1. Break in Boots

2. How many of you are going to Encampment this year?

3. How many of you think you’ll come away from Encampment with blisters on your feet?

4. Encampment is a very rigorous and challenging activity. You will get up at “O-dark thirty” every morning and go to bed at 22:00 hrs every night. You will be on your feet most of that time.

5. You march to PT. You march to Classes. You march EVERYWHERE, and all that time you’ll be wearing your boots.

6. New boots improperly “broken in” are the main cause of...

7. ... the dreaded BLISTER !

8. What causes blisters ? Friction (boot rubbing on the foot) Sweaty, damp, dirty socks Improperly fitted boots

9. STAGES OF BLISTERS

10. The Hot Spot

11. The Blister

12. A blister that has broken open

13. Broken blisters get infected and cadets may not be able to complete encampment. Cadets MUST complete 80% of encampment training to graduate

14. Contributing Factors Improper Foot Hygiene Not changing to clean socks (Change daily preferably twice daily!) Not taking enough socks to camp Boots not properly broken in Improper fit of boots

15. SOME PREVENTIVE MEASURES Commanders screen cadets for physical maturity to participate in this type of activity Ensure proper fit of boots Break-in boots early (Now is a good time to start) Wear TWO pair of socks (Polypropylene sock liners are available at sporting good stores) Use Mole skin to keep down friction Use foot powder WASH AND DRY YOUR FEET

16. Properly Fitted Boots

17. Moleskin Soft felt on one side Sticky on the other

18. Self Explanatory

19. Polypropylene Sock Liners Available at sporting goods stores near you

20. REMEMBER A cadet without blisters Is a happy cadet

21. GOOD LUCK HAVE FUN AND I’LL SEE YA THERE