Please read this page carefully before registering for any OffChartCPD expedition. Participation implies acceptance of the principles set out below.
OffChartCPD expeditions involve inherently hazardous outdoor activities. Ski touring, backcountry skiing, scuba diving, high-altitude trekking and wilderness paddling all carry real risk of serious injury or death. Participation is voluntary and conditional on honest self-assessment of your skills, fitness and experience.
The activities undertaken on OffChartCPD expeditions — including but not limited to ski touring, backcountry skiing, avalanche terrain travel, scuba diving, remote trekking and wilderness canoeing — involve inherent and unavoidable risks that cannot be fully mitigated by planning, guidance or equipment. These risks include:
By registering for an OffChartCPD expedition, participants acknowledge awareness of these risks and accept personal responsibility for their decision to participate.
OffChartCPD is a continuing professional development organisation. Our role is to convene and deliver the CPD programme that forms the educational component of each expedition.
All outdoor activities — ski guiding, dive leadership, trekking leadership, canoe guiding — are led by qualified independent guides and operators holding relevant professional certifications (IFMGA mountain guides, PADI/SSI dive professionals, national outdoor leadership qualifications as appropriate to each discipline and jurisdiction).
OffChartCPD does not hold itself out as an outdoor activity operator and accepts no liability for incidents arising from the conduct of outdoor activities led by contracted third-party guides and operators.
Each participant is personally responsible for:
All participants must hold comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers the activities involved in their expedition. This is a non-negotiable condition of participation.
Insurance must include, at a minimum:
For skiing and ski touring expeditions, participants should also consider dedicated avalanche rescue insurance. For diving expeditions, DAN (Divers Alert Network) membership provides specific decompression illness cover and is strongly recommended.
Proof of insurance may be requested prior to departure. OffChartCPD accepts no liability for costs arising from inadequate insurance cover.
Each expedition specifies minimum skill and experience requirements. These are set for safety reasons, not as aspirational targets. Participants who do not meet the stated prerequisites should not register.
OffChartCPD reserves the right to refuse participation or remove a participant from an expedition at any stage if, in the reasonable opinion of the expedition coordinator or guide, the participant's skill level poses a risk to themselves or others.
Use the Skills Self-Assessment tool to evaluate your readiness before registering.
Participants are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to participate. For expeditions to altitude (above 3000m), pre-existing cardiac, respiratory or haematological conditions should be discussed with a physician prior to registration. For diving expeditions, a current dive medical is strongly recommended. For all expeditions, participants should disclose current medications and relevant medical history on the medical declaration form.
Questions regarding safety, insurance or participation requirements should be directed to [email protected].
All participants must complete this waiver and medical screening form prior to joining an OffChartCPD expedition. The form is submitted electronically and a copy is retained by OffChartCPD.