Everyone Benefits From Survival Training

Bivouacking in the Back Country

Everyone benefits from survival training even the most experienced adventurer.  There are countless stories in adventure magazines about the most normal “adrenalin junkie” out there: hiker, skier, mountaineer, adventurer racer, mountain biker, white water kayaker, to name a few.

Each individual has tremendous courage, ability and independence, but not all the answers.  When we think about our own skills, we are usually in a warm environment, with all our necessities met, an easy place to make decisions about survival.

We exude confidence when we strike out on the trail knowing we have extra provisions, navigational equipment etc.  Then before we know it, the GPS does not have a signal, the map disintegrated because it is out of the waterproof container, SPOT isn’t working, the batteries are run down, and the many thousands of other possible scenarios you do not think about while sipping your morning coffee and planning a great outing.

Mistakes culminate when you are tired, hungry, cold, frustrated, angry, and afraid.  No matter how well educated you become in the art of survival there is always more to learn about the places you travel and the way you travel in them.

Do you jump that deep, fast moving creek you barely made it across on your way up the trail, now you are tired and hungry because you forgot that sandwich in the cooler along with the extra bottle of water and you are tired and frustrated?  You made it the first time right….  These are stories we hear all the time, but how often do we make the same mistake even when we know better, we often “overdrive our headlights” when we think we know best.  ‘

Now many states are charging for Search and Rescue activities and the bill is all yours especially if found negligent concerning the surroundings you are lost in.  There are survival experts, because people make poor choices.  Take advantage of their expertise before the bill arrives; it will be a lot cheaper, whether it is a rescue or a funeral.

Adult Survival and Extreme Adventure Courses, with Mark Wienert.