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Safety And Health
This is the most important aspect of your trip and something we take very seriously. Unlike most UK expedition companies, our 24-hour operations team are located where you are as well as in the UK, which means that we are on hand to prevent and deal with incidents rather than just react to them from afar.
There is no doubt that the greatest benefits and rewards to you will come from the most challenging tasks and adventures. Our job is to ensure that the challenges we introduce you to and the services we provide are as safe as possible.
The following information provides an overview of Camps International’s safety and health measures in place to ensure your safety.
More detailed information can be obtained from our Head Office on request, including the following documentation:
Team Expedition Guidelines for Teachers
Safety Policy and Crisis Planning
Comprehensive Risk Assessments for all locations and activities
Camps International’s Child Protection Policy
Insurance documentation
References
Expedition Code of Practice
Expedition Code of Conduct for Participants
Safety
Accident Management: Prevention being the primary criteria, all of our programmes, activities and expeditions are subject to comprehensive risk assessment. By analysing the activities and potential risk before the event, the likelihood for an accident or incident is avoided. Our risk assessments are developed by experts in their field and are continually reviewed and updated. These then form the basis of our safety briefings that are tailored to each destination, making sure that you aware of any potential hazards and allowing you to take reasonable care for your safety and health during your stay.
Following any incident, our in-country operations teams are directly responsible for maintaining accident logbooks and illness/injury/near miss records. Any significant incidents are reported to the UK Head Office who will then take appropriate action.
Major Incidents: We work closely with a professional crisis management and incident-handling consultancy, providing comprehensive and rapid incident response systems and support in the unlikely event of a major incident.
Security: All our camps are co-located within safe and secure communities. In simple terms, we are part of the community and so our neighbours take good care of us. All of our camps have good perimeter security that provides controlled access and a degree of privacy. We also employ our own discrete security team to maintain a 24-hour presence to deter any ‘would be’ petty crime.
Communication: Every camp has an emergency telephone that is held by the camp manager and is not for general use. Mobile coverage is very good across the majority of our camps (even on the mountains) but where necessary, satellite phones are used.
Fire Prevention: Where there is a risk of fire, our camps are surrounded by a firebreak and in every camp there is a clearly marked fire assembly point. There are also fire extinguishers, sand buckets and fire blankets in case of emergency. Fire drills are conducted regularly as well as thorough staff and volunteer briefings on how to minimise fire risks and what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Road Traffic Incidents: We operate our own transport systems for the provision of camp supplies as well as volunteer transfers and safaris. This ensures that key issues such as vehicle maintenance, driver skills and qualifications are maintained to high levels, thus reducing potential risk elements commonly associated with travel in developing countries. All our transport is scheduled and we strongly advise against the use of public transport. Where additional transport is required, we use vetted third party providers who have been assessed and fulfil our stringent safety criteria. Every effort is made to minimise travel at night.
Muggings and Theft: We take every precaution to ensure that you are not exposed to this risk and on arrival in country your orientation and safety briefing will identify known potential risks and show you how and where to be vigilant. You will also receive written guidance in our ‘Expedition Travel Pack’ that you will receive after booking with us.
Political Stability: By its nature, international terrorism is highly unpredictable and as such, a risk factor which is difficult to plan for. Both African and Asian governments are taking impressive steps to improve national security and most importantly, tourist security. In addition, we are located outside high-risk areas as most of our activities are centred on small, local communities. We maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and always follow the current advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk).
Wild Animals: All of our placements include an element of environmental work in wildlife areas, as well as a few days spent on safari or wildlife viewing, so many of our bush camps are located in the wilderness. This provides you with a unique and exciting experience but don’t worry, we take extra precautions in these areas to ensure your safety. Experienced professionals run all of our safaris and you will receive thorough safety briefings when you arrive.
Scuba Diving Safety: We use professional dive centres for our diver training courses that are staffed by highly qualified professionals who are subject to stringent safety regulations from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). All our diving is conducted according to PADI regulations. The risk from local marine life is extremely low.
We follow the General Standards and Procedures guidelines for recreational diving, which outline certain medical conditions that may preclude you from diving. It may be necessary for you to undertake a medical examination prior to diving if you suffer from certain pre-existing medical conditions outlined by PADI. We will advise you once you have filled out your medical questionnaire whether you will require a medical examination when you arrive in country.
If you are unsure as to whether you will be able to dive, please consult your doctor before booking or contact us for further information.
Mountain Safety: Our mountain technical expert is a qualified International Mountain Instructor and advises us on best practice for all aspects of our treks including emergency response protocols. Professional porters and guides will accompany your mountain trek.
Health
Our medical technical expert oversees all our health related issues and protocols including medical kit content, and any individual specific medical requirements.
We operate a traffic light system to medical emergencies depending on their severity as follows:
Stage One: On-site medical support (First Aid): Every camp has a first aid kit in place to deal with minor injuries and/or illnesses and immediate first aid. All travellers are requested to bring their own personal first aid kits. Local doctors are on call and are often available for site visits if necessary. Typically, this support is required to deal with minor ailments and to prescribe medication.
Stage Two: Hospitalisation: Our camps are strategically located within 2 hours of an approved medical facility that can deal with emergencies. See below:
| Country | Examples of Approved Hospitals | Travel time from nearest camp (by car) |
Kenya |
Diani Beach Hospital
|
15 minutes 1 hour 40 minutes 2 hours |
| Tanzania | Kilimanjaro Medical Centre, Moshi
|
15 minutes 10 minutes 1 hour 1 hour |
| Borneo | Sabah Medical Centre, Kota Kinabalu Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan |
30 minutes 1 hour |
Stage Three: Emergency Support: The Emergency Assistance Provider (EAP) who are appointed by your personal travel insurance, provides 24-hour support in the event of a medical emergency, which will include repatriation systems if necessary. For UK based school teams travelling with us, your EAP is Specialty Assist, provided through insurance with Campbell Irvine.
Vaccinations:One of the downsides of exploring the world is that you must take precautions against the nasties that are out there. It is important that you consult your doctor or travel clinic several months prior to travelling to find out which vaccinations are needed for entry into your destination country.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, we require you to have your yellow fever vaccination and carry the relevant certificate with you when you travel.
The table below should act as a guide only – always follow the advice of a medical expert.
| Vaccinations that may be recommended: | Vaccinations that may or may not be recommended: |
|
|
Some vaccinations require administration up to 3 months before departure. Many vaccines have a relatively long duration of protection (3 months - 10 years) and so it is a good idea to get these well in advance of travel so that you are fully prepared and to avoid that last minute rush.
Malaria Prevention: Malaria remains common throughout the tropics and poses a major threat to the indigenous population. Awareness of the very real hazard and the importance of gaining accurate pre-travel advice is vital for all our travellers.
Following our 4-step prevention plan will mean that you are extremely unlikely to be affected:
- Protect Sleeping Area: the mosquito that carries malaria is only active at night. Therefore, we protect your sleeping areas by either using mosquito nets or built in fly-screens in tents to ensure you get a peaceful night’s sleep.
- Cover Up: Wearing long sleeved tops and trousers in the evenings and early mornings will dramatically reduce your chances of being bitten
- Use Insect Repellent: We recommend that you bring plenty of insect repellent with you and apply it liberally and frequently to any exposed skin. DEET-based repellents are the most effective.
- Take Anti Malarial Tablets (prophylactics): There is some controversy over anti-malarial drugs due to increased resistance and possible side effects, and so for this reason you should seek expert medical advice prior to travelling. The most common drug taken by our travellers is Malarone, although this can be an expensive option and may still have unwanted side effects. We have found from past experience that herbal anti malarial prophylactics have not been effective and strongly advise against these as a form of protection.
HIV/AIDs Screening: The statistics for the increase of HIV/AIDs around the world is well documented. Therefore, any exposure to blood, blood products or bodily fluids, as well as unprotected sexual intercourse, may put individuals at risk. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has an extensive programme of blood screening in place in Africa and Asia. However, the reality of this being the case in smaller remote hospitals is questionable. All our locations have well-developed private medical infrastructures incorporating modern hospitals. The hospitals that we use have assured us that all donated blood is screened.
Heat Related Problems: This is a key consideration in all our locations and so we provide help and advice in your ‘Expedition Travel Pack’ and also during your orientation on arrival. It is important that you are aware of the threats posed by sunburn, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Our staff will not hesitate to tell you to cover up or drink more water if they think you are at risk.
