Exmoor Adventures - Navigation Course

These National Navigation Award Scheme courses are 16 hour long courses teaching the basics of navigation at a Bronze and Silver level.

The NNAS helps people get maximum pleasure in the outdoors through the development of skills for finding their way safely in the countryside. The scheme is based on three progressive stages: Bronze, Silver and Gold. More info can be found at www.nnas.org.uk

Normally participants begin with the Bronze NNAS Award and progress through the silver and gold awards, with periods of further experience and consolidation between.

BRONZE
Navigation in the countryside using paths, tracks and other linear features, basic map interpretation and compass work. This course has a minimum of 12 hours of training including assessment over a distance of 3 and 5 kilometres of suitable countryside.

The bronze award may be undertaken without previous navigation experience.

Syllabus: The learning outcomes
Understand the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
• Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.

• Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a reference on the map.

• Orientate the map with and without a compass.

• Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.

• Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.

• Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.

• Estimate distance on both map and ground.

• Using a basic understanding of contours, match landforms like hills and valleys to their map representation.

• Plan a safe, suitable walk.

• Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.

• Understand access rights and responsibilities.

• Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access legislation.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the countryside code, and of procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

Course Cost: £95 pp including certificate and badge.

SILVER
Navigation in the countryside using the skills acquired at the bronze level and adding skills required to navigate to features and places some distance from paths and tracks. Accurate compass work is required and an ability to use appropriate navigation techniques to go cross-country, e.g. choosing an appropriate attack point. This course includes at least 12 hours of training, including assessment over a distance of 5-8 kilometres in terrain which allows for the demonstration of appropriate skills.

The silver award is designed to take those with bronze award skills to the next level, after an appropriate period of consolidation by personal experience.

Syllabus: The learning outcomes (additional to those of the bronze award)
• Devise a strategy for a navigation stage, to break it down into ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ navigation and to use clear features en route to check that they are ‘on course’.

• Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy ‘aiming off’, ‘attack points’, ‘collecting features’, simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain.

• Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map
and on the ground.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the navigational physical and factors affecting route choice.

• Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.

• Plan a safe walk or route involving silver award skills and strategies.

• Employ simple relocation strategies when lost. Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths and other linear features on both map and ground.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in demanding countryside and/or extreme weather conditions. Knowledge of basic first aid is also expected.

• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the countryside code and current access legislation as for the bronze level together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing ‘man with nature’ (e.g. footpath erosion and methods of dealing with it), and responsibilities towards other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation.

Cost of these courses in £95 pp for weekend course including badge and certificate.

Dates

Bronze 13 Mar 2010 - 14 Mar 2010

Silver 10 Apr 2010 - 11 Apr 2010