OUTDOOR SAFETY ACADEMY

Andy is a seasoned professional with 14 years of experience in the polar industry. As a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) instructor, he holds a special focus on health care. Andy has served aboard numerous vessels and led teams, overseeing evacuation and rescue logistics. With extensive first aid expertise, he is a passionate advocate for education and training, consistently fostering a culture of preparedness and safety.

Born in North Patagonia, Argentina, Pablo started his Expedition Cruising career in 1999, has completed over 200 trips with specialist cruise operators all over the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea and Southern Ocean, and also in the Arctic region of Svalbard, working in a wide range of roles, from logistics and kayak operations to polar bear guard, Zodiac driver, camp master, lecturer and expedition leader. In 2017 he joined PTGA , Polar Tourism Guide Association and in 2020 he became an assessor for this association.

Since 2012 he started a training program in Ushuaia, with the basics of what it means to become an expedition guide first one of its kind. This Project turned into KSP, Katabatic Staffing Project, with Zodiac Training and other skills needed in the industry. In 2021 KSP became a PTGA , Polar Tourism Guide Association accredited service provided being the only Polar guide Academy in all of the Americas.

Today KSP provides not only the training services but also the possibility of assessments and PTGA certifications on Zodiac Driving, Navigation, Radio and Coms and other industry related qualifications.

Carolina Salvochea is an Argentinian Kayak Guide from Buenos Aires. Having grown up alongside the sea, her strengths lie in Sailing and all ocean related activities and wildlife. She has spent numerous weeks on sail voyages exploring the South American Atlantic Ocean. She has also been kayaking in Patagonia, Brazil, Antarctica and Great Lakes.

Having founded a Kayak School in Delta del Paraná, she trains and instructs compentent kayak guides, now bringing this experience onboard.

Esteban María Chalá is an Argentine humanitarian professional with a diverse background spanning various fields of emergency response and disaster management. His journey began with the Argentine Red Cross, where he served as a lifeguard, instructor, and earned the prestigious Wood Badge in Scouts of Argentina. Additionally, he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Fire Department.

Driven by a passion for helping others, Esteban founded and has presided over the CEPA Evacuation and First Aid Corps for 21 years. Under his leadership, the organization has established 11 subsidiaries across Argentina and expanded its reach to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

For over a decade, Esteban worked in the coordination of humanitarian operations and logistics for White Helmets Argentina, contributing his expertise to more than 45 international missions. His dedication to public service led him to take on roles within the Argentine government, including Director of Logistics and Operations for the Ministry of Defense, Municipal Director of Civil Protection in Mercedes, Buenos Aires Province, and Director of Civil Defense for the Chubut Province.

Esteban's commitment to emergency preparedness and risk management culminated in his appointment as the National Director of Civil Protection Operations for the Argentine Republic. In this pivotal role, he was responsible for overseeing national emergency operations and their respective plans, as well as serving as the INSARAG Operational Focal Point in Argentina.

Furthermore, Esteban serves as the President of the Federation of Emergencies and Humanitarian Assistance of the Argentine Republic (FEAHRA), a coalition of over 200 national organizations dedicated to addressing humanitarian issues.

Extending his reach beyond Argentina, Esteban has worked with international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He served as a Logistics Officer in South Sudan's Bentiu camp and as a Plant Manager for the SMEP program in the Cox Bazar camp in Bangladesh, a joint initiative between IOM, UNHCR, and WFP.

Esteban's skill set encompasses a wide range of areas, including UNDAC membership, camp design, planning and construction for refugees and evacuees, specialized first-aid in search and rescue operations, coordination of volunteer teams, and effective collaboration with community organizations, leaders, international agencies, NGOs, private sector entities, governmental offices, security forces, and various other stakeholders.

With a lifelong dedication to humanitarian efforts and emergency response, Esteban María Chalá stands as a testament to the power of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to assisting those in need, both within Argentina and on a global scale.