When going into a wilderness area it is important to have the services of an experienced trail guide. While an amateur guide may be less expensive, you often get what you pay for.
Criteria for selecting a trail guide:
(1) registration with a professional organization
(2) documented experience and credentials
(3) references or recommendations
(4) properly armed when warranted
(5) response to unsafe or unreasonable demands of clients
|
Experience Criteria of the South African Field Guide Association |
Grade |
|
novice or beginner |
1 |
|
1 year of experience |
2 |
|
>= 2 years of experience |
3 |
|
>= 2 years experience plus training in dealing with dangerous animals |
4 |
|
Action |
Good Guide |
Poor Guide |
|
request by client to do something potentially dangerous |
will not let clients do dangerous or imprudent act |
will let clients do anything they want to do |
|
in an emergency |
will protect the client despite some personal risk |
may act in self-preservation or run away |
|
familiarity with locale, especially sources of water and safe camping sites |
very knowledgeable |
unfamiliar or clueless |
|
familiarity with local flora and fauna |
very knowledgeable |
unfamiliar |
|
familiarity with physical demands of activities |
will limit activities if the client is unlikely to complete them safely |
will let the client get into a situation that could result in illness or injury |
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
