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“The most well informed, skilfully delivered course I’ve done in 20 years. Excellent course that will allow me to do my job better. Excellent, in depth, experience based delivery.”
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"Excellent course delivered by a Master of the subject!"
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"Having several years’ experience of expedition management and delivery that have been learned ‘on the job’ in international youth development, this course consolidated that practical learning, provided me with a clear framework and really enhanced my understanding of the policies and legal contexts in which it is imperative to operate."
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"I already hold NEBOSH NGC, but this course went over and above my expectations..."
// Off Site Safety Management
The Off-Site Safety Management course (OSSM) is a two-day course certificated by the Royal Geographical Society** and is considered to be THE foundation level Risk and Safety management course for those undertaking off site visits (in any context) from school trips, to outdoor activities, expeditions and fieldwork including operating as remote area medics. It was designed in response to concerns about safety in off-site activities. It addresses the content of legislation in this area and provides an opportunity for attendees to explore the application of the legislation and Risk Management in practical situations. The course also heavily influenced the design of British Standard 8848: the standard for overseas expeditions and fieldwork (one of the R2Ri team is on the Drafting Committee for BS:8848). Please click here to see guidance on the relevance of BS:8848 to expedition medics and wilderness medicine as this standard is key to setting the risk management framework as far as medics are concerned.
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The course is one of the 'Further Professional Development' qualifications indicated in the Expedition Provider's Association's 'Matrix of essential and desirable skills for an Expedition Leader.'
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We deliver the course in our own unique style, with additional content, whilst covering all of the content from the OSSM specification.
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We deliver this course in the UK on face to face basis at our venue. We can also deliver this course outside the UK, either by physical attendance by our instructors or by zoom. We have excellent testimonials for our zoom delivered versions of this course - see testimonials at the foot of this page.
We tend to get a lot of remote area operatives including expedition leaders, NGO staff, environmental organisations, outdoor instructors, remote area TV/Media safe and a lot of expedition medics on this course given the relevance of the content to remote area medics and we tailor content accordingly. We can also deliver OSSM courses tailored to specific sectors and have done this for SAR teams, expedition medics, expedition companies and more.
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The course is approved for two CPD points by Mountain Training.
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Who is the course for?: The OSSM course will be appropriate for those working in a range of different situations where they are responsible for or part of a team taking anyone from young children on a school trip through to those leading adult (or running their own) expeditions and fieldwork around the globe. The themes and concepts are universally applicable to any off-site visit or activity. It aims to equip attendees with the ability to apply knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills in a range of contexts. The courses delivered by R2Ri can be tailored including for schools, expedition/ adventure/exploration sectors albeit that the course will cover all aspects of off-site visits. We regularly have teachers, expedition leaders, remote area medics, remote area tv safety, remote area medics, exploration geologists, those involved in fieldwork, operations managers and more, attending this course. We have delivered this training to delegates in the UK, Canada, France, Singapore, Senegal, Norway, Sweden, Spain and New Zealand amongst others.
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R2Ri instructors approach the course from a perspective of “If you are going to be responsible for someone’s safety, check them out as you would like your own child” and so the course begins with considering the issues running simple trips for young people, developing the safety and group management themes building up to outdoor, adventurous and expeditionary activities, complete with numerous case studies from the sector. Given the expertise of the lecturer, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and for group discussion.
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The course is taught lecture style with the small group break out and discussion sessions, case studies worked on in groups then discussed as a class and plenty of opportunity for questions.
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Course content:
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Setting the scene
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The PDCA Risk Management cycle & continual improvement
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Safety Culture
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Risk Management ownership including advisory board/panel
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Historical context including multiple case studies
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Safety standards - both UK and International
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Human Factors including case studies
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Pre departure planning - including lots of common problems
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Staff including selection, training, competence and behaviour
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Participants
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Technical Advisers
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Risk Assessment - and factors relevant to include in the RA - from travel to accommodation, transport, environment, medical to activity and more.
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Legal aspects - from Duty of Care to Package Travel, Employer's duties and more
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Insurance - risk transfer, types of insurance, pitfalls and essential knowledge
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Managing the activity
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Group management
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Minor and Major incident Management
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Desk top exercises and performance improvement
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Numerous pre and post mortem case studies
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Reviewing as part of the PDCA Risk Management cycle.
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Practical considerations for terms and conditions - risk transfer to clients
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Considerations regarding third party service providers/subcontractors - risk transfer
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Recommended texts
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There are extensive notes and post course reading provided. Throughout the course, we provide real world, worked solutions.
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The instructors:
We have several instructors delivering the course, based both in the North and South of the UK.
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The course is limited to 16 attendees to meet the certification criteria.
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Matthew Davies is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has been an instructor for the course since 2007, when the course was a level 3 certified course (with a 3-hour exam! - there is no longer an exam) certified by OCR. Matthew has delivered the course to a wide range of organisations and individuals, ranging from expeditions, teachers, field teams, University Students, survival instructors, outdoor activity and adventure travel instructors, through to Search and Rescue teams.
Matthew was also one of the authors of BS:8848, has been an expert lecturer to members of ABTA, the British Mountaineering Council, Mountain Training Association and leading expedition and adventure organisations. He has trained teams (both in the UK and overseas – from Asia to North America) for operations in most environments, has prepared teams for and led desert (vehicle dependent) and Arctic Circle (foot) expeditions as well as undertaking jungle expeditions, has lectured at the RGS including on preparation for desert expeditions and has worked as a specialist remote area safety lecturer, trainer, advanced first aid instructor.
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Matthew has experience of advising, representing (in legal proceedings) and assisting well-known organisations in the outdoor activity and adventure travel sector in the aftermath of major incidents and will discuss many of these case studies during the course.
The Course - Aims:
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To develop knowledge and understanding of off-site safety management procedures and the ability to apply this to a range of different contexts.
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To develop the ability to plan, manage and evaluate off-site activities to ensure the safety of the participants.
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To develop skills that are relevant to the workplace and which can be adapted to meet different circumstances
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To encourage further study and promote the value of continuing professional development.
Origins of the OSSM course:
The Off-Site Safety Management course was originally developed in partnership with the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education and the College of St Mark and St John by OCR. The management and administration of the Off-Site Safety Management course was passed to the Royal Geographical Society with IBG in 2008.**
Course Content/Structure of the Course:
The Off-Site Safety Management course is designed to assist the delegates to develop sufficient knowledge and understanding manage groups going off-site safely. The content is divided into three sections each representing a vital stage in managing an off-site activity/event. Increasingly complex scenarios will be considered and addressed via case studies, videos and workshops throughout the course to address the themes of the course.
The three sections are:
Planning for the event:
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This section addresses those aspects of planning which must be completed before the group departs to ensure the safe management of the activity. It includes relevant safety standards, legal considerations, assessing the needs of the group, pre departure screening, medical considerations, travel safety aspects, arranging the necessary staffing and undertaking risk assessments.
Managing the event:
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This section addresses the key management requirements relating to group safety during an activity including dynamic risk assessments, appropriate actions and procedures required when dealing with both minor and major incidents and contingencies. The course will include real life case studies relevant to the client’s sector of operation. The course will also include minor and major incident response at a practical level in the field and what should be in place at home base to assist. Research has shown that those who undergo mock incident scenarios perform better when real life situations arise.
Evaluating the event:
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This section addresses the essential review of the whole event that must be carried out to effectively improve future planning and practice.
Assessment Pattern and Certification.
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The course is not currently assessed, but delegates who successfully complete the course will be issued with a certificate by the Royal Geographical Society.
Timings:
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09.00 – approximately 18.00 each day with coffee breaks and a lunch break each day.
The course is delivered in lecture style, with groupwork and audio-visual sections, in a fairly laid back style with opportunities for questions and group discussion throughout.
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The mandatory contact time of 16 hours is necessary for the course to be certificated. Full attendance is needed throughout the course to receive a certificate.
Notes: Delegates are responsible for providing their own food and refreshments from locally available options.
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*Drinks and food to be provided by the delegates at their own cost. These are not provided as part of the course cost unless stated on the joining instructions as facilities vary from venue to venue.
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** As an absolute pre-requisite for attending the course, delegates will need to consent to their names and contact details being provided to the Royal Geographical Society for the course certificates to be processed. Delegates must also provide a completed feedback form to receive a certificate.
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Costs:
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We charge £250.00 per person. Discounts are available for group bookings at client venues. Terms and Conditions apply.
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Progression/complementary training:
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Our one and two day risk assessment courses are natural choices to add to the deliver of the Off Site Safety Management course to provide a formal risk assessment qualification once the details of what should be in a risk assessment have been studied on the Off Site Safety Management course.
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Course Dates:
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Our next Off Site Safety Management courses which are open to the public are:​
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5/6 December 2024 - Bookings OPEN. 6 out of 16 places left. If you have submitted a booking form by 27 September 2024, your place is secure. Joining instructions will be dispatched to you on 30 September 2024.
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All courses are run at Plas y Brenin, the National Outdoor Centre, Snowdonia.
How to book:
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Click the link below to access the booking course pack for the course you are interested in. Download the pack, save it your computer and you can complete the booking form electronically and email to us. Alternatively, print off the pack, complete and scan the booking form back to us. Only submit the booking form if you intend to attend the course, intend to enter into a contract and agree to our booking terms and conditions (which include cancellation details). which can be found by following the link below for the course you wish to book on to. A contract will be formed once we issue an invoice to successful applicants.
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​Please note that places on courses are limited. Our 'Why' is supporting organisations and good causes such as NGO's, Rescue Organisations, expedition teams and others that need excellent training at reasonable cost. We support a number of organisations who cycle volumes of delegates through our courses. Priority in terms of bookings/places will be given to operational remote area medics, NGO's and Rescue teams as well as other good causes. This is who we are set up to support. We do not encourage commercial training providers delivering/seeking to deliver the same or similar courses, to attend our courses - there are other providers available. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring that our Project and our 'Why' re not undermined and are very proactive in policing and protecting our intellectual property. For that reason, those coming from other commercial training organisations should pay particular attention to reading our terms and conditions in this regard, before submitting any Booking Form. These terms and conditions are in place specifically to safeguard the great work we do for and with great people and to ensure the sustainability of our Project.
Testimonials:
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Worthwhile? Yes, worthwhile and useful course. There were really good case studies that links with the learning tools and resources.
Style was relaxed, atmosphere was comfortable. Breaks were given in a timely manner. Visual aids were used effectively.
The information given was really relevant to my job role.
Both days were very good. Instructor is very knowledgeable.
I learned as much in two days as a year of my (subject matter related) degree.
Matt has been a Great instructor. .. good amount of slides/videos/speaking.
Incredibly (worthwhile), very relevant for the work I do in my organisation.
Nice mixture of lecture style and group work with appropriate level of breaks.
Worthwhile? Yes! It has highlighted information that I need to chase and confirm within my organisation before potentially putting myself at risk.
It has made me re evaluate the training I have received and what I now need.
Good, clear, effective communication. Intent was evident throughout.
Worthwhile ? Yes, getting a better perspective on risks and safety management for our staff and learners.
Worthwhile ? Yes, extremely valuable introduction to risk management and travel risk.
Disaster response organisation medical lead: Worthwhile? Yes, absolutely on target for our needs. Relevant, clear, evidenced, enjoyable.
Content spot on.
Knowledgeable, engaging, credible, approachable. The values and ethics of Remote Area Risk International shine through.
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‘R2Ri has set a benchmark for all others to follow.’ Hugely experienced Chair of a leading U.K. outdoor organisation.
Just completed the Off Site Safety Management Course delivered by Remote Area Risk International Eye opening content with slick delivery. Fully recommend.
Excellent.
Very worthwhile. Very informative and knowledgeable facilitator. Case studies very helpful and applicable.
Informative. Full of content.
Very efficient administration.
100% worthwhile. Help to fill knowledge gaps and underpin knowledge.
Fantastic amount of knowledge imparted
Eye opening content with slick delivery. Fully recommend.
Back home now after a fantastic two days on the Off Site Safety Management course with Remote Area Risk International in Wales. Lots of information and new stuff learnt.
Lots of content. Delivery was relaxed at a good rate.
Would 100% recommend and have already told like minded colleagues of the various courses and options. Very happy.
Course was excellent. Good mix with practical activities.
Excellent. Great ability to inform but also keep enjoyable and engaging.
Very useful real world examples/applications and how to directly influence our sectors.
Good variety of lecture style presentation, case studies and group work to keep attention.
Definitely recommend.
Wouldn’t change anything.
Very informative. Lots learnt. Great having a knowledgeable and informative tutor.
Enjoyable and informative and learnt a great deal.
Informative, at the right pace. Can’t fault anything.
I will definitely send staff/colleagues and recommend to people.
Very happy.
Really informative. A lot of knowledge about topics not usually taught eg insurance.
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Online attendees by Zoom:
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"An excellent and informative course delivered well throughout the two days. The IT worked fantastically. Thanks Matt and the Team."
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"Awesome Faculty with real world knowledge of the subject. Well presented and thorough. Worth every moment spent. Seminar ... delivered online was really good. No issues with quality of sound nor video, everything was nice and crisp. Well impressed by delivery method."
" Yes, definitely (worthwhile).The knowledge and experience of (the instructor) has is unmistakeable. The content is varied and relevant..."
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"Yes, very good. The content was excellent and put across in a very good way...I was a bit unsure of what to expect at first as it is the first time I have done a live seminar via Zoom but found it very user friendly. The breakout rooms worked very well. It also made the group feel more inclusive as no one was at the back or the front of the classroom and also you could see the slides easily...I would definitely recommend colleagues to this course as it would develop their knowledge of outdoor safety and risk even further."
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“Thanks for the last couple of days- brilliant course and I thought the Zoom delivery worked really well. It’s certainly changed my practice for the better!”
"I found the course excellent and its exactly what I was looking for...Delivering via zoom is never easy but there was a relaxed atmosphere - people felt comfortable asking questions and interjecting..."
“Thank you for a very informative and well delivered course this weekend... it was incredibly valuable to spend a concentrated period of time discussing case studies and formalising processes related to risk management. I’m surprised that this course isn’t required by more organisations for expedition leaders - it’s an excellent foundation.”
“I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the course at the weekend. I learnt so much and as you say I now know what I don’t know and can dig more into these areas.”
“Really enjoyed the course, it really makes you think. If you want to setup any business that involves being off site you need to do this course first.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, extremely informative and useful, loads of relevant experience, very well delivered. Thank you.”
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UK University - Off Site Safety training courses and qualifications for degree level and masters degree level students operating in the field and in remote areas:
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"The professionalism from R2Ri, from initial correspondence, planning the pre-delivery (discussions checking participants background experience in relation to course content) was excellent. The two-day course - Off Site Safety Management - was delivered and tailored specifically for the students - with reference to the context of (student) remote expedition based training. The specific background, experience and expertise that the trainer had was evident and greatly enhanced currency of essential areas of knowledge for the course participants’. It is evident that the trainer is involved at consultancy level for a variety of aspects that relate to outdoor expeditions and remote area operations. Feedback from the ... students was very positive, which has led the university to utilise the skills of delivery and expertise of the trainer over the past two years. The specialist training and case studies from the intructors extensive personal and professional experience will assist the course students in meeting their legal, professional and duty of care obligations to clients and staff in their careers going forwards and adds to and enhances other Risk Management modules that the students undergo as part of their course. Highly recommended."
Course Leader, BA (Hons) degree course (leading University degree course in its field).
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Testimonials from individuals attending various OSSM courses delivered by R2Ri instructors:
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“The most well informed, skilfully delivered course I’ve done in 20 years. Excellent course that will allow me to do my job better. Excellent, in depth, experience based delivery.”
"Professionalism behind the experience was outstanding"
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"Awesome faculty with real world knowledge of the subject. Well presented and thorough. Worth every moment spent."
‘…excellent two days. Covered a lot of diverse content to a very high standard.’
‘Excellent style and content using varied techniques and aids to stimulate conversation and keep people interested.’
‘Very valuable learning.’
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‘There was a substantial content of relevant material covered over the two days. Very happy.’
‘ Good blend of class and breakout sessions.’
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‘Very relaxed (which was needed on such an intense couple of days) but extremely well informed and experienced teacher. Lots to take in but have access to the content afterwards meant we had time to digest.’
'Vast knowledge on an extremely important subject'
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'Lots of super useful content and in-depth knowledge on the subject'
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'I thought it was brilliant. Very informative and useful for future projects'
'Really good in all aspects'
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"Having several years’ experience of expedition management and delivery that have been learned ‘on the job’ in international youth development, this course consolidated that practical learning, provided me with a clear framework and really enhanced my understanding of the policies and legal contexts in which it is imperative to operate."
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"I thought the content was great and covered everything I had wanted/expected from the course with lots of useful pointers for further resources and accreditation to follow up on."
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"I will be recommending this course to other expedition professionals I have worked with overseas, including my previous employers in (South East Asia) who I believe would benefit greatly from this information if it could be delivered online (factoring in time zone differences)."
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"...really enjoyed the course and the way you delivered it...Thank you once again."
"Good looking at case studies other than usual ‘headliners’.
"Enjoyed lecture format, good opportunities for discussion. R2Ri PowerPoint was very useful and well put together."
"Very useful and informative...excellent knowledge with real experience."
"Eye opening ... Feel better equipped for future projects."
"Fantastic!""Very good and appropriate."
"Massive learning on every aspect off offsite safety delivered in an extremely accessible way."
"Efficient, thorough, personable, clear."
“Learned lots.”
“All excellent.”
“Very good.”
“...very helpful for understanding what to consider for expedition/activity risk assessments.”
“ I would recommend this course as I have found it very helpful.”
“...huge expansion of knowledge.”
“Directly related to degree and future work”
“...I now have lots of useful info for the future.”
“Very informative and broken up well... I would recommend it.”
“Everything included was very relevant and fundamental within the outdoors - it covered all the aspects I needed.”
“Loved the applied case examples !”
“It provides info you wouldn’t have considered before. Puts you in best possible position.”
“It expanded my knowledge in leading groups and what legal and safety processes need to be in place... it was very easy to follow with a chilled out approach.”
“Very clear delivery and good, appropriate use of the presentation. Thought all the content was necessary and appropriate.”
“It opened my mind on what to consider going forwards.”
“...it was was extremely interesting and has given me more knowledge regarding risk management.”
"The Course was 300% better than I expected."
"Fantastic Course."
"The Course was very interesting and taught in a good way to understand."
"Objective achieved."
"Good pace with plenty of relevant info."
"Great Course. Great Instructor."
"Very effective teaching."
"You have one excellent teacher there."
"The presentation was brilliant, clear and easy to understand. The delivery was also fantastic, clear, knowledgeable and easy to listen to. there were also pictures, handouts, and useful equipment provided throughout, enhancing our learning and understanding."
"Extremely worthwhile, it gave me the tools and knowledge to understand how to protect myself while working outdoors, and improve my understanding of correct protocols to follow to get myself and the group out of dangerous and potentially hazardous situations. The use of direct examples, and extensive knowledge of the man running the course helped cement the information, and give the information more meaning."
"R2Ri presented an OSSM course I attended recently. Their instructor has an engaging manner and wealth of key experience, making the course informative, approachable and enjoyable. Highly recommended."
We have trained expedition leaders, search and rescue teams, survival instructors, field workers, project managers, conservation organisations, charities, teachers, university students, adventure travel companies and operations managers from the exploration and expedition sectors - with consistently excellent feedback.
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