Survival Guide
Warmth - Shelter - Water and Food
Water
The average person can survive without water for a considerable
time. And, because most rescues will occur within 48 hours, water
need not be a major priority. (EDIT NOTE: I do not agree with this
statement. Water should be a high priority. You don't know
that rescue will occur in 48 hours.) As has already been discussed,
the greater danger from thirst is the psychological factor.
Expected periods of survival without water will vary with daily
temperatures and level of exertion. Staying put in the shade will
extend survival time significantly.
Some key points to remember:
1. Drink when thirsty. Life will not be appreciably increased by
rationing limited quantities of water.
2. Do not gulp. Swish water around in the mouth and swallow slowly.
3. Avoid unnecessary activity and seek shade
4. Limit food and salt intake if water is limited. Do not eat if
water isn't available.
Foraging for water
- Be prepared to capture water from sudden rainstorms. Line a hole
in the ground with plastic
- Look for signs of underground water such as dry stream beds, gullies,
animal diggings, lush vegetation. Dig a hole and wait for it to
fill with water.
- Trees and plants can contain water.
- Strain water from mud.
- Melt snow or ice. (Never place directly in your mouth as this
can cause loss of body heat.)
- Dew will form on cold shiny objects at night. Dig a one foot hole,
line with plastic sheeting and pile with clean stones on top.
- Squeeze center pulp from cactus
Water Purification - Always purify water you have foraged
by boiling or using purification tablets or filters intended for
the purpose. Never use run off water from glaciers.
It is important you do not allow your search for water to tire
you and add to dehydration, particularly in a hot dry climate. You
will be better off by conserving energy and body fluids.
Food
Hunger, like thirst, is a greater threat psychologically than it
is physically. Depending on circumstances, such as temperature and
physical condition, you can go as long as a month without food.
The real benefit in foraging for food, as with water, is in avoiding
boredom and maintaining a positive attitude by planning and doing
activities which hopefully will improve your situation. The search
for food is a low priority. You should use your time and energy
sparingly in this endeavor. Seeking water, improving your shelter,
maintaining your signalling fires are higher priorities.
Almost everything that walks, crawls, flies, or swims is edible.
Your degree of hunger may very well dictate your menu! Snares for
small animals or birds can be set and fish may be caught using hook
and line.
While a great deal of plant life is edible, there are plants which
are poisonous. Unless you know beyond a doubt a plant is edible,
don't eat it. This is especially true with fungi.
A final thought on food - this could be a great opportunity to
start that diet - food isn't an essential in the short term.
Survival
Guide - Warmth
- Shelter
- Water and Food
Emergency Water and Food below:
|
|
|
|
5 Year Water Boxes
A great information source about obtaining
and purifying water:
An extract of FM 21-76 Survival, Chapter 6, Water
Procurement.
|
5 Year Emergency Food
A great information source about obtaining
food in the wild:
An extract of FM 21-76 Survival, Chapter 8, Food
Procurement.
|
5 Year Shelf Life Emergency Food
|
|
