BASIC
Critical Conditions Survival Course
Length = 1 class day + 1 field day (no overnight)
Cost = $370.00 + tax
Max Participants = 12
Any prior experience or knowledge of survival is not necessary in order to take this course. The material introduced is designed to teach and challenge everyone.​​​
This is a weekend course with the training scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
There is no overnight component to this course so there is no sleeping outdoors.
Content
Emergency equipment and preparedness
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What to have, where to go, what to bring, what to do
Advanced stop-bleed skills
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Suturing, wound packing, clotting agents, tourniquets
Map / compass / GPS navigation
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Declination, resection, bypass, outdoor navigation course
Bushcraft skills
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Shelters, tools, fires, food, water, signals
Situational considerations
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Situational awareness, wartime dangers, how to be found
​Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN)
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Agent recognition, detection, protection, decontamination
Winter survival (seasonal)
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Equipment and clothing, snowshoes, cold injuries
What To Expect
Saturday, Classroom Day
Day 1 is composed of many important life-saving skills that are accompanied by power-point presentations. The power-point presentations are kept to a minimum.
The course starts off with emergency equipment and preparedness discussion on choosing your survival equipment, packing a go-bag, having a plan, developing mental resilience and the mindset that will empower you to survive whatever your situation.
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Situational factors is the second lecture of the day and includes important information such as; wartime dangers, gaining situational awareness, how to be found and if need-be, how to stay hidden.
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Right before lunch we cover advanced stop-bleed techniques which includes medical theory and many life-saving skills like wound packing an arterial bleed and using manufactured or improvised tourniquets.
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We generally take lunch for about 30 to 45 minutes.
After lunch we begin map and compass navigation lectures and exercises during which you will learn how to read different types of maps, how to read grid references and how to make your compass and your map work together. You will use these skills the following day in the field when walking the 12-point navigation course.
Last class of the day is the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) survival lecture that includes topics such as; CBRN equipment, types of exposure, and self-decontamination after exposure. The last practiced skill of the day is the donning / doffing and usage of a personal combat respirator.
​Sunday, Field Day
Day 2 starts off with demonstrations of some crafty navigation skills such as how to build a compass out of improvised materials and how to find north by many methods. We will then use the skills from day 1 to plan the cross-country navigation course that is 7 kilometres long and takes 3 hours to walk. During this course you will learn many navigation skills including how to find your location on a map if you are lost and how to navigate in dense brush.
Along the way of the navigation course we will stop at a stagnant water pond to discuss and demonstrate various types of water treatment methods and gear that is used to process and decontaminate dirty water for drinking.
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About 3/4 of the way through the navigation course we will take a lunch break for which everyone will be given a military-style field ration to enjoy.
Upon completion of the navigation unit we will continue with the last portion of the day which is bushcraft. This unit takes about 2 hours to complete and includes displays and explanations of shelters, field tools, ground to air signals, snares and fire-starting practice by many methods.
Equipment
Classroom day: Besides lunch money there is no need to bring anything. Reference materials, pens and notepads will all be provided.
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Field day: The following items are required by everyone attending day 2 of the course;
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Regular sized daypack or backpack.
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Insect repellant and sun screen as needed.
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Clothing layers for the forecasted weather conditions.
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Raincoat or a rain-poncho regardless of the forecasted weather.
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Water bladder or a water bottle or thermos that holds at least 1 litre of water.
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Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are also recommended for the field.
All other Items that are required to complete any of the skills will be supplied. This includes field tools, tarps, cordage, fire-starting materials and other consumables.
Details
Classroom day meals: all meals will be the responsibility of the participant. King's University building has it's own cafeteria with hot food options along with many fast-food locations close by.
Field day meals: During the field portion of the course, military-type field ration meals including high-calorie survival snacks will be supplied to everyone. We will bring and talk about different types of survival foods in class so that everyone is aware what they will be given to eat in the field.
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Restrooms: During the classroom day full restroom amenities will be available. During the time spent in the field, at a minimum there will be access to a porta-potty.
Physical health: Please appreciate that the navigation confirmation course on day 2 is a total of 7km long, it winds through uneven ground in hilly terrain and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.
Times / Locations
Day 1 - 8:00am to 6:00pm
King's University
main building
9125 50 St, Edmonton AB
​​​​​​Getting here: The google maps links to both of these locations can also be found in the footer section at the very bottom of this webpage.
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If you are traveling and require lodging, the Edmonton Hotel and Convention Centre is the closest option to King's University. The hotel website link can be found here.​​
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Roads: On day 1 be aware of extensive road construction around the King's University area.
On day 2, the road to Cooking Lake Provincial Rec Area is paved all the way up to the the park gate. The short gravel road leading from the gate to the parking lot is suitable for all vehicles.
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Parking: There is plenty of secure parking for everyone at both locations on day 1 and day 2.