U.S. Department of Defense: The Survival Handbook

U.S. Department of Defense

Find Water & Food in Any Environment, Master Field Orientation and Learn How to Protect Yourself

Published by

Books

- Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting -

musaicumbooks@okpublishing.info

2020 OK Publishing

EAN 4064066394035

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 1. Introduction Table of Contents This manual is based entirely on the keyword SURVIVAL. The letters in this word can help guide you in your actions in any survival situation. Whenever faced with a survival situation, remember the word SURVIVAL.

Survival Actions

Pattern for Survival

Chapter 2. Psychology of Survival

A Look at Stress

Natural Reactions

Preparing Yourself

Chapter 3. Survival Planning and Survival Kits

Importance of Planning

Survival Kits

Chapter 4. Basic Survival Medicine

Requirements for Maintenance of Health

Medical Emergencies

Lifesaving Steps

Bone and Joint Injury

Bites and Stings

Wounds

Environmental Injuries

Herbal Medicines

Chapter 5. Shelters

Shelter Site Selection

Types of Shelters

Chapter 6. Water Procurement

Water Sources

Still Construction

Water Purification

Water Filtration Devices

Chapter 7. Firecraft

Basic Fire Principles

Site Selection and Preparation

Fire Material Selection

How to Build a Fire

How to Light a Fire

Chapter 8. Food Procurement

Animals for Food

Traps and Snares

Killing Devices

Fishing Devices

Preparation of Fish and Game for Cooking and Storage

Chapter 9. Survival Use of Plants

Edibility of Plants

Plants for Medicine

Chapter 10. Poisonous Plants

How Plants Poison

All About Plants

Rules for Avoiding Poisonous Plants

Contact Dermatitis

Ingestion Poisoning

Chapter 11. Dangerous Animals

Insects and Arachnids

Leeches

Bats

Poisonous Snakes

Dangerous Lizards

Dangers in Rivers

Dangers in Bays and Estuaries

Saltwater Dangers

Chapter 12. Field-Expedient Weapons, Tools, and Equipment

Clubs

Edged Weapons

Other Expedient Weapons

Lashing and Cordage

Rucksack Construction

Clothing and Insulation

Cooking and Eating Utensils

Chapter 13. Desert Survival

Terrain

Environmental Factors

Need for Water

Heat Casualties

Precautions

Desert Hazards

Chapter 14. Tropical Survival

Tropical Weather

Jungle Types

Travel Through Jungle Areas

Immediate Considerations

Water Procurement

Food

Poisonous Plants

Chapter 15. Cold Weather Survival

Cold Regions and Locations

Windchill

Basic Principles of Cold Weather Survival

Hygiene

Medical Aspects

Cold Injuries

Shelters

Fire

Water

Food

Travel

Weather Signs

Chapter 16. Sea Survival

The Open Sea

Seashores

Chapter 17. Expedient Water Crossings

Rivers and Streams

Rapids

Rafts

Flotation Devices

Other Water Obstacles

Vegetation Obstacles

Chapter 18. Field-Expedient Direction Finding

Using the Sun and Shadows

Using the Moon

Using the Stars

Making Improvised Compasses

Other Means of Determining Direction

Chapter 19. Signaling Techniques

Application

Means for Signaling

Codes and Signals

Aircraft Vectoring Procedures

Chapter 20. Survival Movement in Hostile Areas

Phases of Planning

Execution

Return to Friendly Control

Chapter 21. Camouflage

Personal Camouflage

Methods of Stalking

Chapter 22. Contact With People

Contact With Local People

The Survivor's Behavior

Changes to Political Allegiance

Chapter 23. Survival in Man-Made Hazards

The Nuclear Environment

Biological Environments

Chemical Environments

Table of Contents

This manual is based entirely on the keyword SURVIVAL. The letters in this word can help guide you in your actions in any survival situation. Whenever faced with a survival situation, remember the word SURVIVAL.

Table of Contents

The following paragraphs expand on the meaning of each letter of the word survival. Study and remember what each letter signifies because you may some day have to make it work for you.

S -Size Up the Situation

If you are in a combat situation, find a place where you can conceal yourself from the enemy. Remember, security takes priority. Use your senses of hearing, smell, and sight to get a feel for the battlefield. What is the enemy doing? Advancing? Holding in place? Retreating? You will have to consider what is developing on the battlefield when you make your survival plan.

Size Up Your Surroundings

Determine the pattern of the area. Get a feel for what is going on around you. Every environment, whether forest, jungle, or desert, has a rhythm or pattern. This rhythm or pattern includes animal and bird noises and movements and insect sounds. It may also include enemy traffic and civilian movements.

Size Up Your Physical Condition

The pressure of the battle you were in or the trauma of being in a survival situation may have caused you to overlook wounds you received. Check your wounds and give yourself first aid. Take care to prevent further bodily harm. For instance, in any climate, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If you are in a cold or wet climate, put on additional clothing to prevent hypothermia.

Size Up Your Equipment

Perhaps in the heat of battle, you lost or damaged some of your equipment. Check to see what equipment you have and what condition it is in.

Now that you have sized up your situation, surroundings, physical condition, and equipment, you are ready to make your survival plan. In doing so, keep in mind your basic physical needs--water, food, and shelter.

U -Use All Your Senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste

You may make a wrong move when you react quickly without thinking or planning. That move may result in your capture or death. Don't move just for the sake of taking action. Consider all aspects of your situation (size up your situation) before you make a decision and a move. If you act in haste, you may forget or lose some of your equipment. In your haste you may also become disoriented so that you don't know which way to go. Plan your moves. Be ready to move out quickly without endangering yourself if the enemy is near you. Use all your senses to evaluate the situation. Note sounds and smells. Be sensitive to temperature changes. Be observant.

R -Remember Where You Are

Spot your location on your map and relate it to the surrounding terrain. This is a basic principle that you must always follow. If there are other persons with you, make sure they also know their location. Always know who in your group, vehicle, or aircraft has a map and compass. If that person is killed, you will have to get the map and compass from him. Pay close attention to where you are and to where you are going. Do not rely on others in the group to keep track of the route. Constantly orient yourself. Always try to determine, as a minimum, how your location relates to-