As a former paramedic, Greg Jurecki knows a thing or two about survival. He uses his skills alongside a few friends with military and wildlife backgrounds to help prepare others for almost anything, including the end of the world as we know it.

Jurecki founded the Apocalypse Preparedness and Survival School in the Edmonton area. He says students will learn the skills they will rely on in the worst cases: the collapse of urban society and the halt of technology.

Jurecki told CTV News: "When the situation is so terrible and desperate that the government or local services are unable to handle everything due to a complete and comprehensive shutdown in all areas of life."

Sounds far-fetched?

Just a few years ago, the idea of a global pandemic that nearly stopped the healthcare system in Canada or the idea of a modern total war in Europe might have seemed like fiction.

But now, in these unstable circumstances, from outbreaks of diseases and viruses alongside wars and pollution on land and sea with the spread of nuclear and deadly weapons of various kinds and names, these things are a reality.

Jurecki warns that this is not the end: "More emergencies will happen. More epidemics will happen, and the better prepared you are, the better you are. You know, chance favors the prepared mind."

So far, the school has held two rounds of courses, which are a two-day weekend commitment, with a classroom portion in Edmonton and a field portion in the "Cooking Lake" area. Among the subjects taught are compass operation and navigation, treating serious wounds, performing stitches and other first aid, water purification, making fire without matches or lighters, building shelter, and even how to protect yourself from airborne chemicals or radiation.

At Jurecki’s school, many skills are learned—not only disaster preparedness but also wildlife skills and enjoying natural life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Student Nigel Watts said from his perspective: "Learning in this school makes me more confident and capable in the wild." He says the skills he learned in the course will be useful in the wild, but he also wants to be ready for any major disaster.

The student added: "We know now, looking at the past two years, with quarantine and now with the Ukraine war, you know, you really don’t know what will happen in the future."

The school plans more courses this month, and the cost will be $280 per person.

Jurecki says any refugee from Ukraine who makes their way to the Edmonton area can join the course for free.