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AOC Survival Series: Introduction to Survival Skills




The Basics:
Event Type:Learn
Event Location: Nimblewill Gap Rd, Chattahoochee National Forest   Learn: AOC Survival Series:  Introduction to Survival Skills  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 17 2018  9:00 am >> Sun, Mar 18 2018 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Mar 7 2018 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Mar 23 2018 7:30 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Todd M
Mark
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Ever wonder what you would do if you were lost, injured, or for whatever reason "stuck in the woods" and had to spend (survive) the night when you had not intended to do so?

Join us for a educational and fun survival skills training session. The focus of the event will be to learn and practice survival skills necessary for an overnight "lost hiker" scenario (and how to survive for 72 hours) - while at the same time have a great time camping out. We will be camping at established (primitive) camp sites on the Chattahoochee National Forest. You can spend the night in a survival shelter you will build, or in your tent - the choice is yours based on how realistic you would like it to be.  The more hands on you are the more you will get out of this. Either way it will be similar to pioneer camping in that your car will be parked close by and if you wish you can bring all the creature comforts you typically would on a car camping trip.

Day 1: Starting around 10am the essential topics will be covered (priorities, shelter, fire, water), with time for foraging for materials, building shelters, and starting fires, etc. We will also need to gather/process fire wood. We will discuss and demonstrate various shelter types, as well as methods to start/build fires.  We can then enjoy the evening sharing knowledge or survival stories, and socializing around the campfire.

Day 2: we will cover additional topics as time permits.


Primary Topics:

  • *  Survival Priorities (Rule of 3's)
  • * Shelter (5 W's of site selection)
  • *  Fire
  • *  Water procurement/purification
  • *  Daypack essentials (5 C's)

 

Addtional potential topics:

  • *  Signalling for rescue
  • *  Navigation/orienteering
  • *  Survival gear/emergency kits (10 C's)
  • *  Important knots
  • *  Wild edibles
  • *  Primitive fire techniques
  • *  Smart phones as survival tools

 

Keep in mind that we must follow the rules of the National Forest. As such, we will limit our activities to comply with these rules - such as not cutting live trees. See 'additional notes' for link to National Forest rules.

It is recommended to do some reading on survival topics which interest you prior to the event (see 'additional notes' for links).
Some materials will be provided, however you should bring items you wish to utilize for skills you wish to practice. See "Recommended items to bring."

Feel free to contact trip leaders with any questions on gear prior to the event.

Keep in mind that the trip leaders are not 'certified' survival instructors, but have lots of experience and knowledge they wish to share.

The forest service road is dirt and gravel, and is passable in a standard car.

There is very limited/no cellular reception at this location.


Required Items to Bring:

 

  • *  Food - 1 lunch, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and whatever necessary to cook/prepare your food.
  • *  Water and water purification device
  • *  Tent / Sleeping bag / ground pad
  • *  Flashlight / headlamp
  • *  Rain gear
  • *  Appropriate clothing for worst case weather (think layers, no cotton)
  • *  Day pack with your survival items
    • Sturdy knife (recommend a fixed blade with a comfortable handle)
    • Cover (tarp, poncho, trash bags, etc)
    • Fire lighting devices
    • Container for water
    • Cordage (to set up a ridgeline for a tarp shelter, and other uses)
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

- topo map/compass/gps
- duct tape
- space blankets
- cotton bandanas
- signalling device (such as a mirror)
- protective gloves
- camp chair or mat
- water shoes for foraging in the stream
- stove/cooking utensils
- toilet paper and trowel for digging a hole for waste disposal (no rest rooms near by)
- large tarp in case of rain
- saw for firewood processing
- pen/pencil & note pad


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From Mansell Park & Ride:
Get on GA-400 N/US-19 N
Turn left onto GA-136 W/Harmony Church Rd/State Route 9 E
Continue to follow GA-136 W
11.9 mi
Turn right onto Bailey Waters Rd
3.6 mi
Turn right onto GA-52 E
2.9 mi
Slight left onto Nimblewill Church Rd
1.2 mi
Turn left onto Nimblewill Gap Rd (near the church)
3.1 mi

Camp sites will be along the stretch of gravel road next to the stream 1.9 miles after the pavement ends. Watch out for a slight drop off where the pavement ends.  Look for the 'AOC' sign

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):110Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $44.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

Other info:
http://www.wilderness-survival- skills.com
http://www.wilderness-survival.net
http://www.zulusurvival.com/courses/survival- course-introduction/survival-priorities/
http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Survival.htm
(this site has a link to download the US Army Survival Field Manual from which much of the site's content was taken)

National Forest Rules: Click here


There are no restroom facilities, so it will be necessary to bring equipment for proper waste disposal.  There is a creek near the camping area for water.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

If severe weather is predicted this event may be cancelled