Training for a survival experience involves acquiring essential skills and confronting both physical and mental challenges. Some may believe survival is a game for the lazy. However, the Field Survival class demonstrates that it is a test of intelligence and resourcefulness. Randall’s Adventure & Training is undoubtedly a leader in providing top-tier survival training.

What is Field Survival Training?

As a cadre member of this class several times, I can say firsthand that it is an intense three-day program taught in Gallant, Alabama. This training is designed to push participants to their limits and beyond. Unlike traditional bushcraft or introductory survival classes, this immersive experience is about testing your skills in a challenging field setting.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn essential survival techniques such as proper knife use, fire building, shelter construction, game preparation, and day and night land navigation. To simulate a 72-hour survival scenario, be prepared for significant stressors. This includes hunger, physical exertion, thirst, lack of gear, personal discomfort, and sleep deprivation.

As you conquer assigned tasks, you’ll earn sustenance and equipment to enhance your chances of survival. Food and equipment are provided, but cell phones, watches, and electronic devices are prohibited.

This class is no walk in the park—be prepared to demonstrate your physical fitness with a PT exam. To continue in the class, you must complete a 1.5-mile run in less than 15 minutes and a minimum of 25 push-ups and sit-ups in one minute.

Those who can’t meet the physical fitness requirements will not be allowed to continue and will forfeit their tuition. On completion of the class, you’ll receive a class knife to commemorate your achievement.

Check this class out for an exhilarating and challenging experience. But be warned, this class is not for the faint of heart!

Survival Training Gear Requirements:

• Fixed blade knife with sheath
• Ferrocerium rod
• Clothing appropriate for the season (expect rain—you will be wet and cold during this course)
• Hiking boots (broken in)
• Water container (no hydration packs)
• Cap or bandana
• Mirrored baseplate compass
• Pace count beads (optional)

No other personal gear—including watches, cameras, or phones—is allowed during the course.

The most essential piece of gear is a positive mental attitude and the ability to keep moving forward regardless of the misery. You will not make it through this course if you do not possess a good “can-do” attitude.

Physical Training (PT) Time

It’s vital to be physically prepared and have basic survival skills. Being stranded in a vehicle, swimming to shore, climbing a mountain, or spending a long night in the bush can be very physically demanding. The PT section was designed to simulate this type of exhaustion and help people prepare for it.

During the first part of the class, the students were each given an egg to take care of. If the egg broke, they would have to pay with extra physical training. Hydration and team dynamics were emphasized. Physical activities included carrying a life-size dummy and a pole-carrying exercise. PT was given for minor infractions or when the instructor wanted to engage with them.

Egg Check

The students underwent regular egg checks to determine breakage, and PT was allocated accordingly. Students returned to the classroom for PowerPoint and navigation training.

With no snack break, they pushed forward to the next activities. This includes a navigation course to familiarize themselves with the map and compass before moving on to the shelter, knife, and fire skills camp.

Jab-Cross Survival

The focus is on down-and-dirty, bare-bones survival skills that can help a person get through almost any situation. The class covers the very basics of knife safety and proper use, shelter construction and material selection, fire-building techniques, primitive spears, and traps.

Anything beyond that was not included in the class. The basics are the most essential part of survival skills. They come back to us whenever we are exhausted or experience the ‘fight or flight’ reflex.

Navigation

The navigation course was meticulously planned to guide the groups around the training property. Leaders and pace counters switched roles to ensure that everyone gained a comprehensive understanding of each responsibility. It’s worth noting that in past sessions, completing this task has taken certain groups more than 10 hours.

Establishing a Survival Camp

After the teams were prepared to begin, they were given 5-gallon water jugs to collect their water supply. Then, they were given coordinates to establish a camp, construct a shelter, and light a fire. They had to utilize their tools, wood from the forest, and their ingenuity to find a way to do so.

Training and skills persisted well into the night. This signified the conclusion of day one, but the commencement of additional physically demanding activities and skills continued.

In the quiet predawn hours, the students were handed a set of coordinates that led them deep into the woods. Their mission was to gather specific materials along the way and ultimately reach a 55-gallon metal drum brimming with water.

Their challenge? To ingeniously engineer a method of transporting the heavy drum back to the classroom using only two metal poles, some rope, and a tire. The process unfolded slowly, filled with intricate and meticulous actions. It was a mesmerizing sight as the students labored together, their collective brainpower driving the entire endeavor.

The Last Mile

Throughout the day, students will focus on learning basic camp skills, signaling techniques, and preparing live animals for food. They will also receive a quick lesson in sewing to make a lock-stitch. After that, they will be required to make shoes using canvas, foam, cordage, and a needle. Once completed, they will be given new coordinates to build a new camp from scratch.

They will be woken up at 2 a.m. for another mission. This mission involves simulating a scenario of a downed airplane in a pond. During this, they have to make a fire and transport an injured member across the pond without falling in.

Lastly, they will be tasked with building a bridge across a pond using supplied materials and safely crossing it. This challenging day will test their teamwork and leadership skills.

If You Take Wilderness Survival Seriously, Take this Training

It is worth considering taking the Randall’s Adventure & Training Field Survival class. It will test and improve your survival skills in a challenging field setting. The class provides rigorous training in essential survival techniques, including knife use, fire building, shelter construction, and land navigation, emphasizing team dynamics and hydration.

For more information, please visit RandallsAdventure.com.