The Pocket Outdoor Survival Guide: The Ultimate Guide for Short-Term Survival
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Authors: J. Wayne Fears
Tags: #Safety Measures, #Sports & Recreation, #Outdoor Skills, #Wilderness Survival, #Outdoor Life, #Outdoor Life - Safety Measures
The Ultimate Guide for Short-Term Survival
Copyright © 2011 by J. Wayne Fears
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11 th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or [email protected].
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fears, J. Wayne, 1938-
The pocket outdoor survival guide : the ultimate guide for short-term survival / J. Wayne Fears.
p. cm.
9781616080501
1. Wilderness survival. 2. Outdoor life--Safety measures. I. Title.
GV200.5.F46 2011
6 1 3.6’9--dc22
2010036070
Printed in China
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
C.W. Brown/Photo Researchers, Inc.
p.84
L. West/Photo Researchers, Inc.
p.86
Scott Camazine/Photo Researchers, Inc.
p.92
Alex Bowers
p.113
To those dedicated search & rescue
professionals and volunteers
who find countless lost and
stranded people each year.
Many lives would be lost
without them.
Thank you.
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
INTRODUCTION
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Survival Is Usually an Unplanned Night in the Woods1. SEARCH & RESCUE
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Modern Search & Rescue Works for You2. BEFORE YOU GO3. SURVIVAL KIT
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Assemble Your Own Survival Kit4. WEATHER
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Equip Yourself for Local Weather Conditions5. TROUBLE
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You Are in Trouble — Stop!6. SIGNALS
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Prepare Your Signals7. SHELTER
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Construct a Shelter8. BUILD A FIRE
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Build a Survival Fire9. SLEEPING
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Sleeping Warm10. INSECTS
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Dealing with Insects11. SAFE WATER
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Making Water Safe for Drinking12. FOOD
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Food — Not a Necessity13. HYPOTHERMIA
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Avoid Hypothermia14. FEAR
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Dealing with Fear15. WILL TO LIVE16. MISSING PERSON
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When a Member of Your Group Is Missing
North America still has lots of backcountry in which it is easy to get lost or stranded. Even in the most remote country, however, most missing people are found within a few hours.
Each year dozens of American outdoor enthusiasts find themselves in an unexpected outdoor emergency. They get lost, injured, or stranded and suddenly find themselves depending upon survival skills to survive. For most people, thanks to modern communications such as cell phones and two-way radios, it is merely a sobering two- or three-hour adventure. In fact, with today’s methods of search and rescue, the majority of missing people are found within 72 hours after they have been reported missing, most even less. However, for some who do not take the proper precautions or do not have survival skills, such an experience can end in tragedy.
The purpose of this book is to help you prepare for that “unplanned night or nights in the woods.” Keep it with you to help you make it through the adventure. With proper preparation for any outdoor activity, there should be little reason for an unplanned night in the woods. But, should you find yourself in a situation where you will need to survive several days, this book will have you prepared to do it with style. Survival knowledge and training pays off when the chips are down. Remember the acronym, “LOST” — Lean On Survival Training.
A sudden spill in a canoe can leave you stranded.
Several years ago, when I was working as a wildlife manager in Georgia, I helped lead the search for a missing hunter in the rugged mountains along the Georgia-North Carolina boundary. We were told that this hunter had little hunting experience but had received extensive survival training. In a blinding rainstorm, it took us two days to find the lost hunter. Much to our surprise, by the time we found him he had virtually established a comfortable homestead.
When he first realized he was lost, he stopped walking and picked an opening in the dense woods to establish a survival camp. He immediately put out ground-to-air signals. Realizing bad weather was on the way, he built a shelter under some overhanging rocks that kept him dry and out of the wind. He gathered plenty of firewood and stored it in his shelter. Next, he built a fire complete with a reflector to keep his shelter warm.
It was his fire that led to his being found. The hunter’s survival camp was so comfortable that those of us in the search party used it for an overnight rest before packing out.
When you first realize you are lost, stop. Do not wander around aimlessly. For every hour you wander the search area grows four times.
Due to his survival training, he lived comfortably through a two-day storm. He stayed positive and worked toward being found. He used the resources at hand to make a survival camp.Will you be like this hunter if your time comes to spend an unplanned night or two in the woods?