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Army cadets test survival skills

Cadets endure -18C conditions
10984377_web1_Army-training

Fernie Army Corps cadets have endured -18C conditions as they put their winter survival skills to the test during a field training exercise.

More than 50 cadets and staff from Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Golden and Invermere Army Corps took part in the training weekend, which was hosted by Invermere at the Radium Rod and Gun Club last month.

All Sea, Army and Air Cadets are taught the basic skills for survival throughout their training levels.

Those participating in the Radium exercise got a feel for how difficult it would be to survive in the field in winter conditions, with snow-covered ground, day time highs of -15C and night time lows of -18C.

Junior cadets learned how to build fires for survival and cooking, what to look for in site selection for a shelter and the hazards of winter camping to watch for, including avalanches, while the seniors focused on personal survival kits and how to build shelters with the materials found around them.

As a team, they constructed a signal fire and worked on how to light it.

“This training is valuable to all cadets and staff… they learned skills that will last a lifetime,” said Captain McConnell, 2756 Invermere Corp.

“Our cadets will be better prepared for the unforeseen situations when they are participating in outdoor and back country activities.”