SERE Specialists teach Cub Scouts survival skills

by Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/14/2015 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash -- Cub Scouts from Pack 340 spent time with Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialists learning wilderness survival skills here Oct. 9.

"It's always good for the scouts to learn from an expert, someone who has personal experience using survival skills," said Kalista Bernardi, Pack 340 scout leader.

The Cub Scouts are required to learn the survival skills in order to earn their webelos rank.  The webelos rank is the highest rank in Cub Scouting and is the last rank before crossing over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

"First aid and survival knowledge are important for the scouts to have in case they are ever lost in the woods," said Bernardi.

The day started with a guided tour of the exhibits lab on the SERE side of Fairchild led by Staff Sgts. Matthew Stead and Keith Schmidt, both 22nd Training Squadron SERE specialists.

While at the exhibits lab the scouts learned about different shelters, food sources and ways to collect water while in different wilderness environments. The specialists also highlighted the importance of studying about climate, hazards, food sources, vegetation and topography before going out into the field. Some concerns while in the field are staying dry, maintaining a 98.6 degree body temperature, procuring food and water, building shelters and repelling insects.

After finishing the tour, the scouts received hands-on practice using the skills they discussed in the exhibits lab. They trained on how to start a fire, build shelters and covered other survival necessities.