The challenges encountered by humanitarian and other professionals in conflicts, shootings, bombings, attacks, violent crime, tropical diseases, poor hygiene and living conditions, and immeasurable doses of human suffering, create operational security and logistical dilemmas in their attempts to respond to the needs of those affected.
In order for these professionals to protect themselves, their families, and the people they aim to serve, they must equip themselves with the necessary skills to survive in difficult circumstances.
The HEAT course is based on three pillars: a solid curriculum, a safe learning environment and an engaging learning experience. Exposure to levels similar to those experienced in real life through highly realistic simulations is a concept that has been researched in the field of psychology and is commonly applied in the training of professionals who work in high-risk environments, such as military personnel, police officers, emergency medical professionals, etc. The aim of the Hostile Environment Preparation Course is to offer the Portuguese professional community immersive training in a hyper-realistic environment to acquire skills in the following areas:
– Risk assessment and management;
– Individual protection measures;
– Travelling safety;
– Medical emergencies;
– Behaviour under various threats;
– Stress management and mental health;
– Tactical communications;
– Movement and orientation;
– Survival techniques.
The course will be taught by highly experienced instructors with professional military, humanitarian and combat medicine training, in an intensive, residential model that will take place over a full weekend.
Course goals:
- Equip participants with the necessary skills to deal with situations in which armed conflicts arise, their main actors and their impact on civilians;
- To improve participants’ skills in conflict resolution and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts;
- To strengthen participants’ competence and confidence to deal effectively with risky or critical situations, as would be the case when working in peacekeeping missions;
- To provide participants with useful and simple tools to enable them to react as effectively as possible to risky situations.
This is a course that includes outdoor exercises and practice, simulating the conditions at all times in hostile environments, leading to an immersive learning experience.
How to Apply:
