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Introduction
 Sapa Train Ticket's core
business of operating
adventurous trips in Vietnam
and South East Asia carries
with it inherent risks for
both its group
leaders/guides and travellers. Some reasons for
these risks are:
- the laxity of laws and
regulations in some
countries governing
transport, infrastructure
and the travel industry in
general when compared to
western laws;
- the potentially volatile
political environment of the
countries in which we
operate; and
- the nature of the
itineraries that we run,
which often involve
physically strenuous
activities in remote
locations. With these
factors in mind, we
recognize that Sapa Train
Ticket has a responsibility
to ensure that all
reasonable precautions are
taken to provide work and
travel conditions which are
safe.
The aim of this document is
to give our travellers an
insight into the safety
standards they should expect
when on a Sapa Train Ticket
trip. It is an abridged
version of our operational
Safety Policy that all
leaders/guides are expected
to follow when running a
trip. Please contact
info@sapatrainticket.com
if you have any comments on
this policy, or the
application of it in the
field.
Generally.....
No set of guidelines can
anticipate all possible
conditions that may arise.
We ask our leaders/guides to
put sound judgment ahead of
hard and fast rules, judging
each situation as it arises.
Our leaders/guides are
employed because they
demonstrate sound
operational judgment, and
this extends to the
application of safe travel
practices. If in doubt about
the safety of any activity
on a Sapa Train Ticket trip,
whether it is mentioned
within these guidelines or
not, we ask our
leaders/guides to take the
safer option.
safety guidelines
1. transport
Sapa Train Ticket does not
recommend riding on the roof
of any form of transport we
use, whether this be trains,
boats or buses.
1.1 buses
in general travelling in any
bus in some countries can be
a hairy experience, with the
existence of an invisible
middle overtaking lane that
doesn't exist on western
roads. If your leader/guide
thinks a bus driver is
driving dangerously he/she
will ask the driver to slow
down. If this has no affect
(which may be the case on a
public bus in particular)
he/she will arrange for the
group to get off the bus at
the next opportunity, and
use whatever means possible
to continue the journey.
This may be difficult in
remote locations when the
group was on the only bus
for the day, and may mean a
change of itinerary is
necessary. We accept that
seat belts are not readily
available on the transport
we take, on either charter
or public vehicles, we
ensure there's enough space
for everyone to sit down on
the benches. Passengers and
leaders/guides should not
ride on the back
"tailgates".
public buses
Catching public buses is
part of the Sapa Train
Ticket way of travel, and we
accept that these buses are
often crowded, with people
standing in the isles. Sapa
Train Ticket travellers
shouldn't be expected to
stand for long distances as
a matter of comfort rather
than safety. We rely on
public transport providers
to maintain the vehicles we
use in a roadworthy
condition, and do not
perform independent tests on
vehicles. If a group is
scheduled to board a public
vehicle which in the
leader/guide's opinion is
unsafe to be on he/she will
get the group off the
vehicle and organize
alternative means of
transport. This may mean a
change of itinerary is
necessary.
charter buses
When we charter a bus for
the sole use of our group we
wish to ensure that:
- The driver has the
appropriate local licence to
drive the vehicle; and
- The vehicle is regularly
serviced - at least once
every 12 months - and in the
opinion of our leader/guide
is safe and fit for travel.
1.2 motorbikes
Motorbikes are fun way to
get around, but are also a
high risk form of transport.
Motorbike taxis (riding as a
passenger with a licensed
local driver) are not
organized as the sole means
of transport for a Sapa
Train Ticket group. There
will always be alternative
options offered to the
group. Group members and
leaders/guides should always
wear a helmet when on the
back of a motorbike when
available. Group members
will not be asked to drive
motorbikes solo as part of
any itinerary. Any traveller
who does ride a motorbike
solo should check the terms
of their travel insurance
before doing so, as it will
most likely exclude
motorbike injuries unless
they are licensed riders.
1.3 boats and ferries
Lifejackets are available on
all boat travel our groups
use. Your leader/guide will
inform you where lifejackets
are stored if it is not
obvious when getting on a
boat or ferry. It is common
for public ferries to be
crowded. If your
leader/guide considers a
ferry to be dangerously
overcrowded they will
arrange other boat transport
where possible. With both
large and small vessels we
rely on the boat operators
to judge local conditions,
and determine whether the
conditions are safe for
travel. If your leader/guide
thinks conditions are
unsuitable he/she will
postpone or cancel the boat
trip, in consultation with
the boat operator. on
smaller craft where the risk
of capsize is higher you may
be asked to wear
lifejackets, rather than
just having them available
to put on.
1.4 bicycles
In many countries bicycle
helmets are not a legal
requirement. In general we
do not require travellers to
wear helmets when on
bike-rides that are part of
our itinerary, unless it is
a legal requirement in that
country. Helmets are not
readily available in many
countries and you may wish
to bring your own if this is
a concern to you. The
exception to this our trips
where cycling is the
predominant activity. on
these trips we require all
travellers to bring their
own bike helmets, and
recommend that they are worn
at all times when cycling.
When organizing a group
bicycle ride that is part of
the itinerary a designated
front person (the "scout")
and back person (the
"sweep") will be organized
for the group. Groups should
not be riding at night
without proper lights and
reflectors.
2. accommodation
Government regulations on
safety standards in hotels
and guesthouses we use in Vietnam are less
stringent than those in the
West. However, wherever
feasible, the accommodation
we stay in should have, in
the case of "closed" hotels
(with corridors,
multi-stories etc), a second
exit point in case of fire
in the main exit. Please be
aware that not all hotels we
currently stay in comply
with this standard. In basic
accommodation such as
hill-tribe huts or homestays
your leader/guide will
inform the group about the
dangers of elevated
platforms, particularly in
places where the group
sleeps at night and are
likely to be wandering
around in the dark. You
should use a
torch/flashlight when making
a night-time toilet visit.
3. activities
in general, we ask that you
inform your travel agent of
any pre-existing medical
conditions before travelling.
If our leader/guide is of
the opinion that a group
member is unsuitable for an
activity on the trip, he/she
has the discretion and
authority to refuse that
person to participate in the
activity, for the safety of
themselves, the rest of the
group and the leader/guide.
Exposure to sun is a real
risk for travellers when
doing any outside activity.
We recommend that you slip,
slop, slap at all times -
that's slip on a shirt, slop
on sunscreen and slap on a
hat.
3.1 trekking
Many of our trips include a
trekking component, whether
it be an overnight jaunt or
a strenuous 10 day walk.
Trekking should be the
highlight of the trip, but
as it necessarily involves
travel in remote areas it
also attracts a greater
degree of risk. The
following guidelines apply
to all treks that we run.
All travellers should have
the correct footwear and
equipment for the trek.
Organize this before leaving
home. At the end of each day
of the trek your
leader/guide will outline
the following day's walk and
plans, as well as debriefing
on the walk you have done
that day. When walking, the
group must always stay
between the design ated
scout and sweep. The scout
and sweep will be two
guides, or a guide and a
leader/guide, or a guide and
a passenger. Group members
should leave their packs on
the trail if going into the
bushes for a toilet stop, so
they are not unknowingly
passed by the sweep. The
group can walk in pairs or
small groups, but should
meet up together in its
entirety at a minimum of
every couple of hours, to
ensure that all members are
accounted for. The group
should meet up at all major
trail intersections, to make
sure everyone takes the
correct fork.
Travellers can walk at their
own pace in between group
meets. If local conditions
such as weather, landslides,
etc become an issue, your
leader/guide will seek the
opinion of our local guides
on the safety of the
conditions and risks
involved in continuing. The
ultimate decision on whether
to continue rests with the
group leader/guide.
3.2 kayaking / bamboo
rafting
Lifejackets must be worn by
all group members and
leaders/guides when doing
organized kayaking or
rafting as part of the
group. Group members should
wear trainers or sandals, to
protect their feet from
rocks, but not to interfere
with their ability to swim.
Group members should not go
kayaking or rafting if they
cannot swim confidently when
in water above head height.
A scout and sweep system
will be used when doing
flat-water kayaking or
rafting. The group should
not separate more than 200
metres; the lead paddlers
should raft up and wait for
the tailenders on a regular
basis. When rafting or
kayaking is part of a
scheduled itinerary the
group will be given basic
instruction as to paddling
techniques and what to do in
the case of a capsize by the
local guides operating the
trip. Each kayak/raft should
have grab-ropes at each end,
to aid in rescues in the
event of a capsize. Each
qualified guide should have
a throw rope readily
available in case of a
capsize.
When bamboo rafting each
raft is propelled and
steered by a local raftsman.
This raftman must be trained
in leading water activities,
including reading river
levels, steering techniques
and emergency first aid.
3.3 caving
Do not enter a cave if you
suffer claustrophobia -
caving is not for everyone.
A scout and sweep system
will be used when entering a
cave with a group. Every
group member in the cave
must have a torch if the
cave is not illuminated.
3.4 animals
When riding elephants during
our trips helmets are not
available to travellers. We
therefore ensure that only
slow plodders are provided
by the operator.
3.5 snorkeling
Snorkeling should only be
done by travellers who are
proficient swimmers. Your
leader/guide will point out
the geographical boundaries
of the exact snorkeling
site, and will designate a
lookout who will not be
snorkelling in the water.
Before commencing snorkeling
a communication system
should be arranged for
anyone who wants to convey
distress - usually one arm
raised straight (not
waving!).
3.6 other adventure
activities
Any adventure activity that
is not specifically
mentioned in this policy is
a high risk activity that is
not be included in any Sapa
Train Ticket itinerary. This
includes diving,
rock-climbing, whitewater
rafting and horse-riding.
These activities require a
high level of technical
expertise that Sapa Train
Ticket does not have and
does not pretend to have. If
you wish to partak e in any
of these activities in your
free time please understand
that you do so of your own
choice and at your own risk.
3.7 optional activities
If you elect to partake in
optional adventure
activities in your free time
during a trip we emphasize
that:
·
these activities or
operators are not part of
the Sapa Train Ticket
itinerary;
·
that Sapa Train Ticket makes
no representations about the
safety of the activity or
the standard of the
operators running them; and
·
Sapa Train Ticket cannot
guarantee your safety when
doing these activities.
4. first aid kits
Your leader/guide will carry
a medical kit with him/her
at all times during your
trip, including any trek,
cycle ride, etc. This
medical kit contains basic
first aid supplies. Our
legal responsibilities
dictate that we cannot
distribute drugs to any
traveller.
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SAPA TOURS