Adventure Training Leader Qualifications

These notes describe the situation as we understand it from recent discussions with adventure training staff at HQ Air Cadets and HQ Central & East Region. Bear in mind however that the proposed rules are still changing (as at February 2002), and that implementation may differ in other Regions and Wings

Contact your Wing Adventure Training Technical Officer (WATTO) to confirm the current situation in your own area

Walking (in mountain and upland areas)

From 1 April 2002 leaders of activities in mountain areas must have completed ML assessment

We have recently learned that leaders who have completed ML training and been registered as "competent through experience" (CTE) won't be permitted to lead activities in mountain areas, but will be able to lead activities in areas classified as suitable for the new Walking Group Leader (WGL) award. This terrain is defined in the WGL prospectus as follows:

1. open, uncultivated non-mountainous high or remote country known variously as upland, moor, bog, fell, hill or down 
2. areas enclosed by well-defined geographical or man-made boundaries such as classified roads (areas that merge with mountain regions and do not have well defined boundaries are excluded)
3. areas of remoteness that are easily exited in a few hours, returning to a refuge or accessible road
4. areas where movement on steep or rocky terrain is not required (in either a planned or unplanned situation)

Staff wishing to be registered as CTE must apply to their WATTO with evidence that they have completed the ML training course. No-one can be added to the register after 1 April 2002 (except in special circumstances, such as a transfer to another Wing)

Staff who haven’t completed ML assessment by 1 April 2003 but who wish to remain on the CTE register must have been assessed by someone holding a full ML or higher qualification

WATTOs are required to review the register every April. To remain on the register staff must provide evidence that they are still current - e.g. by keeping their logbook up to date

Walking (in lowland areas)

Staff who have completed WGL or BELA assessment, or the ML training course are permitted to lead activities in "lowland" areas without having to register for CTE. We await an official definition from HQ Air Cadets of what constitutes a lowland area

Climbing

To run single pitch climbing and abseiling activities you must have completed SPA assessment

Canoeing and Kayaking

No change here: you must have the appropriate BCU qualification to run the activity

Mountain biking

There is no universally accepted mountain biking qualification yet, but the situation is developing. As far as ACP17 is concerned, the leader must have the walking qualification appropriate to the terrain (e.g. ML in the mountains), and "expertise in mountain biking"

But watch this space ... 

First Aid

It is emphasised that every assessed qualification, whether ML, WGL, SPA or BCU, is only valid while the holder has a current first aid certificate. In most cases, certificates must be renewed every three years 

Wing Adventure Training Technical Officer: Flt Lt John Smith RAFVR(T)         Web site by: Flt Lt Geoff Bowles RAFVR(T)       Last updated  03 March 2002