California Wilderness Survival Training

In a 2005 news article, the San Francisco Chronicle detailed outdoor survival situations that could be encountered in California's varying regions. From earthquakes in the Bay area and Delta Region, to summer forest fires and winter snow storms in the mountains, to volcanoes, deserts, coastal landslides and earthquakes, there are diverse situations justifying the need for survival skills in California. Fortunately, there are many training programs that match that need.

  1. Benefits

    • The book "Wilderness Survival" notes that survival need not be a struggle, mentioning moving with the flow of the landscape rather than against it, thus making efficient and directed efforts. Beyond the obvious benefit of surviving, understanding California's different landscapes from wilderness survival training can even make a survival situation more like an enjoyable camping experience.

    Mountain

    • Renowned author John Muir said in his book, "The Mountains of California," that wherever you go in California there are mountains not far off. Understanding the wilderness of these mountains is essential for survival. The organization Wilderness Medicine offers survival courses in the Mt. Shasta and Marble Mountains wilderness areas which include teaching whitewater rafting, orienteering, mountaineering and medical skills.

    Desert

    • The high temperatures and low humidity of California deserts pose a real challenge to survival. Adventure Out is an organization teaching desert survival skills in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in southern California, taking students out for learning ancient and indigenous skills such as building fires, making stone tools and water/food collection and preparation.

    General

    • In addition to geography-specific wilderness training already mentioned, there are other programs in California that offer a broader training curriculum. One of these is Lifesong Wilderness Adventures, which teaches classes in northern California. This school has been a consultant for Bear Grylls of the Discovery Channel program, "Man vs. Wild."

    Costs

    • Costs for survival training in California vary, often depending on the length of the course. The week-long course offered by Wilderness Medicine can be between $1,600 and $2,300, depending on the extent of training. The four-day desert trip offered by Adventure Out is between $400 and $800.

    Considerations

    • Generally, no experience is required for survival training courses, with the occasional exception. For example, Lifesong Wilderness Adventures has a program called The Edge, which requires a medical release form filled out and signed by a qualified and licensed health care provider. Additionally, since the majority of training in California transpires at higher elevations and in different seasons, it's advised to check specific weather conditions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for better preparation.