RGS Off site safety management with alan ward (IML) provided by bryn walking

january 21st/22nd: The course was completed by 5 candidates who were a pleasure to work with: Two international mountain leaders and 3 aspirant international mountain leaders at cwmcarn visitor centre.

A useful and enjoyable CPD course (2 Points) for those developing and implementing off site trips both in the United Kingdom and on overseas trips. The course includes awareness of appropriate British and International Standards for good practice trips.

Course feedback

• An interesting two days.
• Alan's experience and anecdotes made the course very enjoyable.
• very enjoyable two days and the vast experience within the group made for interesting discussions - Thank you.
• It was fun, informative and great for information exchanges.
• This has inspired me to start my IML journey.
• Proposed new name for this course: Expedition Risk Awareness & Planning.
• Included all the relevent information.
• A relaxed course conducive to learning.
• As an IML and BAIML member, I feel this course covers the competencies required by UIMLA.
• Good variety and mix of aids.
• The name of the course could be updated to a more appropriate name aimed at outdoor professionals.
• A great refresher for the outdoors.
• Covered everything I expected for a course of this nature with all aspects done to a high standard.
• Thank you for a great course as always.

rgs ossm - COURSE CONTENT

In addition to the normal RGS OSSM course content, this course also included Section 3.5 of the 2025 UIMLA Standard for: TRAVEL RISK MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY PLANING AND INCIDENT REPORTING 
​List of Competences

• Understanding the concept of hazards and risk, and decision-making processes to reduce exposure to and severity of risks to themselves and their group.
• Understanding travel risk management and being able to identify threats to their logistics, to themselves, and to their group both in the planning phase and while travelling.
• Being able to create a travel risk management plan and understanding that threats do not only come from the mountain environment.
• Understanding aspects of human factors in decision making.
• Being able to make dynamic risk assessments and act accordingly for the safety of themselves and their group.
• Understanding hazards caused by climate change, glacier recession and extreme weather patterns.
• Being able to make emergency (contingency) plans.
• Understanding the concept of 'near-misses' and how and where to record incidents, for example, via their National Association. 

Method of training
The training was a mixture of theory and practical development for Planning, Managing and Evaluating as required by the RGS OSSM syllabus.

Method of Assessment

• Individual and Team Challenges of tasks was continuous throughout the course.
• Candidates were required to bring and present a Travel Risk Management Plan.
• The course completed with a written Assessment Paper and RGS Feedback Form.