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Homesteading & Survival · Homesteading & Survival Courses

Warmth, Shelter and Weather

Stay warm and dry, heat a home safely, pitch a simple shelter and pick the right refuge for the weather.

Level
Beginner
Estimated study
About 14 hours
Lessons
14 lessons in 3 modules
Format
Online, self-paced
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About this course

For households that want to get through a winter outage, a cold snap or a stormy summer safely. You will layer clothing, keep bedding dry, give CDC first aid for hypothermia and frostbite, heat a home without carbon monoxide risk, plan or cancel an outdoor fire, choose the right refuge for heat, lightning and smoke, pick a safe shelter site, pitch a tarp, tie three working knots, manage rain and condensation and rehearse an overnight setup. About 14 hours, with real clothing, alarm, knot and tarp practice.

What you will be able to do

  • Choose clothing layers and keep them dry for a specific task and weather.
  • Recognize hypothermia and frostbite and give CDC first aid while getting medical help.
  • Heat a home and cook during an outage without indoor carbon monoxide hazards.
  • Decide when an outdoor fire is allowed, put one out completely, and pick the right refuge for heat, lightning and smoke.
  • Choose a safe site, pitch a tarp with working knots and rehearse an overnight setup with a helper.

Course outline

Module 1: Dry warmth and cold-illness recognition

5 lessons · 5 h

Understand heat loss, choose adjustable layers, protect sleep insulation and give first aid for hypothermia and frostbite.

  1. Understand heat loss and wet clothing1 h
  2. Build a layered clothing system1 h
  3. Keep a sleeping system dry1 h
  4. Recognize hypothermia and seek help1 h
  5. Recognize frostbite and prevent injury1 h

Module 2: Safe heat, fire and changing weather

4 lessons · 4 h

Heat a home without carbon monoxide risk, plan or cancel outdoor fires, and match refuges to heat, storms and smoke.

  1. Heat a home safely during outages1 h
  2. Plan legal outdoor fires and extinguishing1 h
  3. Cook without indoor combustion hazards1 h
  4. Stay safe in heat, storms and smoke1 h

Module 3: Pitch a simple shelter

5 lessons · 5 h

Choose a safe site, pitch a tarp, tie practical knots, manage rain and condensation, and rehearse an overnight setup with a helper.

  1. Choose a safe place to shelter1 h
  2. Build a pitched tarp shelter1 h
  3. Tie practical shelter knots1 h
  4. Manage rain, drainage and condensation1 h
  5. Practice a safe overnight shelter setup1 h
Beginner

Safe Water at Home

Store, treat and protect drinking water, and keep a household clean when the taps or sewer stop working.

10 lessons
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Safe Food at Home

Cook, store and stock food your household will eat, with or without power.

18 lessons
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