PRELIMINARY TRAINING

While the Wilderness Code of Behavior is detailed in the Participant's Record Book, it simply lists other areas to be included in the preliminary training. While some organizations have their own standards for training, it is often difficult for a group leader or independent participant to know what constitutes sufficient training, since no guide is provided, eg, is it enough to have a general knowledge of First Aid, or, is a Standard First Aid Training Course required? Should participants also be qualified in CPR?

The following information is taken from The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Canada HANDBOOK, 1981. Although the Handbook is no longer published or authoritative, the information may be of limited use to leaders.

Note: The following are minimum standards. Qualifications for the higher levels of the Award must incorporate the training for the lower levels.

Safety Precautions

Bronze

Safety factors inherent in sound expeditions: appropriate clothing and equipment, sensible load carrying, efficient route planning, etc.

Discipline on the move, eg, spacing, drinking, periodic rests.

Procedures for dealing with an accident in the type of venue to be used: reporting and passing messages; summoning help.

Silver

Additional training appropriate to the journey to be undertaken.

Gold

Additional training appropriate to the journey for trips in wild country

• Knowledge of the safety precautions that must be observed in wild country.
• Knowledge of Mountain Rescue Posts and Forest Ranger Stations: location, facilities, equipment available.

Casualty Code

Bronze

Treatment for grazes and cuts: cleaning of affected parts; application of simple dressings.

Stopping of bleeding from wounds - by direct and indirect pressure.

Treatment of blisters, stings, burns and scalds.

Recognition of injury to joints or muscles and treatment for dislocation and sprains.

Recognition of fractures and immediate treatment.

Treatment for shock.

Mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Note: Those holding Elementary or Standard First Aid Certificates issued within 12 months of the venture are deemed qualified in this subject.

Silver

Dealing with foreign bodies in eyes, nose or ear.

Immobilization of fractures of the ankle, leg and arm.

Emergency transport of casualties.

Note: Those holding a Standard First Aid Certificate are deemed qualified in this subject.

Gold

Recognition and treatment of cramp, exhaustion and heat stroke; and for expeditions in wild country, hypothermia, frostbite, and snake bite.

Map Reading

Bronze

The Nature of Maps

• What a map is. Definition of map reading.
• Folding a map - protection against dirt and dampness.
• Marginal information - Scale; True, Magnetic and Grid North; Conventional Signs; Grid References, etc.
• Types of maps - Atlas; Topographical Map; Plan.

Scales and Map Classifications

• Scale of map.
• Methods of expressing scale
• Distances - how to measure them; effect of hills on distance

Conventional Signs

• Use of symbols.
• Obvious signs, eg, churches, roads and rivers. Not so obvious signs, for example,, railway stations and youth hostels.
• Practice - need to memorize conventional signs.

Map References

• The idea of a national grid
• Eastings and Northings - To remember, Eastings come before Northings in alphabetical order, or along the corridor, then up the stairs.

Route Planning

• Information to be gleaned from conventional signs.
• Relief shown by contours, colors, hill shading, trigonometric points and spot heights.
• Recognition of slopes, spurs, woods, etc.
• Direction of streams.
• Relate this information to other considerations of route planning.

Setting a Map

• Object - to put the map into the correct relationship with the ground, as viewed by the map-reader.
• Lining up with river, road, railway or prominent object.
• Practice

Silver

Further training and practice in the use of maps with particular reference to route planning in the type of terrain to be used.

Gold

Further training and practice in advanced map work appropriate to the journey to be undertaken.

Use of Compass

Bronze

Elementary compass work

• The compass - an instrument which indicates Magnetic North.
• The points of the compass - the circle divided into 360 degrees.
• Magnetic North - the magnetic variation.

Direction by bearings

• Purpose of bearings.
• Conversion of magnetic to grid bearings and vice versa.
• Plotting bearings on a map.

Practical work and setting a map using a compass.

Silver

Further training and practice, and understanding of direction-finding by day.

Gold

Understanding of direction-finding at night.

Food and Cooking

Bronze

Planning and cooking simple meals under camping conditions.

Silver

Planning and cooking hot sustaining meals, including dehydrated foods, under conditions to be expected on the journey.

Gold

Importance of adequate feeding on arduous expeditions. Food to include choice of emergency rations.

Observations and Recording

All Awards

• Study related to purpose of the venture.
• Method of recording and preparation of record sheets where applicable.