Practical Survival Techniques
Excerpted from an Article by Lionel Atwill in Field & Stream Magazine August, 1999
"Far too many people get in trouble in the outdoors - for stupid reasons, and in a large part for lack of knowledge." Peter Kummerfeldt, Survival Instructor
"A lot of information out there is reactive, rather than proactive. That is it tells you what to do when you get in trouble, and much of it speaks to long-term survival - building shelters and such. What people really need is information that will keep them from getting in a survival situation, and should they get in trouble, information that will see them through one, maybe two nights."
"Survival is a decision making process. Thinking is the key."
"I believe dehydration is the number one factor that causes accidents - and thereby survival situations. When you're dehydrated , your ability to function efficiently degrades rapidly. Then you make mistakes. We should all drink 3 to 5 quarts of water each day when we are outdoors. A lot of hunters don't even carry water, much less drink that much. It's sheer foolishness."
"Panic is harder to deal with. The first thing to do is sit down. When you're on your feet you're going to move. Have a drink of water. Move from a crisis situation to a coping situation. Panic is a great contributor to the number of deaths that occur in the outdoors."
"Keeping warm and dry is the foundation to surviving, and clothing is the key. People dress to arrive and not to survive. We need to take that extra layer of clothing with us to see us through the night."
"You cannot build a waterproof, windproof shelter from natural materials. It takes too long. You need something that you can grab out of your pack and put on, something that is windproof and waterproof. I recommend one of these bright orange 4 mil thick Department of Transportation trash bags - the ones you see guys stuffing tires into along the highways of America. Go to one corner, drop down about eight inches and cut out a hole that's just large enough for your face. Pull the bag over your body. The corner sits on top of your head, and your face sticks through the hole. Something else I carry religiously is a piece of closed cell foam, about 18 inches square. I sit on it while I'm inside my plastic bag. If you go to sleep or pass out, with that orange bag you still have a signal working for you."
"Firecraft comes third in my heirarchy of needs. I still like good old strike - anywhere wooden matches. Put them in a waterproof match case, but not one of those metal Boy-Scout numbers. Get a screw off cap, plastic G.I. model. My backup is a metal match."
"We rarely die in the outdoors from major trauma; we die from the accumulation of little things. Take care of the little things and avoid situations that are potentially dangerous and you'll stay out of trouble."
SOUND ADVICE
Carry a pair of light deerskin gloves to protect your hands.
Leave the ax at home. A saw will do everything it can more safely.
Always carry a loud whistle and a signal mirror.
Carry two Mini - Mag flashlights.
Don't rely on GPS learn to navigate with a map and compass.
Head protection is vital. Pack a watch cap or head sock.