The EVC Magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 41
Each Licensed Organisation and Approved
Activity Provider that delivers the
Award has its own safety and emergency
procedures, which supervisors (who are
legally responsible for the safety and welfare
of young people during expedition activity)
have on hand throughout the expedition. The
expedition team, supervisor, support staff and
assessor agree an emergency plan based on
these procedures. So on the rare occasions
when something unexpected happens (see
right), everyone knows exactly what to do,
thanks to their DofE training and the support
system that underpins each expedition.
OUR ADVISER SAYS...
Don’t underestimate the
role that fitness plays in the
Physical and Expedition
sections. Work on stamina
in the months before; those
rucksacks are heavy!
Check environmental
conditions for your route,
including weather warnings.
Consider your team’s
experience/equipment and
your organisation’s policy
and adapt your supervision
planning, risk assessments
and emergency procedures
as required.
Remote supervision plays
an important role in DofE.
Prepare your group through
practice sessions and training.
Use direct supervision when
needed.
See OEAP National Guidance
7.1b Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award Expeditions
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award/Bob Martin
CASE STUDY
They also complete supervised training walks
and a practice expedition. For everyone’s
safety and wellbeing, this is structured so
that their supervisor can be completely
satisfied that they have the skills and fitness
levels required before they set off on their
unaccompanied, remotely supervised
expedition.
Derbyshire Police Cadets, DofE's All-Stars of the Year for This is Youth 2024, in the
Peak District
PUT TO THE TEST
On a sunny day in May last year, Clarissa, Bethan, Amelie,
Emilia and Rosie, all Derbyshire Police Cadets, put their
DofE expedition preparation and training to the test after
their teammate, 15-year-old Teri, collapsed during the
group’s Bronze expedition.
The girls had just passed the first checkpoint when
Teri was taken ill and lost consciousness. Their first-aid
training kicked in and they rushed to her aid, elevating her
legs, keeping her warm and checking her heart rate and
breathing.
“
They did exactly what they were
trained to do; I’m really proud of them
Amelie said: ‘We had practised for situations like this, so I
knew it would be OK. We took her bag off her and put her in
a comfortable position on the floor. Some of us called the
Leaders while I spoke to Teri and did all I could to reassure
her.’
The teenagers had completed a practice expedition and
first-aid training that included ABC (airways, breathing and
circulation) and CPR. They also trained in communications
and what to do if something went wrong, including how to
use police force radios and when to use the back-up phone.
Once the group raised the alarm, DofE Leader and Principal
Cadet Leader for Derbyshire Police, Dominic Wardle, quickly
made his way to the group, where he supported Teri before
mountain rescue arrived. ‘The group around Teri kept her
warm and comfortable, taking observations and talking to
her,’ said Dominic. ‘They did exactly what they were trained
to do; I’m really proud of them.’
Back at camp, knowing that Teri was going to be OK,
the cadets decided to continue with their expedition,
showing resilience and determination to finish what they
had started.
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SPRING 2025
41