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Alex Kosseff
Outdoor Educator & Guide • Outdoor Safety Consultant • Author • Expert Witness • & More
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Info
- Director at Outdoor Safety InstituteManagement Consulting | Great Falls, Montana Area, USSummary
I am the founder of the Outdoor Safety Institute and author of both editions of the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership. The former Leadership and Volunteer Relations Director for the Appalachian Mountain Club, I developed risk management systems for that organization’s 9,000 annual professionally and volunteer led outdoor programs. I have consulted with dozens of outdoor and conservation organizations on risk management and related issues as the Program Director for the consulting firm Adventure Safety International.
My consulting work is informed by my field leadership experience. Beginning in 1991, and including six years with Outward Bound, I have instructed backpacking, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, backcountry skiing, canoeing, wilderness medicine and other skills. I continue to be involved in the field as Climbing Program Manager for Montana Yellowstone Expeditions and as a climbing instructor/guide.
My aim, and the mission of the Outdoor Safety Institute, is to promote outdoor activities by assisting outdoor education and recreation providers with safety, liability and program management solutions. I also assist a variety of remote operations with staff training and safety management solutions.
Please see my professional website www.outdoorsafetyinstitute.com or my personal site www.alex-kosseff.com for additional information.
Specialties: risk management, safety, outdoor safety, outdoor leadership, leadership development, staff training, curriculum, liability insurance, crisis & emergency plans, outdoor education, outdoor recreation, incident review, risk management review & assessmentExperience- Jan 2010 - PresentDirector / Outdoor Safety Institute
The Outdoor Safety Institute provides affordable risk management support to the outdoor education and recreation industry. Combining multi-discipline expertise (field safety, program management, legal, medical & insurance) with on-line delivery, OSI is the leader in this arena.
- 2008 - PresentInstructor / Aerie Backcountry Medicine
Instruct Wilderness First Responder courses. Currently Outdoor Safety Institute and Aerie have a cooperating agreement and work together on selected projects.
- Jan 2009 - Sept 2010Climbing Program Manager / Montana Yellowstone Expeditions
- 2004 - Jul 2010Program Director / Adventure Safety International LLC
- Sept 2005 - 2009Lead Instructor / Montana Mountaineering Association
- 2004 - 2008Chief Instructor & Staff Trainer / Outward Bound
- 2000 - 2004Leadership & Volunteer Relations Director / Appalachian Mountain Club
- 1998 - 2000Outdoor Leadership & Risk Mgmt Coordinator / Appalachian Mountain Club
- 1996 - 1997Instructor / Voyageur Outward Bound School
- 1993 - 1995Wilderness Trip Leader / Massachusetts Audubon Society
Education-
1990 - 1994Macalester CollegeBA in Enviro. Studies & Political Science
Activities: Outing Club, Chairperson and Trip Leader, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, Student Environmental Action Coalition -
1992 - 1992National Outdoor Leadership SchoolWinter Outdoor Educators Course
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Leadership Book
- AMC Guide to Outdoor LeadershipI'm the author of both editions of the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership. The 2010 second edition has over 50% new content and adds new focus on leading youth, teaching, facilitation, and safety.
Buy the book on Amazon.com. Like the book? I'd love it if you'd add a review on Amazon.
Reviews:
"A thorough, field-tested examination of what makes the best outdoor leaders . . . and how one of them could be you.”
—Robert Birkby, author of the Boy Scout Handbook, Mountain Madness, & Lightly on the Land
"An outstanding resource for both leaders and followers . . . there are nuggets for all outdoor enthusiasts. Vignettes from a wide variety of outdoor trips effectively illustrate Kosseff's points.”
—Brenda Porter, Education Director, Colorado Mountain Club in Trail and Timberline
For the 1st Edition:
“The AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership is an excellent resource for wilderness leaders new and old. Kosseff does a superb job of identifying the most important topics leaders should consider. His writing is clear and his recommended practices are consistent with industry standards. This is a well-written, enjoyable leadership resource that will be valuable to anyone responsible for leading trips in the outdoors.”
—Dan Garvey, President, Prescott College
“Alex Kosseff tackles a complex topic in a clear and engaging manner. The use of stories of real leadership situations helps develop the critical-thinking skills and judgment that are the essence of effective leadership. This book will be a major contribution to training leaders for volunteer and professional outdoor groups.”
—Ian Wade, Executive Director, Outward Bound International, Inc.
“Whether you are an aspiring or experienced outdoor leader, this work should be in your library—where you can reach it.”
—Jed Williamson,
President, Sterling College & Editor, Accidents in North American Mountaineering
“The AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership is a soup-to-gorp banquet of information and guidance, invaluable for the novice outdoor leader. Even experienced leaders will find new information and helpful insights in Alex Kosseff’s well-researched, very readable text.”
—Lewis Glenn, Vice President for Safety and Program, Outward Bound USA
Buy it on Amazon.com or for more information visit the Outdoor Safety Institute's Outdoor Leadership Guide page.
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Posts
- Jun 13, 13
Driving presents one of the greatest risks of catastrophic injury or loss of life on outdoor programs. The vehicles that are most often utilized—15 passenger vans—are not the easiest to handle, especially with trailers. Cone courses are a great way to train drivers and reduce the potential for accidents.
- Jun 11, 13
The inaugural “Midwest Risk Management Symposium” will provide a unique opportunity for a regional conference focused on outdoor risk management. OSI’s Alex Kosseff will be presenting along with other regional and national experts. Organized by the Upper Midwest’s 3 venerable YMCA wilderness tripping camps, it will run from 10/30 to 11/1 in Boulder Junction, WI.
- Jun 07, 13
The AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership, 2nd Edition, by OSI’s Alex Kosseff, has just become available in as an ebook in Kindle, Nook and iOS (iPad, iPhone, & iPad Touch) formats. This is the best reviewed outdoor leadership book on Amazon with ten 5-star reviews, and it is used a the text for numerous outdoor leadership courses!
- Jun 05, 13
As risk management in professionally led outdoor programs continues to improve, how do volunteer based programs fit in? A pre-conference session at the annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference, on September 30, 2013 will explore these issues. Facilitated by Sierra Club's Mel MacInnis and OSI's Alex Kosseff.
- May 29, 13
GNU snowboard bindings have been recalled due to a fall hazard. The ankle straps may break. Numerous models are effected (follow the link for list and more details). Contact the manufacturer for free replacement straps. There have been 30 reports of strap failures with no injuries.
- May 28, 13
Subcontracting is a common occurrence in outdoor programs. There are many potential benefits to subcontracting including transferring risk to a better qualified organization. There are also potential pitfalls from a risk management perspective—learn how to avoid them.
- May 22, 13
An Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket went to Aaron Bryant with YD Adventures who won our recent drawing for new Outdoor Safety Newsletter subscribers, 2nd prizes (3 copies of the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership) went to Aaron Laurich with Global Rescue, Jessica Tietjen with Peak Adventures, and Pamela Hainsworth who works with Conrad Anker.
- May 08, 13
Colorado's deadliest avalanche in 50 years killed 5. The group, many of whom had just met, came together as part of the Rocky Mountain High Backcountry Gathering, an event intended to promote backcountry snowboarding and avalanche safety. Questions about how such incidents can be prevented and links to some of the best coverage.
- Mar 26, 13
The Whitewater Research & Safety Institute (WRSI) has recalled two models of whitewater helmets due to the potential for the chinstrap buckle to fail. The recalled models are the Trident and Moment and there are a variety of styles and colors. No injuries have been reported. OSI has recommended WRSI helmets, though these have been different models.
- Mar 10, 13
U.S. Divers and Aqua Lung Sport have recalled two models of youth snorkeling masks due to a risk of glass shattering. The recalled models are the Santa Cruz Jr. (sold under the U.S. Divers and Aqua Lung brands), and the Martinique LX Jr. Snorkeling masks (pictured at left).
