We are proud of our safety record. Statistically, you are safer participating in one of our programs than driving to work.

The heart of our safe operation lies in an organizational emphasis on prevention. This emphasis is embodied in Outward Bound Belgium in the following ways:

Training

We require all our trainers to attend a yearly technical training week. Here they refresh and expand their technical outdoor skills and stay up to date with the organizational safety guidelines and procedures. Our internal norms are among some of the strictest in the field. We also require all our trainers to have current first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certifications. In order to offer our trainers a first aid training adapted to the specific nature of our work, for the last 4 years we have invited the American Wilderness Medical Associates to come train our trainers in the specifics of Wilderness First Aid.

Documenting accident and incident statistics

We actively document all accidents which occur during our courses, and have been doing so for 9 years. Even more importantly, we also document all 'incidents', or 'almost accidents' in order to learn how we can continue to work more safely. Our safety committee analyzes these reports to fine-tune our training needs and safety procedures. This process allows us to actively work at preventing many accidents from ever happening in the first place.

Safety procedures

While we expect our trainers to work flexibly and creatively with their groups, we expect them to respect a variety of established internal safety norms. These procedures have grown out of our more than 20 years experience working with groups in the outdoors, and are regularly updated.

Equipment

Some of our activities make use of specialized, technical equipment and installations. We purchase only top-quality equipment, and work with top quality builders for our special installations. Careful storage and regular checks ensure that these items can always be counted on.

Safety Reviews

As a member of Outward Bound® International, we are committed to carrying out an independent, external safety review every two years. Inviting external feedback on our safety management allows us stay up to date with safety standards in the broadest context possible.

Insurance

Of course it's still always possible to twist an ankle or pull a muscle which hasn't been used in a long time. Just as this can happen at home or at work. Outward Bound® Belgium has ample insurance for such cases.

And last but not least,

Psychological safety

An Outward Bound® program gets people moving, not only physically but also socially and emotionally. In order for such movement to result in positive learning and growth experiences, the entire program also needs to be managed carefully from a social and emotional perspective. Our trainers have extensive experience and training in facilitating individual and group processes for psychological safety, and intervene as necessary to ensure this.