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The following are excerpts from notes on survival training that I used while
an instructor at the Special Forces School (1983-1985) where I was fortunate
enough to serve under LTC James N. (Nick) Rowe, and the US Army Ranger School
(1986-1988). They reflect my opinions and understandings of survival
techniques and in no way should they be accepted as "gospel." If you have a
need or interest in wilderness survival, I suggest you research the subject by
reading any of the many excellent sources on the market to include: FM 21-76:
Survival, The Boy Scout Handbook, Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen,
Bushcraft by Richard Graves, or Bernard Shanks' Wilderness Survival.
Carl J. Archer
MAJOR (USAR), Special Forces
Key Word "SURVIVAL"
The key word "SURVIVAL" is an acronym to be used as an "immediate action
drill" to be performed at the outset of a wilderness survival situation. Use
this simple phrase to plan measures that will assist you in surviving in the
wilderness and returning to civilization. The Key Word "SURVIVAL" will
provide you with two of the most important survival skills--the ability to
organize yourself and the ability to stay calm.
A. "S" stands for "Size up the situation."
(1) Consider your physical condition and perform any first aid required.
(2) Concentrate your senses on getting a feel for the area.
(3) Conduct an inventory of the equipment you have.
(4) Begin planning.
B. "U" stands for "Undue haste makes waste."
(1) Reacting without thinking or planning can result in faulty decisions and
could result in your death.
(2) Acting in haste, just for the sake of action, will make you careless.
The natural tendency in a stressful situation is to run. You must overcome
this tendency and think of your objectives.
(3) If you act in haste, you may lose or forget equipment, you may not make a
survival plan, and you may become disoriented and not know your location. As
a cultural group. Americans have little patience. Know this weakness if it is
your own particular Achilles' heel.
C. "R" stands for "Remember where you are."
(1) Always knowing where you are on the map and how it relates to the
surrounding terrain is a principle no outdoorsman should violate.
(2) If in a group, always know the location of the maps and compasses.
(3) Guard against the natural tendency of allowing someone else to be
responsible for navigation. Always be aware of your route, regardless of the
mode of travel.
(4) Whether you are in a base camp or on the move, you should always know the
following things:
(a) Direction or location of the nearest populated area.
(b) Direction or location to the nearest major transportation artery
(river, highway, railroad track, etc.)
(c) Location of local water sources.
D. "V" stands for "Vanquish fear and panic."
(1) Fear and panic are two of the greatest enemies in a survival situation.
These are not unusual emotions. The secret is to recognize them and control
them.
(2) Fear, panic, and anxiety take their toll on the body. They divert needed
energy.
(3) Many people have never been alone and without diversion. This could
subject them to anxiety.
(4) The best way to control fear in a survival situation is preparation,
prior planning, and training.
E. "I" stands for "Improvise."
(1) Make the wrong tool and do the right job.
(2) Make an object do more than one job.
F. "V" stands for "Value living."
(1) A man's will to survive, to endure, to live, is the key to survival.
Maintaining a positive mental outlook and a desire to live will allow an
individual to overcome tremendous odds.
G. "A" stands for "Act like the natives."
(1) Many situations we would consider to be "survival situations" are dealt
with on a daily basis by primitive peoples all over the world. To them, these
situations are a way of life and hold no specific danger. Read about these
people and our own ancestors. They survived in a world without electricity,
stores, or fast food; you can too.
H. "L" stands for "Learn basic skills."
(1) Learn to put together a survival kit that will meet your specific needs
and probable survival situations. Learn to use your survival kit.
(2) Learn to make fire in different environments with different materials.
(3) Learn to build shelter from natural materials.
(4) Learn to find and purify water.
(5) Learn first aid and the treatment of most common survival dangers such as
insect stings, snake bites, climatic injuries, etc.
(6) Concentrate on "doing" as opposed to "knowing". Many people know how to
build a fire, but cannot build a fire in a rain storm with damp tinder. That
is the fine line between surviving or dying.
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