Wilderness survival

Basic Wilderness Survival Bryan Clanton Griffin Police Explorers Advisor 770-229-6450 x504 [email_address]

Purpose Given the nature of being out in the woods, the Police Explorer will identify the basic skills for wilderness survival and promote safety through education, in accordance with US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76 .

Enabling Objectives
Explain why survival skills are needed.
Discuss lost prevention.
Identify five basic skills for survival.

Why Are Survival Skills Needed?
Something can happen to anyone…
An experienced outdoor person
The family that was on a leisurely hike
A vehicle problem in a rural area

I’M LOST! I’M STRANDED! Even a small child can help themselves! Shelter Water Food

Lost Prevention
Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return
Know your location on the map
Allow enough time for the trip
Keep track of time and distance
Stay on trails or routes
Learn basic outdoor and survival skills

Lost Prevention (continued)
Survival Gear
Flashlight
Water bottle
Snacks
First aid kit
Map
Compass
Insect Repellent

Lost Prevention (contd)
Trash bag
Poncho or Space Blanket
Whistle
Bandana/bright material
Purifying tablets
Waterproof matches
Candy
Lighter
Candle
Cord or string
Fishing hook
Fishing line
Magnesium fire starter
Optional items:
Mirror
Knife or Multi-tool
Basic Survival Kit

Mental Preparedness
Mindset to survive
STOP
S is for Stop
T is for Think
O is for Observe
P is for Plan
“ Having the skill to survive is important, having the will to survive is essential!”
( US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76)

Water
Boil the water at least 5 minutes
Chemical treatments
Filtration system

Where to Find Water
Rivers / streams
Tree crotches
Rock crevices
Vegetation still

Water (contd)
Never drink:
Alcohol
Blood
Urine ( Bear Grylls does it, but as a last resort!!!)
Seawater
Salt will dehydrate you and make you sick

Food
Vegetation
Insects
Mollusks
Snakes
Fish
Birds
Mammals
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH APPROPRIATE FOOD SOURCES PRIOR TO HEADING OUT! EATING THE WRONG THING CAN MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE OR EVEN KILL YOU!

Shelter
Protects you from:
Sun
Rain
Snow
Cold
Wind
Animals

DON’T build a shelter
In low-lying areas
Areas with strong wind currents
Where limbs might fall
Heavy wooded areas
Near water
Near ant hills or bee nests

DO build a shelter
Facing east
Within reach to water
At a location with building materials
In a visible location
Make it small
Using natural windbreaks

Types of Shelters
Natural
Lean-to
Debris hut

Natural
Caves
Clumps of bushes
Low-hanging limbs

Lean-To
Takes longer to make
Protects from elements

Debris hut
Good insulator
Easy to construct

Fire
Uses:
Warmth
To cook
To purify water
To signal for help

Risks Associated With Fire
Forest fires
Burns
Carbon Monoxide

Fire Safety
A safe site
A safe fire
Complete extinction

Fire (continued)
Fire site
Cleared area 10ft. in diameter
Build a fire on
Plain dirt
Sand/gravel
Rock
Greenwood

3 Elements of Fire
Oxygen
Fuel
Heat

Fire Materials
Tinder = toothpick
Kindling = pencil
Fuel = small branch

Three Basic Fires
Quick, hot, small fire
For frying or boiling
Firm bed of hot glowing coals
For roasting or baking
Large ramp fire
For heat, signal or light

Fire Starters
Matches
Lighter
Fire by friction
Magnesium fire starter
Batteries and steel wool

Common Fire Lays
Teepee—quick
Lean-to—quick
Crisscross or log cabin—long burning

REVIEW
Ask yourself…
Why are survival skills are needed?
What is lost prevention?
What are five basic skills for survival?

Wilderness survival

by City of Griffin on Aug 19, 2010

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