DESERT SURVIVAL updated Jan09

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DESERT SURVIVALupdated Jan09
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References

• FM 3-05.70
• FM 3-04.508
• DESERT AWARENESS PAMPHLET MARICOPA COUNTY
  DEPARTMENT of EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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Desert Survival

• To survive in arid or desert areas, you must
  prepare and understand for the environment you
  will face. Your survival depends on your
  knowledge of the terrain, basic climate elements,
  and your ability to cope.
• Things to consider
• Equipment needs
• Tactics used
• How the surrounding environment affects your
  tactics

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An Important Acronym

• S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L.
• S
• Size Up The Situation
• If in Combat
• Find concealment, security takes priority.
• Get a feel for the battle space, using hearing,
  smell and sight to determine what the enemy is
  doing.
• Attacking, Defending or Withdrawing
• All the above must be considered before making a
  survival plan.
• Equipment
• Inspect all equipment for damage, ensure what you
  have available is still functional.

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• Surroundings
• Get a feel for the environment,
• Every environment has a tempo to include the
  following
• Animal noises and movement
• Insect sounds
• Enemy and civilian traffic
• Physical Conditions
• May have received wounds
• Check yourself and battle buddies for injuries or
  wounds that may have been inflicted during
  combat.
• In any climate, DRINK WATER to prevent
  dehydration.
• Cold weather, ADD LAYERS to prevent hypothermia.

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U

• Use All Your Senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste
• Slow down
• If you move to quickly without thinking you may
  lose a valuable peace of equipment or become
  disoriented.
• Dont move for the sake of moving
• Plan your move, and prepare to expedite safely if
  the enemy is nearby
• Be observant
• Use all senses to asses the situation, sight,
  sound, and smell.
• Be sensitive to temperature changes.

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R

• Remember Where You Are
• Spot your location on your map and identify
  surrounding terrain in order to orient yourself.
  This rule MUST be followed at all times.
• If your battle buddy is killed, you must be
  prepared to take the map and compass and continue
  on.
• While tracking position keep in mind the
  following
• Enemy units and controlled areas
• Friendly units and controlled areas
• Local water sources (particularly in desert
  regions)
• Areas that provide GOOD cover and concealment.

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V

• Vanquish Fear And Panic
• These two emotions are the most dangerous in an
  escape and evade situation, they prevent
  individuals from making clear, concise, and
  intelligent decisions.
• They can cause you to react to your emotions and
  imagination as apposed to your situation, as well
  as, drain you of energy causing you to become
  fatigued.
• Previous survival and evasion training and self
  confidence will enable you to overcome fear and
  panic.

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I

• Improvise
• In the United States, items are available for all
  needs. Our easy-come, easy-go culture makes it
  unnecessary to develop a skill for improvising.
• Learn to use natural objects around you for
  multiple uses.
• For example A rock can be used as a hammer. Chip
  at properly, that same rock can become a knife or
  an axe.

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V

• Value Living
• In society today we have become creatures of
  comfort, despising inconvenience Truly making us
  soft.
• When placed in a situation were the stress,
  inconvenience and discomforts face you. It is
  key to maintain a strong will to live. BE
  STUBBORN, do not give in to obstacles or
  problems the may come your way.

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A

• Act like the Natives
• Observe the natives, watch how they obtain their
  food, water, what time they sleep and get up.
  This is key in avoiding capture.
• Dont forget about the local wildlife. Not only
  will they provide a food source, but they can
  also indirectly provide you with a means of
  shelter and water.
• Animals, however, cannot be used as an absolute
  guide to food. Many species eat plants that are
  toxic to humans.
• Animals can also give you position away depending
  on the reaction they will have to you.

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L

• Live By Your Wits, But For Now, Learn Basic
  Skills
• Without an understanding of the basics, the
  chances of living through an actual survival and
  evasion situation is unlikely.
• Learn and understand the basics now, not when you
  are headed to your theater of Operation. FM
  3-05.70 will provide you with a good start.
• Practice these skills during every training
  exercise. It will reduce the fear of the unknown
  and instill self-confidence.

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Pattern of Survival
Develop a Survival pattern that will allow you to
OVERCOME ALL OBSTICLES. This pattern must
include FOOD, WATER, SHELTER, FIRE, FIRST AID
and SIGNALS placed in order of importance. Your
pattern must be fluid, ever changing in order to
provide you with the greatest chance of survival.
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REMEMBER

• S-Size Up the Situation
• U-Use All Your Senses, Under Haste Makes Waste
• R-Remember Where You Are
• V-Vanquish Fear and Panic
• I-Improvise
• V-Value Living
• A- Act Like The Natives
• L-Live By Your Wits, But For Now, Learn The Basics

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Animals to AVOID
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Some Bad Bugs
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Finding water in the Desert
NOTE If you are near water, STAY THERE and
prepare signals for rescuers. If not, the
priority is to find a source utilizing the
following leads

• Watch for Desert Trails
• They may lead to water or civilization,
  particularly if several trails join and point
  towards a specific location.
• Flocks of Birds
• Birds will circle over water wholes.
• Listen for Chirping in the Morning and Evening.
• Most animals feed near water.
• Plants that grow only near water
• If you spot the following, water may be nearby.
  Keep in mind that digging may be required to
  reveal the source.
• Cottonwood, sycamore, willow, hackberry, salt
  cedar and arrow weed

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Finding Water in the Desert

• Another possible water source can be added by
  make a solar still or using condensation bags.
  However, both methods require plastic sheets of
  material (must be clear plastic) To construct a
  solar still, dig a hole approximately 3 feet
  across and about 2 feet deep. Make a smaller
  hole, or slump in the middle of the hole. In this
  slump you need to put a container, pan, can, or
  pot to collect the water. Once the hole has been
  dug, cover the hole with a plastic sheet. Be sure
  to secure the edges of the sheet with sand and
  rocks. Next, place a rock in the center of the
  sheet, so it sags down.
• How it works is simple. The temperature in the
  hole, both the soil and air, rises due to the
  sun. This increase in heat causes vapors, which
  condensates on the inside of the plastic sheet
  and runs down. It then drops into the container
  in the sump hole.

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Finding Water in the Desert

• Condensation Bags are easy to construct. Leaves
  and small branches may be cut and placed into
  clear plastic bags.
• How it works The heat from the sun causes the
  liquids in the foliage to be extracted, much like
  the solar still, and collect in the bag. However,
  this method may produce bitter water and the
  taste test should be used to determine if it is
  safe to drink. If the water has a bitter taste,
  do not use it for drinking.
• WARNING This method of water procurement may
  produce water with toxins and thus not safe to
  drink.

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Finding Water in the Desert
BAGGING A TREE OR BUSH
SOLAR SILL
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Methods of Disinfection

• Dirty water should be filtered through several
  layers of cloth to separate the majority of the
  sediment. However, this does not purify the
  water.
• Purification is done as follows
• Boiling water
• Filtration
• Chemical Disinfection

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Boiling

• AT SEA LEVEL
• 1 MINUTES IS SUFFICIENT
• 2-5 MINUTES RECOMMENDED
• AT 10,000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL
• WATER BOILS AT A LOWER TEMPERATURE AT THE HIGHER
  ELEVATIONS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT WATER BE
  BOILED FOR NO LESS THAN 15 MINUTES.

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Filtration

• To be effective from some of the more common
  bacteria found in most natural water sources, the
  filtration system should be capable of removing
  particles 1 micrometer in diameter.

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Chemical Disinfection

• This type of Disinfection is achieved using
  chlorine or iodine. However, there are certain
  microorganism that are resistant to this type of
  treatment and can only be neutralized through the
  boiling process.
• The following chart illustrates the proper time
  and quantity ratios.

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Water Disinfection Ratios
Disinfectant Qty Per Quart of Water Waiting time before drinking
Chlorine tablets 5 tablets 30 minutes
Household Bleach 2 Drops 30 minutes
Iodine tablets 2 tablets 20 minutes
2 Tincture Iodine 10 Drops 20 minutes
Saturated Iodine Not Recommended
Note
When using tablets, time begins after tabs
dissolve Use 4 drops if water is cloudy or
turbid
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Want to know More?

• A more in-depth explanation of topics cover can
  be found in the following references
• FM 3-05.70
• DESERT AWARENESS PAMPHLET
• MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT
• of EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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The End