Your Safety and Security
PGL undertakes to support and assist you in every way possible to ensure the safety and security of your group. It is absolutely imperative to us that your safety is treated as the highest possible priority, allowing you to enjoy complete peace of mind.
To help reassure you of this, we have outlined below the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about safety issues on this kind of trip. If you would like any further details, please check our Code of Practice or refer to your Tour Organiser.
Do you comply with DCSF safety guidelines?
Yes, we comply with the latest guidelines produced by the DCSF in 1998 and 2002. In addition, PGL is involved in consultations on new guidelines which are due to be issued in 2010.
We offer our small group Adventure Tour programme in conjunction with our sister company, Explore Worldwide, which has been running small group adventure trips since 1981; with the UCPA who have been operating adventure tours for young people for 45 years and a number of other third party suppliers. Together, we take full responsibility for assessing and managing any risks identified in our tours.
Who will be providing the activities?
All the activity programmes in this brochure are operated by subcontracted activity providers. PGL carries out a full risk assessment of the activity operation for each of these providers. This is overseen by a team of highly qualified technical experts. In addition PGL obtains all the following from all our activity providers:
● Evidence of staff qualifications, training and monitoring
● A copy of local operating procedures
● Evidence of local and national operating licences
● Evidence of Public Liability Insurance
Are all staff CRB checked?
All staff employed by PGL who live in the UK are CRB checked.
Locally employed staff, such as instructors, porters, cooks and drivers cannot be CRB checked as this scheme is not applicable for overseas personnel. However, our contracts with overseas agents stipulate the standards of behaviour that are expected from anyone working with our guests. In addition, many of the staff employed will have significant experience of working with children.
Who is responsible for my group’s behaviour and welfare?
As Party Leader you are in loco parentis at all times and are ultimately responsible for their behaviour and welfare. Clear handover and handback procedures should be followed
between yourselves, any instructors and PGL staff. Our code of conduct is included in the Code of Practice and should be adhered to at all times.
Do all participants need to be able to swim?
Swimming ability should be indicated for all participants at the time of booking. Lifejackets or buoyancy aids are always worn for watersports, except for body-boarding, surfing and snorkelling sessions, where if participants are able to swim 50 metres they
are not required to wear them.
For all water based activities participants must be water confident in a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. Water confidence is defined as the ability to duck head underwater and confidently swim 15 metres in a lifejacket or buoyancy aid without signs of panic.
Party Leaders are advised to check that the PGL Policy conforms to their Local Authority Guidelines.
Please note, the minimum swimming ability required for the Egypt Watersports tour is 50 metres because of the diving activity.
Do you provide lifeguards?
Many of the hotels featured have their own swimming pool and many tours allow the opportunity for swimming in lakes, rivers or the sea. Please note, outside of formal activity sessions, PGL is unable to provide lifeguard cover. Party Leaders should check the regulations that will apply to their party with their Local Authority in order to ensure that they are able to make suitable arrangements.
Do all overseas coaches or local transport, such as minibuses, have seatbelts?
Whilst it is a legal requirement in the UK for all British coaches transporting young people under 16 years of age to be fitted with seatbelts, this is not the case abroad. Wherever possible we will request that our local transport (coaches, minibuses) have seatbelts but we cannot guarantee this. Where seatbelts are provided it is the responsibility of the Party Leader to ensure that pupils wear them.
On some treks, other transport in the form of trains, boats, camels and donkeys are used. All these elements of the tour have been risk assessed and measures put in place to protect clients. Your Tour Leader will brief you locally if these elements are included in your tour.
Is my group fully insured?
Extensive insurance cover is included in the cost of your tour. It covers each pupil and adult for the whole period of the trip. It also covers all the adventure activities included in the trip and organised by PGL as well as Organiser’s Liability cover for up to £5 million. Full details will be supplied in advance / at the time of booking.
What happens in the case of accident or illness?
Local instructors leading activities hold first aid qualifications and there are procedures in place to deal with any accident or emergency. The PGL Tour Leader will help and liaise with local doctor(s), hospital(s) and first aid staff. Our staff are aware of procedures to be followed and will liaise closely with you to ensure we comply with your wishes.
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