Is Cold Weather Survival Covered in SERE Training?

Cold Weather Survival in SERE Training

Cold weather survival in SERE training typically focuses on recognizing and responding to hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related hazards. Students learn how to create a makeshift shelter, start a fire using cold-weather-specific techniques such as flint and steel or bow drill, and use body heat retention strategies like the “sleeping bag” method, where students place a space blanket around their body and fill the center with snow to create a warm bed. In the US Air Force’s ASERE course, students learn to identify and respond to cold-related hazards within 30 minutes, using the “Hypothermia Decision Tree” to guide their actions.

Cold Weather Survival Techniques and Tools

SERE students are taught how to use cold-weather survival tools such as the Swedish Firesteel, which can produce a spark in temperatures as low as -40°F, and the Esbit stove, which can burn in cold temperatures and produce a significant amount of heat. Students also learn how to create a cold-weather survival kit, which includes items such as a space blanket, a warm hat, and a pair of gloves, and how to use these items to stay warm and comfortable in cold weather. In the US Army’s SERE course, students learn to create a cold-weather survival kit using items from their rucksack and the environment.

Real-World Applications

Cold weather survival skills learned in SERE training can be applied in real-world scenarios such as wilderness survival, search and rescue missions, and disaster response. By understanding how to recognize and respond to cold-related hazards, individuals can increase their chances of survival in cold weather environments. In the US military, cold weather survival skills are also used in operational environments, such as in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where troops must be able to survive in extreme cold weather conditions.