Remote Supervision

Remote Supervision - In order for groups to complete programmes such as DofE expeditions, they need to be self-sufficient, completing their route without any outside assistance. This means that during qualifying expeditions and parts of practice expeditions, groups will need to be supervised remotely. Instructor qualifications alone do not testify the ability to manage remote supervision. It is our depth of experience and expertise in this field that allow our team to carry out remote supervision, ensuring that groups get the most from their DofE expedition. This allows them to develop independence, whilst maintaining the highest safety standards. Each year we devote time to team training on remote supervision to ensure that skill levels remain high.

Some questions that we are frequently asked about remote supervision are answered below…

 

What is remote supervision? - Remote supervision involves the safety and well‐being of a group being monitored from a distance, with limited direct contact with the group.

Remote supervision can take different forms and instructors will move between different types of remote supervision to ensure that the safety of a group is managed without compromising the expedition experience.

 

Why is remote supervision a necessity on Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE expeditions? - In order to complete your DofE expeditions you need to have met the 20 Conditions for Expeditions as laid down by the DofE.

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One of the expedition requirements is that the expedition is unaccompanied and self-sufficient without outside assistance. For this objective to be met, groups cannot be “led” by their instructor, rather they must be under their own steam and making decisions themselves along the way. However, we are still responsible for the safety of the group, so they must be monitored throughout and we do this by remote supervision.

Adventure Residentials works hard to achieve the correct balance of safety and supervision, so that the group feel like they are on their own rather than knowing they are being closely shadowed, watched or monitored in any way – it is their experience and it should remain feeling like this. Our aim, therefore, is that remote supervision feels just that – unobtrusive.

 

How do AR instructors remotely supervise groups? - Firstly, we train groups in all of the skills they will need to be self-sufficient in their chosen expedition environment. We gain a good knowledge of their ability during training sessions so that we are able to better predict their reactions as a team on the hill. Training sessions also give instructors confidence in what groups do and don’t know and allow us to develop faith and trust in their ability. This is why we ask that all of our DofE expedition programmes involve an element of training / getting to know teams before they head out on an expedition that involves remote supervision.

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Next, AR has direct and current knowledge of the expedition area being use. All areas are either used regularly and location specific information updated in our locations database or are recced in advance of being used. This information ensures that we are aware of any potential hazards – where appropriate, this knowledge can be passed on to the group.

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Using a combination of experience in the field, extensive prior knowledge from working with groups and constant review of our procedures we are able to make sound judgments and position ourselves appropriately throughout the expedition in order to maintain safety and risk management.

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Finally, a level of supervision appropriate to the group and the conditions is used. We make a full assessment of the group’s planned route and continually make dynamic risk assessments once on expedition, taking into consideration prevailing conditions.

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All AR instructors have the ability to move quickly and efficiently on the hill, something we believe is essential to remote supervision, in order to get to the group quickly should they need us.

 

Trackers with groups? - Each group is issued with a tracker, not all AAP's do this. We firmly believe that absolutely nothing can replace a qualified, experienced professional on the hill to look after your young people however using trackers assist this supervision. In addition if there is an issue our team can get to a group quickly and efficiently and instructors can be in the most useful locations.

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Need more information?

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