Expedition Training Syllabus for Gold Ventures

First Aid and Emergency Procedures

Training based on the current edition of the Authorised Manual of St. John Ambulance, St. Andrew's Ambulance Association or The British Red Cross.

·        Action in an emergency - resuscitation, airway, breathing and circulation

·        The treatment of wounds and bleeding

·        Treatment for shock

·        The recognition and the immediate treatment of more serious conditions, sprains, dislocations and broken limbs

·        The emergency transport of casualties

·        The recognition, treatment and prevention of hypothermia

·        The treatment of blisters, cuts, abrasions, minor burns and scalds, headaches, insect bites, sunburn and splinters

·        Knowing what to do in the case of an accident or emergency

·        Summoning help - what people need to know, telephoning for help, the written message

·        Getting help, self-help and waiting for help to arrive keeping safe and warm, helping people to find you

An Awareness of Risk and Health and Safety Issues

·        Expedition fitness

·        Telling people where you are going

·        Undertaking a risk assessment

·        Keeping together

·        Weather forecasts - knowing how, where and when to obtain weather forecasts, relating weather forecasts to observed conditions, looking for signs which will indicate changes in the weather

Navigation and Route Planning

The 1:25 000 scale Outdoor Leisure or Explorer Maps, available for the whole of England, Scotland and Wales and parts of Northern Ireland, should be used wherever possible as it makes instruction and learning easier. They show the field boundaries, making it easier to locate precisely the footpaths, tracks and lanes used for travel in this type of country, so helping to reduce friction with landowners. Participants must also be familiar with the 1:50 000 scale Landranger Maps and/or any foreign maps of the area in which the venture is to take place.

Preparatory Map Skills

·        The nature of maps

·        Map direction

·        Scale and distance, measuring distance, distance and time

·        Conventional signs

·        Marginal information

·        Grid references

·        Understanding contours, recognition of major land forms such as hills, valleys, ridges, spurs. Interpretation of contours into mountain land forms and relief, slope and gradients and the determination of height

·        The ability to give a verbal description of a route linking two places from the map

Practical Map Skills

·        Setting the map by inspection (two methods)

·        Relating the map to the ground

·        Locating position using the map

·        Determining geographical direction, and direction of travel from the map.

·        Checking the direction of paths using the set map n

·        Identifying and locating features in the country by using the map

·        Locating features marked on the map in the countryside

·        Relating the map and contours to the ground. Estimating journey times in wild country

·        Planning a route, preparing a route card. Estimating speed of travel and arrival times. (ETA Ð estimated time of arrival)

·        Following a planned route

·        Navigation in restricted visibility. Action to be taken in the event of being lost

Compass Skills

The compass should not be introduced until the participants have mastered the techniques of finding their way using the map alone

The care of the compass:

·        The influence of ferrous objects and electromagnetic fields

·        Magnetic variation and the relationship between True, Magnetic and Grid Norths

·        Direction from the compass in terms of the cardinal and inter-cardinal points. Measuring direction in degrees

·        Setting the map by the compass where magnetic variation may be ignored

·        Determining the direction of footpaths or direction of travel

·        Travelling on a bearing. Obtaining a grid bearing from the map, allowing for magnetic variation where appropriate

Practically all the understanding and techniques listed above are equally important for ventures on land or on water, but instruction should be modified as necessary for water ventures and charts substituted.

Camp Craft Equipment and Hygiene

·        Choosing suitable clothing, footwear and emergency equipment and knowing how to use it

·        Choosing and caring for camping gear

·        Packing a rucksack, waterproofing the contents, always keeping the weight down to a minimum, and about a quarter of the body weight when walking

·        Choosing a camp site, arrangements for water, cooking and sanitation, refuse disposal, fire precautions

·        Pitching and striking tents

Food and Cooking

·        Cooking and the use of stoves

·        Safety procedures and precautions which must be observed when using stoves and handling fuels

·        Using dehydrated foods under Expedition conditions

·        Cooking substantial meals under camp conditions

Country, Highway and Water Sports Codes

·        Understanding the spirit and content of the 'Country Code'

·        The avoidance of noise and disturbance to rural communities

·        A thorough knowledge of the content of the 'Highway Code' with special emphasis on specific modes of travel such as horse riding or cycling if they are to be utilised during the venture

·        If undertaking a water venture, a thorough knowledge of the 'Water Sports Code'

Observation Recording and Purpose

·        Choosing a purpose

·        Researching relevant information and useful contacts

·        Developing observation skills and different methods of recording information

·        Skills relevant to the method of presentation

Team Building

The Expeditions Section involves participants working together as a team in order to complete the venture. Team building should permeate all Expedition training and can be enhanced through team building exercises and regular reviews so that when the group sets out on the qualifying venture, participants are able to work together as an effective and cohesive unit.

Proficiency in the Mode of Travel

Cycling

·        Training to the standard of the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme and the Right Track Awareness Programme as appropriate

·        Maintenance and repair of the cycle

·        Loading a cycle with equipment

·        Handling a loaded cycle

·        The skills associated with off-road cycling as appropriate

Horse Riding

·        Training to Pony Club 'C+' standard, Riding Club Grade 3 or British Horse Society Progressive Test 12

·        A knowledge of tethering

·        Competent in ensuring the well-being of the horse for the duration of the venture

·        Be able to recognise dangerous going and the action to be taken in the event of an accident to horse or rider

Water Ventures

Training should be directed towards the completion of a journey on water and not restricted to the skills of handling the craft. It must be concerned with any potential hazards associated with the water on which the venture will take place, as well as infections or health concerns related to any possible water pollution.

Participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 25 metres in light clothing without any buoyancy aid and be competent and confident in the relevant capsize and recovery drill and man overboard drill.

All participants must

·        Wear appropriate buoyancy aids or lifejackets. Exceptions may be made, with the approval of the Operating Authority, for rowing ventures on canals and rivers, and for sculling craft where traditionally, by custom and practice, life jackets are not usually worn, except on the instruction of the cox

·        Wear suitable clothing and footwear

·        Be able to recognise and treat hypothermia

·        Understand the 'Water Sports Code'

All craft must have adequate buoyancy and be sound, suitable and fitted out for the conditions in which they are to be used. A suitable repair kit must be carried and participants should be trained in its use.

Canoeing

All participants must be adequately trained to:

·        Satisfy the Assessor as to their competence

·        Demonstrate that their equipment is waterproofed

·        Satisfy the Assessor that their kayak or canoe, and equipment and clothing are suitable for the venture

Open canoeists must be trained to at least the standard of the BCU 3 Star Test

Kayakists must be trained to the standard of the BCU Closed cockpit Kayak 2 Star Test or BCU Placid Water 2 Star Test.

Participants inteding to venture on coastal waters should be trained and have passed the BCO Sea Kayak 4 Star Test.

Rowing

All participants must undergo training based on the syllabus for 'Boatwork' in the Expedition Guide or the training schemes of the Sea Cadets, Scouts or Guides.

Sailing

All Participants must attain proficiency to the standard of the RYA National Sailing Seamanship Skills and Day Sailing Certificates as a basic minimum, with additional training relative to the area of the proposed venture or RYA Day Skipper Shorebased and Practical Certificates.

(NB for expeditions in cruising yachts involving overnight passages in open sea areas, at least one crewmember must hold the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Certificate as appropriate.)