Topics Covered in the Global HEFAT Curriculum:

• Situational awareness and risk assessment
• Operating in conflict zones and non-permissive environments
• Tactical movement and cover techniques
• Kidnap avoidance and detention survival
• Trauma first aid and emergency casualty care (including Stop the Bleed)
• Managing injuries: fractures, burns, blast trauma, and concussions
• Mental wellness and stress management in high-risk settings
• Digital security and communications in hostile environments
• Navigation and field movement without GPS
• Dealing with checkpoints, border crossings, and hostile actors
• Working in the aftermath of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods)
• Vehicle safety and ambush survival
• Crowd dynamics and civil unrest response
• Gender-specific risks and field safety for women journalists
• Ethical and legal considerations in conflict reporting
  
• Resilience, debriefing, and peer support after trauma

This course is essential for journalists working both domestically and abroad because it provides the critical skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly unpredictable and high-risk reporting environments. Whether covering conflict zones, natural disasters, civil unrest, or public health crises, journalists face real physical, psychological, and digital threats. The Global HEFAT course equips them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to stay safe, make informed decisions under pressure, and continue reporting with integrity and resilience.

The $1,700 registration fee covers all expenses associated with the Global HEFAT course, ensuring a fully inclusive and immersive training experience. Crisis Ready Media is a nonprofit, 501c3, organization; all fees are 100% tax deductible. This fee includes comprehensive instruction led by expert trainers, hands-on field exercises, comfortable lodging for the duration of the course, and all meals provided on-site. Participants can focus entirely on building critical safety and survival skills without the worry of additional costs or logistics.

During the course of this training, pyrotechnics and other realistic simulators may be used to enhance the authenticity and effectiveness of the learning experience. These elements are carefully controlled and designed to replicate the stress and confusion of hostile environments in a safe, instructional setting. The training will be rigorous, both mentally and physically, and participants are strongly encouraged to engage fully within their personal comfort levels and physical abilities. Our instructors are committed to supporting each individual’s learning while ensuring safety and respect throughout the training.