Ultimate Survival Manual

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Assemble an At-Home

Survival Kit

Stock an Ofce BOB

Gear Up with a To-Go BOB

Pack or Surviving in the Wild

Make a Kit in a Can

Build a First-Aid Kit

Stop Bleeding

Disinect a Wound

Bandage a Wound

Assess and Respond:

Deal with Blood Loss

Contents

Immobilize an Arm Injury

Fake a Sling

Set a Bone

Make a Splint

Save with CPR

Perorm the Heimlich Maneuver

Identiy and Treat Burns

Treat or Shock

Handle Hypothermia

Treat Frostbite

Survive Heat Illnesses

Deeat Dehydration

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Introduction rom Outdoor Life

A Note rom Rich

ESSENTIALS



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Avoid Getting Lost

Assess Your Situation

Measure Remaining Daylight

Find Yourself on a Map

Scout for Shelter

Build a Shelter from

Branches and Leaves

Hole Up in a Tree Well

Make a Bed in a Pinch

Hunt for Water

Purify Water in the Wild

Filter Water with Your Pants

Learn Fire-Making Basics

Make a Fire Four Ways

Upgrade Your Shelter

Predict the Weather with Plants

Get Noticed by Rescuers

Light Up a Signal Fire

This Happened To Me!

When Grizzlies Attack

Know Your Bears

Live Through a Grizzly Encounter

Assess and Respond:

Handle Animal Attacks

Stand Your Ground Against a Lion

Beware Africa’s Deadliest Beasts

Live Through a Stampede

Navigate Tall Grass

Outrun a Croc on Land

Avoid Being Gator Bait

Chow Down on Gator Tail

Dress a Snake

Wade Through a Swamp

Build a Swamp Shelter

Keep Bugs Out of Your Pants

Tie a Square Lashing

Avoid Dreaded Trench Foot

Set a Snare for Small Animals

Make a Jaw Spear

Dig a Hole Trap

Fish with Your Shirt

Improvise a Skewer Hook

Test Plants for Edibility

Gobble Up Bugs

Rid Big Game of Harmful Bacteria

Spit-Roast That Bunny

Butcher a Deer Leg

Drag a Deer

Put Your Kill to Use

Trap a Goose

WILDERNESS



Steer Clear o Poisonous Plants

Remove a Tick

Put Your Pee to Work

Treat a Snake Bite

Swing a Mean Machete

Assess and Respond:

Understand Poison Types

Heal with Bugs

Remove a Leech

Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

Banish a Boty

Avoid Scorpions

Treat a Scorpion Sting

Fight Dehydration in the Desert

Navigate the Desert’s Shiting Sands

Make a Solar Still

Scout or Water in the Desert

This Happened to Me!

Trapped in a Canyon

Seek Water in a Canyon

Maximize Heat rom a Campfre

Scale a Canyon

Equip Yoursel or the Mountains

Be a Modern Caveman

Stay Sae in a Cave

Find Food Above the Tree Line

Conquer Altitude Sickness

in the Mountains

Bed Down on a Cli

Case Study: Snowed In

Avoid Getting Stranded

in the Mountains

Trek Across a Glacier

Tie a Double Figure-Eight Knot

Rappel on the Fly

Descend a Scree Slope

Start a Fire in the Snow

Turn Snow into Water

Build a Snow Cave

Traverse an Ice Floe

Rig an Ice-Fishing Trap

Improvise Snow Goggles

Make Emergency Snowshoes

Cross an Icy Pond

Get Out o Broken Ice

Save Someone rom a Chilly Demis

Swim Across a Raging River

Wade Across a River

Ford a River with Friends

Tie a Fisherman’s Knot

Orient Yoursel by the Stars

Signal a Boat

Improvise a Float

Beat Hypothermia in the Water

Find Drinking Water at Sea

Catch Fish in Open Waters

Case Study: Adrift in the Gulf

Stay Alive at Sea

Right a Capsized Boat

Put Out a Boat Fire

Start a Flooded Motor

Plug a Leak

Avoid Shark Bites

Make Peace with a Man-o-War

Deal with Sea Caves

Escape Kelp Entanglement

Keep Track o Time at the Equator

Find Lunch in a Tide Pool

Swim Against a Riptide

Make the Most o a Coconut

Assess a Deserted Island

Make Rope with an Improvised Vi

Crat a Rat

Know When Your Rat’s Close to Lan

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Be Ready or Disaster

Spot Tornado Warning Signs

Judge Where a Tornado Is Heading

Assess and Respond:

Stay Safe in a Tornado

Reinorce Garage Doors

in a Windstorm

Deal with a Downed Power

Line in a Car

Tree-Proo Your Home

Buck a Downed Tree

Prepare Your House or a Hurricane

Build a Dike

Make DIY Flood Protection

Case Study: Wind Gone Wild

Survive a Heck of a Hurricane

Make a Lie Rat rom

Household Items

Turn Your Attic into an Ark

Make Waterproo Matches

Paddle Through Floodwaters

Drive Saely on Flooded Roads

Dig Your Truck Out o the Mud

Live Through a Flash Flood

Rescue Someone Caught in a Flood

Return Home Saely Ater a Flood

Live Through Lightning

Install Lightning Rods on Your Roo

Help Someone Struck by Lightning

Survive a Wildfre

Prevent a Forest Fire

Protect Your Home rom Wildfres

Case Study: When Things Get Hot

Withstand a Firestorm

Survive a Volcanic Eruption

Cope with Ash

Assess a Lava Field

Retroft Your House

Keep Household Items

Steady in a Quake

Know Earthquake Hot Spots

Understand Fault Activity

Ride Out a Quake in a Car

Weather an Earthquake

Survive Being Trapped Under Debris

Take Action Ater an Earthquake


Tsunami Race

Know Tsunami Warning Signs

Brace or a Big Wave

Survive Being Swept Away

in a Tsunami

Deal with a Tsunami at Sea

Know When Mud Might Flow

Make It Through a Mudslide

Save Your Home rom Mudslides

Know You’re in Avalanche Country

Assess Incline

Recognize Avalanche Types

Ride Out an Avalanche

Get Rescued rom an Avalanche

Know Which Way Is Up

Strap On an Avalanche Beacon

Walk in a Whiteout

Drive in a Blizzard

Deal with Being Snowbound in a Car

Ride Out a Blizzard at Home

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Store Food During a Blizzard

Clear a Heavy Snow

Protect Your Face in a Sandstorm

Drive in a Sandstorm

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DISASTER



Pick a Sae Seat on a Train

Stop a Train

Get Your Car O the Tracks

Jump rom a Moving Train

Use Your Cell or an Airborne SOS

Contact Air Trafc Control

Jump Out o an Airplane


Panic in the Air

Salvage a Crash Site

Make It to the Lieboat

Abandon Ship Saely

Swim Through Burning Oil

Deal with a Hazmat Situation

Decontaminate Yoursel

Seal Your Home During a

Chemical Spill

Get Clear o a Hazardous Spill

Don a Gas Mask

Prevent the Spread o

Airborne Illnesses

Dispose o a Body

Improvise Shelter During

Nuclear Fallout

Bunk Up in a Bunker

Assess and Respond:

Understand Radiation

Anticipate Radiation’s

Lasting Eects

Make it Through a Power Outage

Survive a Heat Wave

Eat Right in a Blackout

Start Your Car with a Screwdriver

Siphon Fuel

Charge Your Phone with a Flashligh

Harness a Car Battery’s Power

Harvest Aspirin rom Tree Bark

Catch a Squirrel or Dinner

Eat Roadkill

Render Animal Fat

Stash Valuables or Dark Times

Scavenge Eectively

Fend O Looters

Run Bartertown

Build a Compound

Rig a Hobo Stove

Improvise Tools

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Sense Your Surroundings

Foil a Pickpocket

Carry Survival Gear on a Keychain

Drop a Decoy Wallet

Hit Where It Counts

Defend Yourself with Pepper Spray

Find Substitutes for Pepper Spray

Master Basic Fighting Technique

Make a Serious Fist

Clutch a Roll of Quarters

Defend Yourself with Your Keys

Figure Out If Someone Is Armed

Conceal a Weapon

Disarm an Attacker


Home Invasion

Secure Your Home

Handle an Intruder

Wield a Tactical Flashlight

Improvise a Weapon

Make a DIY Alarm

Stash Valuables in a Book

Build an Outlet Safe

Avoid Identity Theft

Pick a Lock

Figure Out If Your Home Is Bugged

Lose a Tail

Beware Common Poisons

Save a Poisoning Victim

Soak Up Poison with

Activated Charcoal

Install Smoke Detectors

Prevent Electrical

Fires in the Home

Make Your Home Fire-Safe

Assess and Respond: Fight a Fire

Stock Fire Safety Gear

Smother a Fire

Use a Fire Extinguisher

Escape a Burning House

Steer with Blown Tires

Deal with Brake Failure

Get Out of a Skid

Drive on Black Ice

Stop Hydroplaning

Live Through a Cliff-Hanger

Survive Crashing into the Water

Put Out a Car Fire

Pack a Lifesaver in Your Car

Avoid a Carjacking

Play It Safe in a Parking Garage

Signal from a Car Trunk

Escape from a Car Trunk

Outsmart Your Kidnappers

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URBAN



Deduce Where You’re Being Held

Avoid Stockholm Syndrome

Free Yourself from Ropes

Case Study: Nabbed by the Cartel

Survive an Abduction

Live Through a Hostage-Taking

Assess and Respond: Take a Blow

Know Basic Maritime Laws

Safeguard Against Pirates

Call for Help During a Pirate Attack

Repel Boarders from Your Boat


One Mean Machete

Get to Know the Customs

Avoid Counterfeit Cops

Be a Smart Traveler

Blend In for Safety

Hide Money in Your Clothes

Use the Buddy System

Exit a Tunnel Safely

Stay Safe on Mass Transit

Survive a Human Stampede

Be Alert to the Risk of Terrorism

Prevail in a Riot

Know the Weapons of a Raging Mob

Deal with Tear Gas

Evade IEDs

Escape a Dirty Bomb

Avoid Sniper Fire

Slip Past Enemy Forces

Case Study: Gone Postal

Live Through a Workplace

Shooting

Stock Your Gun Safe

Clean a Firearm

Lock Up Your Weapons

Clear a Jam

Shoot with the Proper Stance

Treat a Powder Burn

Deal with a Gunshot Wound

Help Someone Who Has

Been Impaled

Silence Your Gun

Modify Your Shotgun

Make the Most of a Shotgun Shell

Shoot a Crossbow

Sharpen a Knife

Pick Your Blade

Throw a Knife

Build a Better Bola

Make a Shank

Make a Bow and Some Arrows

Index

Acknowledgments

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001

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Outdoor adventurers know not to venture into the wild without the

necessary survival gear. But what about when you’re at home? Or out

running errands? No matter where you are, you should always have

certain survival essentials at hand. And while there’s no such thing as a

universal “bug-out bag” (called a “BOB” or short), you can assemble

a variety o kits or every situation.Start o by putting together the items below to create a ully stocked

at-home kit that can meet the needs o you and your amily in a disaster

scenario. Store it someplace accessible so that you’re always at the ready.

CHECKLIST

Assemble an At-Home Survival Kit

� Nonperishable ood (a three-

day supply or each person)

� Small stove with propane or

other uel

� Kitchen accessories

and cooking utensils

� Can opener

� Three-day supply o water

(1 gallon/3.75 l per

person, per day)

� Water-purifcation tablets

� Bleach (add to water to make

a mild disinectant, or use

16 drops per gallon/3.75 l to

puriy water)

�Portable, battery-poweredradio or television and extra

batteries

� Flashlight and extra batteries

� Battery-operated, hand-

cranked, or solar-powered

cell-phone charger

� Tools, such as a wrench

or shutting o utilities, a

screwdriver, and a hammer

� First-aid kit and manual� Sanitation and hygiene items,

such as soap, moist towelettes,

toilet paper, and towels

� Items or inants, such as

ormula, diapers, bottles, and

pacifers

� Signal mirror and whistle

� Extra clothing or each person,

including a jacket, coat, long

pants, and long-sleeved shirt� Hat, mittens, scar, or other

climate-specifc clothing or

each person

� Sturdy hiking or athletic shoes

and socks

� Sleeping bag or warm blanket

or each person

� Special-needs items, such

as prescription medications,

eyeglasses, contact-lenssolution, and hearing-aid

batteries

� Photocopies o credit and

identifcation cards

� Cash and coins in small

denominations

� Plastic bags in various sizes

� Ground cloth or tarp

� Powdered, chlorinated lime

to treat waste and discourageinsects

� Strike-anywhere matches in

a waterproo container

Stock an

Ofce BOB

Disaster can strike at any time, including when you’re

at work. That’s why it’s smart to keep a BOB in yourofce or under your desk. It should include a set o

rugged clothes (because scaling a wall in a suit is

rarely a good idea), athletic shoes and socks (have you

ever tried running in heels?), and a ew ood items and

bottles o water. Toss everything in a single grab-and-

go tote so you can evacuate efciently, and then stash

it in a drawer and orget about it. You’ll be thankul to

have it should your work environment ever become

truly unpleasant.



029

030Too posh to sleep in a garbage bag? Not if you want

to stay dry. A large plastic trash bag can serve as a

waterproof body covering. For insulation, stuff the bag

with leaves, pine needles, and dry grasses.

Hole Up in a Tree Well

Make a Bedin a Pinch

Snow is not necessarily an enemy in a blizzard. It’s a

great insulator, and if you build a proper snow shelter,

it’ll keep you safe and warm for a short period.

You can quickly make an effective snow shelter in

a tree well (the depression in snow around a tree

trunk formed by the protective canopy of branchesabove it). First, reinforce the natural enclosure

by propping up additional branches around

the lowest branches. Next, dig out

the snow accumulated around the trunk. Finally, lay

evergreen boughs on the oor to make a comfortable

sleeping place that can be as much as 40º F (22º C)

warmer than the temperature outside.



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048

Crocodilians aren’t prone to

chasing down people on land, but

it can happen—especially if yousurprise one or it’s defending a

nest. While these beasts are faste

on land than you might expect,

they’re still far from world-class

sprinters: The fastest on record

clocked in at 10 miles per hour

(17 kmh), which means you can

easily outpace it. What’s more,

they tire quickly, exhausting mos

of their energy in short bursts.

Even so, it’s best to stay at least

20 feet (6 m) away from any

gator or croc, but if one does give

chase, know that the oft-repeated

advice to run in a zigzag is bunk.

This process has you going back

and forth in front of the gator’s

business end. Instead, run in a

straight line as fast as you can.

Outrun a Crocon Land

If you see a croc or a gator that hasn’t been

made into shoes or a purse, consider yourself

in danger. This goes quadruple if you’re in the

water, where it’s got the home advantage. If

one does get hold of you and begins its famous

“death roll” beneath the water’s surface, don’t

ght the direction of the revolution, as the croc

will tear off bite-size pieces of your body (not

fun for you, though convenient for your foe).

Instead, try to gouge out its eyes or thrust your

ngers (or better yet, a stick or knife) into its

snout. It might leave you alone. But then again,

its cousin has likely ended up as some human’s

belt, so it may be dead set on revenge.

Avoid BeingGator Bait



066

065

Top Round

Top Round

Eye of Round

Eye of RoundSirloin Tip

Sirloin Tip

Shank

Shank

Rump

Rump

So you’ve snagged a deer—now what?

Dragging that vital meat back to your

shelter is hard work. Here’s how to

avoid hefting the carcass over your

shoulders and trying to hoof it back.

Use the deer’s anatomy to your

advantage by cutting a 1-inch (2.5-cm)

slit in the muzzle, just behind the black

part of the nose. Push a sturdy stick

through the opening, grasp the ends

with both hands behind your back, and

walk back to camp. The bone structure

of the deer’s head will bear the weight

as you pull it along. Sure, it’s a long

haul, but you’ll use less energy pulling

than you would carrying—energy that

you’ll need to butcher that deer.

Chances are you’ll be limited in your butchering tools

in a survival situation, so the traditional method of

using a saw to cut through bones might not be feasible.

But you can still llet a deer leg with a knife.STEP ONE After skinning the hind leg, place it on a

stump or boulder with the outside of the leg facing up.

STEP TWO Slice through the connective tissue (called

“silverskin”) along the natural seam between the top

round and the sirloin tip. Then pull the top round and

the eye of round away from the bone.

STEP THREE Cut away the rest of the silverskin to

yield the rump at the top of the hip bone.

STEP FOUR Turn the leg over and separate the round

from the sirloin tip by pulling apart the natural seamwith your ngers. Then slice the cuts away from

the bone, trimming away any other meat by cutting

through the connective tissue.

STEP FIVE Pull the shank off the bone. There’s not a

lot of meat there, but every bite counts. Who knows

when you’ll eat again?Drag a Deer

STEP-BY-STEP

Butcher a Deer Leg



THIS HAPPENED TO ME! Trapped in a Canyon

I took off on a day trip to a nearby desert, hoping to

take photos of plants and rock formations. I let my

roommate know where i was headed and when i’d be back.

i was familiar with the area, so i wasn’t worried.

i was particularly excited to explore some canyons in the

area. But i hadn’t made it far when i got myself in trouble.

the wall wasn’t stable enough for me to

climb back up. i had to follow the canyon

and hope i could find a place to climb out.

fortunately, a ranger had detected my emergency signal. he drove along the canyon until he found me.

boy, was i ever lucky he did.no picture of a lousy cactus is

worth that close a call.

i marked my progress in the

streambed so someone might see i’d

been there. soon i was running low

on both water and hope.

but luckily i had my

gps. I pressed the

emergency button and hoped.

i was trying to photograph a cactus

when i stepped too close to the edge and

skidded down into the canyon.

of course, i’d packed snacks,

water, and other supplies.



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Build a Dike

Make DIY Flood

Protection

If oodwaters are threatening your home, use

sandbags to create a dike.

PICK A SPOT Build the dike on the side of your yard

from which water will be owing. Don’t erect the

dike against a wall: The weight of the sandbags might

compromise the building’s structure.

FILL THE BAGS Put the rst scoop of sand just inside

the bag’s mouth to hold it open, then ll it halfway full

before tying off the top.

If you’re caught without sandbags and an inundation is imminent, it’s

time to improvise. First off, be aware that you don’t have to use sand to

build your fortications—dirt or small gravel will do in a pinch. Fill up

pillowcases, tie off T-shirts and pants, or even use socks if need be. If

you’re building a fortication to protect your home, you can try piling up

furniture as an armature, then lling in the gaps with your improvised

sandbags. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just has to divert water.

BUILD THE BARRIER Friction between sandbags an

the ground holds the dike in place, so remove slippe

substances like leaves. If you’re going to build your

dike more than 3 feet (1 m) high, increase its stability

by placing the bottom row of bags in a shallow trenc

that’s about 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 2 feet (61 cm)wide. Stagger the position of bags as you stack them,

as if you were laying bricks. As a rule of thumb, the

width of the dike at the bottom should be two or thre

times the overall height.



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176

A tsunami can travel through deep water at more than

600 miles per hour (965 kmh), crossing an ocean in

less than a day. And it won’t calm down when it hits

shore: Shallower water actually makes it taller. Here’s

how to tell if a big wave is headed your way.

A MAJOR SHAKE-UP An earthquake in a coastal

region is an obvious warning sign. If you live near

the earthquake, seek out high ground. Even if the

earthquake is across the ocean, monitor broadcasts for

warnings—tsunamis can travel long distances.

ANTSY ANIMALS Look out for changes in animal behavior. Scientists believe critters pick up on the

earth’s vibrations before we do, so if they’re nervous,

it may be for good reason.

RECEDING WATER The rst part of a tsunami to

reach land is the drawback trough, which causes

coastal waters to recede, exposing normally

submerged areas. If you spot a drawback, you’ve got

about ve minutes before the big wave hits.

It’s not just earthquakes that cause tsunamis:

Volcanic activity, landslides, or impact from spa

objects can all set one off. And since the biggest

tsunamis are as tall as 100 feet (30 m), you’ll wan

to get at least that high above sea level. Anytime

you’re in a coastal area, think about where you

would go in a big-wave emergency.

PLOT YOUR ESCAPE Do a little recon to identifescape routes to high ground. Plan on following

designated tsunami evacuation routes (if they’re

established in your area) or simply heading inlan

and uphill as quickly as possible.

STAY TUNED Keep your ear tuned to the radio

and TV for warnings. Evacuate immediately upo

receiving notice of an impending tsunami.

GET THE HECK OUT Unless you have a death

wish, don’t go to the beach to watch the waves

come ashore. Immediately meet up with your

loved ones and head for high ground.

Know TsunamiWarning Signs

Brace for aBig Wave



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201

Get Your CarO the Tracks

Jump from aMoving Train

Car versus train never works out well—especially for the car. So never stop

a vehicle on railroad tracks, and never race a train to the crossing. Play the

lotto instead: You have a better chance of winning.

If, for some reason, your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks when no train is

coming, go ahead and try to push or tow it off. Enlist help for this.

If you get any hint that even a distant train is on the way, is there anything

to gain by staying? Let me answer that one for you: Nope! Run like crazy

and get at least 200 feet (60 m) away, because parts of your beloved

Camaro are about to become ying shrapnel.

Unless you’re riding an out-of-control train carrying explosives o

hazardous materials, you’re probably safer riding out a train wre

than attempting to jump while the train is moving. In a worst-cas

scenario, however, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do, so at lea

prepare yourself for a rough landing.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP Try to miss obvious obstacles, such as

platforms, bridge infrastructure, posts, and trees. Aim to hit the

ground on a soft, open spot.

ASSUME THE POSITION When you jump, hold your body in a

slight crouch, bent at your knees and waist so you can absorb the

blow. Keep your feet and knees together and your arms wrapped

tightly across your chest, with your chin tucked. Try to hit the

ground feet rst, then roll with the momentum.



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Eat Roadkill

In a worst-case scenario, food will be scarce. Roadki

might be an option, but how do you know if that

raccoon with rigor mortis is dinner-worthy?

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Actually, rigor mortis isn’

all bad. Most animals in rigor are good for at least

another day in hot weather, up to three days in cold.

CHECK FOR FRESHNESS Here’s where it’s helpful

to know your area. If the critter wasn’t on the side o

the road yesterday, well, you know it ’s fresh. The no

really does know, so if it smells putrid, it is.

LOOK FOR PESTS Flies are usually the rst guests

at the road pizza party, so seeing them is a good sign

However, if you see eggs already laid on the carcass,

or if maggots are feasting, it’s best to move on.

EYEBALL THE ORGANS If the poor beast’s internal

organs have ruptured, nd something else to eat.

All clear? Good. Then butcher it as you would a

fresh kill (see entry #065), but be extra thorough in

the cleaning and preparation. And when it comes to

cooking, the longer and hotter, the better.

STEP-BY-STEP

Render Animal Fat

Just because you aren’t going to chow down on that

dead animal doesn’t mean it ’s useless. Learning how

to render fat is an important skill in extreme survival

situations. Tallow (beef fat) and lard (pig fat) are

made through the rendering process. And if you can

get that far, you can make many things—soap, candles,

cooking oils, and even biodiesel fuels.

STEP ONE Cut the animal carcass into small chunks;

1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes are ideal.

STEP TWO In a well-ventilated area that’s far away

from other people, ll a large tub or basin with water

and place it over very low heat.

STEP THREE Add the cubes of fat and bone, and stir

constantly, scraping the bottom as you go. Don’t heat

the fat too quickly, or it’ll start to burn and smoke. In

that case, remove it from heat and resume cooking

only when you can achieve a lower temperature.

STEP FOUR When the fats have liqueed, strain out

the chunks, or cracklings. What remains is a clean

grease that has a wealth of uses.



242

1

7

3

9

5

11

14

13

16

6

12

15

2

8

4

10

7

92

13

81

3

10

11

12

16

4

5

6

15

14

Base of Skull

Back of Neck

Back of Elbow

Kidneys

Sciatic Nerve

Tailbone

Temple

Potentially Deadly

Excruciatingly Painful (Minimal Risk of Death or Serious Injury)

Could Cause Serious Injury

The pain from striking or pressing on any pressure points can be

agonizing. Bear in mind: any hit can be lethal if it’s powerful enough

Below Ear at Hinge of Jaw

Base of Throat (Trachea)

Front of Shoulder Joint

Armpit

Bladder and Abdominal Wall

Solar Plexus

Side of Neck (Carotid Artery)

Groin

Base of Neck Behind Collarbone

Hit Where

It Counts

If someone attacks you, ght back. And don’t just

ail around blindly—place your blows strategically

for maximum impact. If you target fragile areas of

your attacker’s body and strike with an elbow or

a closed st, you could stun an assailant, buying

yourself the time to get out of there. But usethis information responsibly: Reserve the more

injurious moves for ghts that truly require it.



265

264

Soak Up Poison withActivated CharcoalWouldn’t it be swell if there were a simple pill

to take after accidentally ingesting a common

poison? There’s no cure-all, but you might try

activated charcoal. (No, not the kind of charcoal

you use on your grill—this stuff’s only available

at pharmacies.) A mainstay in many rst-aid

kits, this light and practically tasteless powder

binds with ingested poisons and prevents your

body from absorbing them. But before taking it,

check with your local poison-control center, as

activated charcoal could hurt—not help—if taken

in combination with certain toxins.

STEP-BY-STEP

Save a Poisoning Victim

Helping a poisoning victim can be tricky, since

there’s no one-size-ts-all solution. But in every

case, it’s vital to nd out what the toxin is andseek help.

STEP ONE Make sure the victim is breathing. If

not, call 911 to summon an emergency crew.

STEP TWO Check for any remaining poisonous

substance in the victim’s mouth. If you nd any,

wipe it away.

STEP THREE If the victim isn’t breathing and

you’re certied in CPR, begin rescue breathing.

STEP FOUR If the toxin is a household product,

check the label for advice, or contact your localpoison-control hotline. Do not induce vomiting

unless instructed to do so.

STEP FIVE If the victim goes to the

emergency room, take the pill bottle

or package that contained what

was ingested. That will help

doctors start proper treatment

immediately.



279

280

Live Througha Clif-Hanger

STEP-BY-STEP

Survive Crashinginto the Water

A car veers toward a cliff, then stops, leaving the front

of the vehicle hanging in space. Way cool in a movie,

supremely uncool in real life. What you do next can

mean the difference between life and death.

CALL IN THE CAVALRY Call 911, explain your sticky

situation, and give your location. If the car seems

too unstable for you to safely get out of it, remain

incredibly still while you wait for the rescue team.

RESCUE YOURSELF If waiting for rescue seems

unwise, move very slowly to prevent unbalancing the

car. Crawl into the back seat and exit through a rear

door or window. If the car starts to teeter, stop and

wait for someone to anchor it before you exit.

WORK TOGETHER But what if you’re not

alone in this car on a precipitous cliff?

Those sitting in the front should moveslowly to the back seat in order to keep

the car’s weight off the front axle.

Everyone should then exit both

sides of the car as quickly

as is safe, turning to help

others once outside the

vehicle.

Escaping a car that has gone underwater takes a cool

head. If you panic, you probably won’t survive.

STEP ONE Get your seatbelt off and try to open the

door before the water level gets above a few inches.

STEP TWO If that doesn’t work, open the window

and climb out before the water level reaches the glass.

If you can’t open the window, use a blunt object to break

the glass and crawl out.

STEP THREE No go? Stay calm—though of course that’s

easier said than done. Wait until the car lls with water,

and then try the door again. It will probably open once

the water pressure inside equals the pressure outside.



287 Outsmart YourKidnappers

Being kidnapped is scary stuff for sure, and I hope

it never happens to you (or me). But if you someday

nd yourself nabbed and stuffed in a dark closet, you

should try to play your captors to your advantage.

KNOW YOUR ENEMIES Keep track of how many

captors you have, noting their names, physicalappearance, mannerisms, and where they fall in the

hierarchy, if you detect one.

MAKE A CONNECTION Try to establish a rapport.

Yes, they’re kidnappers, but they probably have a

human side (even Hitler liked animals). Try to get

your captors to see your human side as well. You’re

better off if they view you as a person.

WATCH THE CLOCK Memorize your kidnappers’

schedules and keep track of the passage of time. Don’t

have a room with a view? Pay attention to changes in

temperature at dawn and dusk, bustle or quiet in thehallways, and your handlers’ alertness. If it seems as

if they need coffee, it just might be morning.

BE A GOOD “GUEST” This is one situation in which

you have every reason to scream, shout, and kick

anyone that comes near you. But don’t. Follow all

orders and instructions and, once you’ve achieved

a basic rapport, try asking for any needed items,

such as medicine, food, or water. Make requests in a

reasonable, low-key manner.

ESTABLISH YOUR OWN ROUTINE Every day, try to

do some mental as well as physical exercise—you wan

to be feeling clear-headed and t when the chance for

escape arises. If you can’t move much, use isometric

and exing exercises to keep your muscles toned.

Unless you think you’re being drugged, eat what

your captors give you—malnourishment makes you

weak. And as for that very understandable stress, use

meditation techniques to keep yourself from losing it.

REACH OUT Listen carefully for clues that there are

other prisoners near you. If you detect the slightest

sign that you’re not alone, attempt communication.

You may nd a buddy who can help you bust out.

LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES Keep an eye out

for patterns of behavior that you can use to your

advantage. If your captors take regular smoke breaks

or leave you unguarded to watch news coverage, you

might have just enough time to make your escape.



304

KNOW THE NUMBERS

Mass Transit

13 Number of people killed in the 1995 saringas attacks on the Tokyo subway.

660 FEET (201 M) Plunge of the worst cable-

car disaster in history, which happened in Italy

in 1976.

4 Number of suicide bombers who carried

out the London attacks in 2005, which killed

52 people and injured more than 700.

1 in 94,242 Odds of dying in a bus accident.

10.2 BILLION Number of public transportation

trips taken in the United States in 2010.

355 Number of people killed in the United

States each year at railway crossings.

13 Number of improvised explosive devices

placed on trains in the 2004 Madrid attack.

1 Person killed on the New York subway

system by a lunatic wielding a power saw.

STEP-BY-STEP

Exit a Tunnel Safely

Getting stuck on the subway is not only a drag—it

can also be dangerous, especially if you need to make

your own way out of the tunnel.

STEP ONE Avoid the two most dangerous things in a

subway tunnel: moving trains and the electricity that

keeps them going. Don’t walk on the tracks, because

a train can come without warning. And stay away

from the third rail—which is usually elevated and to

the side of the tracks—since it can electrocute you.

Instead, walk along the ledge adjacent to the tracks.

STEP TWO Find the emergency exits, which are

positioned along the wall and well marked.

STEP THREE Follow the signs up the stairs—you’lllikely nd a dead-end metal hatch. If you push hard

against the iron bar, the hatch will open and you can

climb out onto the sidewalk above the subway.



318

319

320

Lock Up YourWeapons

Nothing’s more dangerous than a gun that can fall

into the wrong hands. The most secure method for

storing guns and ammunition is to use a locked gun

safe. Gun safes are too heavy to carry off, and most

thieves won’t take the time to try breaking into them.

For extra security, all safes need a combination lock. Also, consider locking your rearm in a small safe

mounted to your bed frame, which will give you

immediate access in an emergency. A bed safe can

hold a handgun, a tactical ashlight, and ammunition,

so it’s small enough to go unnoticed.

When you’re ring a semiautomatic weapon,

sometimes a spent cartridge jams in the chamberwithout fully ejecting. To clear the jam, make sure the

muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, then smack the

bottom of the magazine to ensure it’s properly seated.

Pull the slide back and ip the gun smartly to the side

to help the cartridge fall out, then let the slide slam

forward to chamber the next round.

Clear a Jam

Shoot with theProper Stance

Shooting accurately begins with a strong stance and ends

with a controlled trigger nger.

STAND LIKE A FIGHTER Stand sideways with your

shoulder pointed toward your target. Move one foot

slightly forward and lean toward your aim point.

GET A GRIP For extra stability, use a two-handed grip,

wrapping your weaker hand over your stronger one. Grip

the handle rmly but not as if you’re trying to choke it,leaving your trigger nger relaxed. Position your trigger

nger so that the crease of the rst joint makes contact

with the trigger.

TAKE AIM AND FIRE Line up the front and rear sights

with the target, then squeeze the trigger smoothly (rather

than jerking it). The instant of discharge should be

unanticipated, keeping your shot true to the target.

Set your sight

and re.

Angle your

body toward

the target.

Place one

foot forward.



333STEP-BY-STEP

Make a Bow and Some Arrows

The bow and arrow was once the weapon of choice,

and in a survival situation it will still serve you well.

You’ll need a piece of dry, dead wood about 1 yard(1 m) in length and free of knots or branches. The

ideal wood should be fairly exible, so choose

mulberry or juniper, if possible. You’ll also need some

sort of material to use as a bowstring. This string can

be hemp, rawhide, sinew, or rope. It’s the wood that

gives the bow its power, not the string.

STEP ONE Cut notches at the top and bottom of the

bow to hold your bowstring.

RICH SAYS

“Learn to view everything as a potential

weapon, right down to the toothpick on your

dinner table. I’m serious.”

STEP TWO Tie off the ends of the rope in

the notches. Your bow should have a slight

bend to prevent it from snapping all the way back into a relaxed position.

STEP THREE For arrow shafts, select thin, straight

rods of dry wood about half the length of the bow.

Use any pointed object as an arrowhead.

STEP FOUR Use feathers for etchings to balance

the arrow in ight. Cut the feather down its center,

then glue it (if possible) to the shaft, or tie it in place

with twine or light string.



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Documents

Ultimate Survival Manual