Photography |
Rescue |
Outdoor Education
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Photography
Adventure PhotographyGrowing up with a photographer as a father meant it has always been an integral part of my life. I have spent the last fews years sharing life time memories with people in adventurous and often extreme environments. From events to expeditions I have made it my goal to capturing magic moments and offer professional lasting memories.
Software Competencies:
Photos: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop
Video: DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro
My main clients consist of
Paddle Nepal | Initiative Outdoor | Gorafting
Ben Baber's Adventure photography portfolio Click Here
If you would like a portfolio of professional work from clients such as schools and outdoor education companies please request by emailing: [email protected]
Rescue Instructor
I have made it my mission to create a culture of safety on water around the world. I believe that knowledge is one of the biggest tools to staying say safe on rivers or in floods. I aim to share my knowledge and experience with as many people as possible.
How i started
My vertical rescue career started in London. I was part of a vertical rescue team responsible for for a multitude of Climbing walls, high-ropes courses, and vertical elements. We oversaw the maintenance of all elements and equipment as well as vertical rescues when needed.
I became a rescue instructor in Malaysia when working as the Safety and Training Manager for Nomad Adventures. I became a swift-water rescue instructor for Rescue 3 International and Sierra Rescue international. However, the rescue training I ran wasn’t limited to water. High angle and low angle rescue were integral to other aspects of work, some of the more memorable training being high angle rescues in caves. This provided the unique challenge as a trainer to not just provide training, but keep everyone safe in a uniquely difficult environment.
I became a rescue instructor in Malaysia when working as the Safety and Training Manager for Nomad Adventures. I became a swift-water rescue instructor for Rescue 3 International and Sierra Rescue international. However, the rescue training I ran wasn’t limited to water. High angle and low angle rescue were integral to other aspects of work, some of the more memorable training being high angle rescues in caves. This provided the unique challenge as a trainer to not just provide training, but keep everyone safe in a uniquely difficult environment.
Rescue training background
Working at the Penrith White-water Stadium in Australia put my skills to the test in a new way. In the past I had run rescue courses for outdoor guides; here I leant how to run courses for for a variety of emergency services and stick to a very tight deadline. The stadium had many users so it was crucial that the timing of each activity was to the minute to work around other users. The other challenges came in running courses for a variety of abilities and ages. I would train people from the State Emergency Service, a volunteer based service full of people from all backgrounds to the Federal Police and Army.
Training staff for Outward Bound Australia meant training outdoor guides to level that they were self sufficient in a wilderness setting hours away from any help. Here I trained staff with a heavy focus on prevention and preparedness. Planning at the forefront of everything, such as knowing all high risk areas and having preventative measure in place as well as pre-established responses in place.
Training staff for Outward Bound Australia meant training outdoor guides to level that they were self sufficient in a wilderness setting hours away from any help. Here I trained staff with a heavy focus on prevention and preparedness. Planning at the forefront of everything, such as knowing all high risk areas and having preventative measure in place as well as pre-established responses in place.
Rescue achievement
In Nepal I was given a unique opportunity to create a rescue course for some of the most remote areas of Nepal. We were commission by an NGO call People In Need (PIN). The aim of the course was to give these villagers the tools they need to respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslide, and monsoons. The course was a mixture of wilderness first aid, low angle rescue, and basic incident response/command and control. Once the course had been created we spent the following weeks traveling around the more remote villages tillering the courses to and array of different subsets that spoke different languages and had very different approaches to these natural disasters in the past. Although I spent most of this time with one for of food poisoning or another it was still one of the more rewarded experiences I have had. Some time later I spoke with one of the PIN employees that came with us, they mentioned that after serval severer monsoons the training that we had provided had saved so many lives that the local government was making changes based on our teachings.
Sierra Rescue International
Sierra Rescue is committed to providing a quality rescue class based on integrating information into practical skills while developing the ability to think through complicated wilderness and rescue problems. Through Sierra Rescue I can run and qualify: River Rescue Certification (RRC) A DYNAMIC water rescue course specifically written and designed for private boaters, kayakers and non-profit organizations! Basic river skills are a prerequisite! Emphasis is on identifying hazards and on RESCUE itself; both of self and others. Thinking through rescues is also emphasized. This is the class you want as a boater to stay safe and know what to do if something goes wrong. RRC: 24+ hours: 80% skills building to 20% Scenarios ( Goal is skills building) https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/river-rescue-certification/ River Rescue Certification Professional (RRC Pro) RRC PRO: 16-24 hours 40% skills and 60% Scenario Based ( Goal is executing rescues with good scene management skills and choosing options with skill set acquired. Will also build on skill set) https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/river-rescue-certification-professional/ The RRC PRO certification is recognised by the New Zealand Maritime, the British Canoe Union, the IRF, and therefore should be recognised by any Country in the World as a legitimate Swift-water Rescue certification. |
Rescue 3 International
Rescue 3 International are the one of the most widely recognized rescue training provider with their courses becoming fundamental to many emergency services. Through Rescue 3 International I can qualify: Swift-water Rescue Technician: fundamentals of survival in moving water and is recommended for anyone who may be called upon to effect in-water rescues. Students gain knowledge in hydrology and river classifications, size-up, site control and scene management. Practical skills include self-rescue, swiftwater swimming and the fundamentals of shore, boat and in-water rescues. https://rescue3.com/srt/ White-water Rescue Technician (WRT): Recreational (WRT-Rec) course is for recreational paddlers who wish to have a rescue capability while paddling or in a whitewater environment with their peers. https://rescue3.com/wrt-rec/ Whitewater Rescue Technician Professional (WRT Pro) is designed for professional river users who require a rescue capability in a whitewater environment, e.g. raft guides, safety kayakers. https://rescue3.com/wrtp/ Other Course I can run Include: Water and Flood Awareness (AWR) Basic Water First Responder (BWFR) Operations: Swiftwater First Responder (OPS) Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) Lifejacket Competent User (LJCU) Safe Working Near Water (SWNW) Co-Worker Rescue from Water - Basic (CWRWB) Co-Worker Rescue from Water - Basic and Moving (CWRWBM) Flood WorkerSafety (FWS) Recreational River Safety (RRS) |
Outdoor Education/Guide
My career as an outdoor guide started as a volunteer, facilitating the running of outdoor activities for physically and mentally disabled participants. The impact of the outdoor environment on these participants stuck with me for life; as a result I have dedicated my career to making a positive impact of people’s lives through outdoor education. I have travelled the world with this ethos to broaden my horizons and skill sets.
Social MediaInstagram: benjamin_baber
GuruShots: Ben Baber Pinterest: Ben Baber Purchase work: Fine Art America: Ben Baber |
ContactEmail: [email protected]
Skype: benbaber500 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbaber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjamin_baber/?hl=en |
Downloadable Content
Ben Baber Logbook
Download my logbook to where I have been and what I have done throughout the years.
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Ben Baber curriculum vitae
Download my CV for an overview of my experience as an outdoor professional.
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some footage of Ben guiding in 2018. This is in Norway on the Sjoa river. This rapid is called Washing Machine. It's only commercially runnable at low water and is classed at grade 4.
Contributor
Read through and check out some of the publication I contribute to as a writer and/or photographer.
The Outdoor journal:
https://www.outdoorjournal.com/how-to-2/how-to-choose-a-safe-whitewater-rafting-company/?fbclid=IwAR36qBLBg5fixyNugCJTrhmHuXfpCTXhVtDPZGnEgavgpA6qS9R37vynlEQ
Bikes Boats and Climbing Ropes:
http://bikesboatsandclimbingropes.com/
The Outdoor journal:
https://www.outdoorjournal.com/how-to-2/how-to-choose-a-safe-whitewater-rafting-company/?fbclid=IwAR36qBLBg5fixyNugCJTrhmHuXfpCTXhVtDPZGnEgavgpA6qS9R37vynlEQ
Bikes Boats and Climbing Ropes:
http://bikesboatsandclimbingropes.com/
Work History
THe BOUNdless School - TEacher
Sept 2019 - March 2020. The Boundless School (Canada). Boundless is an alternative school that challenges their teachers to deliver lessons in the most create and imaginative ways. I oversaw the running of water-based and vertical activities, such as climbing and challenge courses.
Reference: Ashley Stranger: Risk Manager, Boundless [email protected]
Reference: Ashley Stranger: Risk Manager, Boundless [email protected]
GOrafting - Senior Guide
May 2018 – Oct 2018 & Feb 2019 - Aug 2019 Gorafting.no (Norway) Safety kayak, Oar Guide, Paddle Guide, Canyon Guide. Grade 3-4
Little Planet - Program manager
February 2015 - August 2015 Jan 2018 - July 2018 Little Planet (Malaysia-Indonesia-Cambodia). I created programming for trips of up to 150 students, oversaw the trips, trained staff and oversaw the running of programs in 3 different countries.
Richard Joyner: Director, Little Planet, Email: [email protected]
Richard Joyner: Director, Little Planet, Email: [email protected]
Initiative OUtdoors - Rescue instructor & photographer
May – June 2017 & Oct 2018 – Dec 2018 . Initiative Outdoor (Nepal). I created, wrote, and delivered a rescue syllabus for a rescue course with IO, designed for the most remote areas of Nepal. The courses focused on recuse form earthquake, landslide, and fist aid. On a more regular basis I ran swift-water and vertical rescue courses.
PAddle Nepal - Photographer
March 2016 - May 2017 & Nov 2018 – Jan 2019. Paddle Nepal. Photographer/Photo-boater & Safety Kayaker. Grade 3-4 rivers all over Nepal.
Reference: Kelly - Owner [email protected]
Reference: Kelly - Owner [email protected]
Water By Nature - Guide
Whitewater Guide: Feb 2018 – May 2018 Water By Nature (Morocco) Safety kayak, Kayak coach, Oar Guide for 4-10 day trips. Grade 3-4.
Barrington Outdoor Adventures - Operations Manager
I oversaw the running of all outdoor education programs, which included; selling trips, running trips, post program care, staff training and staff hiring. I maintained Standard Operating procedures, risk assessments and standardized training.
Penrith Whitewater Stadium
November 2016 - March 2017 Penrith Whitewater Stadium
(Australia). Paddle Guide, Kayak coach, and I ran Swift Water Rescue training emergency services on a grade 3 artificial course.
(Australia). Paddle Guide, Kayak coach, and I ran Swift Water Rescue training emergency services on a grade 3 artificial course.
Nomad Adventure - Safety and training manager
August 2015 - January 2016
I ran training for the Nomad staff team across the board, from high angle cave rescues to whitewater group management. I helped to set up new locations and activities, maintain and write new SOPs, create new products and implement a new assessment system and criteria standardising procedures.
I ran training for the Nomad staff team across the board, from high angle cave rescues to whitewater group management. I helped to set up new locations and activities, maintain and write new SOPs, create new products and implement a new assessment system and criteria standardising procedures.
OUtward Bound - Instructor and Trainer
February 2016 – November 2016 Outward Bound (Australia). Facilitating expeditions for participants in the Australian bush and on rivers. Programmes range from 3-15 days, mainly working with students aged between 14-19.
Insight Adventures - Water Sport Coordinator
August 2013 - December 2014 Insight Adventure (China):
I ran training for water-based activities throughout the company, which operates in over 14 different locations. I wrote and maintained SOPs and risk assessments to industry standard best practice. I set up kayaking in new locations across China and led river exploration expeditions.
I ran training for water-based activities throughout the company, which operates in over 14 different locations. I wrote and maintained SOPs and risk assessments to industry standard best practice. I set up kayaking in new locations across China and led river exploration expeditions.
Stubbers adventure centre
Multi activity instructor.