Survival ENVIRONMENTS


LAND SURVIVAL Land survival situations vary widely. Conditions from difficult terrain to troubling weather conditions may alter what is required. Some basic considerations Include:


1. Move survivors to a safe upwind location, away from smoke and fire, taking all survival equipment which has been removed from aircraft. Perform a headcount.


2. When all danger of fire has passed and the integrity of the aircraft allows, re-enter aircraft and remove any items of use.


3. If possible collect life rafts. These will provide excellent shelter and provide survival kits. Some life raft have integral automatic Emergency locater transmitters (ELTs).


4. Attend to those injured. Do not give alcohol as it contributes to body dehydration. 5. Light signal fires. Use flares when rescuers are in the vicinity. 6. Ration water and food. Divide up and, if possible, keep an inventory.


7. Keep a log – a diary of events, list survivors names, first aid treatment given and if possible a list of names and locations of fatalities.


8. Maintain a 24 hour watch. Allocate no longer than four-hour periods.


9. Never allow individuals to wander off in search of food/water. Three people are considered the minimum. If one is injured, the second stays and the third returns to base for help.


DESERT SURVIVAL Deserts are large, dry barren areas where temperatures vary tremendously from intensely hot during the day to very cold at night.


As well as the preceding information, considerations should be given to the following: 1. There is likely to be little or no shade from the sun, but try and stay out of the sun as much as possible. 2. Protect head and eyes, try and keep body as cool as possible, protect from sunburn. 3. Water will be scarce and should be rationed, consider using stores from aircraft. 4. Keep shelters safe from snakes, scorpions, spiders, etc. 5. Survival time in a desert can be less than in other hostile areas. 6. Roads usually lead to water and civilization. 7. Animal droppings or trails usually indicate water is not far away. 8. If possible use parts of the aircraft for shelter. 9. The aircraft itself is a valuable aid to location. 10. Items of loose equipment can be used to make ground air signals. 11. The possibility of using the aircraft radio should be considered if battery still live. 12. A fire should be lit as soon as possible, smoke for signaling, heat for cold night. 13. All snakes should be considered as poisonous.


TROPICAL/JUNGLE SURVIVAL


There is no formal standard form of what a jungle includes. The terrain can range from primary jungle i.e. large trees up to 200ft (61m) in height growing closely together with relatively little undergrowth, to secondary jungle i.e. trees varying in height with dense undergrowth and brush. In both types of jungle there


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