Skills Checklist & Quick Reference

This chapter provides a quick reference for critical survival skills and procedures. Practice these before you need them.

Emergency Priority Checklist

Immediate (First 10 Minutes)

• [ ] STOP. Don't panic, sit down, think
• [ ] Check for injuries (self and others)
• [ ] Stop severe bleeding (pressure, elevation)
• [ ] Move away from immediate danger
• [ ] Check breathing and pulse (ABC)
• [ ] Assess situation (where am I, what threats)

First Hour

• [ ] Establish shelter location (or assess current shelter)
• [ ] Gather immediate shelter materials
• [ ] Start fire if cold/wet
• [ ] Signal for help (if rescue likely)
• [ ] Inventory resources (what do I have)
• [ ] Locate water source
• [ ] Create basic shelter before dark

First Day

• [ ] Complete adequate shelter
• [ ] Secure water source
• [ ] Purify and store water
• [ ] Maintain fire (if started)
• [ ] Set up signaling devices
• [ ] Assess food situation (but don't focus on it yet)
• [ ] Create comfortable sleeping area
• [ ] Establish watch schedule (if group)

First Week

• [ ] Improve shelter
• [ ] Establish water purification routine
• [ ] Set traps/snares for food
• [ ] Gather firewood (3 days ahead)
• [ ] Explore immediate area (mark trails)
• [ ] Create tools (as needed)
• [ ] Maintain morale and routine

Core Survival Skills

Fire Starting

Method 1: Lighter

1. Prepare tinder bundle (fist-sized, dry)
2. Arrange kindling (toothpick → pencil size)
3. Stage fuel wood (progressively larger)
4. Shield from wind
5. Light tinder at base
6. Blow gently to encourage flame
7. Add kindling gradually (don't smother)
8. Build to fuel wood slowly

Method 2: Ferro Rod

1. Create tinder nest (finest material)
2. Place char cloth or jute in center
3. Hold rod close to tinder
4. Scrape hard toward tinder (shower of sparks)
5. Blow gently when smoking
6. Transfer to larger tinder bundle
7. Add kindling when flaming

Method 3: Bow Drill (detailed in Chapter 4)

• Requires practice (try 20+ times before emergency)
• Components: bow, drill, fireboard, handhold, tinder
• Technique: Speed and pressure create friction
• Success indicator: Black powder accumulating and smoking

Water Purification

Boiling (Best Method):

1. Collect water from cleanest source available
2. Filter through cloth (removes large particles)
3. Bring to rolling boil
4. Boil 1 minute (sea level) or 3 minutes (altitude)
5. Cool before drinking
6. Store in clean container

Chemical Treatment:

1. Collect water
2. Pre-filter if cloudy
3. Add purification:
   • Iodine: 2 tablets per liter
   • Bleach: 2 drops per liter (clear) or 4 drops (cloudy)
4. Mix well
5. Wait 30 minutes
6. Should smell faintly of chlorine/iodine

Filtration:

1. Pre-filter through cloth
2. Run through filter per manufacturer instructions
3. Collect filtered water
4. Still boil if possible (belt and suspenders)

Shelter Building

Debris Hut:

1. Find ridgepole (or use long branch)
2. Prop at 45° angle against tree/support
3. Lean branches along both sides (ribs)
4. Layer debris 2-3 feet thick
5. Fill interior with dry leaves/grass
6. Create small entrance
7. Block wind from entrance

Lean-To:

1. Find two trees 6-8 feet apart
2. Lash horizontal pole between them
3. Lean branches at 45° against pole
4. Layer bark, leaves, boughs
5. Create back wall (optional)
6. Position fire in front with reflector

Tarp Shelter:

1. Stretch ridgeline between two trees
2. Drape tarp over ridgeline
3. Stake corners at 45° angle
4. Adjust for wind direction
5. Seal ends if needed

Navigation

Sun Navigation (Shadow Stick):

1. Place stick (2+ feet) upright in level ground
2. Mark shadow tip with rock
3. Wait 15-20 minutes
4. Mark new shadow tip with rock
5. Draw line connecting rocks
6. First mark = West, Second = East
7. Stand with West on left = facing North

Star Navigation (North Star):

1. Find Big Dipper
2. Identify two stars at edge of "cup"
3. Draw line through them upward
4. Extend 5x the distance
5. Bright star = Polaris = North
6. Polaris appears stationary (others rotate around it)

Following Water:

• Water flows downhill
• Follow streams downstream
• Streams merge into rivers
• Rivers often lead to civilization
• Stay on one side (avoid crossing)

Signaling

Signal Fire:

1. Build three fires in triangle (100 feet apart)
2. Or build one large fire with lots of smoke
3. Add green vegetation for white smoke (day)
4. Keep bright flame for night
5. Have materials ready to add quickly

Ground Signal:

1. Create large X (30+ feet) = need help
2. Or large V = need assistance
3. Use contrast (rocks on grass, logs on snow)
4. In clearing (visible from air)

Mirror Signal:

1. Reflect sun toward aircraft/searcher
2. Use V-sight (two fingers) to aim
3. Flash repeatedly
4. Visible 10+ miles

First Aid

Severe Bleeding:

1. Apply direct pressure (hand or cloth)
2. Press HARD, don't peek
3. Elevate above heart
4. Maintain pressure 10+ minutes
5. If bleeding continues: pressure point
6. Tourniquet only if life-threatening and pressure fails

Hypothermia:

1. Move to shelter
2. Remove wet clothing
3. Dry off
4. Warm core (chest, neck, head, groin)
5. Warm drinks if conscious
6. Skin-to-skin contact (sleeping bag)
7. Don't warm extremities first

Fracture:

1. Don't move injured area
2. Splint as found (don't straighten)
3. Pad splint with cloth
4. Immobilize joint above and below
5. Secure with strips (not too tight)
6. Check circulation (pink fingers/toes)

Quick Reference Tables

The Rule of 3s

Water Needs by Condition

Firewood Rankings (Heat Output)

Edible Plants (Universal)

Animal Tracks

Identifying common tracks:

Deer: Two teardrop shapes, pointed forward Bear: Large, 5 toes, claw marks visible Canine (wolf, coyote, dog): 4 toes, claw marks, oval Feline (mountain lion): 4 toes, no claws (retracted), round Raccoon: Looks like small human hands

Track direction indicates:

• Crisp edges = fresh
• Crumbling edges = old
• Convergence = water or food source

Knot Quick Reference

Bowline (Loop that doesn't slip):

• Rescue loops
• Securing to trees
• Won't jam under load

Clove Hitch (Quick attachment):

• Starting lashings
• Temporary attachment
• Can slip under variable load

Taut-Line Hitch (Adjustable):

• Tent guy lines
• Adjustable shelter ridgeline
• Maintains tension

Square Knot (Joining ropes):

• Same diameter ropes
• Not for critical loads
• Easy to untie

Skills Practice Checklist

Level 1: Beginner (Backyard Practice)

• [ ] Start fire with lighter (10 times)
• [ ] Start fire with ferro rod (10 times)
• [ ] Boil water to purify
• [ ] Build debris hut (complete one)
• [ ] Build lean-to shelter
• [ ] Set up tarp in 3 configurations
• [ ] Tie 5 basic knots
• [ ] Use compass to find direction
• [ ] Navigate by sun (shadow stick)
• [ ] Find North Star at night
• [ ] Treat mock injury (bleeding, fracture)
• [ ] Build fire in rain
• [ ] Sharpen knife

Level 2: Intermediate (Overnight Practice)

• [ ] 24-hour shelter test (stay warm/dry)
• [ ] Purify water from natural source
• [ ] Start fire without lighter (ferro rod or matches)
• [ ] Cook meal over fire
• [ ] Navigate 1 mile without compass
• [ ] Set and check snare/trap
• [ ] Identify 10 edible plants in area
• [ ] Create cordage from natural material
• [ ] Maintain fire overnight
• [ ] Sleep comfortably with improvised bedding
• [ ] Filter and purify questionable water

Level 3: Advanced (Extended Practice)

• [ ] 72-hour survival scenario (limited gear)
• [ ] Start fire with bow drill
• [ ] Build long-term shelter (multi-day)
• [ ] Catch and prepare fish
• [ ] Catch and prepare small game
• [ ] Navigate cross-country without tools
• [ ] Identify 20+ edible plants
• [ ] Create functional tools from scratch
• [ ] Maintain camp for week
• [ ] Treat various injuries in field
• [ ] Signal and be "rescued" in exercise

Emergency Procedures

Lost Procedure

1. STOP immediately
2. Stay where you are
3. Blow whistle 3 times (repeat every 15 min)
4. Signal if you hear/see searchers
5. Build fire (smoke signal)
6. Create shelter
7. Stay visible and warm
8. Don't wander

Injured Alone Procedure

1. STOP and assess injury
2. Treat bleeding immediately
3. Move to safe location if necessary
4. Signal for help
5. Build shelter near current location
6. Conserve energy (don't worsen injury)
7. Stay warm and dry
8. Ration supplies

Group Separation Procedure

1. Stay at last point all were together
2. Signal (whistle, calls, smoke)
3. Wait 30 minutes
4. If no response, follow pre-arranged plan:
   • Rally point #1
   • Rally point #2
   • Return to trailhead/vehicle
5. Leave markers showing direction
6. Don't split up further

Animal Encounter Procedure

Bear:

1. Stop, don't run
2. Make yourself big
3. Speak calmly
4. Back away slowly
5. If charges: Black bear (fight), Grizzly (play dead last resort)

Mountain Lion:

1. Stop, face animal
2. Make yourself big
3. Don't run
4. Be aggressive (yell, throw rocks)
5. Fight back if attacked

Snake:

1. Stop moving
2. Identify escape route
3. Back away slowly
4. Give snake space
5. If bitten: stay calm, get to hospital

Seasonal Considerations

Summer Survival Priorities

1. Water (dehydration risk)
2. Shade (heat exhaustion)
3. Fire (cooking, signaling)
4. Food (abundant)

Hazards: Heat, dehydration, insects, snakes, storms

Fall Survival Priorities

1. Shelter (nights getting cold)
2. Water
3. Fire (warmth)
4. Food (stock up while available)

Hazards: Cold rain, hypothermia, shorter days

Winter Survival Priorities

1. Shelter (insulated, windproof)
2. Fire (critical for warmth)
3. Water (melt ice/snow)
4. Food (high calorie need)

Hazards: Hypothermia, frostbite, avalanche, short days, limited food

Spring Survival Priorities

1. Waterproofing (rain)
2. Water (abundant)
3. Shelter (flooding risk)
4. Food (emerging plants, active animals)

Hazards: Rain, flooding, temperature swings, mud

Mental Toughness

Daily Affirmations

Repeat as needed:

• "I can handle this"
• "One task at a time"
• "Others have survived worse"
• "I'm tougher than I think"
• "This is temporary"
• "I will not give up"

Morale Maintenance

Daily routine:

• Wake same time
• Morning hygiene
• Meal times (even if small)
• Work tasks
• Rest periods
• Evening routine
• Sleep schedule

Keep busy:

• Camp improvements
• Tool making
• Skill practice
• Exploration (safe)
• Journal writing
• Singing/whistling

When to Push, When to Rest

Push when:

• Immediate danger
• Rescue window closing
• Weather turning bad
• Critical resources needed

Rest when:

• Exhausted
• Injured
• Poor weather
• Night time
• Goal achieved for day

Pre-Trip Checklist

Before Every Trip

• [ ] Tell someone: where going, when returning
• [ ] Check weather forecast
• [ ] Review route and alternatives
• [ ] Pack appropriate gear
• [ ] Test critical gear (fire starter, water filter)
• [ ] Charge electronics
• [ ] Prepare emergency contacts list
• [ ] Review first aid
• [ ] Check expiration dates (food, medical)
• [ ] Fill water bottles
• [ ] Know local hazards (animals, plants, terrain)

Trip Plan (Share with Someone)

Include:

• Destination and route
• Start date and time
• Expected return date and time
• Vehicle description and plate
• Gear list
• Who to contact if overdue
• Alternative routes

Key Takeaways

1. STOP before acting. Panic kills
2. Priorities: Air, shelter, water, fire, food. In that order
3. Practice makes permanent. Train before emergency
4. Mental toughness crucial. Will to survive matters most
5. Signal constantly. Assume someone is looking
6. Shelter prevents death. Exposure kills fastest
7. Water before food. You can fast for weeks
8. Fire is life. Warmth, water, morale, signaling
9. Skills trump gear. But have both
10. Never give up. Humans have survived incredible odds

Final Words

Survival is 90% mental, 10% skill and gear. Knowledge weighs nothing. Practice doesn't guarantee survival, but it dramatically improves your odds.

The best survival tool is the one between your ears.

Stay calm. Stay smart. Stay alive.

Quick Mnemonics

STOP:

• Stop
• Think
• Observe
• Plan

SURVIVAL:

• Size up the situation
• Undue haste makes waste
• Remember where you are
• Vanquish fear and panic
• Improvise
• Value living
• Act like the natives
• Learn basic skills

PLAN:

• Prioritize
• Locate resources
• Assess threats
• Navigate or stay

Additional Resources

Recommended books:

• SAS Survival Handbook (Wiseman)
• Bushcraft 101 (Canterbury)
• 98.6 Degrees (Lundin)
• Deep Survival (Gonzales)

Recommended practice:

• Take wilderness survival course
• Practice primitive skills weekends
• Join survival skills group
• Get wilderness first aid certified
• Test your gear regularly

Remember: Reading about survival doesn't make you a survivor. Doing does.