The knife is arguably your most important survival tool, second only to your brain. It can do many of the tasks of an axe or saw and is more portable, but most importantly, it is used to make fire . . . and in a survival situation, fire can keep you alive!

Join Bushcraft and Wilderness Survival Instructor, Russ Meades, for a full day of learning about this essential tool.

• Learn how to choose a knife and how to perform its many uses safely, from making tinder and kindling for fires, to crafting triggers for traps, and from carving simple items like tent pegs for your shelter, to creating more elaborate useful projects for your camp or survival location.

• Learn how to use it to strike a very hot spark, even in wet conditions. Learn how to de-limb them and cut down saplings, and then de-bark them swiftly and safely.

• Learn to use the knife to build a viable shelter as well as to forage for and prepare food. And learn how to modify your knife for specific uses and how to sharpen and maintain your knife so it is always in top condition.

The course will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 1st, pausing for a quick lunch.

Everything you need for this course will be provided, including knives and other gear. 

Note: All ATA Bushcraft and Survival courses are self-catering, which is viewed as part of the routine and discipline of wilderness living.

• For one-day courses, please bring lunch with you, as well as plenty of fluids.

• For two-day courses and above, bring sufficient food/meals for the duration, plus snacks and drinks.

• Breakfast and supper should be hot meals cooked onsite, but lunch should be cold (unless a hot food container is used) as there will not be time to cook lunch due to instructional requirements.

• It is recommended that you bring food that is pre-prepared and just needs to be re-hydrated or heated up.

• There will be one or two gas stoves available for cooking, plus the central open fire.You may bring your own stove if preferred (bring enough fuel for the duration of the course).

• Thermoses for hot drinks as well as hot food containers (wide-mouth Thermos style) are advised. You'll also need cookware (pots, pans, etc.) and cooking and eating utensils.

• A compact camp cooking set is recommended. Don't forget your cup (preferably insulated).

• You'll also need items to clean your dishes with.

• Recommended: One green scratchy pad, one dish cloth, one tea towel, a small bottle of dish soap.

• Limited food storage is available onsite, but your vehicle can be used as storage for the duration.

• Drinking water will be provided by the instructor, as will tea, coffee ("bush coffee"), and hot chocolate.

Plan your meals and keep it simple. More food is better.

You can always take it home!

Russ Meades

FORMER CANADIAN RANGER COMMANDING OFFICER

Narrow Path Bushcraft & Survival

Russ Meades grew up in rural England and spent all of his spare time exploring and learning about the countryside.

He acquired many skills in improvisation from local characters that would later serve him well in the military.

Formal exposure to the concepts of survival was gained while training with the British Army in the early 1980s.

He took a keen interest in the subject and began teaching basic survival to British Army troops in 1987.

Following immigration to Canada and transfer to the Canadian Army in the early 1990s, Russ maintained and developed his survival skills which were useful on his many solo hunting and hiking trips as well as in his military activities.

In 2007, Russ transferred to the Canadian Rangers as their Operations and Training Officer and was able to gain further knowledge from many very experienced Rangers.

In 2017 Russ led the design team that produced the Canadian Rangers’ advanced survival course. In 2019, Russ was honoured by the great Mors Kochanski by being certified as a Wilderness Living and Survival Instructor.

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