Our Survival Plan by Maliyah Perkins

Getting emergency help

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-16 19:34:28 UTC

1. Notifying someone of your plan is important. Before you leave for your trip let someone reliable know your expected return time, trail or route, destination, car type and plate number, basic gear you’ll have, your cell phone number & carrier, and other partners names and information. In some cases you can also describe your tent and jacket color, and list supplies.

2. Although some places might not have cell coverage in the wilderness, coverage is increasing and in many wilderness emergencies cell phones are the most common way of initiating rescue for climbers and hikers. You should turn off your cell phone or radio (if you have one) to conserve batteries till your ready to use it. In cold environments try and keep your communication device close to your body to keep it warm and conserve battery life (between layers of clothing). Most new phones automatically fix your location when you make an emergency call, this isn’t always guaranteed and you can take a few steps to help.

a. Before your trip activate your phones automatic location setting which enables E911 to calculate your position.

b. Turn on your phone once a day before an emergency for about 5 min, when powered up phones check in with the nearest tower(s), even if there’s not enough signal to make a call, it can be enough to leave an electronic trail.

Radios and most cell phones work off line of site meaning land features such as hills, mountains, or heavy tree cover can block the signal. Satellite phones need an unobstructed view of the sky. To make an emergency call, higher open locations will provide the best signal, hold your phone at arms length and rotate around to find the best reception. Once you find the best spot, return to that spot for future calls.

3. Think of what information you’ll need to convey to the emergency operator. Dial emergency personal before your emergency contact. Stay calm, in the following order, state your name, your location (double checked) with as many details as possible (Lat/Long or UTM coordinates, elevation, and major land features nearby), if you don’t know your location describing surrounding land features and last known prominent points will also help. Tell them your emergency and people involved, type of equipment (how much food & fuel) you have and color of tent, backpack, clothes, etc…, including your emergency contacts information. Mention your plan of action (stay put, try and walk out, pitch tent, build a fire, etc…). Before hanging up let them know you’ll turn off your cell phone and turn it back on 5 min before and after the top of every hour or two, unless told otherwise by the 911 operator. Follow any other instructions given.

4. If you don’t have enough reception but a spotty signal it’s possible to get a text message out even if you can’t get a call through. Most emergency services aren’t set up to receive text messages so use your emergency contact. If you did a good job of pre-trip communication you’ll be able to keep your text short, they’ll know who it’s coming from and already have basic information. Example of a text could be. “SOS 49deg 47 min 50 sec N 123deg 30 min 30 sec W. fall w brkn leg, Jon injrd call 911”

5. To signal others material to use can be natural (sticks, rocks, dirt, shadows), man made (clothing, packs, tents, space blankets), or both. The important thing to remember is to follow the “CLASS” principle for ground to Air signals. ‘C’ stands for Contrast; you accomplish this with color that contrasts the surroundings. This can be a black shadow against white snow (done by digging a trench) or Orange tent against green vegetation. The ‘L’ stands for location, you want an open area that can be viewed from different directions and is close to your shelter area. ‘A’ stands for Angularity, the straighter your lines and sharper your corners the better, there are very few natural 90 degree corners in nature so having them in a signal will help catch a rescuers eye. ‘S’ stands for Size, the bigger your signal the better. S stands for shape, there aren’t too many straight corners or 90 degree bends in nature so having a signal with straight lines and sharp corners will stand out more. The shape of your signal can also communicate information to an air crew. A large V (3 feet wide and 18 feet long on each side) means you need help or assistance, X tells the crew your injured, you can use large arrows to communicate the direction of travel if you’re leaving a signal area.

6. Movement also catches the eye, you can accomplish this with vigorous arm waves or a t-shirt at the end of a pole, the t-shirt will also have the benefit of notifying the helicopter crew of the direction of the wind (they need to face into the wind to create lift for landing and taking off). A properly used signal mirror has been spotted almost 100 miles away. Space blankets, aluminum foil, watches, silver parts on credit cards, and anything shiny can also be used. At night flares, headlamp (torch), and chem sticks work best. Three signal items I carry in my pack because they’re light and easy to pack are a signal mirror, whistle, and chemical stick AKA Chem or glow stick. Other items can also function as signal materials. Here's a picture of a signal mirror flash one my friends took from a cockpit at 10-15 miles away:

7. Fire signals are one of the best methods for signaling rescue. The two main issues are causing forest fires and the time window between getting the fire to produce enough smoke to be seen and aircraft passing. Care must be taken to clear surrounding vegetation and prepare the ground for a fire. Another issue can be people not identifying the fire as a signal. To build a signal fire, you must first prepare the site. Find an open location close to your camp or where you’ll spend most of your time. Clear the fire area, scraping the ground to bare earth (dirt), and extend it out at least 15 feet. Prep the fire wood with each stage of wood placed in a log cabin pattern with small pieces at bottom and larger wood toward the top. Near the top you should have 1-3 feet of fuel, green material (pine boughs, branches, grass, leaves) is live and produces more smoke than dead dry material. The fire starting material and fuel should be dry and dead. Having the green stuff on top will help keep the fire wood at bottom dry. Have a tinder (starting material) nearby and keep dry. When you first hear an aircraft or know that rescue is in the general area or imminent start the fire, once you have waist high flames add green material as needed to continue producing smoke.

8. Noise can also be a signal, carrying a whistle is a good signaling tool that can be heard for several miles, the universal distress signal is 3 bursts, think consecutive signals of 3 (4-5 second blows), 3 shots, or 3 bangs with a stick on a tree. Occasionally yelling out “help” especially in areas that carry sound also works. If sunny you can use reflection to signal rescue.

9. If you’re on the move it’s a good idea to leave signals at prominent features and clearings, in most cases your best option is to use natural materials. Leave notes or arrows at each site indicating your direction of travel and intentions.

10. In the event of a helicopter rescue most pilots will try and land as a first option, if a large enough clearing is available (sufficient size will depend on the environment, elevation, wind conditions, and skill of the pilot), a clearing of at least 80 feet is what most need. Try and position yourself with your back to the wind facing the clearing so you’re at the choppers 12 to 3 clock position. After it lands wait for rescue personnel to come to you, do not run out to the helicopter, when power is decreased, the rotors can end up lowered to a point where they could decapitate an average height person especially if you are up hill of the helicopter. Because weight affects fuel capacity which in turn affects range and time of flight, don’t expect to take your pack or gear with you. In the event the crew decides to lower a hoist or basket, in most cases a rescuer will ride it down. Do not try and assist, especially avoid trying to grab the basket or cable before it has a chance to touch the ground at least once. The rotors can build static electricity over long distances and touching a cable or basket before it grounds can give you a shock.

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Comment by Ali Alami on November 1, 2010 at 9:18am

With cell reception around the world increasing, price of satellite phones going down, and more outdoor apps on smartphones rescue dynamics and procedures will change. In fact we now have 3G coverage at the top of Mt. Everest.

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Protecting ourselves

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-16 19:34:28 UTC

1
Do your research first. Don't just trek off into the wilderness; get a solid understanding of your surroundings first. Studying a map of the area where you're going -- and making sure to bring it with you -- will increase your chances of not getting lost tremendously. Educate yourself about the flora and fauna of the area you are exploring. Knowledge of the local plants and animals can save your life (for example knowing which plants are edible or knowing where the local colony of rattlesnakes make haven).
- One of the most accurate and informative books about this subject is "Bushcraft - Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival" by Mors Kochanski.
2
Make sure that you eat well before going into the woods, and tell someone where you are going, when you expect to return, when to know to call the police, etc.Don't make the mistake that James Franco makes in 127, the survival movie based on a true story -- make sure someone knows exactly where you're going and when. That way, if you do not return in time, someone will realize that you are lost, quickly alert rescuers, and be able to tell them where to start looking for you.
3
Bring survival gear. Basic survival tools such as a knife, a fire steel (metal match), some matches (in a waterproof canister), some cord (550 paracord is best), a whistle, a space blanket, a signaling mirror, water purifying tablets, and a compass can mean the difference between life and death. Even if you are only out on a day hike, be sure to bring the essentials.
- Having all this equipment is nothing if you cannot use it properly. Make sure to practice many times in a safe environment before venturing into the wilderness.
- Don't forget to bring a first aid kit. You should bring band aids, antiseptic, and tweezers for removing splinters that could get infected.
- If you need any medication or injections, bring them along – even if you don’t plan to be gone for long enough to need them. You never know when you might accidentally step on a snake and get bitten.
- A compass is also an item of critical importance when traveling in the woods. You can point your compass in the direction of the city or wherever you are embarking from, and remember the direction the compass's pointer points in. That way, if you're lost in the woods, all you have to do is turn around until the compass points in the correct direction, and then follow your way back.
- Before you leave, learn how to use a compass. If you have a map and can spot a few prominent landscapes, you can actually use the compass to triangulate your position and, from there, figure out where you need to go.
- When choosing a space blanket (a light, thin sheet of extremely reflective Mylar), spend a little extra to buy a larger, more durable model. A space blanket can be used to block wind and water, wrapped around the body prevent/counteract hypothermia, or even placed behind you to reflect a fire’s heat onto your back, but none of this is useful if the blanket is too small or tears the moment you unwrap it.
4
Bring a means of communication. A cell phone with a spare battery or a portable CB radio can be your best, quickest means of rescue if you are truly lost or injured. A cell signal may only be obtainable only from a hill or tree, but is better than nothing. Serious hikers may even consider investing in a personal locator beacon such as the SPOT Messenger for extended, precarious, or very remote, treks.
- A SPOT Messenger is a satellite communication devices that allows you to contact emergency services, reach your own personal contacts for help during non-emergencies, or even simply check in with your friends and family as you trek so that they know you’re alright. A service subscription is required and is not cheap.

Shelter

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-16 19:34:28 UTC

THE RIGHT SPOT

Choosing the best place to build a survival shelter is important. It should be in the driest spot you can find. Nothing sucks out body heat faster than wetness. If it isn’t too cold, build a shelter on high ground. Breezes will help keep the bugs away, and you’ll be easier to see if a search party passes nearby. If a cold wind is blowing, choose a spot sheltered by trees. But don’t build in the bottom of deep valleys or ravines where cold air settles at night.

THE COCOON

If it’s almost dark and you can hurriedly collect dry debris (leaves, pine needles, bark) from the forest floor, make a pile two or three feet high and longer than you are tall. When you burrow into the pile, you are in a natural sleeping bag that protects against heat loss.

THE FALLEN TREE

The simplest shelter is a fallen tree that has enough room under it for you to crawl in. Lean branches against the windward side of the tree (so the wind is blowing into it and not against it) to make a wall. Make the wall thick enough to keep out wind. If you can build a fire on the open side of your shelter, the heat will help keep you warm.

THE LEAN-TO

If you find a fallen tree without enough room under it, or a rock or a small overhang, you can build a simple lean-to. Start by leaning fallen limbs against the object, such as the top edge of an overhang, to create a wall. Lean the limbs at an angle to help shield rain. Cover the leaning limbs with leaves, boughs, pine needles, bark or whatever the forest offers. When you have built a thick wall, you can crawl underneath into your shelter. Remember to make your shelter no bigger than you need to fit you and anybody else with you. The bigger the space, the harder it is to keep warm.

You can also build a lean-to by placing one end of a long stick across a low limb of a tree and propping up the other end of the stick with two more sticks. Tie the ends of the sticks together with your boot laces or belt. Lean more sticks against the horizontal stick. Then pile leaves and other forest debris against the leaning sticks until you have a wall. Once again, a fire on the open side of the lean-to will add much heat to your “room.”

How we will get water

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-16 19:34:28 UTC

placing 5 drops of 2 percent tincture of iodine in a canteen full of clean water if water canteen is full of cloudy or cold water,use 10 drops(let canteen stand for 30 minutes

What we will eat

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-16 19:34:28 UTC

Food to Eat

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-18 19:13:09 UTC

Insects & worms are the best and easiest food to catch. Also can be used as bait. Fishing is usally the best source of protein out in the wild. if u carve a hook and use a string u can make a ratchet fishing hook.

perkinsm19131 — 2018-01-18 19:16:14 UTC