IDAHO GUIDE SERVICE
EMPLOYEE/STAFFING MANUAL
Thank you for joining us this season. We are looking forward to this years river adventures. Find following the official rules and regulations of Idaho Guide Service Inc.( IGS.) Please feel free to comment and or offer suggestions in regards to its content and presentation.
DE-RIGGING, WAREHOUSE AND TRIP STAGING OPERATION;
All equipment will be handled with the utmost TLC! Equipment will be carried, not drug or tossed. Please!
A salaried or full time guide will be a team player and committed to maintaining the quality and appearance of the equipment in use by IGS. The de-rigging of any trip shall leave the equipment cleaned and repaired if necessary. All equipment stored after a trip shall be in a condition of non-use, i.e. may not be used for the remainder of the season thus ready for storage and is in good repair and clean.
IGS maintains a warehouse for all equipment in Twin Falls, Idaho. During the season, an organized warehouse keeps the jobs of cleaning up and packing between trips quick, simple and painless. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure the warehouse is completely swept, cleaned, and everything is put in its place prior to departing for each trip. This will include boats washed, equipment cleaned, and any equipment not in use to be left in “condition of non-use”.
Equipment will be maintained, cleaned, and repaired during the de-rigging. Projects will not be allowed to accumulate unless repair items are not available. A chalkboard will be used to order anything not in stock. Lists will be kept on the river and the lead guide of the trip will delegate assignments. Life jackets will be washed once per week.
Vehicles need to be washed, cleaned, and fluids checked during the de-rigging.
Due to very limited space, guides should keep all personal items somewhere other than the warehouse and not IGS vehicles. Parking for guide vehicles is available, but limited.
VEHICLE AND TRAILER OPERATION;
Each trip leader and designated driver is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and trailer being used. This includes, but is not limited to, driving no faster than conditions permit and in no case, faster than the posted speed limit and not in violation of any applicable laws. No alcohol and or drugs are to be consumed by the designated driver either before or during a road trip. NO EXCEPTIONS!
The deductible for damage incurred at driver fault will be the responsibility of the designated driver.
Particular care is to be taken in loading the trailer. Weight is to be properly distributed and everything securely tied down. The trip leader, designated equipment guide, and all other trip guides are responsible for the loading and securing of each trailer load. In other words, each guide on the crew is individually responsible for each trailer load. In the event of lost, stolen or damaged equipment, the entire crew will share the consequences should the problem be in their control.
In addition, each trip leader, designated driver and designated equipment guide is responsible for checking for proper tire inflation, operation of lights, operation of brakes, trailer properly coupled with truck, engine oil and other vital fluids and notifying the office in the event of an equipment failure.
The insurance on our vehicles covers only the staff. In no case shall any guests be allowed to ride in any of the company vehicles because our insurance specifically excludes our guests. Olin or Shelley must approve any exceptions.
No on is allowed to ride on the trailer under any circumstance.
All company vehicles are to be used for company business only.
RIVER ETIQUETTE:
At IGS, we strive to always maintain our professionalism as well as maintaining warm and friendly relationships with the BLM, Park Service, and Twin Falls County personnel, private river users, other outfitters and guides and anyone else we may contact in our day to day travels. Because IGS is a multi-permit company, it is very important to always stress the positive aspects of each adventure we offer to our guests. The river sections we run are different and one is not better than the other. When a guest asks which adventure is better, explain that one is not better than the other, but they are different and it depends on what kind of experience the person is looking for. Generally, the guests are asking about the other offerings because they are considering doing another IGS trip. If the guides give all the adventures we do a favorable mention, bookings should increase thus increasing the need for paid guides.
Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance because a guide’s job includes preparing meals and spending extended time with our guests. All guides should be extra careful with hair control while around food and shirts should always be worn when preparing or serving. Clean clothes, appearance and appropriate language are always appreciated by guests.
LICENSES AND FEES:
IGS will pay for the license of any guide completing 20 river days in any one season. IGS will pay the initial cost of licenses for all tenured guides committing to a full season schedule. Any tenured guide not completing 20 trips in any one season will be required to reimburse IGS for the cost of their guide’s license. Any part-time or non-tenured guides will be required to pay the initial cost of their license and will be reimbursed upon the completion of the 20 river days.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT:
IGS will reimburse guides for any expenses incurred for the benefit of the company. The costs for any guide’s meals while in transit between trips is the responsibility of the guides. In order to be reimbursed for any expenses, receipts must be submitted to the office at the end of the trip the expense was incurred.
DISCOUNTED SEATS AND COMPLIMENTARY SEATS:
As a general rule, IGS does not mix trips with full paying guests and discount price guests. Our experience has taught us that once the guests spend time together on a trip, they will generally mention that they got a deal or paid full price. This creates bad will and is damaging to the credibility of the guides and the company. The full price guests always question the value of their trip when they find out some guests paid less than full price. Our experience also shows that full price guests leave larger tips for the guides and are easier to care for than the discounted guests.
No complimentary seats are available; however the immediate family of our guides may receive a discount of IGS River trips if they have reservations in advance. These seats must be booked and scheduled through Olin or Shelley and are sold on a space available basis.
LIABILITY RELEASES:
All trip participants, other than IGS staff, are required to sign a standard IGS assumption of risk form prior to joining an IGS trip. This is required by our insurance carrier and there are no exceptions.
Generally, the office will have all participants sign the Assumption of Risk form, however, there may be cases where a guest must sign at the put-in. Notification will be made regarding who needs to sign at the time the boater registration form is released from the office. Due to the need for each guest to sign a liability release, we are not able to offer rides down the river to hikers or other boaters that we may encounter along the river corridor.
TRIP DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
The duties of each guide crew are comprised of four major areas of responsibility. These areas of responsibility are as follows:
Area (1) TRIP LEADER
The trip leader is responsible for the guest’s pre-trip orientation (when necessary), boater registrations, riverside guest orientations, coordination of all guest activities, guest’s transportation, management of the crew, and general responsibility for the pre-trip, trip, and post-trip operations.
Riverside guest orientation will include briefing the passengers on the hazards associated with a river trip as well as the necessary safety measures to be taken during the trip. Recommend the buddy system and ask to be informed of the direction of travel. Discussions should include camp safety and sanitation as well as boating safety (e.g. the proper use of life jackets, safety, hiking, swimming, etc.) Before the launch, and during the trip, all passengers will be informed of regulations pertaining to minimum impact camping and river use.
Area (2) FOODHEAD & ASSISTANT
The food head is responsible for pre-trip packing of all food (boxes and coolers), spices, wine, charcoal, lighter fluid, and paper goods. The food head is also responsible for the post-trip cleaning of the kitchen, ordering of supplies, restocking of leftover food and cleaning of all coolers. During the trip, the food head is responsible for all meals, maintenance of the kitchen and pulling the food for each meal.
Area (3) EQUIPMENT HEAD
The equipment head is responsible for pre-trip loading of equipment, on-going maintenance of equipment items and preparing the truck and trailer for each trip. The equipment head is also responsible for the post-trip loading of the trailer at the ramps and unloading of the truck and trailer at the warehouse. During the trip, the equipment head is responsible for the fire pan, fire wood, coffee, tables, chairs, and checking of boats.
Area (4) GUEST HEAD
The guest head is responsible for pre-trip wetsuits, rain gear, life jackets, helmets, guide beverages, guest beverages, library and games. The guest head is also responsible for the post-trip cleaning of all life jackets, rain gear, etc.
The additional guides on each trip will be assigned various duties by the trip leader of they will be assigned to work under the direction of an area head. For smaller groups, the trip leader must assume responsibility for multiple areas.
STANDARD GROUP ORDER WHILE ON THE RIVER;
In the interest of safety, the order of the boats while on the river is of the utmost importance. The guides must always attempt to maintain a cohesive group. The tail boat (the last boat in the flotilla) should always be within sight of the lead boat or a distance of less than ½ mile. The tail boat will have the trauma kit and rescue equipment and the guide on this boat will be well versed in using both. The guide on the lead boat will be an experienced person on the crew as well as holding a lead guide’s license for the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. All other boats will be safely spaced between the lead boat and the tail boat. This order is to be consistently maintained with particular care taken when navigating rapids.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY:
The consumption of any alcohol or drugs, including beer while guiding is strictly prohibited. Light social consumption during the evening at camp is permitted. The use of any bad illegal drug is prohibited. Intoxication by any guide on any trip will lead to immediate dismissal.
FIRST AID AND RESCUE:
Each guide should have a personal “ouch kit” to take care of the small needs. Each trip will have one large trauma kit and one or more small basic first aid kits. All guides should familiarize themselves with the contents of each kit and how to use each item.
Each trip will also have one large rescue bag containing a static line, several pulleys, webbing, prusiks, etc. All guides should be familiar with the contents of the large rescue bag and how to use the items in it. Also, each guide and each boat will have his or her own personal throw bag.
The trauma kit and large rescue bag will always be on the tail boat.
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES:
Emergency phone numbers and evacuation plans are kept in each trip’s trauma kit. Accident and incident report forms are also kept in each trauma kit.
HELICOPTER EVACUATION:
Landing Zone Preparation –
Minimum size of the area 100’ x 100”
Maximum slope, 10 degrees with no obstructions
Clear all loose objects and dampen sand
Mark perimeter with streamers (survey tape) to indicate wind direction
Contact pilot with radio when in sight
Signal pilot by positioning your back to the wind and pointing with outstretched arms to suggested sight
Safety –
Never approach helicopter until signaled to do so by pilot
Never approach helicopter from the rear of from the uphill side.
Rotorwash is extreme so it is extremely important to secure all loose objects prior to landing. The main danger is objects becoming entangled in the rotors which endangers not only the helicopter but also everyone on the ground.
Assist -
Provide assistance if necessary in loading evacuee, and if possible, have his or her personal gear loaded also. On occasion, evacuated persons who were treated on an outpatient basis at medical facilities were stranded because they did not have any clothing other than what they were wearing at the time, money, (charge), or identification with which to obtain a meal, room or transportation. There is room for two people with gear or three people without gear. If anyone leaves the trip however, there is no way they can return.
Written Report for Physician or Hospital –
The helicopter pilot should be given a written report that should have the name and address of injured or ill; name, phone number and address of relative or other person to be contacted; nature and cause of illness or injury; first aid treatment given, and type, amount and time given of any medication – this information is of critical importance to the attending physician. Also include the outfitter and trip leader’s name. If at all possible, a guide will accompany the injured to the hospital.
Human Relationships Regarding Accidents or Injuries –
Our relationships with our guests can help create an atmosphere that will help reduce the guests desire to make a claim against us in the event of an accident or injury. The following are guidelines for your interaction with guests before and after injuries or accidents.
Notice people.
Recognize people.
Respond to people.
Make friends (friends are less likely to sue friends).
Comment on the things people are doing right from a safety viewpoint.
Pay special attention to people after an injury. Recreation allows people to do stupid things they would not do under normal circumstances.
Observe and document when the injured person/guest seems to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Do not volunteer insurance information for liability purposes.
Never give first aid without the permission of the guest.
Document what people say immediately after an accident. Many times they are self-accusing at first.
Put down what you observed. If you did not see it, indicate “party stated..” If what you saw differs from what guests stated, indicate it.
Put any information which is pertinent, such as “guest stated she was not hurt, but her husband insisted she be given first aid”.
If the injury is a result of another guest’s negligence, so indicate.
Do not include conjecture or possibilities. State only facts you know or quote comments you hear.
Remember that everything you are told is important. Guests often tell the first person they talk to one version of how an accident occurred and tell a different story later on.
In your report of the accident it is very important you get the first version of how an accident occurred or that you are a witness.
Take what pictures you can. If you think a picture of the location and conditions would help document the accident, please get one.
Indicate any witnesses, employees or guests, including name, address and phone. The witnesses could be extremely important.
Written statements. If any injury appears serious, it may be prudent to ask for a written statement by witnesses.
Guides should not encourage guests to participate in activities which pose greaten than normal hazards, or in which the guest is reluctant to be involved.
The human relationship guidelines above should be studied carefully and reviewed often.
ITEMS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE;
Each item included in this package should be reviewed carefully and utilized for its specific purpose. All of the laminated sheets are to be kept in our vehicles and dry bag, so they can be handy and used as needed.
The following items are included in this package –
1. Guests pre-trip orientation outline. This is an outline of the topics covered in IGS’s standard pre-trip orientation. This orientation is generally given before the trip launch. Keep this outline handy in case you are ever called upon to give an orientation.
2. Release of Liability and Acknowledgment of Rick form. Each guest is required to sign this form.
3. Guest Survey. This form is sent to each guest after their trip so they can rate our service. This is generally where we hear about the service and care provided by specific guides. The returned surveys are always available at the office for guide to review.
4. The general safety talk. 5” by 7” laminated card. Use this card when called upon to present the safety talk to our guests. This talk is normally given at the river launch site.
5. Camp safety talk. 5” by 7” laminated card. Use this card when called upon to present the camp safety talk. This take is normally given at the first launch or at the first camp.
6. Inflatable kayak safety talk. 5” by 7” laminated card. Use this card when orienting the inflatable kayakers. This talk is normally given at the river launch site, however, you may need to refer to it any time during the trip.
7. First aid and trauma kit contents: 5” by 7” laminated card. Refer to this card for the contents of our medical kits.
8. Rescue card. 5” by 7” laminated card. Located in large rescue. This card is to be used as a quick reference for setting up z-drags and vector pulls.
9. Recommended minimum cold water protection for guests. This is a guideline to use in suggesting how our guest should dress for the river.
10. IGS emergence phone list. Phone numbers to use in the event of an incident. Copies of this form will be in each major trauma kit.
11. Incident and accident report form. This form is to be completed in the event of an incident. A copy of this form will be in each major trauma kit.
12. Witness statement form. Several of these forms will be in each major trauma kit.
