Principles of SURVIVAL


Survival is the state or fact of continuing to live, in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult


circumstances. The human body is relatively resilient, but can only operate within certain limits.


Although very safe, the possibility of an aircraft making an emergency landing in a barren and inhospitable part of the world is too great to be ignored.


In order to survive such a situation, a basic understanding of elementary survival techniques could make the difference between life and death.


In particular, a knowledge of the search and rescue techniques employed by search parties will allow a crew member to reassure passengers that help is on the way.


Principles of survival should be considered in the following order:


PROTECTION


Protect yourself and passengers from any hostile environment e.g. danger of fire, smoke, unsafe structures, sun, wind, rain, wild animals, cold and hot temperatures.


Primary action should concentrate on exposure protection. Cold, causes lowering of the body temperature. In these situations heat flows away from the body at a rate greater than which it is being produced. This is most likely to occur due to water immersion.


Wind chill is another very important consideration. Wind chill is defined as a measure of the cooling power of the air in relation to wind speed and air temperature. A temperature of -10° C with a 20mph wind has a wind chill equivalent of -50 °C. At this temperature unprotected flesh may freeze in as little as 60 seconds.


In cold climates, the body must produce heat to stay warm and maintain its core temperature. This is done by exercise, or by shivering, which is a form of involuntary exercise. If the temperature is cold enough, the heat loss may exceed the heat generated and the central body temperature will fall.


If the core temperature falls to 35°C (95F), hypothermia will set in. Any further drop in


5 Survival, Search and Rescue


temperature will result in worsening symptoms and eventually, death.


EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO STAY WARM!! The symptoms of hypothermia include:


• Drowsiness • Weakness and loss of coordination • Pale and cold skin • Confusion • Uncontrollable shivering (at extremely low body temperatures, shivering will stop)


• Slowed breathing or heart rate • Unconsciousness • Death


Maintaining Body Temperature - Extreme heat: If subjected to extreme heat, the body must be able


to cool itself. This it achieved by circulating the blood near the surface of the skin and allowing heat to be dissipated to the surrounding air. Additionally, the body will cool itself through perspiration.


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