hikermor wrote> there are a lot of random variables in any real > life survival situation - more than they consider....

Oh absolutely. Thinking of doing that when already soaked in icy water? Not sure anyone would be able to do it. It's like being stabbed all over, as Jack says earlier in the film (though him and rose are later running around flooded corridors with nare a shudder: this is hollywood).

Doing anything in a survival situation might be many times harder than we imagine. Why I think Doug is wise to have a one handed fire starter in his kits. One might be able to only use one hand, or simply need the other to shelter the fire with something.

Best tip from Ray Mears for me was "if it's raining; the first thing to do is shelter your head: so you can think straight".

qjs