Survival 101
“We do not rise to the occasion, but rather fall back to the level of our training”
Course Description
Archilochus knew that when the pressure is on, the mindset and skills to deal with that situation do not develop within us, rather we rely on the skills and knowledge developed by our training. Archilochus knew that when the pressure is on, the mindset and skills to deal with that situation do not develop within us, rather we rely on the skills and knowledge developed by our training.
Starting with lecture and hands on skill development, each day ends with a Survival Scenario to test your skills. Designed to familiarize both your body and mind to the stress of a real-world survival situation, this gives you the unparalleled advantage of having "been there, done that" when the time comes.
Day 1
Mental Aspects of Survival
"Anti-reality Show" Drill
Mindset
Defining Wilderness Emergencies
Scenarios, Itineraries, and Planning
Physiological Stress Response
Planning to Survive
First Aid
Common Wilderness Injuries and Nature's Killers
Treatment Protocols
Survival Kits & Tools
Realistic Kit Components
Safe Knife Use
Shelter
Shelter Concepts and Heat Loss Methods
Principles of Clothing
Kit Shelters, Natural Shelters, and a Good Night's Sleep
Fire
Principles of Fire
Starting it, maintaining it, and putting it out
Burn Baby Burn - natural and man made tinder sources
Fire starting while injured
Survival Scenario 1
Overnight Shelter Challenge
Day 2
Signaling
Signaling Concepts, Methods, and Devices
Search and Rescue Procedures
Water
Dehydration
Water Pathogens
Disinfection Methods
Food
Rules for Living Off the Land
Strategies for Short Term Emergencies
Navigation/Travel/Weather
Primer on Orienteering and Natural Navigation
Safe Travel Methods
Survival Scenario 2
"The Creek" Drill
What to bring:
This class focuses on the common problem of being unprepared for a night out in inclement weather, whether it is from an injury, poor planning, or being lost. Students are encouraged to "fight like you train" and bring the gear they would normally carry on a day hike:
Clothing appropriate for the weather. Please note that average low temps usually range in the 30's, if we’re lucky down to the teens.
First Aid/Survival kit if you have one
Daypack
Water bottle
Headlamp/flashlight
Knife
Notebook & pen or pencil
Students will be provided with a basic survival/shelter kit for use in the class.
A complete set of dry clothes can be brought and left in the vehicle.
Food:
Students are responsible for bringing their own meals and cooking them on site. Informal instruction on campfire cooking will be available along with sampling campfire cuisine. Class will end on Sunday afternoon, so plan for lunch & dinner on Saturday and breakfast & lunch on Sunday. Your body needs more calories during cold weather, so bring plenty of snacks.
Other Information:
Other dates available upon group request
Age: 10+ (under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Class size limit: 20
Classes start at 9:00 am on Saturday and ends around 4:30 pm on Sunday.
Meetup location - 5033 Calderwood Highway, Tallassee TN
Please read the BPO Policies and FAQs before purchasing.