Wilderness Survival

Explain the most likely wilderness hazards and demonstrate first aid and prevention for common backcountry injuries and illnesses.

From memory, list and explain the seven priorities for wilderness survival.

Explain techniques for avoiding panic and maintaining morale when lost, and why this directly affects survival outcomes.

Describe survival strategies for multiple exposure environments: cold/snowy, wet, hot/dry, windy, and aquatic settings.

Assemble a personal survival kit and explain the purpose of each item.

Using three different non-match methods, build and light three controlled fires suitable for survival use.

• Prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel correctly
• Demonstrate spark-based, friction-based, and lens or battery-based ignition
• Maintain fire control and extinguish safely

Demonstrate signaling skills for rescue, including attention methods, signal mirror use, and ground-to-air signals.

• Demonstrate five attention-getting methods
• Use a signal mirror correctly on a target
• Recite and explain five ground-to-air signals

Improvise a low-impact natural shelter and spend one night in it under approved supervision.

• Select a safe site considering drainage and wind
• Construct shelter using minimal-impact techniques
• Maintain body heat and dryness overnight
• Leave the site restored

Demonstrate three methods for treating water collected in the outdoors for safe drinking.

• Boiling
• Chemical treatment
• Filtration or UV treatment

Demonstrate proper clothing selection for extreme heat, cold, and wet conditions, and explain why each choice matters.

Explain how respect for life, restraint, and humility guide decisions in a survival situation, including why eating wild plants or animals is usually unwise.