Techniques for sustaining life, typically in adverse conditions
This article is about survival techniques. For other uses, see
Survival Skill
.
"Survival tactics" redirects here. For the Styles of Beyond song, see
2000 Fold
. For the Joey Badass song, see
1999 (mixtape)
.
Astronauts participating in tropical survival training at an
Air Force Base
near the
Panama Canal
, 1963. From left to right are an unidentified trainer,
Neil Armstrong
,
John H. Glenn Jr.
,
L. Gordon Cooper
, and
Pete Conrad
. Survival training is important for astronauts, as a launch abort or misguided reentry could potentially land them in a remote wilderness area.
Survival skills
are techniques used to sustain life in any type of
natural environment
or
built environment
. These techniques are meant to provide
basic necessities
for human life, including
water
,
food
, and
shelter
. Survival skills also support proper knowledge and interactions with animals and plants to promote the sustaining of life over time.
Survival skills are basic ideas and abilities that ancient people invented and passed down for thousands of years.
[1]
Today, survival skills are often associated with surviving in a
disaster
situation.
[2]
Outdoor activities
such as
hiking
,
backpacking
,
horseback riding
,
fishing
, and
hunting
all require basic wilderness survival skills, especially to handle emergencies. Individuals who practice survival skills as a type of outdoor recreation or hobby may describe themselves as survivalists. Survival skills are often used by people living
off-grid
lifestyles such as
homesteaders
.
Bushcraft
and
primitive living
are most often self-implemented but require many of the same skills. There are also many instances of survival skills being used to avoid attention from legitimate authorities or self-serving busybodies such as
fugitives
(from oppression or justice),
irregular migrants
,
draft dodgers
and draft evaders,
poachers
,
escaped prisoners
,
serial killers
,
organized criminals
and
terrorists
, by hiding in wilderness areas.
[3]
[4]
Additionally, both
park rangers
and
conservation officers
are taught survival skills to help them find missing persons, and in case they become stranded while investigating wilderness crimes.
[5]
[6]
The
United States Armed Forces
has a training program called
SERE
, in which military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, intelligence personnel, and
private military contractors
are taught survival skills and techniques for evading capture and escaping from
captivity
if they need to survive and hideout in wilderness areas while avoiding capture by enemy combatants.
First aid
[
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]
A first aid kit containing equipment that can treat common injuries and illness.
First aid
(
wilderness first aid
in particular) can help a person survive and function with injuries and illnesses that would otherwise kill or compromise them. Common and dangerous injuries include:
The person may need to apply the contents of a
first aid kit
or, if possessing the required knowledge, naturally occurring medicinal plants, immobilize injured limbs, or even transport incapacitated comrades.
Shelter
[
edit
]
Photo release by the
Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation
depicting a shelter built from tarp and sticks. Pictured are displaced people from the
Sri Lankan Civil War
.
Many people who are forced into survival situations often have an elevated risk of danger because of direct exposure to the elements. Many people in survival situations die of
hypothermia
or
hyperthermia
, or animal attacks. An effective shelter can range from a natural shelter, such as a
cave
, overhanging rock
outcrop
, or a fallen-down tree, to an intermediate form of man-made shelter such as a debris hut, tree pit shelter, or
snow cave
, to a completely man-made structure such as a
tarp
,
tent
, or a
longhouse
. It is noted that some common properties between these structures are:
- Location (away from hazards, such as cliffs; and nearby materials, like food sources)
- Insulation (from the ground, rain, wind, air, or sun)
- Heat Source (either body heat or fire-heated)
- Personal or Group Shelter (having multiple individuals)
Fire
[
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]
Fire
is a tool that helps meet many survival needs. A campfire can be used to boil water, rendering it safe to drink, and to cook food. Fire also creates a sense of safety and protection, which can provide an overlooked psychological boost.
[7]
When temperatures are low, fire can postpone or prevent the risk of hypothermia. In a wilderness survival situation, fire can provide a sense of home in addition to being an essential energy source.
[8]
Fire may deter wild animals from interfering with an individual, though some wild animals may also be attracted to the light and heat of a fire.
There are numerous methods for starting a fire in a survival situation. Fires are either started with the case of the
solar spark lighter
, or through a
spark
, as in the case of a
flint striker
. Fires will often be extinguished if either there is excessive wind, or if the fuel or environment is too wet. Lighting a fire without a lighter or matches, e.g. by using natural flint and metal with
tinder
, is a frequent subject of both books on survival and in survival courses, because it allows an individual to start a fire with few materials in the event of a disaster. There is an emphasis placed on practicing fire-making skills before venturing into the wilderness.
[8]
Producing fire under adverse conditions has been made much easier by the introduction of tools such as the magnesium striker,
solar spark lighter
, and the
fire piston
.
Water
[
edit
]
Hydration pack
manufactured by
Camelbak
.
A human being can survive an average of three to five days without water. Since the human body is composed of an average of 60% water, it should be no surprise that water is higher on the list than food.
[9]
[10]
The need for water dictates that unnecessary water loss by
perspiration
should be avoided in survival situations. Perspiration and the need for water increase with exercise.
[11]
Although human water intake varies greatly depending on factors like age and gender, the average human should drink about 13 cups or 3 liters per day.
[12]
[13]
Many people in survival situations perish due to
dehydration
, and/or the debilitating effects of water-borne
pathogens
from untreated water.
[14]
[15]
A typical person will lose a minimum of two to four liters of water per day under ordinary conditions, and more in hot, dry, or cold weather. Four to six liters of water or other liquids are generally required each day in the wilderness to avoid dehydration and to keep the body functioning properly.
[16]
The U.S. Army survival manual does not recommend drinking water only when thirsty, as this leads to inadequate hydration. Instead, water should be consumed at regular intervals.
[17]
[18]
Other groups recommend rationing water through "water discipline."
[19]
A lack of water causes
dehydration
, which may result in
lethargy
,
headaches
,
dizziness
,
confusion
, and eventually death. Even mild dehydration reduces
endurance
and impairs
concentration
, which is dangerous in a survival situation where clear thinking is essential. Dark yellow or brown
urine
is a diagnostic indicator of dehydration. To avoid dehydration, a high priority is typically assigned to locating a supply of drinking water and making provisions to render that water as safe as possible.
Recent thinking is that boiling or commercial
filters
are significantly safer than the use of chemicals, with the exception of
chlorine dioxide
.
[20]
[21]
[22]
Food
[
edit
]
Culinary root tubers
,
fruit
,
edible mushrooms
,
edible nuts, edible beans, edible cereals
or
edible leaves
,
edible cacti
,
ants
and
algae
can be gathered and, if needed, prepared (mostly by boiling). With the exception of leaves, these foods are relatively high in
calories
, providing some energy to the body. Plants are some of the easiest food sources to find in the jungle, forest, or desert because they are stationary and can thus be obtained without exerting much effort.
[23]
Animal trapping
,
hunting
, and
fishing
allow a survivalist to acquire high-calorie meat but require certain skills and equipment (such as bows, snares, and nets).
Focusing on survival until rescued, the
Boy Scouts of America
especially discourages foraging for wild foods on the grounds that the knowledge and skills needed to make a safe decision are unlikely to be possessed by those finding themselves in a wilderness survival situation.
Navigation
[
edit
]
Celestial navigation: using the Southern Cross to navigate South without a compass.
When going on a hike or trip in an unfamiliar location,
search and rescue
advises to notify a trusted contact of your destination, your planned return time, and then notify them when returning.
[24]
In the event you do not return in the specified time frame, (e.g. 12 hours of the scheduled return time), your contact can contact the police for search and rescue.
Survival situations can often be resolved by finding a way to safety, or a more suitable location to wait for rescue. Types of navigation include:
- Celestial navigation
, using the
sun
and the night sky to locate the cardinal directions and to maintain course of travel
- Using a
map
,
compass
or
GPS
receiver
- Dead reckoning
- Natural navigation, using the condition of surrounding natural objects (i.e.
moss
on a tree, snow on a hill, direction of running water, etc.)
Mental preparedness
[
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]
Mental clarity and preparedness are critical to survival. The will to live in a life-and-death situation often separates those that live and those that do not. Even well-trained survival experts may be mentally affected in disaster situations. It is critical to be calm and focused during a disaster.
To the extent that stress results from testing human limits, the benefits of learning to function under stress and determining those limits may outweigh the downside of stress.
[25]
There are certain strategies and mental tools that can help people cope better in a survival situation, including focusing on manageable tasks, having a Plan B available, and recognizing denial.
[26]
Urban survival
[
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]
Earthquake
[
edit
]
Governments such as the
United States
[27]
and
New Zealand
[28]
advise that in an
earthquake
, one should "Drop, Cover, and Hold."
New Zealand Civil Defense explains it this way:
[29]
- DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
- COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.
The United States
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA)
[27]
adds that in the event of a building collapse, it is advised that you:
- Seek protection under a structure like a table
- Cover your mouth with your shirt to filter out dust
- Don't move until you are confident that something won't topple on you
- Use your phone light to signal for help, or call
Important survival items
[
edit
]
Civilian pilots attending a Survival course at
RAF Kinloss
learn how to construct shelter from the elements, using materials available in the woodland on the north-east edge of the aerodrome.
Survivalists often carry a "survival kit." The contents of these kits vary considerably, but generally consist of items that are necessary or useful in potential survival situations, depending on the anticipated needs and location. For wilderness survival, these kits often contain items like a knife, water vessel, fire-starting equipment, first aid equipment, tools to obtain food (such as snare wire, fish hooks, or firearms), a light source, navigational aids, and signaling or communications devices.
Multi-purpose tools
are often chosen because they serve multiple purposes, allowing the user to reduce weight and save space.
Preconstructed survival kits may be purchased from various retailers, or individual components may be bought and assembled into a kit.
Controversial survival skills
[
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]
Some survival books promote the "Universal Edibility Test."
[30]
Allegedly, it is possible to distinguish edible foods from toxic ones by exposing your skin and mouth to progressively greater amounts of the food in question, with waiting periods and checks for symptoms between these exposures.
[31]
However, many experts reject this method
[
weasel words
]
, stating that even a small amount of some "potential foods" can cause physical discomfort, illness, or even death.
[32]
Many mainstream survival experts have recommended the act of drinking
urine
in times of dehydration and malnutrition.
[33]
However, the U.S. Army Survival Field Manual (FM 21?76) instructs that this technique is a myth and should never be used.
[34]
There are several reasons to avoid drinking urine, including the high salt content of urine, potential contaminants, and the risk of bacterial exposure, despite urine often being touted as "
sterile
."
[35]
Many classic
western
movies, classic survival books, and even some school textbooks suggest that using your mouth to suck the venom out of a
venomous
snake bite
is an appropriate treatment. However, venom that has entered the
bloodstream
cannot be sucked out, and it may be dangerous for a rescuer to attempt to do so. Similarly, some survivalists promote the belief that when bitten by a venomous snake, drinking your urine provides natural anti-venom. Effective snakebite treatment involves pressure bandages and prompt medical treatment, and may require
antivenom
.
[36]
See also
[
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]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Wilderness Survival Skills"
.
www.wilderness-survival.co.uk
. 28 September 2017
. Retrieved
28 September
2017
.
- ^
"12 Outdoor Survival Skills Every Guy Should Master"
.
Men's Fitness
. 28 September 2017
. Retrieved
28 September
2017
.
- ^
"B.C. Wilderness has hidden many fugitives"
. 13 April 2008.
- ^
"Camping Safety and Hiking Safety FAQ"
.
- ^
Park Ranger Skills
[
dead link
]
- ^
"Week 17: Trained to save lives"
.
- ^
The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.417-Tactics And Techniques, Survival. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9
- ^
a
b
Fears, J. Wayne (14 February 2011).
The Pocket Outdoor Survival Guide: The Ultimate Guide for Short-Term Survival
. Simon and Schuster.
ISBN
978-1-62636-680-0
.
- ^
"The Water in You: Water and the Human Body"
.
www.usgs.gov
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
"Body Water Percentage | Healthcare-Online"
.
www.healthcare-online.org
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
HowStuffWorks
by Charles W. Bryant
- ^
"How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?"
.
Cleveland Clinic
. 6 August 2020
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
J Appel, Lawrence; H Baker, David; Baror, Oded; L Minaker, Kenneth; Morris Jr, R Curtis; M Resnick, Lawrence; N Sawka, Michael; L Volpe, Stella; H Weinberger, Myron; K Whelton, Paul (11 February 2004).
"Report Sets Dietary Intake Levels for Water, Salt, and Potassium To Maintain Health and Reduce Chronic Disease Risk"
.
www.nationalacademies.org
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
"Dehydration: Why It Is So Dangerous - Diarrhoea, Diarrhea, Rehydration"
.
rehydrate.org
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
"Drinking-water"
.
www.who.int
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
Water Balance; a Key to Cold Weather Survival
by Bruce Zawalsky, Chief Instructor, BWI
- ^
"Army Survival Manual; Chapter 13 ? Page 2"
. Aircav.com
. Retrieved
21 October
2011
.
- ^
"U.S. Army Survival Manual FM 21-76, also known as FM 3-05.70 May 2002 Issue; drinking water"
. Survivalebooks.com
. Retrieved
21 October
2011
.
- ^
"Water Discipline" at Survival Topics
- ^
"US EPA"
. Archived from
the original
on 29 December 2011
. Retrieved
27 December
2011
.
- ^
"Wilderness Medical Society"
. Wemjournal.org
. Retrieved
21 October
2011
.
[
dead link
]
- ^
"Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources"
. Dnr.wi.gov. 11 March 2008. Archived from
the original
on 8 March 2012
. Retrieved
21 October
2011
.
- ^
"Master The Great Outdoors"
. SurvivalGrounds.com
. Retrieved
21 October
2011
.
- ^
Police, Victoria.
"Victoria Police - Search and Rescue Squad"
.
www.police.vic.gov.au
.
- ^
Krieger, Leif (3 April 2011).
"How to Survive Any Situation"
.
How to Survive Any Situation
. Silvercrown Mountain Outdoor School.
- ^
Leach, John (1994).
Survival Psychology
. NYU Press.
- ^
a
b
"Earthquakes | Ready.gov"
.
- ^
"Home ≫ National Emergency Management Agency"
.
- ^
"Drop, Cover and Hold P?heke, H?poki me Pupuri"
.
GetReady.Govt.nz
. Get Ready NZ
. Retrieved
6 December
2022
.
- ^
US Army Survival Manual FM21-76 1998 Dorset press 9th printing
ISBN
1-56619-022-3
- ^
Meals, Greenbelly.
"The Universal Edibility Test"
.
Greenbelly Meals
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
"The Universal Edibility Test"
.
Backpacker
. 23 April 2019
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
Gordon, Naomi (14 August 2020).
"All the wildest things Bear Grylls has done - from drinking pee to sleeping inside a camel"
.
Radio Times
. Hubert Burda
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
FM 21-76 US ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL
(PDF)
. United States Department of Defense. 1 October 1970. p. 210
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
"True or False: It's Safe to Drink Your Urine | Winchester Hospital"
.
www.winchesterhospital.org
. Retrieved
10 October
2021
.
- ^
Lawson, Malcolm (2013).
"Top 10 Survival Myths Busted"
.
SCS
. DNM International. p. 1. Archived from
the original
on 27 April 2015
. Retrieved
18 April
2015
.
Further reading
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External links
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