractors include:

• Tolerance for risk that is different to what is acceptable to your group
• Objectives for their program that do not coincide with yours.
• Poor safety or quality of service record.
• Staff that do not understand the needs of your clients.
• Insufficient liability insurance.
• Inadequate equipment, food, or vehicles.
• Emergency response procedures that do not meet your organizations needs.

Risk Management in Choosing a Subcontractor
Undertaking some of the following actions will give you a lot more information about a subcontractor before you decide to put the fate of your clients and organization in their hands:

• Ask for copies of their safety operating procedures (policy and staff handbooks).
• Review their annual safety reports or other written evidence that they track incidents and systematically learn from them.
• Ask about major accidents the subcontractor has had and any pending lawsuits.
• Discuss their experience dealing with similar client groups to yours. Get references you can call and check with them.
• Ask about staff hiring standards, methods of training and assessment. Is the staff licensed? What level of emergency medical training do they currently have? Has the staff had additional development experiences e.g. swift water rescue or mountain guide training?
• Is the staff willing to listen to safety concerns your participating staff have and adopt the more conservative course of action if your staff requests it?
• Consider going on another trip the subcontractor offers without revealing your affiliation. Alternatively talk to people you know who have taken trips with them.
• Ask to be a named insured on their liability policy or at least receive a copy of their current certificate of liability insurance. Call the agent to see if it is still in force.
• Find out what industry associations they belong to and whether they are accredited.
• Do they operate under land use permits from state or federal government? Consider calling the land manager to see if they have had complaints or are reviewing their permit.
• Visit their office and operating base if possible. A walk around to look at equipment, vehicles, and office systems can be revealing.
• Ask to see a copy of their emergency response plan. Agree on who will speak to the media and notify next of kin in the event of a major incident.