Module 1 - Pre-expedition Preparation Training (2.5 Days)
Campcraft: Pitching a light weight expedition style base camp- Camp-site selection
- Base-camp equipment selection
- Establishing base-camp
- Building group latrines
- Minimum impact toilet protocols
- Health hygiene & Sanitation
- Camp routines and protocols
- Water & fuel storage.
- Stoves & lanterns
- Expedition kitchen set-up
Expedition shelters: personal/ group shelters, rope-work, environmental considerations
- Rope types
- Rope coiling and storage
- Rope throwing
- Essential knots
Tensioning systems and rope pulleys- Group shelters – parachutes, tarps, shade nets
- Personal shelter systems - Bashas, bivies, hammocks & tents
- Personal equipment selection
Fire: Safety considerations, environmental impact, expedition considerations
- Fire safety - choosing a fire site, extinguishing & clearing fire sites
- Principles of wood selection
- Burning properties of different woods
- Fire starting
- Establishing a fire & fire lays
- Environmentally specific techniques & low impact considerations
Expedition cooking
Butchering a fish / small mammal / bird- Fire management for cooking
- Trail-breads
- Food considerations for the trail / basecamp / vehicle
Water safety
- The body’s reliance on water & avoiding dehydration
- Finding Water – environmental considerations
- Selection of Source – environmental considerations
- Water Indicators – environmental considerations
- Collecting and transporting water – environmental considerations
- Potential Dangers in water supplies
- Water Purification Strategy
- Clarification/Filtration
- Water purification - boiling, chemicals
Expedition planning and preparation:
Signalling and communications - Wilderness emergency procedures
- Expedition planning & preparation
- Environmental impact assessments
- Risk assessments
- Crisis management plans
- Wildlife Hazards
- Expedition food & rations
- Equipment selection & use
Heads Up... Whilst not essential, if you are keen on doing a bit of pre-course reading, we would recommend the following books -
The Expedition Handbook (RGS)