Safety:
- Satellite phones (with every hiking group)
- Doctor Jas Strauss and Dr Debra Harmurth (GPs in Clanwilliam) on permanent standby.
- Wildmedix on permanent standby at Jamaka – providing 4x4 access, a full paramedic outfit, including communications with all the necessary emergency services in the Western Cape.
- MMetro and Mountain Club advise on hiking routes and schedules.
- Each of the bases has either direct access to telephone-lines or has direct cell phone contact.
Staffing:
- There will be at least 4 Bishops staff members at each base, who will facilitate the programmes and activities. They will have been involved in setting up the bases’ programmes and will have a thorough knowledge of the area.
- There will be senior Scout staff as well as Bishops staff involved at the Water Base.
- Cycling and abseiling is outsourced to professional companies.
Preparation during the year:
- Life Orientation fitness levels testing & advice given to those who require it
- Cycling course for those who require it
- First Aid training
- Campcraft training
- Backpack setup & How-to-pack-your-bag advice
- 2 practice hikes
- Rope - proficiency and team-building training
- Leopard Trust talk
- Spider and Snake talk
- Map - reading skills training
- Satellite phone use briefing
- Cycling practice
- Fire briefing