Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award

 First aid kit - include plasters, butterfly sutures and tablets (diarrhoea or infection)  Water purification tablets or drops (if you can't boil water)  Fire-starting equipment (waterproof matches and candle)  Shelter items - survival bag (pack liner), solar blanket  Compass, Mirror, Whistle, 20m cord  Sewing kit  Pencil and paper  Knife - multi-tools can be particularly handy  Wire saw - cutting branches for walking sticks, splints or crutches 

Keep checking your map and any route markers and the path.  If lost - only backtrack if you are sure you are on the route you came up.  Don't try to find the others unless you are sure you have discovered their correct track - make yourself comfortable and wait for them to look for you.  If you are alone - stop and think before making a decision  Stay calm  Take off your pack  Discuss the terrain you've passed - can you relate this to the map?  Estimate how long you have been off-route  Make a map if necessary 

 Use natural protection such as caves, rocks, ledges or even a tree  Find shelter before dark  Put on lots of clothes  Sticks and branches for support and to protect from wind, ferns are good for rain  Mark shelter with bright colours  Raise bed for warmth

 Always be aware of your surroundings - from maps & observation  Plan your route and let others know  Always stay with your group - if you need to stop - let the others know  Mark your path regularly - eg upturned fern leaves every 10m  Follow spurs, ridges and clearings so you are visible to searchers  Wear bright clothing  Follow animal tracks / follow streams downstream in direction of flow  Have the will to survive