Real survival situation anyone?

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.

Nope, only simulated (SERE trainng).

Hmm... I guess littering isn't bad all the time...

I was part of a volunteer search team for two mountain bikers during the El Nino storms. I scouted a familiar canyon . Halfway in I started rapidly succumbing to what turned out to be walking pneumonia and the canyon was turning into an impassable mudflow. A quick radio call that I was going to hunker down rather than try to hike out before nightfall and approximate position was followed by activated chem sticks on a nearby oaktree with a small sandstone rockshelter. I crawled into my Wiggybag everyone thought was so cumbersome, brewed up some cocoa on my Esbit and fell asleep. I woke up at sunrise to the well known trail obliterated by mud. The S&R 4WD had spotted my faint sticks and was honking. I gathered myself together, gently removed a buzzworm that took advantage of my body heat and sloshed out of there. Sometimes rescuers can become rescuees in short order. Turns out the mountain bikers had gone on to another friends without telling anyone <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Back when I was nineteen I was hitchhiking across the US and got kicked out of a car at gunpoint on a tiny road somewhere in the Mojave desert. I got rescued about 30 hours later by the first guy who drove by. I was unconscious from dehydration and had a bit of a sunburn.

About the only thing I did was hide from the sun as much as possible during the day and walk slowly at night back along the road in hopes of reaching a larger road. Didn't really help as the guy who found me came from the direction I was walking anyway but of course I didn't know that at the time. I didn't have any water and wasn't really prepared in any way. So I really have nothing useful to say except being thirsty is not fun and somewhere out there is a pipefitter that makes me hope heaven exists so he can go there, because man, if not for him, I'd be a nice bleached set of bones!

I guess the only thing you can take from my experience is this: just because you expect to have a vehicle doesn't mean you will. It might break down, it might run out of fuel, or the driver may be nuts. So take whatever you need to do a good but of walking, and don't go traveling places you couldn't navigate if you needed to. When I got left, I didn't know where I was, and what the road went to, so I didn't know if there would be a town five miles down the road and I should continue in the direction of the car, or if it was a dead end, and I should head back, like I did, or what.

Anyway it turned out that there wasn't anything at the end of the road but a played-out oil well of some sort and the pipefitter had been shutting it down or taking some equipment or that sort of thing. Pure fluke he was there at all. So I guess the other lesson is that you should always be phenomenally lucky.

I?m not sure whether I?ve been in survival situations as you meant but to me they feel alike.

Here?s the recent of my storys:

Late spring last year I?ve been on a business-trip to an middle asian country.
One of the meetings with my "counterpartys" didn?t developed as I?ve hoped ... <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />(no further comments on this) ... In the end I?ve found myself thrown into a river with my hands tied up with cable ties. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I?ve learned to swim whithout using my hands some years ago when changing from canoeing to hydrospeeding (kind of swimming in whitewater). I drift down the stream out of the view of my opponents and reached the bank without swallowing too much water.
So I was sitting on a rock dressed in a tree piece suit, soaked with cold water, deprived of my pocketknife, my cellphone, my wallet (passport and visa !) and with my hands tied. Real bull***t, especially with such guys on your heals in a country that language you can?t speak or understand <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. OK, I?ve took some SERE-like trainings by a government institution some times ago but they were only speaking about "getting back to your unit through the enemy lines". Between me and my "unit" (my wife) were a few thousand miles and some borders. ... No, Germany didn?t have a consulship in that country... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I succeed to get rid of the wire ties and were lucky to wear a woolen suit (keeps some warmth even when wet) and handcrafted leather shoes (smoothly to wear).
Anything that have been left to me were my watch, my weddingband and a small capsual that hasn?t been found by my opponents. This capsual (I?ve writen elsewere about it before) contains my "deep-core-psk. It?s with me at any(!) time. The capsual contains amongst other things a flintrod, a compass and some cash. Unfortunatly that time it weren?t the local currency. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I didn?t used major roads and tried to travel as stealthy as possible. It seamed that the poorer the population the less feasible the garbage they dump to the countryside: I couldn?t seek and pick up what I lacked so I were forced to practice "farmlifting". <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
In the beginning the biggest problem to me was to get some more clothings and to shelter propperly, especially during the first days because I didn?t have the heart to light a fire <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. I made an impromptu stone blade that I tied with a shoelace to a branch (a half lace will close a shoe as well). Later I upgraded to a steelblade made from a piece of a car door.
It took me roughly 500 miles in 22 days to get to a friend of mine in a neighbor country. I lost 18 lbs., get some trouble with hypothermia and blisters on my feet but at least I get home to my wife and that?s all that counts to me. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Summary:
- First of all it?s a question of mindset.
- The ability to start a fire gives so much hope.
- Some practice in lockpicking, stealth movement and such couldn?t be wrong.
- It?s important to know the map of the area by heart.
- Have friends all over the world!
- Local currency at hand would make things easier.

This year I?ll have to go there again ... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Molf

Feb 1984 was caught in an artic blast of very cold weather in Western North Carolina.

Temps were -5 with wind blowing 10-15 mph.

Went to pick up future wife a work. I was dressed in tennis shoes, bluejeans, and a light winter waist coat. The anti-freeze in the car froze and car was running hot because of no circulation through the cooling system. Blew out what antifreeze that was in the car. Had some folks come by and take me to a gas station to get anti freeze. I spent about an hour to an hour and a half out in weather dresses like that.

I finally got back home and jacked the gas furnace up to 95 degress and pull the blankets off the bed and sat in front of the furnace to get warm.


With age comes learning and wisdom, we hope. Both vehicles now have survival kits in them and the knowledge to use them.

This is one of the best educational stories I've heard. Where had you hidden the capsule so that they didn't take it from you?

That time I had the good luck that they didn?t screen me that well they should <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> because it stuck with a kind of safetypin inside my waistband.

The next times I expected similar situations to be possible I - sorry that I?ve to say that - hide it in my rectum. That might not be very convenient to insert but when it?s at its place you start to forget about it after a while.
I know the trick isn?t new but under most circumstances it?ll work well. The only ones that might search at this "area" will be policeofficers on the hunt for hidden drugs. I don?t really know if that?s right but I?ve read about it.

Finally I?m trying to engineer a non-metal version in order to pass detectors more easier.

I?m infected by learning to do it all without even less and by making super-sub-mini-tools, -gears and -gadgets by myself. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Molf

Why no, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die...
Good luck on your next trip, Molf, and here's hoping that your next one goes better than that.

Troy

P.S. Are you SURE you're getting paid enough??? <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Molf, here's a plastic pill fob:

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp80295_333181...astic_style.htm

Have you ever considered changing jobs?

Sue

Went to sleep one night about nine years ago. Woke up to find myself living in the suburbs, with a wife, 2 kids, and a mortgage. The only survival technique I've found that works is to wait 'til everyone is asleep, sneak down to the basement, put on the headphones, crank the Clash, and bang my head against the wall 'til I feel like a human being again.

Is that what you mean by a "real" survival situation?

Empathy with Mr Misanthrope! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Led Zep in my case

Monetarily it?s quit OK but I?ve made so many friends in different parts of the world through out the years that below the line it?s the pleasure that drives me. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh, of course I?ve considered to get another job but they are soooo boring (mostly) and/or underpaid. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I adore my wife but I love my job either...

Hmm, ever consider a Baghdad assignment? There's lots of work there.

I understand the making friends part. I may be headed back to Iraq for a bit just cuz I miss my sadierkis.

Though I offer this sentiment, after being away from the wife and kids and suburb home for a year, I want more than anything to have it all back. As much as I miss my buddies back in country, I've missed family and home significantly more. It's a tough balancing act to try and get the best of both worlds. I've felt very alone.

Ben,

Above post was meant tongue-in-cheek by a middle-aged suburban father, late in coming to the realization that the Keith Richards physical fitness plan wasn't cutting it anymore. Didn't mean to drag ya down.

Have faith that everyone appreciates and respects the sacrifices you, and all who serve, have made. This includes those who disagree with the current administration.

Gerry

PS Don't think Baghdad is in dire need of balding, middle-aged, pissed-off worker's comp lawyers.

Well, I wouldn't say I was in a situation that I had to "survive", but with the proper preparation it sure would have been more comfortable. It's part of the reason I found this website and now a days carry a basic kit everywhere I possibly can.

Of course, this is no adventure like Molf's (dude, you're crazy <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />), but I did learn a LOT this day.

Long (long!) story short, I was white water kayaking with a good crew on a fun class IV (V) river. We're fairly experienced but quite conservative boaters compared to some of the community. This day was chaos. Couple of us just had a bad day, and luck was not in the cards.

I ended up swimming. Now, since about 2001 I've been all proud of my nalgene bottle kit that I always have in my boat. Water purification, basic first aid, signals, etc. Always clipped in my boat. In this case the boat was traveling down river with friends in chase while I stand on the bank, with just what's in my PFD pocket (damn little or nothing back then) and my throw rope. I have to hike out.

Luckily there was a road within a mile or two, generally paralleling the river. Un-luckily we were in a bit of a canyon. So there I am, alone, hiking down this river hopping rock to rock trying to find a way out.

An aside- I mentioned I'm a somewhat conservative boater. I've done a good amount of class V, but I like a long safety margin and tend to boat very safely, taking time to scout, going on rivers that I'm comfortable with, etc. This day I realized my safely margin was getting much thinner than usual. I was still alright, and in good spirits, but while on a cliff, 100ft above the shallow water, just trying to get downriver and still hoping to find a way out of the canyon, I realized- holy moly, I'm just one or two bad moves away from what we call a "bummer".

Thirsty as hell, I took a few sips of the river water. Sure could used a purification system.

Finally find a way up the canyon. Victory! Then I realize, how funny would it be that now I get lost with just a mile or two through a flat (and dense) forest to the road. Great. Sure could have used a compass, as it was a very cloudy day.

I started lining out my rope, planning on trailing that behind me so I know I'm walking a straight line. Just then the clouds thin enough I can make out the sun, no prob keep it over my left shoulder for the short walk.

Found the road, and 10 seconds later my car drives up. One person who didn't paddle that day just up and decided to go for a drive, and happend to find me. A good amount of water, and some beers later, and I'm happy.

Shortly after I found this website and have been trying to remain prepared since. Lessons learned.

Hey, no worries. Most of the time things are going well, and since I'm not in country anymore, but now here exploring the greater Denver area, life is gravy, even if I am still going it alone for a bit longer.

As far as a Baghdad assignment goes, well, I think you might fit right in with some of the folks I had to sit across the table from, or beside. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> In a target rich environment like Baghdad, with all those ex-pats getting shot at and blown up, you're sure to find plenty of clientele. I know of at least a couple guys that got blown up, lived to tell about it, but incurred long term disabilities that they haven't filed a claim for yet.

Of course, it's never that simple, is it?

I have been in several real survival situations. Luckily it was always while properly equipped. I have carried a backpack whenever in the woods for decades now and will always do so. Having the right equipment and more importantly how to use it all is paramount. The last time I had to spend an unintended night out was when snowmobiling here in Montana. I and two others were back near Carpp Ridge next to the Pintler Wilderness area of SW Montana when my machine went "chi-chi's arriba"........I was not going to leave my sled out there, and had enough gear so I told my friends to come back in the morning with the equipment I needed to get going and they left. I spent the night under a large spruce in relative comfort. I had food, water, and my Wiggy's -20F bag with me, so I just relaxed and waited for them to come back the next day. Being prepared prevents survival situations! JB