AS 410 “Survival” 1

Survival for Cadets Your private charter aircraft has crashed in the Canadian wilderness. You have just enough time to grab one item before the plane is consumed in flames. What do you grab on your way out the door? Matches Sleeping bag Knife 2

Why Study Survival? What is in it for you? What are survival skills? When do you use these skills? What are the broad aspects that apply to most survival situations?

Survival Environments Land Desert Forest Mountain Combinations (summer/winter) Urban Water Lake River Ocean

Common Themes Clothing (personal shelter) Fitness 1st aid Orienteering Fires Rope work Mental control Leadership/followership

Course Overview Unit 1 – The Elements of Surviving Unit 2 – Personal Protection Unit 3 – Necessities to Maintain Life Unit 4 – Orientation and Traveling 6

Elements of Surviving Unit One: Survival Preparedness Conditions Affecting Survival The Survivor’s Needs Psychological Aspects of Survival The Will to Survive 7

Survival Preparedness Chpt 1-1 Chapter 1-1: Survival Preparedness Chapter Objective Know how to survive in situations where your safety and life depend on your decisions. Samples of Behavior/Main Points a. Define survival preparedness. b. List several items a survival pattern must include. c. Define the letters in the keyword survival. 8

Vocabulary Survival Preparedness Survival Pattern Hypothermia Hyperthermia Terrain Vanquish Improvise 9

Survival Actions A. Everyday of our lives, we are engaged in surviving. Continually, we need air to breathe, food and water to nourish ourselves and protection from the elements. 1. As a society, we’ve created complex networks of food production, distribution, and storage that can put fresh fruits on our tables in the winter. 2. Eating ice cream is an everyday occurrence, even where there are no cows and no ice. 3. Our water comes from public systems that are so convenient we seldom think about the wonder of having fresh, pure water piped into our homes. 4. Our homes are sturdy and secure, insulated against heat and cold and kept comfortable by furnaces and air conditioners. We are spoiled! 10

Survival Preparedness Stress What are stresses have you experienced? How do you cope? What did someone once say to you that you remember that helped you through? Does your attitude change and why? What helps you to overcome? 13

Survival Preparedness Stress 14

Survival Preparedness Stress Causes Injury, Illness, or death Uncertainty or lack of control Environment Hunger and Thirst Isolation Reactions Fear Anxiety Anger and Frustration Depression Loneliness and Boredom Guilt 15

Survival Preparedness Preparing Yourself Know Yourself Get to know who you really are inside; know your limitations and where you succeed. Strengthen your known skills and develop essential skills that are lacking. Be Realistic “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” Positive Attitude Know you can accomplish goals because you are well trained. Use your intelligence to solve problems instead of getting frustrated. Take a moment to relax and think about what you have to do, in order to work through those problems. Train Become an expert on all possible scenarios that may occur. Become comfortable in many different environments that you may experience. Train harder than what the scenario will actually be like. 16

Survival Actions B. Most of the time we survive without much effort, but when we travel in the backcountry, down wild rivers and across rugged terrain, we remove ourselves from the familiar networks of society. 1. For a while we are on our own, fully responsible for our comfort and safety. 2. That responsibility means we must do all we can to be prepared to survive. 3. Let’s define survival. According to Webster’s Dictionary survival is (1) living or continuing longer than another person or thing; (2) the act or process of surviving. 18

Survival Actions C. Pattern for Survival. 1. Develop a survival pattern that lets you beat all odds against you for survival. This pattern must include food, water, shelter, fire, first aid, and signals placed in order of importance. 2. For example, in a cold environment, you would need a fire to get warm; a shelter to protect you from the cold, wind, and rain or snow; traps or snares to get food; a means to signal for help; and first aid to maintain health. 19

Psychology of Survival S – Size up the situation U – Use all Your Senses, Undue haste makes waste R – Remember where you are V – Vanquish Fear and Panic I – Improvise V – Value Living A - Act only after thinking L – Live by your wits S – Size up the situation Surroundings such as forest, jungle, desert Physical Condition such as wounds, hydration, climate (hypothermia) Size up your equipment Don’t forget basic needs – water, food, shelter U – Use all Your Senses, Undue haste makes waste R – Remember where you are Use or make a map or compass. Do you have a working cell phone?, What route are you taking Determine how your route relates to local water sources and shelter V – Vanquish Fear and Panic This is your greatest enemy Don’t react to your feelings or imagination…react to your situation I – Improvise (Student Discussion) V – Value Living (Student Discussion) Stubborness – a refusal to give in to problems and obstacles Mental and physical strength to endure A - Act only after thinking (e.g. watch the animal life but beware of toxins) L – Live by your wits, but for now, learn basic skills 20

Survival Preparedness Summary - Defined survival preparedness. - Listed several items a survival pattern must include. - Defined the letters in the keyword survival. 21

Conditions Affecting Survival Next Conditions Affecting Survival Environment Survivor’s Condition Survival Situation Duration Chapter 1-2 22