If you have done any reading up on survival, you have probably realized there is a lot of information to be learned. It can be overwhelming to think you need to read a hundred different books and articles in order to get the book knowledge needed to keep you alive after a disaster.
Book knowledge will only get you so far. Hands on training is always going to be better. Unfortunately, that is a little tough to do when you don’t have special equipment to simulate a real-life emergency.
Part of learning how to survive will be getting in the outdoors and getting a feel for what it is like to walk 20 miles carrying a pack or what it is like to give another human CPR.
Learning how to start a fire with two sticks looks simple enough on paper and the YouTube videos always show the person sitting next to a roaring fire a couple minutes after they started rubbing two sticks together. It isn’t that easy and if you head off into the wilderness with the assumption it is, you are going to be in a very tough situation.
You have to get the experience and the training in a controlled environment. This will set you up for success. Sure the sink or swim or trial by fire method can work, but it isn’t always effective. When your very life depends on you succeeding, it is best to have real training to fall back on rather than what you read in a book or saw on TV.
These are six places you can go to today to get real training that will stick with you.
1.Red Cross
The Red Cross regularly offers CPR courses in communities all across the country. In some cases, you may need to request a class be held. Others are held on a quarterly basis. The Red Cross offers a variety of classes that cover first aid, CPR and numerous others. If you are requesting an instructor offer a specific class, you will need to make sure enough people have signed up to meet the minimum attendance. The more people that sign up, the lower your fee will be to take the class. The fees are nominal and generally cost around a hundred dollars. You will get a certification card after successfully completing any of the classes.
2.C.E.R.T
A Certified Emergency Response Team is an excellent group you can request to get started in your hometown. This is an offshoot of FEMA. It is basically the citizens of a town or city getting together and training on how to deal with a variety of emergencies. The CERT teams are taught search and rescue techniques, first aid, preparedness techniques and how to deal with specific disasters.
Becoming a part of the team opens up opportunities to attend various training seminars. You will need to pay, but the training is very extensive and will give you a wealth of information to use should disaster strike in your neighborhood.
There are a handful of online tutorials that you can read through without charge. If you don’t have a local CERT in your area, contact your city hall or FEMA to learn how to get one started.
3.Local College
Your local community college will generally offer basic first aid courses. These are only offered once a quarter in most cases and they do tend to fill up fast. If you would like to get more extensive training, an EMT course is an excellent idea. Depending on where you live, you could become a certified EMT for less than $1500. This will give you an opportunity to earn money and hands-on training that will give you that experience you need to deal with a real disaster.
4.Scouts
A scout troop is a great way to get a lot of free training and real outdoors experience. There are a number of different groups that are always looking for leaders to volunteer their time. This will give you a chance to learn with others while developing some strong bonds with other people who will share your enthusiasm for learning how be more self-sufficient in the outdoors.
Some of the more in-depth classes that are put on by the Red Cross or other organizations may require a small fee. In most cases. The troop is offered a steep discount and the classes are less than $50 a person.
5.Volunteer Rescue
Small towns are always looking for volunteer firefighters and medics. In many cases, you can get the medical training for free. All you have to do is be willing to donate your time and be on call a couple of times a month. You will get the chance to live and breathe an emergency and learn from the experts who have been professionally trained.
You may need to put your name on a list for the next available spot, but most of the time, there is a shortage of volunteers willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice to help out in an emergency. This is a good thing for the prepper who wants to learn for free.
6.Outdoor School
Outdoor schools and survival schools will put you into the wilderness and give you that training you are so keen to get. You will learn a variety of survival skills as well as some first aid skills. These schools can be a little expensive, but they are usually worth the cost. You may go out for a weekend or sign up for a week-long expedition into the wild, learning to live off the land.
These are excellent for families to attend and learn to work together as a team. A quick online search will tell you what schools are available in your area. You may need to drive a couple of hours to attend the one of your choice, but it will be worth it.
