The secondary function of a brace position is to stop your limbs and head from flailing about and hitting things during the violent motion of the crash. You want to wrap your head in your arms, tightly clasping your hands and fingers together. If you have a pillow, blanket, or other potential padding handy, use it as a cushion between you and any nearby hard surfaces that you may strike during impact.
The reason you always see flight attendants making sure that all seats are in an upright position during landing and takeoff is to limit casualties and additional injury upon impact. There are two ways to practice and prepare to brace yourself properly.
THE CROSS-ARM BRACE POSITION
Grab the back of the seat in front of you with one hand. Then cross the other hand over the first hand to also grab the back of the seat. Place your head in the compacted triangle that you have created with crossed hands. This method is better than lacing your fingers and covering your head, but this is only effective if the seat in front of you is close enough to reach without loosening your seat belt.
THE BEND-AND-TUCK BRACE POSITION
If the seat in front of you is out of reach or you have a bulkhead before you, then lean forward. Place your chest to your thighs, and put your head between your knees. Reach down with your hands and grab each opposite ankle, or place your hands behind your head to protect the back of your neck.
For both bracing methods, make sure your feet remain flat on the floor and farther back than your knees. You’ll need your feet to be intact and be the least likely body part to sustain injury in order to aid in your swift evacuation.
Postimpact
Congratulations! You survived the impact . . . but it ain’t over until it’s over. Remember: If the plane has crash-landed and is somewhat intact, more die from the aftermath, primarily from fire and smoke inhalation, than from the impact.
PULL THE TRIGGER—GET OUT!
Time is now of the utmost essence. If there is fire or smoke, you will probably have no more than two minutes to save your life. You must now draw on the situational awareness you practiced while entering the plane. Remember, the plane could be lopsided or even upside down. The emergency lighting may not be working. But if you counted the rows of seats from the exit door, for example, you have a plan for escape and know the direction you need to go. In general, fuel is stored in the vicinity of the wings or toward the rear of the craft. The best way to escape fire is by moving toward the front portion of the plane.
LIFE BEFORE PROPERTY, ALWAYS
Do not try to get your laptop, purse, or bags in the storage bin. As common-sensical as this sounds, people do this frequently. It not only loses time but makes climbing over seats, or whatever is needed to get out, more cumbersome. However, if the crash landing occurred in water, then make all efforts to retrieve the life vest under your seat.
FINDING THE BEST EXIT
Unfortunately, the closest exit may not be the best. It could be blocked with debris or be where a fire awaits outside. Exit doors are usually placed in tandem, opposite each other, with one on each side of the airplane. If you see one as more dangerous, then cross over and make for the exit door on the other side.
Once you reach the exit door, do not shove others out of your way. An orderly evacuation will create less confusion and save more lives. Urge those around you to remain calm and keep a line in order, if possible. However, do not allow delay caused by a passenger who is locked up with shock, or “frozen,” to block the exit route. These people need to be physically pushed down an inflated slide, for example. When you make it to the front of the exit line, immediately disembark the plane. Do not wait for the person in front of you to clear the slide before taking your turn. Do not sit on the edge of the door and gently lever yourself onto the slide; you are not a child trying a playground chute for the first time. Do not pause, but continue moving through the door, jumping out and onto the slide. You’ve pulled the trigger, so act!
What to Do Once You’re Out
If you are in water, then the survival tactics discussed in “Abandon Ship” (page 29) will be of value, though you should swim as far away from the airplane as you can. If it’s a crash on land, which occurs more often, then move swiftly away from the plane. Secondary explosions are likely. You want to gain the greatest possible distance, preferably at least five hundred feet upwind, and wait there. If your crash landing was in a remote area, then remain in the vicinity of the plane, for this is the first place that rescuers will search for survivors. Call out, gather other survivors, and render any assistance you can until rescuers arrive. If rescue is prolonged, remain at the site as long as you can; however, improvise ways to signal your location. For example, keep a fire going, and use wet timber and leaves, which create more smoke. Or hang cloth or white shirts from high tree branches to aid in your rescue.
ANIMAL ATTACK
Dog Attacks
For many of us who own dogs, the term “man’s best friend” couldn’t be more accurate. The degree of loyalty dogs have toward humans is unparalleled in this world. But, as it is with any animal that has teeth, sometimes man’s best friend becomes his worst enemy.
I am a true believer in the phrase “There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.” The majority of dog attacks occur because of a lack of containment or inadequate training. Unfortunately, since there will probably never be any shortage of bad owners, dog attacks will continue to occur, and in some instances turn into life-threatening situations. Due to the large population of dogs in America—seventy-two million—the dog is classified as the most dangerous nonhuman mammal in our midst. During a ten-year study period, pit bull–type dogs were accountable for more than 60 percent of all fatalities, and Rottweilers caused more than 10 percent of known deaths. In fact, insurance companies will often raise a homeowner’s premium if any of the following dogs, regardless of the dog’s individual temperament, are known to be on the property: Akitas, Alaskan malamutes, bulldogs, mastiffs, chows, Dobermans, German shepherds, huskies, presa canarios, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire terriers, better known as pit bulls.
In 2010, there were thirty-four fatal dog attacks in the U.S. More than 350,000 dog-bite victims are seen in emergency rooms every year. Approximately 800,000 victims annually receive some form of medical attention related to dog bites.
DOGS AND CHILDREN
Someone is bitten by a dog every seventy-five seconds. And more than 80 percent of the time, it’s a child that gets attacked. Due to our familiarity with and love of dogs, many forget that dogs originated from a species of wolves, most likely the small East Asian wolf, about ten thousand years ago. Unlike wild animals that usually try to avoid encounters with humans, dogs have long since lost their fear of people. Yet, regardless of centuries of domestication, dogs are still guided by their genetically ingrained survival instincts. They follow a dominant leader and remain territorial, loyally devoted to the pack. Nearly all canine species, including dogs, abide by a pack rule of hierarchy and dominance. Children are rarely considered leaders to be feared or followed, primarily since they are comparatively smaller than adults and often the same size as many of the aggressive dog breeds. When we consider dogs not as pets but as potential threats to our lives and the lives of our children, it must be remembered that any breed of dog can be potentially unpredictable. The habits and peculiarities of dogs, or of any hazardous animal, should be sized up the way we would do for any adversary, to be used as an advantage during a survival scenario.
STAND YOUR GROUND OR RUN?
I advise you not to run from a dog, but as with all survival scenarios, there are exceptions. If, for example, you see two guard dogs racing toward you at full speed, none of the tactics below will be effective. Dogs can’t climb. So if you have the time to get to high ground, like up into a tree, on top of a Dumpster, or over a fence, do it. That one extra push-up you did and the effort you made to expand your comfort zone can turn a dangerous dog encounter into nothing more than a close call.
HOW TO AVOID A D
OG ATTACK
First off, never purposely aggravate or tease a dog. Also note that dogs that are regularly chained and confined are usually more aggressive and should be avoided. It’s unwise to assume that only certain breeds are dangerous. Just about any dog can cause injury.
1. When approached by a potentially dangerous dog, don’t look it in the eye, because it may consider this a threat to its hierarchical status. In addition, do not smile, since the dog only sees your teeth and could consider this a threat. Generally, you don’t want to overreact to the dog and let it think you are fearful, nor do you want to seem threatening from the start.
2. Observe the animal’s body language. A growl or bared teeth is obviously a sign of aggression. But a more subtle thing to observe is the position of the dog’s head. If a dog has its head held high or low, it is not usually in an aggressive mode. If the head is even with its body, then it is preparing to attack or fight.
3. Be alert so you can react quickly if events change. At first, stand firm, remain calm, and do not move suddenly. Do not run, as this will activate the dog’s prey-chasing instinct. It is best to turn sideways so that you are not directly facing the dog. This will display that you are nonthreatening; still, watch intently with a peripheral view.
4. If the dog is still approaching, loud commands, such as “Down! Stay!” could make it pause. But don’t point your finger or expose your hands.
5. You must control your fear. At this point, you are assuming a nonthreatening posture to avoid an unwanted fight.
6. Gradually back away from the animal, making no sudden movements or changes in posture. Once a sufficient gap has been established, get to a place out of the sight line of the animal.
7. If the dog attacks, follow the actions in the “What to do when attacked” list below.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
The principles of a SEAL’s mindset and rules of engagement are equally applicable in dealing with animals as in dealing with human foes. When under threat, staying cool and assessing the situation to avoid a fight is also a way to win.
WHAT TO DO WHEN ATTACKED
Now that the dog has picked a fight, you will do everything you can to gain immediate control and subdue the animal. When a dog bites, it does not merely chomp down and go but rather digs in and grips, shaking its head and tearing flesh. You want to protect your face, throat, and chest. If it is going to bite, you want it to attack the thickest flesh of your outer legs, again protecting the more vulnerable areas of the groin and inner thighs. This will also give you an opportunity to attack the dog’s more vulnerable parts.
1. Try to limit dog bites to areas of your body that have thicker skin. Even better, if you have time, wrap a jacket or extra layers of cloth around your arm and offer that to the attacking dog.
2. If the dog has you in its grip, turn on the animal and drop your full weight onto its body. Slam your knees, or crash down with your elbows, directly onto the dog’s body. Try to land on its ribs, which break easily, and strike at its head, especially at the back of the neck or at the base of the skull. While avoiding its teeth, wrap your forearm around its throat, thus controlling its ability to bite you more.
3. You can also reach for the dog’s hind legs and lift them off the ground. The dog will immediately lose its ability to maneuver and bite you further.
4. Use a towel, coat, or shirt to cover the dog’s head, which often subdues it quickly.
5. If available, a blast of cold water from a hose, or even a bucket of cold water thrown into its face, will disorient the dog enough to allow escape.
6. If you are attacked by multiple dogs, don’t try to subdue each dog with your body weight, as you would during an attack from a single dog. Dogs work in packs, and this will make you more vulnerable. Instead, attempt to strike at each approaching dog’s nose or eyes, or grab one of their limbs. If the dog pack senses a more formidable adversary from the onset, the dog pack’s instinct will often make them back off and retreat.
A fight with a dog is much like a knife fight—he who bleeds least wins!
MUSCLE MEMORY
It takes many repetitions for any action to become “memorized” by the muscles. One exercise you might try in order to be better prepared for a dog attack is to practice the above maneuvers on your own dog, if you own a medium-size to large breed. Of course, you will not use the force applied to an attacking dog, but you can incorporate how to turn and move correctly during your normal playtime with your pet.
AFTER THE ATTACK
1. Once the dog stops its attempt to bite, back away slowly.
2. Call the police or the local animal control unit.
3. Find out who owns the dog. You need to get documents pertaining to the inoculations it has received, specifically against rabies.
4. Seek medical attention for your wounds. Dog bites tear the skin and often require stitches. In addition, a dog’s mouth, contrary to popular myth, has a lot of bacteria that can cause serious illness if a wound is unattended.
During mission planning, we had intelligence concerning dogs that might impede our goal and were part of the target’s contingencies. The exact method used to neutralize aggressive dogs in the field is classified information. However, Special Ops has some really incredible dogs. In fact, during the raid to kill Osama bin Laden, the highly trained men of SEAL Team Six had with them a uniquely trained dog as part of the mission. SEAL canines are not your standard bomb-sniffing dogs. The dog on the bin Laden mission was specially trained to jump from planes and rappel from helicopters while attached to its handler. The dog wore ballistic body armor, had a head-mounted infrared (night-vision) camera, and wore earpieces to take commands from the handler. The dog also had reinforced teeth, capped with titanium. I would not want to try the techniques this book recommends on this dog. Thank God he’s on our side.
Bear Attacks
There are approximately 550,000 North American black bears roaming the forests of the lower fifty states at the present time. The chance of encountering a bear is increasing. As their natural habitat shrinks and their population grows, bears are losing their fear of humans. They are also acquiring a taste for our foods and garbage. In general, bears will want to avoid a fight and will only attack when:
• Scared, startled, or cornered.
• Very hungry or disturbed while eating.
• Injured or sick.
• Protecting their cubs.
If you go out into the woods or live near bear country, it’s important to know the characteristics of each of the three different species of bear you may come across.
BLACK BEARS
These are the smallest bears, but the males can still weigh nearly 400 pounds, while the females average about 300 pounds. They are swift, reaching speeds of 35 mph, and they are good climbers. Many black bears are identifiable by a light patch on their chests and light-colored snouts.
1. Despite their size and strength, bears would rather not have a conflict. If you are in black bear country and suspect they are close by, make noise. Bang pots, blow a whistle, or shout out. This will usually get them to clear out before you approach. You don’t want to surprise a bear by walking stealthily through the forest. If you spot a bear that doesn’t see you, especially if it’s rummaging through a park garbage can or eating, give it a wide berth.
2. If camping, make sure your foodstuffs are well away from where your tents are set up. Or suspend food supplies in a satchel tied to a thin branch that bears cannot reach. Dogs and pets also attract bears to your camp, so most pets should be left home.
3. You should always carry bear-repellent spray. This is basically a concentrated pepper spray but is supersized and highly compressed to reach greater distances. The active ingredient is a chemical called oleoresin capsicum. Bear sprays are designed to wear in a holster and should not be buried deep in your backpack.
There are some drawbacks to bear spray: If you shoot it at the bear from too far a range, you’ll only make it angrier. Some recomm
end spraying the bear when it’s about forty feet away, but that is too risky, since the repellent could disperse and not affect the bear. Wait, wait, wait, and then spray the bear when you know that the full force of the repellent will be most effective. You have to stand firm and get the spray fully in its face. Also, many people spray it prematurely and are downwind, causing them to blind themselves with the bear spray. Despite varying opinions, if used properly, bear sprays do work and should be an essential survival tool when entering bear country.
4. If you come face-to-face with a black bear, don’t run or try to climb a tree. As mentioned earlier, black bears will out-climb you, and you’ll be trapped. Instead, keep a calm demeanor. Stand as tall and squared off as possible to show your size. Be loud and forceful in your voice. Give the bear an escape route, a way out of the encounter. Wave your arms and show that the bear may lose if it decides to attack. A bear will test you and make a false start to see if you will run. Here is where your mental preparedness comes into use. You have rehearsed and know what to do in a bear encounter. However, while standing still during the initial bluff or charge, you must have your bear spray readied and pointed like a gun, firmly in your grip.
BROWN BEARS
Brown bears, including the subspecies of grizzly and Kodiak bears, average 500 to 800 pounds, but can weigh up to 1,700 pounds, thus making them among the largest land predators on the planet. Commonly they are medium to dark brown, with distinct shoulder humps. If you are attacked by a brown bear, you may need to use different survival techniques than you would with a black bear.
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