Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Topic Options
#57154 - 01/01/06 02:13 PM survival priority list - what would you take?
Anonymous
Unregistered


Dear survival pro's,

i'm new to your forum to learn more survival emergency.

i have been pre-selected for an adventure race and part 2 in the selection is doing a test!

I have to select the most important to least important items - my sail boat is sinking - and i'm going to swim 1 mile to a dissertated tropical island.

Need to select the most import to least important:

- Sextant
- Shaving mirror
- 25-litres water canister with water
- Mosquito net
- 1 box of army survival supplies
- Nautical Map over the Pacific Ocean
- Floating device (Approved by US Coast Guard)
- 10-litre canister with oilbased gasoline
- Small transistor radio (with sufficient batteries)
- Shark Powder (fending off sharks)
- 2,5 square metres of nontransparent plastic cloth
- 1 litre of Puerto Rican rum (80%)
- 3 m nylon line
- 2 chocolate bars
- Fishing equipment

can anybody be so friendly and help me understand what's most important to realize and think about. Your help would greatly be appreciated.

Thank you for your time and energy

Kind regards
cloie



Top
#57155 - 01/01/06 02:27 PM Re: survival priority list - what would you take?
Malpaso Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 09/12/05
Posts: 817
Loc: MA
My first question is whether you have to swim carrying the items, or if you have a raft to pull it on. Once that is known, your priorities are shelter, water and food, in that order.
_________________________
It's not that life is so short, it's that you're dead for so long.

Top
#57156 - 01/01/06 02:45 PM Re: survival priority list - what would you take?
Chris Kavanaugh Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/09/01
Posts: 3824
If you win, will you donate 10% to ETS? This list is straight out of a Tyrone Power movie. I'd take the 3 meters of cord and garrot the scriptwriter.Hint, if your boat is sinking you likely drank the rum while shooting the sun with the sextant. So those two items and the chart are now bottom of your list.

Top
#57157 - 01/01/06 06:33 PM Re: survival priority list - what would you take?
Nicodemus Offline
Paranoid?
Veteran

Registered: 10/30/05
Posts: 1341
Loc: Virginia, US
Sextant: If the goal is eventually to make your way back to civilization, this might be useful. Otherwise this is just dead weight, unless it?s a modern sextant and you want to break that sucker apart to make use of the mirrors for signaling, lenses to start fires, shades to make a cool pair of impromptu sunglasses via the sun shades and nylon cord (LOL) and other parts which I would have to view to determine some use for.

Shaving mirror: This could be used as a signaling device.

25 liters water canister with water: Water is at the top of the list, but can you swim a mile with this weight? Think about it as swimming a mile with more than 25kg (55lbs + container weight). Perhaps if there is time before the boat sinks you could dump half of it out and see if the container floats easily, otherwise this weight might kill you quicker than dehydration.

Mosquito net: depending on how tough a net it is, whether it?s easily transported etcetera this is another good item. Smoke from a fire will keep mosquitoes at bay, so it isn?t absolutely necessary, but it can be used as shade if the material is dense enough, or even possibly to corral (maybe weir) fish in or net fish with. This depends on size and quality of course.

1 box of army survival supplies: I have no idea what is in the box, how big the box is, what country?s military put it together or anything. This is very vague. Assuming it?s a modern kit, small, and one put together for general use I?d guess it has some invaluable time tested equipment within and so might well be worth keeping. I hope there?s at least a knife (or cutting tool) in there... LOL

Nautical Map over the Pacific Ocean: Once again, unless your goal is to get back to civilization, this may not help. Depending on size and ruggedness I can think of a number of other uses for it other than what it was intended, but...

Floating device (Approved by US Coast Guard): Again, this is vague. Are we talking a life raft, life ring, or a life jacket? Eh... Take it anyway. It?ll keep your head above water while you?re swimming a mile with gear.

10litre canister with oil based gasoline: Who put together this test? What information are we missing? How are you going to swim a mile with this and the other equipment? I mean I guess it?s useful if you want to start a signal fire, but once again, you?re swimming a mile.

Small transistor radio (with sufficient batteries): I?m not familiar with the use of a transistor radio in the sense of whether or not it can be used for signaling somehow, whether it contains useful equipment if broken apart, etc. I guess with patience you could start a fire with its batteries, wiring and the gasoline. In the end, I?d have to admit that I don?t know about this item.

Shark Powder (fending off sharks): I seriously thought this stuff was a myth and that only some of the newer electronic defenses worked against sharks. Is this that concoction made from Lemon Sole Fish?

2.5 square meters of nontransparent plastic cloth: I?m going to assume this means tarp, and if so it would be handy for shelter, making a solar sill, wrapping around vegetation to get water through transpiration (terminology?), etc.

1 liter of Puerto Rican rum (80%): Is Rum flammable? Is it alcohol capable of use as an agent to prevent infection? I don?t know.

3 m nylon line: 9.8 feet of line is excellent for tying up the plastic sheeting for shelter, to use to make a fire bow, etc. Keep it.

2 chocolate bars: Short-term energy is good, especially after swimming a mile.

Fishing equipment: This is good for acquiring food, obviously...

That's all off the top of my head. I could be wrong...


Whoever prepared this boat for the sea probably was not thinking seriously about it sinking. There?s no mention of an actual life raft. Small emergency desalinators are not too expensive these days (Katadyn Survivor 06 and Survivor 35 as examples), lightweight, and offer the ability to acquire more water from readily available sea water, than the heavy container on the boat.

Then again, a pot to boil water in when used with the plastic sheeting to catch, condense and channel to something capable of holding the new fresh water in will do the same thing. Even a towel to catch steam will work if you?ve used the plastic sheeting for shelter (Don?t burn your hands wringing out the towel LOL)

There?s no Emergency Distress Beacon mentioned.

No Flares are mentioned.

Was a successful SOS with accurate position made prior to sinking? At that point it might be better to take the time to make sure of positioning and getting the message across that land was very definitely in view rather than lug 55 pounds of water above deck if contact was established. LOL

Where?s Wilson?

Did I just pull an internet faux pas and help out when we were somehow being made fun of? LOL

Malpaso stated a good starting point as a means of making a list of importance from these items, and I?d only add fire (even in a tropical climate) and first aid to it.

And seriously... As alluded to by CK, I have a question. When was this quiz put together? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Edited by Nicodemus (01/01/06 06:38 PM)
_________________________
"Learn survival skills when your life doesn't depend on it."

Top
#57158 - 01/01/06 07:50 PM Re: survival priority list - what would you take?
Nicodemus Offline
Paranoid?
Veteran

Registered: 10/30/05
Posts: 1341
Loc: Virginia, US
Errr... I guess the term swimming pretty much means that the US Coast Guard approved flotation device is not a life raft... Oops. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
"Learn survival skills when your life doesn't depend on it."

Top
#57159 - 01/01/06 08:09 PM my list - does it make sense?
Anonymous
Unregistered


Guys

thanks - i appreciate your input!

its by no means a joke - and i so agree with your assessment on the test. But please keep helping me. It gives me so much more - you wouldn't know how much!

(If i get selected a donation and a nice story for ETS is a guarantee - chris <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />)

so let me share my best list SO FAR:

1) Floating device (Approved by US Coast Guard) - damn long swim better make sure i float - might be a current

2) box of army survival supplies - i presume the essentials for survival are in here - ?!

3) 25-litres water canister with water - i take a little water out so it will float by itself

4) 2 chocolate bars - food (can last a long time if taken in small portions - easy to swim with)

5) Shaving mirror - signal and easy to take along and swim

6) nontransparent plastic cloth - to make shelter - catch water - signal

7) 3 m nylon line - for the shelter but because i need to swim with the rest of the items - i need the line (together with the plastic cloth i can improvise a bouy

8) Fishing equipment - my plan for if i'm stuck long term - eat fish (LOL)

9) Sextant - if i'm not going traveling pull it apart - lenses - have a sharp object - etc (i presume fire starters are in the survival box)

10) Mosquito net - handy for sleeping. fishing, catching stuff

11) Small transistor radio (with sufficient batteries)

12) 1 liter of Puerto Rican rum (80%) - start a fire, disinfect

13) Nautical Map over the Pacific Ocean - only long term planning might involve traveling away

14) 10-litre canister with oil based gasoline - sure nice for a fire or signal but bulky to swim with.

15) Shark Powder - i don't think sharks are that big a risk


This is my priority list - RIPE IT APART GUYS - what would you place higher / lower up on the list?

Once again - YOU ARE HELPING ENORMEUSLY

thanks cloie

Top
#57160 - 01/01/06 09:43 PM Re: survival priority list - what would you take?
okracer Offline


Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 21
Loc: okla.
Hi, good luck on the Adventure Racing. I have done several Adventure Races up to 36 hrs in length.

..I have to say this is an interesting "test" they have posed to you. I'm not sure how that can screen out the best "racers"....racing carries with it several elements, and although survival/preparedness issues are important, I hope they are not using that as the MAIN criteria for selection.
You probably already know this, but excellent fitness, good team cohesion(each team member can be star racers, but if you don't get along very well, you are screwed!), map & compass skills, love of the outdoors, long term endurance are also key factors in doing well & having a good time.

.....Keep us posted on how it goes!....GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
_________________________
( Here.... I read alot, learn much, post little.....THANKS!)

Top
#57161 - 01/01/06 10:56 PM Re: my list - does it make sense?
bubbajoe Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 10/29/05
Posts: 72
Loc: PA. USA
I am in no way an expert or can even come close to the knowledge that some of this group have. saying that , I'd like to ask a few questions.
1 life vest , ring or raft?
2 whats in the box?
3.what type of fishing gear? net , line and hook,or rod ,real tacklebox?
4do you know how to use a sextant and read a map?
5 how fast is the boat sinking ?how much time do you have to get your gear together and get off?
6. what else is on the boat?
7 are you alone? captain of your sinking ship or unlucky passenger
8what are you going to do with the radio?
9 if you see sharks , dose the powder become more important <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
10 what was your first test and how did you do? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Top
#57162 - 01/01/06 11:55 PM Re: my list - does it make sense?
KI6IW Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/23/05
Posts: 203
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, USA
What is "oil based gasoline"? Is that what we would call gasoline in the USA, or diesel fuel? If it is diesel, then it should float by itself. I don't know if gasoline floats in salt water. You may wish to check this prior to your event.

Anyway, here is another idea. If you have time, and the sea state permits, what about tying together the floating water container (with some water removed) and the floating fuel container with the cord. If the army survival kit floats, add it to your improvised raft. Put on your life jacket and push your supplies the one mile to your island. You will have to be a strong swimmer, but you might get the most equipment ashore this way. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
"We are not allowed to stop thinking"

Top
#57163 - 01/02/06 12:05 AM Re: my list - does it make sense?
wildcard163 Offline


Registered: 09/04/05
Posts: 417
Loc: Illinois
On the other hand, you might NOT have to be a strong swimmer, if you lash together a raft from the mentioned supplies, and RIDE them into shore <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />(picturing Roy Scheider, in "Jaws", riding barrels back to Amity... LMAO)



Troy

Top
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, cliff, Hikin_Jim 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 444 Guests and 28 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.