INITIAL EXPEDITION TRAINING

1. INITIAL EXPEDITION TRAINING EXPEDITIONS, CAMPCRAFT & HILL WALKING

2. 1. HILL WALKING • As a Cadet you will get many opportunities to take part in Adventure Training, either as part of normal Squadron events or DofE. • There is always an element of DANGER in outdoor activities, so the aim of this lecture is to give you some basic knowledge prior to going out.

3. Expedition Planning • Planning is important. A leader will normally be nominated for a group & will have many things to consider prior to the expedition. • The first thing that should be decided is how many people are in the group. This will depend on: • The length of the Route • The terrain type – Hills, mountain, ridge rock etc • Weather Conditions – wind, rain, snow, mist etc • The age & fitness of the individuals • Group Size – as a rule hill walking groups should number between 4 & 6 (the more difficult the route, the smaller the party). 4 is an essential group minimum.

4. Route Planning Consider the following: Interest of the party – are you setting out to visit a specific place or are you simply trying to get to the top of a hill. How to get there – The direct route is the shortest but not the quickest or safest. Roads should be avoided, try to keep to public footpaths, stay out of farm land away from crops or grazing animals. Terrain – note the type of ground the route crosses. Avoid marshland & dense woodland as this can be difficult. Hills – are there too many hills to climb & can they be avoided? Use contours to keep a sustained height on hills – it saves time & energy. Escape Routes – always plan alternative routes. If the weather closes in or injury occurs, an escape route is vital. You may have to descend from a hill due to adverse weather or find help quickly in emergencies (telephones/residential areas) – this must always be planned prior to an expedition.

5. Walking Skills • On roads or flat ground journeys are usually measured in Kilometres or Miles. • On hills it is easier to measure journeys in Hours. This will take practice on your part to judge the pace of your walking. • Lightly equipped group = allow 1 hour for walking (average 1km) • Get an average for: • Flat ground (Quicker & Easier) • Gentle Slopes • Steep Inclines (Slower & Demanding) • Speed is of less importance that economy of effort. Slower paced walkers in the group must be encouraged & not left behind struggling. Always keep together.

6. Set your feet carefully – watch for loose ground, slippery surface, rocks etc. Climbs – small steps, zig-zagging, securing the hands help when climbing steep inclines. Descending – do not over stride, avoid jarring the body. Place the foot between projections. Rests – keep these short – 5 to 10 minutes only every hour. Meals – avoid large meals. A ‘little & often’ is recommended on the hills. Fluid Intake – The body needs to replace lost fluid (sweat). Minimum of 2.5 litres per day (up to 5 times more depending on expedition). Vigilance – this should be exercised. Weather conditions change quickly, action must be taken to avoid un safe situations. Act before the weather dictates its own terms.

7. Route Cards Route cards are essential to an expedition. This enables you to divide the journey into legs – about 1.5km to 2km in length with obvious landmarks to aim for. Escape routes, leg times, grid references (from area map) and essential team details are to be completed.

8. Equipment & Clothing • Each member of the Group should have: • Map – for short walks in normal country, maps can be shared by 2. • Compass – can be shared between 2. • Whistle – for emergencies. • Rucksack – avoid DPM style. • Large polythene bag/bin liner – to line rucksack (Keep equipment dry). • Personal First Aid Kit • Emergency rations – chocolate bars, nuts, high sugar foods. • Sleeping Bag& Roll Mat – warm enough for the season. • Spare clothing – no jeans, t-shirts, socks, warm clothing etc. • Wash Kit – hygiene is paramount. • KFS – Knife, Fork & Spoon. • Headwear – wool for winter, baseball cap for summer etc.

9. Additional Equipment Boots – should be comfortable allowing for 1 pair of thick socks Water Bottle – can be plastic or metal type. Foul Weather Clothing – Gortex or conventional. Jacket & Trousers. Good Rucksack – ensure it is big enough to carry ALL your kit.

10. Tent – to be durable enough for UK weather. (We provide tents). Gas Stove – quicker to heat food. Ensure you have enough gas & remember pans, kettle etc. Compact & light. Trangae – basic cooking set with pans, kettle etc. Uses metholated spirit. (We provide these) Petrol Stove – fuelled by unleaded. Quick cooking times & compact/light.

11. 2. CAMPCRAFT & EXPEDITIONS • Camping • Either a fixed site (with amenities) or mobile sites (Fields). Camping can be potentially dangerous to the environment: • Digging rubbish pits • Digging drainage channels • Leaving litter • Food & Cooking • Start the day with a good breakfast & a substantial hot meal in the evening. • Ensure you clean up pans etc – most foods can be disposed in hedges (animals will eat it). Do not throw waste food on the field itself. KEEP IT TIDY.

12. Load Pack & Carrying Tips Only take essential items – do not overload with useless items. Your total load should never exceed one third of your body weight with 15kg being the maximum. Always use a liner in your rucksack – it will keep your kit dry. Stove fuel should be kept in a separate compartment, well sealed away from food & clothes. Heavy items should be kept as high as possible within the rucksack. Avoid hanging articles on the exterior of your pack – it may well come lose as it swings around.

13. Tents Tents keep you dry and are your personal shelters during expeditions. A good quality tent should be hard wearing, light & robust. Tents keep you away from the elements – wind, rain, snow and the like. When setting up, ensure the ground is as level as possible. Clear the area of twigs/objects etc. Don’t pitch directly under trees. Always put the back end of the tent into oncoming wind. Ensure pegs are drove in securely. Always clean pegs after use. Always ensure kit is packed away properly. Wet tents are to be left to dry naturally – never leave them packed.

14. General Tips for Comfort A good sleeping bag is essential. Ensure you buy the right one for you. In winter a second sleeping bag may be required. Never lie in the cold shivering – be prepared. It is often possible to pack the underside of the tent groundsheet with bracken, heather or grass to improve insulation & comfort. Easy option – get a roll mat. If on a slope, sleep with the head uphill. Never wear boots in a tent or sleeping bag. Never wear wet clothes. If you are soaked, change into spares & make a warm sweet drink. Store tins, wet clothes and anything animals will not eat under the entrance of the tent (flysheet). Always keep your tent clean & tidy.

15. Stove Safety The following must be considered when using stoves: Change gas cartridges in open air – not in tents. Practice using the stove beforehand. If cooking in the tent (adverse weather only) ensure adequate ventilation. Gas is heavier than air. During sleep, leaking gas could accumulate in layer on the tent groundsheet. This could lead to explosion or rise to nose level with fatal results. Check your kit. Do not mess around with metholated spirit or unleaded. You can suffer burns or worse. Never joke around with harmful & flammable liquids. Never overfill a stove. Always remove hot pans with a detachable handle provided. Never leave it attached – it will get hot. No smoking around flammable liquids or in tents. Do not burn grass areas on sites – there are usually areas to cook.

16. 3. EXPOSURE Exposure to extreme climatic conditions could lead to problems if a person is poorly prepared or inadequately equipped. HYPOTHERMIA Exposure to extreme cold conditions results in this. Body core temperature falls and could lead to cardiac failure or death. Younger people tend to suffer more from this as they have a lower physical & mental reserve. Signs & Treatment: Complaints of coldness, tiredness, strange behaviour. Collapse. Poor response. Slurred speech. Violent outbursts. Casualty to be put in shelter. Remove wet clothing etc. Use 1 or more sleeping bags – isolate the sufferer from the ground. If possible, place another person in the sleeping bag (creates valuable heat). Hot sugary drink advised. Dial for emergency services.

17. SUNBURN Sunlight will reach you from any direction – always ensure you apply sun cream. Hours of walking will expose you to the sun. Cover up where possible. HEAT EXHAUSTION Lack of water in the body will make you begin to suffer heatstroke. Symptoms: thirst, fatigue, giddiness, rapid pulse, high body temperature, low urine output, delirium, coma & death. Always drink plenty of WATER. In hot climate this can be as much as 12 litres. HEAT STROKE This is the most serious of heat disorders. The body’s regulating system fails. Symptoms: high body temperature, absence of sweating, skin dry to touch, lack of co-ordination, collapse, coma & death. Sponge the sufferer down & cover the body with damp cloths. If possible, immerse sufferer in cold water. Call for emergency services at once.

18. ANY QUESTIONS?