The barrenness of the desert offers a beauty that most people must learn to appreciate. It is often thought of as a no-man’s land – without beauty of any kind. Ruthless? Absolutely! If you do the wrong thing, it could cost you dearly. But that is true of all survival environments when the conditions are severe. A wasteland? Far from it! We simply need to learn how to adapt to our surroundings, whatever they may be. And the desert provides plenty of life’s basic needs. It’s a matter of learning where to find them and how to utilize them. The following courses will help you become more comfortable in this rugged environment. This course will dramatically change your view of the desert.


Desert Survival Seminar: 6:30pm-9:30pm
This informative seminar will briefly discuss how to cope with several vital lifesaving concerns.
Content of training:
Establishing priorities in a desert emergency.
Shelter methods – an overview.
Fire skills – an overview.
Water procurement and disinfection.
When and when not to travel.
Rescue signaling methods.
Clothing and equipment needs.
Hyperthermia: prevention, recognition, and treatment.
Desert wildlife – an overview.
Prerequisite - None.

Standard Desert Survival:  2 days/1 night
This is the first in a series of field courses that will take place in eastern Oregon and will provide you with vital hands-on training.
Content of training:
Shelter construction: Lean-to’s and wickiups for desert locations.
Natural insulation for bedding.
Cooking method: spit cooking and hot coals.
Fire maintenance and fuel types for desert settings.
Water procurement, filtering, and disinfection: springs, sink holes, natural water catches, dew, vegetation, and solar stills.
Bites and stings: prevention and treatment of snakebites, scorpion stings, etc.
Prerequisite - None.

Intermediate Desert Survival: 2 days/1 night
Content of training:
Review of Standard Training.
Shelter construction: Hot coal bed and chimney draft bed.
Fire skills.
Edible plants.
Cooking method: rock frying.
Reptiles: How to hunt, catch, and prepare them for food.
Navigation: Determining direction with the sun and stars.
How to stay on course in a "featureless" environment.
GPS – an overview of the benefits in desert regions.
Prerequisite - Standard Desert Survival.

Advanced Desert Survival: 2 days/1 night
Content of training:
Review of Standard-Intermediate Training.
Shelter construction: Sweat lodge.
Cooking method: baking in rock ovens.
Flash floods: planning ahead.
When and when not to hike – timing is everything.
Night navigation.
Prerequisite - Intermediate Desert Survival.

Comprehensive Desert Survival: 6 days/5 nights
Content of training:
The same as the Standard – Advanced Desert Survival Courses. Benefits of this format – two additional nights in the field. This course takes place in the deserts of eastern Oregon or Arizona.
Prerequisite - None.

Instructor Certification Training: Field Training - 7 days/6 nights
Content of training:
Consider this course a vital prerequisite for a career that involves desert environments. The training covers the content of the Comprehensive Desert Survival, yet also provides a format for every participant to instruct others in the group on a rotating basis. Strengths of this event – extensive hands-on training, instructional experience and virtually nonstop learning experiences. Participants become certified in this specialty only after successfully completing and teaching all aspects of the training.
Prerequisite - Comprehensive Desert Survival or equivalent from NWSOS.