Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Venture Scout Award

Expedition Course
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Personal Portfolio

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A comprehensive guide to expeditions for Hong Kong Venture Scouts.
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By Timothy Tan of the HK SJD 1694th Venture Scouts
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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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Table of Contents

1. Equipment

2. Rucksacks

3. Sleeping Bags

4. Shelters

5. Gas Canisters and Portable Stoves

6. Clothing and Footwear

7. Outdoor Activities

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8. Climate and Weather

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10. Accidents and Emergencies

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11. Camp Craft

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12. Foods and Catering

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13. First Aid

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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1. Equipment

Hong Kongs environment is warm, and often has high relative humidity. Rain is a common
phenomenon in both natural and urban landscapes of this city, and appropriate measures should
be taken to ensure that one is prepared for any sudden change of weather, and other
emergencies that may occur. After all, a Scout must always be prepared.

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Single Day
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Dri-fit clothing
Hiking Shoes
Daypack
Waterproofs
Water Bag
Food Rations
Torch
Multitool
Personal First Aid Kit
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent

| or other cool quick-drying clothing.

| comfortable with appropriate grip.
| with chest and waist straps; at least 30 L.
| placed at top of pack.
| filled with at least 3 L of clean drinking water.
| at least 6 energy bars or equivalent; stored in accessible location.
| with spare batteries.
| useful tools such as a blade, serrated blade, can opener, etc.
| include personal medication after notifying peers / leaders.
| SPF++30 minimum; preferably water resistant.
| 15% DEET minimum; preferably water resistant.

Rucksack
Extra Plastics
Spare Clothing
Warm Clothing
Sleeping Mat
Sleeping Bag
Utensils
Metal Mug
Whistle
Pen and Notebook
Watch

| with chest and waist straps; at least 50 L.

| in case of emergencies; rucksack lining.
| preferably quick-dry clothing.
| to stay warm when temperatures lower at night.
| lightweight with appropriate cushioning.
| lightweight; lining thickness depending on temperatures.
| preferably retractable metal utensils.
| used for cooking and eating; preferably over 500 mL.
| hung on rucksack.
| for note-taking in activities or tinder in emergencies.
| keeping track on route cards and plans.

(Shared Equipment)
Gas and Burners
Tents / Shelters

| preferably one set between two; travel-sized.

| numbers vary according to unit; hammocks can be an alternative.

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Expeditions
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This list of equipment is only a brief guide and it is advised that one adds or subtracts items while
thinking about factors of weather, nature of route, length of expedition, and to prepare for any
other hazards that may occur. It is encouraged that in case of emergencies that one is not
prepared for, one should fashion equipment out of resources owned, and adapt to the situation.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

2. Rucksacks

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Rucksacks are perhaps the most important part of the equipment that a Scout should own, and its
functions and features should be discussed in-depth in order for one to choose the right kind of
rucksack for the occasion. When packing a rucksack, ensure that all heavy and less-used items are
placed at the bottom of the pack, and items that will need quick and esy access are placed on the
top lid of the rucksack.

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Size
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The size of the rucksack that one uses depends on the length of the expedition, as well as the
nature of the equipment that one is carrying. In term of the length of expedition, here is a rough
guide to the size of rucksack required for each length of expedition, in days.

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Length of Expedition

Recommended Rucksack Size

Day Trip (1 Day)

30 L

Weekend Trip (2-3 Days)

50 L

Week-long Trip (5-7 Days)

> 70 L

Extended Expeditions (7+ Days)

> 80 L

If one was carrying extra group equipment, such as tents, gas cans and burners, a larger sized
rucksack may have to be considered. During winter seasons, extra warm clothing will be expected
on the equipment list, and the bulky and thick nature of those articles of clothing would suggest a
necessity for larger rucksack sizes as well. Keeping in mind that the approximate weight of a filled
rucksack will be a third the capacity (L) in kilograms, and one should consider his or her ability to
bring that amount of equipment across long distances before purchasing large rucksacks.

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Compartments and Basic Features
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Most equipment in the rucksack will be placed in the largest

central compartment. The order one should place items in
would the priority of its usage, with the least used items in
the bottom, like change of clothing, footwear or utensils.
Food items should be placed above or near the centre of
the pack (top lid if it will not melt), and the top of the inside
compartment should always be waterproofs, either plastics
or waterproof clothing.
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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Other compartments like the sleeping bag compartment have dedicated features and shapes for
keeping specific items, and should be used for those specific purposes.

An important feature of a rucksack are its straps. The most used ones would be the shoulder
straps, chest and waist straps, as well as compression straps. The shoulder straps is what keeps
the rucksack close to the torso, and for the weight distribution to be equal and centralised. It is
one of the main stressed components of the rucksack. Second would be the waist straps, which
are normally thicker than the shoulder straps and has good cushioning. It is a common
misconception that shoulder straps bear the most weight on a rucksack, but in order for the body
to carry weight over long distances, we must engage the strongest bone structures (pelvis and
hip) as well as the strongest muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings). By keeping waist straps tight,
we are able to lower the centre of gravity and distribute weight to strong muscles and bones of
our body, not only keep our grip well stabilised on the ground, but also prolonging our endurance
on long-distance trips.

The final one would be the compression straps. The compression straps work at keeping the
shape and form of a packed rucksack. When packing, it is key to remember how the placement of
objects at various weights at different locations in the bag can cause it to be more difficult to
carry. For example, if heavy items like wet clothing, pots and pans, or gas tanks were to be
carried, they should be kept at the bottom of the rucksack in order to keep the center of gravity
low. In line with this idea, the width of the rucksack should not be overly stretched (i.e. have items
pushing against the sides), which will cause the sideways balance to be difficult to maintain.
Compression straps assist in keeping this balance, by keeping the sides of the rucksack aligned
with the vertical boundaries, ensuring that the rucksack gives the wearer a good sense of balance
throughout their journey.

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Other Features
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In order for rucksacks to cope well with the Hong Kong climate, we must take into account the
common weather patterns of the area. Rain is a common phenomenon in Hong Kong, and a
feature that rucksacks can have to protect against this event would be rain covers. Rain covers
often come along with rucksacks, and are placed at the bottom of the rucksack, inside a small
compartment. It is crucial to keep the size of the rucksack and any items attached to the outside
of the rucksack to be within the coverage of this cover, especially during rain seasons. In the spirit
of being able to adapt to different environments, a spontaneous rain cover can be made with
plastics and ropes, which can effectively keep moisture off the rucksack as well.

Another important feature is the hiking pole strap. These rings, often located outside of the
sleeping bag compartment, can be useful if an expedition crosses multiple terrain. For example,
along a concrete path, there is not much difficulty in grip, and the harder material may prove
detrimental to the health of the hiking poles. However, the expedition may cross over to gravel or
dirt covered tracks, in which case hiking poles would not only allow for better balance, but lessen
efforts required on the legs and provides grip for the users.
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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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3. Sleeping Bags

Like rucksacks, sleeping bags are crucial pieces of equipment when going on overnight
expeditions. Its functions including comfort in harsh conditions and temperature control
depending on the type of sleeping bag. When choosing a sleeping bag, there are several factors
to take into account.

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Temperature
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Hong Kongs average temperature normally lies between 20C to 28C or 8C to 20C at night,
depending the season. It is typical for most campers in the local area to get a lightweight,
moderately insulated sleeping bag. As temperature differences between night and day are not
severe in Hong Kong, there is not much concern for retaining much heat throughout the night. If
there is a concern for warmth in winter seasons, some sleeping bags allow cotton linings or other
stronger insulating agents to be attached to lightweight bags, which can allow for a much more
flexible usage of the same piece of equipment.

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Shape of Sleeping Bag
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The shape of a sleeping bag is mostly up to personal preference. Rectangular or semirectangular sleeping bags provide the most room out of the different kinds. This allows most of
these designs to come with small pockets on the inside, which can be useful if you would like to
store equipment like torches, glasses or watch, which you may prefer to take off during sleep.

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Additional Equipments
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It is a wise decision to bring along a ground mat during overnight expeditions, in addition to your
sleeping bag. Ground mats allow one to have extra cushioning and comfort, regarding if you are
in tents, shelters, or even hammocks. Types of ground mats include, inflatable, folded or rolled
mats, which can simply be chosen by personal preference. However, in order to keep the weight
of the rucksack light, lightweight ground mats would be desirable. In addition, water resistant
mats can be useful if the surface it is placed on is wet, and allows for easier cleaning and general
tidiness.

Campers often choose to bring inflatable pillow to camps, which may be comfortable but takes
some time and effort to inflate and deflate, which may be a problem if you are in a hurry. A simple
solution to this problem can be to bring a pillow case to expeditions. With this, you are able to
simply place any articles of clothing inside, no matter if it is dirty or clean, and use this as a
substitute.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

4. Shelters

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Overnight expeditions will require a Scout to take shelter in various locations. When choosing the
right kind of equipment to shelter oneself with, it is best to know the route that one will be
embarking on, especially with the careful use and notations on detailed route cards. With the
knowledge of the terrain and climate of the location you are visiting, you can then choose the
right kind of shelter for the expedition.

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Tents
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Tents are perhaps the most commonly used piece of sheltering

equipment in Hong Kong. It has a lightweight design that is easy
to set up, which allows them to to be effectively utilised in all
situations. Important things to consider would be size and
structure. The size of a tent depends on the size of your
expedition crew. If you are travelling in groups most of the time,
medium-sized tents designed for 4-6 people would be more
economic and space efficient. The structure of a tent basically involves a pyramid shape held up
by elastic poles, but other features may involve protruding fly sheet cover or interior divisions,
which may be chosen according to personal preference.

Shelters

Shelters are normally used for larger groups, either for running
activities, storing equipment, or as an open-air resting facility. It
is often chosen for its size and flexible functionality. However,
due to the nature of its size, it is often a lot heavier than tents,
which may hinder a groups ability across longer distances. In
addition, its higher center of gravity and larger poles and sheets
mean it is both more prone to weather, as well as less efficient in
its set up. These should be used in more stationary expeditions, and is not recommended for
travel over long distances.

There is one exception for using shelters in dynamic wild camps, which would be on bivi camps.
When traveling over long distance with minimum equipment, especially in harsh conditions, small
shelters can be used with only one pole and a large sheet area, providing a small sheltering area
for a minimal crew. This crude set up gives both efficiency and is effective in its usage. In this
scenario, a perhaps better alternative would be a hammock which serves similar purpose to bivi
shelters, given the availability of points to secure the hammock on.

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A key reminder for setting up any structure is to ensure that they are firmly secured to the ground
or other immovable objects. As Hong Kong may experience dangerous weather, especially in the
typhoon season, campers must be diligent in maintaining the security of their facilities. This keeps
everyone safe from weather, and maintains the longevity of resources.
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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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5. Gas Canisters and Portable Stoves

When outdoors, we often need to prepare and process our food supplies with heat. The most
effective and convenient way to do so is with portable stoves. These stoves have fuel stored in
small gas canisters, which is easy to carry. Designs of these stoves come in three main categories.

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Small Canister Stoves
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These stoves are designed for journeys which require lightweight equipment and efficiency. The
use of this equipment is simple, and can be utilised on almost any flat surface. However, due to
the small nature and compact design, the stoves and canisters are often more expensive than
types of stoves.

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Integrated Canister Stoves
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These canister stoves have extra wind-proof parts connected to the main structure. This allows it
to be used in more harsh conditions, especially where strong gusts are common phenomenons in
the area. However, the addition of these parts create a higher structure, meaning the centre of
gravity is raised, creating a less stable structure. There is a large safety concern with this, since we
are working with hazardous equipment. Personally, this type of stove should only be used in
unique circumstances, since it hinders with both the safety of food preparation. In addition, the
stove uses the same fuel as small canister stoves due, meaning there is an extra economic
concern as well.

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Liquid Fuel Stoves
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Liquid fuel stoves have the most significant difference from its other alternatives due to its ability
to separate the heat source from the fuel source. A lined tubing runs from a gas collection
adapting unit to the energy exchanging point, where the fuel is transformed into a flame. This
structure allows the two parts, the stove and the fuel can, to be placed apart from each other on a
surface. This is beneficial to the safety of the cooking exercise, since there is less concern for the
heat to reach the gas, which in some cases may cause an explosion. Additionally, the lowered
center of gravity by separating the the components, which used to be stacked together, enables
one to work with the equipment in more stable conditions. Almost any kind of gas can be used on
these stoves, which gives for more economically efficient alternatives than the other stove types.

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When travelling with hazardous equipment such as gas canisters, it is key to not travel for too long
in a hot climate. Though the chance of having an incident is not high, it is always best to stay safe,
rather than risk any dangerous events happening, especially in outdoor expeditions.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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6. Clothing and Footwear

Choice of clothing in the wilderness is instrumental to ones comfort and ability to succeed in
harsh conditions. As there are so many different choices of clothing out on the market today, it is
crucial to find pieces that fit you personally, and works well enough functionally to keep yourself
safe in the outdoors. A common technique we use to control out body temperature and adapt to
differing conditions would be the layering system, illustrated below.

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Base-layer
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The base-layer is the layer closest to your skin, and comes in various thicknesses and styles. The
main purpose of this layer is to drain excessive moisture on the body away in order to keeping
one cool during physical exercise, keeping ventilation and comfort throughout an activity. A
common example of this would be dri-fit shirts that reign modern markets. These shirts have
porous, often synthetic materials to drain most moisture of the skin, but still being able to
ventilate.

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Mid-layer
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When moisture is captured by the base-layer, ventilation in the form of evaporation occurs, and it
is the job of the mid-layer to capture this warm air. Similar to the base-layer, is insulates
temperature whilst keeping a porous, breathable nature and functionality. These mid-layer pieces
work mostly with natural fabrics, which are generally more moisture retaining than synthetics ones,
used in the base-layer. Examples of this would be cotton jackets, or natural fleeces.

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Insulation-layer
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As we move further away from the body, fabrics become more effective in insulation, as we move
closer to the outside temperatures. The insulation layer is often very thick, and may be a
combination of both synthetic and natural fabrics. An example would be a down-jacket, which
would trap heat in the body and keep cold temperatures well away. Its synthetic outside layer is
often water resistant, and its downed lining is effective in trapping heat.

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Shell-layer
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Shell-layer clothing works to block out physical elements of the outdoors, mainly wind and
moisture. Its water-resistant and wind-resistant properties prevent any temperature loss within this
layer. It is crucial to the layering design, since any moisture from the outside that gets within this
system will largely affect the temperature control that is in place. The shell-layer is often slightly
larger sized than other pieces of clothing, since it is not fitted to your body tightly. Keep this in
mind when purchasing these items.
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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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Footwear
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Trail-runner shoes are made for the wearers to move away from man-made trails like concrete
paths or steps, and with their low-cut and lightweight designs, works well in providing wearers a
mobile and flexible experience on their expeditions. Since trail-running is a highly competitive
sport, these shows which are specially designed for this purpose are professional in their use of
soft soles against harsh off-trail surfaces, and breathable upper layers, made for temperature
control. Due to their weaker and softer nature, they are often used on smoother and less rugged
terrain. On harsher terrain, they are less able to endure prolonged exposure to harsh conditions.

Hiking shoes are enforced versions of the trail-running shoes. In general, their soles are stronger
and more durable, and the upper foot-covering layer uses porous, meshed materials, which can
endure the elements better. These shoes work as an in-between for trail-runners and boots, and is
optimal for users who go across multiple types of terrain, both on and off trail.

As we move to harsher environments, we should implement stronger shoe types, which is where
hiking boots come in. Hiking boots are split into even more stages of durability, which have
varying types of durability and strength as well.

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In summary, hiking footwear have a varying range of durabilities and serve different purposes. It is
key to assess and foresee the types of activities that you will be embarking upon, and take the
type of footwear that will best fit your needs. In Hong Kong, the trails are often the most common
paths that expeditions will go through, and it is suggested that hiking shows are used, since they
have the best cross between comfort and durability that footwear can provide. Nevertheless,
personal preference truly come into play when choosing the right pair of footwear for your
journey, and as long as the right balance between comfort and functionality is reached, and the
shows are produced by quality companies, they will be safe for your journey.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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7. Outdoor Activities

Hong Kong outdoor facilities and areas are governed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department (AFSD). Expeditions in Hong Kong will most likely venture into these
areas, and therefore one should be familiar with the rules and regulations that govern these areas.

The Countryside code from the AFSD briefly illustrates guidelines people should follow when they
are in the wilderness.

Respect villagers and do not damage private properties, crops and livestock.
Do not vandalise natural features.
Do not light fire except in barbecue areas and campsites.
Do not pollute water.
Do not litter.
Do not destroy vegetation, wildlife and their living environment.
Protect countryside and preserve natural landscapes.

Reference can also be taken from the Scout Country Code, which highlight other specific
guidelines as well.

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Guard against all risk of fire.

Fasten all gates.
Keep dogs under proper control.
Keep to the paths across farm land.
Avoid damaging fences, hedges and walls. Leave no litter.
Safeguard water supplies.
Protect wild life, wild plants and trees. Go carefully on country roads. Respect the life of the
countryside.

In light of these guidelines, we can take a closer look at certain areas of additional importance, or
of more common occurrence.

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Camping Locations
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There are 41 official campsites from the government in Hong Kong, some with facilities such as
barbecue areas and public toilets. Take not that camping outside on these areas in protected
zones are strictly prohibited, and you should therefore plan your routes for expeditions according
to these camping locations. These can be found on maps provided by the Hong Kong
government.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Refuse Disposal

Cooking processes often leave behind a large amount of waste, including packaging and
leftovers. The first way to minimise this is to bring food to the wild in reusable, recyclable
containers, which will cut down the number of packagings that enter the area in the first place.
The proper method to dispose of refuse would be in rubbish bins provided, which can be
commonly found along government trails. If you are in an off-trail environment, you should ensure
that all refuse is taken away with you and stored safety, for disposal at a later time when you move
to a location with proper facilities.

Man-made refuse has a high chance of altering with wildlife. Wild animals often scavenge the wild
for food, and any plastics or papers that they encounter and consume can affect their lives in a
dangerous manner. Food refuse can be harmful as well, since some processed foods may be a
shock to their system, since they are unfamiliar with it, and cause problemsFires

It is recommended that fires are only started, in the wild, within cordoned-off areas like barbecue
sites and certain camping areas, since they are deemed safe and have proper facilities to deal
with any large flames that might be created in the area. It is important to start fires only with
experienced personnel who can perform it safely, and always have a method of putting out the
fire afterwards, preferably with a running source of water.

If you are off-trail and would still like to start a fire, it is important to keep the fire well maintained
and start it in an open area. Be sure that there are no weeds or grass on the surface that you are
placing the fire on, because those may catch on fire and spread the flames quickly. There should
be no ceiling in the area, either man-made or with tree canopies, to ensure no flames or sparks
can light them on fire.

Be sure to check for any Fire Danger Warnings before starting a fire, as this will increase the risk of
forest fires.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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8. Climate and Weather

As mentioned before, Hong Kongs temperature has little changes throughout the day, and its
subtropical climate means that temperature year-round basically lie between 0C and 30C.
Seasonal changes are gradual and winter and autumn are optimal seasons for outdoor
expeditions, with drier and cooler weather than the rest of the year, it provides a good
temperature and less harsh weather conditions for one to travel in, giving the advantage of
comfort for prolonged travel. As we move closer to summer time, weathers become more moist
and warm, and when working on physical challenges on expeditions, may hinder your ability to
exercise over a longer time. In addition to the heat, there is a higher chance of rainstorms and
tropical cyclones, making it difficult and unsafe for one to perform an expedition.

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Clouds Analysis

Clouds are clear indicators of weather conditions, through

analysing their shape, size and colour.

The first type of cloud is the Cirrus cloud. These clouds are
thin, wispy and are streamers made from strong gales. They
form at high altitudes, reaching 6,000 meters. Their wispy
properties come from the fact that these are actually ice
particles. These clouds often accompany fair and pleasant
weather, and brings a warm front, and expeditions in these
conditions is favourable. However, keep in mind that these
clouds provide barely any cover from the sun, therefore it is
advised that measures such as sun-protection and taking
occasional rests in the shade.

Cumulus clouds exist at a lower altitude as compared to the

Cirrus clouds, and have defined edges and bulk. Their
cotton-like appearance and flat bases are easy to recognise,
and it perhaps the most common type of cloud in Hong
Kong. These clouds are also existent in fair weather, and
their precipitation is light.

Cumulus clouds can develop and build up vertically, and

become Cumulonimbus clouds, which are thunderstorm
clouds. When these clouds are in the area, expect rainfall to
occur imminently. These clouds bring dangerous weather for
those venturing in the wild, and should be avoided as much
as possible.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Finally, there are Stratus clouds which have a uniform shape, and have a grey colour that works to
blocking out most of the sky in the area. Precipitation from these clouds are constant and longlasting, and expeditions should be avoided during this period of time. A similar phenomenon to
these clouds would be fog, which also has a grey colour that blocks vision, however, these occur
at much lower altitudes. When entering a foggy area, be sure to have lighting equipment,
preferably a head torch, ready at hand, as visibility is extremely impaired within these areas.
Ensure that you are not entering an area that is dangerous and difficult to tread upon.

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Tropical Cyclones
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The Hong Kong Observatory has classified the different levels of Cyclone according to their
danger and wind levels, and the chart below lists out these levels. In addition, there are also
Rainstorm Warnings when precipitation levels are raised.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

As seen in the diagram above, the Rainstorm Warning System is structured according to danger
levels. Appropriate measure for each should be taken, in order to ensure that safety is achieved.

When a Tropical Cyclone Warning of 8 or above is raised, or a Rainstorm Warning of Red or above
is raised, expeditions should not occur as there will be many environmental hazards, including
strong winds that cause collapsing structures, or rain that may cause landslides in nature and on
sloped roadsides.

If adventurers are already in an expedition when these signals are raised, the route card should be
referred to in order to find the most efficient way back to built shelter. If this is not a viable
solution, then immediate natural shelter should be taken in the area. The Hong Kong Observatory
provides up-to-date broadcasts on wind and rain conditions and forecasts for appropriate route
planning.

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Venture Scout Award Expedition Course Personal Portfolio

A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

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10. Accidents and Emergencies

It is crucial to know how to deal with accidents in the wild, as there are limited resource that
people can use and a short time frame for people to make decisions and solve issues. There are
many different occasions that people can encounter, and here are some guidelines on how to
solve of these common ones.

The first instance that may occur would be the occurrence of hazardous terrains. The wild area in
Hong Kong can include many different types of terrain, varying from high altitude cliff sides to
obstacle filled hillsides, or landscapes filled with full obstacles. The best method of solving this
would be prevention beforehand. This can be done with analysing the area that you will be
venturing into before the expedition occurs. Maps of the natural areas in Hong Kong can easily be
found in book shop or one that provides adventurous equipment, which allows one to effectively
examine the geography of a targeted location and assess whether it will be safe to travel through.

Some terrain requires special equipment to ensure safety whilst travelling. For example, if you are
travelling across vertical terrain, like on a mountain face, ensure that professional equipment is
available, such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, and belaying equipment. In this specific example,
qualified individuals should watch over the exercise, to ensure maximum safety when executing
the activity.

Another common accident that may occur would be getting lost. In order to find ones position,
landmarks around their location can be used to orient themselves on any mapping documents
that they have. Mountains, special terrain, man-made landmarks can all allow one to use their
surroundings to find their way back to a trail. Another simpler method can be backtracking, and
retracing your steps back to a previous location that has an identified location.

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Contacts and Communication

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When a severe accident occurs in the wild, and can not be solved with basic methods as listed
above, the first action to take is to summon for help. Telecommunication units such as phones and
radios can be used, and would be the most efficient way to contact other people.

In Hong Kong, the emergency reporting number is 999. However, since most adventurers
venture into the deep wild, there may not always be communications service available. At this
point, one should attempt dialling 112, which is the international emergency reporting number,
which can direct you to the correct authorities for assistance.

Upon contact with another party, there are specific pieces information that are instrumental to the
survival of your party. Below is a list of key things to state to the individuals on your
telecommunications device:

!
-

Your location. (Providing 8-digit Grid Reference if possible)

The nature of the accident which has occurred, in a succinct manner.
List of any important details, in prioritised order.
Your contact details for further communications.

The most important thing to do at the event of an emergency is to remain calm and in control of
the situation. When emotions take over, then your mind will not be able to function as best as it
can to allow you to escape the current situation.

!
!

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A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

!
!
Campsites
!

11. Camp Craft

A campsite during an expedition is the location that you will settle and make rest in, and it is
crucial to make the location a safe one that you can take shelter in when necessary. As mentioned
before, there are a number of official campsites in Hong Kong, which have cordoned off areas
specifically built for these purposes.1 These are the best locations that you can camp upon in
Hong Kong, and one should always incorporate one of these within the route plans for their
expeditions.

When choosing a campsite, it is also important to take into account of weather, the nature of your
expedition in terms of any specific pieces of equipment that will be required. It has already been
discussed that shelter for an expedition must be chosen specifically to withstand weather
conditions, especially in harsh winds where the structure of shelter is crucially important for one to
survive in the cruel weather. However, there are also important decisions to be and regarding the
location that you place your sheltering equipment in. For example, when pitching a tent in harsh
winds, it is important to make sure there is some natural obstacle to break and block the wind for
you sheltering equipment, like hedges or fences.

The location of the sheltering equipment should always be on higher ground. In the event of a
flood or a rainstorm, being on high ground would reduce the risk of your equipment and
personnel be harmed by the elements, and give you a vantage point to assess the area around
yourself in.

Shelters should be set up on well drained, fairly flat landscapes. A drained floor keeps you from
any danger of waking up in a flooded tent, and a flat landscape that is preferably grassy provides
good cushioning and additional drainage of moisture. One should avoid setting up tents on
rocky surfaces, and if possible, remove large pieces of rock from the designated camping area
before setting up shelter upon it.

The direction that the shelter should face is preferably away from the prevailing winds. If the door
opens into the wind, then there is a hazard where the shelter or tent will take the force of the wind
and be blown over. Additionally, dust and dirt will fly into the tents, affecting camp hygiene.
However, most tents nowadays have doors on two opposite sides. In this case, choose the side
most commonly used and face it away from the wind. Another factor to take into the
consideration would be the sun. Having the sun rise in the direction that you are sleeping will help
keep track of time in the morning, and serves as natures wake up call for campers.

Predict the weather of the camping area before truly settling down. If bad weather is on its way,
staying at the location overnight may cause flooding and high winds, and get equipment wet or
lost.

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A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Hygiene

Hygiene should be a concept that is kept in mind throughout the duration of any expedition, but
the most important implementation of this would be at the campsite. It is important to keep
hygiene intact in order to ward off disease as well as to keep you equipment ready and safe for
use.

Personal hygiene can be kept with daily changes of clothing, and washing the body. In order to
reduce the use of scarce water in the wild, bringing an enough supply of clothes for daily
changing is an effective method in controlling hygiene in a short term expedition, and will rid one
of the responsibility to wash them in the wild. Keeping in mind that water sources are not
available, you should still consider washing your hands with clean water before preparing anything
for consumption or dealing with wounds, as this will keep everyones health intact.

When preparing food, it is important to wash equipment and yourself before doing so.
Afterwards, there may be a pile of dirty equipment that requires washing, especially greasy pots
and pans, and the proper method of doing so would be to use hot water, as this will rid grease
easily and conserve water. The grey water from this process should be filtered through before
disposal. The best method for disposing this is to broadcast them, which means to spread and
pour out in a variety of locations, so that the wildlife is minimally impacted. In an area that is often
travelled, however, it is better to concentrate the disposal of grey water in a centralised area.
Ensure that the filtered out waste is kept in a secure location away from commonly used
equipment, to further improve hygiene.

An extra note to this process is to never dispose of grey water in streams and water bodies, as it
will heavily pollute it and affect the wildlife in the area profoundly.

!
Additional Guidelines
!

We have already learnt about the Country Code, but here are a few extra notes and guidelines to
keep campsites in particular, free of man-made influences and waste.

!
-

Camp only in designated campsites.

Light fire only in designated pits and never leave unattended.
Place litter in bins and keep the campsite clean.
Keep your noise down and respect other campers and nearby residents.
Keep water sources clean.
Protect wildlife and plants.
Respect villagers' property and rights.
Extinguish all fires and tidy up the sites before you leave.
Respect the countryside and conserve the natural environment.

An extra point to note is to keep residential, cooking and activity areas away from one another, as
you will want to keep all equipment intact and safe in shelters while other activities are conducted.
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!
!

12. Foods and Catering

Food is one of the most essential resources in the outdoor environment, as it keeps people
healthy and energised, to be ready for expeditions. Therefore, the storage of foods is an
important element to consider when packing your equipment.

A general method to storing food is temperature regulation. As we know that bacteria grows
faster in a warm environment, a temperature regulating compartment with a cold component, like
an ice pack, can be used to store most foods and keep them fit for consumption. This method will
only work for approximately three days, depending on how well the insulation of the
compartment is, and extra methods should be taken to prolong storage as well.

Meats are the easiest to perish and spoil on an expedition. The consumption of meats should be
mainly restricted to the first two days of an expedition, since excessive time under the sun will
spoil them quickly and they will become a waste. To prolong their freshness, it can either be cured
with salts, as well as boiled and sealed. Both of these methods slow down bacterial processes
upon the meats and can allow them to survive for a week or longer, if stored in relatively cool
conditions.

Vegetables and other crops can often last a long time, as is more prone to physical forces rather
than time. The important thing to consider when storing crops would be to keep it clear from
items that may crush them, and one method of doing so would simply be storing them near the
top of your rucksack. Crops such as potatoes, carrots, and other more solid vegetables do not
have much of this problem, and should be considered over fresh vegetables in terms of
survivability in the wild over a longer period of time.

The final category would be non-perishable goods like grains, condiments, canned goods, and
most carbohydrates. These are great sources for energy as they normally contain high levels of
energy, and due to their ability to be brought on long term expeditions, should be considered
over other products.

!
Diet and Choices
!
It is important to keep a variety of foods in your rucksack, not
only to keep meals interesting, but to allow your body to take
in a larger variety of nutrients to maintain bodily functions
with. Balance is the key concept to choosing foods, and it is
always important to keep in mind that all different types of
foods provide different energy levels and resources for your
body when consumed. A simple and old technique of this is to
utilise the food pyramid, and to keep your body on a balanced
diet according to this diagram. Below is a simple menu for a
Weekend trip in order to illustrate this theme of balance.

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A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Breakfast

Sunshine Platter, with

Sausages, Hard-boiled
Eggs and Baked
Beans

Canned Luncheon
Meat atop Instant
Noodles

Lunch

Wheat Sandwich with

Cucumbers, Ham and
Cheese

Rich Canned Soup

with Fresh Sliced
Bread

Dinner

Backwoods Menu,
with Fresh Fish,
Steamed Bell Peppers
with Pork-filling, and
Corn on the Cob

Cured Pork Cubes

with Rice and
Assorted Vegetables

Calories

1100

1160 + 650 + 880 =

2730

!
!

700 + 300 = 1000

Note that the figures above are very rough estimates and ones menu should suit your personal
needs and preferences. The meals chosen were based on the survivability of the ingredients, and
the amount of time one would have to prepare them.

Emergency Food Rations

An part of each individuals personal equipment should be a pack of emergency food rations. It is
recommended that at least 6 energy bars are placed within these rations, because these are nonperishable and have efficient effects on your body when consumed, providing quick energy
during physical exercise.

A pack of powder that can be used to make instant energy drinks with water can also give quick
energy, but requires use with water and would be applicable in less situations. However, these are
good for providing sugars and essential minerals into the body over a longer period time, in liquid
forms, for easier absorption.

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A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

13. First Aid

!
!

This is a branch of the Accidents and Emergencies section, but is important enough to received
special attentions and details to, as it required quite specific skills to perform correctly and to
properly maintain health and safety.

Personal First Aid Kits are composed of elements that can be used to treat basic injuries. They
should be of a small size and be carried on a person at all times. There are some common
elements within a Kit that can be seen below.

!
-

Gauze Pads.
Elastic, Waterproof Bandage.
Spray Bandages.
Surgical Tape.
Plasters.
Alcohol Wipes.
Liquid Disinfectant. (Unisept)
Scissors.

Common Injuries and Appropriate Reactions

In response to any situation where individuals have suffered an injury, the response taken must be
in the sequence of Dr. ABC.

!
!

(D)anger

Is there any potential danger if you approach and perform First Aid? If so, no further steps should be taken.

(R)esponse

Is the patient responding to your call? Shake and attempt to wake him.

(.)

Call for assistance.

(A)irway

Is the patients airway blocked by any foreign objects?

(B)reathing

Is the patient breathing?

(C)onsciousness

!
!

Is the patient able to respond to your questions and calls?

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A Guide by Timothy Tan of SAHK SJD 1694th

External Bleeding

!
This is the most common type of injury that can occur.
!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Clean the injury with clean water or disinfectants if available, to clear it of foreign elements.
Elevate limb to minimise blood pressure on the injury.
Apply pressure on the wound with a fresh gauze.
Secure the gauze with surgical tape or equivalent.
Let the patient rest and let the bleeding stop before any attempt at movement. If blood loss is
extreme, there may be a state of shock, which will require the elevation of the legs and a
sideways tilting of the head to allow any liquid to leave the mouth easily.

!
!
Fractures
!

Fractures can occur when moving across different terrain and performing physical activities, and is
an extremely serious matter in the wilderness. The key to this is to perform first aid in a stationary
location.

1. Stop possible external bleeding. (Refer to above)

2. Immobilise fractured bone and surrounding areas. Make no attempt at reposition the limbs or
bones as this will possibly worsen the situation. Use a makeshift shift built with rigid materials
to support the limb/area to do this effectively.
3. Cool the wounded area to prevent swelling.

!
!
Loss of Blood Circulation
!

In order to resuscitate the heart, a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation process must be performed.

This process can possibly damage the patients body, so ensure that there is a definite need for
this before performing it on a patient.

1. Verify that there is no response from the patient, and that there is no foreign object restricting
their airways.
2. Kneel beside the individual perpendicular to his body, ensuring he is on a flat surface.
3. Pinch the patients nose with the hand closer to his head, and lift the head by the chin with the
other. Blow into their mouth two times, taking deep breaths in between, and ensuring the
chest cavity inflates and expands with each breath.
4. Place the heel of your hand at the sternum, between the nipples. Place your other hand atop
of it. ensure that you fingers are not on the persons body. Bring your shoulders above your
hands, and depress the chest of the patient about 1/3 of the bodys width through, repeating
the compression for 30 times. The rate of compression should be approximately 100 beats per
minute.
5. Repeat the breathing and compression process until the person regains circulation and
breathing.

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