Adventure activities – what to know before you book and what to do if things go wrong

With winter on its way, you may be planning adrenaline-filled trips: skiing or snowboarding, or if winter sun is on the agenda, paragliding, climbing, white-water rafting or mountain treks.

These adventures are fantastic for making memories, but they also carry real risks. As a law firm that helps people after serious accidents, we want you to be prepared: know what to look for in a provider, how they should manage risks, and what steps to take if someone is injured.

UK cases show why safety matters

There are stark reminders that safety systems can fail. The Lyme Bay canoeing disaster in 1993, where four teenagers died, led to convictions and a corporate penalty. It remains a landmark example of poor supervision, inadequate equipment and failures to follow basic safety procedures.

More recently, four people died during a commercial paddleboard tour in Pembrokeshire in 2021; the company owner and an instructor were prosecuted and sentenced, with the Crown Prosecution Service and HSE publishing details of the case. These prosecutions underline that operators can be criminally liable where gross negligence contributes to death.

These cases illustrate what can go wrong when risk assessments are inadequate and staff are incompetent.

What your provider should have in place

When choosing a company, do a safety check and consider the following before signing up:

  • For activities for under-18s or in remote areas, providers often need an adventure activities licence administered by the HSE (the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority). Many reputable operators also follow BS 8848 or hold industry accreditations (such as Adventuremark, Mountain Training, or RYA qualifications). These do not remove risk, but they show that a provider follows recognised safety systems.
  • A professional operator will have written risk assessments for each activity and clear emergency procedures. Ask for examples that cover weather contingencies, rescue arrangements, communication plans, and equipment maintenance.
  • Check instructor qualifications and ratios (i.e., how many guides per participant).
  • Look for evidence of regular kit checks, modern helmets, buoyancy aids, radios, throwlines, and first-aid kits. For winter sports, bindings, helmets, and boots should be fitted correctly and maintained; for aerial sports (paragliding, skydiving), reserve systems and harness checks are essential.
  • Reputable providers will assess participants’ fitness and competence honestly and run clear briefings, including what participants must do in an emergency. If a provider pressures you to go despite concerns about the weather, your skills, or your health, treat that as a red flag.
  • Check public liability insurance and read the booking terms carefully before signing and/or paying. If you book as part of a package holiday, your rights may differ, and you may be able to claim from the tour operator.

Common failings to watch for

Providers sometimes cut corners on staff training, fail to supervise novice groups, underestimate weather, or choose routes that exceed participants’ abilities. Historical tragedies repeatedly show the same small failures stacking together: inadequate briefings, missing radios, no contingency for severe weather, or inexperienced staff left in charge of remote groups.

Special note for ski holidays and winter sports: Collisions, poor technique, unstable snow conditions or venturing off-piste when the group isn’t ready or the conditions are dangerous can result in ski or snowboard accidents. If you are booking lessons or guided off-piste runs, check the instructor credentials, group size and whether avalanche equipment and rescue plans are in place. If you book through a UK tour operator, you may be able to bring a claim against them.

What to do in the case of an accident

  1. Call emergency services if needed and follow the provider’s emergency plan. Do not move someone with suspected spinal or severe limb injuries unless staying put is more dangerous.
  2. Take photographs and/or a video of the scene, equipment, weather conditions, and injuries. Keep any hire equipment (do not return it until checked) and retain your booking confirmations and any written safety briefings or documentation.
  3. Collect the names and qualifications of any instructor/guide, and contact details of witnesses and the provider.
  4. If the injury occurred in the UK, the provider may have to report it to the HSE or local authority. If the provider will not report, you can contact HSE for guidance. For fatal or serious incidents, police and coroners may become involved.
  5. If the accident is due to negligence (poor briefing, unqualified staff, faulty kit, inadequate rescue arrangements), speak to a solicitor who specialises in personal injury and travel/holiday claims, such as NV Legal. Timely legal advice helps preserve evidence and ensures your rights, especially if the activity was abroad or you booked through a package operator.

Reporting and accountability

When things go seriously wrong, criminal charges are possible, as recent prosecutions show. Compensation claims can cover injuries sustained, but crucially, medical costs, rehabilitation, lost earnings, and long-term care. If your case involves an overseas operator, the law can be more complex; it is essential to get specialist advice.

Questions to ask before you book any activity

  • Are you licensed or accredited for this activity? Which bodies? (Ask for details.)
  • What are the instructor-to-participant ratios and instructor qualifications?
  • Can you see your written risk assessment and a summary of emergency procedures?
  • What rescue equipment and communications will be on the trip?
  • What happens if the weather makes the activity unsafe? Refund, reschedule or alternative?
  • What insurance do you hold, and what does it cover?

Adventure sports are a fantastic way to make memories, but safety should be paramount and never left to chance. If you or someone you care about has been injured on an organised activity, we can help you understand whether negligence played a part and what legal options may be available. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation chat.

About NV Legal

We pride ourselves on our personal, hands-on approach. When you work with us, you won’t be passed between departments or left chasing updates. You’ll deal directly with one of our experienced solicitors, who will manage your claim and recovery pathway from start to finish.

If you need support, get in touch with NV Legal. It is not just about the claim; it is about helping you recover. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis; you will not be charged if your claim is unsuccessful, and your case will only be managed by a qualified solicitor from day one.

Call – 03330 112 732

Email – info@nvlegal.co.uk

Website – nvlegal.co.uk

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