Among more than 4,000 cases monitored by the NGO, the main causes of tourist accidents identified were:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Inadequate signage: 93%<\/li>\n
- Lack of protective equipment: 77%<\/li>\n
- Professional negligence: 70%<\/li>\n
- Equipment failure: 57%<\/li>\n
- Service provider\u2019s lack of skill: 49%<\/li>\n
- Tourist carelessness: 46%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
According to Luiz Del Vigna, executive director of the Abeta (Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Brasileira das Empresas de Ecoturismo e Turismo de Aventura)<\/a>, three critical aspects \u2013 often overlooked by outdoor activity practitioners \u2013 compromise safety. These are: informality, illegality, and the low level of professional qualification in the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe adventure tourism world is very fragmented and mostly informal. I travel across Brazil and know what I\u2019m talking about. Accidents happen all the time, but not all are reported or included in statistics,\u201d Luiz says.
\nFor Sabrina Saltori, tourism safety consultant at F\u00e9rias Vivas, the more people adopt a culture of safety and prevention, the more lives will be protected. \u201cUsually, crisis management after an accident is prioritized instead of managing risk in advance. The more we can reverse these roles, the safer we\u2019ll be.\u201d<\/p>\n3 recommendations for safely engaging in activities with companies and guides<\/h2>\n
1. Provide users with essential preliminary information<\/h3>\n
According to Luiz Del Vigna, engaging in a safe outdoor activity requires consumers to seek knowledge and take responsibility for their choices. If you plan to engage in a risky activity, it\u2019s essential to hire a company that thoroughly addresses those risks and has an emergency response plan.<\/p>\n
Carlos Eduardo Santalena, climber, mountain guide and founder of Grade6 Expedi\u00e7\u00f5es<\/a>, says that for any outdoor activity \u2013 whether low, medium or high risk \u2013 agencies must provide a series of preliminary information. Furthermore, they should also perform an initial assessment of the client to determine if they are fit for the activity in question.<\/p>\n
![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/carlos-santalena-grade6.webp\")
<\/p>\nCarlos Santalena<\/p>\n
The mountaineer has climbed Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, was the youngest Brazilian to summit Everest, and the youngest South American to complete the Seven Summits challenge. According to him, the essential preliminary information<\/strong> should include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Required level of physical fitness for the activity<\/li>\n
- Necessary equipment<\/li>\n
- Type of food, supplements, and conduct expected during the expedition days<\/li>\n
- What is or isn\u2019t included in the package \u2013 e.g., health and rescue insurance<\/li>\n
- Detailed daily briefing of the expedition and how it will be carried out<\/li>\n
- Information on the guide-to-client ratio and expected pace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
According to Santalena, the number of guides may vary depending on the activity, but for mountaineering and trekking in general, there should be no more than one guide for every three clients. \u201cIn large groups, the pace varies, which impacts the guides\u2019 work. Remember, they\u2019re also responsible for services like meals, hydration, and setting up camp, all of which require labor and energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. Check whether the company follows a Safety Management System (SGS)<\/h3>\n
After providing preliminary information, companies must list all possible accidents and incidents and how they will be handled. This ensures both the company owner and the guide are fully aware of potential risks and know how to act in an emergency.<\/p>\n
Asking whether the company follows ABNT NBR ISO 21101 is not a common practice \u2013 but it\u2019s essential. This international standard \u2013 a global benchmark \u2013 sets safety management system requirements for adventure tourism activities. It provides guidelines to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement preventive safety measures.<\/p>\n
ABNT NBR ISO 21101 applies to activities such as hiking and trekking, horseback riding, recreational diving, canoeing, climbing, rafting, paragliding, ballooning, among others. In addition to encouraging a documented safety policy, it involves team training for emergency response, regular procedure reviews, among other factors.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaws state that any company offering adventure tourism activities must have a safety management system based on ABNT NBR ISO 21101 and related standards. This is stated in the Consumer Protection Code. To offer something risky, the company must take every possible measure to prevent accidents,\u201d Luiz explains.<\/p>\n
Following this initial planning helps you avoid hiring companies that operate informally or illegally. \u201cThere are countless companies with business licenses that still lack a safety management system based on the standard required by law. So clearly, there\u2019s a failure to comply with legislation,\u201d Luiz explains.<\/p>\n
3. Get to know the guide who will lead the activity<\/h3>\n
Another warning from Abeta\u2019s executive director concerns the low professional qualification in tourist areas, where many locals become activity leaders simply to meet demand. \u201cIn Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, for example \u2013 where the recent balloon accident occurred \u2013 many farmers started investing in this business due to increased demand. However, they were never balloon pilots, never took courses or gained experience. They got into the business without the knowledge required to offer a safe experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Santalena, this happens in all developing countries that rely on tourism. \u201cPeople need financial returns and explore every local opportunity. They start out with a friend or sibling, hike a mountain twice, get a rough idea of the route, and become a guide. There\u2019s no real regulation, which demands tourists to be much more skilled and knowledgeable to make informed decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mountaineer also highlights the importance of checking whether the guide has technical training and active experience. \u201cPractice ensures the automatic responses and speed needed in the field. Another important aspect is their experience with the destination and the profession they\u2019re practicing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other essential safety tips:<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Check if the company is registered with the Receita Federal and Cadastur<\/li>\n
- Research the company’s reputation online and ask others for references<\/li>\n
- Be cautious of companies offering prices far below those of recognized and recommended providers<\/li>\n
- Pay attention to weather conditions during your trip. If the forecast is cloudy, make sure the activity is still viable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Nature activities without guides: what to do to avoid accidents<\/h2>\n
Lack of preparation and eagerness to reach the mountains are major factors leading to accidents in outdoor activities. After seeing destinations on social media and in the news, many people set off with friends on adventures without proper preparation. It’s only when they face the reality that they realize they weren\u2019t ready \u2014 which is often too late.<\/p>\n
Avoiding accidents should also be an individual responsibility. According to the NGO F\u00e9rias Vivas, tourist carelessness \u2014 which can be prevented through training and common sense \u2014 accounts for 46% of accidents.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccidents result from a combination of errors: lack of knowledge, skills, wrong choice of equipment, inappropriate locations for the activity, and failure to check the weather forecast. Most incidents occur in less experienced groups who take on demanding trails without preparation,\u201d says Ronaldo Franzen Nativo, mountaineer and founder of COSMO (Corpo de Socorro em Montanha), a nonprofit civil association. Founded in 1996, COSMO carries out rescues in the Parque Estadual Marumbi in Paran\u00e1 and surrounding areas, with about 40 volunteer mountaineers.<\/p>\n
Marcio Hoepers, president of the Confedera\u00e7\u00e3o Brasileira de Montanhismo e Escalada (CBME), states that the best starting point for those wanting to practice mountain activities independently is through clubs and associations. These institutions teach and prepare people to be in the mountains safely, offering mountaineering and rock climbing courses, as well as first aid training, mountain environment behavior, safety, and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cCourses and interaction with more experienced members provide a foundation so that people can progress gradually. However, many people skip steps thinking they don\u2019t need them. To evolve in mountaineering, you need a solid base \u2014 which is also necessary to learn how to get out of challenging situations.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the CBME president, mountaineering is classified as a dangerous activity, but not inherently risky \u2014 it becomes safe through preparation. \u201cExperience, lived moments, and years of practice will make you an experienced mountaineer \u2014 someone careful and aware of the risks involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one is immune to the unexpected, but Marcio emphasizes that the better the planning, the greater the chance of success. \u201cSuccess isn’t always reaching the summit \u2014 it’s getting back home alive. A good mountaineer knows when to stop. You might push your limits, but you must know when you’re crossing the line between safety and your own capacity. Only years in the mountains will teach you that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another key factor for safe planning is evaluating the destination. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to developing countries, be aware that they may lack infrastructure. Most parks aren\u2019t equipped to receive large crowds, and some have visitor limits. Not all have rescue teams on standby, relying instead on fire departments and volunteers,\u201d explains Marcio, citing Europe and the United States as examples of excellent rescue structures.<\/p>\n
Anticipating possible incidents is not pessimism<\/h2>\n
According to Coronel Leite, search and rescue expert, mountaineer, skydiver, and outdoor sports enthusiast, seriously assessing risks is essential when planning any activity. \u201cIt takes maturity to anticipate mishaps and possible errors. If you’re going on an adventure, your first thought should be: what could go wrong? That\u2019s not pessimism \u2014 it’s preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Check out Coronel Leite\u2019s guidelines for a safe outdoor experience:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Being alone can be dangerous: if you\u2019re inexperienced or attempting a major challenge, Leite recommends going with at least two people. \u201cIf something happens to you, they can carry you.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Share your itinerary: before heading out, let someone know your destination, departure time, and \u2014 most importantly \u2014 expected return time.<\/li>\n
- Expect the unexpected: planning to start a trail in the morning and finish early afternoon? What if something goes wrong, and it starts to get dark? Always carry a flashlight \u2014 even a small one.<\/li>\n
- Check the weather forecast: even on sunny days, conditions can change quickly. A rain jacket and windbreaker can prevent issues like hypothermia. Don\u2019t forget sunscreen and a hat to protect against sunstroke.<\/li>\n
- Save your phone battery. \u201cPhones are for communication, but people use them as cameras and end up with no battery to call for help.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Hydration is also critical: carry a generous amount of water, especially in areas without resources.<\/li>\n
- Wear proper footwear: it helps prevent blisters and reduces the risk of common injuries like sprained ankles.<\/li>\n
- First aid kit: always bring what you normally use and extras for emergencies. In this video,<\/a> Pedro Lacaz Amaral, founder of Gear Tips, shares what he always carries on his outdoor adventures.<\/li>\n
- Invest in navigation and orientation: technical knowledge helps prevent getting lost and assists in rescue situations. Always carry a compass and a tracking device.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n