Survival Basics

To Calm Down: Breathe

To force calming in the parasympathetic nervous system, make sure your exhales are longer than your inhales.

Number One Priorities

1. Signaling (3 different kinds)

Electronics: cell phone, strobe light, headlamp, SOS subscription device

Pyrotechnic: flares, fire

• Flares go about 300 feet
• For white environment (snowy, foggy), black smoke is best - burn plastic, rubber

Ground-to-air: bright cloth, reflection, water coloring

• Create a giant V or giant X (X specifically for medical)

Half signals: sound, whistles

2. Take Care of You

a) Clothing + equipment (knife, rope) b) Shelter (if clothing + equipment aren't sufficient, such as if raining or very cold) c) Fire

Important notes:

• If wet, take it all off and dry off
• Fire is not more important than shelter
• Don't do jumping jacks - instead find a confined space and tighten muscles to create warm air

3. Drink

Find water - you have about 3 days. If no water source, then don't eat!

4. Explore

5. Stay Alive (Health + First Aid)

a) Mental health b) Hygiene c) First aid

Other Notes

• Going above 11k feet means no more trees
• Create a small survival kit whenever going out