Where There Be Dragons : Why Dragons : Safety

"I was particularly impressed by the flexibility of the program...Your response to political developments in some countries prior to departure was handled with aplomb. It was evident the Dragons is prepared to deal with the unexpected, and that making contingency plans does not deter the program.”

Jonathan and Gail Bashein, parents

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Safety

In determining program areas, designing itineraries, hiring staff, and working with local contacts, safety is our number one concern. Course instructors come to us with significant first-hand knowledge of specific medical resources in the countries in which they guide. We have developed relationships with medical clinics and emergency evacuation resources in all the countries in which we travel. Many of our contractors and local contacts have worked with us for up to fifteen years, and they have demonstrated their ability to safely handle the logistics and emergency situations that may arise on one of our courses. Our itineraries are designed with all aspects of risk mitigation and emergency response in mind, including: access to quality food and water, rates of acclimatization, quality of transportation, distance to medical care, and feasible evacuation procedures.

We maintain a student-to-leader ratio that averages 4:1, and we keep groups small to promote social relationships and to create an environment that can nurture students' physical health and mental well-being.

Nonetheless, evacuations can be difficult, and can be complicated by severe weather, poor roads or other unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control. On some of our programs we may be several days from competent emergency medical care. We advise students and families to consider the level of risk of any Dragons adventure before participating in these programs, and to understand as well the personal responsibility accepted by both the participant and the participant's family.

Dragons has a fantastic safety record and we take pride in the attention we give to students' health and safety. Please read all our program materials thoroughly, and call us if you have any questions.