Physical Fitness, First Aid and Field Craft
This domain tests practical field knowledge: fitness standards, life-saving first aid, and survival skills in the field.
Physical fitness
Components: cardiovascular endurance, strength, speed, flexibility and agility. Typical tests use a 1.6 km or 2.4 km run with pull-ups, sit-ups and push-ups, plus BMI and medical checks. Training follows overload, progression and recovery.
First aid
- Primary survey: ABC - airway, breathing, circulation.
- CPR: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions at 100–120 per minute, depth about 5–6 cm.
- Bleeding: direct pressure first; a tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeding, and record the time.
- Fracture: immobilise with a splint covering the joints above and below.
- Burns: cool with clean running water for 10–20 minutes; no ice, oil or toothpaste.
- Snakebite: immobilise the limb, keep the patient calm, never cut or suck the wound.
- Shock: lay flat, raise the legs, keep warm; no food or drink to an unconscious casualty.
Field craft
Camouflage and concealment defeat the six signs - shape, shine, shadow, silhouette, smell, sound. Learn section formations (single file, arrowhead, extended line, diamond), field signals, fire control orders, judging distance and sentry duties.
Worked example
"A casualty has bright red blood spurting from the thigh." Reasoning: bright red spurting means arterial bleeding and is life-threatening - apply direct pressure, then a tourniquet above the wound if pressure fails, note the time, treat for shock and evacuate. Venous ooze would need only a pressure dressing.
Traps
- Wrong CPR ratio or compression rate.
- Applying a tourniquet to a minor cut.
- Giving water to a semi-conscious casualty.