Hello Friends!
Survival training is a topic that I am passionate about. I strongly encourage campers, hikers, cyclists, hunters, or anyone who spends time in remote areas to take a survival skills workshop or class periodically. You should then practice those skills so you don’t forget.
Kids Need to Learn too!
I am writing this on March 22, 2019, just a couple weeks after two little girls, ages 5 and 8, were miraculously found in California after being lost and spending a couple nights in the woods without anything! I’m sure many of you saw their story; as it made national headline news. They survived due to some basic survival knowledge which they learned in 4-H camp.
I applaud those who saw fit to include such training in a youth program. I also give the highest credit to the 8 year old sibling who remembered the number one rule in a survival situation: STAY CALM, DON’T PANIC. She did a great job of not only remaining calm herself, but also comforting her little sister. As the story of these two little girls show, it is extremely important for kids to learn skills that could save their life.
Outdoors People AND Urbanites
How many times have you heard horror stories where someone went for a short hike with limited or no provisions and then fell, got lost or got into some sort of predicament that turned into a fight for survival? That short hike can turn into several days. You’ve got to know what to do. Your life will depend on it.
These skills are certainly important for those who spend time in the wilderness, but EVERYONE should have a basic knowledge of survival methods. What if you were caught in a natural disaster and cut off from any services for several days? Imagine if you were trapped in rubble and debris from a collapsed building. God forbid you were the victim of a predator’s assault or kidnapping. What about those nomads traveling in vans, RV’s, or any kind of vehicle?–if you get stuck, break down or wreck in the middle of nowhere, it could be a while before you are found. Knowing what to do and how to react is just as important for those in urban areas as well.
Find A Workshop
Check with state parks or recreational facilities in your area to see if they offer survival skills training. A local community college or outdoor group/club may offer classes as well. Google survival skills training in your location to see what comes up. If none exist in your area, make a trip out of it and travel to a place that does!
A couple years ago I stumbled upon this great site—Alderleaf Wilderness College http://www.wildernesscollege.com. They are based out of Washington–great for those of you who live in the Northwest. Check it out–there’s lots of awesome information on their website and newsletter. Phone: 360-793-8709
In my home state of Kentucky, there’s the Nature Reliance School in Winchester which is just outside of Lexington. Visit their website http://www.naturereliance.org or call 859-771-8313.
These type of training facilities hold classes on site and online as well as special event workshops in such skills as survival, land navigation, scout/tracking, edible/medicinal plants and much more. For a fee, most of these instructors will come to your area and teach a class for your group, school, organization, etc.
Television Shows,YouTube & Books
Books are a great resource to learn survival training. In fact, you should carry a pocket survival guide with you when backpacking or traveling. YouTube, of course, is another great source to see survival techniques, and as I mentioned before, survival shows—you can learn so much!
‘I Shouldn’t Be Alive’ and ‘Dual Survival’ are my favorites–and no, not just because I have a crush on Matt Graham, although he sure is easy on the eyes, and I LOVE to hear him talk!
More info coming up on this subject (survival, not Matt), but here’s something to remember….
5 C Survival Items: By Dave Canterbury, survival expert and author with years of military experience and former co-star of Dual Survival show.
Cover—shelter
Container—for water, cooking, carrying supplies
Cordage—rope, wire–many uses
Cutting device—wood, food, weapon, more
Combustion—fire starter
Coming Up
Coming next–my survival skill workshop experience at Carter Caves State Resort Park and the folding knife incident!
Until next time, remember…..DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!
See ya down the road!
Catrina