Why You Need a Hostile Environment Training Course
When you’re travelling, working or living in unstable, high-risk, or fragile environments, preparation is essential. HET (Hostile Environment Training) provides globally recognised training designed for aid workers, journalists, NGOs, contractors and anyone who may be exposed to hostile or unpredictable situations.
Booking a course with HET ensures:
- Improved safety and risk awareness: understand threats such as kidnap, detention, landmines and IEDs.
- Lifesaving first aid and trauma care skills: respond effectively to medical emergencies in the field.
- Operational confidence: learn secure communications, navigation, vehicle safety and conduct under capture.
- Compliance and credentials: some courses meet MOD and UK defence standards, recognised worldwide.
- Practical, hands-on training: realistic scenarios prepare you to act under stress, not just study theory.
Which Hostile Environment Training Course is for me?
SAFE+ (Security Awareness in Fragile Environments Plus)
This 4-day intensive course is ideal for those heading into high-risk regions who need more than just the basics. It includes everything from the plus, advanced modules:
- Threat and risk assessment
- Kidnap, hostage and detention awareness
- Advanced trauma care
- Vehicle, IED and landmine awareness
- Secure communications and navigation
Perfect for NGOs, contractors or government staff who need advanced hostile environment training.
HEFAT (Hostile Environment First Aid Training)
HEFAT is HET’s flagship 4-day course, combining advanced medical training with hostile environment awareness. Participants gain:
- Trauma first aid for severe injuries
- Hostile environment awareness (kidnap, weapons, IEDs)
- Remote navigation and communication skills
- Realistic scenario-based training
This is highly recommended for journalists, aid workers and those operating in conflict or disaster zones.
SAFE (Security Awareness in Fragile Environments)
A 3-day foundation course, SAFE provides essential skills for those travelling to volatile or unpredictable areas. It’s suitable for people with no prior hostile environment experience. Topics include:
- Basic trauma first aid
- Threat and risk assessment
- Detention and abduction awareness
- Vehicle security, IED and landmine recognition
- Emergency navigation and comms
This course is a solid starting point for anyone entering fragile environments.
HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
The 3-day HEAT course offers a balance of practical security and medical skills for those working abroad in remote or hostile areas. It covers:
- Kidnap and hostage survival
- Threat assessment and security planning
- Trauma first aid and field care
- Vehicle safety and emergency drills
- Navigation and secure communication
This course is popular with contractors, NGO staff and corporate travellers.
CONDO (Contractors on Deployed Operations – Initial Pre-Deployment Training)
Required for many working on MOD or UK defence contracts, this 3-day compliance course meets DEFCON and DEFSTAN standards. Training includes:
- Risk and threat reporting
- Landmine and IED awareness
- Conduct after capture and under fire
- Trauma first aid
- Maritime and CBRN (chemical/biological) modules
It ensures you are deployment-ready and compliant with MOD standards.
CONDO (ART - Annual Refresher Training)
If you already hold a valid CONDO IPDT certificate, this 1-day refresher course keeps you compliant. It updates core competencies:
- Risk assessment and reporting
- Detention and abduction awareness
- IED and landmine recognition
- Trauma care skills
- Maritime and CBRN updates (where relevant)
This course is a cost-effective way to stay current and deployment ready.
Choosing the Right Course
- Do you need advanced medical and security training? → Choose HEFAT or SAFE+.
- Are you looking for a foundation in hostile environment awareness? → Book SAFE or HEAT.
- Are you working under MOD contracts? → You will need CONDO IPDT or CONDO ART.
- Are you travelling often into unpredictable zones? → A longer, more comprehensive course is better.
- Are you already trained but need renewal? → The CONDO ART refresher is for you.
Book Your Training Today
Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis to wish you’d prepared. HET courses provide real-world hostile environment skills that save lives and give you the confidence to operate anywhere.
Book your course today with HET to secure your safety, meet compliance requirements and build the skills that matter most.