What should you consider when choosing between wilderness and urban?

Environment and Location

When selecting a survival training course, consider the environment and location where you’ll be applying the skills you learn. If you spend most of your time in the wilderness, such as hiking or hunting, wilderness survival training is a better choice. This type of training typically focuses on skills like building shelters, starting fires, and navigating using a map and compass. A week-long wilderness survival course can provide comprehensive training in these areas, with 20-30 hours of instruction and hands-on practice.

Skills and Training Duration

Urban survival training, on the other hand, focuses on skills like finding food in an urban setting, navigating using public transportation, and creating makeshift tools. A weekend urban survival course may be sufficient for those who only need to learn basic skills, but week-long courses can provide more in-depth training. Look for courses that include specific techniques, such as finding edible plants in an urban environment (10-15 species) or creating a makeshift water filter using everyday materials.

Instructor Experience and Certification

Regardless of the type of survival training you choose, ensure that the instructor has extensive experience in the subject area and is certified by a reputable organization, such as the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) or the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program. This ensures that you receive high-quality instruction and training that meets industry standards. Also, check the instructor-to-student ratio, as a lower ratio typically allows for more personalized attention and instruction.