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Each type of environment challenges a person with a different range of dangers (''see'' and Landslide / Avalanche . Where survival skills are used on a more permanent basis, or as a component of daily life beyond the mundane basic necessities, they are often referred to as Bushcraft . SURVIVAL PRIORITIES In most survival situations, three priorities must be addressed before any other needs are met: #A positive mental attitude is essential. #Finding or making '' Shelter '' is important because it allows a person to stay protected from the elements. #Humans can live for about three days without '' Water ''. The length of survival mostly depends upon climate conditions and physical exertion. These priorities may change depending upon environmental factors. SHELTER A shelter will protect one from potentially disastrous Weather , help prevent Hypothermia , and allow restful sleep. It will also boost morale, as it will become a base or home. Therefore, in typical survival situations, a shelter should be built first and quickly, dependant on weather conditions. A shelter should provide a somewhat comfortable place to sleep. To this end, it should account for the following:
A simple shelter can be constructed using a lattice of branches propped up at an angle against the wind. Large leaves, such as Fern s or Fir branches, can then be added to create cover for rain and hail. Ferns can also be added on a shelter to provide insect repellent. Branches propped against a fallen tree make a simple and effective shelter, but animals such as ants and snakes may nest under the tree. With some practice, more advanced shelters such as a Debris Shelter can be constructed without modern tools or implements. Shelters can also be made by draping a parachute or other large cloth over sticks or some kind of support, or of Rammed Earth . WATER Humans can live for several weeks without food, and about three days without water. Depending on the climate conditions, it has been recorded that people have lasted longer than two weeks with no water supply. According to the Guinness Book Of Records , the longest time a human has survived without water is 18 days. The length of survival does also depend on physical exertion. A typical person will lose 2-3 Liter s of water per day in ordinary conditions, but more in very hot or dry weather. A lack of water causes Dehydration , resulting in lethargy, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and eventually death. Even mild dehydration impairs concentration, which is dangerous in a survival situation where clear thinking is essential. Dark yellow or brown urine indicates dehydration. Because of these risks, a safe supply of drinking water must be located as soon as a shelter is built (or even before, depending on conditions). In a survival situation, any water supply may be contaminated with Pollutant s or Pathogen s (see Potability Of Backcountry Water ). Although little can be done to remove molecular contaminants, particles and Microorganism s can be removed and/or killed (see Portable Water Purification ). There are some plants which will provide you with survivable sources of water. Most tree roots and vines contain lots of water, and can be purged by breaking into 3 ft. sections, and standing upright above a water catcher. Avoid any vegetable liquids which are cloudy, milky in appearance, or colored in any way. Water can be gathered in numerous ways. In areas of abundant moisture, water can be scooped out of a creek or pond. Rainwater (which is typically safe to drink) can be caught in makeshift containers. If these easy sources are not available, a bit more ingenuity will be necessary. Water can be collected from Condensation Trap s or Solar Still s. Clothing can be used to collect dew from vegetation. Tie a tee shirt to your leg and walk through dew-covered grass in the morning or evening, wring out water and collect. This is a very effective water procurement method. Although you cannot drink salty seawater, if you are near the beach, you can dig a sand well on the opposite side (from the sea) of a windblown dune. Below sea level, the sand well will fill with drinkable water. It may taste salty or brackish, but the sand acts as a filter reducing the salt content the further you dig inland. Stagnant water can be made drinkable by filtration through a sieve of charcoal. Animal blood is not suitable for rehydration, as it may be diseased. In addition, because of the nutrients it contains, it requires energy to digest. Mammals all have blood-borne pathogens so the animal must also be cooked. Urine contains salt and other toxins, which also makes it unsuitable to drink, although it can be refined in a solar still. A common survival myth is that Cacti can be sliced open to obtain water. While some cacti do have fluid inside, it is a highly acidic solution and would induce vomiting if drunk. Many birds, mammals, and some insects, such as bees, ants, and mason flies, are reliable indications of water, either through a stream or a soaked patch of earth. In extremely dry environments, it is necessary to take extra care to prevent water loss by:
You can gather moisture in these ways:
FIRE A Fire is as important as a safe water supply, because of its many uses:
See also: How to make fire:
FOOD Food is not urgently needed in survival situations, since a human can survive for several weeks without it. However, much like Dehydration , hunger can bring about many consequences long before it causes death, such as:
It is actually rather easy to find food in most wild environments, provided one knows where to look. A basic knowledge of Animal Trapping , Hunting , and Fishing will provide meat. Equally important is a knowledge of edible Plants , Fungi , and Lichens . One cannot always rely on the most abundant or most easily accessible type of food. To survive for long periods of time, one must maintain a balanced diet. In order to do this, one must consume a balanced variety of foods. Many survival books promote the "universal edibility test": allegedly, one can distinguish edible foods from toxic ones by tasting progressively larger portions over time. However, many experts including Ray Mears and John KallasJohn Kallas, Ph.D., Director, Institute for the Study of Edible Wild Plants and Other Foragables. Biography reject this method, in main part because a very small amount of some "potential foods" can cause anything from gastric distress to illness or death. An additional step called the "scratch test" is sometimes included. In this step (before tasting the food) one makes a minor abrasion on the surface of an area of skin (such as with fingernails) and then lightly rubs some of the food product on the abrasion. Foods which cause surface inflammation, discomfort, itching or eruption should be avoided. Finding food in the wild depends on your environment (i.e. vegetation, animals, and water sources). How to:
FIRST AID First Aid (and Wilderness First Aid in particular) can help a person survive and function with injuries that would otherwise kill or incapacitate him/her. Common and dangerous injuries include:
The survivor may need to apply the contents of a First Aid Kit or naturally-occurring Medicinal Plant s, immobilize injured limbs, or even transport incapacitated comrades. NAVIGATION Many survival situations can be resolved, or at least ameliorated, by finding one's way to safety. This requires some Navigation or movement:
OTHER SURVIVAL SKILLS For long-term survival some other skills are useful:
TRAINING Training survival skills has two components: mental competence and physical fitness. Physical fitness includes, among other abilities, carrying loads over long distances on rough terrain. Mental competence includes the skills listed in this article, as well as the ability to overcome panic and think clearly. Theoretical knowledge of survival skills is useful only if it can be applied effectively in a real survival situation. Several organizations offer training in survival skills, which ranges from introductory courses lasting only a day, to field courses lasting as long as a month. In addition to teaching survival techniques for conditions of limited food, water, and shelter, many such courses seek to engender appreciation and understanding of the lifestyles of pre-industrialized cultures. There are several books that teach one how to survive in dangerous situations and schools usually tell children what to do in the event of an earthquake or fire. Some cities also have contingency plans in case of a major disaster. Survival Training is normally broken down into two types; Modern Wilderness Survival and Primitive Technology. Modern Wilderness Survival training teaches only skills necessary to survive in the short-term (1-4 days) or medium-term (5-40 days), while Primitive Technology teaches skills need to survive over the long-term (40 days plus). Many primitive technology skills require much more practice and may be more environment specific. SURVIVAL MANUAL A survival Manual is a book used as reference in case of emergency, when one's survival is threatened. Typically it will cover both preparation for a Trip , and guidance, such as is contained in this article, for dealing with eventualities. There are many different types of survival manuals. The or Maritime survival. REFERENCES SEE ALSO
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