Odyssey provide Security, Aviation and Medical planning advice to companies around the world who operate in high risk environments.
Within these areas we offer specific support from experienced consultants who are recognised subject matter experts.
Please review our service areas to see if we can be of assistance to you.
security and aviation 
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About Us
Odyssey was established in 2002 drawing together a team of consultants, initially as a security consultancy. After establishing offices in Geneva, Paris, London, Abidjan and Sydney, operations commenced across West Africa for numerous European and American clients focusing on regional safety and evacuation.
Odyssey has continued to operate across Africa in high risk environments allowing our clients to commence and sustain operations that would otherwise have proven too unstable to operate with any certainty. We have achieved this by mitigating the various risks and threats that have opposed them in their various environments.
Odyssey is now a multi-disciplinary consultancy, providing advice and services to business around the world. Typically we embed our expertise into your organisation to support projects and deliver solutions. We also conduct external peer reviews of your operations and management to provide critical feedback.
Our focus areas are Security, Aviation, Medicine, and to a lesser degree, Law. We draw experienced specialists from these industries to operate at all levels, from operator to senior management. Third world evacuation strategies, aviation safety audits, risk assessments, deployable medical facilities, and aviation expert witnesses are examples of our service areas.
Review our Service Areas to see if our particular brand of expertise can add value to your project.
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Service Areas
Odyssey provide a range of services within the Security, Aviation and Medical environment. Please see below for some of these.
Aviation Expert Witnesses
Our Expert Witnesses are able to provide Expert Reports and give informed oral evidence concerning aviation operations and management, flight performance and conduct, engineering compliance, equipment suitability, accident investigation, noise abatement, regulatory compliance in relation to CASA, ICAO, and many foreign systems from first hand expert level engagement. Our consultants are skilled and experienced across all aspects and types of industry operation and aircraft type.
Case Example: A local Council had twice rejected a development application for a commercial helipad and flying school. Our expert was able to provide an Expert Witness Report to counter the existing Council position, re-engineer the flight paths to meet CASA CAAP 92-2 compliance, and give persuasive evidence at hearing which resulted in approval by the Planning & Environment Court.
Aviation Safety Audits
Our Auditors are able to conduct remote site assessments and provide accurate and detailed reports addressing safety, regulatory compliance, staff suitability, managerial risk and exposure, financial modelling, and other bespoke areas as required. We have developed our own audit regime over many years, or can apply the BARS standard at your discretion. We go a level deeper in our investigations and can provide an opinion on risk, and solutions to counter those risks before they eventuate.
Case Example: A mining company were test drilling across PNG and were using numerous aircraft companies. Their operations were diverse and expanding so rapidly their management were not able to keep track of the various contractor’s compliance. In 30 days, Odyssey were able to review 13 aviation companies across the country from both an aviation, engineering, and management perspective, using a pilot, engineer, and senior manager team. We were able to visit eight field sites to view actual operations, inspect drum-stock fuel supplies and storage techniques, observe remote maintenance, and evaluate crew performance. Our reporting was able to address the whole scope of operations, and identified a number of risk areas not previously noted by the internal OHS department.
audits 
Security Risk Assessments
Using a similar technique to our Aviation Audit methodology we are able to conduct Security Risk assessments. These range from remote site assessments to city office locations and incorporate business continuity solutions and exercise training.
Case Example: A major Defence Industry supplier was advised by Federal authorities that criminal groups were targeting controlled stores kept on site. The items posed a risk to National Security. Odyssey conducted a holistic risk analysis of the site including staff interviews, penetration testing, and a review existing security procedures. Odyssey determined a new security strategy and engaged local law enforcement to support the plan. The site underwent substantial works including fencing, cameras, access control, alarms, patrol routines, response procedures and physical barriers. The site was recently reviewed by Defence pursuant to Australian legislation and successfully passed.
Medical Evacuations
In Africa, Odyssey operate medical evacuation service in conjunction with their medical partner, Medicis. The service is able to extract site workers by helicopter to regional airfields, and then to Europe or South Africa by jet.
Case Example: A French media crew were covering the Liberian crisis in Monrovia, when the journalists were caught in crossfire between the factions. One of the journalists was shot through the thigh, shattering his femur and totally incapacitating him. The Odyssey Hotline were called who provided immediate medical advice to those on the scene. An evacuation plan was put into action with the journalist extracted to a safe location for immediate treatment. Concurrently, the Odyssey medical team departed to extract the patient, meeting him onsite, and escorting him to the airport, and on to Paris for surgery. The timeline from first call to surgery in Paris was just 12 hours.
Remote Medical Support
Through our medical teams and local resources, we are able to provide facility support from first aid post, to a GP Clinic. Support can range from local to international doctors, of varying specialties and backgrounds.
Case Example: Rising resource prices lead to an expansion in previously decommissioned mines, and offshore rigs. An Australian client had re-opened a remote mine site in Mali. Odyssey were able to provide a Medical Centre staffed by an Emergency Doctor and Nurse to support mine staff with a full complement of equipment and drugs. The Centre was raised in just two weeks. Several evacuations were undertaken for serious crush and vehicle injuries which occurred on site. The Medical Centre was also able to support local villagers with basic medical care, immunisation, and vaccinations. This facilitated an unanticipated public relations boost for the Mine. Odyssey have since raised a medical company who provide medical insurance, and tele-medicine support to employer groups on a shared cost basis. See www.MedicisWA.com.
Evacuation Audit & Planning
We are able to establish or review your evacuation plans to ensure their suitability. If you don’t have one we can develop and test it for you. This may involve the establishment of safe routes, safe locations, identification of local support, or briefing staff on key roles and actions. We can also produce pocket guides for distribution providing immediate advice and contacts.
Case Example: Talks of democratic elections in Cote d’Ivoire sparked riots on the streets of Abidjan between the government sponsored group ‘Le Jeune Patriots’ (Young Patriots) and rebel forces opposed to corrupt government rule. Europeans bore the focus of local violence resulting in rapes and murders. Civil unrest grew so quickly many expatriates were caught at work, unable to make it home. Odyssey initiated a recovery to pre-planned safe houses, and charted an Airbus from Paris which landed in Abidjan with our Evacuation and Medical Teams. Our Evacuation Team moved through the rioting town by bus collecting clients from safe houses and delivering them safely to the airport. Over 150 people were evacuated before any Government organised evacuation had even departed Europe.
support
remote support 
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Odyssey Conferences
Our broad spectrum of experts are able to share ideas and opportunities during our conferences. Whilst we cannot guarantee it, our conferences are structured to meet the Australian Taxation Office requirements for tax deductibility. We aim to run each subject twice a year, and primarily address the following specific areas:
- Informed Consent considering the medico-legal environment;
- Duty of Care in the EMS/Aviation environment; and
- Employer Duty of Care in remote employment.
If you would like to attend one of our conferences we welcome new participants to diversify our contributors. Please review the upcoming schedule on the Conferences page.
We provide a comprehensive list of supporting material for ready referencing, so all you need to do is turn up. Upon registering and payment of the course fee, a full timetable will be issued to you.
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Contacts
Odyssey West Africa
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Ph: +225 22 48 01 11
Email: hotline@OdysseyWA.com
Odyssey South Asia
Gold Coast, Australia
Ph: 07 5625 1680
Email: inbox@OdysseySA.com.au
Please contact one of our regional offices directly if you require assistance.