Manu Survival

An experienced TV/Film advisor in some of the most remote areas of the planet. From deep in the jungles of Borneo to the high in the Andes, I have been responsible for all aspects of safety, logistics, casualty evacuation plans, risk assessments, budgeting, communications plans and general location scouting and management. - Combined with experience as remote medical support and rope safety/rigging and management of several teams in the field across several countries my combined experiences have led me to be a well-rounded and highly sought after filming support advisor. - Adherence to BS8848 and BBC protocol as well as understanding in country legal ramifications and cultural differences has led to multiple examples of repeat business and being booked by name. - As an added bonus I have been training various military, police, Special Forces and civilian units around the world in jungle and high altitude operations combined with survival training.

I have also been involved in disaster relief for the majority of my adult life. Starting out with the tsunami that struck southern Indonesia in 2007 up to the major flooding and el niño storms that have struck Central and South America. An experienced manager of teams in remote areas and Search and Rescue Technician, I have been awarded a Gallantry Medal from the British government for saving several people’s lives under trying circumstances and was recently nominated for the Queens Commendation for Bravery in the Air (pending).  

Freelance writer. Various articles for websites and companies. E.g: South American Explorers Club, STA travel, traveldudes.com, sherpaoutpost.com, secretcompass.com, Berghaus, Explorers Connect.

Independent fixer/location manager/risk consultant/medic

The Walt Disney Company

Senior Manager at a global company with direct oversite for film production safety on up to 10 shows at a time across various countries. Leading a team of 15 direct and 100+ indirect individuals in providing dynamic solutions to everyday and larger issues. Organising 6000+ Covid 19 tests a week across all  hows and £100M of resources over 12 months to ensure filming continued throughout the pandemic in the safest possible way. Previously was a manager
at TWDS.

- Led strategic change that resulted in more efficient working practices across the EMEA arm of TWDS by
bringing departments together that had previously worked in isolation.
- Oversaw drastic changes during the pandemic and brought on new Covid testing technologies to reduce both time and costs whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety.
- Cut costs across different projects by sharing resources and leveraging economies of scale when ordering.
- Played an integral part in the organization, and achieved global recognition for questioning the status quo and focusing on continuous improvement.

Health and Safety Director Film Production EMEA

On loan to Lucas film for a major feature film.

Health And Safety Manager - Lucas Film

Currently assigned to Marvel Cinematic Universe

Health And Safety Manager - Marvel Studios

The Manager, Health and Safety is assigned to each show at the start of pre-production and is responsible for ensuring that protocols are implemented on-set and assists the production to get up and running smoothly. This position oversees, advises and implements the creation of the show’s plan for policies and procedures in adherence and compliance with the most current production protocols of TWDC.

Health And Safety Manager - The Walt Disney Studios

Working on a multi million pound feature film with nearly 40 locations and 100 associated spaces. Hand picked a successful team that have been adept at managing the issues on both 1st and 2nd unit as well as splinter units.

Health And Safety Manager - Searchlight Productions

Black Wolf Helicopter Special Operations

Working as part of a specialist team teaching jungle survival to members of Peru´s armed forces as well as flight nurses and paramedics from the USA/EU. Assisting the FAA certified instructors in teaching helicopter rappelling operations and human external cargo for evacuation and SAR missions. A high risk, high octane job that requires a cool head in the toughest of situations, strict protocol adherence and the ability to be dynamic and fast paced whilst maintaining high standards of safety at all times.

Senior Aircrew / HSAR Tech

FCO Services.gov.uk

Working out of the Cusco Consulate, directly under the Vice Consul in the Embassy. Looking after the welfare of Distressed British Nationals, including hospital visits, liaising with law enforcement and maintaining relationships with high grade officials within the Peruvian government at a ministerial and local level. Forging relationships at a regional and national level to facilitate the FCO mission. Assisted in the evacuation of over 1000 British and EU nationals during the COVID crisis. 

Duties:

- Provide immediate assistance. For example, giving contact details, making the initial contact with a British person in distress until a member of the consular team can take over.

- Provide the Embassy with an immediate and reliable source of information in an emergency, and an initial assessment of the situation.

- Help the Embassy to maintain close relations with the local authorities who would help in dealing with consular cases. 

- Inform the Embassy of any local developments which may affect its ability to provide 
consular services in the area.

Consular Agent

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Since its inception in 1904, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide. Our headquarters is located at 46 East 70th Street in New York City.

Chapter Chair for South/Central America and the Caribbean.

Policía Nacional del Perú

Cusco, Peru

Peru has given me an Honorary Commission in their special forces unit and brought me in to retrain their rescue operators to bring them in line with current practices. This has involved working directly with rescue units, Special Operations Group and SWAT (SUAT) teams, across two different states. 

Within this role we managed to convince the General in charge to augment the number of bases from two to seven, placing them strategically to ensure maximum effect and speed when an operation is needed. 

Training presently involves rope rescue, cas evac, combat medic style training and will continue to expand over the next six months.

Working along side the Peruvian National Police as a contractor. The National Division of Special Operations has bought me in as a consultant and contractor in order to help train a new unit in the state of Madre de Dios which is focusing on jungle patrols to eliminate/reduce illegal logging, mining and smuggling within the region. 

Training involves deep jungle navigation, remote patrols, jungle survival, jungle combat procedures and other specialist topics.

Rescue Trainer

World Explorers Bureau

Available for motivational talks, after dinner speeches and school/group talks. 

"Jimmy McSparron, Expedition Leader and survival instructor has spent most of his adult life in remote corners of the world. He has lived with many indigenous groups, getting tattoos deep in the jungle with sticks, meeting head hunters and cannibals, documenting languages (he has written "Ha Putih", a Penan-English phrase book) and cultures along the way.

Starting out on his adventure career first as volunteer with Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi, an internationally recognized Bolivian NGO that cares for rescued wildlife, Jimmy has spent time travelling and helping out in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Jungle survival is his forté with periods of up to six days having been spent completely alone in the jungle with nothing more than what is in his pockets. Although primarily a jungle guru, Jimmy is just at home on top of a peak in the Andes or on the plains of Africa."

Topics include:

Alternative Education – Using the Outdoors

Markings of the Headhunters of Borneo

Into the Jungle – Survival of the Mind

Motivational Speaker

A respected management professional with extensive experience leading operations, projects and staffing in complex and fast-paced environments across EMEA and LATAM. Proven track record in guiding sizeable, agile and adaptable teams that have driven multiple client and internal business goals in projects with £10M+ in the budget.

Driving efficiencies, engagement and change management across all areas of the business whilst looking out for my teams I have found myself to be someone that other departments rely on as a sounding board and confidant.

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