Safety Guidelines

Introduction

Unique Trails core business of operating adventurous trips carries with it inherent risks for both its group leaders and travellers. Some reasons for these risks are:

• the laxity of developing countries laws and regulations governing transport, infrastructure and the travel industry in general when compared with western laws
• the potentially volatile political environment of the countries in which we operate
• the nature of the itineraries that we run, which often involve physically strenuous activities in remote locations.

With these factors in mind, we recognise that Unique Trails has a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to provide work and travel conditions which are safe. The aim of this document is to give our travellers an insight into the safety standards they should expect when on an
our trips.

No set of guidelines can anticipate all possible conditions that may arise. We ask our leaders to put sound judgement ahead of hard and fast rules, judging each situation as it arises. Our leaders are with us because they demonstrate sound operational judgement, and this extends to the application of safe travel practices. If in doubt about the safety of any activity on an Unique Trails trip, whether it is mentioned within these guidelines or not, we take the safer option.

Safety Guidelines

1. Transport
Unique Trails does not recommend riding on the roof of any form of transport we use, whether this be trains, boats or buses.

1.1 Buses
In general Travelling in any bus in developing countries can be a hairy experience, with the existence of an invisible middle overtaking lane that doesn’t exist on western roads. If your leader thinks a bus driver is driving dangerously he/she will ask the driver to slow down. We accept that seat belts are not readily available on the transport we take in a lot of developing countries, on either charter or public vehicles.

Charter buses
When we charter a bus for the sole use of our group we wish to ensure that:
• The driver has the appropriate local licence to drive the vehicle; and
• The vehicle is regularly serviced – at least once every 12 months – and in the opinion of our leader is safe and fit for travel.

1.2 Motorbikes
Motorbikes are fun way to get around, but are also a high risk form of transport. Motorbike taxis (riding as a passenger with a licensed local driver) are not organised as the sole means of transport for a Unique Trails group. There will always be alternative options offered to the group. Group members and leaders should always wear a helmet when on the back of a motorbike when available.

Group members will not be asked to drive motorbikes solo as part of any itinerary. Any traveller who does ride a motorbike solo should check the terms of their travel insurance before doing so, as it will most likely exclude motorbike injuries unless they are licensed riders.

1.3 Boats and Ferries
Lifejackets should be available on all boat travel our groups use. Your leader will inform you where lifejackets are stored if it is not obvious when getting on a boat or ferry. It is common for public ferries to be crowded. If your leader considers a ferry to be dangerously overcrowded they will arrange other boat transport where possible.
With both large and small vessels we rely on the boat operators to judge local conditions, and determine whether the conditions are safe for travel. If your leader thinks conditions are unsuitable he/she will postpone or cancel the boat trip, in consultation with the boat operator.

On smaller craft where the risk of capsize is higher you may be asked to wear lifejackets, rather than just having them available to put on.

1.4 Bicycles
In most Asian countries bicycle helmets are not a legal requirement. However in general we do require travellers to wear helmets when on bike rides with us! We require all travellers to bring their own bike helmets, and recommend that they are worn at all times when cycling. Groups should not be riding at night without proper lights and reflectors.

2. Accommodation
Government regulations on safety standards in hotels and guesthouses we use in developing countries are less stringent than those in the West. However, wherever feasible, the accommodation we stay in should have, in the case of “closed” hotels (with corridors, multi-stories etc), a second exit point in case of fire in the main exit. In basic accommodation such as hilltribe huts, tea houses or homestays your leader will inform the group about the dangers of elevated platforms, particularly in places where the group sleeps at night and are likely to be wandering around in the dark. You should use a torch/flashlight when making a night-time toilet visit.

3. Activities
In general we ask that you inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions before travelling. If our leader is of the opinion that a group member is unsuitable for an activity on the trip, he/she has the discretion and authority to refuse that person to participate in the activity, for the safety of themselves, the rest
of the group and the leader.

Exposure to sun is a real risk for travellers when cycling. We recommend that you slip, slop, slap at all times – that’s slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.

4. First Aid Kits
Your leader will carry a medical kit with him/her at all times during your trip. This medical kit contains basic first aid supplies.

5. Natural disaster / political conflict / unsafe regions to travel
Unique Trails relies on 2 main sources of information when deciding whether to run a trip to a region that is a safety risk for any reason – the Travel Advisories put out by the various Government Departments of Foreign Affairs, and the on-the-ground accounts given by our leaders and local operators. When a Travel Advisory warns against travel to a region or by a certain means we follow this advice. We will also cancel trips or alter itineraries which are not the subject of Travel Advisories, on the basis of information from leaders once more. We make every possible effort to inform travellers of a change of itinerary or trip cancellation before travelling. However, we reserve the right to make alterations or cancellations at any time due to safety concerns.