It doesn’t matter if you are on top of the world’s most treacherous mountain, floating down dangerous rapids, or in the darkest neck of the woods, there is always risk when to participate in extreme sporting activities.

More than 4 million injuries have resulted from extreme sports accidents from 2000 through 2011, according to data collected by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, some even fatal. In 2012, an Alaskan Heli-skiing company was sued after two skiers were killed in an avalanche. In May 2016, a Maine rafting company was scrutinized when a Boy Scout chaperone was killed after falling of the raft. And most recently, in November 2016, police have investigated how and why a hunter was accidently shot and killed while with a hunting party in Western New York.

Review coverage annually

Agents and sporting business owners should review insurance coverage annually. The agent must understand all of the activities the policyholder offers, because certain activities can be excluded unless underwritten for in advance. The policyholder also should annually review liability releases with a lawyer. A properly drafted release is the foundation to defending the sporting company in court. In the event of an accident, secure the original waiver and lock it away, only copies should be supplied to official requesting parties.

Managing an adventure sports business, whether it is heli-skiing, whitewater rafting or hunting, comes with major liabilities that need to be addressed. Agents and their sports business clients should develop an incident response plan that includes a structured checklist of actions for when an accident happens.

How heli-skiing guides can avoid tragedy

Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing or snowboarding that is accessed by a helicopter. It’s no surprise that it’s been listed as the second most dangerous sport by Wonderlist. The risk of partaking in this extreme activity is so high that many of America’s most popular skiing destinations, including Aspen, ban it all together.