Overview
This is for you if: You want to develop a more comprehensive foundation and greater proficiency in wilderness survival skills over two days.
Despite our best efforts we may find ourselves lost or injured in the backcountry where help or rescue is not immediately available and all we have to rely on is our wits, training and attitude to make it through safely. This comprehensive and fun two-day course goes into greater detail on the essential concepts of wilderness survival that will help you stack the odds in your favor including preparation, prevention, attitude, shelter, firecraft, craftmanship, water procurement, knot tying, aidless navigation and rescue signaling. Most survival situations resolve within the first 72 hours so, in this course, our focus is on providing practical, real-world skills to use if lost or injured in a wilderness setting to help you find your way to safety by self-rescue or rescue by others. Our two-day class provides participants with significantly more time than our one-day class to practice and gain proficiency in hands-on skills such as shelter building, knots, knife use and fire making.
Our survival classes are held in the Cherokee National Forest and Appalachian Highlands of Northeast Tennessee, with primary locations in the Erwin and Hampton areas. Upon meeting our group, we will make the easy short hike to camp (less than ~1/4 mile) and embark on a fun-filled, empowering and memorable experience. Lead instructor is NOLI founder and former Ranger-qualified Army officer Scott Fisher who has been teaching wilderness skills for over 30 years. All equipment provided. Suitable both for those with and without experience. Minimum age is 10. Specific meeting location varies by class but all sites are within 30 minutes of Johnson City. Participants come away with their own bow drill fire making kit that they will have created during class.
Custom survival classes tailored to companies, groups, families and friends also available upon request.
Highlights
Highlights:
- 2 days of hands-on survival training that is comprehensive, professional and fun
- Exposure to the 7 Priorities of Survival, including shelter-building, firecraft, water procurement and more
- Greater opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will enrich your outdoor experience and help keep you safe
- A supportive learning environment
- Participants leave with a bow drill fire making kit they will have created
Location
Northeast Tennessee multiple locations
What to Expect
- Go into detail on the causes of survival situations and ways we can prevent them
- Identify what we need to survive
- Review suggested items to carry when heading to the backcountry or your local trail
- Learn and go into greater detail on the 7 Priorities of Survival
- Gain proficiency in survival skills such as shelter building, knot tying, knife use, fire making, signaling, water procurement and aidless navigation
Prerequisites
- Age 10+
- Good overall health and fitness
- Able to walk across a shallow creek using a handline for support
- Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature
Includes
- 2 days (16 hours) of wilderness survival training
- All equipment including knives, fire starting tools, shelter material, cordage, etc
What to Bring
Hiking shoes or other closed toe footwear with good tread, towel, clothing appropriate for extended periods outside, rain jacket (weather dependent), drinking water or sports drink, bagged lunch, day pack (optional, may be helpful in carrying personal items to camp), camping gear (if you chose to camp onsite)
Meeting Location
Meeting location and directions will be sent out separately.
Additional Information
Food and lodging are the responsibility of participants. If class is held in the Erwin area, camping and lodging is available onsite at USA Raft. There is also a Hotel 8 close by in Erwin with more hotel options in Johnson City. If class is held in the Hampton area, rustic lodging and camping are available nearby at Boots Off Hostel and Cardens Bluff Campground. There are also a number of hotels in Elizabethton, roughly 15 -20 minutes away.
Participants also have the option to camp onsite at no additional cost. Keep in mind these are primitive sites with no bathrooms, running water or other amenities.
Testimonials
"What a great class! I found Scott to be very thorough and willing to fully explain, demonstrate and review anything we questioned. His knowledge on wilderness survival was very evident and he has excellent teaching skills to pass that knowledge to the students. I left the class feeling more empowered and with information and skills that will definitely help if I am ever faced with a wilderness survival situation. I strongly recommend this class for anyone who hikes alone or leads hikes. I hope to never have to use these skills, but knowledge is power. I look forward to taking more classes with Scott and his team."
~ Cindy C.