Why BV? - Safety

Health & Safety

There are significant potential dangers associated working both above and below the water in remote environments. At Blue Ventures, safety is one of our top priorities. Starting before arrival on site until after the expedition is over, we provide volunteers with information, advice and support on aspects of working in a tropical environment and diving and expedition safety.

Some of the key points, which are expanded on in our Volunteer Guide are:

• Immunisations and pre-departure checks
• Information about Malaria Prophylaxis
• Guidance about Expedition hygiene and care of minor injuries
• Diving safety

All volunteers are required to visit a Doctor to complete medical forms prior to commencing a project with us, and whilst on site volunteers are expected to adhere to the camp safety and diving protocols. Rest days are provided (decompression days) and conservative dive profiles allow for a large safety margin. There are also onsite briefings, training and scenarios to ensure that each volunteer group is prepared for their expedition.

Communication can be difficult on remote expeditions so our Expedition camp and research boats are connected by VHF radios and portable satellite telephones during all research activities.   and our research boats carry medical oxygen on all diving trips.

In the time that we have been organising marine expeditions we have developed a comprehensive Casualty Evacuation Plan (CASEVAC). This is in place for a worst case scenario and our CASEVAC is supported by the Divers Alert Network (DAN).  The Divers Alert Network cover all Blue Ventures volunteers with dive insurance. To support the comprehensive plans that we have developed, all of our camp staff are experienced divers with training in first aid and practical rescue management skills and we have medication and medical oxygen at our research sites for all diving activities.

We have a qualified medic on site at all times and create a culture of safety for our staff and volunteers through education, training and sharing information.

As well as the onsite Expedition Medic, medical support is provided from both the UK and in each expedition country, and we continually update our safety support systems through information gathering, communication, contingency plans, protocols, training and internal reviews.

Our expeditions to Madagascar follow the BSI standards and specification of BS8848:2007 for the provision of visits, field work, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the United Kingdom. Self-declared. To find out more about BSI and the BS8848:2007, click here. This standard provides guidelines that have been developed by industry experts to ensure safety on expeditions. Blue Ventures has chosen to follow this guidance and adhere to the standard for our expeditions in Madagascar. We think that all expedition providers can and should adhere to these standards to protect the welfare of volunteers and expedition participants.

We are a member of the Year Out Group and all of our expeditions abide by their Code of Practice and Charter. The Year Out Group's Expedition Sector Code of Practice provides a standard of service expected of the Group's member organisations. New members are required to demonstrate their ability to adhere to the Code and existing members are required annually to demonstrate that they continue to abide by it.

The Blue Ventures Diving Safety Protocol is available upon request.