Section 12 — Quick Reference
Fast Survival Facts, Ratios, and Emergency Actions
Critical Survival Timelines
- 3 minutes — without air
- 3 hours — without shelter (in harsh weather)
- 3 days — without water
- 3 weeks — without food
Water Purification
- Boil 1 minute (3 minutes at altitude)
- Bleach: 8 drops per gallon
- Iodine tablets: follow package instructions
- Solar disinfection: 6 hours in full sun
Fire Starting Essentials
- Three elements: heat, fuel, oxygen
- Best tinder: birch bark, cotton balls, dryer lint
- Best ignition: lighter → ferro rod → matches
- Fire lays: teepee, log cabin, lean‑to, Dakota hole
First Aid Priorities
- Stop bleeding
- Open airway
- Treat shock
- Prevent infection
- Immobilize injuries
Navigation Basics
- Sun rises east, sets west
- North Star = true north
- Shadow stick method: first mark = west
- Three whistle blasts = distress
Food Safety
- Cook meat thoroughly
- Never eat unknown mushrooms
- When in doubt, throw it out
- Store food away from sleeping area
Power & Electronics
- Use low‑brightness modes
- Airplane mode saves battery
- Charge power banks first, then devices
- Keep batteries warm in cold weather
Sanitation Rules
- Wash hands before eating
- Dispose of waste 200 ft from water
- Boil or purify all drinking water
- Keep wounds clean and covered
Emergency Signals
- Three fires in a triangle = SOS
- Mirror flashes visible for miles
- Bright colors increase visibility
- Smoke signals: green vegetation for white smoke