Silver NNAS Award
On completion of this award participants will be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside away from paths and tracks.
Syllabus: The learning outcomes: (additional to those of the Bronze Award)- Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, to break it down into 'coarse' and 'fine' navigation and to use clear features en route to check that they are 'on course'.
- Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy 'aiming off', 'attack points', 'collecting features', simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain.
- Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the navigation physical and factors affecting route choice.
- Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
- Plan a safe walk or route involving Silver award skills and strategies.
- Employ simple relocation strategies when lost.
- Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear features on both map and ground.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in demanding countryside and/or extreme weather condition. Knowledge of basic first aid is also expected.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of the Countryside Code and current access legislation as for the Bronze level together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing 'man with nature' (e.g. footpath erosion and methods of dealing with it), and responsibilities towards other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation.
Assessment Guidance Notes:
The candidates will be assessed on their ability to plan an appropriate route and navigate using a variety of navigation strategies such as aiming off, attack points, collecting features, simplifying navigational legs and choosing appropriate routes.
- The assessment route would normally include a number of distinct contour features which require the navigator to use a wide range of navigational strategies.
- The assessment route would normally use a variety of countryside to require choice of route, having regard to the effect of terrain, etc.
- The practical assessment will be undertaken over a distance of 5 - 8km.
- Practical assessment will be supplemented by questions to the candidate. Candidates will demonstrate their ability to plan a route, and their understanding of the interaction between the land, countryside users and conservation. This can be done orally or in a written format.
- Maximum assessment ratio 1:6.
- The duration of training and assessment of the Silver award will be a minimum of 12 hours, and cover all aspects of the syllabus.
© 2010 David Harbottle