Basic Wilderness Survival

Basic Wilderness Survival gives you the skills and confidence to respond effectively to emergencies in remote or challenging environments. Based on the same proven principles taught in U.S. military survival schools, this course emphasizes preparedness, adaptability, and practical improvisation. You’ll also learn to make sound decisions using the Seven Priorities of survival.

Training is active and hands-on from the start. After a short hike to our base camp, you’ll dive into essential skills—from tying knots and building emergency shelters to starting a fire in even the worst weather. Most importantly, you'll learn how to combine them so that you can play an active role in your rescue and return home with pride within 72 hours.

This course is open to participants of all skill levels, outdoor activities, and backgrounds so no prerequisites are required. Each class is routinely attended by a mix of folks, from novices to outdoor enthusiasts. Regardless, they all share the desire to learn an invaluable skill.

You'll learn from highly skilled instructors who also regularly train members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. We have years of experience working with folks of all backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles.

Highlights

You’ll get the best of military survival training without the hardships! You will sleep in your own tent using a sleeping bag. You can bring plenty of food and snacks. You can cook using your stove, or, if you are feeling adventurous, learn to cook over open coals with your instructor. After all, we understand the importance of learning while doing, and having some fun in the process.

Here are some of the topics that you'll cover:

• Learn a proven approach to assessing and responding to an emergency in the outdoors
• Learn key skills in a hands-on way with emphasis on shelter construction, fire-craft, procuring potable water, and signaling
• Learn a mix of backcountry camping skills so that you feel more comfortable and confident in the outdoors

Related

The physical difficulty of this course is Moderate. This course involves some hiking while wearing a backpack (to carry your food and gear), walking, and other activities over short distances at a steady pace over varying terrain that may include off-trail sections, rough spots, unexpected obstacles, and low to steep inclines and declines. This course is conducted in varying weather conditions, including hot, cold, humid, rain, wind, and snow, or a mixed combination. This course is suited for those in generally good physical condition and ready for an active day.

This course is run as two day sessions with an overnight. It begins at 9:00 a.m. on Day I and concludes by 1:00 p.m. on Day II.

Once you book a slot, then one of our staff will follow up personally with an email. It will include three short forms for you to complete and return to us. We will also send you the course information sheet, which will contain all of the details that you will need to prepare and arrive (like required and optional gear; exact rally point; general driving directions; and overnight recommendations).

This course is often run as a private one to better meet the specific needs and schedule of our clients. Please contact Erik to learn more (412.913.6000 or erik@exploretruenorth.com).

We typically reply to emails and telephone calls within 1-2 hours. Please note, however, that it may be as long as 24 hours if we are away teaching.

Children 15-17 years old are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. In our private courses, there is no set age requirement as it depends on the specific group’s needs and goals.