What to send participants before a survival course
Kit list, clothing, food and water, medical information, knife and fire rules and consent for minors: what survival instructors send before a course.
5 min read
A few days before a survival course, send participants a short pack: the kit list, clothing advice for the forecast, what food and water to bring, a form for medical information and emergency contacts, consent for anyone under age, and the rules on knives and fire. On arrival, give a safety briefing before anyone touches a tool. Participants who arrive prepared learn more, stay warmer and need less help, and the day runs safely.
The kit list
- Clothing: layers rather than one thick coat, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm hat, gloves, spare socks.
- Footwear: sturdy boots already worn in; no new boots on course day.
- Bag: a small rucksack with a waterproof liner.
- Personal items: water bottle, snacks, sun cream or insect repellent depending on the season, any personal medication.
- What you provide: say clearly which tools, tarps and equipment you lend, so participants don't buy what they don't need.
Keep the list short and practical. A long list of specialist gear puts beginners off; a clear one with "essential" and "optional" sections helps them come ready without spending a fortune.
Getting there
Give the exact meeting point with a map pin, parking, the walk from the car to the site and how long it takes. Mention phone signal on site, toilets, and what time you'll finish so people can plan their journey home. Late arrivals miss the safety briefing, so ask everyone to arrive a little early.
Food and water
Say exactly what you provide and what they must bring. If you cook on the fire, ask about allergies and diets when they book. Remind participants to bring more water than they think they need, especially in warm weather, and explain whether water treatment is part of the course or something to practise only.
Medical information and contacts
Ask each participant for relevant medical conditions, allergies, medication they carry, and an emergency contact. Explain why you ask and how you keep the information, under the data protection rules where you work. Read the forms before the course so you can plan: an asthma inhaler at hand, an allergy to stings, a knee that limits a long walk in.
Minors
For participants under age, require written consent from a parent or guardian, their contact during the course, and say whether an adult must attend with them. Set a minimum age for each course and keep to it.
Rules on knives and fire
- Knives stay sheathed and packed until you say otherwise; follow the rules where you work on carrying blades.
- Cutting only in the safe zone you show, with a clear space around.
- Fire only where and when you say, with water ready, and never left unattended.
- Anyone can stop an activity if they feel unsafe.
The briefing on arrival
Before starting, gather the group and cover the site boundaries, the toilets, the meeting point, the first aid kit and who holds it, the tool and fire rules, and what to do if someone is lost or hurt. Ask whether anything has changed since they filled in the form. Keep it short and clear, then repeat key rules at each activity.
Weather decisions
Tell participants in advance how you decide if the course goes ahead in bad weather, and how they'll hear if it's moved. A clear rule avoids anxious messages the night before.
Sending the pack with Book
On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Put the meeting point and a short kit list in each course's description, so participants see it before booking. When they book, they can write dietary needs or a medical note in the optional note, which appears in your new-booking email and in the calendar file attached to their confirmation. Send the full pack and the medical form by email a few days before the course.
| Service | Example slot | Example price |
|---|---|---|
| One-day survival course (per person) | 7 h | €95 |
| Overnight survival course (per person) | 8 h first day | €190 |
| Pre-course call for groups | 30 min | Free |
Durations and prices are examples: set your own. For an overnight course, the slot covers the first day and the description explains the rest, as slots sit within one day. If you move a course, reschedule from your bookings list and tell participants yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.