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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

• The PDCA Risk Management cycle & continual improvement

• Safety Culture

• Risk Management ownership including advisory board/panel

• Historical context including multiple case studies

• Safety standards - both UK and International

• Human Factors including case studies

• Pre departure planning - including lots of common problems

• Staff including selection, training, competence and behaviour

• Participants

• Technical Advisers

• Risk Assessment - and factors relevant to include in the RA - from travel to accommodation, transport, environment, medical to activity and more.

• Legal aspects - from Duty of Care to Package Travel, Employer's duties and more

• Insurance - risk transfer, types of insurance, pitfalls and essential knowledge

• Managing the activity

• Group management

• Minor and Major incident Management

• Desk top exercises and performance improvement

• Numerous pre and post mortem case studies

• Reviewing as part of the PDCA Risk Management cycle.

• Practical considerations for terms and conditions - risk transfer to clients

• Considerations regarding third party service providers/subcontractors - risk transfer

• 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.

• To develop the ability to plan, manage and evaluate off-site activities to ensure the safety of the participants.

• To develop skills that are relevant to the workplace and which can be adapted to meet different circumstances

• 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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27 -28 June 2024 - Bookings open

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5/6 December 2024 - Bookings Open 1 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.