Mountain Safety
Safety on challenges is of paramount importance to Action Challenge and we maintain the strictest code of health and safety, and risk-management, whilst providing you with a fantastic challenge experience. We totally appreciate that you may be looking at several companies before making your final decision on which tour operator you climb with, but please ensure you ask them the right questions to cover fundamental aspects of mountain safety, to ensure you make an informed decision.
Action Challenge Leaders & StaffAll Action Challenge Head Leaders have officially recognised mountain qualifications, are first aid trained and are extremely experienced in leading group expeditions. They are also fantastic people with a lot of character. Their job is to work with our team in Tanzania, providing a safe and enjoyable challenge. We interview all our leaders and require at least one event where new leaders have an assisting role, to ensure they gain a full understanding of how we operate, our high standards and procedures. On the mountain we have a good staff/ participant ratio to ensure that our group remains safe at all times. Typically, a group will have an Action Challenge Leader and a Doctor. If there are 25 or more participants there will also be an Assistant Leader. In terms of Tanzanian staff, the ratios are around 1 Head Guide to every 10 climbers, 2 Assistant Guides per 10 climbers and 25 porters per 10 climbers.
Risk AssessmentWe have produced risk assessment reports for all our Kilimanjaro challenges, which are continuously being re-assessed by our Kilimanjaro Operations Manager. Our risk assessments take into consideration both potential hazards on the mountain and those relating to travel to and around Tanzania, with any appropriate precautionary measures being taken to ensure minimum risk to participants and staff.
CommunicationThroughout our challenges there is 24 hour contact with the UK head office in London. Relevant embassies will also have details of our itinerary in Tanzania. The Action Challenge Leader also carries an international satellite phone. We use a VHF radio system on the mountain for communication between our Action Challenge Leaders, Head and Assistant Guides and Challenge Doctor. Each night, our team meets for a daily de-brief and in the evenings after dinner we brief participants on the day ahead with any information they require, ensuring a constant stream of communication.
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Doctors & Medical SuppliesOpen Group Challenges and Private Trips of 15+ have a fully qualified doctor as part of the team. We can also provide a doctor to accompany smaller private groups. Our doctors are on hand 24 hours a day to provide any necessary medical assistance, including the prescription of, and/ or administering medication if this is required. Our doctors carry fully stocked medical kits, advised on by the Action Challenge UK Medical Director and The Altitude Training Centre. We also carry a Gamow Bag, (portable altitude chamber) and oxygen bottles for use in the case of emergency.
Local SupportIf someone feels that they are unable to continue the climb on medical grounds or for fitness reasons, they will be accompanied off the mountain by a member(s) of staff and then met by one of our fantastic teams from Moshi or Arusha, who are on hand with vehicle support whenever it is required. They will make any necessary arrangements, whether it is organising accommodation or transporting someone to hospital for example. Whatever support is necessary the individual will be looked after at all times.
Being Seen on the MountainWith different groups on the mountain, we want to make sure our staff and participants are clearly identifiable, particularly on summit day when we begin our trek in the dark. All Action Challenge staff and Head Mountain Guides wear branded high-visibility clothing to identify them as the main points of contact. Participants are also required to wear a high-visibility arm band on summit day so that we are able to keep our group safely together at all times.
In Case of Emergency Procedures (CASEVAC)We put a lot of time into the planning and preparation of our events to ensure they run as smoothly and as safely as possible. However, when on a mountain, try as we might, there are some things we cannot completely control.What we can do however, is have procedures in place to deal with any incidences that do occur. We have guidelines in place for dealing with emergency situations, but all CASEVAC decisions are ultimately made on the ground, depending on the surrounding circumstances, by the Expedition Team and in certain circumstances with AC HQ in London.
