Context

• be planned and executed with proper supervision;

• have well defined objectives, with formal orders and instructions; and

• contain an element of challenge and risk.

Because adventure training requires participation in challenging outdoor pursuits that contain an ever-present risk of injury or death, participants shall have some or all of the qualities of fitness, physical and moral courage, initiative and endurance.

Aim and
Objectives

The main objectives of adventure training are to:

• provide mental stimulation by exposure to the element of risk;

• strengthen mental and physical endurance; and

• stimulate initiative and teamwork.

Adventure Training Activities

An international expedition is a specific adventure training activity that takes place outside Canada.

The following are recognized adventure training activities:

• mountaineering, including rock, snow and ice climbing;

• caving;

• hiking and trekking in rugged terrain, on foot, bicycle, skis or horseback;

• canoeing, kayaking and rafting; and

• ocean sailing.

Activities that do not qualify as adventure training include:

• organized military marches, e.g., the Nijmegen Marches;

• humanitarian and charitable projects;

• bungee jumping;

• dinghy sailing;

• bicycle road touring or racing;

• downhill skiing;

• scuba sports diving (see CFAO 50-10, Scuba Sports Diving); and

• sports parachuting (see CFAO 50-7, Sport Parachuting).

Participation

Participation by DND and Non Public Funds (NPF) employees is permitted but only if vacancies permit and their participation is not to the detriment of CF members.

Civilian guides may be used when the approving authority considers it appropriate.

CF Members

Foreign Military Personnel

• have obtained approval from their national chain of command, including confirmation that their participation is in accordance with their applicable national military adventure training procedures and regulations; and

• meet the same physical standards as set for CF members, including the passing of the Basic Military Swimming Standard Test if the expedition involves water-oriented activities (see CFAO 50-4, Aquatics and Water Safety).

DND and NPF Employees

• be voluntary;

• be fully justified by the expedition leader in the request for the adventure training; and

• not compromise the aim or objectives of the expedition.

Once DND or NPF employee participation on an adventure training expedition has been authorized, the expedition leader shall ensure that they have:

• sought approval from their respective supervisors;

• requested leave for the duration of the expedition;

• met the same physical standards as for CF members, including the passing of the Basic Military Swimming Standard Test if the expedition involves water-oriented activities (see CFAO 50-4, Aquatics and Water Safety);

• received a formal brief from the expedition leader on potential dangers;

• completed and signed form DAOD 5031-10A, Release;

• obtained and provided proof of appropriate private insurance coverage; and

• provided required next of kin (NOK) details (see CFAO 26-18, Personal Emergency Notification).

Cadet Instructor
Cadre

Expeditions involving cadets shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable instructions issued by the Director Cadets (D Cdts).

Civilian Guides

• for adventure training expeditions that are to be conducted in areas unfamiliar to the expedition leaders; or

• if the approving authority considers it would enhance safety.

Civilian guides may only be authorized to participate in expeditions if they are qualified instructors or safety supervisors. All civilian guides shall:

• complete and sign form DAOD 5031-10A, Release, prior to their participation; and

• provide required NOK details (see CFAO 26-18, Personal Emergency Notification).

Insurance
Coverage

• obtain appropriate life, disability and medical insurance coverage to cover the potential risks of participation in an adventure training expedition;

• ensure that the insurance coverage is sufficient for any losses or damage that may result from their participation; and

• provide proof of such coverage to the expedition leader prior to embarking on the expedition.

Composition of an Expedition

Expedition leaders shall be CF members. The approving authority shall be satisfied that the expedition leader is suitably qualified and experienced to lead the expedition.

If the expedition leader does not hold the appropriate technical expertise, qualification or experience, the approving authority is to ensure that the expedition includes CF members, DND or NPF civilian employees, or civilian guides who have the necessary technical expertise, qualification or experience.

Approving authorities shall ensure that the ratio of experienced and qualified personnel to participants meets the Minimum Safety Requirements set out at the DPDT/J7 Trg website.

Individuals, whether novice or expert in a specific adventure training activity, should be given equal opportunity to participate in an adventure training expedition, provided applicable safety standards are met.

Expedition Instructions/Post Expedition Reports

• a detailed program, including all pre-expedition training and briefings; and

• detailed logistic support issues, especially emergency procedures.

On completion of an expedition, the expedition leader shall produce a post-expedition report, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the approving authority. These reports permit approving authorities to maintain oversight of approved adventure training activities and address policy issues as they arise.

Technical Advice

Fitness Standard

• have met the CF Minimum Physical Fitness Standards (MPFS) (see CFAO 50-1, Physical Fitness Training); and

• have passed the basic Military Swimming Standard Test if the expedition involves water-oriented activities (see CFAO 50-4, Aquatics and Water Safety).

Expedition leaders shall ensure that the degree of difficulty of their expedition is carefully matched to the physical fitness level, experience and proficiency of the participants.

Safety

During the expedition planning, the expedition leader shall complete a formal risk assessment. The risk assessment is to be included in the adventure training request.

No expedition may take place until:

• all participants are briefed and, if necessary, trained by qualified instructors to overcome assessed hazards; and

• comprehensive emergency procedures are planned.

Accidents

• CFAO 24-1, Casualties – Reporting and Administration, if casualties have been incurred; and

• DAOD 2008-3, Issue and Crisis Management.

Related media interviews and public announcements shall be made in accordance with DAOD 2008-2, Media Relations and Public Announcements.

Subsequent investigations into any injury or death incurred during an expedition shall be conducted in accordance with DAOD 7002-0, Boards of Inquiry and Summary Investigations.

First Aid

Expedition Approval Authority

Expedition approval authority may be delegated, where considered appropriate, to no lower than unit commanding officers (COs).

International expeditions may only be approved by an ECS or other group principal. A copy of the approved expedition instructions for any international expedition shall be forwarded to the DCDS, attention DPDT/J7 Trg 7.

Approval authority is provided by the chain of command of the expedition leader.

Participants from other commands or units only require permission from their respective chain of command to take part in the expedition.

Staff
Clearances

All international expeditions conducted in the USA, in addition to obtaining staff clearance, are required to comply with the procedures for the notification of cross border movement (see CFAO 20-45, Temporary Cross-Border Movement of Land Forces between Canada and the United States).

In accordance with CFAO 4-10, Notification of Military Activities Conducted within Northern Area’s Geographical Area of Responsibility, HQ Canadian Forces Northern Area (CFNA) is to be notified of all expeditions that occur within their area of responsibility.

Budgetary
Support

In addition to command and unit financial support, voluntary contribution of funds or loan of equipment by participants is encouraged. The expedition leader shall inspect and ensure that equipment loaned by participants or other third parties:

• meets all applicable safety standards;

• is in satisfactory condition; and

• is appropriate for the expedition.

Providing that the approving authority determines that there is no conflict of interest (see DAOD 7021-0, Conflict of Interest and Post Employment), commercial sponsorship should be considered, particularly for major expeditions.

Reports

By 30 April of each year, approval authorities shall submit a report to DPDT/J7 Trg 7 summarizing all adventure training expeditions completed during the past fiscal year and all planned for the current fiscal year. The report for each adventure training expedition shall include the expedition:

• name;

• dates;

• location;

• type, e.g., mountain climbing, trekking, canoeing, etc.;

• composition of participants, including rank structure;

• assessment of success or failure;

• difficulties, if any; and

• recommendations.

Responsibility Table

• formulating and approving adventure training policy; and

• reporting annually to AFC on all adventure training expeditions.

• formulating and approving environment, group and unit adventure training policies as appropriate;

• approving or denying adventure training requests;

• funding approved adventure training activities; and

• submitting an annual report to DCDS, attention DPDT/J7 Trg 7 by 30 April summarizing all adventure training expeditions completed during the past fiscal year and all planned for the current fiscal year.

• conducting all necessary preparation and planning;

• submitting the required request for adventure training to meet approval timelines;

• producing and obtaining approval of the expedition instructions and, in the case of an international expedition, forwarding a copy to DPDT/J7 Trg 7;

• conducting the adventure training activity;

• reporting any significant incidents that occur during the adventure training activity in accordance with DAOD 2008-3, Issue and Crisis Management; and

• producing the post-exercise report.

Source
References

• DAOD 5031-0, Learning and Professional Development

Related
References

• DAOD 2008-2, Media Relations and Public Announcements
• DAOD 2008-3, Issue and Crisis Management
• DAOD 7002-0, Boards of Inquiry and Summary Investigations
• DAOD 7021-0, Conflict of Interest and Post Employment
• CFAO 4-10, Notification of Military Activities Conducted within Northern Area’s Geographical Area of Responsibility
• CFAO 20-5, Temporary Duty – DND Personnel
• CFAO 20-45, Temporary Cross-Border Movement of Land Forces between Canada and the United States
• CFAO 24-1, Casualties – Reporting and Administration
• CFAO 24-6, Investigation of Injuries or Death
• CFAO 26-18, Personal Emergency Notification
• CFAO 50-1, Physical Fitness Training
• CFAO 50-3, Sports
• CFAO 50-4, Aquatics and Water Safety
• CFAO 50-7, Sport Parachuting
• CFAO 50-10, Scuba Sports Diving
• Form DAOD 5031-10A, Release
• DPDT/J7 Trg Website