Surviver February 28, 2009

This weekend I done my 24 hour Winter Wilderness Survival Training. The training is designed to give us an understanding of what it is like to be alone in the woods over night. To give us the confidence we need to know we can survive with very little. This puts us in a better frame of mind if we find a victim in the wilderness and for what ever reason can not get out right away. Theres always the possibility we would become lost while performing a search. Searchers are secondary to a primary search if they get lost. This training ensures we can survive longer than the average person.



So, at 430 am Saturday I left home for Denny's where five of us who are training ate breakfast together. We then drove to the SAR compound where we got into a van and were driven to out locations. Each of us were allowed to carry water proof matches, a knife, and toilet paper. For safety reasons water is supplied to the trainees every 3 hours if they need it. We each get an approximately 100 yd circle to operate in. We must build and maintain a fire throughout the night. We must also build a shelter capable of protecting yourself from wet weather. You must also be able to sit up in the shelter.

I had been so excited about doing this that I barely slept the two nights previous to going to this training. I wasn't alone in my excitement though. Others I spoke to felt the same.

Check out the 3"x12"s I found. I only used them as the floor though.
















Shelter with pine branches.
















Inside Shelter














Of course the fire. I had a pretty nice pit built.





















The dog Unit brought me a gift around 11pm. It was a stuffed bear with all their names on it. They didn't want me being afraid and alone.

The experience was good. I learned alot and hope I never have to do that again. If I go out, I'm carrying a backpack with food and warmth in it.