Yes. The Adventure Safety Leadership (ASL) training is designed to be applicable for leaders of adventurous activities anywhere in the world. The general principles of safety management, incident causation and prevention, participant management, and emergency response taught in the course are relevant worldwide. Participants are provided resources for identifying locally-relevant regulatory requirements, good practice guidelines, insurance coverage, emergency services or other specific resources suitable for their particular circumstances.

Yes. Government officials, CEOs of leading adventure activity companies, and outdoor and adventure professionals from more than 80 countries around the world have participated in Viristar’s safety trainings. Viristar has received educational endorsement from the American Camp Association, and courses are recognized by industry bodies including the International Union of Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), ACCT International (formerly Association for Challenge Course Technology), the South African Adventure Industry Association (SA AIA), the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and the Icelandic Travel Industry Association (Samtök ferðaþjónustunnar, SAF).

Participants in the Adventure Safety Leadership training must be available for the full 16 hours of the course, meet minimum age requirements, and, independently or with assistance, be able to read, write and speak in the language of instruction (normally English), work constructively with others, perform necessary self-care, and manage personal mobility.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Written proof of guardian or parent permission is required for any participant under 18 years of age.

If a participant needs to withdraw from a course in which they are enrolled, they should contact the Course Host for rescheduling and refund policies. Viristar does not offer Adventure Safety Leadership course refunds. 

The Adventure Safety Leadership course describes the components of a safety management system for organizations that provide adventure-based activities. The training mentions those aspects of safety management that are administrative in nature, so that activity leaders and trip leaders understand the managerial supports they should expect in the workplace. The class focuses, however, on providing skills and knowledge directly applicable to individuals working as guides, as instructors, or in similar roles.

The Adventure Safety Leadership course is designed for individuals in guide, instructor, facilitator or trip leader roles, who are working directly with groups and participants taking part in adventure activities. The Risk Management for Outdoor Programs and Foundations of Adventure Safety courses are designed for program coordinators, executives and others with managerial or governance responsibilities for safety.

Viristar welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with organizations to put on an Adventure Safety Leadership course. Course Hosts must be an organized entity such as a company, government agency, or charitable organization, with a sufficient network and administrative capacity to promote the training and coordinate course logistics. Contact Viristar to learn more.

The Course Host may be able to support participants with information regarding transportation logistics and accommodation options, and can advise of any financial assistance (Viristar does not offer scholarships for the Adventure Safety Leadership course). If you need accommodation due to disability, in order to attend the course, please contact Viristar. 

The Adventure Safety Leadership course addresses topics such as safety standards, duty of care and other legal concepts, group management, principles of decision-making, and emergency planning. These topics are well-suited for the classroom environment in which the course is delivered, where discussions, case study review, and role-play scenarios can be held. Course participants should seek additional field-based, technical and other training in specific safety areas—such as but not limited to crevasse rescue, small boat handling, weather forecasting, building climbing anchors, swiftwater rescue, land navigation, first aid or workplace-specific procedures—as appropriate for their activities, operational locations, participant demographics, workplace and regulatory requirements. 

The Adventure Safety Leadership training is highly participatory and experiential, with scenarios, case study analysis, and group discussions mixed with presentations and readings.