This hands-on 2-day course is designed for off-roaders and overlanders who want to learn how to inspect, repair, recover, and self-rescue in real-world conditions. From terrain analysis and communications to advanced winching and splicing, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to handle anything the trail throws at you.

👉 This is an intimate course — limited to no more than 5 students per instructor.

• Small groups ensure plenty of seat time, personalized coaching, and hands-on practice.
• If you are bringing a partner, you may participate as one student, provided both of you complete each scenario together as a team.

Day 1 – Readiness, Repairs & Intro to Recovery

Morning Workshops – Comms, Terrain & Vehicle Prep

• Emergency communications overview: GMRS, ham, and satellite messengers
• Navigation with GPS apps and offline mapping tools
• Terrain analysis: reading soil, slopes, and anchor opportunities
• Vehicle walk-around inspections: fluids, belts, hoses, suspension, tires
• Trail tool kits & essential spares
• Identifying issues before they become breakdowns

Midday – Tire Repair & Off-Road Fixes

• Common trail failures: belts, hoses, wiring, fluids
• Quick fixes: clamps, spares, electrical basics, jump-starts
• Tire repair: punctures, sidewalls, valve stems, bead reseating
• Hands-on: each participant performs a plug repair and re-inflation

Afternoon – Vehicle Assessments & Basic Recovery

• How to assess a stuck vehicle before recovery begins
• Self-recovery tools: traction boards, shovels, and cribbing
• Safe jacking methods (Hi-Lift, bottle jack, stacked recovery)
• Intro to Winching: Straight pulls and single-line recoveryBasic rigging with straps and shacklesSafety zones and hand signals
• Hands-on recovery practice in controlled scenarios

Day 2 – Advanced Winching & Self-Recovery Intensive

Morning – Advanced Winching Techniques

• Complex rigging: redirects, double-line pulls, mechanical advantage
• Anchor building: trees, deadman anchors, ground stakes
• Multi-vehicle recovery planning
• Winch line management and inspection
• Splicing workshop: repairing and splicing synthetic line in the field

Afternoon – Self-Recovery Practice

• Sand & gravel: momentum vs. flotation
• Rock sections: tire placement, low-range use, staged recovery
• Mud & loose soil: wheelspin control, traction management, staged recovery
• High-centered vehicle recovery: traction stacking, jacking, digging
• Steep climbs/descents: recovery planning and safe execution
• Integrated scenarios: combining terrain analysis, comms, and recovery teamwork

Closing Session

• Group debrief & instructor feedback
• Certificates of completion: Weekend Offroad Recovery & Self-Rescue

Training Location & Camping

📍 Private Land near Landers, CA
📅 Schedule:

• Arrive Friday afternoon/evening — camping available on site
• Class runs Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
  🍳 Meals: All meals must be self-provided

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Camping:

• Families and children are welcome at camp
• Children may not participate in training sessions
  🔥 Saturday night campfire with s’mores and a family movie under the stars

Vehicle & Participant Requirements

🚙 Vehicles Must Have:

• 4WD
• Minimum 31” tires (AT or MT recommended — Day 2 will test weak points)

💪 Participants Must Be Ready To:

• Perform physical labor: tire repairs, shoveling, rigging, splicing
• Work in teams during recovery scenarios
• Use comms and navigation tools during drills
• Get hands-on in real trail conditions
  👉 Space is limited (four participants per instructor) — reserve your spot today and gain the skills to recover yourself, your vehicle, and others safely.

***Two week prior to course you will receive course workbook, waivers, and coordinates***