I am launching a series of posts which will feature audio or video explaining my thoughts, ideas, trials, and tribulations, with different survival skills, tools, and equipment.
In this, Episode 1: Join me as I discuss basic mnemonic acronyms that many experts from survival schools teach their students.
From boyscouts to NAVY seals, to bushcrafters and homesteaders. These people know what to do in the wild when the electricity goes poof. There is a reason why these folks commit mnemonics like this to memory.
These acronyms will be key reference points to many of my future discussions and videos.
I strongly encourage you to take your own notes while listening to this series as it’s a proven fact (psychologically) that we remember information better if we actually mechanically write it by hand.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION TO EPISODE 1:
The reason I chose to enumerate the many disciplines I research is not to brag. All these disciplines to some varying degree involve people putting themselves out into the wild without electricity and possibly out of cellular signal range. Emergencies can happen at a moments notice and preparation ahead of time for these situations of “self-reliance” is key to a good outcome.
The 10/15 C’s of Survivability:
I could easily record a 30-45 minute video on this topic alone.
What is important to remember is that this is not necessarily a “carry one item of each” ideology. (Although it can be if a person wants to pack a small bag to carry everyday, or leave in their vehicle).
The C’s are in fact categories of items that are common to us in the modern manufacturing world, that are not easily reproduced in the wild directly off the landscape. Again this ideology is not mine. It’s originally from a man named David Canterbury.
He runs the Pathfinder survival school and has written several books on pure survivalism and bushcrafting. His thoughts evolved over time as well. Originally it was 5C’s. Then 10C’s. Now everyone from the various “outdoorsy” walks of life are weighing in and adding their 2 cents to what the last 5 should be.
For example if you’re on a preppers blog. You might see these 15Cs listed. David’s 10 are intact, but in the last 5 you’ll see things like Cash and Communication/Call showing up on their list. I’m not saying it’s wrong. I’m saying it’s a deviation from what David added as his last 5 categories, to form his 15C’s he saw as critical to survival in the wild.
My defense of C - Cooking in my last 5 categories in my list of 15C’s:
I know some who might be very well versed and well experienced in these topics will say emergency “cooking” is covered by:
Cutting Tools, Combustion Tools, and Containers.
The reality is, for an absolute beginner with no courses, no knowledge, and no practiced skills; this will be very difficult to achieve.
My thoughts on this revolve around the priority of potable water in the rule of 3’s. Bringing water to a boil is a critical task for purification if one is not carrying a very high quality filter such as a GRAYL geopress.
First and foremost, your fire crafting, and fire starting skills need to be mastered. You need to be able to start a fire with confidence, any where, any time, any place, in any temperature, in any weather. If you do not possess this skill, and you are in an emergency situation, and in the wild… Dehydration might not be a mortal danger, but the potential for disease and death from drinking contaminated water is very real.
Additionally, there are accident scenarios. For example, if people don’t do their research and put an aluminum pot directly in the coals of a fire to boil water. They could melt the “container” they are depending on. A light weight pot like this could be in an outdoorsy store but was meant to be used on a specific stove, or suspended over a fire with a tripod, or placed on a stone that is in the fire, etc etc.
For the sake of brevity, I will say there are many more accident scenarios like this that come to mind. All of which revolve around lack of knowledge, practice, etc.
For these reasons, I believe absolute beginners heading out into the wild should carry a “cooking” apparatus, as a crutch. Until they have mastered the skills with a proficient confidence to be able to at least — if nothing else — boil water in the wild with the equipment covered by “Cutting, Combustion, and Containers”. Water consumption and hydration is CRITICAL in any “survival” situation. It is prioritized just after extreme hypo/hyperthermic conditions in the rule of 3’s for very good reasons.
First Aid:
I am not an expert nor do I feel confident teaching first aid skills as there are public liabilities involved in this. I shared the priority sequence of ABC in a first aid scenario as a general guideline for personal knowledge only. I strongly encourage everyone to attend professional classes as soon as possible, if not already done. This knowledge is beneficial for everyone in every walk of life.
The Rule of 3s:
Is not scientific data. It’s not statistics. It’s a general guideline that serves as an order of priority if faced with an emergency situation, where you must survive on your own skills, knowledge and equipment indefinitely. Everyone is different and everyone’s metabolism is different. Common sense still needs to prevail. If for example one is sweating profusely building a shelter in winter and starts to develop a headache. The priority remains securing a means to keep out of the elements and keep warm. However a person should listen to their body, and should still take time to try and find a means of hydration if possible. The key difference to be aware of is not to waste time. Again, the rule of 3s should not override good common sense.
As always, God Bless, Take Care, Work Safe.
Until next time,
BlueCollarDood
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