SHO SH OW ME HOW TO
SURVIVE
SHOW ME HOW
TO
SURVIVE THE HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN HERO JOSEPH PRED
protect home safety
rst aid
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
navigate the mean streets stay safe in the wilderness be prepared at the ofce make a family emergency plan stock an emergency kit stock a bunker prepare a ood dinghy set up a panic room bury a tornado shelter make your home safe prepare your pet keep pets safe after a disaster know animal warning signs weather a hurricane build a ood barrier ll sandbags properly rescape a yard ght re with an extinguisher be prepared in a house re prepare for travel stay smart abroad protect against identity theft burglar-proof a home check a car before a trip
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
pack a car emergency kit stay safe in a parking garage get help for a boat in trouble read storm clouds boat safely in a storm know your knots sleep on the beach pitch a snow camp shelter in the jungle camp in the desert prepare for social collapse prepare rugged venison jerky preserve meat in a smoker catch backyard game hunt pigeons in the city feed a family without a farm get t for the outdoors clean a gun store a gun be safe at the range disarm a shooter keep from spreading the u pack a rst-aid kit
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73
suture a wound decompress a chest stop bleeding bandage a nasty wound cauterize a wound in the eld save a toe improvise a leg splint wrap a sling know your fractures test for edibility deal with a poisoned kid identify natural poisonous foods identify venomous insects
help wilderness skills
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
help after an accident call for help check a pulse bolt from a wrist grip escape from a choke hold break out of a bear hug deal with a burgled home follow up after a burglary perform cpr on an adult do the heimlich maneuver give cpr to a baby save a choking baby improvise an airway puncture
74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
treat a bee sting treat a jellysh sting make a ginger poultice evaluate your medicine chest remove a small sh hook treat a blister remove a splinter remove an object from your eye put out a clothing re halt an electrocution avoid lightning on a mountain identify burns deal with a supercial burn
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
handle a chemical burn help a seizure victim recognize a heart attack identify a stroke treat hyperventilation survive an asthma attack soothe a mild allergic reaction spot a severe allergic reaction stop a nosebleed free a frozen tongue preserve a dislodged tooth ll a cracked tooth spot and treat a concussion
100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111
help a lost child rescue a cat up a tree rescue-breathe for a dog protect a baby bird rescue a swimmer in trouble identify heat-related illnesses treat heat exhaustion help clean up an oil spill clean an oiled bird help someone out of an ice hole treat frostbite save a hypothermia victim
survive an avalanche prevent snow blindness be avalanche aware nd an avalanche victim make a sh trap catch a sh bare-handed go ice shing snare a hare gut a hare squash a squirrel nab a fox trap a rodent impale an elk be bear aware fend off a mountain lion save a child from a coyote treat a snake bite get jungle savvy remove a boty with bacon prepare tasty snake meat eat a scorpion eat wild around the world
156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175
survive a shipwreck use pants as a otation device nd land when lost at sea build a dugout canoe pick a coconut use coconuts ace an emergency scuba ascent escape a kelp forest avoid a shark attack fend off a shark resist a wolf pack battle a pit bull spike an assailant embrace your enemy do a handshake takedown deal with failed brakes handle a hydroplaning car weather a chemical spill survive a snowbound car improvise a signal mirror
prevail 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133
mark your trail read animal tracks and scat walk a straight line in the woods navigate with your watch stay on track in the desert navigate out of a swamp read the stars nd the equator in a forest build a campre light a re with chocolate construct a re drill use a re plank purify water in green bamboo boil water in a tree stump collect water from fog get water in the desert signal an airplane erect a quick tepee assemble a debris hut set up a shade shelter build a swamp bed dig a snow cave
134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155
a note from joseph
167
As an emergency manager, I’ve advised individuals and organizations on everything from minor problems such as stopping a nosebleed (#95) to large-scale environmental challenges, like avoiding an avalanche (#136). While writing this book, I was lucky to be able to draw on my day-to-day professional experience with life-saving procedures like CPR (#56), as well as my personal interest in the challenges in the great outdoors, such as cleaning up an oil spill (#107) . . . and a few problems I hope to never have to deal with, like repelling an angry pit bull (#167). Through my research 95 in preparing this book, I learned a few new things that may prove useful battle a pit bull one day, such as keeping pets safe after a disaster (#12), how to ght a shark (#165), or how to build a ood barrier with sandbags (#15). In my line of work, you can never be too prepared, so although I hope no one will ever need them, I’ve also included instructions for saving a child from a coyote (#149) and disarming a shooter (#45). Stay safe out there!
45
disarm a shooter
stop a nosebleed
To be truly prepared for any emergency, it’s best to start getting ready now, before you nd yourself face-to-face with a mountain lion. Start by packing a go bag (a kit containing everything you’d need to get by for 48 hours in an emergency). Include personal items like ID, food, medicine, tools like a ashlight and knife, and other handy survival items like a dust mask, a radio (with extra batteries), and a list of emergency contact numbers. Now that you have your physical needs handled, work on your brain by practicing “situational awareness.” awareness.” Stay attentive to your surroundings, your wellbeing, the presence of others, others , and and possible dangers or threats. It isn’t about looking for problems, it’s about avoiding becoming complacent and making mistakes as a result. For instance, imagine yourself hiking through an unfamiliar jungle (#151). Without worrying or panicking, stay aware of whether anyone in your party is tired, hungry, or injured. Focus on the path ahead of you, while keeping a relaxed state of awareness about your surroundings—watching for predators, poisonous plants, and insects. A positive, relaxed, open mindset also saves lives in the eld. Someone Someone with a negative outlook might panic or give up when faced with a swimmer in trouble (#104), but but a person who focuses on solutions will quickly scan the beach for a rescue aid and jump in the water. Ready for an adventure? Just keep these basic tenets of great rescue work in mind as you read through the book and you’ll be a hero in no time!
rescue a swimmer in trouble
104
get jungle savvy
151
how to use this book In the pages that follow, virtually virtually every piece of essential information is presented graphically. In most cases the pictures do, indeed, tell the whole story. In some cases though, you’ll need a little extra information to get it done right. Here’s Here’s how we present those facts.
134 154
135
survive an avalanche
prevent snow blindness
2
1
1
Move perpendicular to ow.
3
nd an avalanche victim
Avoid avalanche-prone areas in the forty-eight hours after rough weather or a thaw. If you must go, pack a collapsible shovel, a snow probe, and an avalanche beacon.
2
1 ft (30 cm)
Try to jump above the break line.
136
be avalanche aware
13 7
2
1
Slopes of 30 to 45 degrees are most likely to avalanche, but even slopes of 25 to 60 degrees can slide in certain conditions.
Cut a str ip of duct tape; fold.
Make a long slit.
Go to location of last sighting.
Set beacon to receive mode.
3
4
4
4
3
A heavy, compacted layer of snow resting on a powdery layer is highly unstable.
Grab a sturdy tree or rock.
“Swim” on top of snow.
5
F asas tete n a ro un un d h ea ea d w it h t ap ap e.e.
B la ckck en en c he he ek ek s w it h s oo oo t.
6
Snow debris and broken trees indicate previous avalanches—be wary of repeat slides. If submerged, cover face.
Poke with snow probe. Smooth, grassy slopes without rocks or trees are most dangerous.
Make airhole as snow slows.
save a hypothermia victim
5
6
Everyone in your party should car ry an avalanche beacon. Should you lose someone in an avalanche, you can use your beacon to hone in on the radio signal emitted by the victim’s beacon and nd them quickly. Uncover head rst.
MORE INFORMATION Follow the * symbol to learn more about the how and why of the given step.
Dig downhill from victim.
Send for help.
CROSS-REFERENCES When one activity just leads to another, we’ll point it out. Follow the links for related or interesting information. save a hypothermia victim
111
111
ICON GUIDE Througho Throughout ut the book, handy icons show you just how it’s done. Here Here are the icons you’ll encounter. e ncounter. TOOLS Everything you’ll need to perform an activity appears in the toolbars. Having a hard time deciphering an item? Turn to the tools glossary in the back of the book.
2–3 min
Repeat the depicted action the designated number of times.
The calendar shows how many days, weeks, or months an activity requires.
The phone icon lets you know when it’s time to call for professional medical help.
Look to the ther mometer to learn the temperature needed for a given action.
Danger! Avoid this if you’re not trained. (Or if you don’t want to get into trouble!)
A NOTE TO TO READERS The depictions in this book book are presented for entertainment value only. Please keep the following in mind:
MATH When measurements matter, nd them right in the box. Handy “angle” icons help you do it from the right angle. 1 lb (450 g)
Check out the timer to learn how much time a relatively short task takes.
½ in (1.25 cm)
• RISKY ACTIVITIES Certain activities in this book are not just risky but downright nutty (like #169, for example). Before attempting any new activity, make sure you are aware of your own limitations and have adequately researched all applicable risks. • PROFESSIONAL ADVICE While every item item has been carefully researched, this book is not intended to replace professional advice or training of a medical, architectural, sartorial, culinary, athletic, or therapeutic nature—or any other professional advice, for that matter.
ZOOMS These little ttle circles rcles zoom in on a step’s important details, or depict the step’s crucial “don’ts.”
• PHYSICAL AND HEALTH-RELATED ACTIVITIES Be sure to consult a physician an before attempting any activity involving physical exertion, particularly if you have a condition that could impair or limit your ability to engage in such an activity. Or if you don’t want to look silly (see #75). • ADULT CONTENT The activities in this book are intended for adults only. Some of them are probably unwise even for adults; use your common sense and discretion (if, for instance, you plan to attempt #39). • BREAKING THE LAW The information in this book should not be used to break any applicable law or regulation. In other words, ju st don’t even think about trying # 60. Ever.
All information in this book has been carefully researched and fact-checked. However, the publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, that the information is appropriate for every (or a ny!) individual, situation, or purpose, and assumes no responsibility for er rors or omissions. You assume the risk and full responsibility for all your actions, and the publishers will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special, or otherwise that may result from the information presented. Just between us, though, you’re probably safe planting a garden (#40).
6
Nuclear war may be passé, but a well-appointed underground bunker will never go out of style.
stock a bunker
air lter periscope
3 ft (1 m) underground
radio geiger counter
nonperishable foods
hand-cranked air exhaust
walls made from multiple thicknesses of lead, concrete, and packed dirt
extra clothing Remove clothing before entering bunker.
chemical toilet
gas masks clean water
Add 2 drops of bleach (containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) to each qt (1 l) of water ; wait thirty minutes before drinking.
7
If you live in a ood-prone area, be ready to make a quick escape in a stocked dinghy, launched from an upper oor.
prepare a food dinghy
life vests
crowbar
oars
blanket radio rope
rst-aid kit ashlight whistle boat patch kit
air pump reective tape
rain gear
Nervous about home invaders? Stay safe in the comfort of your own home with a custom-built panic room.
set up a panic room
8
Soundproof the walls and reinforce them with steel.
security cameras
intercom gas masks
security monitor
Hide the entrance behind a bookcase or in a closet.
buried phone line toilet
water and nonperishable food
ventilated generator
If tornados are a concern in your town, partially bury an old school bus in your yard, then stock it with gear.
bury a tornado shelter bus
clean water clean wool water blankets
rst-aid kit
nonperishable food radio blankets
ashlight radio
flashlight
9
