In this episode of the Defence Forces Podcast, we hear from Company Sergeant Stephen McCaul, a SERE (Survival, Escape and Evasion, Resistance to Interrogation and Extraction) Instructor, following his participation in the French Equatorial Survival Course in French Guiana.
The 17-day course included eight days of intensive SERE training deep in the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most challenging environments on the planet. Operating in temperatures reaching 34°C with humidity as high as 98%, participants faced the constant dangers of dehydration, limited food and the demanding terrain of the rainforest, while also encountering the wildlife that inhabits it, including jaguars, pumas, caiman, anacondas, tarantulas and vampire bats. The course also required participants to cross the Amazon River at various stages.
Drawing on his experience as a SERE Instructor, CS McCaul shares what it took to survive, adapt and perform under extreme physical and psychological pressure. His performance throughout the course saw him finish as the Best Student, an outstanding achievement and a testament to his professionalism, resilience, adaptability and expertise.
In this episode, CS McCaul takes us into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, sharing his experiences of the course, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned from operating in one of the world's most demanding environments.
","author_name":"Defence Forces Public Relations Branch"}