Training February 2024 Silver Gold
We listened to your feedback from last year, and we know that not everybody needs to do all the same training.
First, you should read through what DofE requires for the Qualifying expedition. (If you want, you can see the full version here: Training Framework (Word).)
After that, use the link below to tell us how you rate yourself for the sections listed. Note that we will go over sections 2, 6, 7 and 8 with everyone, so there are no questions about them.
Based on your answers, we will work out how best to offer you the training you need.
Please do this as soon as possible, and within 7 days of receiving this information.
What you need to know
Section 1 – First Aid and Emergency Procedures
Knowing what to do in the case of an accident or emergency. |
Summoning help, e.g., what people need to know, telephoning for help, written message. |
Resuscitation; checking the airway, breathing and circulation. |
The treatment of blisters, cuts, abrasions, minor burns and scalds, headaches, insect bites, sunburn, and splinters. |
The recognition of more serious conditions such as sprains, strains, dislocations, and broken limbs. |
Recognition and treatment of hypothermia and heatstroke. |
The treatment of wounds and bleeding. |
Treatment for shock. |
Getting help, self-help and waiting for help to arrive, keeping safe and warm, and helping people to find you. |
Section 3 – Navigation, Route Planning and Compass Skills
The ability to create a route card or plan, with timings and distances that enable them to follow a planned route and plot their progress throughout the day |
An understanding of scale and how to measure distance and estimate time |
How to orientate their map correctly and choose the right direction of travel |
How to identify a point on the map to add it to a route card or give the information to others using grid reference |
The ability to follow a planned route |
Their ability to locate their position from the map |
Their ability to identify appropriate features from the map to assist navigation or location finding and understand how these features may affect journey times e.g., contour lines |
How to use appropriate wayfinding equipment such as compasses or GPS devices and identify problems and issues that might arise with such tools |
Actions to be taken if lost or navigating in restricted visibility |
How to look after their compass and the influence of ferrous metal objects |
Direction from the compass, both cardinal (N,S,E,W) and the four intercardinal points (NE,SE,SW,NW) |
Navigating using a compass e.g., setting the map, determining the direction of footpaths or direction of travel, travelling on a bearing |
Section 4 – Accommodation, Equipment and Hygiene
How to choose suitable clothing, footwear, and emergency equipment, and know how to use it. |
Choosing and caring for any equipment used for the overnight element. |
That equipment can be packed into rucksacks and be waterproofed appropriately. |
Always keeping equipment weight to a minimum (about a quarter of the body weight when walking) and distributed appropriately. |
That they can set up their overnight accommodation with arrangements for water, cooking, sanitation, refuse disposal, and fire precautions. |
Section 5 – Food and Cooking
Cooking and the use of stoves. |
Safety procedures and precautions which must be observed when using stoves and handling fuels. |
That they can follow the stove safety instructions. |
Cooking substantial meals as a team under expedition conditions. |
That food is stored and prepared in a safe manner. |
Section 9 – Proficiency in the Mode of Travel (Walking)
That they know how to walk carrying a rucksack in different terrains. |
What you already know
Use the link below to fill in our form.
A. Most of the questions ask you to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 3:
| 1 | New | This is mainly new to me. |
| 2 | Basic | I know the basics. |
| 3 | Confident | I am confident I know most of this. |
B. After you have submitted your information, you will receive an email with a link that will allow you to return to change or add things. Please keep this link.