Incredible life experiences are all about effectively balancing risk and reward (to stay safe and have future rewarding experiences). Risk cannot be entirely eliminated from any activity. We all want to maximize pleasure and minimize pain, but so much of what’s pleasurable (rewarding) in life involves exposure to potential pain (risk). This couldn’t be more true of mountain and wilderness experiences. As one gains mountain and wilderness experience one realizes that the challenge of evaluating and managing associated risks is part of what makes such experiences so richly rewarding.

CMI’s philosophy is that when you hire a mountain and wilderness guide you’re hiring someone to set you up with an appropriate experience for your ability and interests, evaluate and manage risks for you, keep you safe in order that you can have a rich and rewarding experience, and help you develop competencies to further pursue future mountain and wilderness activities.

CMI is committed to delivering the safest and most rewarding Alaskan mountain and wilderness experiences to people of all ability and experience levels. As an outdoor professional your guide or instructor will do everything possible to assure your safety, but mountain and wilderness activities involve inherent risks that cannot be eliminated entirely. These risks come in two forms: objective and subjective.

The objective risks are those inherent to the mountain and wilderness environment: rugged and steep terrain, exposure to the elements and harsh weather, avalanches, rockfall, wildlife, etc. Subjective risks are those we humans introduce to this environment: decision-making errors, poor communication, bad group dynamics, etc.

When you hire a guide, you’re hiring someone to evaluate and manage these risks for you…and help you learn how to better understand, evaluate, and manage them yourself (an empowering component of CMI’s philosophy as an outdoor education institution).

Safety is everyone involved’s responsibility but, ultimately, your own safety is your own responsibility. Beyond constantly, vigilantly evaluating and managing risks and looking out for your safety as best they can, CMI guides and instructors are especially mindful of fostering an environment conducive to open communication with participants: you are encouraged to voice your considerations and concerns at all times.

Mountain & Wilderness Safety

CMI adheres to accepted industry standards and best practices regarding safety guidelines and procedures, which include but are not limited to the following:

Training & Certification

All guides and instructors are trained and experienced in wilderness medicine with current certification as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (W-EMT).

All guides and instructors are trained and experienced according to industry standards and best practices relative to their scope of practice within CMI programs (hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, climbing).

Safety & Emergency Equipment

Guides and instructors carry:

• Communication: cell phone & InReach satellite messenger (always), satellite phone (as warranted for more remote and extended expeditions)
• Comprehensive First Aid kit (according to WFR or W-EMT training and scope of practice)
• Bear deterrent or stopper (when appropriate based on season)
• Emergency clothing, shelter, food, and means of hydration (as appropriate)
• Navigation: topographical map, compass, GPS device
• Repair kit (appropriate to activity’s equipment requirements)

Group Assessment

Prior to departure for activities guides and instructors make the following individual and group readiness assessments:

• Do participants have the appropriate equipment and clothing?
• Do participants have the required skills and physical ability?
• Do participants have medical conditions or other factors that require monitoring, medication, or other special attention?
• Does it appear any participant should not be allowed to participate for any reason?

While in the field guides and instructors make the following, ongoing individual and group assessments throughout the activities:

• Are participants having difficulty meeting the demands of the activity?
• Is all group and individual equipment functioning properly and safely?
• Is anyone experiencing medical problems that require attention or treatment?
• Are all participants maintaining proper levels of hydration and food intake?

General Procedures

Guides and instructors follow a reviewed and approved trip plan that includes the proposed activity and route as well as any alternates, expected return time, and emergency communication and response plan. Trip plans are left with CMI personnel back at civilization that are ready to respond accordingly if a situation arises.

As CMI outdoor programming is educational and about participant skill development, guides and instructors regularly discuss safety considerations with participants while in the field. Any special procedures necessitated by a situation will be explained, demonstrated, and practiced. The activity proceeds when everyone understands the instructions and demonstrates competency. This is a matter of general practice when facing any challenge or safety consideration.