Graphic

 


   

 

 

Bord Oiliunt Sleibhe - Irish Mountain Training Board:

The following standards are laid down by Bord Oiliunt Sleibhe (BOS) on behalf of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI). These are the minimum requirements for Centre operations. Instructors and organisations bringing groups into the hills on a commercial or training basis. Additional standards apply when BOS training schemes are being run.

  1. STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS
    1. The Director / Organiser should hold an ML Award or equivalent level qualification in another adventure sport, and have at least 2 years full time instructional experience.

    2. A person responsible for leading hillwalking activities on a professional basis should hold a current ML Award or higher qualification.

    3. Youth Leaders and Teachers leading hillwalking activities on a voluntary basis should hold a current ML Award.

    4. A person in charge of a single pitch rockclimbing session should hold a Single Pitch Rock Climbing Award (or higher award)

    5. A person leading others on a multi-pitch rockclimb, should hold a multi Pitch Rock Climbing award (or higher qualification)

    6. To instruct the full range of mountaineering activities in summer (rockclimbing and hillwalking) an instructor should hold the Mountain Instructor Award

    7. A person leading hillwalking parties in winter conditions in UK should hold a Winter Mountain Leader Award (or higher qualification)

    8. To instruct the full range of mountaineering activities in summer and winter, an instructor should hold the Mountain Instructor Certificate.

  2. TRAINEE CANDIDATES
    It is necessary for people in training for BOS qualifications to gain experience by operating with groups on terrain appropriate to their level of experience. Instructors in this position must be considered as undertaking training, the detail of which and the responsibility for which remains with the centre. Outlined below is what BOS considers to be reasonable in these situations.

    The following conditions apply:

    1. Hillwalking: A Trainee is someone who has completed ML2 and meets the requirements of the ML scheme. Trainees may only lead walks if on each occasion they are under specific guidance from an ML holder who is actually present at the centre throughout the duration of the walk. This guidance must include consideration of the route, prevailing conditions, ability of the group etc. There must be no more then 3 trainees under the guidance of each ML holder. All trainees, ML holders etc. (including those with awards obtained in other countries) must have successfully completed a 4 day REC (Rescue and Emergency First Aid) course.

    2. Rock Climbing: A Trainee is someone who has completed RCL 1 and meets the registration and training requirements of the RCL Scheme. They may only operate at the crag if they are accompanied and under the supervision of an RCL Single Pitch Holder. They cannot work alone.

  3. OUTSIDE IRELAND
    Activities led outside Ireland may be subject to other restrictions.

  4. FIRST AID
    A current full REC award or its equivalent is necessary to validate all mountaineering qualifications

  5. STAFFING RATIOS
    1. Hillwalking / Mountaineering: 1:10 is the maximum leader to group ratio for the holder of an ML Award. The level of difficulty must be taken into account and the group size reduced accordingly. Trainees: 1:5 is the maximum ratio for an ML Trainee. Groups larger than 20 are considered unacceptable.

    2. Single Pitch Rockclimbing: 1:6 maximum instructor to group ratio. In general there should be two leaders at a rockclimbing session. Trainees: RCL 1 Ratio 1:3

  6. EQUIPMENT
    Participants and Instructors in hillwalking and rockclimbing activities must be suitably equipped

  7. QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNISED BY BOS
    1. Mountain Guide: (U.I.AGM) - Instruction and Guiding Services for skiing and mountain related activities world-wide.

    2. Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC) - The instruction of summer and winter mountaineering including rock, snow and ice climbing - Ireland, U.K.

    3. Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) - The instruction of summer mountaineering and rock climbing - Ireland. U.K.

    4. Diploma in Mountaineering (BOS) - The instruction of summer and winter mountaineering including rock. snow' and ice climbing - Ireland. U.K.

    5. European Mountain Leader Award (BQS & UK.MTB) - Professional Hillwalking Qualification - valid throughout Europe

    6. Winter Mountain Leader Award (SMLTB) - Leading hillwalking parties under winter conditions - Ireland. U.K.

    7. Mountain Leader Award (Summer) (BQS. NIMTB & MLTB) - leading hillwalking groups summer conditions.

    8. Rockclimbing Leader Multi-Pitch (BOS. NIMTB) - Individuals leading on multi-pitch rod climbs - Ireland. Previously known as the Rock Endorsement.

    9. Single Pitch Rockclimbing Leader (SOS. NIMTB) - Leading groups on single pitch climbs Ireland. U.K.

    10. Single Pitch Award (MLTB) - Leading groups on single pitch climbs - Ireland. U.K.

Back to Approval Scheme



Secretary Centre Standards Board, Duncannon Fort, Duncannon, Co. Wexford.
Information Line: (01) 450-9845    Email:
enquiries@adventuresports.ie