Risk Matrix

Likelihood:
Very Low hazard very unlikely to happen
Low hazard unlikely to happen
Medium hazard likely to happen
High - hazard very likely to happen
Very High hazard most likely to happen
Severity
Very Low very little severity as a result of hazard happening, injury very minor, will not stop the trip
Low - little severity as a result of hazard happening, minor injury, may require some attention but will not stop trip
Medium some severity as a result of hazard happening, major injury, will require attention but may not stop trip
High - high severity as a result of hazard happening, severe injury, trip may be stopped
Very High very high severity as a result of hazard happening, very severe injuries and/or fatalities, trip stopped

Risk & Hazard

Assessment

Frequency Severity Risk

Incident
Management Management
Employed
Employed
Low - High

Low High

Water
Source

Medium

Medium

Severe Cold-

Low

Low

Environmental Hazards
All drinking water
should be bottled,
boiled or filtered.
Students are
instructed to
constantly wash
their hands & use
anti-bacterial.
Students should not
drink local tap water
to avoid the
unprecedented
water borne
disease. Sealed
bottled water is
recommended &
available.
Participants should
use their own water
bottles at all times.
While day time
temperatures may
reach 30 degrees
Celsius, night time
temperatures at high
elevations can drop
drastically. Students
should bring warm
clothing suitable for
temperatures as low
as 0-5 degrees
Celsius.
SEASONAL
UPDATE: The
temperatures at
night right now are

Monitor for vomiting

or diarrhea or other
gastrointestinal
problems.

Monitor for
hypothermia, treat
appropriately. Get
person indoors,
remove wet clothing
and dry the person
off, if needed. Warm
the person's core
first, as warming
extremities first can
cause shock. Wrap
person in blankets
and put dry clothing
on, do not apply hot
packs directly to
skin. Do not

Severe Heat

Medium

Medium

High UV Index

Medium

Medium

Heavy rain

Low

Medium

Severe Humidity

Very Low

Low

approximately 7C
or 8C so this is not
applicable in this
season. The only
place that they may
have colder
temperatures is
when group is in
Lares.
Light clothing.
Hydration. Sun
protection & sun
screen all
recommended to
students. Monitor for
"acclimatization
effect", headaches,
gastrointestinal &
nausea are
indicators. Drinkable
water to be readily
available daily.
Light clothing.
Hydration. Sun
protection & high
SPF sun screen all
recommended to
students. Monitor for
"acclimatization
effect", headaches,
gastrointestinal &
nausea are
indicators. Drinkable
water to be readily
available daily. Sun
hats should be worn
throughout the day.
While Peru's dry
season runs
between April and
November, Machu
Picchu is part of the
Amazon jungle, and
the rains are present
in all the seasons
and could effect
camping conditions
and driving
conditions. Students
are told to bring rain
gear.
Light clothing.
Hydration. Sun
protection & sun
screen all
recommended to
students. Monitor for
"acclimatization
effect", headaches,
gastrointestinal &
nausea are
indicators. Drinkable
water to be readily
available daily.

immerse the person

in warm water- rapid
warming can cause
heart arrhythmia.

Support fluid intake

for heat exhaustion.
For heat stroke you
have to cool body
core temperature
with ice, cold water
or cool air. Any fluid
intake should be
matched with
sufficient
electrolytes or salt.
Find shade. Rework
itinerary.
Support fluid intake
for heat exhaustion.
For heat stroke you
have to cool body
core temperature
with ice, cold water
or cool air. Any fluid
intake should be
matched with
sufficient
electrolytes or salt.
Find shade. Rework
itinerary.
Tour director to
consult with ground
personnel to
coordinate change
in itinerary.
Company director to
consult with bus
company to make
sure appropriate
equipment is used
for dirt roads. This
has been done at
the time of writing
this Risk
Assesment.
Support fluid intake
for heat exhaustion.
For heat stroke you
have to cool body
core temperature
with ice, cold water
or cool air. Any fluid
intake should be
matched with
sufficient
electrolytes or salt.
Find shade. Rework
itinerary.

Altitude

Medium-High

Low-Medium

Cliff or rock fall

Very Low

Medium

Seismic activity and earthquakes

Medium

Medium

Groups travel by
bus and will
descend quickly
from mountain tops.
Tour members may
experience altitude
sickness when
hiking. Make sure
group is drinking
water throughout the
day. Although food
is a plenty on the
trek, students
should not consume
a lot for dinner,
instead bigger
breakfasts and
lunches should be
eaten . The reason
for smaller dinners
is that the digestive
system slows down
at altitude and a
slower digestion at
dinner can cause
stomach issues, the
main issue on these
treks. When the
group arrives in
Cusco, they are
arriving in a city at
very high altitude.
Group should be
drinking lots of water
on the first day and
sleep at altitude on
first night before any
major activity.
Ground personnel to
monitor the path and
clear debris prior to
group arrival.
Students to be
asked to stay away
from edge of cliffs
and to walk in an
organized format as
per the conditions
and terrain.
Peru is located in an
active seismic zone
and is prone to
earthquakes. If you
are indoors when an
earthquake strikes,
make your way to a
safe zone. These
are usually marked
in public buildings
with "S, which
indicate where the
structural pillars are
located. If you are
outside, keep away
from buildings and
other areas where
objects could fall.

Remain hydrated
and monitor for
altitude sickness.
Remove students
from Trek if needed.
Should travel with
local guide and
teacher. Stay in
Hotel in
Olantatambo or in
Calca. Or if needed
bring participant to
closest hospital.
Refrain from giving
any over the counter
drugs as altitude
sickness can mask
other illnesses or
vice versa and this
could further
complicate issues.
Most participants
will feel the altitude
and will manifest
very mild symptons
of dizziness, loss of
appetite, headache
and sometimes a
little bit of naseau.

Clear other students

from area. deploy
rescue system.
Check for head,
neck and spine
injuries. Donkeys or
horses maybe
present for evac use
for non-spinal
injuries
After incident report
immediately to a
superior, etc.) If on
the hike; 1. Head to
emergency meeting
spot. 2.Decide on
your evacuation
route from your
hotel 3. Have bus
drivers phone
number ready for
bus evacuation.
5.Tour director to
coordinate with local
authorities to
determine where
group should remain
and when they could
return to their hotel.
If other
accommodations

Hiking injury/Lares Trek emergencies

Medium

Medium

AASD guides and

local guides carry a
first aid kit for basic
medical problems.
Local guides work
these trails with
hundreds of
travellers a year and
are not unfamiliar
with evacuations. In
the instances where
an individual
becomes ill, they
would be escorted
back to Calca or
Cusco. Both Calca
and Cusco have
modern medical
facilities.

Steep terrain

Low

Medium

Zika Virus

Very Low

Medium

AASD deploy one

staff in front and
behind to moderate
speed and keep
group aware of
steep and
dangerous areas.
The WHO has
declared Zika virus
as "a global
emergency"
however, the CDC
has not made any
adjustments to their
travel
restrictions. Since
the group will be at
high altitude, there
is very little risk of
being bitten by a
mosquito, let alone
contracting the Zika
virus. We will be
sure to keep trip
leaders apprised of
the situation, so that
they can pass this
information along to
students and
parents. Zika poses
a most significant
risk to pregnant
women and those in
their potential child-

are needed, to
coordinate with local
hotels 6. Group
should only head
back to clear items
or stay in original
hotel if the local
authorities permit
them to do so. Call
airlines and
embassy and figure
out best way to
evac.
Peru's national
police have a
mountain rescue
department that will
come in to evacuate
in these
circumstances as
the trek will not be
done with horses
which is how people
are evacuated on
longer treks. Once
off the trek we will
have an ambulance
waiting to bring the
client to nearest
clinic either in the
Sacred Valley if
near the end of the
trek or back to
Cusco if at the
beginning of the
trek.
Clear other students
from area. Deploy
rescue system with
local personnel

Teachers should
pack mosquito
repellent, and
ensure students
have long clothing.
Cover exposed skin
by wearing longsleeved shirts and
long pants. Use
insect repellents
containing DEET,
picaridin, oil of
lemon eucalyptus
(OLE), or IR3535.
Always use as
directed. Pregnant
and breastfeeding
women can use all
registered insect
repellents, including
DEET, according to
the product label.
Sexual transmission
of Zika virus from a
male partner is
possible. If you have
sex (vaginal, anal,

bearing years. Most

people who are
infected do not
develop
symptoms. Those
who do, experience
what are considered
'mild' symptoms.
AASD policy for
international travel is
to seek guidance
from the United
States Department
of Foreign Affairs.
We will monitor the
government's travel
advisories, and will
not travel to if the
government is
advising against
non-essential travel.
We will be looking to
limit exposure to
mosquitos to help
prevent against a
number of mosquitoborne illnesses.

or oral) with a male

partner while
traveling, you should
use condoms.
Condoms can also
help prevent HIV
and other sexually
transmitted
diseases. After
travel, Men who
have traveled to an
area with ongoing
Zika transmission
should consider
using condoms
consistently and
correctly to protect
their sexual
partners. Men who
have traveled to an
area with ongoing
Zika transmission
who have a
pregnant partner
should abstain from
sexual activity
(vaginal, anal, or
oral) or consistently
and correctly use
condoms for the
duration of the
pregnancy.

Culture shock is a
regular occurrence
for trips to Peru due
to its differences
from the home
country.
Participants will be
instructed on proper
gear and clothing to
have and how to
dress while on the
trip. A pep talk
about common
practices will be
done on the first
night.
Monitor individual
students. Each
student is required
to complete a
detailed medical
form which should
give an indication of
their health levels.

Open group
communication.
Contact parents if
necessary.

Human Hazards
Culture Shock & Homesickness

High

Very Low

Lack of Fitness

Low

Medium

Separation from Group

Low

Medium

When touring the

city of Cusco,
students should
walk around in
groups of 3-4 at the
minimum. Students
will be told by AASD
& School staff to
wait for each other
when stopping to

Help carry bags for

students. Staff
should suggest the
students rest if they
overly complain of
exhaustion or
inability to complete
a task. Donkeys
Used for majority of
the hike.
One staff will remain
with the group while
the other staff goes
to look for the
missing participant.
Questions are
posed to the rest of
the group to inquire
about the last known
whereabouts of the

Kidnapping

Low

High

Civil Unrest

Very Low

High

visit stands or when

sellers approach
them. Students will
also be reminded
not to walk around
at night. All the
students will be
asked to report to
the Group Leader
before they leave
their room. If a
participant needs to
use the washroom,
they can travel in
groups of 3. The
rest of the group will
wait for the students
in the same area
until they are
finished.
Participants travel
as a group at all
times to avoid any
unavoidable
circumstance. Under
the incredibly
unlikely chance that
someone is
kidnapped, victims
are usually
abducted for a few
hours and forced to
withdraw money
from automated
banking machines.
Most express
kidnappings take
place at night, but
cases also occur
during daylight
hours. Kidnappers
tend to select
victims according to
outward signs of
affluence, such as
their clothing. Do not
accept transporation
or guide services
offered by
individuals seeking
clients on the street,
and always discuss
alternate travel
options with AASD
or school staff.
AASD abides to
travel advisories and
monitors these
updates prior to
students' travel.

participant. Staff to
contact local police
after 45 minutes and
the respective
embassy officials if
the person is
missing after more
than 1 hour.

Treat as missing
student unless
someone has
witnessed
kidnapping or
kidnapping is
confirmed. Contact
all respective
embassies and
foreign affairs if
kidnapping is
confirmed. Keep the
rest of the group in a
locked down facility.

The insurance
provides Trip
Interruption
coverage if a formal
travel warning is
issued by the Dept.
of Foreign Affairs
advising students
not to travel to a
particular country,
region or city.
Group should
remain calm and will
be assisted to
evacuation. Speak

Threat of Terrorism

Low

High

AASD abides by the

Travel Advisories
and monitors these
updates prior to the
students' travel. Of
incidents of
terrorism and
violence occur
mostly in remote
forested areas.
However, recent
incidents, including
grenade attacks
took place in Lima.
The security risks
remain high in the
jungle, at the
junction of the
departments of
Apurimac,
Ayacucho, Cusco
and Junn, and in
the Upper Huallaga
Valley, in the
departments of
Hunuco and San
Martn, because of
the presence of the
Shining Path
guerrilla group. In
recent years,
notably reported
robberies,
kidnappings,
extortion, raids,
taking temporary
control of small
villages and, more
rarely, bomb attacks
or threats of
violence to the place
the police or
influential people in
local communities. It
can be dangerous to
travel by land in
those areas.
Cocaine production
and trafficking is
most prevelent in
the center of the
country, including
the Valley of the
Apurimac River, Ene
and Mantaro
(VRAEM). It is
dangerous to travel
in regions where
coca is grown and
processed.

to company director
who will assist in
booking flights for
group. Speak to
airline directly if
possible.
Group should
remain calm and will
be assisted to
evacuation. Speak
to AASD company
director who will
assist in booking
flights for group.
Speak to airline
directly if possible.
Speak directly to
American Embassy.
Use whatever
means is necessary
to make contact with
AASD office, school
contacts or
Embassy including
cell, email, text
message or public
phone. Contact with
office is immediate
second step (or
concurrently)
following any
emergency medical
attention and getting
the group in a
central and safe
location.

Demonstrations

Medium

Low-Medium

Alcohol/Smoking/Drugs

Medium

Medium

Demonstrations and
protests are
common across the
country and could
be more frequent
before, during and
after the election
period. Strikes and
roadblocks are also
common and can
disrupt services,
including public
transport, and cause
the closure of
businesses and
government
offices. The
roadblocks may
unexpectedly
interfere with travel
in the region,
particularly the
travel to get to
Arequipa, Cusco
and Puno and
leave. In the region
of Puno, events
sometimes cause
the closure of the
border crossing with
Bolivia.In November
and December
2015, large-scale
demonstrations
have caused
disruptions
throughout the
Madre de Dios
region, including
delays and flight
cancellations. They
also caused the
closure of the border
with Brazil. There
were reports of food
and water
shortages, and
several tour
operators have
canceled their visit
to the region. In
September 2015,
tourists crossing the
Manu region by ship
were delayed and
detained for
protests.
Students will be
advised of policies
prior to trip and
discussed again on
first day. Warn of
severe punishment
and severity of
foreign
incarceration.

In Peru it is unlikely
there are unplanned
protests. They are
generally
announced a week
or 10 days in
advance. This gives
us the opportunity to
re-route completely
if necessary or
alternatively to leave
early as strikes
normally do not start
until 6:00am or
7:00am and end at
the end of the work
day. If it does
happen that a group
is unable to travel to
a certain destination
and must stay an
extra night
somewhere, we will
do our best to keep
the group at the
same hotel in which
they are staying at a
minimal cost,
however these costs
must be covered by
the group.

School rules apply

and punishment will
be determined by
school. Send
student home at
discretion of AASD
and school official.

Lost Passport

Medium

Medium

Theft

Medium

Medium

Low

Medium

Tour leader will

instigate passport
checks prior to
departing any city.
School staff will be
responsible for
holding student's
passports except
when needed by
students. In any
case, safe keeping
strategies will be
discussed.
Passports will be
locked in safe as a
group whenever
possible. Copies of
passports will be
kept in travel binder
and with AASD staff
on trip.
Tell kids to keep
everything hidden in
their bags. Leaders
should be informed
of any suspicious
activity or unknown
persons' near a
hotel room or on the
trip in general even
if they are with a
guide, staff or locals.
As a general rule,
we ask that students
remain with the
group and maintain
the "buddy system"
for safety at all
times. Pickpocketing is not
adnormal here in
Peru, make sure to
always have an eye
or hand over your
valuables in a bag
or pocket.

Arrange for
student(s) to go to
US Embassy, under
supervision of
school staff. Inform
AASD as alternative
travel arrangements
and scheduling
might be necessary.

Students to travel in
vehicles owned by
local bus company.
Drivers are trained
in safe operation of
the vehicles. Staff
members of the
vehicle carry a cell
phone with them at
all times. AASD staff
will confirm that the
bus and driver have
proper papers and
insurance and all
drivers are familiar
with the route
chosen.

Keep all students in

the vehicle if on a
major road. Remove
passengers once a
safer spot is chosen
to get out or if the
conditions of vehicle
warrant an escape.
Ask the driver to
contact the office to
get another vehicle
if needed and to
keep the group
informed of the
length of time until
repair.

Fill in incident
report. Speak with
Hotel staff and
security staff
personally. Make
sure to inform Group
Leader if the theft
value is over
$50USD. You will
need a police report
to file a claim with
insurance company.

Transport Hazard
Broken Vehicle in Transport

Vehicle Crash

Low

High

Poor road conditions

and a lack of traffic
signs are common.
Mountainous roads
can be particular
dangerous.
Travelling in groups
is recommended.
There are also slow
moving vehicles
which pose a threat
to fast moving cars
and trucks. Cautious
driving is required in
order to guarantee
safe travel.

Taxi

Low

Low

Boat Transport

Low

Medium

Crossing the street

Medium

High

Only to be used in
case of emergency.
Private
transportation will be
provided for the
entire trip.
Private
transportation will be
provided for boating
acitivities of transit.
Approriate licensing
and the presence of
enough lifejackets
and other safety
material will be
verified by AASD
prior to usage .
Do not J-walk or
cross illegally. Pay
extra attention when
crossing the street.
Stay together as a
group. Look both
ways when crossing
street. Pedestrians
may not have the
right of way and
even if they do, cars
often do not pay
attention.

Low

Medium

Triage and assess

injuries. Injured
participants will be
transferred to the
Hospital. Inform
AASD and
emergency contact.
Use crisis
management
documentation. Call
emergency services
and get injured
passengers to
nearest hospital or
suitable clinic. Staff
to complete incident
and hospital reports
as theses will be
needed for
submission to
insurance
companies, doctors
at home and family
members.
If needed, student
must travel with at
least one staff.

If needed, student
must travel with at
least one staff.

Assess for injuries.

Activity Hazard
Exposure to environmental factors heat, cold, rain, wind & animals

Adequate protective
clothing and
equipment. AASD
staff will check the
weather forecast.
Hat to be worn,
sunscreen is highly
recommended.

Ensure proper
clothing and
equipment.

Illness or injury

Low

High

Community service

Low

Low

Mosquitoes

Very Low

Low

Sand fly

Very Low

Low

Information about
existing medical
conditions must be
known by staff.
Accident/emergency
procedures carried
and known by staff.
First aid kit carried
by AASD
staff.Practice safe
food and water
precautions while
travelling in order to
prevent contraction
of cholera, hepatitis
A and typhoid.
The community
service project on
this trip is working
with school children.
No physical labour.
However, students
should be prepped
on cultural
differences and
what to expect.
Students will be
instructed to wash
their hands as a way
of preventing them
from getting sick
following the activity.

Check for injuries.

Call for help.

There is a risk of
malaria zika and
dengue fever in
certain areas and/or
during a certain time
of year in Peru,
however since the
group will be at
altitude, there is no
risk of malaria.There
is no vaccine
available for dengue
fever. Antimalarial
medication does not
need to be taken
unless entering
lower altitude, the
cloud forest or
jungle. Mosquito
repellant products
with deet to avoid
bites is
recommended along
with long pants and
shirts at night.
There are very to no
sand flys at altitude.
Skin sores and
ulcers may be
caused by a
parasite (mucosal
leishmaniasis)
spread through the
bite of a female
sandfly. Risk if

Monitor for swelling.

If swelling persists evacuate.

Assess case by
case.

Wildlife Hazards

Monitor for swelling,

ulcers and lesions. If
symptoms persistevacuate. Wash
sand flies off skin.

generally low for

most travellers.
Protect yourself
from sandfly bites,
which typically occur
after sunset in rural
and forested areas
and in some urban
centres. There is no
vaccine availablef or
leishmaniasis.
Inform group of
presence of spiders.
Inform them to
check their shoes
prior to putting them
on after leaving
bedside or outside
overnight. If found,
ask local staff to
dispose of them.
Wear shoes

Spiders/Scorpions

Low

Medium

Ants

Medium

Low

Snakes

Low

Medium

Keep shoes on to
avoid snake bites
and avoid
wandering off of
trails as snakes tend
to avoid cleared
areas.

Big animals

Low

High

If animals are seen

close by, inform the
local staff.

Low

Low

Hotels should follow

the international fire
safety guidelines but
may also have their
own precautions in
these cases.

Monitor for swelling.

If swelling persists evacuate.

Wash ants off skin.

If bitten by a snake,
evacuate
immediately to
hospital. Inform
AASD Director and
school's emergency
contact. Anti venom
may or may not be
necessary. Injured
or others will need
to be sure of size,
colouring and shape
of snake in order to
determine
treatment.
Hospital evacuation.

Accommodation
Fire safety

If there is a fire in
the hotel, make sure
everyone in the
group is brought
outside, perform
headcount and
move to a safe
location. Call
emergency service.
If there are injuries,
move patients to a
hospital. Inform
AASD and school's
emergency contact.
Make other sleeping
arrangements if
necessary. Inform
insurance company.
All travellers are to
write down what
they have lost and
estimated total
value.

Room allocation and safety

Low

Medium

Room list will be

made prior to trip or
on site. Students are
not to be out of their
rooms after curfew.
Students are not to
open the door to
anyone they do not
know. No males in
female rooms and
vice versa.

Emergency facilities

Low

Low

Supervising staff will

keep a list of the
closest hospital and
contact information.

Food preparation in restaurant

Medium

Medium

AASD guides will

check the hygiene of
the restaurant
before the students
will place their
orders.

Pre-existing conditions

Low

Low

Case by case.
Monitor medical
forms.

Psychological issues

Low

Low

Case by case.
Monitor medical
forms. Assess
whether students
can handle stress of
life in Peru.

Illness

Low

Low

Case by case.
Monitor medical
forms.

Allergic reactions

Low

High

Students to bring
their own medicine if
they have any kind
of allergies or known
reactions. AASD
staff to be made
aware of all medical

Find other
accommodations for
entire group or
rework rooming
allocation to find
space, if necessary.
Inform hotel staff of
strangers in hotel.
Asess any
emergency situation
and treat case by
case.
If staff loses
documents, ask
locals for directions
to nearest hospital.
Digital copies will
also be kept on USB
key or mobile
device.
Allow 1 free vomit.
If vomiting persists,
seek medical
attention. In case of
food poisoning, first
aid treatment will be
done but in case of
continuous vomiting
and diarrrhea, Staff
will seek medical
attention.

Medical Hazards
Note: most travel
insurance
companies do not
cover for preexisting conditions if
students have to
cancel or have to be
evacuated from the
trip due to a preexisiting condition.
This should be
understood by all
students.
Note: most travel
insurance
companies do not
cover for
psychological
conditions if
students have to
cancel or have to be
evacuated from the
trip due to this preexisting condition.
This should be
understood by all
students.

Immediate
evacuation for
anything over a mild
reaction. For mild
reactions,
Epinephrine or
Benadryl.

details.
Injury

Low

Low

First aid supplies

Medium

Medium

Case by case.
Monitor medical
forms.
AASD will provide
first aid supplies.

Refill Band-Aids or
basic supplies at
local stores if lost or
items depleted.