Prepare to Survive This Winter

HEALTH PROMOTION -Prepare to Survive This Winter

It was a dark and cold winter night when Heather Thomas became isolated in the woods without even a fire to keep her warm. Fortunately, she was not lost or injured; she was participating in an Outdoor Survival course. And it was her choice not to build a fire.

"The course is about challenging yourself and so I decided not to build a fire to take that challenge even further," said Ms. Thomas. "Sometime I could find myself in the outdoors and be unable to build one, so I wanted to see what that would be like, while being in a safe environment."

The Outdoor Survival course Ms. Thomas took is part of the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program (NSOLD). Developed in 1979, NSOLD is managed by volunteers and supported by the Office of Health Promotion's sport and recreation division.

Nova Scotia winters bring snow, wind and cold but also mean adventure and sport for many. For the lost, injured or unprepared, the combination can be deadly. Anyone who takes part in outdoor recreation or who drives in the winter needs to be aware of the dangers and the risks.

Dave Comeau is an NSOLD instructor and leads the Outdoor Survival course. He offers a few tips for winter safety:

• Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive, whether driving, hiking or snowmobiling. Survival is more difficult when people aren't looking for you.
• Plan for the eventuality consider what could happen. Most people who find themselves in fatal survival situations have not considered that the situation could occur.
• Prepare a survival kit. It should be something small that you will always carry in your car or your backpack. Items could include: plastic (such as a garbage bag or tarp), twine, energy bars, a fire starter, and something to make a hot drink (such as small can for heating snow over your fire).

"This province is a true gift. Even if you live in the city you can drive 20 minutes and be in the woods," said Mr. Comeau. "Nova Scotia is an outdoor paradise but it can be fatal if you're not prepared and aware of the risks."

Two Outdoor Survival courses are offered this winter:

• Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 1 at Antigonish East High School in Tracadie. The cost is $50. For more information contact Cecil Cashin at 902-358-2584.
• Friday, Feb. 6 to Sunday Feb. 8 at Camp Kidston in Middle Musquodoboit. The cost is $65 ($55 for students). For more information contact Dave Comeau at 902-465-3888 extension 137.

"The course allows people to test their survival skills in a non- threatening way. It teaches you what you're capable of. It's about dealing with discomfort like being cold and hungry," said Mr. Comeau. "If you're on the land in the winter, you need to know how to survive."

Courses are offered throughout the year in locations across the province. The course leaders are Nova Scotians who are field experts with international training and experience. Courses range from Wilderness Navigation to Women's Outdoor Leadership.

Ms. Thomas has taken many of the NSOLD courses and is returning to the Outdoor Survival course this year, but as an intern.

"I absolutely love taking these courses and now I can give back what I learned and learn from other participants too," she said. "I want to be a part of sharing the knowledge that could save someone's life."

For a listing of other NSOLD courses, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/src/nsold .