When SHTF, a prepper’s best tool is their mind. And with all sorts of things that could go wrong at any moment, from natural disasters and political upheavals to long-term power outages, now is the perfect time to sign up for wilderness survival classes. (h/t to PreppersSurvive.com)

If you’re still trying to decide if they’re worth it, here are some reasons to take wilderness survival classes before SHTF.

You can challenge yourself

It can still be difficult to survive in the wild even if you have all the latest gear and tons of supplies.

Wilderness survival classes will challenge not just your current skills but also your ability to adapt. Matchsticks are a convenient way to start a fire, but knowing how to start a fire with only a couple of sticks and flint is more satisfying.

You can improve as a prepper

Wilderness survival classes aren’t cheap and they require a lot of your time, but this is money and effort well-spent on your improvement.

Taking a course won’t just teach you crucial skills, it can also help you become a more efficient prepper. (Related: Items, skills and reference materials: How to find prepping resources within your community.)

You can be more independent

It may seem like you’re an independent prepper now, but can you get your bearings without the internet and your smartphone?

A survival course will teach you how to use your skills to survive different scenarios and how to stay calm during dangerous situations.

You can get in touch with nature

Losing touch with nature means you may have trouble adapting to it when SHTF.

With a wilderness survival course, you have the chance to test your skills in the great outdoors. It also lets you disconnect from things that may hinder your progress as a prepper, like social media or mindless TV shows.

You can get firsthand experience

Wilderness survival classes are fun, but you should take them seriously to get the most bang for your buck.

Taking a class lets you meet other people who value preparedness and the importance of learning and mastering various survival skills before SHTF.

Here are some skills that can help preppers survive common disaster scenarios:

• Navigation and orientation
• Off the grid communication
• Knot-tying
• Shelter building
• Water filtration and purification
• Firestarting
• Foraging
• Hunting
• Outdoor cooking

You learn how to protect your loved ones

Knowing how to use a weapon for self-defense or hunting ensures that you can keep your family safe and that you can find food so they don’t get hungry when SHTF.

For better chances of survival, get the whole family to join your chosen wilderness survival classes.

You can take a break from man-made luxuries

When SHTF for two days or a whole month, these classes should equip you with skills that can help you survive even without the GPS on your smartphone or your bug-out bag (BOB).

You learn how to be resilient

Completing wilderness survival classes teaches you skills that could spell the difference between life and death, such as firestarting without modern tools or foraging. These classes will also teach your patience and resilience, two important traits to have before SHTF and when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster.

Stock up on survival supplies, prepare your BOBs, and learn how to use your tools. Once you’ve finalized your emergency preparedness plans, assess your survival skills. Set aside some time and join wilderness survival classes to learn more skills that will teach you how to become a well-rounded prepper.

When disaster strikes, being prepared and taking wilderness survival classes might be the key to your very survival.

Sources include:

PreppersSurvive.com

SurvivalSullivan.com