Pre-venture check

First meeting

This is not designed as a test but it is usually the first opportunity that we, as assessors, have of actually meeting the group and the supervisors. We need to satisfy ourselves that the group is adequately prepared and equipped to undertake the expedition that they have planned for themselves.

At the pre-venture check you may be asked to answer questions on any of the following subjects :-

1. camping and campsites
2. casualty code
3. map reading and use of a compass
4. food and cooking and the use of stoves
5. country code
6. safety precautions on mountains
7. purpose of expedition or exploration
8. Hypothermia (the recognition and treatment of)

Fitness

Before undertaking final assessment all members of the group should ensure that they are in a fit condition to complete the venture. All members should have undertaken training to a suitable level, a practice expedition and the relevant training sections should be signed in the record books.

Record Books

You will be asked to show your completed record book to the assessors at the pre-venture check. Some assessors will ask to keep them for a day or so in order to look at them and some will look at them at the check and return them to you immediately. Whatever the assessors do you must ensure that you take the books home with you and that they are not left with the assessors. After you have completed your expedition successfully you will be asked to submit an account of the expedition to the assessors in whatever form you choose in consultation with the assessors. The assessors will then complete inserts for each member to put into their own record book so at no time will the books be left so that they have to be posted to you.

Equipment

All information about equipment can be found in the Expedition Guide. There are just one or two points that should be stressed regarding equipment. We all know that equipment is an expensive part of your venture and we are not saying that you have to have top of the range equipment of any sort but the equipment which you have must be of a suitable standard for the venture you undertake.

The list shown below is a list which over the years this Panel has refined to help as a check list for participants and assessors. You will see that it is virtually identical to the one in the Expedition Guide. A copy of this can be downloaded.

Equipment List

Personal equipment

Suggested Basic Personal First Aid Kit

Group equipment

Food

Notes (see current edition of Award Expedition Guide)

*1 Jeans and fashion cords will not be accepted

*2 Anorak/Windproof jacket

*3 Waterproofs

*4 Emergency rations

*5 Recommended but optional items

Pack weight should not exceed a quarter of one's body weight.

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