WEEKEND SURVIVAL COURSE

WEEKEND SURVIVAL COURSE

This is our next step in survival course and runs alongside our SURVIVE 24 course but is aimed at providing a the basics and then building in a more in-depth knowledge in a number of key areas.  Your second night will give you a real sense of surviving alone in the wilderness.

We’ll get you settled in the woodland with hot drinks and issue you with some kit and equipment for your stay.  Before setting up camp we’ll make sure you know how everything works and help you find a suitable location to bed down for the night, then you’ll prepare your first meal by the fire.

We can’t guarantee the weather (it’s Cornwall after all and we know that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only weather inappropriate clothing!) but we assure you that you’ll learn a heap of useful stuff and have a memorable experience.

This course is suitable for anyone aged 14 and over, Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Please note – This course includes the preparation of animals for food. If this element is not for you please let us know, you’re welcome to participate in this course and sit this element out.

Friday: 1800 - 2100
  • Welcome
  • Kit and equipment overview
  • Set up Camp
  • Meal prep
  • Safe tool use
  • Fire time
Saturday: 0800 - 1200
  • Breakfast
  • Cutting techniques
  • Cordage
  • Lunch preparation
Saturday: 1300 - 1800
  • Basic Fire craft
  • Shelter constuction
Saturday: 1800 - 2100
  • Evening meal preparation
  • Fire time
Sunday 0700 - 1200
  • Breakfast
  • Clear camp
  • Friction fire-lighting
  • Species ID & Navigation
  • Close

Don’t have that much time? Check out our SURVIVE 24 course here!

THE 5 W’S OF SITE SELECTION

THE 5 W’S OF SITE SELECTION

WATER

There are a couple of things to bear in mind here.  Firstly, you want to make sure that the site you use isn’t going to collect water so avoiding flood plains and areas that are likely to become boggy or pool with water is important.  By paying attention to the relief of the ground and avoiding depressions or obvious channels that might become streams in bad weather you’ll likely stay dry.

This is important even if you are hammock camping – there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning suspended over a swamp!

Secondly, being close to a viable water-source is going to make life easier in the long run.  You’ll have to make it safe to drink by purifying it but if you have a choice, go for running water over a stagnant pool.  By doing this you will reduce the likelihood of contaminants and minimise illness.

WIND

The primary purpose of a shelter is to protect from wind and general weather so knowing the wind direction is key.  If in the UK, the prevailing wind blows in from the SW.  Making sure that you’re using your landscape accordingly and taking advantage of the leeward side of hills, rock formations and other features will keep you protected.

To get a good idea of local wind conditions look at the landscape to see how the wind has shaped it.  The nearest treeline is a good place to start and will almost certainly hold clues you can use to determine prevailing wind direction.

Wind can vastly reduce your core temperature, particularly if you are wet after being caught in a downpour or if you’ve been sweating making camp!

WOOD

Having a good supply of firewood close to camp is a huge advantage, allowing you to start and sustain your fire throughout the night aiding you to keep your core temperature up.   If you have access to a good variety of sizes of standing deadwood and natural tinder then you’ll be well prepared.

Ensure that you have larger material prepped and ready to burn overnight – you’ll sleep much better if you don’t have to keep stoking the fire and your aim should be to still have enough heat in the heart of it to easily get it going again in the morning.

Think also about which direction you’ll be carrying it back to camp – better to slide it downslope than waste valuable calories dragging it uphill.

WIDOWMAKERS

With all woodland environments comes the potential for injury.  It isn’t uncommon for there to be fallen trees propped up on there neighbours or huge limbs and branches to be hung up in the canopy – at some point these will either catch the wind or their supports will give way and they will end up on the forest floor.

When selecting a site you will need to check the canopy for any of these widowmakers and it’s a good idea to go as far from camp as the tallest trees are tall.  It would suck to be crushed in your sleep by some prime firewood!

WILDLIFE

In the UK we have little to fear from our wildlife but it is a good idea to take note of tracks and game trails in the area.  Those track makers may well be on the menu if you are in a survival situation so identifying the comings and goings of whatever is around might prove useful in the future.  Elsewhere in the world there are some dangerous animals to be aware of so local knowledge is important and you should clue yourself up on how to identify them.

If several larger game trails merge it can indicate that water is close by and it’s a good idea to move to a quieter spot before setting up camp.

Dependant on the time of year you might get pestered by insects such as mosquitos and midges but assuming you have fire you use smoke to deter them effectively by throwing on a handful of damp leaflitter or green foliage.

Ensure also to keep camp clean and free from food waste as this will keep rodents and other critters away – I once lost half a packet of custard creams to an army of shrews!

 

By ensuring that your chosen site provides you with access to or protection from the 5 W’s you’ll set yourself up for success when setting up your camp.  Something else to bear in mind when prioritising for survival is THE RULE OF 3’S.

To find out more and put some of these principles into practice why not attend one of our survival courses?

SURVIVAL PRIORITIES – STAYING ALIVE

SURVIVAL PRIORITIES – STAYING ALIVE

A Question we are often asked is how to prioritise in a survival situation, what do you need to do first?

When prioritising there are a number of variables to take into account from environmental factors to the mechanism by which survival is necessary.

In all cases the first thing to get out of the way is to deal with injuries and any immediate risk of harm.  Move yourself and others away from any potential dangers before focusing on and treating any medical issues.

Once satisfied that immediate health concerns are under control, it’s time to take stock and figure out both where you are and just how likely you are to be rescued.

The Rule of 3’s

A good guiding principle to inform decision making in survival situations is The rule of 3’s.

General survival rates:

  • 3 minutes – without air
  • 3 hours – without a maintained Core Temperature
  • 3 days – without water
  • 3 weeks – without food

Civilisation may be just several or hundreds of miles away and knowing this is going to influence the decisions you make and your next steps.

Once you have established how long you might need to stay in the wilderness then it’s time to focus on choosing a suitable location that meets your individual or your groups needs.

 

When looking for a good site you need to make sure that it will meet both your immediate and future needs, however long that may be.

Protecting yourself from the elements and maintaining warmth is your top priority but doing so miles away from a suitable water source is a bad idea.  Likewise bedding down near a stream on an exposed hillside without a readily available supply of fuel for the fire is an equally poor choice.

The location you choose should keep you safe and give you easy access to all the things that you will likely need for immediate survival.

A suitable site should provide easy access to or protection from the 5 W’s.

 

Following these general rules will enable you to establish a safe and suitable base in the best possible location.  To find out more and put some of these principles into practice, why not attend one of our Survival courses?

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