Wilderness survival seminar at Boreal Wilderness Institute

The Wilderness Survival Core Seminar (WSCS) is a well-researched introduction to modern wilderness survival and forms the basis of the Boreal Wilderness Institute's entire survival program. This course will provide the knowledge and confidence you need to take the next step in your survival training.

The WSCS provides contemporary information on the concepts you need in order to live comfortably in the Canadian wilderness both in winter and summer. This highly practical seminar provides excellent knowledge for anyone hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, mountain biking, quad biking, snowmobiling, or paddling who wishes to travel into the wilderness with an added degree of safely.

Wilderness Survival Core Seminar Section Topics

1. Introduction to Survival

2. Survival Physiology

3. Survival Psychology

4. Clothing and Sleeping Bags

5. Fire Lighting

6. Shelter Building

7. Emergency Signals

8. Survival Equipment

9. Preparing to Survive (including survival kits vs critical items and 15 critical survival items)

10. Learning from Others

The course aims to cover the main principles of Wilderness Survival and introduce Modern Wilderness Survival for all temperate regions. You’ll also learn some useful mitigative survival techniques. The course emphasizes techniques applicable in Western and Northern Canada, but will teach you fundamental skills you can apply anywhere in the world.

We also cover how you can mentally prepare to survive in the wilderness alone or with a group. Techniques will be discussed in the context of case studies of real life survival episodes, demonstrating the importance of the skills discussed.

Each seminar will be highlighted with equipment displays, a fire lighting demonstration and practical solutions for what to do if you are accidentally stranded in the wilderness. An extensive reading list is provided, alongside a thorough seminar manual to take home with you, summarizing all the knowledge you’ll gain on the course.

The wilderness survival core seminar directly informs our next step course, the wilderness survival winter or summer field sessions.

The Boreal Wilderness Institute strives to give clients the best modern wilderness survival and wilderness navigation instruction available. We hope you find that our courses and treks are what you have been looking for in quality outdoor education.

The Boreal Wilderness Institute has been dedicated since its founding in September of 1994 to providing the best quality wilderness instruction and guiding available. Our Goal is to provide expert instruction in modern wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, winter and summer wilderness travel, wilderness leadership, and instruction. We have and will continue to be a resource in the field through ongoing research, teaching, and practice.

The Boreal Wilderness Institute strives in its wilderness programs to create and sustain within each of its clients the undefeatable spirit which comes from successful wilderness travel. BWI offers a variety of courses and seminars throughout Western and Northern Canada. Join us for a real outdoor education.

Chief Instructor Bio: Bruce Zawalsky

Bruce has over 15 years experience working full time as a Professional Wilderness Survival Instructor. He is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, guiding his first group in the mountains in 1981. Since then he has developed his skills in leading groups and team building at the University of Alberta, Augustana University College, PADI College, the Nordic Ski Institute, and through his military experience. He has studied with Mors Kochanski and developed his teaching skills through years of instruction and practice. This allows him to pass on his great wealth of knowledge of modern wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, and wilderness travel. Bruce is presently writing a book on modern wilderness survival (The Canadian Wilderness Survival Manual) and is also our Custom Corporate & Group Training Specialist.

“The critical difference between a cold wet group who sets up camp and

a group that decides to push on is the former have already made the decision to survive

and the latter is heading into a potentially critical survival situation.”

“I know that given knowledge and the time to practice in a positive environment,

everyone can master outdoor skills and enjoy successful wilderness travel.”