SSFN

S.S.F.N. - THE SCHOOL OF SURVIVAL FROM NATURE
SPECIAL FORCES SURVIVAL TRAINING

Certified Nature Survival Instructor:
Brane T. Červek

30 Years of field training and Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense 

PROGRAM  OFFER: MILITARY PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS
 
* SURVIVAL IN NATURE (Infantry Tactics Raw Survival)
* S.E.R.E. (Survival - Evasion - Resistance - Escape)
* S.A.R. (Search and Rescue)

Training areas:

- SLOVENIA,
- THE BALKANS,
- THE MEDITERRANEAN,
- THE ALPS,
- THE DESERT,
- SUB-TROPICAL AND TROPICAL AREAS.

Forest, Sub-tropic & Tropic	Dry hot KARST, Mediterranean, Deserts	Mountains & Highlands, Alps

Developed and made by: Brane T. Červek
© 2009 S.S.F.N. - THE SCHOOL OF SURVIVAL FROM NATURE. All Rights Reserved!

PROGRAM: SURVIVAL IN NATURE

Programs according to purpose and demand:
BASIC
ADVANCED 3 levels
SPECIAL

TARGET GROUPS
Programs are intended for:

• SPECIAL FORCES,
• MILITARY POLICE,
• SWAT POLICE
• PARATROOPERS,
• RECONNAISSANCE AND MOUTAIN UNITS,
• COMBAT PILOTS / AIR CREW,
• SUPPORT TROOPS,
• RESCUE UNITS,
• OFFICERS SCHOOL CANDIDATES,
• ARMY TRAINING CENTER CANDIDATES AND INSTRUCTORS

Programs are also intended for:

• RANGERS,
• SNIPERS,
• ANTI-TERRORIST UNITS,
• MISSION SUPPORT UNITS.

TRAINING AIMS

General training aims

• qualify and train units in survival skills for a higher efficiency and ability for survival on the battlefield
• qualify and train units for independence in performing combat tasks in various geographical environments, considering no logistical support with food, water or other equipment whatsoever
• qualify and train units in survival skills for finding solutions in critical situations
• qualify and train units in survival skills used in search and rescue operations
• qualify and train units in survival skills to avoid being captured and to be able to evade, resist and escape
• qualify and train units for independence and stealth mode operations behind enemy lines,

Special training aims

• checking units’ qualifications
• checking units’ psychological and physical state
• checking individuals’ performance in extreme situations
• building psychological stability
• building self-confidence
• acquiring companionship
• team building
• equipment trust and awareness
• upgrading self dependence and dynamics in extreme situations
• identifying real and realistic views on particular situations
• knowing yourself

BASIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• the training is based on practical procedures,
• while executing practical procedures the emphasis is put on accuracy and perfection,
• all practical procedures have to be trained until the required level is reached,
• all trainings are performed in realistic circumstances. The difficulty of the program depends on the program level.

BASIC
ADVANCED (3 levels)
SPECIAL

• Training must be completed by all participants, no withdrawal allowed, it is strictly forbidden except in case of critical injury.

ORGANIZATION, DURATION AND REALIZATION OF TRAINING

Organization.

Training is organized in all possible geographical areas in the republic of Slovenia or in other foreign countries if the program or subscriber demands it.

• the unit participating in training has to ensure and get all land permissions and permits for ground use.
• the unit participating in training arrives and leaves by its own transportation.
• the unit participating in training has to ensure a medic or a complete medical staff, rescue appliances and a rescue vehicle, except in case of a different agreement. The medical staff must be available and present 24 hours a day.
• the unit participating in training exercise has to ensure other material means and communications.
• the quantity and form of material means are defined by the executor of the training.
• the unit participating in advanced programs must ensure instruments for night observation - night vision goggles.
• advanced programs contain extreme environment switch learning methods, so quick transportation from point A  to B or even C must be carried out with their own or with cooperation support units’ vehicle or helicopter.
• none of the programs is required to provide food, water or any other supplies, we only use what is found in  nature.
• training locations in Foreign countries are provided by the subscriber, military unit or responsible department of  defense.

Duration

The duration of programs can vary and it depends on the program level. Training is performed 24 hours a day non stop throughout the entire program because the nature of such activity demands it. The third level of the advanced program and the special program can be executed also in Foreign countries, particularly deserts, subtropical and tropical areas.

Realization.

• Training runs continuously for 24 hours a day, it is performed theoretically and practically.
• All tasks required by the program are executed in groups or individuals at the spot.
• When the required task is complete and the required level of the program is reached, the program continues   according to plan.  The program is continuously monitored by the instructor, who gives examples, reviews, rewards and punishments - taking away material means from soldiers or executing hard physical activities instead.
• Training rewards and punishment principle. If the survival instructor decides that a reward has to be given for good work of a group or individual, survival instructor always offering a list of rewards. The reward is chosen by the group. For instance, the group has sleeping bags, but is not allowed to use them due to punishment; now,   they can get them back if they want. However, this is not a permanent decision.
• Each day a new evaluation of their work is rebuilt from scratch.

CHECKING UNITS’ QUALIFICATIONS

• Checking and rating of participants’ qualification is performed and judged on the basis of the instructor’s criteria and his survival experiences.
• During the training, checking and rating of group or candidates’ work is carried out to examine their knowledge  of all program’s contents.  Only efficient conquering of survival knowledge enables them to survive this training exercise.

The survival program is very demanding, since it is certainly one of the toughest trainings in the Slovenian army and definitely the closest contact with extreme situations in reality. Usual weight loss in 7 days of training is averagely 9 kilograms. The program itself enables the examination of units’ qualifications to operate in extreme situations.

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PROGRAM

• The program is available for all listed units and candidates which signed a contract with the department of defense.
• Candidates join the program at their own risk.

Explanation.
• full responsibility is laid on the executor when using wild food or being poisoned by it.
• accidental injuries or other pain caused during the training, are strictly candidates’ full responsibility.
• responsibility for attacks by larger animals like bears or wild boars, is laid on the unit leader who must carry a weapon at all times with live ammunition.
• candidates joining the program must be perfectly healthy at the time.
• The unit must provide a full list of candidates’ allergies, recent or older serious body injuries.
• 100% cooperation between participating units and the executor from the beginning to the completion of the training.

WHAT DO UNITS AND CANDIDATES GET BY JOINING THIS PROGRAM:

• Real image of the unit’s state and individuals in it,
• possibility of operating wherever in the world,
• candidates get rich experiences in all aspects of life,
• knowledge for survival in nature,
• knowledge for operating procedures in extreme situations,
• self-confidence,
• acquiring trust in the team and the unit,
• taking responsibility,
• ability to recognize the distinction between different levels of danger in various situations,
• candidates who complete all training programs get a certificate of qualification.

PROGRAMS AND TRAINING CONTENTS

(THE EXAMPLE GIVEN IS ONLY VALID FOR THE BASIC PROGRAM)

This program gives basic knowledge for survival in nature in different geographical areas of Slovenia and must be succeeded by the advanced program.

The result of this training is the possibility of survival with limited movement or operation in other activities.