So, as one might gather from my screen name, I like to hike, and though all survival situations are important to me, my principal interest is wilderness survival.

I'm trying to think of what my priorities should be in a wilderness survival situation. I've (rather quickly) come up with the following broad categories (see below). Feedback appreciated.

Wilderness Survival Priorities:
HOT WEATHER:
1-Medical Issues
2-STOP
3-Electronic Signalling (PLB, Sat Phone, Cell Phone)
4-Water
5-Shade
6-Other Signalling
7-Food

COLD WEATHER:
1-Medical Issues
2-STOP
3-Electronic Signalling (PLB, Sat Phone, Cell Phone)
4-Fire
5-Shelter
6-Water
7-Other Signalling
8-Food

Note: On this forum perhaps it goes without saying, but STOP = Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan

Rule of 3's. Then work from there.

In hot weather, I would find or get some shelter up for shade, which could reduce your chance of hyperthermia. You can signal (usually) from a shady spot, or at least have it to retreat to afterwards.

And don't forget that areas that are hot by day can get darned cold at night. And 50F is COLD after being in 100F all day.

Three fires in a triangle in the desert at night is a distress signal to most pilots. They can pass your location to authorities.

Sue

I disagree with the order, but agree with the general content. Sometimes you should get shelter before anything else (for instance, sudden rain/snow storm). Stabilize the situation before you signal for help. Given Murphy's law, that'll be the time you have to change the batteries, smack the side of your toy, hold it upside down with a coat hanger in your other hand, and pray to the electronic gods. I'd rather do that under a rock or something out of the elements.

I also have an interest in wilderness survival. I like your lists and I agree with the first 2 items on both, but I think that Shelter (Shade is shelter in a hot weather situation) should be third on both lists.

I think of it in the rule of 3s. 3 minutes without air, 3 hours exposed (to excessive heat or cold), 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food, before your body suffers irreparable harm.

Many people survive cold nights when hunkered in a sheltered area witn minimal insulation (i.e. clothing) and no fire. Once the shelter is secured, it can be enhanced with a fire. Then signaling to help SAR find you (either electronic or otherwise, maybe the electronic before the fire if you have a sat phone or cell coverage - and a fire is a signal).

Water is important, especially in a hot situation, but if you have shade you could survive for a couple days waiting for SAR without water. Admittedly, it would not be fun, but if you are in the desert (like I am) you'll waste way more energy and stored water looking for a water source (that you may never find) thus reducing the time SAR would have to find you alive.

I think that both lists are actually the same (you do not include fire on the hot weather list but even then a fire is important for morale and in the desert, the nights can be quite cold even though the days are hot). Food is definately the lowest priority.

STOP is always at the top of my list...I can't tread wounds or medical conditions unless I've let my brain stop spinning for a second.

Shelter is almost always second unless I can put it off as needed for more important things.

I hear you; good point.

Here's where I'm coming from: I'm trying to come up with some priorities, just things to think about in advance for common wilderness survival/emergency situations. The idea behind putting electronic signalling so high on the list is that it's so fast.

TAKE THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO:
Let's say someone in my group falls and breaks a leg on a hike and it's hot out (90's - 100's). First thing I want to do is to check out if there is anything I need to do immediately (stop bleeding, immobilize head to prevent spinal injury, etc.). Second thing I want to do is STOP, take a deep breath, and start thinking/planning. Third thing I want to do is make a call (or activate the PLB) which only takes a minute or two whereas finding shade/erecting a shelter can take time. That's why my 1, 2, and 3 are what they are.

Given an injury, shade/shelter makes a lot of sense as next on the list.

In an environment similar to the one described above, but absent an injury, I might want to move to a place where I could get water, and then do the shelter/shade thing.

The situation dictates the response a lot more than any list will, which is why I've got STOP only second to immediate medical emergency.

I'm getting my winter kit ready for my car right now. In really cold, icy and snowy weather, you don't have to be very far from home to have a bad problem, especially if you have family members who have health or disability issues.... Hint. I could walk out, but my wife would not be able to. Last Winter, we had such serious ice that a "rescue" vehicle could not get into certain areas.

So the car gets extra blankets, shelter, traveling major FAK and the perpetual BOB with food, water, FAK. and FSK. And also use a little common sense about necessary traveling during bad weather.

You've got that right. I leave it in writing: route & destination, items carried, clothing & vehicle info, when I'll be back, and who to call if I con't check in.

I would put shelter and fire on the same line, and lump all forms of signalling into one- if you need a medical evacuation, then pulling the pin on a PLB would fall under medical. But most of the time, you're just turned around and are better off spending the night in one spot looking and listening for signs and waiting until morning.