Initial Expedition Training

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What is IET about?

Preparing you to undertake self-sufficient expeditions in the UK and abroad.

What is an expedition?

Generally: a journey with an aim.

Why do we undertake expeditions?

Expeditions are used by all branches of the UK military to help train and develop the people who serve. Expeditions help you to develop:

● Teamwork skills● A spirit of adventure● Courage● Organisational skills● Independence● Resilience● Adaptability

These characteristics are central to two of the ATCs core aims.

They are also looked on very favourably by civilian employers.

How does this fit into the ATC?

National Navigation Award Scheme

Duke of Edinburgh AwardExpedition section

Nijmegen marches

Sponsored events such as the Poppy AppealWalks from the British Legion.

And finally ... just because it’s there

Contents

There are a number of key skills that you need:

By the time you finish this course, you should understand what these skills entail, know who to approach for answers and be ready to train for your first practice expedition for the Bronze DoE award.

Food and cooking Route planning Selecting kit

Expedition first aid Weather forecasts Campcraft

Initial Expedition Training

Chapter 2 – Food and cooking

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Calories.

Carbohydrates

Fat sources

Protein

Some tasty examples.

Trangiers are easy to use and MSR gas works well when cold

Smaller stoves for more advanced use.

A pocket rocket in action

Practical session: cooking competition.

Initial Expedition Training

Chapter 3 - Kit

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Each member should have:-

Rucksack and polythene bag

Compass

Whistle

Emergency rations

First Aid kit

Map

Equipment

Chapter 3 – Tents and shelters

Group shelterGood for lunch in the rain

Two-man dome-style VaudeGood for wild country work.

Four-man tentComfortable, but not so good for carrying

Three-man ridge tentGood for cadet expeditions

Chapter 3b - Kit adjustments

There are a small number of adjustments that will need to be made to any kit before it’s ready to use. Most kit is good to go when you buy it. We will look at the small number of exceptions:

● Rucksacks● Walking poles● Gaiters

By the end of this section you will know how to adjust your kit to make it comfortable and safe for use.

Chapter 3 – Rucksacks

• Make sure any Back System is best for you, and that the sack fits!

• Size is in Litres – 35-45l is Daysack sized– 65-75l is good for

overnight expeditions– 75l> is probably too big,

but used by military• Rucksacks are

generally NOT waterproof!

Load Carrying• Use a rucksack

liner or big plastic sack to keep everything dry

• Make sure fuel is sealed, bagged, and kept away from food

• Don’t dangle stuff on the outside!

Chapter 3 – Rucksacks

These need careful adjustment to prevent discomfort.

Chapter 3 – Walking poles

Good for taking some of the weight off your knees

Chapter 3 – Gaiters

Warm and waterproof – useful in wild country and when walking through wet vegetation.

Initial Expedition Training

Chapter 4 – First Aid and Emergencies

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What is Exposure?

• Exposure to extreme climatic conditions• Extreme cold can lead to HYPOTHERMIA• Extreme heat can lead to HEAT STROKE or

EXHAUSTION• Climatic conditions do not need to be extreme

though!

Hypothermia• Fall in core body

temperature• If not stopped, can lead

to unconsciousness, respiratory / cardiac failure, and death

• Younger people more likely to suffer

• UK climate as bad as the Arctic!

Causes of Hypothermia

Cold

Exhaustion

Tiredness

Low morale

Stress

Injury (Shock)

Causes - Weather

• If bad weather occurs, getting off the hill ASAP might not be the best move – can lead to exhaustion

• Windchill is often underestimated

• Rain makes clothes wet, added wind makes the body cool quickly!

Causes - Exhaustion

• Brought on by trying to take on too much in one go

• Or not having sufficient reserves

• Plan carefully, take plenty of stops for rest, fluid, and energy replacement

• Don’t overdo it!

Symptoms of Hypothermia

• Unexpected unreasonable behaviour• Complaints of coldness / tiredness• Physical / mental lethargy• Failure to respond to questions / directions• Slurring of speech• Failure to appreciate something is wrong• Failure / abnormality in vision in serious cases

Treatment of Hypothermia

• Get casualty into shelter – tent, hut, bivvi, etc

• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry

• Put casualty into sleeping bag(s) isolated from ground

• Put another person into sleeping bag to provide warmth

• Provide warm drink• Resuscitate if required• Keep warm and still until

evacuated – may relapse

Avoiding Hypothermia

• Use proper walking equipment and waterproofs• Monitor weather• Carry emergency food and tent• Take a good meal at start of expedition• Know how to deal with problems when they arise• PLAN PROPERLY!

Hypothermia

The Russian Winter killed many of Napoleon’s troops:

Hypothermia turned the tide of a war.

Effects of Heat

• Even in the UK, heat can be a problem• Serious sunburn and heat exhaustion can be

major problems• Overheating can be a problem, even on cold

days• Body must be properly ventilated, and topped up

with fluids

Dehydration

• Body requires 2.5 litres of water per day• May rise to 5 times that amount in the hills –

12 litres if really hot!• Fluid is lost through body sweat, which cools

the shell• Also loose salt in sweat – if you loose too

much, can cause cramps• Body must be kept topped up – little and

often

Sunburn• Skin which is not protected

can burn and blister• Protect yourself with a

high-factor barrier cream / sunblock

• Doesn’t just happen in the summer!

• High winds can produce wind burn

• Treat with Calomine Lotion, or in severe cases, seek medical attention

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms:– Thirst, Fatigue,

Giddiness, Rapid pulse, High body temp, low urine output, delirium, coma, death.

• Can avoid only be keeping body fluid intake up

• Keep salt intake up too

Heat Stroke• VERY SERIOUS• Body’s temperature

regulating system has failed

• Symptoms:– High body temp, no

sweating, skin dry to the touch, lack of coordination, coma, death.

• Sponge down with water, cool with damp cloth, immerse in cold water if possible

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Heat stroke is an emergency – phone 112.

Blisters

Blisters

• Potentially dangerous! Don’t underestimate them

• Treat as soon as possible– Smear with antiseptic– Cover with broad plaster or

chiropody felt– Can use special blister pads– Only burst in severe cases,

and make sure skin is clean, and needle is sterile

– Change dressing daily, and at every chance, let it harden in fresh air

Chapter 4 – Getting help