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RISK MANAGEMENT & SAFETY

Every two years our center and our programs are reviewed by a team of international instructors. Through this review process, Outward Bound International ensures that all centers  across the world follow the same safety standards set out by it. At OBIH,  we have passed every such review with flying colors.

Outward Bound is a firm believer in "Positive Risk". This is risk that has the potential for gain, growth, and development.  Positive risk is an opportunity, an opportunity we often miss out on because we place a greater emphasis on "protecting" rather than "gaining".

WHAT IS POSITIVE RISK?

This is a post-program note from our Outward Bound Team Leader leading a trek to Kuari Pass:

“Day 4 of the trek, saw massive rains. Not unexpected, our research had already told us to expect the thunder showers. When we set off the next morning, I got into a group huddle with the instructors. Mahender expressed a concern - about 3 hours into the trek that morning, would come a little bridge. This bridge is across a little ravine. There a small trekking path that leads us down and up the ravine but it is  used by the villagers only. The trekkers usually take the bridge which is quicker and safer. But the overnight rain lashing the area had got - there was a strong possibility that the bridge could be washed away already. All the instructors geared up with ropes and harnesses - just in case. As we approached the bridge, our fears were well founded. It wasn't there. We explained to the participants that we'd have to tackle the ravine with ropes and harnesses and use the trekking path instead. But, the small trekking path was covered with free-flowing mud and slush. Some of the participants froze. Two of them refused to move. They feared that they would slip during their descent into the  ravine. With our safety ropes in place, we started to descend slowly. What would have taken us 30 minutes to cross over, took us 3 hours.  It took a lot of convincing, a lot of hard talk, and some gentle nudges. When we all finally crossed over, the two participants came over and gave their instructors a big hug and one of them said something I will never forget: "Thank you for pushing me, thank you for being tough with me. I now know, I can do anything I want, if I am willing to face my fear and move ahead​.

How do we define 'Risk'? It is an event or an occurrence that impacts your objectives. Risk can be Positive or Negative. A Negative Risk is what we all easily identify with - danger, harm, loss. But there is also Positive Risk. This is risk that has a positive impact on your objectives.  The positive outcome mentioned above by the Team Leader? This is exactly what we term as Positive Risk - a risk we would hope to achieve on every Outward Bound program! 

Positive Risk is inherent in every Outward Bound Program and we see this as an opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zones.

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RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT:

External Evaluation:
Every two years our center and our programs are reviewed by a team of international instructors. Through this review process, Outward Bound International ensures that all centers follow the same standards set out by it. At OBIH,  we have passed every such review with flying colors. ​

Internal Evaluation:
We operate as per international safety norms and all our staff are trained in these procedures on an on-going basis. Every Program is assessed for risk and safety before it starts and after its completion, as part of a self-review process. ​​

​STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

​Our Land Activities instructors are experienced mountaineers and trekkers and have done their advanced mountaineering courses at NIM, Uttarkashi.

​The experienced Water Activities instructors have been guiding on Indian rivers for over 15 years and receive swift-water rescue training on an annual basis. All our staff get regularly trained on the latest first-aid, CPR and other life saving techniques.