Scope and vehicle type
Read these instructions with the risk acknowledgement and booking terms. Belt, door and cabin-containment rules apply to side-by-side buggies equipped with them. Straddle-seat quad bikes require a separate manufacturer-based briefing on balance and body position; buggy instructions must not be transferred to them. Identify the actual vehicle and complete required training before starting.
Eligibility and preparation
Check the activity’s age, licence, physical ability, weight, seating and restraint requirements. Give accurate information, bring any required licence and complete individual and guardian acknowledgements. Payment does not make an ineligible person eligible. Clarify suitability during pregnancy or with health conditions or recent injuries, and confidentially disclose necessary safety limitations to designated staff. Do not participate when severely fatigued or impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication; do not stop prescribed medication to participate.
Clothing, protection and passengers
Wear a correctly fastened, suitable helmet, eye protection, secure closed footwear and clothing covering arms and legs; use activity-specific gloves and equipment. Secure hair and loose clothing away from moving parts. Have staff assist with seat and restraint fit and close containment devices. Each occupant uses their own designated seat and restraint where fitted; no lap riding, excess occupants or standing while moving. Passengers must meet the manufacturer’s seating and support-point requirements; never force an unsuitable fit.
Briefing and checks before moving
Attend the full briefing in a language you understand. Ask questions and practise identifying brakes, pedals, engine stop, transmission and drive settings and stop signals. With staff, check helmet, restraint and door fastening and clear loose items from pedals. Report damage, leaks, warnings or abnormal controls and wait for staff to resolve them. The operator checks vehicle serviceability; a participant’s visual check does not replace that duty. Driver changes require permission, eligibility checks and briefing.
Speed, control and convoy order
Follow the route and convoy order at a speed allowing a stop within the visible distance; slow before turns and obstacles. Leave space for changing conditions and the vehicle ahead to stop; increase spacing in dust. Overtaking, racing, drifting, deliberate jumps, stunts and chasing others are prohibited. No phone use or filming while driving. Passengers may film only without unfastening restraints, extending outside or distracting the driver. Secure belongings and cameras before departure. Never feel obliged to match a speed you cannot manage safely.
Lost visibility, communication and stopping
In dense dust or when the route is obscured, slow progressively, stop safely and notify the guide. Do not enter a dust cloud or accelerate to catch up. Avoid sudden stops on crests, bends or hidden sections unless immediately necessary. Use the briefed radio procedures and signals for instructions and emergencies; do not switch lights off to signal a fault. If separated, do not take shortcuts or continue alone. Stop safely, report your location and move only to avoid immediate danger or under team direction.
Dunes, slopes and rocks
Do not crest an unseen drop or approach an unapproved edge or slope. Follow the designated line, guide assessment and manufacturer limits; do not attempt side slopes, climbs or descents beyond your ability. Ask for assistance before a difficult section. When stuck, stop and request staff help rather than repeatedly accelerating or stepping where the vehicle may move. Do not shift transmission while moving or apply another model’s operating procedure.
Water, floods, weather and night driving
Never enter floodwater or cross dangerous or unknown currents, even if another vehicle crossed. Other water crossings require guide assessment and approval within manufacturer limits; permission does not override safety requirements. No swimming or approaching water edges outside an approved activity. Follow evacuation instructions for deteriorating weather or rising water. At night or in fog, slow to match visibility and lighting; stop safely if lighting fails or visibility is lost. Staff may cancel a section or trip when conditions are unsafe.
Fatigue, heat and health
Drink water regularly as needed, take planned breaks and use sun protection and clothing appropriate for cold or wet conditions. Immediately report dizziness, weakness, pain, breathing difficulty or any change affecting driving; stop safely and request help. Do not continue through symptoms to finish the route or rely on a guide for medical diagnosis. Carry prescribed personal medication according to your clinician’s instructions and arrange essential needs before the trip.
Faults, leaks and fire
For warnings, fuel or burning smells, unusual noises or changed braking or steering, stop safely, inform staff and do not continue or restart before inspection. Do not touch hot exhausts or engines, open a hot cooling system or tamper with electrics. Staff handle refuelling with the engine off and no smoking or flames. For fire or a leak threatening safety, move safely away from the vehicle and smoke, warn others and request help; do not risk injury to retrieve belongings.
Rollover, crashes and injuries
In a buggy, keep the restraint fastened and your body inside while moving. Do not try to stop a rollover with a hand or foot or jump from a rolling vehicle. Use the model-specific riding position explained by staff. Once stopped, assess immediate danger before releasing the belt or exiting and request help; fire or submersion makes safe escape the priority. Do not move an injured person except to avoid immediate danger or under qualified direction. Do not right or restart the vehicle yourself. Report every incident or injury, however minor, and resume only with staff clearance.
Recovery exclusion zone
Towing, winching, lifting and repairs are specialist team tasks. Stay clear of moving vehicles, tensioned ropes, straps, cables and anchors; do not stand between, step across or touch them under load. Never enter beneath a raised vehicle or spontaneously push or pull. Stay in the designated waiting area and enter the recovery zone only after work stops and clear instructions are given.
Dismounting, stops and camping
Wait for a complete stop and secure the vehicle as briefed before dismounting; check footing and surrounding traffic. Do not walk behind reversing vehicles or approach edges, or leave the camp or group without coordination. Use the designated campsite away from flood channels; watch for guy ropes, fire and sharp tools. No fires or gas appliances without permission. Never run fuel stoves, charcoal or generators inside tents or enclosed spaces; keep exhaust away from sleeping areas. Disclose food allergies, drink only designated drinking water and do not handle wildlife or insects.
Emergencies and remote areas
Before departure learn how to request help, where emergency equipment is located and the assembly point. Report your location, vehicle identifier, hazard and number of injured people if possible, and follow qualified responders’ instructions. Do not assume mobile coverage or immediate rescue. Do not attempt flood or fire rescue or hazardous recovery beyond your training. People’s safety takes priority over filming, belongings and completing the programme.
Environment, guide authority and acknowledgement
Respect residents, pedestrians, animals and property, stay on authorised routes and collect waste. Staff may stop participation or change the route for safety; breach consequences and proven damage responsibility follow booking terms and law. I acknowledge receiving and understanding these instructions and completing the practical briefing, and ask when uncertain. This does not waive legal rights. Record participant name and role, booking, vehicle, guide, briefing time, instruction version and acceptance.
