OAS Bushwalking — Stages 1 to 9

The youth member should be able to pack a day pack (<30 litres) with personal items required for the day. This will vary according to weather and terrain, but should include:  Food or snacks  Water  Wet weather gear  Warm clothing  Sun protection The youth member should be able to justify the inclusion or exclusion of different items. Items should be packed with consideration for weight distribution (heaviest items closest to the spine), waterproofing (with a plastic bag) and durability. The list does not need to include group equipment such as map and compass.

The youth member should select appropriate clothing and footwear for the walk, given the season, weather, and terrain. This should include minor garments and accessories such as rainwear, hat, gloves, or neckwear if required. Give guidance to the youth member to avoid cotton where possible, especially jeans. Camouflage is inappropriate because it makes you difficult to find if you get lost. Things the youth member should wear include: Boots, appropriate shoes, pants, hat, appropriate top.

The youth member's list should include lunch, provision for water, and some snacks. In the context of a difficult or lengthy day walk (for the age group), a balanced diet is not an important consideration. It is OK for the youth member to select appropriate energy-dense foods and foods with a prolonged release of energy if they can explain why this is necessary.

The youth member should be able to talk about why the trail is there. This is important in relation to:  Minimise environmental impact  Reduce likelihood of getting lost Other reasonable reasons the youth member comes up with.

The youth member should be able to talk about why they would stop if lost such as, so as to not get further lost, to not stray to far from the designated track, so others have a better chance of finding me etc.

The Buddy system is where party members are paired to ensure that nobody is able to wander off alone as well as making sure one of the pair is in sight of the rest of the group at all times.

The youth member's kit should include items such as:  At least one roller bandage  A triangular bandage Band aids  Antiseptic swabs It may also include items such as:  Hydrolyte/gastrolyte  Tweezers  Scissor Saline.

Youth member's need to be able to identify north, south, east, and west on an activity and during a small navigational activity.

At this stage the youth member should be able to identify:  Baseplate and its features  Bezel or capsule  Needle (through conversation and during an activity).

This may be an urban bushwalk through parkland. Note: this should not be entirely along suburban streets or rural roads.

The youth member should display safe and responsible behaviour behaving safely while  Staying with the group Minimising environmental impact  Watch out for risks to self and others Cooperate as a member of the Team.

Youth member's answers must be relevant to bushwalking.

Youth member's answer should reflect the local environment and season: The important thing is to make sure you take the time to discuss with the youth member and gain an understanding as to why they think particular fabrics and environments are appropriate: • Nylon: dries quickly, but not very breathable and can be hot • Polyester: dries quickly, can be hot • Cotton: suitable for summer but becomes very cold when wet. • Denim: heavy, cold when wet. Not a suitable outdoor fabric. • Wool: retains warmth when wet, but base layer can be expensive • Softshell: resists light rain • Fleece: warm but can be bulky. Durable.

The youth member should consider their negative impacts on the bush when walking and ways in which they can reduce though risks. these risks could include: • Spreading plant diseases such as phytophthora (cinnamon fungus) • Spreading weed species such as dandelions • Physical destruction • Erosion • Litter

Situation-specific, but the youth member should mention: • Stopping the party • Ensuring that nobody else is injured or lost • Ensuring that nobody wanders off from the group • Administering first aid where necessary • Calling emergency services Think situations where there could be risk to equipment, person or environment. The youth member may also mention: • DRSABCD Treatment options if a member is injured.

Youth member should mention: • being properly equipped for the planned activity • planning a walk that is within their skill and fitness levels, ie: not selecting a bushwalk which is too difficult for the group • leaving trip intentions ("letting someone know before you go") • carrying a smartphone (bonus points for fully charged and in a protective container) • carrying a first aid kit.

Acceptable responses include: • 000: Standard emergency number • 112: global emergency number from mobiles • 106: national text emergency relay service (for hearing-impaired Scouts) • Telephone • Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) Unacceptable responses include: • Social media platform • Text message/SMS (not a recognised method) • Email • Smartphone app (unless the youth member can demonstrate an official app sponsored by an emergency service in their State or Territory) • 911 (US number) • 11444 (Police-specific) • EPIRB (not current technology) The youth member should be prepared to provide some information: • Whether they are requesting police, fire brigade, or ambulance • Their name • Their location • The nature of the emergency • How many people are injured • Access to their location.

The youth member should be able to list or draw most of the following items: • Map & compass • Sun protection • Food • Water • Appropriate clothing • Head torch & batteries • First aid kit • Whistle Venturers or Rovers may also include: • Fire-starting tool (matches, lighter, flint) • Knife or multi-tool • Communications device This statement examines the youth member's knowledge of bushwalking and not their artistic ability, so an item does not need to be drawn perfectly as long as it is vaguely recognisable.

Youth member should complete a simple navigation task on a walk, at the hall or at a different activity or camp. the activity leader can use their discretion, but the main objective is to be practising skills outdoors.

The youth member should demonstrate the correct wearing of, and have appropriate: • Hat preferably brimmed) • Sunscreen (preferably 50+ with water resistance depending on time of year) • Long sleeves shirt with collar and trousers (light and breathable) • Sunglasses • Planning the walk to stay in shade during the middle of the day

These may be urban bushwalks through parkland, but not solely through suburban streets or along rural roads.

Youth members should have conversations in their Patrol and with the activity leader, will need to point out both where on the map the group is about to walk/ where they should not walk and when on the walk should know how to protect the local habitat such as walking on the path, not standing on flowers/ natural habitat etc The Patrol members abilities and needs should also be taken into consideration

Youth members should keep a logbook of all adventures which includes distance.

Youth member's answers must be relevant to bushwalking.

Youth members' answers must be relevant to bushwalking and could include how they can apply what they have learnt (consider using aids for this such as Review> ball, SPICES cards, method question flash cards etc).

The youth member should take part in a discussion with their team about their essential items, and consider: • what was useful? • what was not useful? • what was not useful enough to take next time, given its weight/size? • what did you need but did not have with you?.

Refer to Stage 1 performance criteria for what the Stage 1 Scout should have in their pack. Youth member should be able to pack a day pack (<30 litres) with personal items required for the day. This will vary according to weather and terrain, but should include:  Food or snacks  water  Wet weather gear  Warm clothing  Sun protection The youth member should be able to justify the inclusion or exclusion of different items. Items should be packed with consideration for weight distribution (heaviest items closest to the spine), waterproofing (with a plastic bag) and durability. The list does not need to include group equipment such as map and compass. This is about the youth member supporting lower stage Scouts with pack and providing guidance - it is not about them packing the bag for them.

This will usually be from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology web site or app. But could include other mediums and the youth member should consider other mediums for example if the Bureau website is down then how will they find out the information. This is also a good idea to get a better all rounded picture (average) between some different sources of information.

The menu should cover a weekend bushwalk with a Saturday morning start:  Lunch x2  Dinner x1  Dessert x1 (can replace with Supper or Midnight Snack if desired)  Breakfast x1  Drinks  Snacks  Emergency meal portion The menu for food hygiene standards is unlikely contain perishable ingredients such as raw meat, or breakable items such as eggs (however depending on season and location some of these items may be appropriate). All ingredients should be dry or reasonably light; for example, pasta sauce in a jar would not be appropriate, but it would be acceptable if it was sold in robust plastic packaging. The meals should also be nutritious and support a lot of energy use and exercise for example in summer some high salt content food at the end of the day is not a bad idea to avoid cramping muscles with the right amount of water.

The youth member should consider places they can go:  National Parks State Forests  State and Regional Parks Can go with restrictions: (these are all subject to qualification requirements)  Above the snowline in winter  Deserts  Remote areas Cannot go:  Private property  Water catchment areas  Reference areas  Revegetation areas The youth member needs to be able to explain why we cannot go into these areas on a bushwalk. They should be able to explain where to find the most up-to-date information about where they can and cannot go, knowing that access restrictions may change.

The options below are all methods of keeping the group together. The youth members can talk about all or some of them and will need to talk about the advantages and disadvantages  Buddy system Head count by party leader  Not going before lead walker or after tail-ender  Numbering off  Slowest person first  Party leader at back with an assistant at front; or party leader in the middle with an assistant at each end Traffic light system (people describing their feelings and progress via traffic lights eg. Red needs a break or stop and green all good to go)  Giving the faster walkers tasks to keep them engaged and with the group Ensuring that the lead walker stops at all intersections and waits for the tail to catch up.

The youth member should consider:  Give way to walkers going uphill (it's more difficult for them to restart)  Keep to the left of the track when meeting other groups Keep noise to a minimum  What are ways in which I could look out for the needs of my group while bushwalking  How these principles apply to the Australian Scout Promise and Law Anything else that the youth member can think of that relates to bushwalking etiquette (people, environment or equipment).

Demonstrates on a bushwalk, and within the Plan> and Do> stages, the concepts of  self-reliance, proper preparation, basic risk awareness.

Activity should take no more than an hour and could involve compass work, map work, basic direction finding or other components of navigation. The youth member must assist others in their learning of navigational concepts during this activity. This activity is best done in Patrols so as to best accommodate for multiple people leading and assisting activities at any one time.

The youth member should aim to have used three different types of map:  Topographic map suitable for bushwalking  Line map, similar to those found in bushwalking guide books or park visitor guides  Online mapping service (Open street map or similar)  Satellite imagery Other types of maps as long as the youth member can demonstrate their use applicable to bushwalking.

The youth member should have attended a day walk and have walked for at least six (6) hours. There is no minimum distance but the youth member must make a continuous and legitimate effort, and rest breaks should be reasonable but not excessive. The walk may be over any appropriate terrain. The youth member must contribute to their own safety and that of the group by following instructions, not constantly walking ahead of the group, etc. It is not a requirement, but the Patrol may give different youth members the option to rotate leadership of the party throughout the day; or alternatively to shadow the party leader if that is preferred.

Bushwalking activities could include:  A half day/ day bushwalk  An orienteering or rogaining activity A two hour walk on an existing weekend camp or activity.

The youth member should consider the following information, be able to come up with these ideas by themselves and demonstrate appropriate behaviour to avoid becoming lost  Always stay with the group  Take part in numbering-off  Keep with your buddy  Keep track of where you are on the map  Know features you will come across on your walk If I get lost: Stop  Stop moving  Try to see the rest of the group  Listen for the group Stabilise  Get out of the weather (however aim to stay close to the position you became lost)  Put on/remove clothing as appropriate Advertise  Whistle, shout, or flash lights (anything in groups of three)  Light a bright, smoky fire if possible Put out something brightly-coloured.

The youth member could:  Apply pressure if cuts are bleeding  If dirty, irrigate the wound with saline solution or clean water Apply an adhesive dressing this should be done in a practical demonstration ideally on a camp in a camp mock scenario setting however can be discussed/demonstrated at other times.

The youth member should explain to the Stage 1 Scout:  That it allows someone else to notify Leaders if you get lost  That it's safer to make decisions with other people  How they can assist if you fall or get stuck. If the youth member has a story about a walk that relates to the topic and can be used as a teaching aid then that can help to draw parallels. Refer to buddy system notes in Stage 1.

The youth member should be able to know on map and off map the basic features of a topographic map. These include; gully, spur, knoll, ridge, valley floor, peak. There are many other features however these are the main ones. This should be conducted as a practical exercise while on a bushwalk or number of bushwalks.

The content must be relevant to the bushwalk. It may include personal reflection about what the youth member has learnt about themselves rather than about 'hard' technical skills.

Can be part of the same presentation as above.

The youth member will be able to  state equipment requirements  state where the trip is going from and to, what time and dates the trip is on and can inform parents or carers of emergency  contacts and the process for contact if they are concerned outline their role on the trip and how they can demonstrate appropriate behaviour and best practise The youth member should also consider what skills they can further develop or gain on this trip, and how they can best prepare themselves and the trip leader for this.

The youth member should include, as appropriate:  clothing  footwear  warm clothing  headgear (beanie, sun hat, cap) wet weather gear This should build on their learning and experiences from Stages 1 to 3. As this is about how to select gear, not neccessarily what gear to have or take, it is important the youth member can consider the weather conditions and then where to source appropriate gear they need. This may be from family, friends, or a specialist store. They should have a look at some technical gear online. For example, what is the difference between a Rainbird raincoat and a gortex raincoat?

The weight of the youth member's pack should be no more than ¼ (one quarter) of their body weight if they are under 16, or no more than 1/3 (one third) their body weight if they are older than 16. This may be modified for physically strong or very experienced bushwalkers. Youth members should be able to pack their own packs, ensuring that involvement from other people is kept to a minimum; weighing the pack; and then do a pack check to identify important items that have been excluded, and heavy/unnecessary items which have been included. Note that at this Stage youth members may still be relatively young and may not be able to carry all their own equipment. It is still important for them to go through the exercise of packing. The youth members should also have considered where weight is placed in the pack, and be able to justify their decisions. Patrol Leaders, SMES or adult Leaders should remember that it is likely some packing decisions will be driven by the size and shape of an object, rather than ideal placement or distribution of weight. For example, if they have a small backpack. youth members should not be penalised for their equipment, but rather should be examined on how they have dealt with the equipment they have.

The youth member should ensure that:  Heaviest items are placed in between the shoulder blades towards the centre to lower sections of the pack and more  importantly the spine  Medium items are packed around the heaviest items  Left and right sides of the pack should be balanced Pack should sit more or less vertically  Pack should not pull the shoulders backwards The location of equipment in the pack is crucial for comfortability, stability and access to equipment. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when packing.

The youth member should consider things that are: Appropriate for bushwalking:  Whistles are always required for everybody  Mobile phones/smartphones; the youth member should specify some method of protecting these from physical damage, water, and (if appropriate) from cold. May be appropriate depending on location/context:  UHF radios are rarely appropriate except for very short-range communications, such as within a party  Smartphone apps are only appropriate if the youth member can specify an official app promoted by an emergency service  Satellite devices (eg: PLB, SPOT): the youth member may suggest marine satellite distress beacons (EPIRBs) - this is not wrong, however, the antenna design on some EPIRBs relies on being in water to reflect the signal  Flares (smoke or distress) have very limited applicability Never appropriate for bushwalking:  Social media platforms (reliability)  27Mhz/marine VHF radios (regulations), VHF radios (weight, regulations)  Radio scanners (one-way traffic)  Legacy techniques such as signalling mirrors, Morse code, and semaphore (rare skills) The youth member should remember that just because a method of communication exists doesn't mean it's appropriate for bushwalking. There may be other methods of communication that are appropriate, depending on location and knowledge. The main thing is the youth member considers the most appropriate forms and items that multiple people in the group can use.

The menu should cover a weekend bushwalk with a Saturday morning start:  Lunch x2  Dinner x1 Dessert x1 (can replace with Supper or Midnight Snack if desired)  Breakfast x1  Drinks  Snacks  Emergency meal portion. The menu for food hygiene standards is unlikely contain perishable ingredients such as raw meat, or breakable items such as eggs (however depending on season and location some of these items may be appropriate. All ingredients should be dry or reasonably light; for example, pasta sauce in a jar would not be appropriate, but it would be acceptable if it was sold in robust plastic packaging.

The youth member, before a bushwalk and while on a walk, should be able to identity natural features such as:  handrails  catching features  spur  gully  ridge  peaks (to use with back bearings)  knoll  the sun  moss on trees

By the end of this Stage, the youth member should be able to:  Go through the steps of taking a bearing on a map  Go through the steps of taking a bearing off the land  take a bearing 3 times on three different features or landforms from a map, convert it to a magnetic bearing, and identify those  features on the ground using the magnetic bearing Specify the approximate magnetic variation for their local area. It is acceptable for the youth member to still not be particularly confident taking a bearing at the end of this stage; the important thing is that the youth member has demonstrated improvement. It is understood that this may be difficult for stage 6 Scouts or the Adult Leaders to assess and track.

The youth member should consider multiple techniques to help themselves and protect the environment. Techniques can include: zig-zagging across steep terrain  ascending diagonally across a large slope  mutual support with your buddy Aids can include:  trekking poles  hand lines

The youth member should use the following techniques:  lift the pack onto their knee, and them swing it around onto their back  lift the pack onto a raised surface (lifting using their leg muscles), then place the straps on their shoulders and stand up  get a friend to help lift the pack and then slips into the shoulder straps  once the youth member has the back pack on it is important the pack is fitted for the youth member Do not allow the youth member to throw the backpack on over their head, because it risks injury if they make a mistake.

The youth member should be able to identify potential hazards while on walks and act appropriately to avoid the hazard becoming a risk to the group or individual  e.g appropriately crossing a stream while slippy surfaces are  present e.g noting blisters/ foot problems and treating before they become a serious issue  e.g walking through thick scrub and needing to protect against potential snakes, spiders, ticks, etc.

The bushwalk must be an overnight bushwalk where the youth member carried overnight gear (tent, stove, sleeping gear, food, emergency gear etc) and camped overnight in the field rather than in built accommodation. The criteria may be varied for youth members with additional needs. For example:  a youth member with spinal issues may have their pack carried for them  a youth member who requires access to a toilet may stay in built accommodation It is expected that the youth member will have taken part in two full days of walking, with 6 hours of activity each day.

The youth member should focus on what didn't work well and what can change to avoid the situation again.

The youth member should look for specific damage and wear-and- tear on equipment. Items they can look for could include:  condition of webbing on backpacks,  condition of sewn-in straps on packs, especially shoulder straps  plastic fatigue on pack buckles, side-release clips rips and tears in tents  damaged tent zips  bent or fatigued alloy tent poles  cracked or frayed fibreglass tent poles  condition of soles on boots  condition of jets on gas stoves  condition of O-ring seals on Trangia stoves  free but not loose rotation of compass bezel  lack of bubble in compass fluid and free rotation of the needle

The Australian Walking Track Grading System can be readily found on the internet. In the youth member's logbook, they should start recording what grade of track they have walked on.

The youth member should be able to:  Specify how much water to carry, and how often they will need to re-fill,  Specify how many of each meal they will need (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) and for how many people,  Identify suitable foods for bushwalking with regard to energy content, durability, perishability, and deliciousness, and  Estimate overall energy requirements: how strenuous is the day? Will it make you eat more?

The youth member should be able to:  Understand the need to purify all naturally-collected water sources,  Know the main methods of water purification (filtration, chemical treatment, and boiling), and the advantages and disadvantages of each method,  Recognise that no single method removes all impurities from water. The youth member should also ideally practise some methods of purifying water.

The youth member should discuss with the less experienced Scouts about picking appropriate footwear, features which make a boot good for bushwalking and footwear that is not appropriate. They may opt to run a game or activity with shoes involved.

The youth member should mention and demonstrate:  When travelling cross-country, the party should spread out so they do not create a trail  Try to minimise the size of the group; if a group is excessively large, they should split into smaller parties.  Taking everything you bring in with you out (leave no trace)  The use of existing fire circles or cooking stoves for warmth and why. The youth member should be able to articulate a hierarchy or order of preference for walking surfaces, which goes something along the lines of (descending order of preference):  Existing trails  Rock  Sand  Snow  Woodland ground covered in fallen leaf litter  Hard bare earth  Forest ground covered in moss  Soft bare earth  Mud  scree slopes  Alpine vegetation  Peat  Alpine button grass.

The youth member should provide a risk assessment using the standard Scout safe process and ensure that all identified risks are addressed. Risks noted should include risks to human life, equipment and environment (this is in relation to a specific walk).

The youth member needs to complete a risk assessment. The youth member should account for  Human risk  Environmental risk Equipment risk (this is in relation to general bushwalking hazards) Best practise would be to list all of these in a document and then tailor them when having to provide a specific risk assessment for an activity.

The youth member should ensure that all of the following considerations are met:  Selection of the party,  Transport and logistics,  Organisational policy, for example: party size; leadership qualifications and requirements; your Branch's activity approval process,  Risk management Safety and emergency planning,  Route planning and navigation, including the use of Naismith's rule to estimate likely distance travelled,  Environmental and minimal impact,  Equipment selection and acquisition,  Food and water, and  That the proposed walk is within the capability of the proposed party.

The youth member"s response to this Statement should display some development from earlier Stages, and should be relevant to the types of trips the youth member's Section undertakes. In warm conditions the youth member should include lightweight sun-safe clothing:  Broad-brimmed hat  Long-sleeved shirt with a high collar,  Long pants. In cold conditions this would include layering:  Thermal base layers (polypropylene, merino wool)  Mid-layer of fleece or wool (softshell and down jackets are appropriate for camp but less suitable for walking in cold weather, as they are often not very breathable; outer shell layer of a waterproof material, ideally breathable) Depending on the type of trips the youth member's Section does, there may also be addition items, such as:  Quick-dry clothing compatible with rain wear for wet conditions,  Gaiters for muddy, sandy, or alpine trips, or  Camp shoes for longer trips. The supporting people will need to use discretion in assessing this Statement. In particular, supporting people should remember that developing an effective layering system for cold weather is very complicated and the youth member"s selection will be driven by what clothing and equipment they have access to.

The youth member should present their activity plan at a briefing held at least a fortnight prior to departure. The briefing should ideally be a face-to-face meeting, but it could also be a conference call, videoconference, or online meeting.

The youth member should be encourage to conduct their own research into the area they plan to camp in. Multiple, varied and reputable sources should be used (for example; National Parks and Wildlife). The youth member should be able to explain the cultural significance of the area they intend to camp in. They should also be able to explain if there are any significant environmental or heritage aspects to the area.

The youth member should utilise multiple, reputable sources to build a full picture of anticipated weather conditions and risks such as potential for bushfire. This may include investigating sources such as the Bureau of Meteorology website or contacting Parks and Wildlife.

The youth member should complete a first aid course through an accredited provider and provide a certificate. The first aid course should cover similar content to Provide first aid (HLTAID003) or the current workplace first aid qualification. youth member may substitute an higher first aid unit such as Provide advanced first aid or Provide first aid in a remote location  Members under the age of 14 may be able to participate in Provide First Aid courses, but may not necessarily receive the formal Units of Competency.

The youth member should be able to determine direction (north, south, east, west) accurately to within 15 degrees using one of the following techniques:  Using a watch  Orienting a map to the ground  Using the sun or other natural aids.

The youth member should be able to:  orient the map to the surrounding terrain,  Identify nearby landmarks and find their location on a map, Take a back-bearing from two identifiable landmarks to triangulate their own position. The youth member must apply the correct magnetic declination to successfully complete this statement.

During a bushwalk the youth member will need to navigate a variation in their intended route by changing the bearing and aiming for a new way point. This could be in simulation or through actual need.

The youth member should participate as a member of the team and:  Assist with navigation  Cook their own meal or assist with the cooking of group meals,  Help with setting up and striking camp,  Help ensure all team members are comfortable and happy  Promote teamwork  Follow the direction and leadership of the party leader  Take part in group decision-making.

Techniques can include:  Leaning backwards on steep terrain  Zig zagging across a steep slope  Ascending diagonally across a large slope Mutual support with a buddy  Making sensible choices about going over or under fallen trees  Climbing carefully over thick scrub  Using rocks and stones as chocks to secure your descent Aids can include:  Trekking poles  Hand lines.

The youth member should consider is everyone happy and enjoying themselves? If not, why?  Are they scared (safety)? Is there a first aid issue (blisters, strains)?  Do they feel lost (demonstrate navigation skills)?  Do they need a break?  Have they eaten enough? The youth member should demonstrate skills that shows they are actively caring for the rest of the groups wellbeing and can show some general morale boosting techniques if need be.

Acceptable devices include:  Whistles: must agree on a consistent scheme of what each number of long/short whistle blasts means  Mobile phones/smartphones: must be able to pass a message clearly and accurately  Radio: must know and use correct radio procedure. Refer to e-learning module for more information. Note that radios other than UHF CB radios have specific licencing requirements.  Satellite phone: the youth member must switch the phone on and make a call  Satellite trackers (eg: SPOT): the youth member must set the optional message themselves.  Legacy techniques such as signalling mirrors, Morse code, and semaphore are not generally relevant communication methods for bushwalking. However, if a youth member has taken the trouble to learn one of these methods, and you are able to find an appropriately-qualified examiner, they are acceptable for this statement The following devices are not appropriate or relevant for this unit  Smartphone apps  Social media platforms  Radio scanners (don't send messages).

The youth member must have these activities logged in their log book and documentation uploaded and kept for future reference.

The presentation should be around five minutes long and may be in person or as a pre-recorded video, followed by questions. Where appropriate, the examiner may permit alternative presentation methods. For example: A youth member living in a remote area may make an online  presentation; A youth member with diagnosed communication difficulties may make a written presentation. The presentation should include:  Photos,  Stories about the bushwalk,  Highlights, and  Challenges and lessons learned It is important to note this is about seeing what the youth member learned through their experience and what they have retained. It should not be able an examination, and if the youth member is uncomfortable giving a presentation to a large group, maybe their Patrol or the Unit Council is appropriate. The requirement is flexible to meet the needs of the youth member. This discussion can be:  Part of the presentation to the Unit council or Group, in which case the presentation will be longer,  Part of a smaller presentation to a group of the youth member's friends, which the examiner witnessed, or  Part of a discussion with the supporting youth or adult The content of the reflection should be at the youth member's discretion, but should generally cover topics such as:  What would you do again?  What did not work, and you would not do again?  What skills have you learned?  What food or equipment worked well, or performed poorly?

This reflection can be:  Part of the presentation to the Unit Council or Group, in which case the presentation will be longer,  Part of a smaller presentation to a group of the youth member"s friends, which the examiner witnessed, or  Part of a discussion with the examiner. The content of the reflection should be at the youth member's discretion, but should generally cover topics such as:  Are you more confident?  What did you learn about leading a group of other people?  What new skills did you gain? What did you learn about yourself? This content must be substantially different to the 'lessons learned" discussion, although they may be part of the same discussion.

Through the identification of impacts, youth members need to consider their impact and note and/or communicate how they will plan and work towards minimising these impacts through future trips.

The youth member could facilitate an activity or session on bushwalking gear, including weight and size of gear and how to pack. The youth member could also facilitate a discussion with a Patrol and get them to bring what they would pack along, going through each item with them. Supporting material may be provide them with a list from your previous bushwalks, and give them examples and situations where you have used specific items, for example:  First aid kit  Compass  Thermal layers.

The walk planned must consist of three nights out, ie: any night spent camped at the start of the track is not counted. It should be more challenging than the bushwalk planned in Stage 5. The youth member should ensure that all of the following considerations are met:  Selection of the party  Transport and logistics  Organisational policy, for example: party size; leadership qualifications and requirements; your Branch's activity approval process  Risk management (see also Stage 5 Plan>)  Safety and emergency planning  Route planning and navigation, including the use of Naismith's rule to estimate likely distance travelled  Environmental and minimal impact  Equipment selection and acquisition  Food and water (see also Stage 5 Plan>), and Official Scouts Australia Resource – V1 August 2020  that the proposed walk is within the capability of the proposed party.

The youth member should contact a Subject Matter Expert and conduct their own research via websites, books and articles to become familiar with the positives and negatives of using GPS.

The youth member should be able to list where they can find information and where the best place to find information about good quality gear is. The youth member should also be able to explain about a time in which they have used these methods to find a piece of gear that they now own or are looking to purchase in the future. Some places where a youth member may be able to find this information includes:  Leaders  Adventurous Activities teams  Product reviews on outdoor websites  Posting questions on online discussion forums  Using the 'Compare products' function on web sites  Peak bushwalking bodies  Safety bodies eg: Bush Search & Rescue  Asking other people you see using similar gear out on the track.

The youth member should consider:  vehicle availability  licencing requirements  size of the group relative to available spaces  possibilities for car shuffles  most efficient access route  vehicle capabilities (2WD, AWD, and 4WD)  how to attract drivers  how to occupy drivers if they're not walking, and  Public transport alternatives.

Ideally the youth member would research 5 types of maps (at minimum) and use 3 different types of maps in an activity/activities. Knowing what maps are available in a range of different applications and how to read them is the main aim of the 'I' statement.

The youth member should be able to initiate, plan and conduct a weekend activity for a small group of peers with the objective of improving the environment of a wilderness area. This can be achieved in one of two ways: Directly. Some examples include; conducting track maintenance work, pulling out weeds, erecting barriers to prevent access to revegetation areas, planting trees or spreading seeds in inaccessible areas  Indirectly. Some examples include; field-mapping the location and extent of weeds for later extermination, collecting plant samples to assess the health of threatened species, collecting water samples from inaccessible areas to assess stream health, recording and field-mapping frog calls. Another objective of this project is to provide a specialist skillset to park authorities, environmental organisations, and researchers. The area must be a wilderness area on public land, for example State Forest, State Park, or National Park. It cannot be undertaken on Scout property or a Scout camp. There is a secondary community service aspect to this statement, but providing specialist skills to the defence and improvement of the environment is the main objective.

The youth member should be able to initiate, plan, and conduct a weekend activity for a small group of peers to help improve the environment in a wilderness area (There is no true definition of a wilderness area in Australia however generally relates to the accessibility of outside help for the group if something doesn't go to plan). The activity must have a primary objective of improving the environment; this may be achieved: directly, for example by:  conducting track maintenance work  pulling out weeds  erecting barriers to prevent access to revegetation areas, or  planting trees or spreading seeds in inaccessible areas indirectly, for example by:  field-mapping the location and extent of weeds for later extermination  collecting plant samples to assess the health of threatened species  collecting water samples from inaccessible areas to assess stream health, or  Recording and field-mapping frog calls. The key objective is to provide a specialist skillset to park authorities, environmental organisations, and researchers. The area must be a wilderness area on public land, for example State Forest, State Park, or National Park. It cannot be undertaken on Scout property or a Scout camp. There is a secondary community service aspect to this statement, but providing specialist skills to the defence and improvement of the environment is the main objective.

The appropriate people could include Groups, District, Region or Branch Scouting members (depending on state) and external bodies such as National Parks, State Forest, Police, emergency contact.

The youth member should organise and obtain examples of group and personal emergency equipment usually taken on a weekend bushwalk as undertake by the youth member's Unit/Group. They should run a demonstration for peers showing the correct use of this equipment. Equipment may include: Whistle  Repair kit  Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)  Spare thermal underwear  Space blanket  glowstick  dehydrated or self-heating meal  satellite telephone  satellite tracking beacon (SPOT trackers) The demonstration does not need to include medication or first aid items such as Epipens.

The youth member in Stage 4 learnt about natural navigational aids and needed to identify them on a walk. The youth member should now be able to use natural aids such as attack points, handrails, catching features, spurs, gullies, ridges, knolls and saddles along with compass bearings to make their navigation more precise. The youth member can articulate why incorporating the natural navigational aids is important and how their use can complement a bearing. The youth member should be able to demonstrate through practice application which aids are appropriate to use in different situation such as walking up spurs and down gullies and inform other party members of the advantages and disadvantages of these navigational aids.

The youth member should teach the lower-staged Scout how to perform a selection of equipment maintenance and storage tasks. This can be to the youth members discretion based on the local Group's equipment and type of walks undertaken. Some examples include:  Ensuring pots are clean  Checking gas levels in disposable cylinders  Drying tents  Ensuring gas jets are clear  Emptying unburnt methylated spirits from Trangia burners  Checking and replacing Trangia O-ring seals  Removing batteries from UHF radios Alternatively, the youth member may conduct a walk-through of the gear store identifying why certain items are stored certain ways.

The youth member should be able to check:  That there are no tears in the fabric of the pack  Damage to structural parts of the pack such as the internal frame  Buckles, triglides, and side-release clips  Straps  Zippers and other fastenings

The youth member must be able to: 1. Ensure that the datum of the GPS matches that of the map, and change it if necessary 2. obtain a 14-figure grid reference plus the Zone in UTM format (eastings and northings) from a detailed topographic map 3. Enter the coordinate from scratch into a dedicated bushwalking GPS unit The GPS must be a dedicated bushwalking GPS rather than a smartphone app. It is acceptable for the youth member to round off the coordinate to the nearest hundred metres. Examiners should verify that the coordinate has been entered correctly by setting the GPS to navigate to the point entered and checking that the distance and bearing are consistent with the expected location.

The purpose of this I statement is for the youth member to identify that by using a range of methods at the same time you will get much more accurate data then by using one method of navigational aid. Baseplate compass  Baseplate can break  Can be difficult to take back-bearings on distant features at night, or in thick bush  At high altitude/low pressure bubbles can interfere with the free rotation of the needle  Good-quality compasses with a precision bearing can be expensive  Easy to misalign bezel and get incorrect bearing  Easy to forget to correct for declination  Requires training to use effectively Old-school prismatic compass plus protractor  Constant fawning admiration from other bushwalkers can become tiresome after a while GPS  Batteries can run out  Easy to mismatch map datum and GPS datum  Easy to misinterpret 14-figure grid references  The situations where a GPS is most useful (in a valley with no visible landmarks for a back bearing, under wet vegetation) is where it is least likely to have signal  Availability/accuracy depends on satellite orbits  Each model operates differently  Requires training to use effectively Using Natural features  What are some of the disadvantages of using natural features alone (such as spurs, knolls, gully's, and ridges)?  What are some disadvantages of navigating solely by the sun, moon and stars? Smartphone map app  Phone battery can run out  Areas requiring navigation assistance probably don't have great data coverage  Smartphone screens are generally too small to effectively display a map for navigation purposes Smartphone compass app  Phone battery can run out  Not all apps can take a back bearing  Navigation apps with user-selectable datums are uncommon  Easy to misinterpret 14-figure grid references.

In discussion the youth member should be able to nominate things like:  ensuring prior to departure that everyone in the party has the correct equipment,  ensuring that your own gear is all in order,  appointing appropriate people with the correct skills to positions of responsibility, such as tail-ender/whip  sourcing and administering group safety gear, such as PLB and navigational equipment. The youth member should know how to deal with personal issues and have the ability to demonstrate problem solving skills whilst being the Patrol Leader.

The youth member inputs these details in their log book and keeps all planning documents for future reference.

This must be recorded in the youth member's log book and inspected/confirmed by a youth member two Stages above and the Unit Council.

The youth member should be able to demonstrate that gear comes out of storage in a suitable and useable manner. The youth member should also be able to demonstrate how to care for and appropriately store gear to ensure it doesn't become mouldy or damaged after a bushwalking activity.

The youth member should be able to reflect on their development throughout the walks completed in this Stage. They should use the Scout Method and SPICES to assist with this.

The youth member should think of how the bushwalking expedition went and how the expedition could have been improved. They should also consider if these improvements occurred during the Plan> or Do> stages and if they were equipment, environment, person based or something else. The youth member needs to consider how they would action these improvements for the next time.

The youth member should be able to bring a fully-packed backpack to demonstrate with, and explain why each item has been packed and where. The youth member should talk about weight of equipment as well as placement in pack of gear.

The walk planned must consist of four nights out, ie: any night spent camped at the start of the track is not counted. It should be more challenging than the bushwalk planned in Stage 6. The youth member should ensure that all of the following considerations are met: Collection of information about the planned location, for example:  Track conditions  Local seasonal weather  Access issues  Local knowledge  Selection of the party  Transport and logistics Organisational policy, for example:  Party size  Leadership qualifications and requirements  Your Branch's activity approval process,  Risk management (see other risk statements in Stage 5 and Stage 6)  Safety and emergency planning,  Route planning and navigation,  Environmental and minimal impact,  Equipment selection and acquisition,  food and water (see also Stage 5 Plan statements), and  That the proposed walk is within the capability of the proposed party.

Youth member must use the current ISO process or Australian Standard for risk management (currently AS/NZS ISO 31000: 2009). The youth member must discuss and identify risks with the party as a collective effort led by the youth member. It is not acceptable for the youth member to simply use a template to generate the plan.

The youth member needs to be able to explain how to do this and demonstrate four different techniques. In drier areas such as South Australia it is permissible to demonstrate these in a simulated environment.

The youth member should be able to consider the benefits and/or functional trade-offs of lighter or heavier gear and take part in a discussion. The youth member should recognise that equipment can be any two of strong, light, and cheap, but never all three. This may take the form of a debate between two sides. The youth member should be aware that not all types of weight are equal:  Purchasing a lighter pack and other essential items such as sleeping bag is a permanent decrease (which may have other trade-offs such as durability), additionally new items could be considered for safety and versatility such as hiking poles  The youth member decide whether or not to take particular discretionary items on each walk, and  Items such as food can be dehydrated, water could be reduced, or packaged consumables repacked into smaller portions.

The youth member should understand Tuckman's stages of group development, and consider when they have had similar situations occur through Scouting trips or activities, and how this knowledge can help support positive group development in the future. Also, the youth member should have investigated different types of group development theories/models and have knowledge of what these are and how they compare and contrast with Tuckman's

The youth member should present their activity plan (refer to statements above) at a briefing. The activity plan should be distributed several weeks prior to the meeting so participants have an opportunity to read and understand it. The briefing should ideally be a face-to-face meeting, but it could also be a conference call, videoconference, or online meeting. The meeting should include any support party members.

This includes completion of Stages 4 and 5 of Survival Skills in the Bushcraft stream.

The youth member should consider location of activity, activities to be done, group size and risks that could be associated with the weather forecast of the activity area.

The youth member should ensure that:  GPS has spare batteries,  First aid kit is stocked and contents are in date,  PLB is in-date, PLB contact details and route plan are updated with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The youth member should be able to specify what group equipment the party requires for an extended walk. This will usually include things like:  repair kit including items such as duct tape, cable ties etc, in case of gear failure  A group first aid kit containing more specific equipment than is usually found in personal kits  A trowel  Walk-specific items such as rope, if required  Relevant safety equipment such as a throw-line. The youth member should be able to guide group decisions about party organisation (sleeping and cooking groups) where that drives equipment requirements (tents and stoves).

The youth member must take part in a night navigation exercise or activity for at least two hours after civil twilight. They do not need to be the sole navigator but they must contribute substantially. This may take place on:  a fixed bush orienteering course, verified by collecting checkpoints,  a temporary rogain course; it is acceptable for the youth member to take part in an organised rogain run by a recognised rogaining or orienteering club or State/Territory or national organisation, or  a set of landmarks or arbitrary points in the bush which are verified by GPS. The youth member should demonstrate they can take and follow a bearing at night and be successful in travelling between two designated points For the purposes of this statement, thick vegetation does not contribute to poor visibility. Urban orienteering courses within the bounds of a city or town are not acceptable.

The youth member needs to consider:  what they have used on previous walks,  whether there is a difference in needs for cold and hot climates,  what the individuals energy requirements are, and how to have a balanced diet on long bushwalks. They can then write down recommendations and help Stage 5 and below Scouts understand food requirements for multi day walks.

The youth member should be able to maintain a bearing around an obstacle at least 100 metres wide: Youth members should consider how attack points and catching features can help them in this process and should demonstrate maintaining a bearing with the use of natural aids supported by a compass  aiming off to the right (or left) by 90°  pacing on the new bearing for at least 100m, or sufficient distance to get around the obstacle  continuing on their original bearing for sufficient distance to bypass the obstacle. At this point the youth member should be on their original bearing but offset from the original course by whatever distance they paced in the previous step of the exercise  aiming off to the left (or right) by 90°  pacing on the new bearing for a distance equal to the offset. This should intercept their original course on the far side of the obstacle at the point they would have been if the obstacle didn't exist, and  aiming off to the right (or left) to resume the original heading and proceed. It is preferable if a real obstacle such as a knoll, gully or rocky outcrop is used, but in the absence of a suitable feature the support person may specify a hypothetical obstacle in any location they see fit.

A fix relies on taking a back bearing to 3 different visible points to work out your exact location on a topographic map. This should be practised on more than one trip, in more than one location.

The youth member should be able to demonstrate their use of a GPS to maintain a bearing around a significant obstacle.

The youth member inputs these details in their log book.

The youth member should be able to demonstrate positive behaviours in the field such as:  Noise levels and music  Maintaining a tidy and hygienic campsite  Leaving space for other campers  Walking in single file, allowing others room to overtake  Giving way to people travelling uphill when travelling downhill  Correct disposal of human waste  Treating people with respect and care over the duration of a hike.

This will be recorded in the log book and through planning documentation. Various lengths can include:  Skills-development activities while bushwalking  Kilometres walked  Days walked Overnight walks (one or two nights out), or  Extended walks (three or more nights out). Different environments can include:  desert  scrub or coastal heath  woodland or forest  rainforest  ridgelines  mountain or alpine, or  snow It is not necessary to have walked in every environment, but the youth member must show experience in more than one environment.

The youth member should show evidence of at least one bushwalk where:  the youth member was the party leader, and  The planned activity was altered for specific safety reasons. Assessing this statement may be difficult and the support people will need to make a subjective judgement on whether the statement is satisfactorily met. This will depend on a variety of factors, including:  the difficulty of the planned walk  the season and specific weather  the terrain and environment  the ability of the youth member to provide documentation of an actual planned walk that would otherwise have taken place. It is acceptable for the youth member to cancel a walk prior to departure, provided that there was a genuinely planned walk and that there are legitimate safety concerns. An example of a legitimate safety concern would be a severe weather warning, or a warning from a peak bushwalking body about water availability at a particular location. More weight should be given to cancelling an overnight walk due to the greater preparation and investment required, and because a day walk in unpleasant weather is more 'survivable' than an overnight walk. Walks outside Scouting (for example, with family and friends) may be included provided that it is clear that the youth member was the party leader and made the call to alter the plan. It should be remembered that a youth member who does not cancel or amend an activity from time to time is not exercising sufficient judgement in knowing when to amend or cancel a walk.

The debrief/review should include all members of the walking party. It should take place in a timely fashion after the end of the walk. It could occur while still on the walk and doesn't need to be super formal as long as it meets the needs of the party and shows learning and growth. It is up to the Party Leader to then document the debrief/end of trip report which can be in a written or using other mediums. The youth member should be able to specify improvements and communicate these to the other party members. This may be face- to-face or via email. Improvements should be considered for person, equipment and location. The Youth member should also be able to reflect on their own learning and identify self-improvements.

The youth member should be able to demonstrate that they have reviewed their equipment, and determined which items are or are not fit for purpose. The Youth member by this stage should be able to recognise different quality in gear, fabrics, weight and have a list of gear that they would like to replace current gear with.

The youth member should be able to assist/support facilitation for a Stage 6 Scout or below. This may be them acting in a mentor capacity to that Stage 6 Scout helping younger Scouts again. The Scout should be supported to select equipment and pack for an overnight or extended bushwalking expedition (packing for a day walk is not sufficient). Considerations that should be taken into account include, but are not limited to: length of expeditions, remote locations

The Scout must be at Stage 5 or above and the plan must be for an overnight or weekend bushwalk ie: the walk must be similar to the one planned under 5.plan.x. The youth member must provide advice, assistance, and guidance to the Scout in aspects of walk planning and act as a sounding board for ideas and issues. The youth member may act as examiner for the Scout.

This should include as a minimum:  a transport plan  list of individual gear for participants  list of group gear  menu  food list (note that this is different to a menu)  risk assessment route plan, including grid references for checkpoints, and distance and magnetic bearings between them  emergency plan including contact details and contingency plans These should be customised for a specific walk at a specific time of year, and not simply be generic. They may be consolidated into an overall activity plan.

The youth member can review group bushwalking equipment and make recommendations for improvements, in terms of repairs/upgrades, replacements, and new purchases.

The youth member should be able to explain how they implement these practices. This may take the form of a question-and-answer session. The youth member should go beyond the expectations of lower stages (eg: "remember to pick up rubbish") and be able to nominate more advanced considerations, such as: regulations and standards.  minimising the spread of soil pathogens such as phytophthora minimising the spread of weed and pest species  not supporting contrived or artificial walking routes  minimising soil disturbance when camping in sensitive areas.

The youth member should consider and discuss the strategies that can support them. The youth member should also be able to identify how these strategies can help them and potential other strategies.

This may be demonstrated in one of several ways:  a question-and-answer session with an appropriately-qualified examiner  a field exercise organised for the purpose provision of an incident report form from a real-world incident the youth member was involved with. The accident must be reasonably serious in nature but does not need to have caused injury. This could also be undertaken during the Wilderness first aid course during scenarios.

The expedition must be challenging and consist of five full days of bushwalking, with some flexibility on the last day to allow travel home. A night spent at a road-accessible campsite prior to the start of the walk does not count towards the requirement to camp at three different campsites. From the guidance of the party, unit and a mentor the distance can be modified  in a recognised desert environment with limited water availability depending on location and  on snowshoes in a winter alpine environment session.  in an area recognised by authorities or bushwalking organisations as being particularly rugged, remote, or dangerous. The total distance may not be reduced below 60km and should require eight hours/day of travel to complete the expedition. This reduction is to encourage youth members to attempt more difficult walks which may not meet the 100km criterion; it is not there to help youth members to make the requirement easier. At this stage the youth member should be pushing themselves to challenge themselves and constantly develop their skills.

The youth member must have completed the Wilderness First Aid skill set. This can be through a course with an accredited provider or by other means, such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through SAIT or other providers. For the purposes of the OAS, the Wilderness First Aid skillset (SISSS00126) includes:  HLTAID003 Provide first aid  SISOFLD004 Provide first aid in remote locations  SISXEMR002 Coordinate emergency responses (or their replacement).

This must be taught to other Scouts at stages below. The facilitation must include components on:  reading a weather map  local prevailing weather understanding wind speed and direction  interpreting cloud. This is best done during a hike where youth members can test skills learnt.

At this stage the youth member should be able to take much younger members for example members of a Cub Scout Unit on a bushwalk, or be the responsible party leader for a walk involving novices while helping them learn and having the duty of care over the group.

The youth member will have acted as leader or navigator of a party walking off-track, as shown in their logbook: a. on at least one occasion at night, and b. in at least two of the following circumstances:  hot weather (>30°C)  heavy rain, sleet, or snow where progress is impeded by rocky outcrops; thickets of spiky, stinging, or impenetrable vegetation; or hostile insects or animals, or  Featureless terrain. Support personnel should use their discretion with reference to the meaning of "safe' and 'accurate"

The youth member should have participated in at least three emergency exercises of at least half a day each, including:  at least one search and rescue exercise  At least one evacuation of an injured person. On at least one occasion the youth member must lead the team and direct the search or evacuation.

Youth member should be able to nominate:  a few things they have learnt  a few things they do differently now, relative to Stage 4. 8, recording my reflection in a way that suits me best.

The youth member should provide a written report, digital video or blog or well-prepared oral report on the expedition. This can be:  part of a presentation to a group which the examiner witnessed,  or part of a discussion with the examiner. The content of the reflection should be at the youth member's discretion, but should g enerally cover topics such as: Are you more confident?  What did you learn about leading a group of other people?  What did you learn about yourself?

The youth member should have a first aid qualification through an accredited provider and be able to provide certificates currency. The main requirement is to have keep the wilderness first aid skill set up to date and make sure the youth members CPR, First Aid and wilderness first aid is not out of date.

This Journey should consist of 6 nights 7 days. Walking time should be between 6 and 8 hours a day walking not including rest breaks. Allowances can be made for travelling home for some portion of the last day. This should include as a minimum:  A transport plan  List of individual gear for participants  list of group gear  Menu  Food list (note that this is different to a menu)  Risk assessment  Route plan, including grid references for checkpoints, and distance and magnetic bearings between them  Emergency plan including contact details and contingency plans These should be customised for a specific walk at a specific time of year, and not simply be generic. They may be consolidated into an overall activity plan.

Youth member must use the current ISO process or Australian Standard for risk management (currently AS/NZS ISO 31000: 2009). The youth member must show evidence that they have consulted with experts on risks specific to the area, such as local rangers. It is not acceptable for the youth member to simply use a template to generate the plan.

The youth member must plan, organise, and deliver a day-long navigation activity for Scouts at Stage 5/6/7. The activity must include a half-day instructional component which the youth member leads. The remaining half-day can be spent supervising a practical navigation activity for the Stage 5/6/7 youth members.

The youth member should be able to repair a wide range of bushwalking gear using tools and materials commonly available in the field (folding knife or multi-tool; electrical tape; cable ties; wire; etc). They must demonstrate one of the following:  Fixing a broken walking boot with proper repair equipment  Repairing a broken shoulder strap on a backpack with proper repair equipment  Repairing seam seal on a tent that has de laminated with proper repair equipment Other examples of repairs they may demonstrate could include:  Clearing a blocked gas jet  Improvising a backpack waist strap  Splinting a broken tent pole, and  Replacing the pivot on a snowshoe.

The youth member will have acted as leader or navigator of a party walking off-track, as shown in their logbook, in at least three of the following environments during the day and three at night:  Desert  Scrub or coastal heath  Woodland or forest  Rainforest  Ridgelines  Mountain or alpine, or  Snow. The day and night environments may be the same, different, or overlap. The youth member may navigate in the same environment during both day and night on the same walk; for example, an orienteering exercise which begins at midday and continues until midnight would cover both.

The youth member should be able to check that all bushwalking equipment is in working condition, including:  Checking self-inflating mattresses and repairing any leaks  Replace o-ring seals in pressure stoves (dangerous!). according to relevant legislation and manufacturer recommendations.

The youth member must demonstrate, using their logbook, that they have been responsible as party leader for parties of dependent participants (such as a Scout Unit, for example) on overnight bushwalks for a total of at least six nights.

The youth member should have instructed other Scouts in three skills:  An advanced navigation technique selected by the youth member such as changing the datum on a GPS, correcting for magnetic declination, or taking a back bearing as well as being the assessor for Stage 6 Scouts or below in some of their field  work A safety or rescue technique such as using a throw-bag to protect a river crossing, or setting a hand-line, and  One other technique of the youth member's choice. The youth member must deliver the instruction in an accurate and unambiguous manner which is clearly understood by the Scout.

During Stage 9 the youth member should have other Scouts they are mentoring through lower stages, including Stages 6 and 7 requirements. They should focus on supporting/facilitating other youth members learning in this Stage, which may include stepping back from providing all the instruction in lower Stages.

Youth member must demonstrate this using their logbook. The total distance may include the distance walked on snowshoes, but not on skis.

The youth member's presentation should be a review of their Stage 1-9 journey through OAS - Bushwalking. It should cover the planning, undertaking and learnings that they have experienced throughout their Bushwalking adventures that they have led and assisted with. The presentation itself could be in any form, a video blog, PowerPoint presentation, visual or verbal presentation, bearing in mind that the aim of the presentation is to encourage those that watch it to be inspired to pursue Bushwalking.

The youth member should discuss with their mentor both their physical and mental skills that they have developed and the challenges they have overcome since deciding to start on their bushwalking journey. They should also consider their goals moving forward, where will bushwalking take them and how can they share these skills and learnings within their Scouting community.