SIX

Execute and stick to the plan.

Once your short term needs are met, you must stick to your plan, and improve your situation as conditions permit. If you are in a group, everyone must be kept occupied while awaiting rescue. Boredom and inactivity give way to fear and imagination. Realize that searches take time, even in populated areas, and that many people are looking for you. If you have not been rescued after five days, do not despair. The search is still going on. However, your long range survival needs will soon have to be addressed.

SHELTER

-Use natural protection from the elements

large downed trees with thick branches
low, snow covered branches
large snow drifts
natural rock formations
or sections of fuselage

-Never sleep on the bare ground, even in summer.

-Always lay on a thick bed of insulation such as pine branches or upholstery.

-Keep your head covered from the wind and cold.

-Improve your clothing with insulation from upholstery or leaves and grass.

-Always check for stability of natural shelter.

-Recognize avalanche or rockslide dangers early.

-Never close yourself up and sleep in a car or plane during high heat or heavy snow fall.

-Dig a snow cave using pieces of wreckage. Partially cover the entrance with a piece of upholstery.

-Take your time and be careful not to injure yourself.

WATER

-Water is more important than food.

-Never ration water, drink as much as you can.

-You should always try to boil natural water, or treat with iodine or small amounts of bleach or chlorine to remove the most harmful contaminates.

-Drink untreated water as a last resort to prevent dehydration.

-Always melt snow before putting it in your mouth. The heat lost through your mouth may outweigh the benefit of the water.

-Water flows downhill, so in dry areas look for water at the bottom of ravines.

-When you find a natural water source, check upstream first. Avoid water with beaver dams. Also, some animals die by the edge of a water source so look for dead carcasses in the water that may cause contamination.

-The higher up the mountain, the cleaner the water.

-Water falls and rapids filter the water somewhat, but bacteria can live in even the most remote of mountain streams.

-Avoid standing water or water with any odor. Springs may not be safe for drinking.

-Prepare a method of collecting and storing rainwater before it rains.

- Never quit collecting water when your immediate needs are meet.

FIRE

-Build a fire for heat, signaling, and morale. Realize that fire starting can seem impossible, or unnecessary, but it is a vital survival tool!

-Even in summer, a fire will boost moral and speed up rescue.

-Practice fire building before an emergency:
Choose a location, gather tinder and a lot of fuel.
Concentrate on building a small fire only
Use standing dead trees, dry dead branches, tall grass, dung, or carve into damp logs on the ground.
Avoid burning poisonous plants.

-Use a mix of engine fuel and oil, but be careful.

-Starting the fire:

Place fuel in separate piles according to tinder, kindling, and logs.
Use tinder made of dry wood shavings, dead pine needles, dry grass tops, frayed rope, bird down, bird nests, or punk.
Arrange kindling in a small log cabin style pile.
Create a wind block with large stones, green logs or wreckage.

-If trying to start a fire without matches or a lighter, try this:

Use a magnify glass, camera lens, binocular lens, or rifle scope to concentrate the rays of the sun on the tinder.

-If the sun is not out, try striking several types of rocks against some steel. Hold it very close to very dry tinder. If it starts to smolder, fan or blow gently until it flames up. Gently add tinder or a flammable liquid. Then add small branches and allow them to catch flame before adding larger fuel.

-Use the wood friction method as a last resort.

With a piece of wood on the ground with some tinder on it, held in place with your foot, vigorously saw another piece of wood against it in the same spot near the tinder until the tinder smolders.

-Another method is to use a durable piece of cord, cable, or rattan and try to saw though the log on the ground while it is face down in some tinder.

-Place burning tinder under kindling pile, and add logs as fire builds.

-Practice this skill before you need it.