Chapter 8 EXPEDITION TRAINING

Transcription

1 Chapter 8 EXPEDITION TRAINING SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION General Expedition Training involves potentially dangerous situations when errors of judgement can lead to accidents. It is therefore essential that a cadet has had sufficient training beforehand in the subjects below, so that the risks are reduced to a minimum. The standard he must have reached will vary according to the standard of the expedition to be undertaken. A short expedition in ordinary country will require less training than a long and exhausting expedition in rough country demanding a high standard of mental and physical effort. Knowledge will be required of the following in all cases: a. The Country Code so that the cadet understands how to treat with respect the land and property over which he moves. b. Campcraft so that he knows the basic techniques of how to live and move in a strange environment during an expedition. c. Emergency Aid so that he can manage an incident and give immediate help (Casaid) to a casualty until a qualified first aider is available. d. Use of Map and Compass so that he can find his way. e. Skill at Arms so that he knows how to handle and look after his personal weapon when it is taken on an expedition. f. Fieldcraft so that he can cope with any military situation which may be included in an expedition Because emergency aid, skill at arms, use of map and compass and fieldcraft are dealt with in other chapters, this chapter deals primarily with the Country Code and Campcraft. Safety The safety rules which must be adhered to during this type of training are given in the appropriate sections of the booklet Cadet Training Safety Precautions (Army Code No ), a copy of which is to be carried by all instructors when in charge of cadets on training. RESTRICTED 8-1

2 Country Code As can be seen in Section 2, the Country Code is comparatively easy to learn. The most important thing to remember, however, is to put it into practice during an expedition, particularly when wet, cold, tired and hungry. Campcraft Campcraft is the name given to a collection of skills which must be learnt before undertaking self reliance training during which the cadet will live and move in a strange environment. References All aspects of the elementary stage of expedition training are included in detail. At the more advanced stages, only the essentials are included in this chapter because equipment required, techniques and experience must be of a higher standard. The attention of those responsible for, and taking part in, such expeditions is directed to the following references for further study as appropriate: a. Army General Administrative Instructions (AGAI): Volume I, Chapter 11, Annex N Mountaineering and Rock Climbing, and Chapter 18 Safety Precautions in Training: The Hazards of Water. b. The Highway Code HMSO. c. The Code for Water Safety ROSPA. d. In the Water On the Water ROSPA. e. Safety on Mountains CCPR. f. Mountain Rescue and Cave Rescue Mountain Rescue Committee. g. Expedition Guide Duke of Edinburgh s Award Scheme. h. Survival Against the Elements Army Code No i. Camping and Education HMSO. j. Notes on Exposure British Mountaineering Council and Association of Scottish Climbing Clubs. k. Know the Game Series. l. Mountain Leadership Handbook Longmuir. 8-2 RESTRICTED

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5 SECTION 2. THE COUNTRY CODE The Country Code has been written to promote country manners by helping to reduce or prevent the unintentional damage which occurs every year, particularly at public holidays. Too many visitors to the countryside are unfamiliar with its ways. They forget that a single careless act a gate left open, a fence or hedge weakened, a dropped cigarette end can mean a lot of extra work and expense for farmers, foresters and other country folk The Country Code is a series of ten reminders based on common sense and common failings. It applies just as much to soldiers and cadets on training as it does to holidaymakers and others; in fact, it is even more important to cadets who may be forbidden to use adventurous and other training areas by the owners if the provisions of the code are not complied with. The reminders are (see Fig 193): a. Guard against every risk of fire. Plantations, woodlands and heaths are highly inflammable; every year acres burn because of casually dropped matches, cigarette ends and pipe ash. Fig 193a. b. Fasten all gates, even if you find them open. Animals cannot be told to stay where they are put. A gate left open invites them to cross the road and wander, a danger to themselves and to traffic. Fig 193b. RESTRICTED 8-5

6 c. Keep dogs under proper control. Farmers have good reason to regard visiting dogs as pests; in the country a civilised town dog can become a savage. Keep your dog on a lead whenever there is livestock about, also on country roads. Fig 193c. d. Keep to the paths across farm land. Crops can be ruined by people s feet. Remember that grass is a valuable crop too, sometimes the only one on the farm. Flattened corn or hay is very difficult to harvest. Fig 193d. e. Avoid damaging fences, hedges and walls. They are expensive items in the farm s economy; repairs are costly and need labour which is scarce. Keep to recognised routes, using gates and stiles. Fig 193e. 8-6 RESTRICTED

7 f. Leave no litter. All litter is unsightly and some is dangerous as well. Take litter with you for disposal at the end of your exercise. In the country it costs a lot to collect it. Fig 193f. g. Safeguard water supplies. Your chosen expedition may cross a catchment area for the water supply of millions. Avoid polluting it in any way. Never interfere with cattle troughs. Fig 193g. h. Protect wild life, plants and trees. Wild life is best observed, not collected. To pick or uproot flowers, carve on trees and rocks, or disturb wild animals and birds destroys other people s pleasure as well. Fig 193h. RESTRICTED 8-7

8 i. Go carefully on country roads. They have special dangers; blind corners, high banks and hedges, slow-moving tractors and farm machinery or animals. Motorists should reduce speed and take extra care; walkers should keep to the right, facing oncoming traffic. Fig 193i. j. Respect the life of the countryside. Set a good example and try to fit in with the life and work of the countryside. In this way good relations are preserved and those who follow are not regarded as enemies. Fig 193j Pictures and articles from the press, and photographs showing the results of failure to adhere to this code, are a great help in emphasising the meaning of the code and making it realistic Reserved. 8-8 RESTRICTED