Survival Theory


Survival

Essentials

Survival is all about staying alive. Depending on the circumstances, that might mean finding water in the desert, being able to swim, or simply knowing what to do and when to do it.
In a military situation, we're talking about combat survival. The kind of scenario they have to prepare for is, for example, being cut off miles behind enemy lines in a hostile environment, where lack of food, water or both is as big a threat to your survival as the enemy. In the cold war days there was also a lot of discussion 

Nowadays with global warming causing natural disasters, civil, financial and political unrest and more frequent travel to places that are 'unstable' for whatever reason the situations when 'ordinary' people find themselves in survival situations is becoming ever more frequent. 


Mental attitude

The single biggest factor in surviving is psychological. The 'will to survive' can see you through when by all logical reason you should be dead. 
Some people visualise their wife or husband, family, children or whoever to help keep them going. Others are just downright pig-headed and won't give up on principle. Whatever works for you, use it - because if your will to survive is broken, all the equipment and kit in the world won't save you. Never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.




Knowledge

Second only to the will to survive is knowledge. Do you know how to find water, what plants you can eat, how to signal for help or navigate your way back to civilisation? If not, take heart: unlike the will to survive, this bit you can get from books, online courses or by attending survival lectures. But remember that when it really counts, you won't have that book in your pocket, or an instructor to tell you the answers - all you have is what you've drummed into your own head.
There are plenty of good survival books around, some written specifically for the military, others for a civilian camping/hiking audience. Personally, I prefer the various books by former SAS survival instructor John ('Lofty') Wiseman.


Skills

Knowing something is one thing. Being able to do it is quite another. Take a simple example: If you ask a dozen people how you can start a fire in the wilderness, most of them will say "Rub two sticks together". Well, they're not wrong - but drop them in the middle of nowhere and tell them to light a fire, will they be able to?

Skills come with training and practice. You can build on your knowledge and turn it into skills by actually doing the thing for real. Which is why you might go on a combat survival course and spend time practicing the skills you have learned.

Of course I am going to recommend coming to our place to learn and practice survival skills. The surroundings are an ideal learning environment and of course the instructor(s) is fabulous. 

You can check all this out (it doesn't cost anything to look) by following the link HERE

Equipment

The 'Walter Mittys' always place too much emphasis on kit. People who do the job for real know that good kit helps make life easier, but it's not essential. A true survivor will use his knowledge and skills to improvise, using whatever he can lay his hands on to replace the kit he wishes he had. An example: It's nice to have a few yards of paracord in your pocket, but all kinds of vegetation can be pressed into service to make ropes and cordage.

Of course the only kit that's any good is the stuff you've got with you when it's needed. Put together a basic survival kit and keep it in your 'belt kit'. It's no good left behind in your bergen or back at home!

And since you must carry it with you at all times, make sure it's light and compact. Every item should be as light and small as possible and still capable of doing the job - or better still two or three jobs, as every item in a survival kit should be as versatile as possible.

Most of the time you will have a pretty good idea of what might happen if things go badly. If you're in desert terrain, for instance, it's a pretty fair bet that water will be your biggest survival challenge, while there wouldn't be much point packing a wood-saw! So plan, prepare, and triple-check everything.

Here's a list of items for a basic survival kit which will fit in a tobacco tin (lid doubles as heliograph, tin doubles as cooking pot/mug) sealed with sticky tape (re-usable, naturally). With the necessary knowledge and skills, it covers the basic requirements of survival: Water, Food, Shelter, Navigation, Medical Care and Signalling.
  • Non-safety matches, waterproofed with candle wax
  • Candle
  • Flint and striker
  • Cotton wool (a tampon is ideal as it's highly compressed)
  • Fish hooks and line
  • Button compass
  • Needles and thread
  • Magnifying glass
  • Rabbit snare
  • Wire saw
  • Scalpel blades
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Condom (for carrying water)
  • Antibiotics
  • Antihistamines
  • Potassium permanganate
  • Sticking plasters
  • Lip salve
  • Rehydration salts
  • Malaria tablets (where needed)
  • In addition to your survival tin, carry with you at all times: A good knife, adequate clothing for the climate, as much water as practicable, and your personal weapon and ammunition
If possible, also carry: Stove and fuel, signal flares, metal mug or mess tin, torch and batteries, spare matches, survival bag, brew kit, spare food and extra matches


Principles of Survival



Our survival courses take delegates through the different aspects of survival theory - this part being the principles of survival which is essentially based around the acronym "SURVIVAL".
This is an easy word to remember, especially for people faced with a survival situation.


SURVIVAL ACTIONS



The following paragraphs expand on each letter of the mnemonic SURVIVAL - this word can help guide you in your actions in any survival situation.

This part of survival theory is intended to help delegates commit to memory what each letter signifies so that if they do find themselves in a tight spot at a later date, they will know how to give themselves the best chances of getting out of it.


S = Size Up



The Situation


If you are in a survival situation, find a place where you can conceal yourself from both predatory animals and the elements. Remember, protection takes priority.

Your Surroundings



Determine the pattern of the area. Get a feel for what is going on around you. Every environment, whether forest, jungle, or desert, has a rhythm or pattern. This rhythm or pattern includes animal and bird noises and movements and insect sounds. It may also include civilian movements.

Your Physical Condition


The trauma of being in a survival situation may have caused you to overlook wounds you received.
Check your wounds and give yourself first aid. Take care to prevent further bodily harm. In any climate, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If you are in a cold or wet climate, put on additional clothing to prevent hypothermia.

Your Equipment


Perhaps you have lost or damaged some of your equipment. Check to see what equipment you have and what condition it is in. Now that you have sized up your situation, surroundings, physical condition, and equipment, you are ready to make your survival plan. In doing so, keep in mind your basic physical needs—protection, location, water & food.


U = Use All Your Senses & Undue Haste Makes Waste


You may make a wrong move when you react quickly without thinking or planning - that move may result in your death. Don't move just for the sake of taking action - remember survival theory and consider all aspects of your situation before you make a decision and a move.
If you act in haste, you may forget or lose some of your equipment. In your haste you may also become disoriented so that you don't know which way to go. Plan your moves. Use all your senses to evaluate the situation. Note sounds and smells. Be sensitive to temperature changes. Be observant. Take a moment to remember your survival theory.


R = Remember Where You Are


Spot your location on your map and relate it to the surrounding terrain whilst travelling. If there are other people with you, make sure they also know their location.
Always know who in your group, vehicle, or aircraft has a map and compass - if that person is killed, you will have to get the map and compass from them.
Pay close attention to where you are and to where you are going. Do not rely on others in the group to keep track of the route. Constantly orient yourself. Always try to determine, as a minimum, how your location relates to--

  • The location of human habitation
  • The location of dangerous areas – cliffs, swamps, deserts
  • The location of rivers – all rivers eventually lead to habitation or the sea
  • The location of localised water sources (especially important in the desert)
This information will allow you to make intelligent decisions when you are in a survival situation.



V = Vanquish Fear and Panic


The greatest enemies in a survival situation are fear and panic. If uncontrolled, they can destroy your ability to make an intelligent decision. They may cause you to react to your feelings and imagination rather than to your situation. They can drain your energy and thereby cause other negative emotions.
Previous survival training, survival theory and the self-confidence that these bring will enable you to vanquish fear and panic.


I = Improvise


In society we have items available for all our needs. Many of these items are cheap to replace when damaged. Our easy-to-replace culture makes it unnecessary for us to improvise. This inexperience in improvisation can be an enemy in a survival situation - Learn to improvise.
Take a tool designed for a specific purpose and see how many other uses you can make of it.
Learn to use natural objects around you for different needs. No matter how complete a survival kit you have with you, it will run out or wear out after a while - our imagination must take over when your kit wears out.


V = Value Living


All of us were born kicking and fighting to live, but we have become used to the soft life - we have become creatures of comfort - we dislike inconveniences and discomforts. What happens when we are faced with a survival situation with its stresses, inconveniences, and discomforts?
This is when the will to live - placing a high value on living - is vital. Stubbornness, a refusal to give in to problems and obstacles that face you, will give you the mental and physical strength to endure.


A = Act Like the Natives


The natives and animals of a region have adapted to their environment. If the native people can’t get you to a rescue point, they can help you to stay alive until rescue arrives. Remember these people live survival theory in their day to day lives.
Be aware though those native peoples body systems can often cope with different hygiene standards than people more accustomed to ‘civilized’ conditions
Animal life in the area can also give you clues on how to survive. Animals also require food, water, and shelter. By watching them, you can find sources of water and food.
WARNING – Animals cannot serve as an absolute guide to what you can eat and drink – many animals eat plants that are toxic to humans.


L = Live by Your Wits - But for Now – L = Learn Basic Skills


Without training in basic skills for surviving your chances of living through a survival situation are lessened.

Survival theory - followed by learning these basic skills - followed by practicing them - vastly improves your odds.

Survival training and knowing survival theory reduces fear of the unknown and gives you self-confidence.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please feel free to add your comments, become a member of this blog and to ask questions