Remember you will often be at least a full days walk from civilisation so take these basic precautions to ensure you remain healthy for you expedition

Water

Collect water from flowing streams not the main river.

Only use flowing water, and where ever possible use aerated water

Consider using water purification tablets

If there is any doubt boil water for five minutes

Toilets

Take a trowel and use it

Choose an area at least 30 meters from your camp site and 30 meters away from any water source

Remember to wash your hands

Washing up

Use the same precautions as when collecting water and using toilets

Wash up promptly after meals, especially important in hot weather

Litter

Take a strong plastic bag or plastic box with you – remember you should carry all your litter out

Insects

Take a long sleeved cotton shirt for evenings

Insect repellent

If you suffer from bad bites consider a small mosquito net for over your head

Emergency food

As well as the usual high energy foods, you must remember that being so far away from help it is extremely advisable to carry an additional evening meal (for example a dehydrated pasta sauce meal weighs only 250 g)

You should at all times have the capability of making a hot drink for all the members of your group

Cooking

Wash your hands before you cook

Keep your matches dry – every participant should ensure they carry dry matches

Do not light camp fires

Sun

Do not just take a fleece or woolly hat, remember to take both a sun hat and sun cream

Jewelry

Don’t wear it on expedition it is to easy to break or loose - remember it is much safer at home than left at camp

Noise

Keep quite both while walking and at camp if you wish to see deer, eagles and other wildlife

River Crossings

Quite simply don’t – cross all rivers at bridges only

If you are left with no alternative walk upstream until you are 200% safe and then cross one at a time using a stick to test depth

Bothy’s

These are not for DoE or Scout use, if camping next to a bothy pick a site that is a respectful distance away and take the usual precautions over water and toilets

Be aware over the security of your belongings when near a bothy

Repairs

Your group must carry a small amount of odds and ends for any unforeseen circumstances – such things may include spare boot laces, tape for temporary repair of tents, rucksacks or poles

DoE gold practice expedition

Kit check

The above information has a direct impact on what you carry on your expedition and thus ultimately its weight. Bring all the kit for your expedition to your kit check not a token amount.
Example - If your list says torch, with spare batteries and bulb, don’t just bring the torch

Fitness

Try and walk for a minimum of an hour a day to improve your fitness between now and the start of your expedition. Use the stairs rather than the lift at school / work / out shopping etc.

Assessor checks

Such things as carrying litter out, collecting water from suitable places, proper use of emergency rations, the ability to produce a hot drink me be easily checked by you assessor

Water

Kit check

Fitness

Assessor checks

Further details from