Initial Expedition Training
Some basic knowledge to enable
you to enjoy outdoor activities
safely
Contents
• Hill Walking
• Exposure
• Campcraft and Expeditions- Hartswood
Expedition Planning
• Time spent on planning is
never wasted
• You must also decide how
many people there will be in
the group. This depends on:
* The length of the route
* The type of ground to be
covered
* The weather conditions
* The age and fitness of
the individuals
How many people in a group
• Hill walking groups should number
between 4 and 6 – the more difficult the
route, the smaller the party.
• 4 in the minimum safe number. Why?
• In the event of an accident, one member
can stay with the injured person while the
others go for help
The Route
You must consider:
a) Interest of the party
b) How to get there. The
direct route is the shortest
but not necessarily the
quickest. Plus choose a route
away from roads as much as
possible and stay out of
farmers’ fields
c) The Terrain. Take note of the
type of ground your route
crosses. Marshy land can be
wet and miserable to cross and
dense woodland can be slow
and hard to penetrate.
d) Hills. Are there any hills to
climb or can they be avoided?
Is there a path following the
contour around it?
Escape routes and how to get help
• Have alternative plans if
things go wrong. (i.e.
heavy rain, very tired
member of the party, low
cloud) This may mean a
shorter walk, a detour or
even turning back if
circumstances dictate.
• Mobile phones are
important
• Know where the nearest
telephone boxes are on
the route or farms close
by that you could go to for
help if you need it.
• If you are in wild country,
be aware of the positions
of Mountain Rescue
posts
Walking Skills
• On roads or flat ground journeys are usually
measured in miles or kilometres, but on hills it is
easier to measure journeys in hours.
• You must begin to judge the pace of your
walking. Work out the time for walking a
distance of 1 km:
a) on flat ground
b) on a gentle slope
c) Up a steep climb
You are a Single Unit
• To hurry, except in
extenuating
circumstances, is foolish
• Tail-end-Charlie’s must
be encouraged and not
left ot struggle on their
own
• Keep together and on no
account send any
member of the party back
on his own
• Except in dire
emergency the party
should act as a single
unit.
• Normally a leader will be
in front, having appointed
the next most
experienced member of
the party to bring up the
rear
Walking Rhythm
• Jerky movements,
springing and flexing the
knees by taking too high
a step tire the muscles
and should be avoided.
• Legs should be allowed
to swing forward like a
pendulum; the natural
swing of the body assists
this movement.
• There should be no
conscientious use of
the leg muscles.
• Hands should be kept
free
• The same speed of pace
should be used on all
types of ground and only
length of pace altered.
Set your feet carefully
• Feet should be placed • Do not over-stride
down flat with a
when descending.
deliberate step,
• A controlled descent
resting heels on
can be assisted by
stoned or tufts of
placing the toes
grass
against projections
• On slopes, zig• Use downhill periods
zagging will assist the
to rest the muscles!
walker
When should you rest?
• Halts should be short and at fixed intervals
based on time and ground.
• 5-10 minutes every hour on average.
• Large meals should be avoided- eat little
and often
• You should also drink little and often to
replace fluid lost in sweat, in breathing,
etc.
What to do in bad weatherexposure
• Weather conditions can
deteriorate extremely
quickly in hill countryconstant vigilance is
crucial
• Check the weather
forecast before leaving
• Most accidents due to
bad weather occur
through rashness. Act
before weather dictates
its own terms.
• Exposure is an ever
present danger with
people in the mountains
• Be familiar with its
recognition and treatment
• If your party are not fit,
dry, well fed and watered
you should modify your
route to suite their
condition and capabilities
Route Card
• Complete a route card by
dividing it into 1.5-2 km lengths
with obvious landmarks to aim
for.
• Enter each leg on a separate
line on the route card, don’t
forget to include escape
routes.
• Cards are left with a base
contact who can raise the
alarm if something goes wrong
• Once completed, cancel it be
informing the person holding it.
Equipment and Clothing
• A map
• Compass
• Whistle
• Rucksack
• Large polythene bag
• Personal first aid kit
• Emergency rations
Leader should have:
• A comprehensive first aid kit
• Sleeping bag
Clothing
• Boots, comfortable+ one pair of
thick socks
• Trousers, not jeans
• Several thin sweaters
• Waterproof anorak
Boots and care of feet
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Feet First
There are some common foot problems
which are very easy to treat and avoid:
To avoid blisters keep your feet dry and
wear socks made with fibres which draw
moisture away from your skin - steer
clear of pure cotton. Don’t lace your
shoes too tightly or too loosely. The
irritation from the pinching and rubbing
may cause blisters.
Aching arches are usually caused by
pounding when you walk. Make sure you
touch the ground with your heel first and
pushing off with your toe. Arch supports
may help.
Blackened toenails are caused by the big
toe hitting the front of your shoe. Keep
your toenails neatly trimmed. If one of
your feet is slightly larger than the other
(as most are!) make sure that your boots
fit the larger one
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Shoes or Boots
Choose a comfortable pair of walking
shoes/boots designed for the specific
activity of walking. It should have a
reasonably high ankle and a stiff heel
counter to give lateral support. The
midsole should be firm yet
comfortable. It is worth investing in a
good pair of trekking or hiking boots,
and appropriate socks. New boots
must be worn in. Wear them around
the house or walking to work and then
on longer trips. Once they have
conformed to the shape of your feet
there is less likelihood of getting
blisters.
Blisters
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These are fluid-filled bumps on the skin. Many different
things may cause blisters. Some of the major causes are
burns, reactions to insect bites, chronic rubbing or trauma
to the skin. Blisters are usually filled with sterile fluid.
What are the symptoms?
Most blisters cause no pain unless they rupture, exposing
tender skin underneath. The itching often associated with
these skin lesions is usually not really from the blisters
themselves, but from the irritated skin immediately
surrounding the blister.
What can/should be done
Do not break open the blister - this can lead to a skin
infection. Once the blister opens on its own, put antibiotic
ointment on it until it is healed.
If it is practical, try to protect the blister with an adhesive
bandage.
If it is a friction blister (eg boots rubbing) Use Comspeed or
the like BEFORE the blister bursts
If you are prone, harden the skin with surgical spirit before
you set out or use sellotape to cover the area
Country Code
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Respect other people. Be polite, explain what you are doing if asked. Thank them if they have
helped you.
Guard against fire. Do NOT light bonfires/campfires. Take care with matches and stoves.
Leave all gates as you found them, either open or fastened shut. A farmer may have left a gate
open for a purpose.
Keep dogs under control.
Keep to public paths, especially across farmland. Walk around a field if a path is not visible across
it. Walk in single file. Do not trample crops.
Gates and stiles should be used to cross fences and hedges. If you do have to climb a gate, climb
it at the hinge where it is stronger.
Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone. In 1993, one hundred and thirty seven people were
injured and four were killed by farm animals!
Do NOT drop litter. Do NOT bury litter. Do NOT burn litter. Take it home.
Keep water clean. Do not pour fat into or wash in streams.
Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
Take care on roads. Face on coming traffic.
Do not make unnecessary noise. Other people do not want to hear you.
Exposure
• Exposure to extreme
cold could result in
the condition called
hypothermia
• Exposure to
excessive heat could
lead to heat
stroke/exhaust
ion
What is Hypothermia
• The body core is normally
at a constant temperature
of 37° C.
• Hypothermia arises when
there is a progressive fall
in body temperature
which if not stopped could
lead to unconsciousness,
respiratory and cardiac
failure and death.
What causes hypothermia?
• Hypothermia is usually caused
by a combination of factors.
• Cold is normally coupled
with exhaustion, tiredness, low
morale, anxiety or stress.
• If injured, shock may give rise
to hypothermia
• In bad weather, the first
thought may be to get off the
hill. However, soon exhaustion
will set in and then risk of
hypothermia increases.
• Another solution may be to
pitch a tent, have a drink and
sit it out for a while.
• Windchill is often
underestimated, rain makes
clothing wet and the addition of
cold wind means the body get
cold much more rapidly.
What causes hypothermia?
• Exhaustion is
brought on by not having
sufficient reserves of
energy- trying to achieve
too much in one go.
• Plan your route carefully
• Allow for plenty of stops
for rest and energy
replacement.
• Tailor the days activities
to the ability of the group.
• Dehydration is to
be avoided at all costs
(normal intake 2.5 l per
day- in the hills it may be
5 times that)
• Morale- when it is
high, then set backs can
often be laughed offwhen low, the smallest
upset can drain the body
and make it more
susceptible to exhaustion
How to spot Hypothermia
• Unexpected and unreasonable
behaviour
• Physical and mental lethargy
• Slurring of speech
• Violent outburst
• Violent language
• Lack of muscular co-ordination
• Failure of, or abnormality in
vision, difficulty in focusing
Once the sufferer has
been identified the
treatment should
begin immediately
What to do
• Get the sufferer into some kind of shelterbody temperature need raising, but not too
quickly
• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry
• Using one or two sleeping bags isolate
sufferer from the ground.
• If possible place another person in the
sleeping bag with the sufferer to provide
body warmth
• Give the sufferer some form of sugar,
prepare a hot drink if possible
• If breathing stops administer artificial
respiration
Prevention is better than cure
• Correct walking
equipment and
sensible waterproof
clothing is essential
• Carry emergency
food and possibly a
tent
• Eat well before hike
• Escape routes are
vital
Effects of heat
• Serious sunburn and mild heat exhaustion can cause
problems on the hills
• The major factor is water. In a hot climate your body
could require up to 12 litres!
• When you sweat you also lose salt- this can be topped
up either in tablet form or in a drink
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You can make an inexpensive homemade rehydration drink. Measure all
ingredients precisely. Small variations can make the drink less effective or
even harmful. Mix:
1 quart (950 ml) water
½ teaspoon (2.5 g) baking soda
½ teaspoon (2.5 g) table salt
3 to 4 tablespoons (45 to 60 g) sugar
If available, add ¼ teaspoon (1.25 g) salt substitute, such as "Lite Salt".
Protect yourself against sunburn
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Instructions
STEP 1: Avoid exposure to the sun between
10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when sunlight is most
direct and intense.
STEP 2: Use a sunscreen that protects
against both UVA and UVB rays. The SPF
(sun protection factor) should be at least 15.
If you will be going in the water, choose a
waterproof brand.
STEP 3: Apply sunscreen liberally to all
exposed parts of the body, including the lips,
ears, nose, neck, hands, feet, eyelids and
scalp, at least 15 minutes before going
outside.
STEP 4: Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3
hours - more frequently if you'll be hopping
in and out of the water.
STEP 5: Put on a hat with at least a 3-inch
brim all around.
STEP 6: Wear sunglasses that block 100
Heat Stroke-Try to keep cool
• This is the most
serious of heat
disorders
• It occurs when the
bodies temperature
regulating system
fails.
• Symptoms: high
body temperature,
absence of sweating,
lack of co-ordination.
• The sufferer could
end up in a coma and
die if not treated
• Sponge the sufferer
down with water and
cover the body with a
damp cloth
• Or immerse the
sufferer in cold water