I wonder if there are people in this forum that has been in survival situations and if they have any survival equipment with them, and if so can they share their experiences?

I was part of a search and rescue that found someone, but that is probably not what you meant. There are three times that I can recall where things had the potential to go very badly. But, because of preparation, training, and clear thinking (by others, as well as myself), they did not develop into survival situations. From what I can determine by reading the back posts on this site, there is a considerable amount of "outdoor experience" here. Part of that experience teaches us to AVOID the survival situation by being prepared, being trained, not doing stupid things, etc. Every day presents "survival situations", even in an urban environment. Imagine a person who leaves their lights on and comes back to their car and a dead battery. I have met people who have no idea what to do in that situation. Most have a plan, equipment, and training to overcome this problem (charged cell phone, auto club, jumper cables, second battery, etc.).

I really don't want to be on the plane that crashes into some remote area, with a dead pilot who forgot to file a flight plan. But part of my "survival training" is to verify with the pilot that he/she did file a flight plan prior to take off. Perhaps a better question is, "How many of you have been in situations that could have developed into survival situations, and how did you prevent it from becoming one?"

In 1995, I was part of a geological survey expedition out of Norman Wells NWT Canada, heading about 100 miles (160 km) upstream (i.e., South) on the mighty Mackenzie River. We were being taken by pipeline technicians in their spill-response-team jetboat, which hadn't been used for years (no spills). About 60 miles/100 km along, a gasket separating the cooling system from the fuel supply cracked, and we we adrift on a remote river, perhaps 30 miles from the nearest settlement (Fort Norman/ Tulita).

We were fully prepared for camping, and had roughly twice the food we needed for out 10-day excursion ( built-in safety supply). The events of the day were an eye-opener to me:

- Using the radio operator (we had no sat-phone), we called the chief of the operation at her cottage in Ontario (it was the weekend), about 2500 miles away, and got extraordinary spending authority.

- Using the same radio-operator, we contacted and chartered a Twin Otter out of Norman Wells to pick us up, using our GPS unit to give them our precise location.

- While waiting the four hours for our charter, we surveyed some fresh landslides along the river bank.

- When the plane arrived we loaded it up, left the boat on the side of the river, and proceeded to our site. The plane returned to Norman Wells with our boat's pilot, who arranged for its recovery.

It was a case where only one thing went wrong, with all of the backup working properly. It was no worse (other than the bill for the charter) than being stopped on the side of a freeway.

We were picked up by another jetboat for our return at the end of the trip.

http://brunerdog.tripod.com/survival/index.html

Wonderful, Matt!

A sense of humor is practically vital in all emergency situations. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice dog!

Sue

I have been involved in several life endangering rescue situations, but none I would classify as “survival scenarios” at least the way we on this forum generally mean.

However, on several of my trips to Ecuador, we have encountered several situations, which had the potential for quickly become true survival situations. Fortunately, they were resolved with minimal effort.

Pete

Why dont you tell about the time you set yer dog and couch on fire trying out the fire pistons and had to survive on the porch since miss paramedicpete wouldn't have you in the house <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I also belive you had a head injury from the frying pan that day too...

Ssshhh, don?t reminder her <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. She just recently learned of that little episode and since it was well after the fact, she just chalked it up to my still being a little boy at heart <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Now on the other hand if she figures out the two big boxes sitting in the living room are 12 ? CMC class 3 harnesses I just bought for our team off of a guy on Ebay, with only a remote possibility of being reimbursed - I am DEAD MEAT <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. No survival training, skills or equipment will save me <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

Pete

Just trying to get Microsoft Windows XP to work is a survival situation.

But a brick (to throw at the computer) won't fit in my EDC

I've been in slightly dodgy situations while skiing, but I've always been able to ski out of them. I understand why people don't always sit and wait to be rescued.