At Izzy Tours, your safety is our first and foremost priority.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

Our booking conditions are currently being updated, if you are travelling with us please contact us for a copy.

Venturing into any potentially hostile environment without the appropriate clothing and equipment will very probably comprise your comfort and/or safety. You will enjoy your experience and be safe if you follow a few simple instructions and wear appropriate clothing.

There is no need to spend a fortune buying the state of the art Alpine/Arctic equipment!
Your son/daughter will not be asked to endure or undertake any potentially hazardous activities. They could however, if it is not summer, be subjected to sub-zero temperatures, cold winds, rain and snow. They will be expected to walk on rough terrain, snow and ice.

KEEPING WARM

› Layering is the key to retaining body heat because air is trapped between the layers and therefore ‘insulates’ your body from the cold.
› Several thin layers are more effective than any one thick garment.
› Woollen fabrics are better insulators than synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester.
› Some modern fabrics are excellent, allowing water vapour to pass through without losing any heat.
› Don’t forget your legs! Warm trousers (not jeans) are essential, but bring light ones for summer and always bring waterproof trousers whatever the time of year.
› … on your feet! Thick woollen socks are best (not nylon)
› A Hat! Needed all year – more heat is lost through the head than any other part for the body. A warm one for winter that also can cover the ears is good. A scarf is essential October to April to protect the neck.
› Gloves (waterproof): frozen fingers hurt, wet fingers lose heat: uncovered wrists can have significant heat loss.
› Depending on the weather, anything between 1 and 5 layers will be required.

Suggested layers:
Base layer of a thermal vest/long johns if cold
Cotton T-shirt if warm
Collared shirt/rugby top or polo sweater (scarf if not polo)
Woollen/breathable fleece/sweater
Insulated jacket/fleece
Waterproof outer garments (top and bottom)

If going in summer, then 3 layers would be normal (and include shorts just in case!!). Whatever time of year, be prepared to carry an extra layer in your daysack.

WARNING:

Overheating (too many layers) can be as debilitating and dangerous as getting cold, so don’t start your day looking like an arctic explorer/Michelin man or woman by wearing everything!

KEEPING DRY

› Getting wet leads to cold/heat loss which can lead to hypothermia which is very serious
› A fully waterproof out garment is ABSOLUTELY essential. Beware of misleading claims common amongst cheaper brands of nylon-based garments. Gore-Tex, Paramo or similar fabric is advisable.
› Waterproof trousers are a must.

STAYING UPRIGHT

› Boots are essential! Trainers, however expensive, are no substitute as they don’t give you ankle support. Wellington boots are not to be used as although they are waterproof, they’re useless for gripping on wet rocks.
› Please don’t feel obliged to spend a small fortune on 4-season boots which may only be used for a week. Any waterproof with a vibram or similar moulded rubber sole will be adequate. Please wear them in before going to Iceland

INDOOR CLOTHING

The places where we stay are warm and comfortable and so you will need light clothing and footwear (eg trainers) to change into during the evening.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

› Sunglasses – all year round there’s a high albedo (reflection of sunlight) off snow and ice. They also protect you from dust-storms if there are high winds blowing off ash areas. Contact lens users may wish to bring ‘goggles’.
› A small day-sack – big enough to carry spare jumper/waterproofs plus packed lunch, drinks bottle, camera etc
› Sun-block cream in the warmer months

PERSONAL

› Towel (suitable for when swimming)
› Swim-wear
› Personal Toiletries
› Personal medications (staff responsible need to be aware and informed of any prescribed medications)

OTHER USEFUL THINGS TO HAVE

› Thermos flask (or water bottle in summer)
› A seriously LARGE block of chocolate (chocolate is ridiculously expensive to buy in Iceland) or multiple packs
› Camera (don’t forget charging and download cables as well as spare batteries)
› Plasters and paracetamol etc
› Writing paper, pens, pencils
› Plastic bags

PERSONAL STEREOS & OTHER ELECTRICAL ITEMS

For reasons of safety, the use of personal stereos/ipods etc with head-phones/ear pieces is not permitted when out in the field. Batteries will be expensive in Iceland so bring your own spare ones. You must have your own personal insurance for any such items

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL SAFETY

› Rules and regulations will be kept to a minimum
› When instructions are given, they are given for a reason … YOUR SAFETY!
› Follow all instructions from your staff/party leader
› Disregarding any instructions will be viewed as being a serious breach of discipline

WE, the staff, rely heavily on YOU to make this a successful, enjoyable and memorable experience: we are a team together!

We do like to keep rules and regulations to a minimum but in the interest of enjoyment & safety, and in the hope that students will gain the most from their visit, we expect the following standards of behaviour during the course.

At the Hotels

1. Familiarise yourself with the escape routes posted in your bedrooms
2. Do not indulge in smoking or the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. Do not leave the grounds without first notifying a member of staff.
4. Do not place items of clothing on electric radiators – especially if they are wet.
5. Remember that this is also the home of your hosts and that the usual home courtesies are expected.

In the field:

General Safety: Remember that you have a responsibility (a) to yourself, (b) to those around you, and (c) if called upon, to those who might be called in to help you.

Crossing Roads: Remember Icelanders drive on the right hand side of the road.

Water: Icelandic rivers are notoriously cold and fast flowing. At no time should you enter a stream or river. Similarly the Atlantic swell onto south coast beaches comes uninterrupted for thousands of miles. Waves are large and beaches sometimes steep. Playing dare devil or throwing stones into the sea is not to be undertaken. The north coast waters are colder, being part of the Arctic Ocean.

Falling rocks: There is much loose material in front of a glacier and this can be unstable and contain large boulders. It may also be underlain by an ice core or near liquid clay which can make it slippery. Extreme care should be exercised. Stones should never been thrown in any situation.

Exposure: There is no reason why any student should suffer from exposure or hypothermia if instructions are obeyed.

Burns: The areas around hot springs are not safe owing to thin crusts overlying boiling water. Only walk where directed by staff/guide. Should your foot go into boiling water (a) say so, (b) remove boot/sock & keep foot off ground, (c) apply cold water and d) sterile (non-fluffy, non-adhesive) dressing. There will be burn dressings in the First Aid Kit carried by the guide.

Dust in the eyes: Glacial and volcanic areas can be very dusty in dry weather. The wind can blow grit or students playing around can kick up dust. Sensible behaviour must be stressed. Should you get something in the eye (a) say so, (b) do not rub it, (c) ask for help!!

Getting Lost: At no time should any group split up or any individual select to go off without first asking a member of staff. The only place where groups will be more independent is in Reykjavík which is a very safe city and the instructions to students are very specific.

Unforeseen hazards: As this is a hazardous environment the advice of the guide/tutor must be obeyed

First Aid: While our guides/tutors carry a First Aid in the field, it is your responsibility to carry your own basic kit of plasters etc. for blisters, cuts etc.

Clothing: We have issued a clothing list. It is absolutely essential that you are prepared for cold and wet. We reserve the right to refuse a student to take part if the clothing is considered to be inadequate.

Walkman: We do not consider it to be safe practice to use a walkman in the field.

Sleep: The days will be long and demanding. We ask that students should be in their rooms by 2300 (or at agreed times by your staff) and sufficiently quiet so that those around them may sleep.

Food: The days can be long and demanding. Do not skimp on your food and be sure to make up a decent packed lunch each day. Supplement it with your own chocolate and drink

Conservation: All of the fieldwork units contain an environmental element and we expect students to be conscious of the fragility of the Icelandic environment and the risks that they bring to it by using it in large numbers. We try to minimise this impact and request your co-operation in this.

FOR STAFF, TUTORS and GUIDES

1. General:

There are no hard and fast rules dictating how to manage incidents. An incident could take any shape or form, and relies on the quick thinking and experience of those involved to minimise its impact. However, the following general guidelines are likely to apply.

2. Initial Response.

a. Remove from further danger – ensure that everyone is safe.
b. Ask the guide to call emergency services, if appropriate and necessary. In a major incident, Guide is to oversee and advise on action to be taken in the light of Icelandic training for such incidents
c. First Aider (Tutor, Guide or qualified staff member) to carry out first aid if required.
d. Account for all students, staff, coach driver, Icelandic Guide and Tutor (if there)
e. Organise students into groups with staff member in charge to talk with them to help minimise shock. Tell students the procedures to be followed so that alarming phone calls aren’t made to parents. Ask that no mobiles be used until permission is given as the exact nature of the incident has to be determined
f. Deal with any other immediate issues.

3. Follow up Response

a. Continue to ensure the safety and welfare of the group.
b. Contact Izzy Tours in the UK and member of staff in charge of the party to contact Head/Principal or designated adult back at the school/college
› Outline to students what needs to be said if they are texting or phoning
› Guide or Tutor to make notes of or record details of incident
› Mobile phone calls to be kept brief as you will be busy and may need to save batteries. Izzy Tours will, where possible, coordinate the further passage of information.
› Do not delay calling Izzy Tours just because some information is not available. It is better to call as early as possible and then trickle further information to them as you get it.

c. Guide to Inform other guides or Guðrún Frederiksen of situation
d. School or College to inform next of kin (if Izzy tours unable to do so)

4. Subsequent Actions.

a. Record/write down all incident details: ask staff/students to write reports as relevant.
b. Photograph the site of the incident (if appropriate)
c. If an accident, retain all equipment involved in an unaltered state.
d. Other possible steps that you may need to take:
› Staff and possibly students to be taken to Hospital
› Dealing with onlookers
› Dealing with press/media who have arrived at the incident site (make no comment, give no names or details, politely refer media to Izzy Tours)
› Co-ordinating rota of people to accompany casualty(ies) in hospital
› Giving police statements
› Arranging for return of the group to their accommodation or possibly the UK
› Arranging for immediate counselling for the group (by you/other staff)
› Izzy Tours to arrange parents to fly to Iceland and to take them to Hospital

5. Do not:

› Admit liability to anyone
› Let individuals phone home until the Head/Principal , Guðrún Frederiksen and Izzy Tours have been contacted if possible
› Make a statement to the media or allow them access to any student/member of staff

6. Passage of Information:

In addition, Izzy Tours will notify the following:
› Relevant Insurance Companies
› British Embassy / Consulate if appropriate.
› Partner agencies/companies in Iceland if appropriate
› Prepare a press release if necessary.
› Notify HSE if necessary.

7. When the incident is over:

› Guide, Tutor (if there), Coach Driver and staff will be debriefed
› They will need to submit a full report and or incident report form
› They will need to submit any photo records you have
› They will need to hand in any equipment involved in the incident
› They will be offered counselling and Schools should organise counselling for students as appropriate
› Izzy Tours will review the incident and safety procedure. They will then implement any changes as appropriate.

8. Media Response:

a. A media spokesperson will be appointed by Izzy tours to handle media enquiries and prepare a response.
b. Upon contact by the media the first response given will be: ‘We are currently investigating the incident and will issue a formal statement at XX hours today / tomorrow’.
c. There should be at least 6 hours time allowed to gather the facts and prepare a statement.
d. At the agreed time a written statement will be read out and copies supplied to the media.
e. Depending on the situation there may be a need for further statements / interviews. Interviews should be handled with caution and with as much preparation and planning as possible.