Section 2 EO M190.02 – MAINTAIN PERSONAL EQUIPMENT AND HYGIENE IN THE FIELD

All articles of clothing shall be kept as clean as possible. Dirt can get through some clothing and reach the skin. Sweat and dirt may cause skin irritation. The dirt may also get into the fibres of the fabric and destroy the insulation value. This potential loss of insulation is why undergarments must be changed daily.

Socks should be changed frequently. Wet or dirty socks can cause blisters and other skin irritation. Wash socks in lukewarm water. Carefully rinse out all of the soap, squeeze out the water, and stretch the socks back into shape. Socks should be kept in good repair and holes mended as soon as they appear.

Boots should be properly maintained by keeping them dry and soft. Boots should never be placed too close to the fire.

A knife should be kept sharp and carried in a suitable sheath. It should be returned to its sheath immediately after use and remain there when not in use. Always position the sheath on a waist belt towards the back of the hip. This positioning prevents the knife from being driven into the groin during a fall. Never angle the blade in another person’s direction. Always pass a knife closed or by presenting the handle to the person receiving it. Ensure the person receiving the knife is ready to accept the knife before letting go. Ensure that the sharp side of the blade is facing up when passing the knife. Always ensure knives are put away or safely stored.

Sharpen a knife as soon as it becomes dull. Use a quality sharpening stone and apply lubricant as specified for the stone. To reshape an edge use a 400 grit sharpening stone. A 1 000 grit sharpening stone and above will sharpen the edge. A honing stone is used to polish the cutting edge and is above 2 000 grit. To polish a blade that has stains on it, use wood ash as it does not scratch the blade. Use the following steps when sharpening a knife with a sharpening stone:

1.Apply a light coating of oil (if it is whetstone or oil stone) to the stone to lubricate and protect the surface. The oil helps keep bits of stone and steel – called slurry – on the surface of the stone. The slurry helps the cutting action of the stone. Ceramic and diamond stones can be used dry or wetted with water.

2.If a combination stone is being used, start with the coarsest grit side.

A hollow ground blade will be sharpened only at the cutting edge at a combined angle 20-30 degrees.

3.To sharpen a hollow ground blade, hold the knife with the back edge of the knife off the sharpening stone at 10-15 degrees.

4.To sharpen a flat ground blade, place the bevel flat on the stone. This registers the blade at the proper angle for sharpening.

5.Start where the blade meets the handle and draw the full length of the blade across the stone while moving the blade from one end of the stone to the other. Apply steady pressure. Repeat this eight times on each side.

6.Repeat the process using the fine side of the sharpening stone.

7.Using a honing stone and honing oil, hone the blade, alternate each stroke with the opposite side of the blade for eight strokes maintaining the same angle as before.

8.If a wire edge forms – a thin wire of steel at the very edge of the blade – repeat the same motion on a piece of cardboard or honing stone until the wire edge falls off.

9.Test for sharpness by cutting something or by looking at the edge of the blade for reflections from unsharpened areas, not by drawing the fingers across the blade.

10.Clean and dry the stone following the manufactures’ instructions.

Keeping healthy is an important factor for survival in the field. Strict hygiene routines should be practiced personally and at the survival site. Garbage and latrines shall be kept away from the site to avoid the threat of insects and illness. Proper hygiene practices also ensures drinking water is not contaminated.

To keep clean, use soap and water while in the field. Special attention should be given to the groin area, scalp and between the toes. These areas are susceptible to rash and fungus infections. A daily shower with hot water and soap is ideal. If a shower is not feasible, keep hands as clean as possible. The face, armpits, crotch and feet should be washed and dried at least once a day. If soap is unavailable, wood ash can be used as a substitute. Washing daily can prevent the growth and spread of germs.

Teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste after every meal and before bed. Table salt or baking soda can be used as a substitute for toothpaste. If a toothbrush is not available, a green twig can be chewed to a pulpy consistency. The mouth should be rinsed with water after every meal.

It is important to manage waste effectively. Wet and dry garbage shall be separated into different sealed containers. It should be stored downwind and a suitable distance from the site. Water that is used to clean dishes, bodies, teeth or clothes is called grey water. This water must be disposed of by placing it in containers located near the washstands or latrines. Solid garbage shall be packed out of the site. If it is packed in it should be able to be packed out. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that no trace of waste is left behind.

Where appropriate, the instructor shall indicate the locations associated with this teaching point. These include but are not limited to: • washstand, • latrines, • port-o-potties, • grey water disposal area, and • wet and dry garbage disposal area.