Perhaps there are different definitions of “physically demanding selection events and fitness tests” being used.
Bearing in mind that some of the heat casualties were on an SAS selection, it may be the tests for RAFAC on ACLC & JL are not regarded by the RAF/MoD as physically demanding tests.
Just doing the beep test indoors with a qualified PTI & air conditioning is not going to be the same as a 6-miler March with webbing or a log run.
WBGT is not a forecast, it is a current reading of the weather at the location of the WBGT. It should be used to inform your decision making at the time of the reading and the weather forecast for that day.
Reading this, it is basically saying that you have to spend £000s and carry a WBGT.
3d what is a dynamic reading. You set up a WBGT you wait 15 minutes and you get a reading. What makes that dynamic. You get a reading and you use it. you can keep it in one place or move it around with you. Getting a reading from one 15 miles away is not very useful.
Don’t quote me, I didn’t write this guff!
I think I’d disagree with that - while we don’t do what gets done on P Coy in absolute terms, a JL or Bronze DofE could easily be regarded as similar in relative terms if you consider the different start points.
We don’t ask people to do a 40km march through the Rockies with 50kg of gear in 12 hours, but we don’t start with a fit, trained soldier - we may well be starting with a podgy 14yo who’s only regular exercise is a bit of footdrill.
While technically correct, the IBN seems to have been written assuming the lack of access to a QT35 and to instead use the MetOffice service to check the WBGT Forecast.
But only in exceptional circumstances. ie, that shouldn’t be the norm.
You can access MetOffice WBGT temperature forecasts to inform planning for non-EAL activities which don’t require an onsite reading.
I’ve already asked the nice Met office lady to add a load of my frequently used venues to the MOMIDS location list, as I’ve agreed with my desk officer that the vast majority of qualification type AT courses are not EAL and thus don’t need an onsite WBGT reading.
One thing I have noticed, however, is that the ACP5 leaflet states that weather forecasting must be used in the RA process. MOMIDS forecasts are only available up to 5 days in advance, but generally 2 days - so presumably all approval timescales have now shrunk to a few days notice? Although I guess you can do all the approval before hand using standard processes, then if it looks like it’s going to be a bit warm, then review and update your RA etc with a MOMIDs forecast.
Having just had a mooch through the other MOMIDs stuff there are some useful bits of info ther (particularly if you are a sea kayaker / SUPer) such as sea state, swell forecasts etc.
Also going to ask nicely to have my same list of venues added to the Wind Chill forecasts.
seconded.
one persons physically demanding is another persons weekly “warm up”
Given what is said to be a physical test in JL and ACLC where candidates do fail then this by definition must be demanding if the pass mark is too demanding for all to achieve…and even then that is already a bias population
how many Bronze DofE-ers also go on to JL in the same year? My point being those who do JL are already in the “JL mindset” (what was that marines slogan…99% need not apply) - those Cadets who know enough about JL to apply chances are know what is expected of them…those who know those expectations are beyond them are put off from the start.
for some Bronze DofE Exped is demanding enough and purposely so - it isn’t a 3 mile bimble to the local shops but a physical challenge to achieve X hours of activity a day
So…a few questions.
Where can we purchase a WBGT machine?
How much are they?
Who services them? Calibrates them? How much does that cost?
There is only one approved for use in Defence.
How much are they? £2.6k - plus £170 odd servicing costs. Email the Logs FS in he IBN if you think you need one; may the odds be ever in your favour.
I assume, from the tenor of the document, that they plan on scaling for them?
But again, because they seem to know nothing about the org, probably haven’t realised that every unit will need one?
Yep, if eneyone asks for one everytime they plan a DofE I suspect the policy will soon be amended.
This was how the policy read to me. It said to contact the HQ Logs person to get one if required.
Free demonstration
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m enquiring whether I might be able to arrange a product demonstration for your QUESTemp 34. I’m particularly interest in how it can be used for risk mitigation purposes when conducting EALs.
Can you please meet me at midday on [insert date here] at [What.Three.Words reference]?
I’ll bring a notebook and pen.
K. Thanks. Bye.
@Batfink you have that paddle coming up on the 25th, why not ask them for a machine now and see what they say?
I don’t think they have an option given that they use the words ‘must’ in the policy.
My suggestion would be conversations with the WATTO / RATTO as to what they are likely to deem an enhanced activity level, then request if you are going to be doing a lot of that type of activity.
But does it require one? What makes the paddle an EAL vs. just ‘normal’ activity?
And the answer isn’t just ‘it’s AT’.
But the policy says so… 
In fact the policy says leadership exercises are EAL too, so paddling must be!
But it could be a heatwave?