Common Training Syllabus for all Silver 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 treatment of blisters, cuts, abrasions, minor burns and scalds, headaches, insect bites, sunburn, splinters
The recognition of more serious conditions such as sprains, dislocations and broken limbs
Knowing what to do in the case of an accident or emergency
Summoning help - what people need to know, telephoning for help, 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
Identifying and avoiding hazards
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

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Navigation and Route Planning

At Silver level in normal or open country, most route finding should be based on the map alone. Using a compass in rural country devoted to agriculture with its hedges, meadows and fields under crop, is inappropriate and unnecessary. It causes ill-feeling with the farmers, hinders the young people in developing a 'sense of direction' and impedes their map reading skills. The 1:25 000 scale Explorer Maps, available for the whole of England, Scotland, 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 reduce friction with landowners. Participants should also be familiar with the 1:50 000 scale Landranger Maps. Silver groups who use large woodland or forested areas for their ventures may wish to use the full compass syllabus of the Gold level of the Award.

Preparatory Map Skills

The nature of maps
The use of 1:25 000 Explorer, 1:50 000 Landranger or the relevant maps in Northern Ireland and abroad
Map direction
Scale and distance, measuring distance, distance and time
Conventional signs
Marginal information
Grid references
A simple introduction to contours and gradient
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)
Locating position from the map
Determining geographical direction and direction of travel from the map
Checking the direction of paths using the set map
Identifying features in the countryside by using the map
Locating features marked on the map in the countryside
Relating the map to the ground and estimating speed of travel and arrival times
Planning a route, preparing a simple route card
Following a planned route

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 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
Direction from the compass in terms of the cardinal and the four intercardinal 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
The influence of ferrous objects and electromagnetic fields
Magnetic variation and the relationship between True, Magnetic and Grid Norths

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

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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 Presentations

Developing observation skills and different methods of recording information
Skills relevant to the method of presentation
Choosing a purpose
Researching relevant information

Team Building

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.

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