You are going to participate in activities higher in risk than most people encounter in their daily routine. For your own personal safety and the well being of all participants in your course, you should start thinking about the importance of safety now. During the course, your instructor will frequently discuss with you the basic rules of wilderness safety and train you in the proper use of equipment, safety systems and procedures. Following those instructions and exercising common sense reduce danger. However, it is impossible to eliminate all hazards or to guarantee against all risks. As a member of an adventure group, you must promote personal responsibility for your own safety and the safety of the other participants on your course by following instructions, acting prudently, and exercising good judgment. To emphasize these critically important points, we ask that you (and for those of you under the age of 18, your parents or guardian) read, sign, and return to us the following description of activities and the acknowledgment of risk.
Although Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions, S.A. (Autentico Adventures) has taken reasonable steps to provide you with appropriate equipment and skilled instructors so you can enjoy an activity for which you may not be skilled, we wish to remind you this activity is not without risk. Certain risks cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of this activity. The same elements that contribute to the unique character of this activity can be causes of loss or damage to your equipment, accidental injury, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma or death. We do not want to frighten you or reduce your enthusiasm for this activity, but we do think it is important for you to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of the inherent risks. The following describes some, but not all, of those activities and risks.
As a participant on any Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions course or trip, you may, but are not limited to, participation in the following activities: transportation to and from course area by bus, van, jeep, or small airplane; cooking over gas stoves or open fires; eating food prepared by local villagers; sleeping in the outdoors, at the homes of villagers or in improvised shelters; drinking water treated with iodine, boiled/filtered, or, should you choose, untreated; carrying your own gear and equipment needed by your crew; hiking across rugged terrain, scrambling, balancing and climbing over rocks and along precipitous trails; crossing turbulent streams; performing daily strenuous activity for long periods of time; being exposed to rain, lightning, heat, cold, dryness, high altitudes, rock slides, falling rocks; living among trees, insects, wild plants and animals and possible natural hazards, risks and dangers inherent in wilderness environments. You will also be in remote areas, hours and sometimes days away from hospitals or other emergency medical facilities. Your instructor, certified in CPR and Advance First Aid, and equipped with an expedition first aid kit, will be your only care provider in the field and will make decisions about the need for emergency evacuations. You, your instructor and your group will make all decisions in the wilderness setting thereby facing risks associated with group and individual judgment and error. On most courses, you will participate in a solo exercise where you will remain in a designated area for one to three days with minimal food and periodic check-ups by instructors. You may also rock climb up steep rock faces and rappel down cliffs from as high as 200 feet.
During the white-water rafting portions of your expedition, you will paddle much of the day, be exposed to several major rapids and encounter powerful currents and river hydraulics. At various times, you and your crew members may take on the responsibility of captaining your boat through rapids and of working as a member of a group safety system. You will hike with a heavy pack at altitudes which may exceed 12,000 ft., climb peaks, passes or canyon trails with exposure to high, steep overhangs, use ropes to cross ravines, swift rivers and streams; and have the responsibility as part of a safety system. On most courses you will engage in a course phase without direct supervision of your instructor.
All the above activities have inherent risks including but not limited to serious burns, falls, bites, broken bones, dislocations, contusions, sprains, spinal injuries, concussions, frostbite, hypothermia, drowning, sunburn, disease, infections, cardiac arrest, strangulation, exhaustion, dehydration, chest and abdominal injuries, and psychological trauma. Your instructor, certified in WFR, CPR and Advanced First Aid, and equipped with a course first aid kit, will be your only care provider in the field. They will make decisions about the need for care and emergency evacuations. You therefore face risks associated with group and individual judgment and error.
Extra luggage and valuables may be stored at the Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions base for the duration of your course. Although due care will be taken, Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions assumes no liability for your luggage or valuables while stored at the Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions base or elsewhere. It may be possible for you to obtain personal insurance to cover such risks if desired. Vehicles may be stored at the Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions base while you are on course.
By submitting your payment and/or committing by written consent via email that you agree and understand the risk associated with the adventures as listed on the Autentico Adventures website.
I have read the description of activities and risks contained herein and am aware that ADVENTURE TRAVEL CAN BE DANGEROUS and includes many risks and dangers, including, but not limited to, the hazards of traveling by raft, air, horse, ox-cart, jeep, bus, van, power boat, on foot or by other unconventional means, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, dangers of wild animals, forces of nature, acts of God, extreme weather conditions, physical exertion for which I may not be prepared, and evacuation difficulties, should I be injured or disabled. I have been informed and am aware of these and other inherent risks of the proposed trip and I accept them and acknowledge that the enjoyment of adventuring beyond the normal safety of home and work is in part the reason for my participation on this course.
In full recognition of the foregoing and in consideration of being granted a reservation and acceptance for my participation in an adventure vacation under the auspices of Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) legally known as Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions, a private company in the country of Costa Rica, its agents, associates, assigns, employees, officers, licensees, contractors, trip-chaperones, and successors in interest (hereafter Autentico Adventures), I hereby agree as follows:
I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, INDEMNIFY, AND AGREE NOT TO SUE Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) for all or any liability to me, my personal representatives, heirs, assigns and next of kin, for any and all losses, damages or injuries or any claim or demand on account of any injury to my person or property, or on account of my death resulting from any cause, including negligence of Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) or others, while I am participating in a Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) expedition/trip/course. I further agree that I will assume the risk and release Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) from/of all liability for any injury or damage to my body or property or my death due to any negligent failure to obtain or administer appropriate rescue operations in the event of injury or mishap, including failure to obtain adequate medical services, to evacuate or to supply treatment, medicine, or trained rescue personnel.
I FURTHER AGREE that if I am injured or become ill, Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) may, at my cost, arrange or supply medical treatment, evacuation or any other emergency services on my behalf as Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) deems necessary or appropriate for my safety and well-being.
I EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ADVENTURE TRAVEL INCLUDING THE Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions S.A. (Autentico Adventures) TRIP IN WHICH I AM PARTICIPATING CAN BE DANGEROUS and involves serious and unpredictable risks of bodily injury, property damage and death and that I intend the foregoing waiver and release of Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law; that I am not relying on any oral, written representation of Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions S.A. (Autentico Adventures) regarding safety, and that I am entering this agreement of my own free will.
For consideration which I acknowledge, I irrevocably grant to Costa Rica Mother Nature Expeditions (Autentico Adventures) (“Company”) and Company’s assigns, licensees and successors the right to use my image and name in all forms and media including composite or modified representations for all purposes, including advertising, trade or any commercial purpose throughout the world and in perpetuity. I waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my image used for publication or the written copy that may used in connection with the images.
I release Company and Company’s assigns, licensees and successors from any claims that may arise regarding the use of my image including any claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, or infringement of moral rights, rights of publicity or copyright. Company is permitted, although not obligated, to include my name as a credit in connection with the image. Company is not obligated to utilize any of the rights granted in this Agreement.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND AGREE TO IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL AND WITHOUT RESERVATION.
By submitting your payment and/or committing by written consent via email that you agree and understand the risk associated with the adventures as listed on the Autentico Adventures website.