These questions and answers have been put together with the help of previous competitors, searchers and headquarters staff. It is designed to give a few tips and guidelines to those wishing to take part for the first time and a reference for competitors who have enjoyed Dragnet before.
Q) What is the history of Dragnet?
A) The event started somewhere in the dim and distant past in the early 1970s as a local event for South Cumbria and North Lancashire Senior Scouts, centred around the Venture Forth Base Camp what is now Great Tower camp site. Originally for teams of three, and later increased to four per team, it presently attracts around 250 Explorer and Network Scouts together with up to 50 leaders and back up staff over the weekend.
Q) What is Dragnet?
A) The aim of the competition is run, walk or crawl back to the Dragnet Base Camp, evading capture, within specified boundaries over a distance of around 35 miles depending on terrain. Coaches will depart from the venue at around 22:00 on the Friday, and travel out to the drop off point. Teams are dropped off at around midnight and have one hour to disperse before the searchers are allowed to seek, capture and extract their life card to record a successful catch. The winning team is the first team to arrive at the Dragnet Base Camp finish nearest to 11:00 after 10:30 and before 11.30 with the least number of lives lost. This makes the competition not just one of stamina, but one of stealth, cunning, teamwork and planning. In case of any emergency, injury or after a minimum distance, transport is available back to base.
Q) Can Teams be made of a mix of Explorer and Network Scouts?
A) This is a new rule from 2018, each teams must be made up solely of either members of Network Scouts or Explorer Scouts.
Q) Are there any rules?
A) A full set of rules will be included with your email confirming entery to Dragnet Note: the rules attached to your confirmation email take presedence over the rules available on the website, although we aim to keep the website updated, there are instances where short notice changes need to be made, which may not be reflected on the website rules page., which will be sent out along with Health Forms for all team members to fill out and bring on the night. Confirmation emails will be sent out AFTER 31st May.
. Make sure all members of each team study them carefully before the event. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse for breaking them, and any infringements will be dealt with by Dragnet Officials. The competition is a high profile event, the Police, railways, bus companies together with scouting members, friends and the some of the general public are aware of the event, and are requested to contact the Dragnet Officials if any problems are incurred or rules are seen to be broken. Please ask any questions about the rules etc at the briefing session on the Friday night. For questions and enquiries prior to the event please use the contact us page.
Q) Can I enter Dragnet as a searcher?
A) Leaders are always welcome to help as searchers or Dragnet support staff, if you are accompanying an Explorer/Network team or teams why not join in the fun. Just ask any of the Dragnet Officials. We do however strictly adhere to a lower age limit of 25 years.
NOTE: If you intend to attend as a searcher you MUST pre register via email to the Dragnet organising team.
Q) What will I need in my First Aid Kit?
A ) Blisters! ! - you will get them ! So please include a supply of padded plasters, antiseptic wipes or better still, blister kits. Some of the older and more experienced participants may not admit it, but there is nothing quite as soothing as Body Shop Peppermint foot lotion.
Sterilization tablets: After periods of warm weather, water is not only more difficult to come by, but can also be contaminated with algae and bacteria (You never know what has died or entered the water upstream!)
Sun cream and sun hat: Some years we have problems with sunstroke and sunburn, which can be very serious when you are a few miles from the nearest road or civilization.
Q) What will I need to carry in my Backpack?
A) A copy of the Kit List will be sent out with your confirmation email. Dragnet is a lightweight event you are not expected to carry tents, three course meals and full wash kits! However there are minimum requirements, including specific items of equipment which we have indicated as being compulsory. This is for your own safety and to comply with scouting insurance rules. There will be a full equipment check made by Dragnet Officials during check in, and random spot checks during the event.
Q) Can I use light weight Trail Shoes or Fell running Shoes?
A) Strong walking boots are compulsory for this event, Fell running shoes are fine for travelling fast over a relatively short time period, but are NOT suitable for Dragnet which is a 36 hour endurance hike, whilst carrying a heavy rucksacks. Wool walking socks are strongly recommended, football socks, sport socks or anything with nylon = Blisters!! Your feet will stay in better condition the more often you change your socks, you may wish to rinse out any dirty pairs in water to re-expand the fibres just in case you need to wear them again later
on.
Q) Can I use my light weight mountain marathon jacket as my only waterproof?
A light weight waterproof is not an acceptable alternative to a heavyweight waterproof jacket, a fully breathable mountaineering jacket is recommended, as these will keep you warm and dry.
Q) What food should I take on Dragnet?
A) Lightweight and high energy foods e.g. vesta, chocolate, nuts & mintcake. Eat “little & often.”
Avoid anything that should normally be kept in a fridge such as bacon, burgers and sausages. After a short time in a warm rucksack, these can fester and cause food poisoning (there is nothing as miserable as an upset stomach high up on a lakeland fell with more than 20 miles still to go).
Q) How should I prepare my route?
A) What can we say? Study the maps relevant to this year’s event (details are given with your entry confirmation). It doesn't take a genius to guess a likely route. Make the best use of the short time you have at the Dragnet Base Camp to look at the surroundings and make yourself familiar with the terrain towards the finish. Map and compass work is an essential part of both this competition and scouting as a whole. If in doubt, or you are having problems try the Scout troop or even the cubs! It is also worth noting that catchers can be a little lazy! Only the keenest and fittest catchers get far away from the roads and onto the fells, and usually that is where the winning teams go. On the other hand, if you walk along the roads (especially in the daylight), you are almost certain to get caught (and probably several times).
Q) Can I take any route to Dragnet Base Camp finish?
A) When you are dropped off on Friday night you will receive a sealed envelope containing your life cards and a boundary map of the route, this will have the competition boundaries marked on it. These boundaries are negotiated in conjunction with the Police, The National Trust, HM Forces and various Mountain Safety Advisors. Please do not stray outside the boundaries - you may be endangering yourself, and if you are caught you may be disqualified.
There are often small areas within the boundary that are also out of bounds e.g. anywhere that is 500M above sea level.
Q) Why should I carry a phone on route?
A) In case you need to call Dragnet Base camp in an emergency, it is also a good idea to leave your phone switched off as the battery will drain quicker when searching for a weak signal, please be aware that you will not always have a signal up in the fells. Do NOT make contact or seek advice from your Leaders, Parents or other Teams (if found out you will be disqualified). Dragnet Base Camp HQ should be the first point of contact.
Q) I have GPS Satnav, do I need to carry maps and a compass?
A) A map and compass should always be carried, as other technology, e.g Sat Nav, GPS etc, run on batteries and are complex electronic devices that can fail without warning. Although these may assist you, they are not a viable alternative to a map & compass!
ensure you download the OS LOCATE app on your mobile phone. This gives you a 6 figure grid reference of your location in case of emergencies
Q) What information should I include on the entry form?
A) The entry form should have the details of all four team members along with the Unit/Network name. It is important that mobile numbers entered on the form are the phone numbers that will be carried by team members during the event NOT the parent’s/Guardian’s mobile numbers. It is important that a home contact is included in case of emergency, this contact must not be related to anyone involved in the Dragnet event.
Q) Can I send in my registration form by email?
A) Entry will only be accepted if sent by email.. paper copies will not be accepted. Payment shall be made by BACS only. We will not accept cheques or cash.
Q) What is the finish process?
A) The Dragnet Base Camp finish area will be well defined and include the Dragnet finish banner where Dragnet finish Officials will be waiting. The finish time is recorded when the last team member crosses the finish line. All life cards must be handed in to the finish Officials. The winning team will be the team that finishes nearest to 11:00 with the least lives taken. i.e. a team with 3 lives finishing at 11:24 will be higher up the leader board than a team finishing at 11:01 but with only 2 lives left.
Q) How do I register to be a catcher?
A) If you are too old to be a member of a network group, you can request to be a catcher by email to our lead catcher 'John'
Q) Do I need to leave a tent at Dragnet Base?
A) Yes, every team needs to bring tents that are fully labelled, to be left at Dragnet HQ on the Friday night in case you withdraw from the event during the weekend, and need to put up tents to sleep in.