Backcountry Breakdown

In this course you’ll learn how to diagnose some common vehicle failures with limited tools and unlimited creativity. Matt demonstrates some unorthodox methods to temporarily repair your vehicle and get you back to the paved road.

Watch Intro Video

I can help you get out of the woods...literally!

Matthew Sargent

Meet Your Instructor

  • Matthew Sargent

    Instructor/Educator

    Matthew Sargent

    Matt’s connection to the outdoors started at a young age. Spending much of his childhood on his grandparents’ farm and following his dad on photography expeditions that took them as far from home as Kenya. He attended college in Nashville, TN where he studied Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing Technologies. After a few years in the automotive field, Matt made a shift to pursue a career in physical security. He also became involved in Search & Rescue, where he obtained Search Team Leader and Operational Tracker certifications from the Commonwealth of Virginia. After meeting his wife Alex, Matt stepped away from his security career and founded Mountain Marrow. He is now a full-time educator, teaching practical outdoor skills and safety for Search & Rescue as well as the general public. When he’s not teaching or training, Matt spends much of his time studying Appalachian heritage skills and drinking coffee.

Detailed Course Description

BACKCOUNTRY BREAKDOWN

Matt will discuss and demonstrate some of the most common vehicle failures and issues that could ruin any adventure.  He’ll then work through some simple diagnostics that can be performed nearly anywhere to effect temporary repairs that will keep you rolling instead of walking. 

Matt combines dynamic thinking and basic mechanics to address no-start issues, flat tires, lock-out scenarios, and warning lights.  He shows methods using common tools and also lesser known improvised techniques.   

Leaning in on his Search & Rescue experience, Matt also takes you on a step-by-step walk-through of what to do if your vehicle is beyond repair and how to abandon a vehicle in the backcountry if you decide abandonment is necessary.  A downloadable sample Vehicle Abandonment Checklist is included to print out and put in the glovebox of any vehicle you own.

When all the repairs are done and the vehicle is back in the garage, Matt discusses some storage considerations and how he safely carries gear in the car that can help in case of an accident and not compound your problems.  He also provides a downloadable Backcountry Breakdown Checklist of tools and supplies that you should consider for your own vehicle emergency kit.

What are other students saying?

  • Everyone should do this course!

    Joseph Rose

    I can't say enough about how amazing this training video is! So many of us venture out and don't ever think of what to do in the event that our vehicle brea...

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    I can't say enough about how amazing this training video is! So many of us venture out and don't ever think of what to do in the event that our vehicle breaks down in the middle of no where. Sarge did a phenomenal job with this breaking it down for anyone to easily understand. We all watch thousands of videos of how to start a fire, build a shelter, carry this, carry that, but this is the first I have seen that covered some really darn good practical information that can serve you everyday or anywhere. I really can't give this one enough praise. Fantastic work sir!

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  • Lots of really creative and super useful info and that ge...

    Joan Nemeth

    Got to add a few more tools to my "get out of dodge bag" Thanks for new tricks for the bag. Enjoyed it!!! Good Stuff !!!!!

    Got to add a few more tools to my "get out of dodge bag" Thanks for new tricks for the bag. Enjoyed it!!! Good Stuff !!!!!

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  • very interesting

    Tom Kessler

    Practical review of useful information. As one "technically challenged" it is very useful despite my ignorance of many things. I would add two comments...

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    Practical review of useful information. As one "technically challenged" it is very useful despite my ignorance of many things. I would add two comments which I think helpful. First, I would suggest never putting any item directly on the ground. Always have some type of surface/tarp/cloth/carpet on which to place any loose item to minimize the chance of something going missing. And if in a hot environment do not leave anything metal exposed to direct sunlight. Very informative, and glad to have it available for review. Completely satisfied.

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  • Good review to think through

    Ruth Bennett

    Enjoyed watching - I do wish I could've seen the inside of the engine he was referring to when bypassing the starter. It sparked but I couldn't see the exac...

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    Enjoyed watching - I do wish I could've seen the inside of the engine he was referring to when bypassing the starter. It sparked but I couldn't see the exact location. Thanks for the course!

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  • Good information. Good delivery. Thank you

    Susan Mcmillan

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  • Awesome

    Douglas Norman

    Learned a few good things to keep me on the road and safe. Everyone should take this course!

    Learned a few good things to keep me on the road and safe. Everyone should take this course!

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  • Good course

    William Beadleston

    Great course!! If I were going to make it better,then I think I would like to see a little more on where to get some of the items in the tool kit. There was ...

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    Great course!! If I were going to make it better,then I think I would like to see a little more on where to get some of the items in the tool kit. There was no mention on how to get a stuck car out of mud, snow, sand(dump a bucket of water under the tire). A good video would be problems in the winter- if you got stuck, why go out at all- prewinter prep, rescue ideas, stay or go.

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Vehicle Abandonment Checklist [DOWNLOAD]

Do I stay or do I go?

Matt studied Automotive Collision Repair in college. He also became a Search & Rescue Team Leader with Operational Tracker certifications in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Using these unique qualifications, Matt has created and included a downloadable Vehicle Abandonment Checklist to keep in your vehicle glove-box that helps you to discover the considerations involved in abandoning a disabled vehicle in the backcountry and answer the ever-so important question: DO I STAY OR DO I GO?
Vehicle Abandonment Checklist [DOWNLOAD]

COURSE OBJECTIVES

What you can expect to learn.

  • Learn how your windshield washer fluid could be the key to fixing your FLAT TIRE

  • Learn how to break into your vehicle without breaking a window

  • Learn how to use a PIRATE HOSE to fix a flat tire

  • Learn the most common vehicle failures

  • Understand that vehicles are made of multiple systems that can be viewed separately

  • Diagnose issues with the starting and charging system

  • Learn how a basic diagnostic flow can lead to pinpointing an issue

  • Learn what tools may or may not be needed to effect temporary repairs

  • Learn three ways to repair a flat tire and how to diagnose a blind leak

  • Learn to store tools and equipment in a safe and logical order in your vehicle

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone that drives a vehicle, especially on outdoor adventures, and wants to be more self-sufficient. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about your car than just adding fuel and starting it, this is a great place to jump in. You’ll feel much more confident in walking away from your vehicle for a hike or camping trip after learning to address issues that could arise when you return.
Who is this course for?

Course Curriculum

  • 1
    WELCOME
    • Welcome from Matthew Sargent
    • Overview & Safety
  • 2
    Backcountry Breakdown: Field Training Lessons
    • LOCKOUTS (How to Break Into/Key Into Your Own Vehicle)
    • STARTING ISSUES: Diagnosing Problems & Field Fixes
    • WARNING LIGHTS
  • 3
    Backcountry Breakdown: Field Training Lessons - TIRES
    • TIRES Part 1: Jacking
    • TIRES Part 2: Leaks & Valve Cores
    • TIRES Part 3: How to Plug a Tire (and improvised plugs)
    • TIRES PART 4: Pirate Hose & Tire Stuffing
  • 4
    [BONUS] DO I STAY? or DO I GO?
    • Emergency Abandonment Checklist [FREE DOWNLOAD]
  • 5
    Conclusion
    • An In-depth Review of Tools & Storage [FREE TOOL CHECKLIST DOWNLOAD]
    • Final Thoughts