Below are a list of frequently asked questions and answers. Hopefully these can put any worries or concerns at ease but if you still have questions then please get in touch and we will be only too pleased to help you:
- What qualifications do your instructors and staff hold?
- All the staff at Vertigo Outdoor hold qualifications suitable for the activity they are leading. This can be a Single Pitch Award Holder (SPA) for Rock Climbing Introductions, A Mountain Leader (ML) for the Mountain Skills, Navagation and Hill walking courses and a Mountaineering Instructor (MIA) for courses such as learn to lead or MS Assessments. We may have trainee instructors assisting in activities from time to time but under the careful eye of one of our senior instructors. In addition to this all staff are Garda Vetted and Child Protection and First Aid trained.
- Are qualified staff important?
- YES. Our staff are not only committed climber, mountaineers, paddlers and more but they have spent many years being trained in best practice and safety of there relevent disiplines. Being a great climber or hill walker is not enough. You need a vast range of skills to ensure a client gets the best day possible in the hills or mountains.
- Can I find out more about your qualifications
- YES. Please see the following that explains all the qualifications in detail including some excellent videos.
- http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/article.aspx?id=5355
- I am afraid of heights. Can I still climb?
- In our experience everyone is afraid of heights at some stage and to some degree. Rock Climbing is a great way to confront that fear head on and build confidence in a safe and reassured way.
- I am not very fit or strong, is rock climbing ok for me?
- People of all ages, shapes and sizes enjoy rock climbing. Its untrue that you have to be a muscle bound gym god to take up rock climbing. Rock Climbing is far more about mental control, a positive attitude and determination. Sure if you keep at the sport you will get fitter and tone up but think of it closer to Yoga than Weight Lifting!
- I’ve booked a Rock Climbing Intro. What gear do I need?
- We supply all technical equipment. You will need loose fitting clothing such as a track suit, outdoor clothing suitable to the time of year such as a rain jacket and fleece and training shoes with laces. We recommend you stay away from wearing jeans as they tend to constrict movement and be cold if they get wet in a rain shower.
- What happens if the weather is bad on the day
- Depending on the activity it may be nessasary to cancel and re-schedule the activity for safety reasons. We will always leave cancelling an activity to the last moment to try and make best use of wether predictions and changes. If we have to postpone the activity then we will re-schedule at the earliest possible date. Rock Climbing is not suited to rainy conditions and can reduce safety factors. We will always make decisions based on safety and can offer no apology for this.
- Is It Dangerous?
- All the sports we indertake are avdenture sports and as such have a risk associated with them. However we utilise skills and techniques that reduce these risks to an absolute minimum. Statisticaly you are far more likely to have an injury travelling to or from our courses than on them. As high lighted above our instructors are highly trained and qualified to ensure you a safe and enjoyable adventure.
- Are you insured?
- Yes, we have public liability insurance to the value of €5,000,000.00