Design your own Wilderness Survival School

S

SkunkWerX

Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
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What would make a good wilderness survival school?

Obviously near some wilderness, but,
-how would they teach?
-What would they teach? (Shleter, water, fire, food, first aid, blade use, primitive skills, etc.)
-Classroom?
-Outdoor classroom?
-established camp?
-build your own camp?

How long? a day, a weekend, a week?
Beginner, Novice, advanced, expert classes?
Certificates of achievement?

Instructors, Grading, follow-up?

Offer your thoughts and wishes, what would you want to see at the Wilderness Survival School?
 
Great thread idea.

I would like maybe 3 people teaching, 1 weekend ,no more then 6 students, with advanced skills. a list of what to bring with a weight requirment, then a good 6-8 hour hike into the area, at a not too brisk pace, enjoying nature, and a map and compass/gps refresher along the way, as well as teaching some good navigation tips and skills, such as using an analog watch and sun position to tell direction.(I always forget how)

we would all be looking together for a good location, the instructors weighing pros and cons with us but not choosing the location.

First we would build our personal shelters, with the instructors giving advice and tips, maybe pointing out something someone did very industriously, like a rainwater trench, but not pointing out mistakes to everyone. Constructivly, you know?

Then we would each build a fire with nothing but flint and steel and a knife, then the instructors would show the merits of having some special tinder like vaseline/cotton, dryer lint, or magnesium handy.

Then it would be food and water, the benefits of a minimal pack, cleaning your water, cooking methods, then dinner and a chat around the fire before turning in.

The rest of the trip would be the fun stuff, instructions about wilderness first aid, surviving with only a knife, making a kit that works for you, flintknapping, trapping/snaring, and possibly bow making, which could be time consuming. This is where having 3 guys there would be good, each could have skills in a different area and you could choose what you would like to learn.
I like the advanced, because you could learn things from each other as well as the instructors.

It would actually be my dream job to have one of these camps, do these guys make a living at it?
 
For a survival school situation for beginners, no more than 2 people per instructor and the learning portion should last 2 weeks. Method of teaching would be to illustrate what's needed and work as a team, then as a final, each student would be on their own during a week long exercise. Pre existing camp of sorts, but nothing fancy.

Segments would include, but not be limited to.

Primitive firecraft ................. teaching bowdrill, firedrill, friction, flint & steel, proper material selection and tinder selection, as well as how to construct a variety of different types of fires.

Cordage ......................... Proper material selection and processing for use. Then solid cordage making techniques for different uses.

Edged tool safety, maintenance and use ................

Making primitive tools ..................... throwing stick, digging stick, cutting tool, etc.

Trapping ................. the making of at least 3 different types of traps and triggers.

Primitive fishing .................... net making, fabricating wooden/bone hooks, fish spears and proper use. Then catch fish for supper.

Shelter .................. Picking proper location, materials, lean-2, debris and a more semi-permanent style of shelter.

Water ............... locating water, without seeing it. Proper technique for taking water from fast moving, slow moving, pond, lake, crevaces and how to make potable, whether by modern or primitive methods.

First aid .....................

Navigation ............... map reading, compass use, orienteering.
 
I have to ask, the title of this forum is Wilderness and Survival Skills.
Why, I ask in the 21st century, are you out in the woods without a Bic lighter (or three or four) and a wad of grease-soaked cotton?

Why are we still messing around with a bow and drill? I understand the romance of it all, I still have my flint and steel and char cloth and tow, and it impresses the public.

But I fall back on the old adage of re-enactors, "If they had it, they would have used it!" If they had Bic lighters in the 18th century, the American Revolution might have gone very differently.

If Benjamin Franklin got his ideas for the bow and arrow across, the American Revolution probably would have gone very differently...Valley Forge's winter might not ever have happened.
 
Coldwood said:
I have to ask, the title of this forum is Wilderness and Survival Skills.
Why, I ask in the 21st century, are you out in the woods without a Bic lighter (or three or four) and a wad of grease-soaked cotton?

Why are we still messing around with a bow and drill? I understand the romance of it all, I still have my flint and steel and char cloth and tow, and it impresses the public.

But I fall back on the old adage of re-enactors, "If they had it, they would have used it!" If they had Bic lighters in the 18th century, the American Revolution might have gone very differently.

If Benjamin Franklin got his ideas for the bow and arrow across, the American Revolution probably would have gone very differently...Valley Forge's winter might not ever have happened.
Click to expand...

The way I see it, store bought is the way to go, but anything can happen and those modern conveniences can break, get lost, run out of fuel, etc. So having the skills to pick up a couple sticks, rub them together and get fire, no matter how out dated it seems by todays standards, is still an important skill to have when your backs against the wall and it's all you got.
 
longbow50 said:
The way I see it, store bought is the way to go, but anything can happen and those modern conveniences can break, get lost, run out of fuel, etc. So having the skills to pick up a couple sticks, rub them together and get fire, no matter how out dated it seems by todays standards, is still an important skill to have when your backs against the wall and it's all you got.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Embrace redundancy, but not so much that it impairs you. All machines eventually fail. Stack the deck in your favor whenever possible. Live to tell.
 
I agree Coldwood, Bic lighters should be mandatory.

But, to play deveil's advocate for a moment. You stop in the afternoon to set-up camp. You find that your Bic shifted in your pack/pocket and all the gas dumped. It is now just a spark machine.

You lost footing and fell into a river. It was 50° water. Outside air temp is 45°. You need a fire to dry off and warm up. Your Bic was in your pocket, is soaked and won't light. You really don't want to wait until it dries out as you are shivvering and you know hypothermia is just around the corner.

there are many reasons why wew should carry that Bic, I agree 100%, but, there are also as many to support why we should still be able ot use alternate methods. i beleive in Fire x3, or even x4. That doesn't mean 3 or 4 Bics, I want a variety of ways to ignite a fire. Fire is just too important.

So, what would be taught in the Fire Course of this Wilderness School?
 
Maybe you could have a system which allows students to become instructors as part of the program.

Not on a permanent basis and not in every case. Sometimes being on the other side of the equation helps refine skills and discover new ones.
 
They should actually have people who can teach. It doesn't follow directly because you know something that you will be efficient at teaching it to someone else. "Survival Camping" by Ron Hood (video) is an example of a severe lack of educational abilities for example.

In general you would not want to teach specific things like how to build a debris shelter in a specific enviroment as that is next to useless because if there is any small change many people will be unable to improvise. You would stick to the fundamentals such as the purpose of a shelter is to protect you from the elements.

You then discuss how the specific aspects need to be dealth with, how to insulate against cold, or rain or wind and give the students various materials and let them figure out how to best use them. You really don't need a really low instructor to student ratio, even 1:10 is a reall small class.

The students should learn from each other because you should see the people around you are just as much a resourse as your tools and gear. Keep the instructional periods really short and the interactive demonstrations very long. Discuss with the students what they have learned, what they think they need to learn, where they are weak, where they are strong.

With such a small group you can customize the program significantly which you can't do in classes of several hundred.

-Cliff
 
Longbow, Skunk, and all...I understand your points, and thank you. However I look at the bow and drill and see something where you really have to know the pieces of wood you're using and they have to be dry...unless I'm missing something.

I am, unfortunately, one of these people where somebody is going to have to sit down with me for half an hour and SHOW ME how to use a bow and drill...I do know how to use a flint and steel, done that successfully many times. A Bic lighter many more times, trust it more than I trust a Zippo.

I only need one source of flame, ONCE, to get a fire going. Bics are so damn cheap, so light weight, I would have them stashed everywhere, in packs or clothing.

Believe me, I respect people who can get a fire going with a bow and drill. I would like to learn that. But until I do, I'll pack a bunch of Bics. I've seen too many "Survivor" episides where people are going nowhere fast with a bow and drill.

By the way, a bit off topic, but does anybody remember the old '80's movie, "Quest For Fire" ? (besides remembering the chick ;))
 
SkunkWerX said:
Offer your thoughts and wishes, what would you want to see at the Wilderness Survival School?
Click to expand...

After reading that NY Times article on the Ancient Pathways school, I'd say that I'd like to see an emphasis on comfort. Spending the night outdoors without enough food, digging with a knife for a few onions is not teaching anyone survival. It's just teaching them that they can survive without a roof over their head - but it doesn't teach them how to do so comfortably.

Surviving is a lot about comfort - if you're not comfortable, you may not be surviving well. If you become uncomfortable in the outdoors, it's the first signal that you may need to change what you're doing. If you don't pay attention to discomfort, you may quickly find yourself in a dangerous situation. How stupid is it to have someone die of dehydration as that poor student did in Colorado?

Sometimes I think survivalism schools are too "macho" - like if you have a "tough" uncomfortable experience, you're better prepared to survive. While it's true that having the right mental and physical condition to endure tough situations is necessary, survival schools aren't the place to be developing those traits. Survival schools should be focused on the skills to stay comfortable in the outdoors. There's a reason why humans are oriented towards comfort - it helps us survive. (until of course it goes too far and we find ourselves on the couch with a bag of chips! :D )
 
This is the syllubus from the last class I taught..
-------------------------------------------------

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN…
SATURDAY Sept 9th 0900 – 2200 hrs
1. The class will begin with learning a little about Survival Psychology. A positive mindset is one of the most valuable tools you can possess in a Survival Situation.

2. The “No Match Fire” a technique valuable for both survival situations and your next outdoor barbeque. You will be taught various Fire Lays, and if time allows, we will also go into bow and drill methods of fire starting!

3. You will be shown one of the most effective Natural Outdoor Shelter available – the “Debris Hut” – a shelter with a temperature range of –10oF to +90oF. Various shelter types such as lean-tos, poncho shelters, and ”tube tents” will be covered. The class will also build their own shelters that they will be sleeping in!

4. Water Purification techniques with both natural and man-made filters will be covered. We will discuss the differences between water filters and water purifiers. Afterwards, we will construct a number of water filter and water collection devices.

5. Food Procurement and Cooking Techniques will be covered. We will also show a fast and easy way of field dressing small game, and the class will get a chance to participate. This will also be your dinner Saturday night!

6. Fireside at night, we will talk a little about wilderness medicine and natural remedies for simple ailments. This is NOT a substitute for seeking Professional Medical Advice!

SUNDAY Sept 10th 0900 – 1500 hrs
1. We will return to the class room to talk a little more about survival psychology, and cover group dynamics in a survival environment. During this time, we will also cover natural disasters and being prepared for them.

2. How to dress for success. Being properly attired in the wilderness can make the difference between being comfortable, and being a corpse! We will also cover what “10 Essentials” we would want in our daypacks, or survival kits.

3. More fire practice! Each student will be timed. You have 5 minutes to collect materials and create a knee high fire! The Air Force calls this a “Man in the Water” drill. This is to simulate a partner (or even yourself) falling into a stream and being at risk for hypothermia.

4. Signaling for help using both primitive and modern methods. The class will prepare several ground signals used to signal Rescue Aircraft.

5. Clean up and debrief. We will also be presenting certificates, and class instructor evaluations.
 
akennedy73, I agree with you. At the ripe old age of 64, a lot of my survival level has to do with my comfort level. I KNOW I can survive at 20-30 degrees F, but do I want to? I know I can survive on peanut butter and sardines, but do I want to?
That's why in an earlier thread I suggested that people stock up on a variety of food that they will LIKE to eat...that's why I also have four different streams of heat in my house: fuel oil, propane, electric and wood...and if you want to count charcoal, that's a fifth. I can see three of them disappearing, but I can get by on the fourth and the fifth.
 
Rescue Mike, looks good from here.

My idea would be to have a "Guide" or "Coucilor' responsible for the group, but then have "experts" in various disciplines brought in to discuss specific sub-classes. The Guide or Councilor would be like the adminsitrator or "cruise director" , the actual instructors would be able to deal with teaching at a detailed level.


Coldwood, as far as bow -n- drill go, I agree, I hate those things!!
if there were a Super-expert-advanced class, then maybe teach it, but that would be for people dropped in the wilderness with nothig more than multi-tool or SAK.

Kevin, very good thought...have the courses lead right up through expert, then entry-level or assitant instructor, and on to full-fledged instructor, with mandatory credentials to reach that level. Certificates of achievement and tests to be passed, not just paper and pencil, but, a list of requirements, tasks that you must be able to perform, repeat, and do well at.

Only issue i see is that you would need a HUGE peice of wilderness, as debris huts take a lot of natural growth to assemble....you'd hate to run successive courses and turn the woods in to a meadow! :)
Also, if the school were running Beginner, Intemediate and Advanced, you'd want them steering clear of each other.

Good ideas guys.
 
I just want to register my vote for including friction fire making in your class.

I have had considerable experience lighting fires with traditional flint and steel (not a fire stick) and with a friction bow drill. I still play around successfully with these methods. As a result of my experience I try to make sure that I always carry matches in a waterproof bag and/or a Bic lighter or two. When the weather is rough, and when you are cold, miserable and uncomfortable it can be extremely difficult to light a friction fire. That is an important lesson in itself.

But this is a WILDERNESS SURVIVAL class. It is possible to survive in the wilderness if you are totally naked and have no gear. It is a lot easier to survive with gear, but I think a wilderness survival class should prepare people for the extremes.

So friction firelighting is an absolutely essential topic in my mind. The ability to light a fire with natural materials has been of primary importance to the human race. And besides, it has a mystique that many of your students will appreciate and remember long after the class is over.
 
Coote...I love your posts...no offence intended, but how often do you get totally naked with no gear...I know you're an ANZAC but jeesum crow, give us Yanks some slack :D
 
Skunk, I don't intend to get dropped anywhere with only a SAK. If you young guys want to play HALO parachute games that's fine with me...good luck :D Basically, I love reading this shit, I'm a computer survivalist and gun range marksman, putting together GHB's and hoping I don't have anything more serious to address than a flat tire. And call AAA. But this forum is very important to me for mental attitude for the next disaster that comes down the pike.
 
longbow50 said:
For a survival school situation for beginners, no more than 2 people per instructor and the learning portion should last 2 weeks. Method of teaching would be to illustrate what's needed and work as a team, then as a final, each student would be on their own during a week long exercise. Pre existing camp of sorts, but nothing fancy.

Segments would include, but not be limited to.

Primitive firecraft ................. teaching bowdrill, firedrill, friction, flint & steel, proper material selection and tinder selection, as well as how to construct a variety of different types of fires.

Cordage ......................... Proper material selection and processing for use. Then solid cordage making techniques for different uses.

Edged tool safety, maintenance and use ................

Making primitive tools ..................... throwing stick, digging stick, cutting tool, etc.

Trapping ................. the making of at least 3 different types of traps and triggers.

Primitive fishing .................... net making, fabricating wooden/bone hooks, fish spears and proper use. Then catch fish for supper.

Shelter .................. Picking proper location, materials, lean-2, debris and a more semi-permanent style of shelter.

Water ............... locating water, without seeing it. Proper technique for taking water from fast moving, slow moving, pond, lake, crevaces and how to make potable, whether by modern or primitive methods.

First aid .....................

Navigation ............... map reading, compass use, orienteering.
Click to expand...

Great thread!

Longbow you typed the words right out of mouth. One thing I would add is edible plants, roots, mushrooms, ect.... for the area you are in. I feel that is one of my weakest points regarding survival.
 
Coldwood said:
...but how often do you get totally naked with no gear...
Click to expand...

Been there, done that, made the hat and shirt. Wilderness survival, in the truest sense, is not about comfort. It is about the hard cold reality of self sufficiency and making do with what is at hand instead of grumbling because you miss the Winnebago's fridge and microwave. It is about maintaining 98.6. Wilderness survival is not a game. When faced with a real situation, it is for keeps. Either you have the skills and the positive attitude, backed up with knowledge and creativity, or you become ambient air temperature and feed the wildlife. Simple as that.

Codger
 
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