Ultimate Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook

by David Borgenicht

  Workplaces aren’t always meritocracies. Employees who are better liked are often kept on, even if they’re less competent at their work.

  —Marty Nemko, Columnist

  6

  It’s a Jungle Out There

  THE NATURAL

  WORLD

  THE DESERT

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  * * *

  HOW TO SURVIVE WHEN LOST IN THE DESERT

  1 Do not panic, especially if people know where you are and when you are scheduled to return.

  If you have a vehicle, stay with it—do not wander!

  2 If you are on foot, try to backtrack by retracing your steps.

  Always move downstream or down country. Travel along ridges instead of in washes or valleys, where it is harder for you to see and for rescuers to see you.

  3 If you have completely lost your bearings, try to get to a high vista and look around.

  If you are not absolutely sure you can follow your tracks or prints, stay put.

  4 Build smoky fires during daylight hours (tires work well), but keep a bright fire burning at night.

  If fuel is limited, keep a small kindling fire burning, and have fuel ready to burn if you spot a person or vehicle.

  5 If a car or plane is passing, or if you see other people off in the distance, try to signal them with one of the following methods:

  In a clearing, you can use newspaper or aluminum foil weighed down with rocks to make a large triangle; this is the international distress symbol.

  A large I indicates to rescuers that someone is injured.

  An X means you are unable to proceed.

  An F indicates you need food and water.

  Three shots from a gun is another recognized distress signal.

  How to Prepare for the Desert

  Always inform someone of your destination, the duration of the trip, and its intended route. Leaving without alerting anyone and getting lost means no one will look for you.

  If traveling by car, make sure your vehicle is in good condition, and make sure you have the following:

  A sound battery

  Good hoses (squeeze them: they should be firm, not soft and mushy)

  A spare tire with the proper inflation

  Spare fan belts

  Tools

  Extra gasoline and oil

  Water (five gallons for a vehicle)

  6 To avoid heat exhaustion, rest frequently.

  Deserts in the United States can reach temperatures upward of 120°F during the day, and shade can be scarce. In the summer, sit at least 12 inches above the ground on a stool or a branch (ground temperatures can be 30 degrees hotter than the surrounding air temperature). When walking during daylight hours:

  Walk slowly to conserve energy, and rest at least 10 minutes every hour.

  Drink water; don’t ration it.

  Avoid talking and smoking.

  Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.

  Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates.

  Avoid eating if there is not a sufficient amount of water readily available; digestion consumes water.

  Stay in the shade and wear clothing, including a shirt, hat, and sunglasses. Clothing helps ration sweat by slowing evaporation and prolonging cooling.

  Travel in the evening, at night, or early in the day.

  In cold weather, wear layers of clothing, and make sure you and your clothes are dry.

  Watch for signs of hypothermia, which include intense shivering, muscle tensing, fatigue, poor coordination, stumbling, and blueness of the lips and fingernails. If you see these signs, get dry clothing on immediately and light a fire if possible. If not, huddle close to companions for warmth.

  7 Try to find water. The best places to look:

  The base of rock cliffs.

  In the gravel wash from mountain valleys, especially after a recent rain.

  The outside edge of a sharp bend in a dry streambed. Look for wet sand, then dig down three to six feet to find seeping water.

  Near green vegetation. Tree clusters and other shrubbery, such as cottonwood, sycamore, or willow trees, may indicate the presence of water.

  Animal paths and flocks of birds. Following them may lead you to water.

  Where to Find Water

  At the base of rock cliffs.

  In the gravel wash from mountain valleys.

  Near green vegetation.

  8 Find cactus fruit and flowers.

  Split open the base of cactus stalks and chew on the pith, but don’t swallow it. Carry chunks of pith to alleviate thirst while walking. Other desert plants are inedible and will make you sick.

  How to Drive Safely

  Keep an eye on the sky.

  Flash floods can occur in a wash anytime thunderheads are in sight, even though it may not be raining where you are.

  If you get caught in a dust storm while driving, get off the road immediately.

  Turn off your driving lights and turn on your emergency flashers. Back into the wind to reduce windshield pitting by sand particles.

  Before driving through washes and sandy areas, test the footing.

  One minute on foot may save hours of hard work and prevent a punctured oil pan.

  If your vehicle breaks down, stay near it; your emergency supplies are there.

  Raise the hood and trunk lid to denote “help needed.” A vehicle can be seen for miles, but a person is very difficult to find.

  Leave a disabled vehicle only if you are positive of the route to help.

  If stalled or lost, set signal fires. Set smoky fires in the daytime, bright ones for the night. Three fires in a triangle denotes “help needed.”

  If you find a road, stay on it.

  What to Bring

  When Traveling by Foot

  Water (one gallon per person per day is adequate; two or more gallons is smarter and safer)

  A map that shows the nearest populated areas

  Waterproof matches

  A cigarette lighter or flint and steel

  A survival guide

  Strong sunscreen, a hat, warm clothes, and blankets

  A pocketknife

  A metal signaling mirror

  Iodine tablets

  A small pencil and writing materials

  A whistle (three blasts denotes “help needed”)

  A canteen cup

  Aluminum foil

  A compass

  A first aid kit

  How to Avoid Getting Lost

  When hiking, periodically look back in the direction from where you have come. Taking a mental picture of what it will look like when you return helps in case you become lost.

  Stay on established trails, if possible, and mark the trail route with blazes on trees and brush, or by making ducques (pronounced “ducks”), which are piles of three rocks stacked on top of one another.

  Position your shelter so the opening is downwind of the prevailing breeze.

  Sleep with your head in the less-exposed part of the shelter.

  HOW TO MAKE AN UNDERGROUND SAND SHELTER

  1 Choose a location.

  A natural depression or the hollow between two dunes offers the best protection from the wind and weather if a sandstorm erupts.

  2 Dig.

  Use a shovel, a pot, an empty cup, or your hands to excavate enough sand to form a two- to three-foot-deep trench that is long and wide enough to accommodate your body. Pile the sand around the perimeter of the trench on three sides, leaving open the narrow end downwind of the prevailing breeze.

  3 Build the roof.

  Spread a tarp or a large swath of fabric over the ground, aligning one side of the tarp with the long end of the trench and anchoring it in place with rocks and sand along one side. Fold the remaining half of the tarp over the pile of sand and rocks, and stretch it back over the trench, creating a foot-wide airspace between the two layers. This will create an insulating layer that will keep the trench as cool as possible. Pile more rocks or sand around the edges to anchor the top la
yer.

  4 Cover the shelter with a reflective or light-colored fabric.

  Spread a white or reflective fabric over the shelter, creating another airspace between it and the layer of tarp below it. This will block sunlight and may also attract the attention of rescue aircraft.

  WARNING!

  An underground shelter can reduce heat significantly, but the effort required to build one can hasten dehydration due to sweating. Work when the sun is just rising or just setting, when the air is cooler but there is still enough light to work by.

  HOW TO SURVIVE A SANDSTORM

  1 Wet a bandanna or other cloth and place it over your nose and mouth.

  2 Use a small amount of petroleum jelly to coat your nostrils on the inside.

  The lubricant will help to minimize the drying of mucous membranes.

  Wear a wet cloth or bandanna over your nose and mouth to avoid inhaling sand particles.

  3 Keep your group together.

  Link arms or use a rope to avoid becoming separated during the storm and to keep track of group members who might become injured or incapacitated.

  4 If driving in a car, pull off the road as far as possible.

  Turn off your lights, set the emergency brake, and make sure your taillights are not illuminated. Vehicles approaching from the rear have been known to inadvertently leave the road and collide with the parked car. Keeping your tail-lights out will help to avert this danger.

  5 Try to move to higher ground.

  Sand grains travel across the surface of the earth mostly by saltation, or bouncing from place to place. Because grains of sand will not bounce high on grass, dirt, or sand, moving to solid high ground is advisable, even if it’s just a few feet higher. However, sandstorms can be accompanied by severe thunderstorms, and there may be a risk of lightning. If you hear thunder or see lightning during a sandstorm, do not move to high ground.

  WARNING!

  Whenever you are in an area with sandstorm potential (basically, anywhere that there is a lot of sand and wind), wear long pants, socks, and shoes. Because of the way sand moves, your feet and lower legs are more likely to be “burned” by the abrasion of sand than the upper part of your body.

  HOW TO FREE A VEHICLE MIRED IN SOFT SAND

  1 Determine an escape route.

  Examine the sand around you to establish the path on which you will be least likely to get stuck again. Look for sand with a pale yellow hue, indicating a coarse grain, and a rippled surface. Avoid tracts of golden red sand, which consists of fine particles through which traction is difficult to maintain; smooth tracts of sand, which can indicate a fresher, looser makeup; and the hollows between two dunes, which typically collect loose, powdery sand that offers little traction.

  2 Dig.

  Using a shovel, an empty cup or widemouthed container, or your hands, remove the soft sand from beneath the undercarriage of your vehicle, forming a gradual downward slope toward the direction of escape. Point the front wheels straight ahead.

  3 Build a ramp.

  Place long lengths of steel, aluminum, or wood under or against the vehicle’s wheels, leading down the slope you have created. If these materials are not available, use a canvas mat, floor mats, tenting materials, or even a pair of denim pants—anything that will increase traction. If material is limited, place it beneath whichever pair of wheels is powered by the engine.

  Lay cloth, metal, or wood in front of the front wheels to increase traction.

  4 Adjust the tire pressure.

  If it is possible to let air out of the tires without lowering the undercarriage into the sand, do so to increase traction.

  5 Start moving.

  When the wheels gain traction on the metal, wooden, or canvas channels you have created, slowly accelerate to pick up speed.

  6 Maintain your speed.

  Don’t stop. If the car or truck falters before you reach firmer ground, it will get stuck again.

  WARNING!

  Cars and trucks moving over dunes tend to whip up the top layer of sand, making it less firm. Virgin sand usually affords better traction. If you are traveling in a convoy and there is no known danger of land mines, make your own tracks instead of following behind the other vehicles in single file. Four-wheel drive vehicles are the preferred mode of transport in desert terrain.

  MOUNTAINS

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  * * *

  HOW TO ESCAPE FROM A MOUNTAIN LION

  1 Do not run.

  The animal most likely will have seen and smelled you already, and running will simply cause it to pay more attention.

  2 Try to make yourself appear bigger by opening your coat wide.

  The mountain lion is less likely to attack a larger animal.

  3 Do not crouch down.

  Hold your ground, wave your hands, and shout. Show it that you are not defenseless.

  4 If you have small children with you, pick them up—do all you can to appear larger.

  Children, who move quickly and have high-pitched voices, are at higher risk than adults.

  5 Back away slowly or wait until the animal moves away.

  Report any lion sightings to authorities as soon as possible.

  6 If the lion still behaves aggressively, throw stones.

  Convince the lion that you are not prey and that you may be dangerous yourself.

  7 Fight back if you are attacked.

  Most mountain lions are small enough that an average-size human will be able to ward off an attack by fighting back aggressively. Hit the mountain lion in the head, especially around the eyes and mouth. Use sticks, fists, or whatever is at hand. Do not curl up and play dead. Mountain lions generally leap down upon prey from above and deliver a “killing bite” to the back of the neck. Their technique is to break the neck and knock down the prey, and they also will rush and lunge at the neck of prey, dragging the victim down while holding the neck in a crushing grip. Protect your neck and throat at all costs.

  How to Avoid an Attack

  Mountain lions, also called cougars, have been known to attack people without provocation; aggressive ones have attacked hikers and especially small children, resulting in serious injury. Still, most mountain lions will avoid people. To minimize your contact with cougars in an area inhabited by them, avoid hiking alone and at dusk and dawn, when mountain lions are more active.

  Upon sighting a mountain lion, do not run. Do not crouch down. Try to make yourself appear larger by opening your coat wide.

  HOW TO SURVIVE A LIGHTNING STORM ON A MOUNTAINSIDE

  1 Recognize the signs of an approaching storm.

  Typical visual cues like cloud cover and light flashes may be obscured by the terrain, tree cover, or your location. Other signs of electrical storms include the smell of ozone, a buzzing sound in the air, or hair that stands up straight. A halo of light known as St. Elmo’s fire may be apparent around trees or people.

  2 Break away from the group.

  If everyone gets struck at once, no one will be able to help the victims.

  3 Remove any jewelry or metal on your body.

  If your backpack has a metal frame, take off the backpack.

  4 Seek a dry, safe shelter.

  If you are surrounded by trees, position yourself among the shortest trees in the vicinity. Stay away from trees scarred by previous lightning strikes. If the mountainside is bare, retreat to a lower position if there is time. Avoid overhangs and ridgelines. Try to find a slight bump in the mountainside that will elevate you—but only slightly—from the path that electricity will likely travel if lightning strikes the ground nearby. A dry cave that is deeper than its mouth is wide is also a good location to wait out the storm.

  5 Separate yourself from the ground.

  Place insulators like wood, rubber, plastic, or natural (not synthetic) cloth on the ground in your sheltered location.

  6 Make yourself as small a target as possible.

  Crouch on the balls of your feet on top of the insulation. Put your head do
wn and keep your mouth open to protect your eardrums. Do not put your hands on the ground.

  7 After the storm passes, assess whether anyone in your group has been hit.

  Common indications that someone has been struck by lightning include temporary hearing loss, dilated pupils, amnesia, paralysis, confusion, weak pulse at the extremities, and irregular heartbeat. If the victim is unconscious, make sure he or she is breathing, and perform CPR if necessary. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

  Avoiding Altitude Sickness

  Giving your body time to adjust to the reduced oxygen in the air as you move into higher elevations is the best way to avoid high-altitude illnesses. When hiking at altitudes greater than 10,000 feet, sleep at an altitude of no more than 1,000 feet higher than you slept the night before. For every three consecutive days of 1,000-feet elevation gains, rest an extra day and night before ascending farther. Drinking at least four quarts of fluids a day will help you acclimatize.

  How to Survive Being Pinned under a Fallen Rock

  Break the wedge and try to shift the rock’s weight by digging at its edges with any implement that you can find. Use smaller rocks, sticks, or other available objects to brace the rock away from you. Stay calm; control your breathing; conserve your body heat; ration food, water, and flashlight power; and call out at regular intervals until rescuers arrive.