Secondary Schools
Introduction
Adventure Safety International, LLC offers a comprehensive array of risk management services for outdoor education
and recreation programs. These affordable services allow any school to proactively address risk management concerns.
In the growing field of outdoor education there has been an increased focus on and expertise in preventing accidents.
Practices that were acceptable ten or even five years ago no longer are today, and participants, parents, and the media
expect an increased level of safety. Many schools have found external risk management consultation critical to
monitoring and improving the safety of their programs and our unparalleled global experience makes us the leader in
this field. Please contact us to discuss which services best meet your needs.
Basic Risk Management Audit
Like the audit systems employed by many different industries, the ASI Basic Audit provides a comparison of practices in your
program with industry norms. America Outdoors, a 600 member outdoor adventure trade association, has adopted this process
for their member companies. Based on an established accreditation model from the United Kingdom, the ASI risk management
process begins with a detailed self-assessment survey. The survey benchmarks current risk management practices and identifies
areas that may need upgrading. Completion of the survey is followed by a one day visit from an ASI staff member. The results
of this confidential process allow a program to make changes proactively with ongoing advice from ASI experts.
The ASI Basic Audit process will help reduce the risk of an accident taking place. If an accident does occur, the school’s proactive attempt to address these issues can protect the school’s reputation and serve, if necessary, as part of a legal defense. Participating in this voluntary process will give your school’s management confidence that they have taken prudent steps to manage hazards that they may not be expert in.
Based on industry standards, ASI recommends that school outdoor programs undergo an audit once every three years. The Basic Risk Management Audit includes:
- ASI self-assessment workbook
- One day on-site review and consultation
- Advice and support via phone and e-mail
- ASI’s risk management resource CD
Comprehensive Review
The Comprehensive Review is an ideal step for any school that desires an in-depth look at risk management issues of its’
outdoor program. The Basic Risk Management audit is supplemented by field visits to see how the risk management systems
work in practice. Based on the system used by Outward Bound schools this goes beyond the Basic Audit and is the gold
standard of the outdoor education industry.
The Comprehensive Review yields a detailed, confidential report covering program strengths as well as areas for potential improvement. The report is a collaborative effort with your staff that involves field observations, interviews, and a review of documentation. ASI believes this provides invaluable information for management and we encourage programs to conduct at least one Comprehensive Review.
Annual Retainer System
Once schools undergo an initial audit, we invite them to join our annual retainer system. A flat annual fee covers on-going
support from ASI including the recommended risk management audit every third year. This system provides your school’s outdoor
program with the support it needs to maintain top caliber risk management standards, and spreads the periodic audit fee out
into an annual payment. Benefits of the annual retainer include:
- On-going advice and support from ASI staff
- Consistent affordable annual payments
- Twenty-four hour a day access to advice and support in the event of a crisis
- ASI’s Adventure Safety Newsletter with valuable advice and information
- Regular e-mail updates with helpful tips and relevant news
- ASI’s risk management resource CD with periodic updates
- On-call accident investigators (additional fees apply)
- Priority access to expert witnesses (additional fees apply)
- Referral to legal and media relations experts
Other Services
In addition to these services ASI offers emergency plan preparation, program design consultation, accident investigation,
and risk management and leadership training programs. Please contact us to discuss how we can best serve your school.
