The Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT) is a critical institution within the Royal Canadian Air Force, ensuring aircrew and select personnel are prepared for the unique challenges of aviation and survival. As the newest unit to join the CFB Winnipeg community, CFSSAT has a long-standing reputation for excellence in both survival training and aeromedical education.
Originally established in 1996 as the Canadian Forces School of Aeromedical Training (CFSAT), CFSSAT resulted from the amalgamation of aeromedical and survival training units from across Canada. Today, the school offers world-class instruction in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) as well as Aeromedical Training (AMT), covering everything from spatial disorientation and hypoxia recognition to Arctic survival techniques.
One of CFSSAT’s most renowned programs is its Arctic Aircrew Survival Course, conducted in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. This internationally recognized course places students in one of the harshest environments on Earth, where they learn to construct shelters, manage body temperature, and maintain essential survival priorities. Canada is the only NATO country offering a true Arctic survival course, making CFSSAT a global leader in cold-weather training.
The Arctic survival course has its roots in Boxtop 22, a tragic 1991 crash near CFS Alert that claimed the lives of five Canadian Armed Forces members. The incident underscored the necessity of specialized survival training for aircrew operating in Canada’s vast northern regions. Today, the training ensures personnel can endure and operate effectively in extreme Arctic conditions, where temperatures can plummet below -50°C.
In addition to survival training, CFSSAT is also a centre of excellence for Aeromedical Training, providing instruction in life support equipment and night vision operations. The school is dedicated to Dr. Wilbur Rounding Franks, a pioneer in aerospace medicine whose invention of the G-suit revolutionized pilot safety.
With a commitment to innovation and operational readiness, CFSSAT continues to evolve, ensuring Canadian aircrew are prepared for any scenario—whether in the air or on the ground. As an integral part of CFB Winnipeg, CFSSAT’s expertise enhances the capability and resilience of the RCAF.
For those serving in the skies, survival begins with CFSSAT.
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