===== 72-HOUR-EMERGENCY-KIT =====
72-Hour Emergency Kit & Home Supplies | Survival Solutions

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Emergency preparation
Immediate rule
Prepare before services fail. In the Netherlands, plan for at least 72 hours and about 3 litres of water per person per day, then adapt for health, climate and household needs.
Quick sequence: 72 HOURS → WATER → FOOD + MEDS → LIGHT + RADIO.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Plan the people and the time
2
Store safe drinking water
3
Pack food, hygiene and health essentials
4
Keep information and light available
5
Inspect and practice
Skill 1 of 5
Plan the people and the time
Rule:
Design around your household, not a generic bag.
List every household member, visiting child, pet and person with medical or accessibility needs.
Begin with 72 hours of food, drinking water, warmth, medication and communication; adjust for heat, illness or local guidance.
Keep supplies in an accessible, dry place and tell everyone where they are.
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Skill 2 of 5
Store safe drinking water
Rule:
Clean water is a priority.
Allocate at least 3 litres per person per day under Dutch guidance; for four people, 72 hours means 36 litres.
Add extra water for infants, pets, hot conditions and hygiene; follow local alerts when tap water is unsafe.
Use sealed, food-grade containers, mark dates and replace or inspect according to storage guidance.
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Skill 3 of 5
Pack food, hygiene and health essentials
Rule:
Choose supplies that work without electricity.
Select shelf-stable food your household eats, plus a manual can opener and allergy-aware options.
Include regular medicines, prescriptions, first-aid supplies, sanitary products, soap and waste bags.
Plan for safe food preparation without indoor fuel-burning devices; never use outdoor grills or generators indoors.
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Skill 4 of 5
Keep information and light available
Rule:
A kit should still work with no mobile signal.
Pack LED torches, spare batteries, a charged power bank and the correct cables.
Include a battery or hand-crank radio, printed contacts, key documents and local route maps.
Keep small amounts of cash, spare keys, warm clothing and a whistle in a waterproof pouch.
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Skill 5 of 5
Inspect and practice
Rule:
Supplies that fail at the moment of need are not preparedness.
Check expiration dates, batteries, stored water, clothing sizes and medication requirements every few months.
Test the radio and torch, rotate food into normal household use and recharge the power bank.
Do a short no-electricity drill and record what was missing; update the kit afterwards.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Calculate the water requirement for everyone in your household.
Assemble a small kit in one reachable container.
Set calendar reminders to check supplies and batteries.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
Dutch government — emergency kit
British Red Cross — emergency preparedness
American Red Cross — make a plan
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Family Emergency Contacts & Reunification Plan →
Evacuation Go-Bag & Departure Decisions →

===== BLACKOUT-CARBON-MONOXIDE =====
Carbon Monoxide & Generator Safety During Outages | Survival Solutions

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Default priority 10 · Blackout
Immediate rule
Never use a portable generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other fuel-burning device indoors or in a garage. Portable generators belong outdoors more than 20 ft / 6 m from doors, windows, and vents, with a working battery CO alarm in the home.
Portable generator placement: outdoors, more than 20 ft / 6 m from doors, windows, and vents, exhaust pointed away; never in a garage even with the door open.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Outage triage and communications
2
Generator and carbon-monoxide safety
3
Electrical and fire safety
4
Temperature and medical-device planning
5
Food, water, lighting, and recovery
Skill 1 of 5
Outage triage and communications
Rule:
First determine whether the problem is local, building-wide, or regional without approaching damaged electrical equipment.
Check safely.
Look at neighboring buildings/street lighting and utility alerts rather than opening panels or touching damaged service equipment.
Preserve phone power.
Low-power mode, reduced brightness, short calls/texts, and a charged power bank extend useful time.
Use flashlights/lanterns first.
Open flames add fire risk during a dark, disrupted environment.
Get official information.
Utility restoration estimates, boil-water advisories, evacuation/cooling/warming center locations, and road closures change decisions.
Set a relocation threshold.
If temperature, medical power, water, or safety will become unacceptable before restoration, leave early for a safer location.
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Skill 2 of 5
Generator and carbon-monoxide safety
Rule:
Combustion stays outside. Ventilation through an open door or garage door does not make indoor generator use safe.
Place portable generators outdoors more than 20 ft / 6 m from windows, doors, and vents.
Point exhaust away from the building.
Never use a generator in a home, basement, garage, shed attached to living space, camper, or other enclosed/partly enclosed area.
Never use charcoal grills, portable camp stoves, or gas ovens/ranges to heat living space.
Run a battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarm.
Make sure everyone can hear it.
If CO is suspected:
get to fresh air if this can be done safely, call emergency services/poison advice, and do not re-enter until responders say it is safe.
Practical note
Common CO poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Sleeping people can be overcome before they notice symptoms.
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Skill 3 of 5
Electrical and fire safety
Rule:
Treat downed lines and improvised wiring as lethal hazards.
Stay far from fallen wires and anything they touch, including fences and water.
Do not back-feed a building by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
Use an approved transfer system installed as required.
Use extension cords and generator loads within manufacturer ratings.
Keep connections dry and protected.
Unplug/switch off sensitive loads when appropriate.
Restore major loads gradually after power returns.
Do not enter flooded electrical areas.
Let the utility/electrician make the system safe.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Temperature and medical-device planning
Rule:
Do not replace lost heating/cooling with unsafe combustion. Relocate before the indoor environment becomes medically dangerous.
Cold:
close unused rooms, add dry layers/blankets, and move to an approved warming location if safe heat is unavailable.
Heat:
use shade/ventilation if conditions allow and move to an approved cooling location before vulnerable people overheat.
Medical equipment:
use the device manufacturer/provider emergency plan, battery reserve, or approved backup power.
Medication:
follow pharmacy/medical guidance for items requiring refrigeration; do not guess based on touch.
Check vulnerable people.
Older adults, infants, people with chronic illness, and isolated neighbors may need earlier relocation.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Food, water, lighting, and recovery
Rule:
Keep cold appliances closed, treat water according to advisories, and restore the home deliberately instead of all at once.
Refrigerator:
unopened, it generally keeps food cold about
4 hours
.
Freezer:
unopened, a full freezer is roughly
48 hours
; a half-full freezer about
24 hours
.
Never taste food to judge safety.
Use a thermometer and official discard guidance.
Water:
follow boil/do-not-drink/do-not-use advisories exactly; loss of power can affect pumps and treatment systems.
After restoration:
check for unusual smells, heat, sparks, or appliance damage and keep CO alarms active while backup equipment is being shut down.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Measure a 20 ft / 6 m generator exclusion distance around your home before an outage.
Test CO alarms monthly and replace batteries/units on schedule.
Label the circuits/loads that backup power can safely support.
Keep one flashlight where each person sleeps.
Write a relocation trigger for indoor temperature and medical battery reserve.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
CDC — Protect Yourself During a Power Outage
CDC — Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics
FoodSafety.gov — Food Safety During Power Outage
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== BOATING-PREDEPARTURE-SAFETY =====
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore | Survival Solutions

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Boating & maritime safety
Immediate rule
Do not depart when the forecast, visibility, craft condition or crew capability makes the trip unsafe. Wear an appropriate, correctly fitted lifejacket.
Quick sequence: FORECAST → VESSEL → LIFEJACKET → FLOAT PLAN.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Check weather and water conditions
2
Inspect the boat and equipment
3
Fit flotation and brief everyone
4
Plan and share your route
5
Keep a safe watch
Skill 1 of 5
Check weather and water conditions
Rule:
A calm marina does not guarantee a safe passage.
Review marine forecasts, wind, swell, thunderstorms, tides, currents and local notices.
Set no-go conditions suitable for the boat, experience and passengers; postpone when the forecast exceeds them.
Know nearby safe harbours and when strong current or a tidal gate makes access unsafe.
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Skill 2 of 5
Inspect the boat and equipment
Rule:
Failures are harder to manage afloat.
Check hull, bilge, hoses, seacocks, steering, fuel, engine cooling, battery and navigation lights.
Inspect rigging, sails, lines and reefing gear on sailing boats; confirm anchor and ground tackle.
Check fire extinguisher, bailer/pump, first-aid kit, navigation tools and any required local safety equipment.
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Skill 3 of 5
Fit flotation and brief everyone
Rule:
Every passenger should know the basics.
Choose and correctly fit lifejackets appropriate to the activity, water and person; check children separately.
Show the location of emergency gear and demonstrate how to call for help.
Name a backup helm/operator and review a person-overboard response and engine-stop procedure.
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Skill 4 of 5
Plan and share your route
Rule:
Leave a shore contact who will notice a delay.
Set departure, route, estimated return, passenger count and fallback destinations.
Share the plan with a responsible person on shore and agree when they should raise concern.
Carry a working navigation method and backup; never rely entirely on one phone or chartplotter.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Keep a safe watch
Rule:
Continue checking conditions after departure.
Maintain lookout and proper speed, especially around swimmers, shoals, traffic and poor visibility.
Track fuel/power, bilge level, wind and sea state; turn back before conditions become unmanageable.
Keep appropriate radio watch, follow local rules and avoid alcohol or impaired operation.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Carry out a written predeparture checklist.
Try on and inspect every passenger lifejacket.
Make a float plan and brief a shore contact.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation →
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery →
Ship Emergencies: Fire, Flooding & Engine Failure →

===== BUSHCRAFT-FIELD-GUIDE =====
Bushcraft: Field Skills, Campcraft & Responsible Practice | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Bushcraft
Purpose and safe boundaries
Original illustrated bushcraft instruction: site selection, tarp shelter, cordage, tools, fire, weather and camp hygiene.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Start with permission, weather and an exit plan
Bushcraft is the practice of making practical use of materials and equipment outdoors. Plan it as a low-impact activity, not a survival experiment. Check landowner rules, fire bans, wildlife seasons, forecast and nearby water hazards. Leave a route, return time and check-in plan with someone.
Priority:
use a tent or certified shelter in dangerous weather. A homemade shelter is a learning project and does not reliably replace proper winter or storm equipment.
Original drawing: a low-impact tarp shelter
An A-frame tarp, protected sleeping pad, stable anchors and clear exit. No flames or fuel-burning stoves inside.
Choose and assess a campsite
Choose an established site on level ground; stay away from flood channels, loose cliffs, dead overhead branches and isolated ridge crests in storms.
Look for drainage; never obstruct paths, water courses or animal trails.
Locate drinking-water sources, sanitation sites and evacuation routes before dark; filter and disinfect water as needed.
Keep cooking, food storage and sleeping areas separate according to local wildlife guidance.
Pitch a simple non-destructive tarp shelter
Inspect cordage and tarp grommets. Protect trees with wide straps if anchor use is permitted.
Run a ridgeline between stable anchors below potentially falling limbs and away from trails.
Drape tarp evenly; tension corners to stakes or approved anchors, leaving enough ventilation and rain runoff.
Place an insulating pad above wet ground; angle the low side toward prevailing rain, keeping an escape path.
Check and retension after rain or wind. Take everything down and restore the site.
Knife, saw, cordage and knots
Use a fixed work area and cut away from hands and legs. Keep bystanders outside the cutting arc; sheath tools during movement. Inspect tool handles and saw blades before use. For small tasks use pre-cut materials rather than harvesting green wood. Learn a
bowline
for a non-slipping loop, a
taut-line hitch
for adjustable guy lines and a
trucker’s hitch
for tension. Knots reduce rope strength; inspect after loading and avoid life-safety applications without rated equipment and training.
Fire and stove discipline
Prefer a stable camping stove in permitted areas. Check that all fires are legal and that conditions are safe. Keep flame away from tents and fuel. Extinguish completely until cold; never leave embers unattended. Never use charcoal, grills or combustion stoves inside tents, vehicles or enclosed spaces because carbon monoxide can kill without warning.
Food, water and hygiene
Separate raw food, clean drinking water and waste. Wash hands before preparing food. Use tested filtration/disinfection approaches suited to the source; boiling does not remove chemical contamination. Use approved sanitation facilities or locally required backcountry waste practices, and pack out trash and food scraps.
Practice checklist
Weather, land access and trip plan confirmed
Water treatment and independent backup packed
Rope, stakes and anchors inspected
First-aid kit, headlamp, whistle and communication equipment checked
Pack-out bags and minimal-impact cleanup planned
Related survival guides
Emergency Shelter Building
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
Bushcraft Knots, Rigging & Shelter Troubleshooting
References and further reading
US National Park Service: Ten Essentials
Leave No Trace: Seven Principles
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== BUSHCRAFT-KNOTS-AND-SHELTERS =====
Bushcraft Knots, Rigging & Shelter Troubleshooting | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Bushcraft
Purpose and safe boundaries
Illustrated A-frame tarp layout, basic field knots, rope inspection and shelter performance checks.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Tarp rigging: inspect before loading
Choose purpose-made cordage rated for the task. Inspect nicks, melted spots, stiff sections, mildew and damaged outer sheaths. Keep line away from cutting edges. For shelter guy lines, avoid waist-height cords across trails; mark them for visibility.
Shelter rigging reference
Use straps rather than tight bare rope on living trees when permitted.
Three knots to learn
Bowline:
a fixed loop at the end of rope for a non-life-safety tether. Dress the turns, secure the tail and test before trusting.
Taut-line hitch:
adjustable hitch for light guy lines; tension after tarp loading and inspect when wet.
Trucker’s hitch:
mechanical advantage to tension a ridgeline, then secure against slippage. Do not apply to climbing or lifting people.
Use an accredited knot diagram or instructor to confirm the exact weave; incorrect knots may look convincing and still fail.
Shelter failure cases
Flapping tarp:
lower pitch, retension corners and protect fabric contact points.
Water pooling:
improve slope and runoff.
Condensation:
increase safe ventilation.
Soaked sleeping area:
move to higher stable ground; add a groundsheet and insulation.
Strong winds:
use certified shelter or leave exposed ground rather than relying on improvisation.
Packing out
Remove every cord, stake, tape scrap and food item. Inspect for rope scars and avoid damaging protected trees or vegetation. Do not create unauthorized semi-permanent camps.
Related survival guides
Bushcraft: Field Skills, Campcraft & Responsible Practice
Emergency Shelter Building
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
References and further reading
NPS Ten Essentials
Leave No Trace Principles
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== COMPASS-NAVIGATION =====
Compass Navigation: Bearings, Declination & Route Finding | Survival Solutions

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Navigation & Field Mapmaking
Field principle
A compass is a direction tool, not a position finder. Combine it with a map, terrain, distance and checkpoints to avoid confidently walking the wrong route.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Identify the compass parts
2. Take a bearing to a landmark
3. Convert magnetic and true bearings
4. Orient a map and measure direction
5. Avoid common errors
Reference 1 of 5
Identify the compass parts
Baseplate:
Clear edge and direction-of-travel arrow align a map route with the compass.
Rotating bezel:
Degree ring for reading and setting a bearing, usually 0–360 degrees clockwise.
Magnetic needle:
The north-seeking end points toward magnetic north when the compass is level and clear of interference.
Orienting lines:
Parallel lines inside the bezel that align with map grid north lines.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 5
Take a bearing to a landmark
1. Aim:
Hold the compass level, direction-of-travel arrow aimed at a distant distinct landmark.
2. Set:
Rotate the bezel until its orienting arrow aligns under the north-seeking needle.
3. Read:
Read degrees at the direction-of-travel index, not at the needle tip.
4. Travel:
Choose a close intermediate landmark along that bearing and walk to it; repeat the check.
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Reference 3 of 5
Convert magnetic and true bearings
Know the datum:
True north, magnetic north and map grid north differ. Read the map legend and its north arrows.
Use the current declination:
When east is positive and west negative: TRUE bearing = MAGNETIC bearing + declination; normalize 0–359 degrees.
Example:
A 70° magnetic bearing at +4° east declination becomes approximately 74° true. A 70° magnetic bearing at −4° west becomes 66° true.
Reverse:
Magnetic bearing = true bearing − declination. Do not correct twice when using an already-adjusted declination compass.
Check location/date:
Declination varies with location and time; older printed map values can be wrong.
Back to top ↑
Reference 4 of 5
Orient a map and measure direction
Find the north reference:
Read map north, grid north, scale and contour interval; use matching north references consistently.
Align the map:
Place compass on the map, adjust for declination, and rotate map and compass until the needle aligns with the orienting arrow.
Set a course:
Join your current known point to a destination; place baseplate edge along the course and rotate bezel until its north lines parallel the map grid.
Cross-check:
Compare expected terrain features, path junctions and crossings. Do not follow a bearing blindly across hazards.
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Reference 5 of 5
Avoid common errors
Metal and electronics:
Move away from vehicles, steel structures, magnets, phones and electrical equipment while taking a reading.
Reverse-bearing confusion:
A back bearing is 180° opposite the forward bearing (add or subtract 180°). Check before retracing.
Lost position:
Stop, shelter if necessary, identify last known location, retrace only when safe, and use emergency communications if in danger.
Practice first:
Test on a known route in daylight, using more than one visible checkpoint.
Back to top ↑
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
NOAA — Magnetic declination and bearings
USGS — Orient a map with a compass
Related quick references
Related field guide
Field mapmaking
Open guide →
Related field guide
Map symbols quick reference
Open guide →
Back to Navigation & Field Mapmaking

===== DISASTER-PLANNING-RESOURCE-MANAGEMENT =====
72-Hour Emergency Kit & Disaster Planning Guide | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Preparedness
Immediate rule
Protect life first: evacuate immediate danger, obtain safe shelter and water, secure required medical support, and use a written plan so limited resources are not wasted on lower-priority tasks.
1. SAFETY
2. SHELTER
3. WATER
4. MEDICINE
5. RESUPPLY
Quick-reference sequence. Immediate threats, official orders, and professional medical advice take precedence.
Five practical skills
1
Assess threats and choose a safe response
2
Build a household supply and water inventory
3
Plan for people, pets, medicines and documents
4
Budget supplies and check conditions daily
5
Rehearse decisions and recover safely
Skill 1 of 5
Assess threats and choose a safe response
Rule:
The right first action depends on the threat, not a universal fixed survival priority list.
Name the active hazard: fire, flood, unstable building, dangerous air, extreme temperature, medical emergency, or loss of utilities.
Follow authority orders to evacuate or shelter. Move from immediate danger before organizing supplies.
Write a simple decision gate: “Is this place safe for the next several hours?” Check fire/flood forecasts, structural integrity, indoor temperature, and medical power needs.
Identify the next safe destination and two possible routes; tell a trusted contact what you plan to do.
Make check-ins at planned intervals and revise choices when new official warnings arrive.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Build a household supply and water inventory
Rule:
Keep enough safe supplies to function for several days without outside service.
As a US preparedness baseline, allow roughly 3.8 liters / 1 US gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene for several days; heat, exertion, illness and local advice may require more.
Store ready-to-eat shelf-stable food, a manual can opener, first-aid items, sanitation supplies, headlamps, a power bank, batteries and a battery radio.
Write down what you actually have: water volume, meals, medication doses, battery capacity and transport requirements.
Protect stored water and food from heat, chemicals, pests, and floodwater; rotate and inspect regularly.
Add specialized supplies for mobility devices, infant feeding, allergies, service animals and pets.
Practical note
Three days is an initial preparedness target, not a guarantee of sufficient supplies for every disaster. Longer disruptions require extra stored resources and a resupply plan.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Plan for people, pets, medicines and documents
Rule:
Critical personal dependencies may fail before ordinary supplies run out.
Keep a printed contact sheet, medical summary, prescription list and a safe backup of identity/insurance documents.
Plan how powered medical devices, refrigerated medications and mobility equipment will function during extended outages; confirm plans with clinicians/providers.
Choose two reachable meeting points plus a contact outside your area. Include accessible routes, transport options, and pet-friendly destinations.
Identify who can check on isolated neighbors without entering unsafe scenes. Agree how to request assistance early.
Use waterproof bags for essential papers; keep secure digital backups where appropriate.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Budget supplies and check conditions daily
Rule:
Use resource accounting to avoid running short before help or safe resupply arrives.
Establish water, food, medication, and power inventories with dates and daily check-in intervals.
Reserve safe drinking water first. Do not ration water to dangerous levels; find safer water or relocate if needed.
Match food portions to actual needs and conditions; prioritize perishable foods only while they are still safe and properly refrigerated.
Conserve battery power for communications and medically necessary equipment; charge when reliable and safe power is available.
Write a clear resupply or relocation trigger such as low potable water, lost medical support, dangerous indoor temperatures or fresh evacuation alerts.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Rehearse decisions and recover safely
Rule:
Practice exposes shortages before they become emergencies.
Run a household 20-minute “leave now” drill and a separate short no-power exercise without disabling safety systems.
Test offline maps, spare chargers, radio batteries and access to emergency numbers on paper.
Review emergency plans every season and after changes in household needs, medications or mobility.
After an incident, verify food/water safety and building utilities before restoring routines or discarding evidence relevant to insurance.
Record what did and did not work, replace used equipment, and update the inventory.
Back to top ↑
Practice and preparation
Print a one-page household response plan with two destinations.
Inventory water, food, medication and flashlight batteries in a table.
Run a 20-minute go-bag drill without leaving the property.
Check and refresh your supplies every six months.
Local rules and real emergencies
Use this as a training reference. Follow official incident alerts, regional law, manufacturer instructions, and qualified professional guidance. Do not attempt unfamiliar high-risk activities while already in danger.
Sources and further reading:
Ready.gov — Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed
Ready.gov — Build an Emergency Kit
Ready.gov — Family Communication Plan
FoodSafety.gov — Food Safety in an Emergency
Official guidance may vary by country and can be revised; verify local updates before acting.
All new guides →
Emergency Evacuation →
Emergency Rations →
Water Purification →
Practical Blackout Kit →

===== ELECTRONICS-SCHEMATIC-SYMBOLS =====
Electronics Cheat Sheet: Circuit & Schematic Symbols | Survival Solutions

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Download guide (.txt)
Entire site (.zip)
Survival Cheat Sheets
Field principle
This reference uses simplified educational symbols. Real component standards and regional symbol styles differ; always check the device datasheet and schematic legend before connecting anything.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Common passive and source symbols
2. Active components and controls
3. Reading a circuit safely
Reference 1 of 3
Common passive and source symbols
Resistor — zigzag or rectangle:
Limits current or divides voltage. Value is measured in ohms (Ω).
Variable resistor / potentiometer:
Arrow across resistor: adjustable resistance or voltage divider.
Capacitor — two plates:
Stores electric charge; polarized capacitors have polarity markings and must be oriented correctly.
Inductor — coils:
Stores energy in magnetic fields; often used in filters and tuned circuits.
Battery — long/short parallel lines:
Provides DC electrical energy; the longer line conventionally indicates positive.
Ground / common:
Electrical reference node. Signal ground does not automatically mean safe protective earth.
Fuse:
Sacrificial overcurrent protection; value and type matter.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 3
Active components and controls
Diode:
Conducts primarily one way; line on symbol identifies cathode.
LED:
Light-emitting diode with arrows pointing outward; requires suitable current limiting.
NPN / PNP transistors:
Three terminals; emitter arrow direction distinguishes type (NPN points out, PNP points in).
Switch, normally open:
Closes a circuit when activated; momentary switch returns when released.
Antenna / transformer / speaker:
Input/output and coupling symbols vary; check the schematic key.
Back to top ↑
Reference 3 of 3
Reading a circuit safely
Start at the power source:
Find battery positive, return, ground symbols and expected polarity.
Trace connections:
A junction dot indicates connected wires; crossed lines without a dot often do not connect, depending on drawing convention.
Check ratings:
Match resistor wattage, LED current, capacitor voltage and supply polarity to the parts.
Use extra-low voltage:
Build learning circuits with isolated low-voltage battery sources only; never experiment on mains or rescue transmitter circuits.
Back to top ↑
Quick component checklist
Marking
Meaning
Safe first check
R
Resistor
Resistance and power rating
C
Capacitor
Voltage rating and polarity
L
Inductor
Inductance and current
D / LED
Diode / LED
Polarity and current limit
Q
Transistor
Part number and pinout
F
Fuse
Approved type and rating
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
IEEE — Symbols resources
IEC — Electrotechnical standards
Existing low-voltage circuit guide
Related quick references
Related field guide
Morse code reference
Open guide →
Related field guide
Radio field guide
Open guide →
Back to Survival Cheat Sheets

===== EMERGENCY-COMMS-POWER =====
Communicating During Power Outages | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Practical solution 5 · Comms
Immediate rule
For an immediate threat, call the local emergency number. For household check-ins, use a short text message and a written meeting plan; never delay evacuation to charge a phone.
Quick review: PLAN CONTACT → SAVE BATTERY → SEND LOCATION → USE RADIO.
Five practical skills
A concise, repeatable field sequence. Read these before an emergency and follow official incident instructions when they differ.
1
Create a contact and regrouping plan
2
Make battery power last
3
Communicate briefly and precisely
4
Use backups for local information
5
Signal and wait for help safely
Skill 1 of 5
Create a contact and regrouping plan
Rule:
A simple printed plan works when apps and mobile data fail.
Choose one trusted out-of-area contact who can relay status among household members.
Write emergency numbers, medical contacts, building details and two meeting places on waterproof paper.
Agree on a short check-in message format: name, location, condition and intended next step.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Make battery power last
Rule:
Save charge before it reaches a critical level.
Charge a power bank ahead of travel and check it regularly. Carry the correct cables and a small plug-in charger.
Reduce brightness, switch to low-power mode and disable unnecessary background downloads, streaming and location sharing.
Use airplane mode only when you do not need alerts or calls; switch connectivity back on to check warnings and send updates.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Communicate briefly and precisely
Rule:
Short texts often work with less bandwidth than long calls.
Try emergency calling first for an active life-threatening incident. If a call fails, use officially supported emergency text services only where available.
For routine check-ins, send one concise SMS with your last known location and condition; avoid flooding the network with repeated calls.
Share precise location using an address, landmark, road marker or coordinate pair, plus the time the position was measured.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Use backups for local information
Rule:
Radio and paper can outlast a data connection.
Carry a battery- or hand-crank-powered radio tuned to locally available emergency broadcasts.
Save offline maps and learn to read a paper map before leaving; mobile GPS may work without cellular data, but maps may not load.
Use local government alerts and official channels rather than unverified social-media rumors.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Signal and wait for help safely
Rule:
Choose a stable, visible position and keep a reserve for rescue contact.
If lost, avoid random movement once your location can be reported accurately, unless remaining there is dangerous.
If appropriate, use a whistle or bright marker to draw attention, while avoiding fire or smoke signals in hazardous conditions.
Keep your phone accessible with a small reserve of battery and follow rescue service instructions exactly.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Set up a printed emergency contact card.
Store an offline map and practice reading a GPS coordinate.
Test the emergency radio and power bank every few months.
Safety and local guidance
These notes are practical references, not a substitute for professional training or location-specific alerts. Follow emergency responders and local laws.
Reference sources:
American Red Cross — Power Outage Safety
American Red Cross — How to Prepare For Emergencies
National Weather Service — Wireless Emergency Alerts
Links are provided to help you verify these recommendations and updates.
View related survival videos →
All practical solutions →
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Off-Grid Communication Methods →
Disaster Planning and Resource Management →
New illustrated skills
Build Simple Communication Circuits
Read Public Transponder Signals
Radio Frequencies and Field Communication

===== EMERGENCY-EVACUATION =====
Emergency Evacuation Checklist & Escape Planning | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 2 · Evacuate
Immediate rule
If authorities order evacuation or the location is becoming immediately unsafe, leave promptly by the safest recommended route. People, medications, communication, identification, water, and a prepared go-bag outrank replaceable property.
Evacuation routing rule: move away from the hazard, use the verified route, and keep an alternate that reconnects with known safe roads or terrain.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Evacuation decision and alerts
2
Go-bag and communication plan
3
Route planning and movement
4
Flood escape
5
Wildfire and outdoor escape
Skill 1 of 5
Evacuation decision and alerts
Rule:
An official evacuation order or a clearly worsening life-safety hazard is the trigger to leave; do not wait for perfect certainty.
Identify the trigger.
Use official alerts, responder instructions, smoke/fire behavior, rising water, structural damage, hazardous-material warnings, or other direct evidence.
Leave early.
Delay makes traffic, smoke, fire, water, darkness, and road closures worse. Once the decision is made, switch from “prepare” to “move.”
Take people first.
Account for children, older adults, disabled people, visitors, and pets before collecting property.
Use only the time you actually have.
Grab the prepared bag, essential medication, phone, keys, ID, protective clothing, and water. Skip nonessential packing.
Do not re-enter.
Return only when the responsible authority or property owner says conditions are safe.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Go-bag and communication plan
Rule:
Pre-pack the items that become costly or dangerous to search for under time pressure.
Core bag.
Water, ready-to-eat food, first aid, flashlight/headlamp, power bank/cables, weather layer, gloves, hygiene items, cash, paper map, whistle, and copies of key documents.
Personal necessities.
Prescription medication, glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility items, infant supplies, and pet equipment.
Two meeting points.
Choose one nearby and one outside the neighborhood. Choose an out-of-area contact who can relay information.
Write it down.
Keep phone numbers, medical needs, and meeting points on paper in case phones are dead or locked.
Send one concise message.
Destination, route, people with you, vehicle description if relevant, and expected check-in time.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Route planning and movement
Rule:
Use the safest usable route, not automatically the shortest route.
Plan two exits.
Know a primary and alternate route from home, work, school, and regular travel areas.
Follow closures and direction controls.
Barricades and one-way evacuation traffic exist because downstream conditions may be hidden from you.
Scan ahead.
Watch for smoke, downed wires, moving water, damaged bridges, debris, unstable trees, and changing wind.
Keep fuel/charge margin.
During high-risk seasons, avoid routinely running the vehicle near empty. Do not depend on a single charging/fuel stop.
If the route fails, stop before the hazard.
Backtrack to a known safe point or use the alternate route; do not force through water, flame, debris, or unstable structures.
Practical note
A “shortcut” through an unverified area is not an alternate route. Pre-plan alternates that reconnect with known roads or safe terrain.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Flood escape
Rule:
Move to higher ground and never drive around a flood barricade or into water covering a road.
Move uphill early.
Flash flooding can rise faster than a person can judge from a single viewpoint.
Do not cross moving water if another route exists.
Depth, current, submerged debris, and washed-out road surfaces are hard to judge.
Keep away from electricity.
Water may be energized by downed lines or damaged equipment.
Leave a trapped vehicle only for a clearly safer position.
If water is rising around the vehicle, follow local emergency guidance and call for rescue if possible.
After the water passes, treat the area as contaminated and structurally uncertain.
Avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater and damaged buildings.
Important limit
Do not use dry washes, drainage channels, underpasses, or narrow canyons as escape routes when heavy rain or flash flooding is possible.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Wildfire and outdoor escape
Rule:
Leave wildfire zones when told to do so; outdoors, move away from the active hazard first, then stop and re-orient instead of wandering.
Wildfire:
leave on the instructed route with windows closed and ventilation on recirculate if smoke is heavy. Keep headlights on when visibility is poor.
Do not drive through visible flame fronts.
If trapped, call emergency services with the most precise location available and follow responder instructions.
Terrain hazards:
move out of ravines, avalanche paths, rockfall zones, exposed ridges, flood channels, and other obvious runout areas before stopping.
Once clear, stop.
Check the map/location, injuries, weather, remaining daylight, and communications before continuing.
Switch to signaling/navigation.
If you do not know a safe route, do not turn evacuation into uncontrolled travel.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Set two evacuation routes from home and one meeting point outside the neighborhood.
Pack and weigh a go-bag; remove items you cannot realistically carry.
Do a timed 10-minute departure drill without actually driving away.
Download offline maps and local alert apps before disaster season.
Include pets, mobility needs, and medication refill timing in the plan.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
Ready.gov — Evacuation
Ready.gov — Floods
Ready.gov — Wildfires
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Disaster Planning and Resource Management →
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Safety →

===== EMERGENCY-FIRST-AID =====
Emergency First Aid: CPR, Bleeding & Burns | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 1 · First Aid
Immediate rule
If a person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, has life-threatening bleeding, or is in immediate danger: call emergency services, get an AED/first-aid equipment, and give care within your training.
First-aid priority sequence: make the scene safe, identify immediate life threats, call for help, then treat and reassess.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Scene assessment and emergency call
2
Adult CPR and AED
3
Severe bleeding control
4
Burn care
5
Fractures, shock, and monitoring
Skill 1 of 5
Scene assessment and emergency call
Rule:
Do not enter an unsafe scene. Check responsiveness, breathing, and life-threatening bleeding for no more than about 10 seconds, then activate emergency help when a life threat is present.
Check the scene.
Look for traffic, fire, electricity, violence, unstable structures, chemicals, water, or other hazards. Use gloves or another barrier when available.
Check the person.
If they appear unresponsive, shout, tap the shoulder, and shout again. Check normal breathing and obvious life-threatening bleeding for no more than about 10 seconds.
Call and delegate.
Call the local emergency number or point to a specific bystander and tell them to call and bring an AED/first-aid kit.
Give the highest-priority care first.
Cardiac arrest and catastrophic bleeding are time-critical. Treat what you can without delaying the emergency call.
Keep reassessing.
Watch breathing, responsiveness, skin condition, and bleeding until professional help takes over.
Practical note
Do not move a person with possible head, neck, back, or major trauma unless the location itself is dangerous, movement is needed for CPR, or bleeding cannot otherwise be controlled.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Adult CPR and AED
Rule:
For an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally or is only gasping, start CPR and use an AED as soon as it arrives.
Position.
Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface. Kneel beside the chest.
Compress.
Put two hands in the center of the chest, shoulders over hands, elbows straight. Give compressions at
100–120 per minute
, about
5 cm / 2 in deep
, allowing full recoil.
Breaths if trained and willing.
After 30 compressions, give 2 breaths, each about 1 second and just enough to make the chest rise. If you are not trained or cannot give breaths, continue hands-only CPR.
Use the AED.
Turn it on, expose and dry the chest, attach pads as pictured, and follow the voice prompts. Make sure nobody is touching the person during rhythm analysis or shock delivery.
Resume immediately.
Continue CPR after a shock or “no shock advised” message. Stop only when the person shows clear signs of life, trained responders take over, the scene becomes unsafe, or you physically cannot continue.
Important limit
This is an adult lay-responder summary. Child and infant CPR, advanced airway care, and special circumstances require specific training; follow dispatcher/AED prompts and current certified training.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Severe bleeding control
Rule:
Use firm direct pressure first. For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg, use a commercial tourniquet when available and according to training/device instructions.
Find the source.
Expose enough clothing to see where the blood is coming from.
Press directly.
Place gauze, a hemostatic dressing if available, or a clean cloth over the wound and press hard and continuously.
Tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding.
Place it about 5–7.5 cm / 2–3 in above the wound, not over a joint, and tighten until bleeding stops. Note the time.
If bleeding continues.
Fully tighten the first tourniquet. If the device instructions/training call for it, place a second tourniquet above the first.
Do not undo successful control.
Do not loosen a tourniquet in the field. Do not remove deeply embedded objects; stabilize them and press around them.
Important limit
Do not pack wounds of the chest or abdomen from a web guide. Wound packing is a trained technique for selected junctional wounds. Call emergency services for any life-threatening bleed.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Burn care
Rule:
Stop the burning process, cool thermal burns promptly with clean cool running water, then protect the area without trapping heat or sticking material to the skin.
Make the source safe.
Remove the person from heat, extinguish burning clothing, and switch off electricity before touching an electrical casualty.
Remove constricting items.
Take off rings, watches, belts, and loose clothing near the burn before swelling develops; leave anything stuck to skin in place.
Cool.
Use clean, cool running water for roughly
5–20 minutes
. For a chemical burn, brush off dry chemicals with protection first and flush liquid contamination; follow emergency/poison guidance.
Cover loosely.
Use a clean, dry, non-adherent dressing once cooling is complete. Keep the rest of the person warm.
Escalate.
Seek urgent medical care for deep or large burns, burns to face/hands/feet/joints/genitals, circumferential burns, electrical or chemical burns, inhalation injury, or burns with other serious trauma.
Important limit
Do not use ice, butter, oil, toothpaste, or adhesive dressings on a burn. Large-area cooling can cause hypothermia; monitor the whole person.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Fractures, shock, and monitoring
Rule:
Keep suspected fractures still, control bleeding, prevent heat loss, and treat shock as a medical emergency.
Assume fracture when in doubt.
Pain, swelling, deformity, loss of function, numbness, or abnormal position after trauma should be treated as a possible fracture.
Do not straighten.
Support the injured part in the position found. Do not push protruding bone back in.
Use cold safely.
For a closed injury, wrap a cold pack in cloth and apply for up to 20 minutes if tolerated.
Recognize shock.
Rapid weak pulse, rapid breathing, pale/gray/cool moist skin, confusion, restlessness, nausea, or extreme thirst are warning signs.
Support until handoff.
Call emergency services, treat the cause you can address, keep the person from becoming cold or overheated, and do not give food or drink to a person in shock.
Practical note
If there is no suspected trauma and breathing is comfortable, a person in shock may lie flat with feet slightly raised. If breathing is difficult, vomiting is likely, or trauma is suspected, use the position that best protects the airway and avoids worsening injury.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Take an accredited first-aid/CPR/AED course and refresh it on schedule.
Locate AEDs in places you routinely use.
Practice opening your first-aid kit and applying its commercial tourniquet to a training limb—not to a real person.
Save local emergency and poison-control numbers offline.
Replace expired or opened supplies after use.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
American Red Cross — First Aid Steps
American Red Cross — CPR Steps
American Red Cross — Life-Threatening External Bleeding
American Red Cross — Burns
American Red Cross — Fractures
American Red Cross — Shock
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== EMERGENCY-RATIONS =====
Emergency Food Supply & Ration Planning | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 13 · Rations
Immediate rule
Water and medical/shelter needs come before food. Keep refrigerator/freezer doors closed during outages, never taste food to decide whether it is safe, and discard high-risk perishable food once official time/temperature limits are exceeded.
Power-outage food timeline: keep doors shut; refrigerator about 4 hours, full freezer about 48 hours, half-full freezer about 24 hours, then use temperature/ice-crystal rules rather than taste.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Build a three-day food module
2
Rotate and protect the food reserve
3
Ration effort and meal timing
4
Power-outage food safety
5
Flood/fire contamination and no-cook planning
Skill 1 of 5
Build a three-day food module
Rule:
Store foods you already tolerate and can eat with little or no cooking, then scale the same module to more days.
Choose shelf-stable basics.
Ready-to-eat canned/pouched foods, nut/seed products where safe, crackers, oats/cereal, dried fruit, shelf-stable milk, and other familiar foods.
Include protein, carbohydrate, fat, and salt.
Emergency eating is easier when each meal is complete enough to maintain energy.
Include special needs.
Infant food, allergies, medical diets, texture needs, and pet food cannot be improvised reliably after stores close.
Include a manual can opener and utensils.
Store water separately.
Food planning does not replace the water plan.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Rotate and protect the food reserve
Rule:
The best emergency food is ordinary food that is labeled, protected, and rotated before expiry.
Date every module.
Put the oldest food at the front and use it in normal meals.
Protect from heat, moisture, pests, and flooding.
Inspect packaging.
Discard bulging, leaking, badly dented at seams, rusted-through, or otherwise compromised containers.
Keep cooking fuel limits in mind.
Do not build a reserve that requires hours of boiling when your emergency stove/fuel cannot support it.
Recheck twice a year.
Replace expired items and update dietary needs.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Ration effort and meal timing
Rule:
Do not sharply restrict food in the first hours while doing heavy work; reduce unnecessary exertion and use normal, measured meals once immediate hazards are controlled.
Prioritize water and temperature control.
Dehydration and exposure impair function sooner than lack of food.
Front-load tasks, not starvation.
Eat enough to perform evacuation, shelter, medical, and water tasks safely.
Use planned portions.
Divide the reserve by people and days after you know the likely disruption length.
Favor low-preparation meals during power loss.
This saves fuel and reduces kitchen fire/CO risk.
Do not eat questionable food to “avoid waste.”
Foodborne illness makes a survival problem worse.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Power-outage food safety
Rule:
Time and temperature decide safety, not smell or taste.
Keep doors closed.
An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about
4 hours
.
Freezer:
about
48 hours when full
or
24 hours when half-full
if unopened.
After 4 hours without power/cold source, discard refrigerated perishable foods
such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers unless reliable temperature data shows they stayed safe.
Frozen foods may be refrozen
if they still contain ice crystals or are at
40°F / 4°C or below
, though quality may decline.
Never taste food to test safety.
Use official food-specific charts when uncertain.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Flood/fire contamination and no-cook planning
Rule:
Smoke, floodwater, sewage, chemicals, and damaged packaging can make food unsafe even if it looks normal.
Floodwater:
discard food in non-waterproof packaging and any food directly contacted by floodwater unless official guidance explicitly permits salvage.
Fire/chemical event:
follow local health/fire authority guidance; heat, fumes, and firefighting chemicals can contaminate exposed food.
No-cook module:
keep at least one day of food that can be eaten cold if fuel or ventilation is unavailable.
Use a thermometer in refrigerator/freezer.
It gives better evidence than touch.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Do not gamble on food safety during an already stressful event.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Assemble one labeled 72-hour food bin per household, then calculate how many bins are needed for your target duration.
Run one no-cook day from the emergency food module and note missing utensils/foods.
Place appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer.
Create a rotation reminder every six months.
Keep a printed power-outage food-safety chart with the food bin.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Wild-food supplements worth knowing
Use the linked illustrations as a quick way to review what a few useful foods look like in the field.
Blackberry
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Rose hips
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Hazelnut
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Cattail
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Burdock root
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Stinging nettle
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Reference sources:
FoodSafety.gov — Three Ways to Keep Food Safe When You Lose Power
FoodSafety.gov — Food Safety During Power Outage
Ready.gov — Emergency Supply Checklist
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Food Preservation and Safe Storage →
Wild Food and Safe Foraging →
Disaster Planning and Resource Management →

===== EMERGENCY-REPORTING-PROTOCOL =====
Emergency Reporting: Call Script, Location & Handover | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
A practical emergency reporting template, reliable coordinates, situation updates and information for dispatchers.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Do not delay calling for urgent help
Call your local emergency number for immediate threats to life or serious danger. If a dispatcher answers, follow their instructions even if they differ from this general guide. Do not assume 112 or 911 works everywhere; verify the official emergency numbers for the destination before travel. Text-based reporting is a supplement only where the service explicitly accepts it.
A reusable voice reporting script
WHO · WHERE · WHAT · NEED · NOW
“This is [your name / callsign]. We are at [coordinates with format, named landmark, access route]. There is [incident type] involving [number of people]. Current hazards are [water, fire, traffic, weather]. Injuries and condition: [brief]. We need [ambulance, rescue, police or fire]. My callback number / radio channel is [details]. I will remain available to answer questions.”
Get the location right
Use the phone’s emergency location share or GPS coordinates when available; read numbers slowly and clearly.
State whether coordinates are decimal degrees, degrees/minutes/seconds or a map grid. Note country, datum and hemisphere if needed.
Cross-check landmarks, nearest trail junction, road marker, elevation and visible access points.
Keep the route to a casualty clear and designate someone to guide responders when safe.
Update while waiting
Keep time-stamped notes: changes to breathing, bleeding, weather, flood depth, number of missing people, aircraft/boat sightings or moves to a new location. Tell dispatchers immediately if safety conditions change. Preserve battery for callbacks and keep an agreed communication watch.
Rescue and incident handover
Confirm responder identity, then deliver the factual timeline in order. Distinguish observed facts from uncertain assumptions; mention hazardous materials, medical information volunteered by the casualty and missing persons. Do not publish identifying casualty information publicly.
Maritime and remote reporting
On marine VHF for grave and imminent danger, transmit a MAYDAY on Channel 16 after appropriate DSC alert procedure, with vessel identity, coordinates, nature of distress and people aboard. On land, use licensed radio or an approved satellite messenger when cellular service is unavailable; a one-way beacon may not permit conversation.
Related survival guides
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
Operating Radios: Receive, Call, Distress & Check-in
Rescue Equipment: AED, Life Jacket, Throw Bag & Beacons
References and further reading
USCG: Distress message checklist
UK MCA: VHF DSC guidance
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== EMERGENCY-SANITATION-HYGIENE =====
Emergency Sanitation & Hygiene Without Running Water | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 12 · Sanitation
Immediate rule
Use safe water for drinking and food, wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds when possible, keep human waste away from water/food/living areas, and treat diarrhea as a hydration problem as well as a sanitation problem.
Simple emergency handwashing station: controlled clean-water flow, soap, a catch basin, and a clean drying method arranged to prevent hands touching wastewater.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Hand hygiene and a simple wash station
2
Human waste containment
3
Food and surface hygiene
4
Diarrhea and dehydration response
5
Wound hygiene and a compact sanitation kit
Skill 1 of 5
Hand hygiene and a simple wash station
Rule:
Soap and safe water are the default. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a backup when hands are not visibly dirty/greasy and soap/water are unavailable.
Wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry.
Scrub all hand surfaces for at least
20 seconds
.
Key times:
before food preparation/eating, before feeding children, after toilet use/diapering, after cleaning, and before/after wound care.
Make a station.
Put a water jug with a controllable spout above a catch basin, with soap and clean drying material nearby.
Prevent recontamination.
Do not touch a dirty faucet/handle after washing; use a clean towel/barrier if necessary.
Follow water advisories.
Local authorities may give specific rules for handwashing during boil/do-not-use advisories.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Human waste containment
Rule:
Keep feces out of water, food areas, sleeping areas, and floodwater. Use functioning toilets when authorities say sewer/septic systems are safe; otherwise use the recommended temporary system.
If plumbing is working and permitted, use it normally.
If toilets cannot flush, line a sturdy bucket/container with heavy-duty bags
and use a secure lid; use absorbent material as needed.
Separate the toilet area from food preparation and children’s play areas.
Seal and store waste according to local public-health/municipal instructions.
Disposal rules vary by emergency and sanitation system.
Never dump untreated human waste into streams, lakes, storm drains, streets, or floodwater.
Important limit
Do not improvise buried waste pits in dense shelters, urban areas, flood zones, or where local rules prohibit them. During disasters, local public-health disposal instructions take priority.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Food and surface hygiene
Rule:
Use safe water and physically separate raw, dirty, and clean items.
Clean food-prep areas with soap and safe water.
Let equipment dry completely before reuse when possible.
Keep raw food separate from ready-to-eat food.
Discard food touched by floodwater or sewage
unless official guidance specifically identifies a safe recovery method for that packaging type.
Use clean utensils instead of hands for shared food.
Keep pests out.
Seal food, waste, and dirty diapers; clean spills promptly.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Diarrhea and dehydration response
Rule:
The immediate danger from significant diarrhea is dehydration; replace fluids with safe water/ORS and seek medical help for severe or persistent illness.
Use oral rehydration solution (ORS) when available
and prepare it exactly to the packet volume with safe water.
Continue safe fluids frequently.
Continue breastfeeding infants with diarrhea unless a clinician says otherwise.
Separate the sick person’s cup/towel and intensify hand hygiene.
Seek medical care
for severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down, blood in stool, high fever, severe abdominal pain, altered mental status, or illness in high-risk people.
Do not rely on unsafe home mixtures when commercial ORS or medical guidance is available.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Wound hygiene and a compact sanitation kit
Rule:
Clean hands and safe water reduce wound contamination; serious wounds still require medical evaluation.
Wash hands before and after wound care.
Rinse minor wounds with clean running water.
Remove loose visible debris with clean tools only if it can be done easily.
Cover with a clean dressing and change it when wet/dirty.
Watch for infection:
increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, fever, or red streaking needs medical attention.
Compact kit:
soap, alcohol hand sanitizer, heavy-duty bags, bucket lid/toilet bags, toilet paper, disinfecting supplies, gloves, menstrual products, diapers if needed, clean cloths, and ORS packets.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Build a gravity handwashing station from a jug and catch basin.
Store sanitation supplies in one labeled tote.
Print local emergency waste-disposal instructions if available.
Keep ORS packets in first-aid and evacuation kits.
Set up separate “clean” and “dirty” zones in a kitchen/camp practice layout.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
CDC — Personal Hygiene During an Emergency
CDC — Preventing Diarrheal Illness After a Disaster
CDC — Making Water Safe in an Emergency
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== EMERGENCY-SIGNALING-RESCUE =====
Emergency Distress Signals & Rescue Communication | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 7 · Signal
Immediate rule
If you are lost or immobilized and moving is not clearly safer, stop, shelter, send your exact location, and make yourself conspicuous. A stable target is easier for rescuers to find than a moving one.
Layer signals: exact location message, bright visual target, whistle/light, and a stable shelter position all point rescuers to the same place.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Emergency call and location report
2
Stay-or-move decision
3
Audible and visual signaling
4
Phone and battery management
5
Rescue contact and handoff
Skill 1 of 5
Emergency call and location report
Rule:
A useful distress message tells rescuers who, what, where, how many, and what hazards they will encounter.
Call the local emergency number when service exists.
If a satellite SOS device is available, use its emergency function as designed.
Give precise location.
Coordinates, trail/road name, nearest landmark, elevation if known, direction from a known point, and visible terrain features all help.
Describe the emergency.
Injury/illness, number of people, weather, shelter, supplies, and whether the group can move.
Give identifying details.
Clothing colors, tent/tarp color, vehicle description, and phone number/device contact.
Follow callback instructions.
If rescuers may call back, keep the device powered and do not move merely to chase stronger signal unless instructed.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Stay-or-move decision
Rule:
If nobody knows exactly where you are going and the route is uncertain, unnecessary movement makes search harder.
Stop and stabilize.
Treat injuries, get out of weather, and inventory water, warmth, light, and communication.
Stay put when:
you are lost, injured, darkness/weather makes travel unsafe, or rescuers have your location.
Move only for a clear reason:
immediate hazard, a known nearby safe point, or responder instruction.
If you must move:
leave a clear note/marker with time, direction, destination, names, and condition where it can be found without damaging the environment.
Do not follow watercourses blindly.
Canyons, waterfalls, cliffs, and flood hazards can make them dangerous travel routes.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Audible and visual signaling
Rule:
Use repeated, high-contrast signals that can be noticed from several directions without exhausting yourself.
Whistle:
use short repeated blasts instead of continuous shouting. A whistle carries farther and costs less energy.
Mirror:
in sunlight, aim flashes toward aircraft, roads, boats, or distant observers; never stare at the reflection.
Color:
spread bright clothing, tarp, or gear in an open area with strong contrast against the ground.
Light:
use a flashlight/headlamp in deliberate repeated bursts at night while conserving battery.
Ground marker:
make a large simple high-contrast marker in an open area only when it is safe and legal; do not spend hours on elaborate symbols when shelter or medical care is more urgent.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Phone and battery management
Rule:
Preserve the phone for location, calls, texts, maps, and responder contact—not entertainment.
Send location early.
A successful text may work when a voice call fails and can give rescuers a fixed reference.
Use low-power mode.
Dim the screen, close nonessential apps, and disable unnecessary radios/services while keeping needed emergency connectivity.
Keep the phone warm in cold conditions.
Batteries lose performance when cold.
Use airplane mode only when you are intentionally pausing network search.
Turn cellular/satellite functions back on for scheduled checks or responder contact.
Protect the charging reserve.
Keep the power bank dry and avoid draining it on high-load tasks.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Rescue contact and handoff
Rule:
When rescuers are close, follow instructions and avoid creating new hazards with sudden movement, smoke, fire, or approach to aircraft.
Make the site obvious.
Put bright material where it can be seen without blocking a landing/approach area.
Keep loose items secured around helicopters.
Do not approach an aircraft until directed.
Report changes.
If the person worsens, weather changes, or the group moves for safety, send an update.
Prepare information.
Names, medical issues, medications/allergies if known, injury timeline, first aid given, and remaining hazards.
Let the rescue team control extraction.
Do not improvise rope, cliff, swift-water, or vehicle recoveries beyond your competence.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Store your phone’s coordinate display method and learn how to read it aloud.
Carry a whistle on your person, not buried in the pack.
Practice aiming a signal mirror at a stationary target away from roads/aircraft.
Create a one-message emergency template with group size, location, injury, and clothing/tarp colors.
Leave a trip plan with a contact for remote outings.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
National Park Service — Wilderness Safety
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Off-Grid Communication Methods →

===== ENVIRONMENTAL-EXPOSURE =====
Hypothermia, Heat Stroke & Weather Exposure | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 5 · Exposure
Immediate rule
Confusion, collapse, altered mental status, seizures, severe drowsiness, or inability to care for oneself in hot or cold conditions is an emergency. Remove the person from the environment, call emergency services, and start appropriate cooling or gentle warming.
Exposure action rule: altered thinking or collapse makes the event an emergency—remove from the environment, call, and cool or warm appropriately.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Hypothermia recognition and warming
2
Frostbite protection and rewarming
3
Heat exhaustion response
4
Heat stroke emergency cooling
5
Exposure prevention and pacing
Skill 1 of 5
Hypothermia recognition and warming
Rule:
Treat confusion, slurred speech, fumbling, drowsiness, or severe shivering in cold/wet conditions as hypothermia until proven otherwise.
Get out of the environment.
Move to shelter and stop further wind/water exposure.
Remove wet clothing.
Replace with dry layers and insulation around the whole body, including head and neck.
Warm the core gently.
Focus on chest, neck, head, and groin with dry insulation, warm packs wrapped in cloth, or skin-to-skin contact under dry layers when appropriate.
Call for medical help.
A measured core temperature below
95°F / 35°C
is a medical emergency; serious symptoms are enough to seek help even without a thermometer.
Handle severe cases gently.
If unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services and begin CPR/AED care according to training.
Important limit
Do not give alcohol. Do not force drinks into a drowsy or unconscious person. Avoid aggressive rubbing or rapid direct heat to cold, numb tissue.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Frostbite protection and rewarming
Rule:
Protect frozen tissue from refreezing and friction; rewarm only when you can keep it warm afterward.
Recognize.
Numbness, white/gray-yellow skin, and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy are warning signs.
Get indoors and check for hypothermia first.
Whole-body hypothermia is the more urgent threat.
Remove constricting wet items.
Protect the area loosely from pressure and rubbing.
Rewarm in warm—not hot—water
when medical care is delayed and refreezing will not occur. Water should feel comfortably warm to unaffected skin.
Avoid walking on frostbitten feet/toes unless necessary for survival.
Seek medical evaluation.
Important limit
Do not rub frostbite with snow, massage it, or warm it with a fire, stove, heating pad, radiator, or other uncontrolled heat source. Numb tissue burns easily.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Heat exhaustion response
Rule:
Heat exhaustion is a warning to stop exertion and cool the person before it progresses to heat stroke.
Stop activity and move to shade/air conditioning.
Remove excess clothing and equipment.
Cool actively.
Use cool wet cloths, mist/fan, cool shower, or other practical cooling.
Give cool fluids only if fully awake and able to swallow safely.
Small frequent amounts are easier to tolerate.
Escalate if mental status is abnormal, symptoms worsen, vomiting prevents hydration, or recovery is not prompt.
Those features can indicate a more serious illness.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Heat stroke emergency cooling
Rule:
Altered mental status in a hot person is heat stroke until proven otherwise: call emergency services and cool immediately.
Call now.
Do not wait to see whether rest alone works.
Move to a cooler place and remove outer clothing.
Cool aggressively.
Cold-water/ice-water immersion is highly effective when practical; otherwise wet the skin/clothing, fan continuously, and apply cold wet cloths or ice packs to head, neck, armpits, and groin.
Stay with the person.
Monitor breathing and responsiveness while cooling continues.
Do not give oral fluids to someone with altered consciousness or unsafe swallowing.
Important limit
Heat stroke can occur even when the person is sweating heavily. Do not use “dry skin” as a requirement for diagnosis.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Exposure prevention and pacing
Rule:
Prevent exposure by controlling moisture, exertion, clothing, shade, and timing before symptoms appear.
Cold:
use loose layers, a wind/water-resistant outer shell, dry socks/gloves, and frequent checks of fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin.
Heat:
reduce pace, schedule hard work for cooler hours, use shade, and take planned rest breaks before exhaustion.
Hydrate consistently.
Do not wait for severe thirst during sustained work.
Avoid sweating into cold clothing.
Vent or remove a layer before exertion so insulation stays drier.
Use the buddy system.
Confusion from heat or cold can prevent self-recognition; partners can spot behavioral changes early.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Build a cold-layer system and test whether you can vent it without exposing skin.
Identify the coolest available room/area in your home for heat emergencies.
Pack a dry-bag containing one full dry base layer, socks, hat, and gloves.
Learn where cold-water immersion or rapid cooling could be performed at your workplace/event site.
Use a buddy check phrase: “speech, hands, walking, judgment” during cold exposure.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
CDC — Preventing Hypothermia
CDC — Preventing Frostbite
CDC/NIOSH — Heat-Related Illnesses
American Red Cross — Heat Stroke
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Safety →

===== EQUIPMENT-INSPECTION-POWER =====
Field Equipment: Batteries, Charging, Inspection & Repair | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
Pre-use and post-use inspections for radios, power banks, solar charging, spare cells and emergency tools.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
The 5-point inspection
Housing:
examine cracks, corrosion, leaks and ingress seals. Retire damaged pressurized or battery devices.
Power:
confirm correct battery chemistry and polarity; inspect chargers and cables for heat damage.
Controls:
check labeled switches, screens, locks, seals and safety interlocks without disabling protection.
Function:
carry out the manufacturer’s permitted self-test; never issue a false beacon distress alert.
Record:
write the inspection date, remaining battery, defect and next service due date.
Battery safety
Keep spare cells in insulated holders; protect terminals from keys and coins. Do not charge swollen, hot, punctured or wet batteries. Use the correct power supply and a ventilated dry place. Treat lithium battery smoke or hissing as an urgent fire hazard; evacuate and call emergency services if necessary. Store power banks within manufacturer-recommended temperature ranges.
Solar and portable charging
Use a regulated USB output or compatible controller; do not connect a bare solar panel directly to an unsupported device. Keep connectors dry, place panels to avoid tripping hazards, and budget for shorter winter days and cloud cover. Test your whole kit—not just individual components—under planned loads.
Generators and combustion hazards
Never operate petrol, diesel, propane or charcoal appliances indoors, inside a tent or next to openings. Follow manufacturer spacing and carbon-monoxide safety instructions. Refuel only when cool and off, keep fuel in approved containers, and use properly rated outdoor cables.
Maintenance kit and fault rule
Carry a labelled spare cable, dry bag, fuse of the specified rating, tape, cloth, spare batteries, contact brush and repair log. Do not bypass safety fuses, alter rescue beacons, repair high-voltage battery packs or field-patch pressurized life equipment; quarantine damaged items for qualified service.
Related survival guides
Emergency Communications Without Reliable Power
Power-Outage Survival: First 72 Hours
Operating Radios: Receive, Call, Distress & Check-in
References and further reading
Red Cross: Home Fire Safety
NPS Ten Essentials
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== EVACUATION-GO-BAG-PLANNING =====
Evacuation Go-Bag & Departure Decisions | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Emergency preparation
Immediate rule
Evacuate immediately when ordered or when remaining is unsafe. Do not delay leaving a dangerous building to collect equipment, possessions or documents.
Quick sequence: ALERT → GO-BAG → SAFE ROUTE → CHECK IN.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Know when to leave
2
Pack a lightweight go-bag
3
Choose destinations and routes
4
Leave safely
5
Check in after arrival
Skill 1 of 5
Know when to leave
Rule:
Official warnings and immediate hazards override convenience.
Identify local alert sources and which events require immediate evacuation, such as active fire or fast-rising water.
Learn safe primary and secondary exit routes and do not enter floodwater or smoke to retrieve supplies.
Plan where people with limited mobility, pets and service animals can go.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Pack a lightweight go-bag
Rule:
Only carry what supports safe evacuation.
Put critical medication, copies of documents, a phone charger, light, essential clothing and a compact first-aid kit in one bag.
Add water and easy-to-eat snacks without making the bag too heavy to move safely.
Use waterproof pouches for documents, cash and a list of contacts; keep everyday medication accessible.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Choose destinations and routes
Rule:
Have alternatives ready.
Identify shelter options, relatives or approved public shelters outside local hazard areas.
Mark more than one route and check current official road, bridge and transit information.
Do not follow a saved navigation route into road closures, floodwater, wildfire or unstable terrain.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Leave safely
Rule:
Avoid creating new hazards during departure.
If time permits, secure necessary utilities only according to official guidance and without exposing yourself to danger.
Tell your designated contact where you are going when it is safe to communicate.
Bring assistive devices, essential medications and pets if the plan permits; never re-enter an unsafe building.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Check in after arrival
Rule:
Safety includes accounting for everyone.
Confirm names, current location and condition using the household check-in format.
Follow shelter instructions and official updates; avoid spreading unverified alerts.
Return only after authorities have cleared the area and hazards have been assessed.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Time a realistic safe departure with your go-bag.
Mark an alternate route that avoids known flood zones.
Review accessibility and pet arrangements.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
Dutch government — emergency kit
British Red Cross — emergency preparedness
American Red Cross — make a plan
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
72-Hour Emergency Kit & Home Supplies →
Family Emergency Contacts & Reunification Plan →

===== FAMILY-EMERGENCY-COMMUNICATION-PLAN =====
Family Emergency Contacts & Reunification Plan | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Emergency preparation
Immediate rule
Write down the plan before an incident. During an immediate threat, contact local emergency services and follow official alerts rather than waiting for everyone to answer.
Quick sequence: CONTACTS → MEETING A → MEETING B → CHECK IN.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Define contacts and responsibilities
2
Agree two safe meeting places
3
Use a short check-in message
4
Prepare for low connectivity
5
Rehearse and review
Skill 1 of 5
Define contacts and responsibilities
Rule:
Use one plan that everyone can understand.
Record emergency numbers, a trusted out-of-area contact, nearby caregivers and critical medical contacts.
Assign roles: who checks on children, who assists mobility needs and who brings essential supplies.
Place concise contact cards in bags and with trusted carers; protect private medical details.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Agree two safe meeting places
Rule:
A single location may be inaccessible.
Pick a nearby place for a local building evacuation and another place outside the immediate hazard area.
Explain how to reach each place without depending on one route or public transport.
Check that each meeting place stays appropriate under common flood, fire or extreme-weather risks.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Use a short check-in message
Rule:
Reduce confusion and battery use.
Agree on a format: name / current location / condition / time / next step.
Send concise texts to your designated contact when safe; avoid repeatedly calling every family member.
If internet messaging fails, try normal voice or SMS when available and use the written plan.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Prepare for low connectivity
Rule:
Keep a backup outside your phone.
Save maps for offline use, keep a paper map and a list of useful radio/alert sources.
Pack a charged power bank and a weather-protected copy of identification and insurance contacts.
Do not assume satellite SOS, emergency text or roaming is universally available; check device and country support in advance.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Rehearse and review
Rule:
A written plan is only useful if people know it.
Walk through a hypothetical power outage and evacuation with every household member.
Practise finding the kit and meeting-place route without electronic navigation.
Update contacts, schools, medications and arrangements at least twice a year.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Create a wallet-size emergency contact card.
Agree on an out-of-area contact and two meeting places.
Run a ten-minute communication drill.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
Dutch government — emergency kit
British Red Cross — emergency preparedness
American Red Cross — make a plan
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
72-Hour Emergency Kit & Home Supplies →
Evacuation Go-Bag & Departure Decisions →

===== FIELD-MAPMAKING =====
Field Mapmaking: Sketch Maps, Scale & Terrain | Survival Solutions

Offline:
Download guide (.txt)
Entire site (.zip)
Navigation & Field Mapmaking
Field principle
A useful field map emphasizes consistent reference points, a dated north arrow, relative distances, hazards, and clear labels. A sketch is for orientation, not a substitute for surveyed maps in high-risk navigation.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Set a purpose and north reference
2. Collect observations
3. Use scale and symbols
4. Validate the sketch
Reference 1 of 4
Set a purpose and north reference
Choose the use:
Draw for walking, evacuation, campsite layout or handoff to a rescue team; the needed accuracy differs.
Record orientation:
Mark true or magnetic north explicitly and the date, not just an unexplained N.
Define scope:
List start point, destination, water, terrain barriers, safe refuge, exit routes and areas you must avoid.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 4
Collect observations
Anchor known points:
Begin with recognizable fixed landmarks such as bridges, trail crossings or surveyed markers.
Measure route distance:
Pace a known 100 m distance to estimate your pace length, then record steps on each trail segment.
Use bearings:
Take compass directions between visible landmarks while away from magnetic interference.
Record changes:
Log bends, junctions, stream crossings, slopes and prominent ridgelines immediately in your notebook.
Back to top ↑
Reference 3 of 4
Use scale and symbols
Choose scale:
At 1:10,000, 1 cm represents 100 m on the ground. Write a numeric and a graphic scale bar.
Use a legend:
Symbols must be explained. Label bridge, river, forest, path, cliff, buildings, hazard and water sources.
Draw line types:
Solid for confirmed paths, dashed for uncertain tracks, hatched or shaded for danger/steep ground.
Contours:
Contours join equal elevations; close spacing suggests steep slopes, wide spacing gentle slopes.
Back to top ↑
Reference 4 of 4
Validate the sketch
Fix direction errors:
Compare the rough map with an existing trusted paper or offline topographic map if available.
Check the route:
Test whether distances and intersection order match observations; note uncertain areas clearly.
Make a handoff copy:
Include author, date, area, north reference, map scale, known coordinates when available, and a short written route description.
Never extrapolate safety:
Do not invent bridges, crossings, water sources or exits; mark unknowns rather than guessing.
Back to top ↑
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
USGS — Topographic map symbols
USGS — What is declination?
Related quick references
Related field guide
Compass navigation
Open guide →
Related field guide
Map symbols quick reference
Open guide →
Back to Navigation & Field Mapmaking

===== FIELD-SOFTWARE-OFFLINE-NAVIGATION =====
Field Software: Offline Maps, GPS & Incident Records | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
Practical operating instructions for offline navigation apps, battery management, secure notes and incident logs.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Prepare before losing reception
Download the destination map area, trail data and emergency contact information using trusted mapping software while you have a connection. Verify that the selected download includes the full route and nearby exit corridors. Enable offline availability, then test in airplane mode. Software is a supplement to paper maps and a compass, not a replacement.
Check the map before travel
Confirm the map’s publication date and suitability for current access restrictions; do not assume old trails or bridges remain open.
Set the correct coordinate format, map datum and distance units, and understand how to switch between latitude/longitude and grid references.
Save departure, camp, water, emergency exit and rendezvous waypoints; mark a no-go boundary.
Export an offline backup of essential waypoints to a second device or a printed map when feasible.
Use the phone without exhausting the battery
Carry a protected power bank, dry charging cables and a separate light source. Reduce brightness and unnecessary radios; enable airplane mode when there is no need to listen for messages. GPS may continue working offline but satellite lock and map availability vary by device. Avoid storing sensitive personal medical data in unsecured shared map files.
Incident log and reporting
Create a simple offline note with incident number, time zone, GPS location, actions, owner and next update time. Distinguish verified observations from unconfirmed reports. Save edits locally before leaving a screen; share only the minimum necessary details with responders and maintain a paper fallback.
Software failure checklist
Does the app launch in airplane mode?
Are the exact map tiles, topographic overlays and route files cached?
Is location permission set and can coordinates be read aloud?
Can the phone be unlocked with gloves or in rain?
Is there a paper-map, compass and radio fallback?
Related survival guides
Compass Navigation: Bearings, Declination & Route Finding
Field Mapmaking: Sketch Maps, Scale & Terrain
Emergency Reporting: Call Script, Location & Handover
References and further reading
NPS: Ten Essentials / navigation backups
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== FIRE-STARTING =====
Emergency Fire Starting & Campfire Safety | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 9 · Fire
Immediate rule
Do not make a fire where it is prohibited, where wildfire danger is high, or where you cannot extinguish it. Prepare all fuel before ignition, keep water ready, keep flames small, and leave only when ashes and coals are cold to the touch.
Fire sequence: prepare tinder, fine kindling, medium fuel, and water before ignition; grow the flame gradually and extinguish by douse–stir–repeat.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Go/no-go fire decision
2
Tinder, kindling, and fuel preparation
3
Ignition methods
4
Fire lays and wet-weather technique
5
Extinguishing and fire-site safety
Skill 1 of 5
Go/no-go fire decision
Rule:
Fire is optional if safer tools can provide warmth, cooking, light, or signaling. Choose not to light when control is doubtful.
Check rules and conditions.
Fire bans, drought, wind, dry fuels, peat/duff, and lack of water can make an open flame unacceptable.
Ask what job the fire must do.
Warmth may be safer with shelter/layers; cooking may be safer with a stove; signaling may be safer with lights/bright material.
Choose a prepared fire ring or bare mineral soil when allowed.
Clear nearby flammable material.
Keep suppression ready.
Water is best; a shovel and mineral soil are backup tools.
Never use liquid fuel to “boost” a weak fire.
Vapors can flash unpredictably.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Tinder, kindling, and fuel preparation
Rule:
A fire usually fails because the fuel ladder was not prepared before the first spark.
Tinder:
prepare a loose, dry bundle that catches from your ignition source.
Fine kindling:
collect a large handful of matchstick/pencil-thin pieces.
Medium fuel:
prepare finger- to thumb-thick sticks.
Larger fuel:
have only enough for the intended duration; small emergency fires are easier to control.
Keep it dry.
Split damp wood to expose a drier interior and keep prepared material under cover.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Ignition methods
Rule:
Use the most reliable ignition source first rather than saving it while consuming time and body heat.
Lighter:
shield from wind and light the tinder at its lowest edge.
Storm/water-resistant match:
strike only after the tinder and next fuel sizes are ready.
Ferrocerium rod:
direct sparks into fine prepared tinder; keep the rod stable and scrape with controlled movement.
Commercial fire starter:
follow the product instructions and keep it under the tinder/kindling where flame can rise through fuel.
Do not rely on friction fire in an actual emergency unless already skilled.
It is practice-intensive and conditions-sensitive.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Fire lays and wet-weather technique
Rule:
Keep airflow through the fuel and add larger material gradually; smothering a small flame with big damp wood wastes ignition.
Teepee:
lean fine kindling around/over tinder with air gaps; good for quick flame growth.
Log-cabin/grid support:
stack small fuel in crossed layers around a tinder core for airflow and stability.
Wet weather:
search under dense conifers, dead standing branches, or inside split wood for dry material where collection is legal.
Raise the start from saturated ground.
A small platform of dry sticks/bark can isolate tinder from mud/snow without enclosing the flame.
Feed small to large.
Add one size at a time only after the previous layer is burning strongly.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Extinguishing and fire-site safety
Rule:
If the coals are too hot to touch, the fire is not out.
Stop adding fuel early.
Let remaining wood burn down while you still have water/time.
Douse thoroughly.
Pour water over flames, coals, and the surrounding hot area.
Stir and expose.
Break apart coals and mix water through the ash.
Repeat until cold.
Add more water, stir again, and carefully confirm the remains are cold to the touch.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Wind can revive apparently dead coals hours later.
Important limit
Do not use charcoal, campfires, grills, or fuel-burning stoves inside tents, vehicles, cabins, or other enclosed/partly enclosed spaces unless the appliance is specifically installed and vented for that use. Carbon monoxide can kill without warning.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Build a cold fire lay with no ignition and check whether every fuel size is ready.
Practice lighting a fire starter outdoors in legal controlled conditions with water beside you.
Try splitting damp practice wood to find the dry interior.
Time how long complete extinguishing actually takes.
Maintain a non-fire backup for warmth, cooking, and signaling.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Park Service — Campfires
National Park Service — Minimize Campfire Impacts
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Safety →

===== FISHING-FIELDCRAFT =====
Fishing Fieldcraft and Safe Catch | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Fieldcraft · Food
Before you begin
Fishing for food requires suitable local water, lawful access and a safe way to handle and cook what you catch. Knowing when not to fish is an important part of the skill.
Safety and legality:
Never fish in floodwater, near dangerous currents or where consumption advisories apply. Obtain local fishing permits; do not treat an emergency as authorisation to take protected species.
Observe current seams and cover from stable banks while avoiding steep banks, fast water and flood conditions.
Six practical skills
1
Research the fishing water
2
Read water from shore
3
Prepare minimal tackle
4
Handle fish with care
5
Keep and cook fish safely
6
Keep an exit plan
Field skill 1 / 6
Research the fishing water
Check your licence, allowed season, protected species, size limits and whether fish consumption advisories apply. Pollution, algal blooms and industrial discharge can make fish unsafe even when caught legally.
Field skill 2 / 6
Read water from shore
Look for breaks in current, shaded cover, transitions between deep and shallow water and seasonal changes. Observe from a stable bank and keep clear of swollen rivers, slippery rocks and unstable ice.
Field skill 3 / 6
Prepare minimal tackle
Carry line, suitable barbless hooks where feasible, small floats, a compact line cutter, pliers and a container for waste line. Match hook size to legal target species; practice tying knots before arriving. Keep hooks shielded from children and wildlife.
Field skill 4 / 6
Handle fish with care
Use wet hands where recommended, minimize air exposure for release, avoid holding fish by vulnerable organs, and follow local humane dispatch requirements if keeping a legal catch. Unwanted bycatch should be released appropriately.
Field skill 5 / 6
Keep and cook fish safely
Clean hands and tools; avoid cross-contamination. Chill promptly at 4 °C or below when refrigeration is available, or cook without delay. Cook fish to a safe temperature using reliable food-safety guidance; do not assume that raw freshwater fish is safe.
Field skill 6 / 6
Keep an exit plan
Weather, tides and moving water change quickly. Bring a life jacket where appropriate, tell someone where you are going, and leave fishing line and hooks out of the environment.
Related guides
Practical Fishing for Food: Knots, Catch & Safety
Food Preservation and Safe Storage
Hunting Fieldcraft, Ethics and Safety
Reference sources
US FDA: selecting and serving fresh seafood
Dutch VISpas information
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.
Build or repair your own tackle
For a simple rod, line, barbless hook, knots and reliable pre-use tests, see the new illustrated
Fishing Gear Construction Guide
. It covers pole selection, safe wire shaping, commercial monofilament and improvised alternatives.

===== FISHING-FOR-FOOD =====
Survival Fishing: Simple Knots, Catch & Food Safety | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Practical solution 3 · Fishing
Immediate rule
Fishing is a supplemental food strategy, never a substitute for safe water, shelter or rescue. Follow local laws and consumption advisories; never eat unidentified or spoiled fish.
Quick review: CHECK RULES → TIE A KNOT → FISH SAFELY → KEEP CATCH COLD.
Five practical skills
A concise, repeatable field sequence. Read these before an emergency and follow official incident instructions when they differ.
1
Check permission, water and fish safety
2
Build a compact fishing kit
3
Tie a reliable attachment knot
4
Handle fish and hooks safely
5
Keep, cook and eat fish safely
Skill 1 of 5
Check permission, water and fish safety
Rule:
Fishing and keeping a catch are subject to local restrictions.
Check local licenses, seasons, no-take areas, permitted gear, size limits and species protections before casting.
Check water-quality and fish-consumption advisories; polluted water may make otherwise edible fish unsafe.
Choose stable banks away from swift currents, deep edges, overhead power lines and boat traffic. Wear flotation around water when appropriate.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Build a compact fishing kit
Rule:
Carry simple, reusable tackle rather than a complicated setup.
Use a basic rod or handline where lawful, suitable line, a few small hooks, split-shot sinkers, a float, spare leader and pliers.
Store hooks covered and lines untangled. Pack a small cloth, clean container and hand cleaner for fish handling.
Match bait and hooks to local fish. Do not assume all fish respond to improvised bait or that a fishing kit guarantees food.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Tie a reliable attachment knot
Rule:
Practice a simple knot on ordinary monofilament before the trip.
For an improved clinch knot, pass the line through the hook eye, wrap the tag end around the standing line several times, feed it through the first loop and then through the larger loop formed.
Moisten and pull the knot tight slowly. Trim the tag end with a small margin and pull-test the connection.
Use a different knot when a line or hook manufacturer recommends one; the improved clinch knot is not optimal for every braided line.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Handle fish and hooks safely
Rule:
Avoid injury and needless delay after a catch.
Keep fingers clear of hooks and spines; use pliers to remove a hook, or cut the line when removal is unsafe.
Identify the species before retaining it. Release prohibited, protected or unknown fish promptly and gently.
After contact with raw fish, wash hands and sanitize tools before touching ready-to-eat food.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Keep, cook and eat fish safely
Rule:
Fish spoils quickly; there is no safe improvised shortcut for raw fish.
Chill freshly caught fish on ice at 4°C / 40°F or colder as soon as possible. If safe chilling is impossible, cook promptly and do not save leftovers without refrigeration.
Cook fish to an internal temperature of 63°C / 145°F or until the flesh is opaque and separates easily, according to food-safety guidance.
Never rely on taste, smell or cooking alone to remove pollutants, marine biotoxins or chemical contaminants. Follow current local advisories.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Practice a knot indoors until it survives a pull test.
Look up local fishing laws and advisories before travel.
Pack a fishing pliers, a measuring device and a safe ice plan.
Safety and local guidance
These notes are practical references, not a substitute for professional training or location-specific alerts. Follow emergency responders and local laws.
Reference sources:
Fishing with Nat — Improved Clinch Knot Tutorial
EPA — Eating Fish and Shellfish Safely
US FDA — Safe Food Handling
Links are provided to help you verify these recommendations and updates.
View related survival videos →
All practical solutions →
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Wild Food and Safe Foraging →
Food Preservation and Safe Storage →
New illustrated skills
Fishing Fieldcraft and Safe Catch
Snaring: Legal Restrictions and Animal Welfare

===== FISHING-TACKLE-CRAFT =====
Craft Fishing Gear: Rod, Line, Hook & Field Repairs | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Fishing & Food
Purpose and safe boundaries
Illustrated field instructions for a flexible rod, safe barbless hook, line selection, secure knots and pre-use testing.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Build only where fishing is legal
Improvised fishing equipment may be less reliable than a basic commercial hook, monofilament line and telescopic travel rod. Pack a small repair kit as your first choice. Observe local licences, closed seasons, protected species, catch limits and water-quality warnings. Wear eye protection when shaping wire and keep sharp points away from children.
Diagram: simple hand-built rod and barbless hook
Inspect each attachment under a controlled pull before use. Barbless hooks can reduce handling injuries.
Select a safe rod and handle
Choose a straight, flexible, sound pole about 1.5–3 m long, subject to local conditions; a lightweight telescopic rod is safer and more dependable.
Reject rotten, sharp, cracked or splintered material. Smooth the grip and tip without weakening the shaft.
Secure the line to the handle first, then along the pole to the tip so it is not lost if the tip breaks.
Never fish near overhead power lines or during thunderstorms; carbon and wet rods can conduct electricity.
Choose and prepare the fishing line
Reliable option:
use rated nylon monofilament or braided fishing line of an appropriate breaking strain. A short commercial leader reduces tangles, and swivels help with twisting lures.
Emergency alternative:
evenly twisted clean cordage can hold a passive handline but is much less predictable, abrades faster and becomes weaker when wet; do not rely on it for a heavy catch. Never use mains electrical wire as fishing line or leave wire fragments in water.
Make a small barbless hook from suitable wire
Prefer a store-bought barbless fishing hook. If you must make one, use corrosion-resistant springy metal of known condition, free of cracks and coatings.
Cut a short length with pliers and secure it; keep offcuts in a container so no sharp scraps remain.
Bend a smooth, open hook curve slowly around a small mandrel; make a line tie loop at the other end. Avoid heating unknown metal, which can weaken it or release hazardous fumes.
Smooth burrs carefully and cover the point during travel. Reject hooks that twist or fracture under a controlled pull; test away from people.
Knots, bait and test method
Use a recognized fishing knot such as the improved clinch or Palomar knot with compatible line; lubricate nylon with water, tighten evenly and trim only after checking for slip. Attach the hook through its eye or loop and test the complete setup over soft ground before reaching water. Keep bait in a closed container and never introduce prohibited organisms into a waterway.
Repair and hygiene checklist
After each trip inspect guide edges, chafed knots and rusty components; replace damaged pieces instead of compensating with extra tension. Store hooks capped, dry line in a spool and pack all discarded filament out of nature. Keep fish cold and cook properly when legally retaining a catch; check local consumption advisories.
Related survival guides
Fishing Fieldcraft and Safe Catch
Practical Fishing for Food: Knots, Catch & Safety
Bushcraft: Field Skills, Campcraft & Responsible Practice
References and further reading
US Fish and Wildlife Service: Fishing
National Park Service: Fishing Safety
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.
Illustrated tackle and wild-food links
Open rod, line and hook illustration
Download image
Choose springy green wood for a hand rod, smooth and test your line before use, and crimp improvised hooks so they hold shape under load. For bait and accompanying plant foods, cross-reference the
Illustrated Wild Edible Foods Reference
.

===== FLOOD-AND-HOME-SAFETY =====
Flood Safety: Evacuation & Returning Home | Survival Solutions

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Practical solution 4 · Floods
Immediate rule
Never walk or drive into floodwater. Leave early when evacuation is advised, use designated routes and avoid electrical equipment or damaged utilities.
Quick review: READ ALERTS → GO HIGHER → AVOID WATER → RETURN SAFELY.
Five practical skills
A concise, repeatable field sequence. Read these before an emergency and follow official incident instructions when they differ.
1
Know watches, warnings and routes
2
Evacuate before access disappears
3
Keep away from current, sewage and electricity
4
Shut off utilities only when safe
5
Return and clean up safely
Skill 1 of 5
Know watches, warnings and routes
Rule:
Plan for the possibility that familiar roads may become impassable.
Identify your flood risk and the local government alerts you can receive on your phone or radio.
Find at least two routes to safe high ground or a designated shelter; mark them on a paper map.
Move important documents, medication and grab-and-go bags above expected flood levels before the water rises, but never delay an evacuation to protect property.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Evacuate before access disappears
Rule:
Do not wait to measure water depth at the door.
Follow emergency instructions and leave immediately when directed. Tell your out-of-area contact where you are going.
Do not drive around barricades. Flooded roadbeds may be washed away and shallow moving water can sweep vehicles or people.
If trapped by water, call emergency services and give a precise location; move to a safe higher level if possible, avoiding attics without roof exits.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Keep away from current, sewage and electricity
Rule:
The main hazards are often invisible beneath muddy water.
Avoid all walking or wading in floodwater. It may contain sharp debris, sewage, chemicals and live electrical hazards.
Stay clear of fallen power lines and submerged wiring. Do not touch circuit panels while standing on wet ground.
Do not swim to retrieve belongings or attempt to cross a current; follow professional rescue instructions.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Shut off utilities only when safe
Rule:
Property protection is secondary to escape.
Learn where approved water, gas and electric shutoffs are while conditions are normal, preferably with a qualified professional.
If officials instruct you to shut off utilities and you can do so from a dry, safe location, follow the utility instructions. Otherwise leave them alone and evacuate.
Never re-light gas appliances or reconnect submerged electrical systems yourself; get an authorized inspection.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Return and clean up safely
Rule:
A receding water level does not make a structure safe.
Re-enter only after authorities say it is safe. Watch for structural damage, unstable surfaces and downed power lines.
Wear suitable protection during cleanup, and discard food touched by floodwater. Follow local water-use advisories.
Photograph damage for records when safe, and arrange professional checks of electrical/gas systems before use.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Check your area flood warning sources and higher-ground route.
Label utility shutoffs and discuss operation with a qualified person.
Keep a waterproof pouch for documents and medications.
Safety and local guidance
These notes are practical references, not a substitute for professional training or location-specific alerts. Follow emergency responders and local laws.
Reference sources:
National Weather Service — Turn Around, Don’t Drown
CDC — Preparing for Floods
CDC — Floodwater Safety
Links are provided to help you verify these recommendations and updates.
View related survival videos →
All practical solutions →

===== FOOD-PRESERVATION =====
Food Preservation & Storage Without Power | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Food safety
Immediate rule
Preserving food does not make unsafe food safe. Keep perishable foods at 4°C / 40°F or colder, use research-tested preservation methods, and discard suspect food without tasting it.
1. STOCK
2. KEEP COLD
3. USE TESTED METHOD
4. LABEL
5. INSPECT
Quick-reference sequence. Immediate threats, official orders, and professional medical advice take precedence.
Five practical skills
1
Make a safe pantry and rotation plan
2
Protect refrigerated and frozen foods
3
Dry foods and package them correctly
4
Use safe canning and preservation methods
5
Inspect food and prevent contamination
Skill 1 of 5
Make a safe pantry and rotation plan
Rule:
Stock food that is safe to eat without electricity, then rotate by date.
Build a rotating supply of commercially packaged, shelf-stable foods: beans, rice, oats, canned fish/vegetables, nut butters, and ready-to-eat meals suited to your household.
Include a manual can opener, clean utensils, enough safe water for preparation, and food for infants, pets, allergies, and medically required diets.
Keep food in a clean, dry, cool place away from pests, flooding, fuel, and household chemicals; keep packs off wet floors.
Label opening dates and repacked dry foods; check commercial “use by” safety instructions and local food-safety guidance rather than relying only on appearance.
Use first-in, first-out: consume older safe stock first and replace it regularly.
Practical note
An emergency pantry with foods you can eat cold is safer than relying entirely on fuel or electrical cooking.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Protect refrigerated and frozen foods
Rule:
Time and measured temperature—not taste or smell—determine whether perishables remain safe.
During a blackout, keep appliance doors closed. An unopened refrigerator typically keeps food cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48 hours, or about 24 hours if half full.
Put a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer before an outage. Use ice and an insulated cooler to keep perishables at or below 4°C / 40°F.
Discard refrigerated perishable foods after 4 hours without power unless you can establish safe time-temperature control using a thermometer and official food-specific guidance.
Discard perishables above 4°C / 40°F for more than 2 hours (or more than 1 hour above 32°C / 90°F ambient temperature).
Frozen food may be cooked or refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 4°C / 40°F or colder; evaluate by food type.
Important safety limit
After floods, discard food contacted by floodwater. Never taste food to test safety. Refer to the FoodSafety.gov item-by-item disposal chart.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Dry foods and package them correctly
Rule:
Dry only suitable foods using a validated preparation and drying method, then protect them from moisture.
Use a food dehydrator or reliable published drying procedure appropriate to the actual fruit, vegetable, herb, or meat. Drying on a windowsill or in uncontrolled sun is not generally safe for meat.
Wash and prepare produce with clean water. Blanch vegetables when the tested procedure requires it. Do not assume the same temperature/time works for every food.
For meat jerky, use an accredited food-safety process that includes proper heat treatment; ordinary air drying is not sufficient for pathogen control.
Cool fully, condition dried fruit where the tested method calls for it, then package in clean, dry, moisture-resistant, insect-proof containers.
Date and inspect each package; discard products that show mold, moisture, unexpected odor, or insect damage.
Important safety limit
Never assume drying, salt, smoke, or vacuum sealing sterilizes food. Follow validated food-specific methods.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Use safe canning and preservation methods
Rule:
Use only current USDA/NCHFP-tested recipes and the exact approved equipment and processing method.
Separate high-acid foods from low-acid foods. Low-acid vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry require a suitable pressure-canning process; a boiling-water bath is not sufficient.
Follow a tested recipe precisely for jar size, preparation, pack style, processing pressure/time, and elevation adjustments.
Do not improvise with an ordinary saucepan, oven canning, open-kettle canning, dishwasher canning, or untested “quick” recipes.
Label sealed jars with contents and date, store in cool/dry/dark conditions, and rotate periodically.
Do not attempt emergency canning without the required equipment, a stable energy source, a validated recipe, and time to complete it safely.
Important safety limit
Botulism toxin may be present without visible spoilage. A sealed jar is not proof that the contents are safe.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Inspect food and prevent contamination
Rule:
Water safety, clean hands, safe cooking, and disposal matter as much as shelf life.
Wash hands or use an appropriate sanitizer, clean preparation surfaces, separate raw from ready-to-eat food, and use safe water.
Cook meat, fish, eggs, and leftovers to appropriate product-specific safe internal temperatures using a food thermometer.
Reject swollen, leaking, bulging, badly rusted, punctured, or unsealed cans and jars; never open and sniff suspect home-canned food.
Do not use meat or dairy left unrefrigerated for unknown periods just because it looks normal; heat may not eliminate all hazards.
Record any suspected food-poisoning symptoms and seek medical/poison-center help promptly for severe illness or possible botulism.
Back to top ↑
Practice and preparation
Mark the freezer thermometer and store a printed disposal chart.
Build a 72-hour no-cook menu from your current pantry.
Practice drying one approved fruit or vegetable using a tested method.
Make a dated rotation list and photograph the storage shelves.
Local rules and real emergencies
Use this as a training reference. Follow official incident alerts, regional law, manufacturer instructions, and qualified professional guidance. Do not attempt unfamiliar high-risk activities while already in danger.
Illustrated foods to preserve or process
Use the linked illustrations as a quick way to review what a few useful foods look like in the field.
Blackberry
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Rose hips
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Hazelnut
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Cattail
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Burdock root
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Stinging nettle
Download image
— see the full
illustrated reference
.
Sources and further reading:
FoodSafety.gov — Food Safety During Power Outages
NCHFP — Research-based Preservation Methods
NCHFP — Ensuring Safe Canned Foods
NCHFP — Packaging Dried Foods
Official guidance may vary by country and can be revised; verify local updates before acting.
All new guides →
Emergency Rations →
Practical Blackout Kit →
Water Purification →
Emergency Sanitation Hygiene →

===== HEAT-ILLNESS-DEHYDRATION =====
Heat Exhaustion, Heatstroke & Dehydration: Field Response | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Essential guidance
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Confusion, collapse, seizures or altered consciousness during heat exposure require an immediate emergency call and rapid cooling.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Prevent heat emergencies
Check heat alerts and humidity before departure. Reduce exertion during peak heat, arrange shade and accessible drinking water, and set buddy checks for unusual behavior.
Wear loose breathable clothing, take frequent rest breaks, and consider particular risk for older adults, young children and people with chronic illness.
Recognize warning signs
Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness or faintness. Stop activity and move to a cooler place promptly.
Heatstroke may involve altered mental status, confusion, collapse, seizures or very high body temperature. Skin can be hot with or without sweating; do not wait for sweating to stop.
Respond quickly
Call emergency services immediately for suspected heatstroke. Move to shade or a cooler area and start rapid cooling while help is coming, using cool water and airflow or other cooling techniques as advised by the dispatcher.
Do not force drinks into a confused, unconscious or vomiting person. A fully alert person with milder symptoms may sip cool water; seek care if symptoms persist or worsen.
Plan hydration responsibly
Carry more water than the route normally requires, and arrange a means to obtain safe treated water. Prolonged heavy exertion may require food or electrolyte replacement as well as water.
Avoid rigid one-size-fits-all fluid quantities: requirements vary with climate, activity, physiology and medical conditions.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Heat/weather warnings checked
Shade and rest stops identified
Buddy monitoring established
Signs of heatstroke known
Rapid cooling plan available
Severe symptoms trigger emergency call
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
CDC — Heat and Health
NWS — Heat Safety
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== HUNTING-FIELDCRAFT-AND-SAFETY =====
Hunting Fieldcraft, Ethics and Safety | Survival Solutions

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Fieldcraft · Wildlife
Before you begin
Wildlife observation, tracking and habitat knowledge are useful survival skills whether or not hunting is permitted. The first priorities are legality, safety, conservation and humane treatment.
Safety and legality:
This guide does not replace hunter education or firearms licensing. If hunting is not legal or safe, restrict activity to observation and documentation. Never attempt to handle injured wild animals without qualified help.
The core fieldcraft sequence: identify → verify law and permissions → assess risks and animal welfare → decide whether to observe or leave.
Six practical skills
1
Check permissions and seasons
2
Learn non-invasive tracks and signs
3
Read habitat and movement
4
Manage personal field safety
5
Protect non-target animals
6
Prefer reliable nutrition planning
Field skill 1 / 6
Check permissions and seasons
Before any hunt, verify written landowner permission, species protections, licences, season dates, methods and reporting rules with your local wildlife authority. “Survival” is not a blanket legal exemption; national and local law may differ.
Field skill 2 / 6
Learn non-invasive tracks and signs
Practice identifying footprints, droppings, feeding marks, trails and bedding signs with a regional field guide and photographs. Record likely species, location, weather and time without approaching nests, dens or young animals.
Field skill 3 / 6
Read habitat and movement
Look for edges between cover and open ground, safe water access, seasonal food availability and travel corridors. Use binoculars rather than close pursuit; maintain an exit route and do not trespass.
Field skill 4 / 6
Manage personal field safety
Tell someone your planned return time, carry a map, compass, charged phone or radio, first-aid items, weather layers and water. Stay visible to other land users and avoid placing yourself in a line of fire.
Field skill 5 / 6
Protect non-target animals
Never disturb protected species, set indiscriminate devices or leave sharp gear and fishing lines behind. Use the least harmful lawful option; for uncertain identification, do not act.
Field skill 6 / 6
Prefer reliable nutrition planning
A stocked food reserve, fishing where allowed and cultivated plants are usually more reliable than opportunistic hunting during short emergencies. Learn hygienic handling and foodborne illness risk before any use of wild game.
Related guides
Fishing Fieldcraft
Snaring Law And Welfare
Wild Food and Safe Foraging
Reference sources
Dutch government: hunting rules
FAO: wildlife and sustainable use
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.

===== HYPOTHERMIA-COLD-EMERGENCIES =====
Hypothermia & Frostbite: Cold-Weather Emergency Action | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
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Essential guidance
Cold injury can occur after immersion, rain or prolonged exposure, not just during freezing weather. Confusion or unusual drowsiness after exposure is an emergency warning sign.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Recognize the danger
Signs of hypothermia include intense or diminishing shivering, exhaustion, fumbling hands, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness. A severely affected person may be unresponsive.
Frostbite may cause pale, waxy or numb skin; protect affected areas from further cold and seek professional care. Do not rub frozen skin.
Move to a safer environment
Call emergency medical help promptly for suspected hypothermia. Move to shelter when it can be done safely, insulate the person from ground and wind, and carefully remove wet clothing.
Cover the body with dry blankets, sleeping bags or layers, concentrating on the torso, head and neck. Handle the person gently.
Warm safely
Rewarm the body core gradually. Avoid direct high heat, hot baths, heating pads on numb skin and alcohol. Offer warm nonalcoholic drinks only if fully awake, able to swallow and not at risk of choking.
Do not walk on frostbitten feet unless essential for safety. Do not thaw a frozen body part if it may refreeze before care is available.
Monitor and hand over
Watch breathing and responsiveness and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. In severe cases breathing can be difficult to assess; seek professional guidance rather than assuming death.
Record how long the person was exposed, water immersion, symptoms and actions. Notify the medical team of all observations.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Exposure and symptoms recognized
Emergency assistance requested
Wind/wet clothing addressed safely
Core insulated without direct overheating
No rubbing frostbitten skin
Breathing and responsiveness monitored
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
CDC — Preventing Hypothermia
CDC — Recognizing Hypothermia
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== INCIDENT-COMMAND-CHECKLISTS =====
Incident Protocol: Roles, Mandates & Decision Checklists | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
Practical field incident-command roles, priorities, authority, communication cadence and documented stand-down.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
A simple incident management structure
For a small group, designate one person to coordinate safety and decisions, one to communicate, and one to track people and equipment if staffing permits. Real incidents may fall under statutory emergency-service command; always follow responders and local authorities. “Mandate” here means the team’s agreed responsibilities and stop-work limits, not legal authority.
First 60 seconds
Stop unsafe activity and check for hazards before approaching any casualty.
Identify life threats and call the appropriate emergency services.
Choose a safe assembly point, account for people and prevent additional exposure.
Assign communication and first-aid roles only to capable people, with clear limits.
Set the next check-in time and note decisions.
Team role checklist
Incident lead assigned and named aloud
Contact person / radio operator assigned
Number of people and missing persons checked
First aider assigned within skill level
Primary and backup escape paths identified
Stand-down / return-to-normal criteria agreed
Escalation triggers
Call outside assistance for serious injuries, unknown chemicals, uncontrolled fire, flooding, missing people, severe weather exposure or loss of safe shelter or communications. Stop tasks when a control fails. Never pressure an untrained volunteer to perform a high-risk rescue.
Situation board and briefing
Keep a short chronological log of who is responsible for each task, who has acknowledged it, the hazard, next decision point and contacts made. Begin briefings with current safety hazards, what changed, objective, assignments, communication plan and how to call a stop.
Closeout and learning
Confirm everyone is accounted for, tools and hazards are secured, outside services have been updated and the team is cleared to return or leave. Record equipment damage and lessons learned without publishing private medical information.
Related survival guides
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates
Emergency Reporting: Call Script, Location & Handover
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
References and further reading
FEMA: Incident Command System resources
NPS: Ten Essentials
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== INTERNATIONAL-MORSE-CODE =====
Morse Code Cheat Sheet: Alphabet, Numbers & SOS | Survival Solutions

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Download guide (.txt)
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Survival Cheat Sheets
Field principle
Morse is a pattern of short and long signals, not a language. Practise with a battery LED, whistle or other permitted signal method; transmitting by radio can require authorization.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Timing and distress signals
2. Practical field drill
Reference 1 of 2
Timing and distress signals
Dot:
Basic signal unit (one unit).
Dash:
Three dot units.
Inside a letter:
One unit of silence between elements.
Between letters:
Three units of silence.
Between words:
Seven units of silence.
SOS:
... --- ... (repeated as needed). In formal Morse procedure SOS is a continuous prosign without letter gaps.
Check response:
Do not assume a coded light or sound signal has been noticed; prioritize official emergency channels.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 2
Practical field drill
Prepare:
Use a fixed light source or low-voltage battery LED and agree on the alphabet before use.
Begin slowly:
Send a familiar short word using clearly distinct signal timings.
Receive:
Listen or watch for full letter groups; write down the character only after the letter-space.
Confirm:
Repeat essential information and verify that the recipient understood it.
Back to top ↑
International Morse alphabet and numbers
Dot = · = short. Dash = − = long. The characters below are International Morse, not an audio recording.
A
·−
B
−···
C
−·−·
D
−··
E
·
F
··−·
G
−−·
H
····
I
··
J
·−−−
K
−·−
L
·−··
M
−−
N
−·
O
−−−
P
·−−·
Q
−−·−
R
·−·
S
···
T
−
U
··−
V
···−
W
·−−
X
−··−
Y
−·−−
Z
−−··
0
−−−−−
1
·−−−−
2
··−−−
3
···−−
4
····−
5
·····
6
−····
7
−−···
8
−−−··
9
−−−−·
Reference: ITU-R M.1677 international Morse code standard.
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
ITU-R M.1677 — International Morse code
Related quick references
Related field guide
Schematic symbols
Open guide →
Related field guide
Radio stations and communication
Open guide →
Back to Survival Cheat Sheets

===== LOW-VOLTAGE-COMMUNICATION-CIRCUITS =====
Build Simple Communication Circuits | Survival Solutions

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Electronics · Hands-on
Before you begin
A small battery-powered signal circuit can communicate short, prearranged messages without cellular coverage. Start with visible or audible signals instead of improvised radio transmitters.
Safety and legality:
Keep circuits at isolated extra-low voltage. Never connect homemade circuits to mains wiring, emergency-radio transmitters, aircraft systems, or unapproved antennas. Radio transmission may require certification and a licence.
Wired low-voltage LED Morse circuit. Use a normally-open push-button, a red LED, 220 Ω resistor and two AA batteries in series.
Six practical skills
1
Plan the message first
2
Gather safe parts
3
Build the LED circuit
4
Check the resistor and test
5
Make a matched audible version
6
Plan a usable field system
Field skill 1 / 6
Plan the message first
Agree on a short code with your group: three short flashes for “attention”, a repeated SOS (··· ––– ···) for distress, and a separate confirmation signal. Visible lights are line-of-sight only; don’t substitute them for official rescue communication.
Field skill 2 / 6
Gather safe parts
Use two 1.5 V AA cells in a holder, 220 Ω resistor (¼ W or higher), one red LED, insulated wires, a normally-open momentary switch and a small breadboard. Optionally build a separate 3 V active buzzer circuit if its voltage rating permits. Avoid mains electricity and lithium cells without protection.
Field skill 3 / 6
Build the LED circuit
Disconnect batteries while wiring. Place the battery positive terminal → momentary switch → 220 Ω resistor → LED anode (long lead) → LED cathode (flat/short lead) → battery negative. Double-check the polarity; connect the AA cells only after checking for shorts.
Field skill 4 / 6
Check the resistor and test
For a nominal 3 V source and about 2 V red LED forward drop, (3−2)/220 ≈ 4.5 mA. The resistor limits current and protects the LED. Press the button briefly; if it does not light, disconnect power and check wiring and polarity.
Field skill 5 / 6
Make a matched audible version
For audible Morse use a self-oscillating active buzzer rated for 3 V instead of the LED/resistor path, following the buzzer datasheet. Keep the switch in series; many passive buzzers need a square-wave driver and will not make a tone with steady DC.
Field skill 6 / 6
Plan a usable field system
Carry spare batteries, a waterproof case, written signal definitions, a small multimeter and preassembled replacement wires. Test in daylight, darkness and rain-safe conditions, noting distance and how you confirm the message was received.
Related guides
Off-Grid Communication Methods
Radio Frequency Field Guide
Transponder Signals
Reference sources
All About Circuits: LED series resistors
IARU: Amateur radio and licensing
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.
New reference sheets
Electronics symbols
·
Morse code cheat sheet

===== MAN-OVERBOARD-RECOVERY =====
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery | Survival Solutions

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Boating & maritime safety
Immediate rule
Shout “Person overboard,” point continuously at the person and deploy available flotation immediately. Call for help if recovery cannot be made promptly and safely.
Quick sequence: ALARM → POINT + FLOAT → RETURN → RECOVER.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Raise the alarm and point
2
Control the vessel
3
Approach and recover safely
4
Treat cold-water exposure
5
Prevent recurrence
Skill 1 of 5
Raise the alarm and point
Rule:
Do not lose visual contact.
Shout clearly to alert everyone; assign one person to point and maintain uninterrupted sight of the casualty.
Throw a lifebuoy, flotation cushion or rescue marker if available; activate a position marker or MOB button.
Call the appropriate rescue service early if the person may be lost, injured, unconscious or difficult to recover.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Control the vessel
Rule:
Avoid propellers and secondary casualties.
Reduce speed and follow the craft-specific return manoeuvre taught in training.
Keep a lookout for the casualty relative to wind, waves and the hull; use a trained helmsman.
Put the engine in neutral and stop it as needed before the casualty reaches the propeller area, following vessel-specific procedures.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Approach and recover safely
Rule:
Rescue gear reduces risk to the whole crew.
Approach at the slowest controlled speed suitable for conditions, avoiding propeller and hull injury.
Use a ladder, recovery sling or hoist appropriate to the person and craft; uncontrolled lifting can injure.
Do not send an unprotected rescuer into the water; call for professional rescue if recovery is beyond crew capability.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Treat cold-water exposure
Rule:
Breathing and consciousness are the immediate priorities.
Once recovered, move the person to shelter and assess responsiveness and normal breathing.
Call emergency services for drowning, breathing difficulty, reduced consciousness or significant cold exposure.
Remove wet clothing when safe, insulate and warm gradually; follow current first-aid or dispatcher guidance.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Prevent recurrence
Rule:
Manage the risk before another incident.
Review lifejacket fit, deck grip, guardrails, tether rules and nighttime procedures.
Check whether crew training, weather limits or deck routines need improvement.
Practise recovery techniques in controlled conditions using a floating dummy, not an unprotected person.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Assign a dedicated spotter during a mock MOB drill.
Locate the flotation, MOB button and recovery equipment.
Practise the manoeuvre only in a controlled training setting.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore →
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation →
Ship Emergencies: Fire, Flooding & Engine Failure →

===== MARINE-DISTRESS-AND-ABANDON-SHIP =====
Mayday, Distress Signals & Abandon-Ship Decisions | Survival Solutions

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Boating & maritime safety
Immediate rule
Use MAYDAY for grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. If the vessel remains a safe place to await rescue, do not abandon it merely because help has been called.
Quick sequence: DSC ALERT → VHF CH 16 → POSITION → STAY ABOARD?.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Send a distress alert
2
Transmit essential facts
3
Understand the different alarms
4
Prepare but avoid premature abandonment
5
Survive while waiting for rescue
Skill 1 of 5
Send a distress alert
Rule:
Use the emergency equipment you have.
For a life-threatening maritime emergency, activate a correctly configured DSC distress alert if equipped.
On marine VHF, call MAYDAY on Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and listen for a response.
Use a registered EPIRB/PLB as designed when needed, especially beyond reliable VHF or phone coverage.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Transmit essential facts
Rule:
Give rescuers the information they need.
Say MAYDAY three times; identify your vessel by name and call sign/MMSI if known.
State precise position, nature of distress, assistance needed and the number of people onboard.
Add relevant injuries, vessel description and other hazards; remain on the radio when possible.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Understand the different alarms
Rule:
Match the signal to the seriousness.
MAYDAY is for immediate grave danger; urgency and safety calls use different procedures taught in marine radio training.
A DSC radio needs correctly programmed MMSI and a reliable GPS input to include your position automatically.
Avoid testing a live distress alert; use built-in test modes and registration instructions.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Prepare but avoid premature abandonment
Rule:
Survival craft is a last-resort transition.
Account for all crew, distribute lifejackets and ready the raft, grab bag, beacon and signaling equipment.
Remain with the vessel while it is safer than entering the water or a raft, unless fire, sinking or rescuers require departure.
When abandoning is necessary, follow liferaft instructions, avoid entering cold water where possible and keep people together.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Survive while waiting for rescue
Rule:
Conserve warmth and make yourself findable.
Once in a survival craft, keep people secure, out of the water and as protected from wind and spray as possible.
Keep beacon antennas and distress signals operated according to manufacturer instructions; follow rescue instructions.
Treat cold-water exposure and injuries, limit unnecessary movement and use available visibility aids when rescuers approach.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Write a MAYDAY script with your vessel name and example coordinates.
Check your DSC/MMSI/GPS connection and beacon registration before departure.
Show passengers where the life raft and distress signals are stored.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore →
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation →
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery →

===== MEDICAL-READINESS-MEDICATIONS =====
Medical Readiness: Medication, Records & Emergency Plans | Survival Solutions

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Essential guidance
Medical continuity can be as important as water, shelter and transport. This guide is for planning and communication, not prescribing or changing treatment.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Write a one-page medical handover
Record each person’s name, emergency contact, known allergies, medical conditions relevant to emergency care and regular medications. Include medicine name, dose, schedule and prescriber, plus any essential devices.
Keep a paper copy in a waterproof pouch and a securely stored offline digital copy. Share it only with people who need it, and protect sensitive medical details.
Where language may be a barrier, include an understandable translation of critical allergies or instructions.
Create a medicine continuity plan
Ask your pharmacist or healthcare professional what emergency supply is legally and clinically appropriate and how to handle a missed dose; do not independently double doses or substitute medicines.
Verify expiry dates, original labels, storage temperatures, refrigeration needs and availability of spare batteries or compatible chargers for medical devices.
For travel, check documentation requirements and whether medicines and controlled substances may be carried across borders. Keep essential medicines accessible rather than buried in checked baggage.
Plan for power and communications failure
Identify devices that depend on mains power: oxygen equipment, CPAP, refrigerated medicines, pumps and mobility aids. Write the safe backup plan with the device provider.
Keep a list of medical assistance numbers, pharmacy contacts, nearby clinics and accessible transport options. Coordinate early if an outage threatens life-supporting equipment.
Arrange an outside contact who knows when to seek assistance if you miss a check-in.
Before leaving or evacuating
Review the weather and route; check your medication supply and appointment needs. Pack medicines in their required temperature range, water, hand hygiene items and clearly labeled written information.
If treatment is time-critical, contact a healthcare professional before departure rather than relying on improvised substitutions.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Up-to-date medication and allergy list
Prescription information and emergency contacts
Medicine storage instructions checked
Medical device power and backup confirmed
Access to care and transport planned
Private copies secured and available offline
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
American Red Cross — Make a Plan
CDC — Emergency Preparedness
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== MEDICINAL-HERBS-FIELD-GUIDE =====
Medicinal Herbs: Identification, Preparation & Safe Use | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Medicinal Herbs
Purpose and safe boundaries
Illustrated botanical reference: where herbs grow, traditional uses, preparation, application and safety limits.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Know what herbs can—and cannot—do
Medicinal plants may provide
limited symptom relief
; they are not a reliable cure for infections, poisonings, serious wounds, diabetes, asthma, or medical emergencies. The quality of evidence differs greatly by plant and preparation. Continue prescribed treatment and seek qualified care when symptoms persist or worsen.
Never identify a wild plant from a drawing or this page alone.
Use a reliable regional flora, confirm multiple identifying features with a trained expert, and leave uncertain plants untouched. Some lookalikes are poisonous. Avoid roadside, contaminated and pesticide-treated harvest sites. Herbs can interact with medication, including blood thinners, sedatives and medicines taken during pregnancy.
Original illustrated botanical reference
Top, left to right:
chamomile, peppermint, stinging nettle.
Bottom:
yarrow, calendula, broadleaf plantain. Original educational illustrations, not a definitive plant-identification key.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Where found:
cultivated gardens and some fields or disturbed ground in temperate regions; similar daisies may be misidentified.
Use:
fragrant dried flower-heads made into tea are traditional for relaxation, but clinical evidence for treating specific conditions is limited.
Prepare:
use a verified, food-grade dried chamomile infusion following its package directions; strain flowers.
Apply:
drink as a beverage only if appropriate for you.
Warnings:
avoid if allergic to ragweed/daisy relatives; ask a clinician before combining with warfarin, sedatives or other medication. Do not apply home-brewed tea to serious wounds or eyes.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Where found:
most reliable from a named garden plant; often cultivated in moist soil.
Use:
peppermint tea is traditionally taken after meals; evidence for peppermint
leaf
as a treatment is limited. Standardized enteric-coated peppermint oil has some evidence for irritable-bowel symptoms, but it is not equivalent to tea.
Prepare:
steep a few clean, correctly identified food-grade leaves in freshly boiled water, covered, then strain.
Apply:
sip the tea; do not put undiluted essential oil in drinking water or wounds.
Warnings:
may worsen heartburn; concentrated oil is unsuitable around infants' faces.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Where found:
fertile soils near hedges and clearings in temperate regions; strongly stinging leaf hairs.
Use:
nutritious cooked greens; medicinal claims for arthritis and allergies are not well established.
Prepare:
handle with gloves and use only verified young leaves from clean ground; cook thoroughly as a food.
Apply:
food, not a wound poultice.
Warnings:
raw hairs can cause a painful skin reaction; ask a clinician if taking blood-pressure, diuretic, diabetic or anticoagulant medicines.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Where found:
temperate meadows and verges, with finely divided leaves and clusters of small flower heads.
Use:
historically used on minor skin complaints, but dependable clinical evidence for wound healing is lacking.
Prepare / apply:
do not
pack wild plant material into open wounds, and do not replace clean dressings with yarrow. For minor skin care, prefer sterile supplies and a clinician-recommended product.
Warnings:
possible contact allergy; small white-flowered plants have dangerous lookalikes, including
poison hemlock
↓ image
.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Where found:
often grown as orange pot marigold in gardens; select verified plants rather than similarly colored wild flowers.
Use:
traditional soothing skin preparations, but evidence for treating wounds is limited.
Prepare:
choose a labeled commercial calendula cream made for skin, rather than homemade nonsterile oil for cuts.
Apply:
patch-test on intact skin and follow product directions.
Warnings:
avoid if allergic to daisy-family plants; never apply a home infusion to deep burns or infected wounds.
Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major)
Where found:
compacted lawns, paths and verges in temperate climates; low rosettes with prominent parallel leaf veins and narrow flowering spikes. Not the banana-like fruit called plantain.
Use:
traditionally used as a soothing leaf poultice; controlled human evidence is inadequate.
Prepare / apply:
do not apply crushed outdoor leaves to wounds because of dirt and infection risk. Use clean water and sterile dressings for injuries.
Warnings:
contaminated urban plants and identification errors are significant hazards.
Ginger, thyme and aloe: reliable cultivated options
Ginger (Zingiber officinale):
obtained from a food supplier or planted rhizome, not a wild-foraged European root. Food-grade ginger infusion can be prepared by steeping thin slices in hot water; some evidence supports ginger for pregnancy-related nausea, but motion-sickness evidence is poor. Ask a clinician about persistent vomiting, pregnancy and medicine interactions.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):
garden herb common in sunny, well-drained beds. Food-grade thyme tea is traditionally used for a chesty cough; the European Medicines Agency describes its medicinal evidence as mainly traditional rather than strong clinical proof. Seek care for breathing difficulty, fever or persistent cough.
Aloe vera:
cultivated fleshy succulent, generally not a wild temperate herb. A labeled, prepared
topical
aloe gel may soothe minor skin irritation in some people; test a small intact area. Avoid oral aloe latex and homemade whole-leaf drinks, which may cause serious adverse effects. Cool a fresh burn with running water first and seek appropriate medical care.
Preparation, storage and contraindication checklist
Confirm botanical identity and the exact plant part with an expert or buy a verified packaged ingredient.
Check allergies, pregnancy, age, underlying disease and current medication with a qualified professional.
Use clean water, clean utensils and food-safe material; never use unknown concentrations or ingest essential oils.
Label the plant, date, source and method; discard damp, moldy or unidentified material.
Stop if rash, swelling, wheeze, dizziness or worse symptoms occur. Treat breathing difficulty or a severe allergic reaction as an emergency.
Related survival guides
Medical Readiness & Medication Continuity
Wild Food and Safe Foraging
Emergency First Aid
References and further reading
NIH NCCIH: Herbs at a Glance
NCCIH: Chamomile
NCCIH: Peppermint oil
NCCIH: Ginger
NCCIH: Aloe vera
EMA: Thyme monograph
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.
Illustrated herb quick reference
Hover the herb name for a preview on desktop, click to open the illustration, or use the download link to save the image.
Chamomile
Download image
Flower heads for calming tea or skin compresses; avoid if ragweed-sensitive.
Mint
Download image
Leaves for tea and steam inhalation; avoid strong oils in small children.
Nettle
Download image
Leaves used cooked as food or dried in tea; gloves required.
Yarrow
Download image
Traditionally used externally on minor superficial cuts only after reliable identification.
Calendula
Download image
Petals for salves and washes on intact skin.
Plantain
Download image
Clean leaves traditionally used for soothing poultices on minor irritations.

===== NAVIGATION-WITHOUT-GPS =====
Navigate Without GPS: Map & Compass Basics | Survival Solutions

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Default priority 8 · Navigate
Immediate rule
When uncertain, stop before the uncertainty grows. Orient the map, identify the last known point, compare terrain with the map, and move only when you can state where you are going and how you will confirm arrival.
Bearing workflow: orient the map, draw direction from known point to destination, set the compass, then travel landmark-to-landmark while checking distance and terrain.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Stop, orient, and establish a known point
2
Read and orient a paper map
3
Take and follow a compass bearing
4
Use terrain association and checkpoints
5
Lost-route recovery and backtracking
Skill 1 of 5
Stop, orient, and establish a known point
Rule:
Navigation starts with a known position. If you do not know where you are, do not keep walking just to feel productive.
Stop.
Mark the time and note the last feature you are certain you passed.
Observe.
Roads, ridges, streams, slopes, buildings, power lines, peaks, and the direction of travel can constrain your location.
Protect first.
If weather, darkness, injury, or exposure is becoming a threat, solve that before attempting a long relocation.
State a hypothesis.
“I am likely between X and Y because…” is better than a vague feeling.
Set a turnaround rule.
If the expected confirming feature does not appear by a specific time/distance, return to the last known point.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Read and orient a paper map
Rule:
Rotate the map so map north and terrain north agree, then match major features before using smaller details.
Find north on the map.
Read the legend, contour interval, scale, and declination information.
Orient with the compass.
Lay the compass on the map, align its north-south lines with map north, then rotate map and compass together until the magnetic needle is aligned after accounting for local declination.
Match big terrain first.
Valleys, ridges, rivers, coastlines, roads, and major junctions are more reliable than individual trees or small bends.
Estimate distance.
Use map scale plus time/pace to avoid expecting a feature too early.
Keep the map accessible.
Re-check at every junction rather than only after something feels wrong.
Practical note
Magnetic declination changes by location and over time. Use a current map or trusted local declination value and know how your compass handles it.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Take and follow a compass bearing
Rule:
A bearing gives direction; it does not prove you are on the correct route. Pair bearings with distance and terrain checks.
Map to field:
place the compass edge from your known point to destination, rotate the bezel so orienting lines match map north, then apply the local declination method for your compass.
Field to travel:
hold the compass level and rotate your body until the magnetic needle sits in the orienting arrow.
Pick a landmark on the bearing.
Walk to that object instead of staring at the needle while walking.
Repeat in short legs.
Reconfirm bearing after obstacles or direction changes.
Track distance.
Use elapsed time, known pace count, or mapped feature spacing.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Use terrain association and checkpoints
Rule:
Build a route from unmistakable checkpoints so each leg verifies the previous one.
Choose handrails.
Roads, ridge lines, rivers, fences, coastlines, or valley edges can guide a leg.
Choose attack points.
Approach a hard-to-find destination from an obvious nearby feature.
Choose catching features.
Identify a large feature beyond the target that tells you when you have gone too far.
At every junction:
stop, point to the route on the map, and state the next checkpoint before moving.
Record key turns.
A quick note or photo of a junction can make return travel much easier.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Lost-route recovery and backtracking
Rule:
The safest recovery is usually to reverse a known route, not to invent a new one.
Return to the last certain point if safe and close.
Use your own footprints, marked junctions, or unmistakable features.
Do not split the group.
Separation multiplies the rescue problem.
Do not descend an unknown drainage simply because “water leads to people.”
Cliffs, waterfalls, canyons, and floods can trap you.
If recovery is not reliable, stop moving.
Switch to shelter and signaling, especially if someone has your trip plan.
Communicate any move.
If you must relocate for immediate safety, leave/send the old and new positions and route when possible.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Orient a local topographic map outdoors without using the phone.
Walk a short 3-leg compass course in a safe park and verify each endpoint.
Estimate 100 m using pace count and compare with a measured distance.
Plan one hike using handrails, attack points, and catching features.
Practice the sentence: “last known point, next checkpoint, turnaround point.”
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
National Park Service — Wilderness Safety
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Off-Grid Communication Methods →
Disaster Planning and Resource Management →
New reference sheets
Compass-bearing guide
·
Field mapmaking
·
Topographic map symbols

===== OFFGRID-COMMUNICATION =====
Off-Grid Communication: Radios & Emergency SOS | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Field guide · Communication
Immediate rule
Call the local emergency number when service is available. Send concise location-and-condition messages; maintain an offline contact plan and at least one independent information channel such as a battery radio.
1. CHECK SAFETY
2. CALL / TEXT
3. RADIO
4. SATELLITE SOS
5. VISIBLE SIGNAL
Quick-reference sequence. Immediate threats, official orders, and professional medical advice take precedence.
Five practical skills
1
Establish a family contact protocol
2
Send low-bandwidth phone messages
3
Use broadcast and two-way radio safely
4
Understand satellite emergency devices
5
Signal rescuers without electronics
Skill 1 of 5
Establish a family contact protocol
Rule:
A simple message and meeting plan prevents duplicated searches and missed contacts.
Write down emergency numbers, two meeting locations, one out-of-area contact, important medical needs, and the route each person is most likely to use.
Agree on scheduled check-in windows instead of continuously calling. Include what to do if someone is late or unreachable.
Use a consistent short report: “WHO; WHERE (coordinates or landmark); CONDITION; HAZARD; ACTION NEEDED; TIME.”
Make durable paper copies for a wallet/go-bag and provide a copy to the out-of-area contact.
Agree on a no-signal procedure: safe shelter point and time to reassess, without encouraging unsafe travel.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Send low-bandwidth phone messages
Rule:
Use voice for emergencies when available; for family check-ins, SMS may work when voice is congested.
Call the correct local emergency number for immediate danger. Give your location first and follow the dispatcher instructions.
Try short standard SMS if calls cannot connect. Keep messages factual, timestamped and location-specific.
Dim screens, enable battery saver, close intensive apps, and keep a power bank and suitable cable in your kit.
Check for actual cellular service; a phone showing “SOS” may be able to call emergency services but not ordinary contacts, depending on network and country.
Do not treat a message as received until acknowledged. Repeat through a different path if an urgent request is unconfirmed.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Use broadcast and two-way radio safely
Rule:
Receiving official warnings is different from being able to transmit distress calls.
Keep a battery-powered AM/FM radio tuned to an official public broadcaster. In the US, a NOAA Weather Radio receiver can receive dedicated weather warnings; other countries use different services.
For local group communication, choose radios legal where you are (for example license-free PMR446 where permitted in Europe); range depends heavily on terrain, buildings, battery and antenna.
Know local frequency allocations and licensing before using amateur radio or higher-power sets; transmitting is regulated, and a portable radio is not a universal rescue device.
Use plain language: call sign/name; intended recipient; position; emergency; required assistance. Repeat slowly and confirm responses.
Test radios at realistic separation and keep a written channel plan with spare batteries.
Important safety limit
A radio bought online may be illegal to transmit with on local frequencies. Never jam emergency channels or rely on arbitrary “universal emergency frequencies.”
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Understand satellite emergency devices
Rule:
Satellite SOS and registered distress beacons are valuable but device-specific and are not guaranteed to connect.
For remote travel consider a purpose-built personal locator beacon (PLB) or a compatible satellite SOS messenger with known coverage and a clear view of the sky.
Verify regional coverage, registration requirements, battery life, subscription requirements where applicable, and rescue-contact procedures before travel.
Learn the test function using manufacturer instructions; never activate an actual distress mode just to test it.
Once a distress alert is sent, follow device prompts and preserve battery. Stay in a safe visible location unless conditions require movement.
Know that a beacon may summon search and rescue but does not necessarily provide two-way messages. Give an itinerary to a trusted person before departure.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Signal rescuers without electronics
Rule:
Visible, repeated, high-contrast signals can work when radios and phones fail.
Use a whistle, high-contrast fabric, flashlight, and signal mirror in a reachable pocket.
Use internationally recognizable SOS in Morse as three short, three long, three short light/sound signals when practicable.
Choose an open, safe location visible from likely search routes; do not make fires or climb hazardous terrain just to signal.
A signal mirror can reflect sunlight towards a known aircraft or search team without using a laser. Never shine lights deliberately to impair drivers or pilots.
Continue protection from weather and conserve energy while giving signals. If found, clearly state the number of people and any injuries.
Back to top ↑
Practice and preparation
Print an emergency contact card and rehearse a location-first check-in.
Test SMS, a radio, and a power-bank setup without depending on Wi-Fi.
Test legal two-way radio reach in two local terrain types.
Learn device-specific satellite SOS instructions before remote travel.
Local rules and real emergencies
Use this as a training reference. Follow official incident alerts, regional law, manufacturer instructions, and qualified professional guidance. Do not attempt unfamiliar high-risk activities while already in danger.
Sources and further reading:
Ready.gov — Family Communication Planning
NWS — Warning Dissemination and Weather Radio
NOAA SARSAT — 406 MHz Emergency Beacons
NOAA — Register your Beacon
Official guidance may vary by country and can be revised; verify local updates before acting.
All new guides →
Emergency Comms Power →
Emergency Signaling Rescue →
Navigation Without Gps →
Emergency Evacuation →
New illustrated skills
Build Simple Communication Circuits
Read Public Transponder Signals
Radio Frequencies and Field Communication

===== OPERATING-EMERGENCY-RADIOS =====
Operating Radios: Receive, Call, Distress & Check-in | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
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Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
Step-by-step setup and use of handheld radios, weather receivers, marine VHF, legal channels and emergency traffic.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Before switching on
Read the device-specific manual and check local radio regulations. Identify whether it is a
receive-only
weather scanner, a licence-free two-way radio, a licensed amateur radio or a marine VHF set. These are not interchangeable. Check antenna, battery, contacts, display and charger, and keep a waterproof frequency plan.
Ordinary handheld two-way radio
Charge the battery; inspect antenna and connector. If a removable antenna is required, fit the approved antenna before transmitting.
Select a legal, pre-agreed channel and any matching squelch/code settings. Test the link while in contact with a partner.
Listen first. Hold the push-to-talk button, wait briefly, identify who you are calling and who is speaking; then release to hear the reply.
Speak slowly, one idea at a time. Spell critical names using the phonetic alphabet, read coordinates back, and log message time and receipt.
Set check-in intervals and preserve battery by limiting unnecessary transmissions.
Do not transmit on aircraft, police, rescue or marine channels unless authorized or permitted by applicable emergency rules. Some radios require licensing.
Weather radio / broadcast receiver
Choose a receiver that supports your country’s alert service. In the United States, NOAA Weather Radio requires a compatible receiver, not just a regular FM set. Tune the local station, set location/SAME codes when available, verify alert mode and battery backup, and test using the manufacturer’s procedure. The availability and frequencies of broadcast alerts differ outside the US.
Marine VHF and DSC distress procedure
When grave and imminent danger exists:
on an appropriately registered and configured DSC-equipped marine set, use the distress function according to the exact device manual, then make a voice distress call on
marine VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz)
. Say MAYDAY three times, vessel identification, location, nature of danger, assistance needed and people aboard. Release the microphone to listen. Stay on the channel unless instructed otherwise. Verify MMSI and GPS integration before departure; accidental DSC alerts must be cancelled using official procedures.
Routine traffic: listen, make a brief call on the appropriate calling channel and shift to an authorized working channel. Keep Channel 16 clear for safety traffic.
Radio log card
Radio type / channel / frequency / legal authorisation
Call signs and primary / backup contact windows
Current GPS coordinates or map grid, with coordinate system
Message, time, operator and reply / acknowledgment
Battery status and next check-in time
Related survival guides
Radio Communications Cheat Sheet: Listening Stations & Signals
Mayday, Distress Signals & Abandon-Ship Decisions
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation
References and further reading
USCG GMDSS distress call procedure
UK Maritime & Coastguard: DSC procedure
NOAA Weather Radio
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== OPERATING-RESCUE-EQUIPMENT =====
Rescue Equipment: AED, Life Jacket, Throw Bag & Beacons | Survival Solutions

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Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
How to inspect and operate common public rescue equipment, with safety boundaries and handover protocols.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Rescuer safety first
Call trained emergency responders and avoid becoming a second casualty. Choose a rescue method that does not require entering hazardous water, traffic or a fire. For all devices, check labeling, expiry/inspection dates, battery and visible damage. Use the manufacturer’s voice or pictogram instructions, not a generic button sequence, if controls differ.
AED (automated external defibrillator)
Check scene safety, call the emergency number and have someone bring the AED. Begin CPR as directed by the dispatcher.
Turn on the AED. Follow its spoken instructions, expose and dry the chest, and place pads exactly as shown on the pads.
Ensure nobody touches the person while the device analyses; if directed, stand clear for the shock.
Resume chest compressions when prompted; continue until trained help takes over. Do not delay CPR to search indefinitely for a device.
Life jacket and throwing rescue line
Select an approved, correctly sized and suitable PFD, fasten it as instructed and check straps, buoyancy and inflation components before entering the water. A PFD is not a substitute for supervision. For a throw bag, keep secure footing, warn the person, toss the line beyond them and guide them to a safe exit without wrapping rope around your own body. Use
reach or throw, do not go
unless trained and equipped for in-water rescue.
Fire extinguisher: small incipient fires only
Evacuate and call fire services before attempting anything. If the fire is still small, your exit is clear, smoke is limited and the extinguisher matches the fire class, remember PASS:
P
ull pin;
A
im at base;
S
queeze handle;
S
weep side to side. If it does not extinguish immediately, withdraw and close the door if safe.
PLB / EPIRB / emergency locator
Read the exact model’s instructions before departure. Ensure registration, battery validity and the correct position for satellite visibility; check the test function only as permitted by the manufacturer. Activate only in a genuine emergency and follow instructions for antenna orientation. Carry the beacon with the casualty or survival craft when safe. A PLB or EPIRB does not replace voice communication or local emergency calls.
Equipment handover
Tell arriving rescuers the incident time, location, devices used, number of people involved, observed changes, rescue actions and all medications administered by qualified personnel. Replenish or quarantine used equipment and record a fault before returning it to service.
Related survival guides
Emergency First Aid
Mayday, Distress Signals & Abandon-Ship Decisions
Emergency Reporting: Call Script, Location & Handover
References and further reading
American Heart Association: AED instructions
American Red Cross: Fire Safety Equipment
USCG: DSC Distress
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== OPERATING-VEHICLES-FIELD =====
Operating Vehicles: Preflight Checks & Safe Shutdown | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
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Field guide · Operating Instructions
Purpose and safe boundaries
Practical checks for road vehicles, 4×4s and boats: controls, dashboard warnings, loading, recovery and incident shutdown.
Reviewed: November 2026. This educational guide does not replace accredited training, equipment manuals, local rules, medical professionals or live emergency instructions.
Only operate vehicles you are trained and licensed to use
Model-specific manuals, roadway rules and marine training take precedence. Never drive while exhausted or impaired. Do not bypass interlocks, operate damaged brakes or enter water of unknown depth. For unknown vehicles, identify the parking brake, transmission positions, emergency stop, fuel type and location of safety equipment before departure.
Daily walk-around
Inspect tyres, tread, visible leaks, loose items, glass, lighting, underbody, tow attachment and emergency equipment.
Check manufacturer-specified coolant, oil, battery and fuel/electric range; never open a hot coolant system.
Confirm seat belts, mirrors, load restraint, route, weather, communications and an alternative exit.
Start according to the vehicle manual; verify warning lamps and do not move if critical brake, temperature or oil-pressure warnings persist.
Safe operation in remote places
Use an appropriate vehicle and route. Reduce speed on gravel and limited-visibility tracks; avoid uncertain crossings, floodwater, unstable shoulders and steep side slopes. Maintain a reserve of fuel/charge and water. If stuck, stop wheel spinning and assess ground, stability and traffic. Powered recovery equipment and winches create lethal snap-back hazards: only trained personnel with rated gear and an exclusion zone should use them.
Vehicle breakdown / incident
Move to a safe location if possible; activate hazard lights and secure the vehicle. If on a high-speed road, follow local rules for safe refuge and traffic warnings. Turn off the engine when safe; do not approach damaged high-voltage EV components or a leaking fuel system. Report exact position, road marker, injuries, traffic exposure and vehicle type. Do not start a vehicle in a closed space.
Small powerboat-specific notes
Check life jackets, weather, bilge, engine cutoff lanyard, fuel ventilation, navigation lights, kill switch and marine VHF before leaving shore. Review steering, throttle and neutral controls under supervision before maneuvering. At a collision or person-overboard event, prioritize flotation, stopping propulsion safely and calling rescue services.
Related survival guides
Vehicle Breakdown & Roadside Survival
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore
Rescue Equipment: AED, Life Jacket, Throw Bag & Beacons
References and further reading
NPS Trip Planning Essentials
USCG Radio & boat predeparture checklist
Checked against publicly available guidance; verify local rules and the manufacturer’s current manual before use.

===== POISONOUS-WILD-FOOD-LOOKALIKES =====
Poisonous Wild Food Lookalikes | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Illustrated warning guide
Poisonous Wild Food Lookalikes
These illustrations are warning aids only. If a plant could be one of these, do not experiment.
Deadly Nightshade
Download image
toxic berries
What it is:
Purple bell flowers with shiny black berries in a green cup.
Why to avoid:
Toxic black berries and all plant parts can cause life-threatening poisoning.
Poison Hemlock
Download image
deadly
do not touch face
What it is:
Purple-blotched hollow stems and ferny leaves.
Why to avoid:
A deadly umbellifer; ingestion can paralyze breathing.
Water Hemlock
Download image
deadly
wetland
What it is:
Wet ground habitat with white umbels and chambered roots.
Why to avoid:
Among the most poisonous plants in North America and Europe; roots especially dangerous.
Lily of the Valley
Download image
toxic
lookalike
What it is:
Sweetly scented white bells, no garlic smell when crushed.
Why to avoid:
Leaves can be mistaken for wild garlic before flowering; toxic berries and leaves affect the heart.
Yew
Download image
toxic tree
What it is:
Flat dark needles with red cup-shaped arils.
Why to avoid:
Seeds and needles are poisonous; the red cup around the seed is not a safety signal.
White Bryony
Download image
toxic vine
What it is:
Tendrils, lobed leaves and red berry clusters.
Why to avoid:
Toxic climbing vine with red berries.
Important identification limit
Identification warning:
Botanical drawings are educational illustrations, not diagnostic photographs. They can omit details and may not show regional variants or dangerous lookalikes. Never eat a plant based on an image, color, smell, or this website alone; obtain a qualified local identification and verify the exact edible part and preparation.
Emergency actions after a suspected plant poisoning
Stop eating the plant immediately and remove any plant fragments from the mouth.
Do not induce vomiting unless a poison center or doctor specifically tells you to.
Rinse the mouth, keep the sample, and photograph the whole plant if safe to do so.
Call your local poison center or emergency number with the time, amount, symptoms and any medications taken by the patient.
Seek urgent help fast if there is trouble breathing, confusion, seizure activity, collapse, or heart symptoms.
Identification and safety sources
Poison Control: poisonous and non-poisonous plants
Poison Control: wild mushroom identification risks
German BfR: wild garlic and poisonous lookalikes (2026)

===== PRACTICAL-BLACKOUT-KIT =====
Power Outage Survival: First 72 Hours Checklist | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Practical solution 1 · Blackout Kit
Immediate rule
Keep battery lighting, water, a charged power bank and a plan for medically essential power. Never use generators, charcoal grills or camping stoves inside a building or garage.
Quick review: MAKE A KIT → KEEP CONTACT → CHECK FOOD → MOVE IF UNSAFE.
Five practical skills
A concise, repeatable field sequence. Read these before an emergency and follow official incident instructions when they differ.
1
Prepare a blackout box
2
Protect phones and maintain contact
3
Manage food and drinking water
4
Avoid carbon monoxide and electrical hazards
5
Decide when to relocate
Skill 1 of 5
Prepare a blackout box
Rule:
Assemble essentials and label them so anyone can find them in the dark.
Place LED flashlights, spare batteries, a battery-operated radio, a charged power bank, charging cables and a printed emergency contact card together.
Store potable water, no-cook shelf-stable food, a manual can opener and daily-use medication in accessible locations.
Keep shoes, a warm layer, blankets and a basic first-aid kit beside your supplies. Check every six months.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Protect phones and maintain contact
Rule:
Save power for alerts and emergency calls, not entertainment.
Enable low-power mode, dim the screen, disable nonessential background activity and send short SMS messages if voice calls cannot connect.
Use a prearranged out-of-area contact and write down family meeting locations.
Get updates from your utility, local emergency management service, or battery radio. Do not rely only on internet access.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Manage food and drinking water
Rule:
Keep cold appliances closed and do not guess whether spoiled food is safe.
Leave the fridge/freezer doors shut; an unopened refrigerator typically stays cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer about 48 hours and a half-full freezer about 24 hours.
Use a refrigerator or food thermometer. Discard refrigerated perishables held above 4°C / 40°F for more than 2 hours.
If water safety is uncertain, use bottled water and follow local water advisories; boiling cannot remove chemical contamination.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Avoid carbon monoxide and electrical hazards
Rule:
Protect people before attempting improvised heating, cooking or rewiring.
Use LED lamps instead of candles and keep battery-powered smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms working.
Run generators outdoors at least 6 m / 20 ft away from doors, windows and vents, with exhaust facing away; follow manufacturer instructions.
Never backfeed home wiring through a wall outlet or use a gas stove, charcoal grill, or camp burner for indoor heating.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Decide when to relocate
Rule:
An unsafe indoor temperature or interrupted medical equipment is an emergency trigger.
Identify which equipment, lifts, locks and refrigerated medicines need electricity and discuss backup time with the provider in advance.
Relocate early to a safe heated/cooled location if indoor temperature becomes dangerous, medical equipment loses power or authorities instruct evacuation.
When power returns, inspect for sparks, heat, flood damage and unusual odors before restoring appliances; call a professional when needed.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Put one working flashlight beside every sleeping place.
Test your backup charger and emergency radio.
Write your utility contact and medical-power contingency on paper.
Safety and local guidance
These notes are practical references, not a substitute for professional training or location-specific alerts. Follow emergency responders and local laws.
Reference sources:
American Red Cross — Power Outage Safety
FoodSafety.gov — Food Safety During Power Outage
Links are provided to help you verify these recommendations and updates.
View related survival videos →
All practical solutions →
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Food Preservation and Safe Storage →
Disaster Planning and Resource Management →

===== RADIO-FREQUENCY-FIELD-GUIDE =====
Radio Frequencies and Field Communication | Survival Solutions

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Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Radio · Reference
Before you begin
The band, antenna, geography, power and licence rules determine whether a radio can reach another person. Frequency charts are reference points, not permission to transmit.
Safety and legality:
Do not transmit on aviation, marine, rescue or other protected frequencies without authority and a genuine legal basis. Regulations and channel allocations vary by jurisdiction.
A quick orientation to HF (3–30 MHz), VHF (30–300 MHz) and UHF (300–3000 MHz), with a few widely recognized services.
Six practical skills
1
Identify the radio band
2
Know critical frequencies
3
Recognize common non-emergency services
4
Match antenna, distance and conditions
5
Separate receiving from transmitting
6
Prepare an emergency plan
Field skill 1 / 6
Identify the radio band
HF spans 3–30 MHz and can support long-range contacts when propagation cooperates. VHF spans 30–300 MHz and is often line of sight. UHF spans 300–3000 MHz and is commonly used for local handheld communication and data.
Field skill 2 / 6
Know critical frequencies
121.5 MHz is an international civil aviation distress frequency; 156.8 MHz is marine VHF channel 16; registered 406 MHz distress beacons serve satellite alerting systems. These are safety channels, not places to test homemade equipment.
Field skill 3 / 6
Recognize common non-emergency services
Broadcast FM radio occupies 87.5–108 MHz in many countries; marine AIS normally broadcasts on 161.975/162.025 MHz; ADS-B aircraft data often uses 1090 MHz. European PMR446 operates in the 446 MHz band with compliant equipment and applicable national rules.
Field skill 4 / 6
Match antenna, distance and conditions
Antenna placement, polarization, terrain, atmospheric conditions and cable losses can dominate performance. Even a powerful transmitter cannot guarantee reception behind a mountain. Check batteries and line-of-sight paths before relying on equipment.
Field skill 5 / 6
Separate receiving from transmitting
Receiving permissible public transmissions with a suitable receiver is distinct from transmitting. For two-way radios use certified equipment and appropriate licensing or licence-exempt allocations for the exact country. Amateur-radio privileges are not universal.
Field skill 6 / 6
Prepare an emergency plan
Keep a battery-powered broadcast receiver and written contact schedule, call signs when legally assigned, emergency channels, family meeting points, backup charging and a shared message format. Do not block a distress frequency with routine traffic.
Reference frequency examples
Frequencies below are illustrations of common services, not a licence to transmit. Country-specific channel plans and conditions of use still apply.
Frequency
Service
Notes
3–30 MHz
HF band
Shortwave propagation depends on conditions.
87.5–108 MHz
Broadcast FM
Region-dependent allocations.
121.5 MHz
Aviation distress
Protected emergency frequency.
156.8 MHz
Marine VHF channel 16
Distress, safety and calling where applicable.
161.975 / 162.025 MHz
Marine AIS 1 / AIS 2
Public vessel identification data broadcasts.
446 MHz band
PMR446 (Europe)
Compliant handhelds; local rules apply.
978 MHz
UAT ADS-B (US)
Regional aircraft data link.
1090 MHz
Mode S / ADS-B
Aircraft data broadcasts.
Related guides
Read Public Transponder Signals
Build Simple Communication Circuits
Emergency Communications Without Reliable Power
Reference sources
FAA ADS-B FAQ
ITU Radiocommunication Sector
Ofcom PMR446 information
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.
New reference sheets
Radio listening station reference
·
Morse code chart

===== RADIO-LISTENING-STATIONS =====
Radio Communications Cheat Sheet: Listening Stations & Signals | Survival Solutions

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Survival Cheat Sheets
Field principle
Listen to authorized public broadcasts and permitted radio services. Monitoring private communications and transmitting without authorization may be illegal. Frequencies and channel allocations depend on country; check the local regulator and official notices.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Radio bands and what to expect
2. What a listening station is
3. Make an emergency call clearly
4. Make a quick listening log
Reference 1 of 4
Radio bands and what to expect
Medium wave / AM broadcast:
Roughly 0.5–1.7 MHz depending on region; carries public broadcasts.
FM broadcast:
Typically 87.5–108 MHz in Europe; public broadcasting and news.
Shortwave HF:
Roughly 3–30 MHz encompasses multiple broadcast and licensed radio services; reception varies with solar conditions and time.
VHF marine channel 16:
156.800 MHz: international maritime distress, safety and calling voice channel; not a general entertainment channel.
VHF marine channel 70:
156.525 MHz: digital selective calling (DSC) only, not voice traffic.
NOAA Weather Radio (United States):
162.400–162.550 MHz across seven designated frequencies; regional coverage.
Amateur radio:
Permitted frequencies vary by region, class and licence; listen or transmit only as legally authorized.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 4
What a listening station is
Official weather/alert broadcasts:
Use public radio channels and official local alert sources. NOAA Weather Radio applies in the US, not globally.
Marine coast radio / MRCC:
Coast stations and maritime rescue coordination centres provide safety services; coverage and listening schedules vary.
Voluntary vessel radio watch:
Marine crews may keep a watch on safety channels under local rules and operational conditions.
Shortwave broadcasts:
International broadcasts can travel far; keep a printed local station/frequency and schedule list and test reception.
Radio scanner caution:
Do not attempt to intercept private, encrypted or restricted transmissions. The ability to receive a signal does not automatically make interception lawful.
Back to top ↑
Reference 3 of 4
Make an emergency call clearly
Choose correct channel:
Use the designated emergency channel for your service and country. On marine VHF, Ch 16 is voice distress and Ch 70 DSC alerting.
Lead with urgency:
Distress MAYDAY is for grave and imminent danger; follow applicable maritime radio procedures.
State essentials:
Who you are; exact location or bearing; nature of emergency; assistance needed; number of people; repeat as instructed.
Conserve battery:
Keep nonessential traffic short, listen for responses, and maintain the watch where safe.
Use redundancy:
Have alternative ways to summon help such as emergency phone, registered beacon, visual signals and written contact list.
Back to top ↑
Reference 4 of 4
Make a quick listening log
Record:
Date/time (UTC), station name, frequency, mode (AM/FM/SSB), program, signal strength and source.
Verify:
Compare with up-to-date official frequency tables, current station schedules and local band plans.
Do not rely on one source:
Coverage changes due to terrain, propagation, outages, regulations and equipment.
Back to top ↑
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
US Coast Guard — VHF Channel information
US Coast Guard — DSC distress
Ofcom — radio spectrum and the law
Related quick references
Related field guide
Morse reference
Open guide →
Related field guide
Schematic symbols
Open guide →
Back to Survival Cheat Sheets

===== REMOTE-CAMP-SAFETY =====
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety | Survival Solutions

Offline reading:
Download this guide (.txt)
Remote-trip section
At the campsite
Immediate principle
Arriving at the destination does not end the planning. Reassess hazards before unpacking, agree how people move around the site, and check supplies each morning and evening.
If there is immediate danger, alert local emergency services or activate the appropriate SOS system without waiting for the next scheduled check-in.
Five field procedures
1
Arrival safety sweep
2
Set up shelter, supplies and sanitation
3
Water and food operations
4
Daily camp check and accountability
5
Night and departure readiness
Procedure 1 of 5
Arrival safety sweep
Confirm the site is permitted and outside closed or protected zones. Follow ranger advice and Leave No Trace principles.
Look above for dead limbs and unstable rock; below for drainage channels, flood zones, falling terrain, and unstable ground.
Avoid exposed ridges in storms and low channels where flash floods can occur even when it is not raining at camp.
Check access to an exit route, weather exposure, animal activity, water access and emergency signaling visibility.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 2 of 5
Set up shelter, supplies and sanitation
Pitch shelters on durable permitted ground; test anchor points, guy-lines and a dry equipment area.
Keep food and scented items stored according to local wildlife requirements. Never bring food into a sleeping shelter in bear country.
Separate toilet/waste areas and water sources following local site rules; avoid runoff into streams and lakes.
Store first-aid supplies and critical gear in a known reachable location, protected from rain and heat.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 3 of 5
Water and food operations
Check water-source availability and quality; treat water using an appropriate, tested method rather than assuming clear water is safe.
Assign a clean-water container and prevent cross-contact with untreated water. Track consumption rather than guessing.
Protect food from heat and animals; clean cooking tools and hands before preparing meals.
Do not use fuel stoves, grills or heaters inside tents or poorly ventilated shelters because of carbon monoxide and fire danger.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 4 of 5
Daily camp check and accountability
Record who is present, the weather, working devices, medication and water/food levels at agreed times.
Recheck weather, wind, river levels, route condition and energy reserves before each activity.
Agree a nearby boundary, buddy method and return-time rule for collecting water or visiting sanitation areas.
Keep a written log of changed conditions, incidents, supply shortages and the decision to continue or move.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 5 of 5
Night and departure readiness
Place headlamps, shoes, warm layers, emergency signaling and basic medical supplies within reach.
Mark safe nighttime movement routes without harming wildlife or creating trip hazards.
Secure food and equipment, extinguish permitted fires completely, and prepare a rapid pack-up plan if warnings change.
Before breaking camp, account for everyone, inspect for waste or embers, and tell the outside contact about material route changes.
Back to top ↑
Field checklist
Tick items as you complete them. Print this page for a paper copy; the checklist runs locally in the browser.
Campsite permitted and ground hazards checked
Flood, wind, lightning and falling-object risks checked
Safe exit route identified
Shelter anchored and dry gear protected
Safe water source and treatment assigned
Food and wildlife storage secured
Toilet and waste procedures agreed
First-aid, headlamps and signals accessible
People/accountability and buddy checks scheduled
Daily weather and resource log started
Practical limitation
Remote travel has no universal safe threshold for weather, water or terrain. Follow local regulations and qualified advice, and adjust for the least prepared participant.
Further reading
U.S. National Park Service — Trip Planning Guide
U.S. National Park Service — Backcountry Trip Plan
U.S. National Park Service — Ten Essentials
U.S. National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
American Red Cross — Outdoor adventure preparedness
Related remote-trip guides
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Departure Checklist: What to Pack & Verify
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
Open guide →

===== REMOTE-COMMUNICATIONS-CHECKINS =====
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation | Survival Solutions

Offline reading:
Download this guide (.txt)
Remote-trip section
Contact & escalation
Immediate principle
A check-in schedule is only useful when someone outside the trip knows what to do with a missing message. Confirm the plan with the contact before departure; never assume they will automatically call for help.
If there is immediate danger, alert local emergency services or activate the appropriate SOS system without waiting for the next scheduled check-in.
Five field procedures
1
Choose primary and backup channels
2
Write the outside-contact instructions
3
Missed routine check-in on the trip
4
What the outside contact does when the deadline passes
5
Close the trip reliably
Procedure 1 of 5
Choose primary and backup channels
List primary and backup methods, such as cellular text, two-way radio where legal, satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.
Test devices and power before departure, and know the limitations of satellite visibility, terrain and antenna placement.
Share a plain-language message template: group identity, location, date/time with timezone, status, planned next checkpoint and needs.
Set a check-in schedule based on the route and communication coverage; do not promise network service in canyons or remote valleys.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 2 of 5
Write the outside-contact instructions
Give the contact the route, planned camps and alternatives, all participant names, vehicle or vessel details and expected arrival/return times.
Record the agreed time at which silence becomes overdue, alternate ways to contact the group, and the agency/number to call.
Tell the contact not to assume a missing message is merely poor signal indefinitely; missed contact triggers the agreed escalation sequence.
Make sure any route change that affects search area or arrival time is communicated before the team proceeds if possible.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 3 of 5
Missed routine check-in on the trip
If safe, stop at the planned checkpoint, verify time and device operation, and try the backup message channel.
Move only within a preapproved safe distance for better signal; do not enter exposed terrain to regain coverage.
Keep the group together, update the written log and conserve battery. Prioritize warmth, shelter and reliable location records.
If anyone is injured, missing or in immediate danger, use an emergency alert now; do not wait for the next scheduled check-in.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 4 of 5
What the outside contact does when the deadline passes
Try the agreed primary and backup numbers or services and compare against last confirmed itinerary.
When the agreed overdue threshold or credible emergency is reached, contact the relevant local emergency or search-and-rescue authority promptly.
Provide the written trip plan, last known coordinates, group descriptions, equipment, medical needs if known and communication history.
Stay available for follow-up and avoid initiating an uncoordinated personal search in hazardous terrain.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 5 of 5
Close the trip reliably
Send a confirmed safe-return message when the entire group reaches the agreed finish point.
Outside contact acknowledges receipt and closes the overdue escalation.
Record any communication failures and update the plan for the next journey.
Back to top ↑
Field checklist
Tick items as you complete them. Print this page for a paper copy; the checklist runs locally in the browser.
Contact acknowledges responsibility
Primary and backup contact methods agreed
Daily or route-based check-in times written
Local rescue contact details verified
Missed check-in and overdue escalation written
Fallback meeting and exit points recorded
Battery/power tested
Finish/closure confirmation procedure agreed
Practical limitation
Remote travel has no universal safe threshold for weather, water or terrain. Follow local regulations and qualified advice, and adjust for the least prepared participant.
Further reading
U.S. National Park Service — Trip Planning Guide
U.S. National Park Service — Backcountry Trip Plan
U.S. National Park Service — Ten Essentials
U.S. National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
American Red Cross — Outdoor adventure preparedness
Related remote-trip guides
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Departure Checklist: What to Pack & Verify
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
Open guide →

===== REMOTE-DEPARTURE-CHECKLIST =====
Remote Trip Departure Checklist: What to Pack & Verify | Survival Solutions

Offline reading:
Download this guide (.txt)
Remote-trip section
Before you leave
Immediate principle
Pack for the terrain, season, duration, and least experienced participant. This checklist starts with the National Park Service ten-essentials framework; it is not a universal fixed gear list.
If there is immediate danger, alert local emergency services or activate the appropriate SOS system without waiting for the next scheduled check-in.
Five field procedures
1
Navigation and route documentation
2
Personal protection and health
3
Food, drinking water, light and shelter
4
Tools, repair and communication
5
Departure gate: check the actual conditions
Procedure 1 of 5
Navigation and route documentation
Carry a current paper map, usable compass, and offline maps or GPS with independent power. Practice using them before travel.
Mark the route, alternate exits, water points, camps, hazards, and likely no-signal areas. Include relevant local rescue contacts.
Leave a trip plan with a trusted person not traveling with you: participants, route, transport details, check-ins, and overdue escalation.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 2 of 5
Personal protection and health
Pack appropriate insulating layers, rain and wind protection, sun protection, sturdy footwear and spare dry socks.
Bring essential prescriptions and personalized medical supplies, a first-aid kit and a method of keeping medicine at its required temperature.
Prepare for insect and tick exposure, allergies, and any chronic conditions in the group. Adjust plans for personal ability and training.
Carry adequate hygiene supplies, waste bags, toilet supplies and a method for hand cleaning.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 3 of 5
Food, drinking water, light and shelter
Start with sufficient treated water and a verified resupply/treatment plan; carry extra capacity for delays or drought.
Bring ready-to-eat food and emergency reserve food suitable for allergies, exertion and cold conditions.
Pack a reliable headlamp with spare power, emergency shelter, and sleep insulation appropriate for expected and plausible conditions.
Include legal, environment-appropriate fire-starting equipment only where fire use is allowed; never depend on a campfire for survival.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 4 of 5
Tools, repair and communication
Carry a small repair kit, suitable multi-tool, cordage and equipment-specific spares. Check stove and shelter parts.
Fully charge phone, power banks, radios and satellite devices. Carry compatible cables and protective dry storage.
Know which devices can call for help without cellular coverage; confirm subscription, activation and battery condition where required.
Use a whistle, reflective marker and other low-tech signals as backups; do not rely on one electronic device.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 5 of 5
Departure gate: check the actual conditions
Verify route status, permits, weather alerts, daylight, transport, trail access, wildfire and river conditions.
Inspect boots, load-bearing straps, lifejackets if boating, and personal protective equipment.
Tell the outside contact the final plan and the exact point at which to contact authorities if overdue.
If any critical item is missing or conditions exceed skills, delay or shorten the trip before leaving.
Back to top ↑
Field checklist
Tick items as you complete them. Print this page for a paper copy; the checklist runs locally in the browser.
Paper map and compass
Offline route and exit points
Weather, permits and alerts checked
Medical kit and regular medication
Water plus safe treatment and reserve
Food and emergency reserve
Warm layers, rainwear and shelter
Headlamp and backup power
Navigation and communication backup
Repair tools and activity-specific safety kit
Outside contact has trip plan
Safe return time and escalation rule confirmed
Practical limitation
Remote travel has no universal safe threshold for weather, water or terrain. Follow local regulations and qualified advice, and adjust for the least prepared participant.
Further reading
U.S. National Park Service — Trip Planning Guide
U.S. National Park Service — Backcountry Trip Plan
U.S. National Park Service — Ten Essentials
U.S. National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
American Red Cross — Outdoor adventure preparedness
Related remote-trip guides
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
Open guide →

===== REMOTE-INCIDENT-RESPONSE =====
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate | Survival Solutions

Offline reading:
Download this guide (.txt)
Remote-trip section
Incident response
Immediate principle
In a real emergency, protect people before equipment or itinerary. Follow official rescue instructions and your level of training. This framework helps prevent confusion; it is not a substitute for first-aid training.
If there is immediate danger, alert local emergency services or activate the appropriate SOS system without waiting for the next scheduled check-in.
Five field procedures
1
Stop and make the immediate area safe
2
Assess the people, not just the route
3
Send a concise distress message
4
Decide whether to wait, shelter or move
5
Record and hand over information
Procedure 1 of 5
Stop and make the immediate area safe
Pause the activity and identify immediate dangers such as falling rocks, water, traffic, fire, extreme weather or unstable ground.
Avoid creating additional casualties. Relocate only if remaining creates an immediate hazard or if instructed by responders.
Account for everyone and identify who is missing, injured or unable to move.
Assign one person to coordinate the incident and another to record the time, location, observations and actions.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 2 of 5
Assess the people, not just the route
Check whether each person is responsive and breathing normally; call for emergency help and follow dispatch instructions for life-threatening conditions.
Control severe bleeding and provide first aid only within training. Protect the casualty from cold, heat and additional injury.
Ask about allergies, medicines, injuries and symptoms when the casualty can safely respond.
Monitor condition and document changes while help is arranged.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 3 of 5
Send a concise distress message
Use the available emergency call or SOS device. Report your location or coordinates and datum if known; describe terrain landmarks if coordinates are unavailable.
State the type of emergency, people affected, condition of casualties, hazards, planned actions and available resources.
Keep the device available for responder callbacks and follow their directions. Avoid unnecessary battery drain.
If no communication is possible, use safe visual or audible signaling and the previously agreed overdue plan.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 4 of 5
Decide whether to wait, shelter or move
In many lost-person situations, remaining in a safe location can improve rescue coordination; do not wander without a clear safe plan.
Evacuate or move if staying presents immediate danger, such as rising floodwater, wildfire spread or collapse.
Do not move someone with possible major trauma unnecessarily unless immediate danger requires it; seek professional guidance.
Protect drinking water, shelter, body temperature and visibility to rescuers while waiting.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 5 of 5
Record and hand over information
Keep a simple chronological incident log: time, coordinates, weather, people, symptoms, interventions and communications.
Account for all participants at every transition and avoid separating the group unless directed by authorities or needed for a clearly safer response.
When responders arrive, give a calm factual handover and update the outside contact when safe.
After the incident, replenish supplies and review which parts of the protocol need improvement.
Back to top ↑
Field checklist
Tick items as you complete them. Print this page for a paper copy; the checklist runs locally in the browser.
Immediate hazards identified
All group members accounted for
Life-threatening conditions escalated now
Only trained first aid performed
Location and incident details recorded
Emergency call/SOS or signal attempted
Shelter, water and exposure addressed
Rescue instructions followed
Outside contact informed when safe
Practical limitation
Remote travel has no universal safe threshold for weather, water or terrain. Follow local regulations and qualified advice, and adjust for the least prepared participant.
Further reading
U.S. National Park Service — Trip Planning Guide
U.S. National Park Service — Backcountry Trip Plan
U.S. National Park Service — Ten Essentials
U.S. National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
American Red Cross — Outdoor adventure preparedness
Related remote-trip guides
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Departure Checklist: What to Pack & Verify
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation
Open guide →

===== REMOTE-TRIP-PROTOCOLS =====
Remote Trip Protocols: Roles, Rules & Safety Mandates | Survival Solutions

Offline reading:
Download this guide (.txt)
Remote-trip section
Protocol & leadership
Immediate principle
A good expedition protocol turns vague intentions into decisions everyone understands. These mandates are agreed group rules, not laws or a replacement for ranger instructions, local regulations, or rescue professionals.
If there is immediate danger, alert local emergency services or activate the appropriate SOS system without waiting for the next scheduled check-in.
Five field procedures
1
Before departure: agree on command and responsibilities
2
Establish mandatory safety rules
3
Define no-go and turn-around triggers
4
Brief the entire team
5
Run a short pre-departure rehearsal
Procedure 1 of 5
Before departure: agree on command and responsibilities
Name a trip leader and a deputy. The leader coordinates routine decisions; anyone can call a safety stop or report an emergency.
Assign practical roles: navigator, weather checker, first-aid lead, supply lead, and the outside contact. Combine roles for small groups, but name backups.
Record the route, alternatives, permitted activities, expected camps, turn-around time, and exact return/check-in deadlines.
Agree that the group stays together or uses a deliberate buddy system; record the exceptions and regroup locations.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 2 of 5
Establish mandatory safety rules
No one enters fast water, exposed terrain, thin ice, or unsafe structures to save equipment. Life safety takes priority over property.
No unplanned route change without informing the leader and, when possible, the outside contact. Record any change offline.
No solo departure from camp without an agreed destination, expected return, companion or buddy arrangement, and communication method.
Food, water, medication, navigation, and emergency signaling are carried by each essential participant—not all in one pack.
Anyone can stop an activity for worsening weather, exhaustion, injury, lost navigation confidence, or inadequate equipment.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 3 of 5
Define no-go and turn-around triggers
Cancel or change the route when an official closure or serious weather warning affects it, even if travel arrangements have already been made.
Set turn-around times before leaving; do not spend the return-light or water reserve to reach a summit or destination.
Assess river levels, heat, cold, wind, wildfire smoke and avalanche/terrain hazards using local expert sources.
If the group cannot navigate, communicate, protect injured people, or return with available resources, stop and seek the safer option.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 4 of 5
Brief the entire team
Point out the map, planned route, hazards, nearest safe exit, signal methods, first-aid kit and shelter supplies.
Demonstrate how to send a distress message from the available phone, PLB or satellite communicator. Do not perform live emergency tests.
Explain the trip-specific emergency call procedure, including location coordinates, nature of incident, people affected and resources remaining.
Make sure children and less experienced participants can identify their buddy and know to stop, stay safe, and seek an adult when separated.
Back to top ↑
Procedure 5 of 5
Run a short pre-departure rehearsal
Practice one navigation loss, one injury response and one missed check-in scenario without causing real emergency alerts.
Confirm everyone knows who makes routine decisions and that urgent life-saving action does not wait for a vote.
Read back the communications schedule and outside-contact escalation instructions.
Sign or verbally acknowledge the rules together and revisit them after conditions change.
Back to top ↑
Field checklist
Tick items as you complete them. Print this page for a paper copy; the checklist runs locally in the browser.
Trip leader and deputy named
Emergency roles and buddies assigned
Written route and fallback route shared
Safety-stop rule understood by everyone
No-go and turn-around triggers agreed
Rescue communication method demonstrated safely
Outside contact briefed with return deadline
All participants acknowledge the plan
Practical limitation
Remote travel has no universal safe threshold for weather, water or terrain. Follow local regulations and qualified advice, and adjust for the least prepared participant.
Further reading
U.S. National Park Service — Trip Planning Guide
U.S. National Park Service — Backcountry Trip Plan
U.S. National Park Service — Ten Essentials
U.S. National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
American Red Cross — Outdoor adventure preparedness
Related remote-trip guides
Remote expedition
Remote Trip Departure Checklist: What to Pack & Verify
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Campsite Setup: Arrival, Water & Daily Safety
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Check-In Protocol & Overdue Escalation
Open guide →
Remote expedition
Remote Emergency Response: Stop, Assess, Signal & Evacuate
Open guide →

===== RIP-CURRENT-BEACH-SAFETY =====
Rip Currents & Beach Emergencies: Swim and Rescue Safety | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Essential guidance
A rip current is a fast flow away from the shore. It can exhaust strong swimmers; supervised beaches and local warning flags significantly reduce risk.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Check before entering
Choose a lifeguarded beach, ask about current conditions and read local flags or signs. Be cautious near jetties, piers, breaks in sandbars and channels of choppy or discolored water.
Do not enter when unsafe conditions or warnings are active. Children and weaker swimmers need close supervision even in shallow water.
If caught in a rip current
Do not panic or fight directly against the current toward shore. Float or tread water to conserve energy and signal for assistance.
If able, swim parallel to the shoreline until clear of the current, then angle back toward the beach, following lifeguard instructions. If unable to escape, keep afloat and wave or call for help.
Help without creating another casualty
Alert a lifeguard immediately or call the local emergency number. Throw or extend flotation from a safe position if available.
Do not enter the water for an untrained rescue or form an improvised human chain. Rescuers are frequently injured while trying to help in dangerous surf.
After reaching safety
People rescued from water may still need medical assessment, especially after inhaling water, coughing, breathing difficulty or altered consciousness. Follow emergency responder instructions.
Review local conditions and do not re-enter the same hazard.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Local surf and rip-current forecast checked
Lifeguarded beach selected
Warning flags understood
Escape strategy remembered
Throw flotation, do not make an unsafe entry
Rescue number accessible
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
National Weather Service — Rip Current Safety
National Weather Service — Rip Current FAQs
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== SAILING-WEATHER-AND-COASTAL-NAVIGATION =====
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Boating & maritime safety
Immediate rule
Reduce sail early and seek safe harbour before severe weather overtakes the vessel. Heavy-weather decisions require training appropriate to the craft and conditions.
Quick sequence: FORECAST → REEF EARLY → SAFE COURSE → SEEK PORT.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Read the marine forecast
2
Reef before conditions escalate
3
Navigate with margins
4
Manage the crew and watch
5
Respond to rapid weather changes
Skill 1 of 5
Read the marine forecast
Rule:
Make decisions for the whole passage.
Check wind direction and gusts, wave height and period, sea state, visibility and thunderstorm risk.
Consider headlands, tidal races and the effect of wind against current.
Write down forecast update times and several places to stop or shelter along the route.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Reef before conditions escalate
Rule:
Do not wait until the crew is overloaded.
Check that reefing gear is functional before leaving and identify the safest sequence for your rig.
Shorten sail in a controlled way while the deck is still manageable; use harnesses/tethers where appropriate.
Avoid sending untrained crew to exposed positions during worsening conditions.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Navigate with margins
Rule:
Position uncertainty grows when visibility and electronics degrade.
Use up-to-date charts and compare GPS with landmarks, depths and other independent cues when available.
Account for leeway, tidal set, traffic separation and restricted areas.
Mark a safe distance from lee shores and submerged hazards; keep a paper chart or independent navigation backup.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Manage the crew and watch
Rule:
Fatigue causes errors.
Assign lookout and helm responsibilities, communicate turns and sail changes clearly, and use safe deck movement.
Keep people clipped on as appropriate and prevent unnecessary deck trips in rough conditions.
Monitor dehydration, cold exposure, seasickness and reduced alertness; reduce workload or turn back early.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Respond to rapid weather changes
Rule:
Safe shelter is often the best manoeuvre.
If thunderstorms threaten, head for port or safe shelter when feasible; do not start an exposed passage.
In lightning conditions follow national marine guidance, avoid contact with metal/electronics as appropriate and seek protected areas.
Use the vessel-specific heavy-weather plan and call for help early if control or safe navigation is in doubt.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Record wind, swell, tide and a safe-harbour alternative for a sample passage.
Practise reefing at the dock or in settled conditions with an instructor.
Review navigation and lightning procedures with the crew.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore →
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery →
Ship Emergencies: Fire, Flooding & Engine Failure →

===== SEVERE-BLEEDING-FIRST-RESPONSE =====
Severe Bleeding: Immediate First Aid & Emergency Response | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Essential guidance
Severe bleeding can become life threatening quickly. This is an overview for bystanders; first-aid training is strongly recommended.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Make the scene safe and call
Check for traffic, sharp objects, violence, chemicals, water or other dangers before approaching. Call the local emergency number immediately for severe or uncontrolled bleeding; use speakerphone if possible.
Ask a bystander to bring a first-aid kit and direct rescuers to the location. If available, wear protective gloves. Do not delay life-saving pressure while searching for ideal equipment.
Control external bleeding
Expose the wound only as necessary, then apply firm continuous direct pressure with clean cloth or dressings. Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
If blood soaks through, maintain pressure rather than repeatedly lifting the original dressing to check. For major limb bleeding, a commercial tourniquet may be indicated; use it only according to recognized training or real-time dispatcher guidance.
Do not pull out an embedded object. Apply pressure around it and seek urgent professional care.
Observe and protect
Help the person rest in a safe position, protect them from cold, and monitor breathing and responsiveness. Do not give food, drink or medication to a seriously injured person.
If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, follow dispatcher CPR/AED instructions. If breathing, monitor until professional help arrives.
Transfer to emergency responders
Report the location, mechanism of injury, bleeding site, when bleeding began, what pressure or devices were used, and any known allergies or medicines.
Record important times if practical, but never interrupt essential care to write notes.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Scene safety confirmed
Emergency services called
Firm continuous pressure applied
Dispatcher guidance followed
Person monitored and kept warm
Responder handover ready
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
American Red Cross — First Aid for Severe Bleeding (video)
American Red Cross — First Aid Steps
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== SEVERE-WEATHER-LIGHTNING =====
Lightning & Severe Storm Safety Guide | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 6 · Storm
Immediate rule
If you hear thunder, go immediately to a substantial building or enclosed metal-topped vehicle. For a tornado warning, move to a basement/safe room or the lowest interior room away from windows. Do not use tents, picnic shelters, overpasses, or isolated trees as safe storm shelter.
Storm shelter hierarchy: substantial building first, enclosed metal-topped vehicle second; tents, isolated trees, open shelters, and overpasses are not safe substitutes.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Read forecasts, watches, and warnings
2
Lightning shelter and 30-minute rule
3
Tornado sheltering
4
Destructive wind and hail protection
5
Outdoor last-resort risk reduction
Skill 1 of 5
Read forecasts, watches, and warnings
Rule:
A watch means conditions are possible; a warning means the hazard is occurring or imminent and protective action is required.
Before the activity:
check the local forecast, radar/alerts, and whether your destination has safe shelter.
Enable emergency alerts.
Keep at least one battery-powered method of receiving warnings during outages.
At a watch:
shorten exposure, identify shelter, charge devices, and be ready to stop the activity quickly.
At a warning:
act immediately. Do not wait for visual confirmation of a tornado or a nearby lightning strike.
After a warning:
keep monitoring until the hazard and secondary hazards have clearly passed.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Lightning shelter and 30-minute rule
Rule:
There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm. Thunder means you are close enough to be struck.
Go inside immediately.
Best choices are a substantial building with wiring/plumbing or an enclosed metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
Avoid unsafe substitutes.
Tents, picnic shelters, dugouts, gazebos, open vehicles, and isolated trees do not provide lightning protection.
Inside a building:
avoid corded phones, plumbing, plugged-in equipment, windows/doors, porches, and contact with concrete walls/floors.
Stay sheltered.
Remain in safe shelter for at least
30 minutes after the last thunder
.
Do not unplug equipment during the storm.
Handle surge preparation before the storm arrives.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Tornado sheltering
Rule:
Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside, get low, and protect the head and neck.
Best:
basement, storm cellar, or purpose-built safe room.
If none:
use a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and large open rooms.
Protect the body.
Get under sturdy furniture if available and cover the head/neck with arms, a helmet, mattress, or thick blankets without delaying sheltering.
Leave mobile homes/tents for a sturdy building before the storm arrives.
Do not shelter under a highway overpass.
It can expose you to accelerated wind and flying debris.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Destructive wind and hail protection
Rule:
Treat severe straight-line wind like a tornado when structures and debris are at risk.
Move indoors and away from windows.
Use the lowest interior portion of the building
when damaging wind is expected.
Bring loose outdoor items in only before the storm.
Do not go outside during a warning to secure property.
Keep shoes, light, and a helmet/head protection nearby
because broken glass and debris may be present after impact.
Afterward, avoid downed lines, leaking gas, unstable trees, and damaged buildings.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Outdoor last-resort risk reduction
Rule:
Outdoor actions can only reduce risk; they do not make a thunderstorm safe. Keep moving toward substantial shelter whenever one is reachable.
Leave high ground.
Get off summits, ridges, and open hilltops.
Do not shelter under an isolated tree or rocky overhang.
Get away from water and long conductive objects
such as fences and power lines.
Do not lie flat on the ground.
Plan earlier next time.
If thunderstorms are forecast, adjust start time/route so you are near proper shelter before they develop.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Identify the safest storm room in every building you regularly use.
Enable wireless emergency alerts and test a battery radio.
Run a 60-second tornado shelter drill.
When camping, identify the nearest substantial building or enclosed vehicle before setting up.
Write “30 minutes after last thunder” on outdoor-event plans.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Weather Service — Lightning Safety Overview
National Weather Service — Lightning Tips
National Weather Service — What to Do During a Tornado
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== SHELTER-BUILDING =====
Emergency Shelter Building: Tarp, Knots & Insulation | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 3 · Shelter
Immediate rule
Choose a safe site before choosing a shelter design. Get out of wind/rain/sun, insulate from the ground, keep bedding dry, and build the simplest shelter you can finish before conditions worsen.
Shelter system schematic: sloped tarp, low windward edge, ground insulation, fixed-loop anchor, adjustable guyline, and temporary post hitch.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Safe site selection
2
Ground insulation and moisture control
3
Tarp and bivvy shelter geometry
4
Knots, guylines, and anchors
5
Natural shelters and weather management
Skill 1 of 5
Safe site selection
Rule:
A perfect shelter in a hazardous site is still a bad shelter. Eliminate falling, flooding, sliding, fire, and traffic hazards first.
Look up.
Avoid dead branches, unstable trees, rockfall, ice fall, power lines, and structures that can shed material.
Look down.
Avoid dry streambeds, drainage channels, tide zones, depressions that collect cold air/water, unstable snow, and insect nests.
Look around.
Stay clear of avalanche/runout paths, cliffs, road edges, animal trails, fire spread, and isolated lightning exposure.
Use natural protection.
Prefer slightly elevated, well-drained ground with a windbreak that cannot fall on you.
Keep exit options.
You should be able to leave the shelter quickly if water rises, wind changes, fire spreads, or the structure fails.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Ground insulation and moisture control
Rule:
Insulation below the body is as important as cover above it because conductive heat loss to cold/wet ground can be rapid.
Start with a dry barrier.
Use a sleeping pad, folded tarp, pack, spare clothing, or dry plant material.
Build thickness.
Loose natural insulation compresses under body weight, so make the bed much thicker than it looks necessary before lying down.
Protect dry layers.
Keep sleeping gear and spare clothes inside waterproof bags until the roof is ready.
Manage condensation.
Ventilate rather than sealing a shelter airtight. Avoid breathing directly into insulated sleeping gear.
Change wet layers.
If dry clothing exists, put it on after the shelter is protected, not while standing exposed in rain or wind.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Tarp and bivvy shelter geometry
Rule:
Use roof slope and tension to make water move away from the sleeping area; do not create a flat water-catching roof.
A-frame:
run a ridgeline between two secure anchors, drape the tarp over it, and stake both sides low. Best all-around choice for rain and moderate wind.
Lean-to:
secure one long edge high and the opposite edge low. Fast and open, but orient the low/back side toward wind and rain.
Low storm pitch:
keep the roof low and anchor points strong when wind is the main problem. Reduce unsupported fabric.
Bivvy/emergency blanket:
use immediately when time, darkness, injury, or lack of cordage makes construction unrealistic.
Drain away, not through.
Choose natural drainage first. Do not dig trenches that damage protected ground unless necessary and permitted.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Knots, guylines, and anchors
Rule:
Use simple knots for one job each: a fixed loop at an anchor, an adjustable hitch for guyline tension, and a clove hitch for a temporary wrap around a post.
Bowline — fixed loop.
Make a small loop in the standing part; pass the working end up through the loop, around the standing part, then back down through the original loop. Dress firmly and leave a generous tail.
Taut-line hitch — adjustable guyline.
Wrap the working end around the anchor, then make two wraps around the standing line inside the loop and one wrap outside; tuck through, dress, and slide only when unloaded.
Clove hitch — quick post attachment.
Wrap around the post, cross over the standing part, wrap again, then tuck the working end under the crossing turn. Dress and back it up if the load varies.
Anchor low and in line with the load.
Stakes hold best when the guyline pulls across them rather than straight upward.
Test every anchor.
Load each line by hand before trusting it. Re-tension after wetting, wind shifts, or temperature changes.
Important limit
These knots are presented for tarp and camp utility, not climbing, rescue, rappelling, or life-support loads. Critical rope systems require appropriate rated equipment and training.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Natural shelters and weather management
Rule:
Build a natural shelter only when manufactured cover is unavailable and you have enough time, energy, and dry material to finish it before exposure worsens.
Keep it small.
A body-sized debris shelter takes less material and retains warmth better than a large hut.
Build a stable frame.
Use a ridge and ribs that cannot roll or collapse inward.
Add deep insulation.
Pile dry leaves, grasses, or similar loose material over the frame and inside as bedding.
Leave ventilation.
Do not make the structure airtight, and never run a stove or open flame in an enclosed improvised shelter.
Improve after survival needs are met.
Once dry and insulated, add visibility/signaling and weather reinforcement rather than enlarging the shelter.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Pitch an A-frame tarp in daylight, then repeat using gloves.
Tie the bowline, taut-line hitch, and clove hitch until you can identify and inspect each finished knot.
Test stakes in soft soil, hard soil, and with deadman anchors using bags/rocks where legal.
Build a dry sleeping platform without cutting live vegetation.
Time yourself: shelter should become weatherproof before you spend effort making it comfortable.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Park Service — Outdoor Emergency Plan
National Park Service — Wilderness Safety
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== SNARING-LAW-AND-WELFARE =====
Snaring: Legal Restrictions and Animal Welfare | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Offline text guide (.txt)
HTML guide (.html)
Fieldcraft · Conservation
Before you begin
Snares can injure, restrain or kill protected wildlife and pets, including in areas that appear unoccupied. Some jurisdictions prohibit them entirely. This guide prioritizes knowing the rules and preventing accidental harm.
Safety and legality:
Do not construct, place or activate snares based on a web guide. Laws and welfare standards vary; illegal or unattended snares can harm pets and protected species. Notify authorities when you find an unsafe device.
Do not set or handle a snare without verified legal authority, formal training and a credible animal-welfare plan.
Six practical skills
1
Verify whether snares are legal at all
2
Understand the animal-welfare problem
3
Prevent hazards to people and pets
4
Know when professional help is needed
5
Use non-trapping alternatives
6
Study formal training before any regulated use
Field skill 1 / 6
Verify whether snares are legal at all
Consult the current law for the country, province/state, land and species. Do not assume a general hunting permit authorizes snares; device design, sites, trapping seasons and licence requirements may differ markedly.
Field skill 2 / 6
Understand the animal-welfare problem
An unattended or poorly selected snare may entangle non-target species, cause prolonged distress or restrict an animal from escaping weather or predators. There is no universally humane improvised configuration.
Field skill 3 / 6
Prevent hazards to people and pets
Do not set loops or cable devices on public trails, near homes, around pets, in protected habitats or anywhere children may encounter them. Learn to recognize suspicious wire or cable hazards without touching them.
Field skill 4 / 6
Know when professional help is needed
If you discover an active snare or a trapped animal, keep others away, mark the location safely and contact wildlife authorities or an authorized rescue service. Handling a stressed animal or spring-loaded trap can cause serious injury.
Field skill 5 / 6
Use non-trapping alternatives
In routine emergencies prefer stocked provisions, approved fishing where legal, cultivated food, and non-invasive wildlife observation. For nuisance animal management use a licensed wildlife-control professional.
Field skill 6 / 6
Study formal training before any regulated use
Where legal trapping exists, accredited local training should cover species identification, device compliance, continuous monitoring obligations, humane welfare and non-target release procedures. This page is not an instruction to construct a snare.
Related guides
Hunting Fieldcraft, Ethics and Safety
Fishing Fieldcraft and Safe Catch
Wildlife Encounters & Animal Safety
Reference sources
Dutch government: permitted hunting methods and rules
FAO wildlife conservation
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.

===== SUNBURN-UV-FIRST-AID =====
Sunburn First Aid & UV Protection Outdoors | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Practical solution 2 · Sun & Skin
Immediate rule
Move out of direct sun, cool painful skin gently, hydrate, and protect it from further UV exposure. Fever, confusion, fainting, extensive blistering, or significant dehydration warrants urgent assessment.
Quick review: GET SHADE → COOL SKIN → DRINK WATER → WATCH RED FLAGS.
Five practical skills
A concise, repeatable field sequence. Read these before an emergency and follow official incident instructions when they differ.
1
Prevent UV injury
2
Recognize early sunburn
3
Cool and soothe
4
Protect blisters and healing skin
5
Know when to seek medical care
Skill 1 of 5
Prevent UV injury
Rule:
Shade, clothing and sunscreen work best together.
Check UV forecasts before hiking, boating or working outdoors, including on cool or cloudy days.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, tightly woven clothing, UV-protective eyewear and seek shade.
Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen to uncovered skin, and reapply about every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating, following the label.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Recognize early sunburn
Rule:
Pain or redness may develop hours after exposure.
Watch for tender, warm, pink/red or darkened skin, swelling, and later peeling or blistering. Skin tone affects visible redness.
Move to shade or indoors as soon as burning is suspected and cover the affected area from additional sun.
Check for heat illness at the same time: headache, dizziness, weakness or overheating may need separate urgent treatment.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Cool and soothe
Rule:
Use cool—not icy—water and avoid irritating home remedies.
Take brief cool showers or place a clean, cool wet cloth on the area; pat dry gently.
While the skin is still damp, apply plain moisturizer or aloe/soy-containing lotion if tolerated.
Drink extra clean water. For discomfort, follow package guidance for an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever if safe for that person.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Protect blisters and healing skin
Rule:
Do not pop blisters or abrade damaged skin.
Leave blisters intact and keep the area clean; loose, non-stick covering can protect rubbed areas.
Avoid ice directly on skin, abrasive scrubs, butter, oils, or topical anesthetics that may irritate.
Continue covering the skin from the sun until healed; avoid repeating the exposure.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Know when to seek medical care
Rule:
Systemic symptoms or large burns are not routine sunburn.
Seek prompt medical care for extensive blistering, worsening pain, infection signs, repeated vomiting, fever or chills.
Call emergency services for confusion, fainting, seizures, severe heat illness or an inability to stay hydrated.
Use extra caution with infants, older adults, sun-sensitive medications and people with a history of skin disorders.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Keep SPF 30+ sunscreen, a hat and a small water container in the day pack.
Plan shaded rest stops during outdoor activities.
Know the local heat warning and UV forecast sources.
Safety and local guidance
These notes are practical references, not a substitute for professional training or location-specific alerts. Follow emergency responders and local laws.
Reference sources:
American Academy of Dermatology — How to Treat Sunburn
AAD — How to Treat a Sunburn (2024)
Links are provided to help you verify these recommendations and updates.
View related survival videos →
All practical solutions →

===== TOPOGRAPHIC-MAP-SYMBOLS =====
Map Symbols Cheat Sheet: Terrain, Contours & Legends | Survival Solutions

Offline:
Download guide (.txt)
Entire site (.zip)
Survival Cheat Sheets
Field principle
Map colors and symbols are not universal: read the map-specific legend. The examples here are representative topographic-map conventions, not a substitute for the legend printed on your map.
Quick visual reference. Read the explanations and limitations before use.
On this page
1. Map lines and landforms
2. Frequently seen features
3. Read the legend before travel
Reference 1 of 3
Map lines and landforms
Contour line:
Connects points of equal elevation; spacing indicates slope steepness.
Index contour:
Heavier contour line often labeled with an elevation value.
V-shaped contours:
Where contours cross a stream valley, their V typically points upstream; confirm with neighboring terrain.
Ridge and saddle:
Ridges are elongated high ground; a saddle is a lower pass between peaks.
Depression contours:
Hachures on closed contours can show enclosed lower terrain.
Back to top ↑
Reference 2 of 3
Frequently seen features
Blue line or area:
Usually watercourses and water bodies on many topographic maps.
Green fill:
Often wooded or vegetated areas; specific meaning depends on map.
Brown contours:
Elevation lines in many topographic products.
Black or gray lines:
Buildings, trails, roads and infrastructure; line style may distinguish route quality.
Dashed tracks:
May indicate trails, footpaths or approximate features; verify the map legend.
Grid lines:
Coordinate references used to locate and describe a position.
Back to top ↑
Reference 3 of 3
Read the legend before travel
Scale example:
At 1:25,000, 4 cm on the map represents 1 km on the ground.
Contour interval:
A 10 m contour interval means neighboring contours differ in elevation by 10 m.
North references:
True, grid and magnetic north may differ. Read the declination diagram and map publication date.
Hazards and access:
Symbols do not guarantee a route is passable, permitted or safe today.
Back to top ↑
Further reading & source material
Use these sources to validate local rules, technical standards and updates. No emergency article replaces official alerts or trained responders.
USGS — Topographic map symbols
USGS — Declination reference
Related quick references
Related field guide
Field mapmaking
Open guide →
Related field guide
Compass bearings
Open guide →
Back to Survival Cheat Sheets

===== TORNADO-HIGH-WIND-SAFETY =====
Tornado & Violent Wind Emergencies: Shelter and Alerts | Survival Solutions

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Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Essential guidance
During a tornado warning, immediate shelter is more important than collecting belongings or filming the storm. Follow your local meteorological authority and emergency services.
Urgent situations
Call your local emergency service immediately for life-threatening danger. Follow professional responders and current local alerts over general online instructions.
Know alerts and rehearse
Understand the difference between a watch (conditions possible) and a warning (immediate threat or observed event) in the country you are visiting. Know how alerts are distributed locally.
Identify the safest accessible shelter at home, work, lodging and campsites. Practice the route and check arrangements for children, pets and anyone with limited mobility.
Shelter indoors
Move to a basement or designated storm shelter. Otherwise use a small interior windowless room on the lowest floor of a substantial building, away from windows and large roof spans.
Crouch low and protect your head and neck from debris. Do not use a highway overpass as shelter. Mobile homes and tents provide inadequate protection against tornadoes.
If away from a proper building
Try to reach substantial shelter early when conditions permit. Do not assume a vehicle will protect you from a direct tornado strike.
If there is no shelter and the storm is imminent, there is no universally safe outdoor option. Follow current local emergency guidance and avoid flood-prone low areas.
After the wind passes
Remain alert for further warnings, downed electric lines, gas leaks, unstable structures and sharp debris. Account for everyone and avoid damaged structures until cleared.
Call responders for injuries and emergencies. Do not handle live wires or enter floodwater.
Field checklist
Tick items to review your readiness. Checkmarks remain on this page only and are not stored.
Weather alerts enabled
Lowest-floor shelter location identified
Head/neck protection available
No use of overpasses or tents as shelter
Family or group accountability plan ready
Post-storm electrical and structural hazards reviewed
Related field guides
Emergency First Aid →
Remote Emergency Response →
Emergency Preparedness →
Medical & First Aid directory →
Further reading
NWS — Tornado Safety
NWS — Tornadoes
This reference is educational and is not a substitute for emergency responder instructions, training or medical advice.

===== TRANSPONDER-SIGNALS =====
Read Public Transponder Signals | Survival Solutions

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Radio · Receive only
Before you begin
Transponders and automatic identification systems broadcast structured information. The best beginner project is reception and decoding of publicly broadcast ADS-B and AIS—not probing, interrogating or retransmitting.
Safety and legality:
Receive only. Never spoof, jam, inject, or interrogate transponders. ADS-B/AIS data can be delayed, incomplete or false; do not use it to navigate vessels, aircraft or rescue operations.
Listen-only receiver chain: appropriate antenna → software-defined radio → decoder → time-stamped local map or log.
Six practical skills
1
Distinguish aviation and marine broadcasts
2
Select receive-only equipment
3
Connect and confirm a signal
4
Interpret typical decoded fields
5
Validate and account for missing data
6
Handle received data responsibly
Field skill 1 / 6
Distinguish aviation and marine broadcasts
Aircraft Mode S/ADS-B Extended Squitter is typically received at 1090 MHz. In the United States, UAT ADS-B also uses 978 MHz. Ships generally use AIS 1 at 161.975 MHz and AIS 2 at 162.025 MHz. Mode S interrogation at 1030 MHz is a separate system, not the normal ADS-B downlink.
Field skill 2 / 6
Select receive-only equipment
Use an RTL-SDR or equivalent receive-capable dongle and a suitable 1090 MHz antenna for ADS-B, or a marine-VHF antenna for AIS; use a computer with sufficient power. An antenna must suit its frequency; expect range to vary with terrain, height and line of sight.
Field skill 3 / 6
Connect and confirm a signal
Install SDR drivers and an established ADS-B decoder (for example readsb or dump1090) or AIS decoder (for example AIS-catcher) from their official project repositories. Choose the correct center frequency, gain and sample rate according to the receiver and decoder documentation. Do not transmit.
Field skill 4 / 6
Interpret typical decoded fields
ADS-B may carry an aircraft identifier, position, altitude, ground speed and heading. AIS may carry an MMSI identifier, navigation status, position, course and speed. A record is meaningful only if its timestamp and validity flags are known.
Field skill 5 / 6
Validate and account for missing data
Use a decoder that checks framing and CRC where applicable. Missing position, random-looking identifiers, stale timestamps and local reception gaps are common. Not every aircraft/vessel is required to broadcast usable position; no single SDR gives complete coverage.
Field skill 6 / 6
Handle received data responsibly
Compare with trusted public reference feeds where permitted, and avoid publishing private or sensitive movements. Respect local radio monitoring and data-sharing laws. For emergencies rely on official rescue services rather than an SDR screen.
Example decoder worksheet
The following labels are illustrative, not a live or verified aircraft record. Log only information a legitimate receiver reports.
Decoder field
What it means
Check before using
Timestamp UTC
Time the local receiver or decoder saw the frame.
Is your clock synchronized, and is this report recent?
Identity (ICAO / MMSI)
Broadcast aircraft or maritime identifier.
It is not proof of a real-world identity.
Latitude / longitude
Reported location when position messages are available.
Look for freshness, quality flags and plausible movement.
Altitude / speed / course
Reported motion fields, which differ between ADS-B and AIS.
Confirm units, reference frame, missing-data indicators.
Message integrity
Frame or CRC validation status.
Reject corrupt records and treat decoded values as advisory.
Related guides
Radio Frequency Field Guide
Build Simple Communication Circuits
Off-Grid Communication Methods
Reference sources
FAA ADS-B installation guide
ITU-R M.1371-6 AIS specification
Verify local laws and manufacturer guidance before field use. Information reviewed November 2026.
New reference sheets
Radio listening reference

===== VEHICLE-BREAKDOWN-ROADSIDE =====
Roadside Breakdown Survival & Car Emergency Kit | Survival Solutions

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Default priority 11 · Roadside
Immediate rule
If the vehicle can move, get fully out of the travel lane. Use hazard lights, call for help with exact location, and avoid roadside repairs on the traffic side when the shoulder is narrow or traffic is fast.
Roadside priority: get fully out of the travel lane, keep people away from the traffic side, call with exact location, and avoid repairs that place your body in traffic.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Stabilize the vehicle and occupants
2
Call for help with exact location
3
Decide whether to stay or leave
4
Winter and low-visibility stranding
5
Safe repair limits and remote-trip preparation
Skill 1 of 5
Stabilize the vehicle and occupants
Rule:
The first emergency is traffic exposure. Put distance and a barrier between people and moving vehicles whenever possible.
Move off the travel lane if the vehicle can do so safely.
Prefer a parking area, turnout, wide shoulder, or exit over a narrow high-speed shoulder.
Turn on hazard flashers.
Keep seat belts on while the vehicle is in a vulnerable position.
Assess fire, smoke, fuel smell, water, unstable shoulder, and collision risk.
These hazards can make staying inside unsafe.
Exit away from traffic when safe.
Do not stand between vehicles or in front/behind a disabled vehicle where it could be struck.
Do not place warning devices by walking in live traffic.
Visibility equipment is useful only when it can be deployed without creating greater risk.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Call for help with exact location
Rule:
A precise location and hazard description reduces responder search time and prevents the wrong type of assistance being sent.
Give road/highway, direction of travel, nearest exit/marker, lane/shoulder position, and GPS coordinates if available.
Give vehicle description and plate.
State number of occupants and injuries.
Report traffic hazards.
Disabled lane, blind curve, smoke/fire, downed wires, floodwater, or poor visibility may require police/fire response rather than ordinary roadside service.
Keep the phone available for callback.
Use low-power mode while waiting.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Decide whether to stay or leave
Rule:
Stay with the vehicle when it is safely off the road and provides shelter/visibility; leave it when fire, flood, collision exposure, or another immediate hazard makes it unsafe.
Safe shoulder/remote area:
remaining with the vehicle is often easier for rescuers to locate than a person walking away.
Active traffic danger:
if directed or clearly safer, move occupants to a protected position well away from traffic, ideally behind a barrier.
Fire/fuel leak:
evacuate upwind and uphill when practical and call emergency services.
Flood:
never drive into water covering the road; if trapped by rising water, call emergency services and follow local flood guidance.
Do not walk along a high-speed roadway for help
unless staying is more dangerous and there is a clearly safer destination.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Winter and low-visibility stranding
Rule:
In blowing snow or poor visibility, the vehicle is usually a better shelter and search target than a person on foot.
Stay with the vehicle unless it is unsafe.
Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow before running the engine for heat.
Recheck it as snow drifts.
Never idle inside an enclosed or partly enclosed area.
Use dry layers and blankets; avoid sweating.
Run lights/engine only as needed while preserving fuel/battery according to vehicle guidance.
Make the vehicle visible without exposing yourself to traffic.
Use interior light, hazard lights, or a bright cloth where appropriate.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Safe repair limits and remote-trip preparation
Rule:
A repair is not “simple” if it puts your body in the traffic lane or under an unstable vehicle.
Tire change:
do it only on firm level ground, out of traffic, with the parking brake set and the correct jack points/tools. Never put any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Jump start:
follow both vehicles’ manuals or the jump-pack instructions; damaged/frozen/leaking batteries require professional help.
Before remote travel:
check tires, fuel/charge, weather, closures, recovery options, and spare/repair equipment.
Tell someone the route and ETA.
Carry delay supplies:
water, food, first aid, light, warm/rain layers, phone power, paper/offline map, gloves, and season-specific traction/shovel items.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Locate the vehicle’s jack points and spare/tire repair equipment before you need them.
Save roadside assistance and insurer numbers offline.
Practice sharing your exact map pin/coordinates.
Pack a season-specific roadside kit and inspect it twice a year.
Set a rule: no traffic-side repair if your body cannot remain fully outside the travel lane.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
NHTSA — Driving in Severe Weather
NHTSA — Summer Driving Tips
National Weather Service — Winter Storm Safety
CDC — Clear Snow From Tailpipes
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.

===== VESSEL-FIRE-FLOODING-ENGINE-FAILURE =====
Ship Emergencies: Fire, Flooding & Engine Failure | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Boating & maritime safety
Immediate rule
Protect people first. A growing fire, uncontrolled flooding or loss of safe navigation can become life-threatening quickly: call for assistance early.
Quick sequence: ALARM → ISOLATE → STABILISE → CALL HELP.
Five practical skills
Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority.
1
Recognise and communicate the incident
2
React safely to fire
3
Respond to flooding
4
Manage loss of propulsion
5
Prepare for escalation
Skill 1 of 5
Recognise and communicate the incident
Rule:
Alert crew and establish control.
Raise the alarm, account for passengers and require lifejackets as conditions demand.
Identify whether fire, water ingress, smoke or propulsion failure threatens stability or people.
Call nearby assistance or send a distress/urgency message when appropriate; give your exact position.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
React safely to fire
Rule:
Do not fight a fire you cannot safely escape.
Keep people clear of smoke and establish an exit route; isolate fuel, gas or electrical power only if safe and trained.
Use only suitable onboard extinguishers on small, contained fires with a clear escape path.
If fire spreads or smoke becomes severe, prioritise evacuation to a safe area and professional rescue.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Respond to flooding
Rule:
Stability and escape routes matter.
Locate ingress only if access is safe; do not enter flooded or electrically dangerous compartments.
Use installed bilge pumps or bailing equipment while maintaining lookout and safe vessel stability.
If flooding cannot be controlled, issue a distress call and prepare survival equipment early.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Manage loss of propulsion
Rule:
Keep the boat clear of danger.
Maintain lookout; assess drift, current, rocks, shipping lanes and weather.
If suitable and trained, check simple causes such as fuel or battery without going near moving machinery.
Use a properly sized anchor when appropriate and safe; request tow or rescue help before drifting into danger.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Prepare for escalation
Rule:
Do not delay rescue planning.
Gather people, lifejackets, communications, beacon and essential emergency equipment in an accessible location.
Confirm whether there is a liferaft or other survival craft and how it is deployed.
Follow rescue service directions and remain with a safely floating vessel whenever appropriate.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Point out fuel isolation, fire extinguisher, bilge pump and anchor.
Practise reporting a vessel position without a phone app.
Brief the crew on escalation and assembly points.
Safety and local guidance
Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions.
Reference sources:
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance.
Related guides
Explore the section →
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore →
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation →
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery →

===== WATER-PURIFICATION =====
Emergency Drinking Water: Boiling & Filtering | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 4 · Water
Immediate rule
Use bottled or known-safe water first. If microbial contamination is the concern, clarify cloudy water and boil clear water at a rolling boil for 1 minute, or 3 minutes above 6,500 ft / about 2,000 m. Chemical or radioactive contamination requires another source.
Water decision flow: first reject chemical/radiological contamination, then clarify cloudy water, use a proven germ-control method, and store it cleanly.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Choose the safest source
2
Settle and pre-filter cloudy water
3
Boil correctly
4
Filter or disinfect when boiling is unavailable
5
Store treated water without re-contamination
Skill 1 of 5
Choose the safest source
Rule:
Start with the cleanest plausible source; treatment cannot reliably fix every contaminant.
Best first:
sealed commercial water or a source declared safe by the responsible authority.
Next:
protected flowing water or collected rainwater when local conditions make those plausible and no safe municipal supply exists.
Avoid obvious contamination.
Do not collect near sewage, livestock concentrations, fuel sheen, industrial runoff, mine drainage, algal blooms, or chemical odor.
Respect advisories.
“Boil water,” “do not drink,” and “do not use” mean different things. Follow the exact local instruction.
Chemicals change the plan.
Water suspected of fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive material should be replaced with another source, not boiled harder or longer.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Settle and pre-filter cloudy water
Rule:
Remove sediment before disinfection so the final treatment can work more reliably and the water is easier to handle.
Let it settle.
Leave muddy water undisturbed until heavier sediment falls to the bottom.
Decant.
Pour the clearer upper layer into another clean container without stirring the sediment.
Pre-filter.
Pass the water through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter if available.
Repeat if needed.
Clarification is a preparation step, not purification.
Then disinfect.
Continue to boiling or a proven product-based treatment.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Boil correctly
Rule:
For germs, boiling is the clearest emergency method when fuel and a safe heat source are available.
Use clear water.
Clarify cloudy water first.
Bring to a full rolling boil.
Keep it boiling for
1 minute
; above
6,500 ft / ~2,000 m
, boil for
3 minutes
.
Let it cool covered.
Do not add untreated water or ice.
Transfer cleanly.
Use sanitized containers and avoid touching the inside of caps, bottle mouths, ladles, or storage vessels.
Label if necessary.
Keep untreated and treated containers visually distinct.
Important limit
Boiling kills germs but does not remove fuel, many toxic chemicals, or radioactive contamination. In some chemical scenarios it can concentrate contaminants as water evaporates.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Filter or disinfect when boiling is unavailable
Rule:
Use only products with known pathogen coverage and follow the manufacturer label exactly; “a filter” is not one universal capability.
Read the rating.
Filters differ in pore size and in whether they address protozoa, bacteria, and viruses.
Combine methods when necessary.
A filter that does not reliably address viruses may need a compatible disinfectant afterward.
Use chemical disinfectants exactly as labeled.
Dose and contact time depend on product concentration, water clarity, temperature, and target organisms.
Keep clean and dirty sides separate.
Do not let the untreated inlet hose, hands, or bottle threads contaminate treated water.
Do not trust improvised charcoal/sand bottles as purification.
They can improve appearance but are not a substitute for validated treatment.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Store treated water without re-contamination
Rule:
Purified water becomes unsafe again if it touches dirty hands, containers, caps, scoops, or untreated water.
Use sanitized, covered containers.
Narrow-mouth containers reduce hand contact.
Pour instead of dipping.
Avoid shared cups or hands entering the storage vessel.
Keep off dirty floors and flood-contaminated surfaces.
Protect the cap and opening.
Separate raw and treated water physically.
Use different colors or labels.
Make the next batch before you are empty.
Treatment takes time and emergencies disrupt routines.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Boil and cool one liter of water using your emergency stove outdoors where legal.
Practice settling and decanting muddy-looking test water, then discard it rather than drinking practice water.
Learn the exact filter/disinfectant model in your kit and record its limitations.
Sanitize and label two storage containers “UNTREATED” and “TREATED.”
Download the local drinking-water advisory page for offline access.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
CDC — How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency
CDC — Drinking Water Advisories
CDC — Water Treatment When Hiking, Camping, or Traveling
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Food Preservation and Safe Storage →
Wild Food and Safe Foraging →

===== WILD-EDIBLE-FOOD-REFERENCE =====
Illustrated Wild Edible Foods Reference | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Illustrated reference · Wild foods
Illustrated Wild Edible Foods Reference
This page groups commonly taught wild foods by what they contribute: fruit, greens, roots and calorie-dense foods.
Important identification limit
Identification warning:
Botanical drawings are educational illustrations, not diagnostic photographs. They can omit details and may not show regional variants or dangerous lookalikes. Never eat a plant based on an image, color, smell, or this website alone; obtain a qualified local identification and verify the exact edible part and preparation.
Fruit and seasonal supplements
Blackberry
Download image
fruit
raw or cooked
Where to find it:
Sunny hedgerows, field edges and bramble thickets.
What to eat:
Fully ripe black berries.
Preparation:
Rinse with safe water; eat fresh, dry, or simmer into syrup.
Do not use when:
Avoid dusty roadside thickets and moldy fruit.
Wild Raspberry
Download image
fruit
fresh
Where to find it:
Woodland edges, clearings and old farm margins.
What to eat:
Ripe red aggregate berries; young leaves sometimes dried for tea in local traditions.
Preparation:
Rinse, eat fresh, or dry on screens.
Do not use when:
Use species confirmation because other brambles vary.
Blueberry / Bilberry
Download image
fruit
antioxidant source
Where to find it:
Heaths, acidic woodland and upland scrub.
What to eat:
Blue berries only when fully ripe.
Preparation:
Eat fresh, dry slowly, or mash into preserves.
Do not use when:
Do not confuse with ornamental or toxic berries.
Wild Strawberry
Download image
fruit
fresh
Where to find it:
Sunny grassy edges, paths and light woodland.
What to eat:
Small ripe red berries and occasionally the young leaves for tea.
Preparation:
Eat fresh; handle gently.
Do not use when:
Low yield means it supplements rather than sustains calories.
Rose Hips
Download image
fruit
cook first
Where to find it:
Hedges and wild rose tangles after flowering.
What to eat:
Ripe hips after removing seeds and irritating inner hairs.
Preparation:
Slice, remove hairs and seeds, then simmer into syrup or tea.
Do not use when:
Inner hairs can irritate the mouth and gut.
Hawthorn Haws
Download image
fruit
cook first
Where to find it:
Mixed hedgerows and scrub.
What to eat:
Ripe red haws, usually after cool weather.
Preparation:
Cook into leather, ketchup, or mash through a sieve.
Do not use when:
Hard seeds are not eaten; confirm species locally.
Greens and wetland foods
Dandelion
Download image
greens
root
Where to find it:
Lawns, meadows and disturbed ground away from sprays.
What to eat:
Young leaves, flower petals and cleaned roots.
Preparation:
Soak bitter leaves, cook greens, roast cleaned roots.
Do not use when:
Avoid bitter older leaves and sprayed lawns.
Stinging Nettle
Download image
greens
cook first
Where to find it:
Rich soils, streambanks and old homesteads.
What to eat:
Young top leaves and shoots only.
Preparation:
Wear gloves; steam or boil to neutralize stinging hairs.
Do not use when:
Do not eat raw mature leaves.
Chickweed
Download image
salad green
Where to find it:
Cool damp garden edges and cultivated soil.
What to eat:
Tender above-ground stems and leaves.
Preparation:
Use sparingly fresh or wilt briefly into soups.
Do not use when:
Avoid if identification is uncertain; several small weeds look alike.
Purslane
Download image
succulent
omega-3 rich
Where to find it:
Warm compacted soil, gardens and sunny disturbed ground.
What to eat:
Succulent stems, leaves and tips.
Preparation:
Rinse and eat raw, pickle, or add to stews.
Do not use when:
Avoid polluted urban ground.
Cattail
Download image
wetland
multi-part
Where to find it:
Freshwater marshes and pond margins.
What to eat:
Young shoots, pollen, and cleaned rhizomes from clean water only.
Preparation:
Peel shoots; roast or mash rhizomes; dry pollen as flour extender.
Do not use when:
Never harvest from contaminated or sewage-affected wetlands.
Wild Garlic / Ramsons
Download image
leaf
strong ID needed
Where to find it:
Shaded woodland and damp banks in spring.
What to eat:
Leaves, flowers and bulbs in season.
Preparation:
Use raw or lightly cooked; crush to confirm a garlic smell.
Do not use when:
Without the garlic odor, do not eat—dangerous lookalikes exist.
Nuts, tea plants and roots
Acorn
Download image
nut
processing required
Where to find it:
Oak woodland and parkland.
What to eat:
Sound acorns only, once shell removed and tannins leached.
Preparation:
Shell, chop, leach in repeated water changes, then roast or grind.
Do not use when:
Never eat unprocessed bitter acorns.
Hazelnut
Download image
nut
energy dense
Where to find it:
Hedgerows and coppice woodland.
What to eat:
Mature nuts from papery husks.
Preparation:
Dry thoroughly and shell.
Do not use when:
Discard moldy or insect-damaged nuts.
Beech Nut
Download image
nut
mast crop
Where to find it:
Beech woodland in mast season.
What to eat:
Triangular nuts from opened husks.
Preparation:
Toast or roast in small amounts.
Do not use when:
Do not overeat; use as a supplement rather than staple.
Pine Needles
Download image
tea
aromatic
Where to find it:
Pine woodland with known non-toxic pine species.
What to eat:
Fresh green needles for tea.
Preparation:
Steep cut needles in hot but not violently boiling water.
Do not use when:
Know the species; do not assume all conifers are safe for tea.
Broadleaf Plantain
Download image
greens
Where to find it:
Paths, lawns and compacted soils.
What to eat:
Young leaves and seedheads.
Preparation:
Cook older leaves; use young leaves sparingly raw.
Do not use when:
Older leaves become fibrous.
Burdock Root
Download image
root
cook first
Where to find it:
Waste ground and field margins in first-year plants.
What to eat:
First-year roots and peeled stems.
Preparation:
Scrub, peel, slice and simmer until tender.
Do not use when:
Older roots become woody; harvest away from roads.
Field learning approach
Learn a small number of reliable species thoroughly rather than skimming many uncertain ones. Keep one page of notes for each food: habitat, season, edible part, lookalikes, preparation and any allergies or medication interactions.
Identification and safety sources
Poison Control: poisonous and non-poisonous plants
Poison Control: wild mushroom identification risks
German BfR: wild garlic and poisonous lookalikes (2026)

===== WILD-FOOD-FORAGING =====
Wild Food Foraging: What to Eat, What to Avoid & Safe Preparation | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
Illustrated food reference (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Field guide · Wild food & nutrition
Safe wild eating starts with certainty
If you are not completely certain of the exact species, edible part, season, and required preparation, do not eat the plant. A photo, taste test, or phone app is not enough to make a risky plant safe.
1. CHECK AREA
2. IDENTIFY EXACTLY
3. CHECK LOOKALIKES
4. PREPARE CORRECTLY
5. STOP IF UNSURE
Wild food is a supplement. Water, shelter, weather protection and medical care still take priority in a real emergency.
Important identification limit
Identification warning:
Botanical drawings are educational illustrations, not diagnostic photographs. They can omit details and may not show regional variants or dangerous lookalikes. Never eat a plant based on an image, color, smell, or this website alone; obtain a qualified local identification and verify the exact edible part and preparation.
What to eat from the wild
Focus on lower-risk, well-known foods that have several unmistakable features and can be harvested from clean ground. Hover over any linked name on desktop for a quick preview, click to open the image in a separate tab, or use the adjacent link to download the illustration.
Blackberry
Download image
fruit
raw or cooked
Where to find it:
Sunny hedgerows, field edges and bramble thickets.
What to eat:
Fully ripe black berries.
Preparation:
Rinse with safe water; eat fresh, dry, or simmer into syrup.
Do not use when:
Avoid dusty roadside thickets and moldy fruit.
Wild Raspberry
Download image
fruit
fresh
Where to find it:
Woodland edges, clearings and old farm margins.
What to eat:
Ripe red aggregate berries; young leaves sometimes dried for tea in local traditions.
Preparation:
Rinse, eat fresh, or dry on screens.
Do not use when:
Use species confirmation because other brambles vary.
Blueberry / Bilberry
Download image
fruit
antioxidant source
Where to find it:
Heaths, acidic woodland and upland scrub.
What to eat:
Blue berries only when fully ripe.
Preparation:
Eat fresh, dry slowly, or mash into preserves.
Do not use when:
Do not confuse with ornamental or toxic berries.
Wild Strawberry
Download image
fruit
fresh
Where to find it:
Sunny grassy edges, paths and light woodland.
What to eat:
Small ripe red berries and occasionally the young leaves for tea.
Preparation:
Eat fresh; handle gently.
Do not use when:
Low yield means it supplements rather than sustains calories.
Rose Hips
Download image
fruit
cook first
Where to find it:
Hedges and wild rose tangles after flowering.
What to eat:
Ripe hips after removing seeds and irritating inner hairs.
Preparation:
Slice, remove hairs and seeds, then simmer into syrup or tea.
Do not use when:
Inner hairs can irritate the mouth and gut.
Hawthorn Haws
Download image
fruit
cook first
Where to find it:
Mixed hedgerows and scrub.
What to eat:
Ripe red haws, usually after cool weather.
Preparation:
Cook into leather, ketchup, or mash through a sieve.
Do not use when:
Hard seeds are not eaten; confirm species locally.
Dandelion
Download image
greens
root
Where to find it:
Lawns, meadows and disturbed ground away from sprays.
What to eat:
Young leaves, flower petals and cleaned roots.
Preparation:
Soak bitter leaves, cook greens, roast cleaned roots.
Do not use when:
Avoid bitter older leaves and sprayed lawns.
Stinging Nettle
Download image
greens
cook first
Where to find it:
Rich soils, streambanks and old homesteads.
What to eat:
Young top leaves and shoots only.
Preparation:
Wear gloves; steam or boil to neutralize stinging hairs.
Do not use when:
Do not eat raw mature leaves.
Chickweed
Download image
salad green
Where to find it:
Cool damp garden edges and cultivated soil.
What to eat:
Tender above-ground stems and leaves.
Preparation:
Use sparingly fresh or wilt briefly into soups.
Do not use when:
Avoid if identification is uncertain; several small weeds look alike.
Purslane
Download image
succulent
omega-3 rich
Where to find it:
Warm compacted soil, gardens and sunny disturbed ground.
What to eat:
Succulent stems, leaves and tips.
Preparation:
Rinse and eat raw, pickle, or add to stews.
Do not use when:
Avoid polluted urban ground.
Cattail
Download image
wetland
multi-part
Where to find it:
Freshwater marshes and pond margins.
What to eat:
Young shoots, pollen, and cleaned rhizomes from clean water only.
Preparation:
Peel shoots; roast or mash rhizomes; dry pollen as flour extender.
Do not use when:
Never harvest from contaminated or sewage-affected wetlands.
Wild Garlic / Ramsons
Download image
leaf
strong ID needed
Where to find it:
Shaded woodland and damp banks in spring.
What to eat:
Leaves, flowers and bulbs in season.
Preparation:
Use raw or lightly cooked; crush to confirm a garlic smell.
Do not use when:
Without the garlic odor, do not eat—dangerous lookalikes exist.
Acorn
Download image
nut
processing required
Where to find it:
Oak woodland and parkland.
What to eat:
Sound acorns only, once shell removed and tannins leached.
Preparation:
Shell, chop, leach in repeated water changes, then roast or grind.
Do not use when:
Never eat unprocessed bitter acorns.
Hazelnut
Download image
nut
energy dense
Where to find it:
Hedgerows and coppice woodland.
What to eat:
Mature nuts from papery husks.
Preparation:
Dry thoroughly and shell.
Do not use when:
Discard moldy or insect-damaged nuts.
Beech Nut
Download image
nut
mast crop
Where to find it:
Beech woodland in mast season.
What to eat:
Triangular nuts from opened husks.
Preparation:
Toast or roast in small amounts.
Do not use when:
Do not overeat; use as a supplement rather than staple.
Pine Needles
Download image
tea
aromatic
Where to find it:
Pine woodland with known non-toxic pine species.
What to eat:
Fresh green needles for tea.
Preparation:
Steep cut needles in hot but not violently boiling water.
Do not use when:
Know the species; do not assume all conifers are safe for tea.
Broadleaf Plantain
Download image
greens
Where to find it:
Paths, lawns and compacted soils.
What to eat:
Young leaves and seedheads.
Preparation:
Cook older leaves; use young leaves sparingly raw.
Do not use when:
Older leaves become fibrous.
Burdock Root
Download image
root
cook first
Where to find it:
Waste ground and field margins in first-year plants.
What to eat:
First-year roots and peeled stems.
Preparation:
Scrub, peel, slice and simmer until tender.
Do not use when:
Older roots become woody; harvest away from roads.
For a focused printable reference, also read the
Illustrated Wild Edible Foods Reference
.
What not to eat from the wild
Some toxic plants resemble edible greens, berries, or roots closely enough that a mistake can be fatal.
Deadly Nightshade
Download image
toxic berries
What it is:
Purple bell flowers with shiny black berries in a green cup.
Why to avoid:
Toxic black berries and all plant parts can cause life-threatening poisoning.
Poison Hemlock
Download image
deadly
do not touch face
What it is:
Purple-blotched hollow stems and ferny leaves.
Why to avoid:
A deadly umbellifer; ingestion can paralyze breathing.
Water Hemlock
Download image
deadly
wetland
What it is:
Wet ground habitat with white umbels and chambered roots.
Why to avoid:
Among the most poisonous plants in North America and Europe; roots especially dangerous.
Lily of the Valley
Download image
toxic
lookalike
What it is:
Sweetly scented white bells, no garlic smell when crushed.
Why to avoid:
Leaves can be mistaken for wild garlic before flowering; toxic berries and leaves affect the heart.
Yew
Download image
toxic tree
What it is:
Flat dark needles with red cup-shaped arils.
Why to avoid:
Seeds and needles are poisonous; the red cup around the seed is not a safety signal.
White Bryony
Download image
toxic vine
What it is:
Tendrils, lobed leaves and red berry clusters.
Why to avoid:
Toxic climbing vine with red berries.
See the full
Poisonous Wild Food Lookalikes
guide for additional warning signs and emergency actions.
Practical nutrition priorities
Need
Better wild choices
Why they help
Quick vitamins
Rose hips
↓ image
, pine-needle tea, berries
Useful as supplements when diet variety is poor.
Greens
Dandelion
↓ image
,
nettle
↓ image
,
chickweed
↓ image
,
purslane
↓ image
, plantain
Provide minerals and bulk, but not a lot of calories.
Energy-dense foods
Hazelnuts
↓ image
,
acorns
↓ image
(processed),
beech nuts
↓ image
Higher fat and carbohydrate value than leafy greens.
Starchy foods
Cattail
↓ image
rhizome,
burdock root
↓ image
Need preparation but provide more usable energy.
Eat leafy greens only from clean places and when the species is confirmed.
Do not depend on greens alone for calories during a cold-weather survival situation.
Favor nuts, seeds, roots, fish and stored rations when energy demand is high.
Rotate foods and test only tiny amounts of a confirmed edible species if you have never eaten it before, because allergies still happen.
Keep these mistakes off your plate
Do not eat mushrooms unless guided by a true expert who knows the local species.
Never collect from sprayed lawns, contaminated wetlands, industrial lots, or flood-debris areas.
Never identify
wild garlic
↓ image
by smell alone:
lily of the valley
↓ image
and autumn crocus can be mistaken for it. Garlic odor can transfer from one leaf to another on your hands.
Do not eat raw
nettles
↓ image
, raw
acorns
↓ image
, or unknown roots.
Animal bite marks or bird feeding do not prove a plant is safe for humans.
Related illustrated guides
Pair this page with
Emergency Rations
,
Food Preservation
,
Fishing For Food
, and the
Medicinal Herbs guide
.
Identification and safety sources
Poison Control: poisonous and non-poisonous plants
Poison Control: wild mushroom identification risks
German BfR: wild garlic and poisonous lookalikes (2026)

===== WILDFIRE-SMOKE-SAFETY =====
Wildfire Smoke: Cleaner Air, N95 & Evacuation | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Field guide · Air quality
Immediate rule
If officials order evacuation or fire threatens your route, leave early by a safe route. Otherwise reduce smoke exposure indoors, filter indoor air and move to cleaner shelter if the building becomes unsafe or unlivable.
1. VERIFY ALERTS
2. EVACUATE IF ORDERED
3. CLOSE GAPS
4. FILTER AIR
5. REASSESS
Quick-reference sequence. Immediate threats, official orders, and professional medical advice take precedence.
Five practical skills
1
Track official smoke and fire warnings
2
Create a cleaner indoor-air room
3
Use suitable respirators and plan travel
4
Protect people with greater health risks
5
Return and clean up after smoke safely
Skill 1 of 5
Track official smoke and fire warnings
Rule:
Conditions and fire behavior change quickly; rely on local alert authorities and observed dangers.
Enable local emergency alerts and follow fire service, public health, and air-quality advisories.
Know both an evacuation route and an alternate that does not enter fire or smoke. Do not wait to see flames when officials direct you to leave.
Check outdoor particle-pollution reports when available; particulate pollution may travel far beyond flames.
Close windows and vents when outdoor smoke is heavy unless doing so makes indoor heat or other conditions dangerous.
Keep fuel, documents, medicine, and pets ready for immediate safe departure.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Create a cleaner indoor-air room
Rule:
Reduce smoke entry, indoor sources of particles, and the time spent in unfiltered air.
Choose a room large enough for those sheltering, preferably with few doors/windows and an available safe air-cleaner power source.
Close windows and doors; use a properly sized HEPA portable air cleaner where possible. Use appropriate high-efficiency HVAC filters if the system supports them.
Set air conditioning to recirculate where available rather than drawing in outdoor smoky air; follow equipment instructions.
Avoid candles, indoor smoking, vacuuming without good filtration, frying, burning incense, and other particle-generating activities.
Watch room temperature and ventilation risks: move to a cleaner, cooler location if the room becomes dangerously hot or unsafe.
Important safety limit
Never seal a room so tightly that it becomes unsafe. Carbon-monoxide hazards from generators, grills, or stoves remain life-threatening.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Use suitable respirators and plan travel
Rule:
Avoidance and clean air are primary; respirators are an extra layer for necessary outdoor exposure.
If an adult must be outdoors in smoky conditions, a properly fitted NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 particle respirator can reduce exposure to fine smoke particles.
Check for a close fit; facial hair and gaps reduce protection. Cloth and ordinary surgical masks are not substitutes for an effective particle respirator.
Do not assume a particle respirator protects against hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide or industrial chemicals.
Follow public-health advice for children or people who cannot wear a well-fitting respirator; seek cleaner indoor air or relocate.
In vehicles close windows and use recirculate mode where possible, stay alert for reduced visibility, and do not drive into a fire closure.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Protect people with greater health risks
Rule:
Breathing symptoms, heat and medical needs can make sheltering in place unsafe.
Prioritize children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart/lung illness or disability for cleaner air and early movement to safer shelter.
Keep prescriptions, inhalers, medical equipment and power supplies accessible; follow individual care plans.
Reduce exertion outdoors and encourage frequent check-ins for breathing difficulty or unusual fatigue.
Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, collapse, or other emergency symptoms.
Avoid relying solely on N95 masks for young children: fit, comfort, and suitability vary; indoor filtration and relocation are safer primary controls.
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Return and clean up after smoke safely
Rule:
Do not return until officials say it is safe and building hazards have been assessed.
Check for downed power lines, unstable structures, hot debris, damaged gas systems, and ash before entering.
Use appropriate respiratory and skin protection for dusty cleanup; avoid dry sweeping that sends ash into the air.
Wet ash carefully only if local advice allows and it will not spread contamination; collect and dispose according to local instructions.
Replace dirty filters and inspect ventilation systems before normal use.
Discard food exposed to ash/soot or unsafe heat where advised by food-safety guidance and use safe drinking water.
Back to top ↑
Practice and preparation
Find your official local air-quality and fire-warning channels.
Check the correct HVAC recirculation setting and compatible filter.
Identify an alternative cleaner-air location with a safe route.
Assemble a grab-bag with medicines, masks, identification, water and chargers.
Local rules and real emergencies
Use this as a training reference. Follow official incident alerts, regional law, manufacturer instructions, and qualified professional guidance. Do not attempt unfamiliar high-risk activities while already in danger.
Sources and further reading:
US EPA — Protect Yourself from Smoke and Ash
US EPA — Create a Clean Room
US EPA — Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality
Official guidance may vary by country and can be revised; verify local updates before acting.
All new guides →
Emergency Evacuation →
Environmental Exposure →
Fire Starting →
Emergency Comms Power →

===== WILDLIFE-ANIMAL-SAFETY =====
Wild Animal Encounters & Outdoor Safety | Survival Solutions

Downloads:
Text instructions (.txt)
HTML page (.html)
Default priority 14 · Wildlife
Immediate rule
Do not feed or approach wildlife. Give animals an escape route, secure food and scented items to local rules, and use species-specific guidance. After a bite or scratch from unfamiliar wildlife, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek prompt medical/public-health assessment.
Wildlife decision rule: prevent surprise, restore distance, identify the species, follow local species-specific guidance, then report/treat any contact.
Five skills to master
Learn these five competencies in order. Each section below gives a rule, a procedure, and the boundaries that prevent common mistakes.
1
Distance and encounter prevention
2
Food, scent, and camp control
3
Bear, cougar, and moose response
4
Bear spray and deterrent readiness
5
Bites, scratches, and rabies exposure
Skill 1 of 5
Distance and encounter prevention
Rule:
Distance solves most wildlife problems before they become encounters.
Learn the local species and current land-manager rules before entering the area.
Never feed, touch, corner, chase, or approach wildlife for photographs.
Keep children close and pets controlled as local rules require.
Watch for tracks, scat, carcasses, dens/nests, young animals, and poor-visibility vegetation.
If an animal approaches, back away and restore distance rather than trying to hold position for a better view.
Back to top ↑
Skill 2 of 5
Food, scent, and camp control
Rule:
A clean camp and correct food storage are the primary bear/wildlife conflict controls.
Secure all food, trash, pet food, cookware residue, and scented toiletries immediately.
Use the storage method required locally.
This may be a locker, approved bear-resistant container, hard-sided vehicle under specific conditions, or another mandated method.
Never store attractants in the sleeping area where local rules prohibit it.
Clean cooking areas and pack out food scraps.
Do not burn food waste in an ordinary campfire.
Keep food storage closed/locked even while you are nearby.
Back to top ↑
Skill 3 of 5
Bear, cougar, and moose response
Rule:
Identify the animal; there is no one response that is correct for every large animal.
Bear:
do not run. Give space, avoid blocking its route, and follow the current rules for the specific bear species and park/region. Defensive vs predatory behavior requires different responses, so local instruction matters.
Cougar/mountain lion:
face the animal, remain upright, make yourself appear larger, keep children close, back away slowly, and fight back if attacked.
Moose:
give very large space, especially cows with calves. If it notices you, speak softly and move away. If charged, get behind a solid object such as a large tree/vehicle when possible.
Do not climb, run, or play dead by default for every species.
Those are species/situation-specific tactics.
Report aggressive or abnormal wildlife behavior to the land manager.
Important limit
Species-specific rules can differ by region and season. The correct “no debate” rule is: identify the animal, create distance, and follow current local land-manager guidance rather than applying one generic predator script.
Back to top ↑
Skill 4 of 5
Bear spray and deterrent readiness
Rule:
Where recommended and legal, bear spray is useful only if it is accessible and you already know how to deploy the specific canister.
Carry it on your body where it can be reached immediately, not buried in a pack.
Read the manufacturer label and local park guidance before the trip.
Know the safety mechanism, spray duration, expiry, and wind implications.
Use it as a deterrent when an encounter reaches the conditions described by local guidance/product training.
Do not apply bear spray to people, tents, or gear as a “repellent.”
Back to top ↑
Skill 5 of 5
Bites, scratches, and rabies exposure
Rule:
Wash the wound immediately and obtain prompt medical/public-health assessment; rabies prevention is time-sensitive and should not wait for symptoms.
Get away from the animal safely.
Do not try to capture wild animals yourself.
Wash bites/scratches immediately with soap and running water for about
15 minutes
when possible.
Control serious bleeding using first-aid principles.
Seek prompt medical/public-health advice
after bites/scratches from bats, unfamiliar mammals, animals acting abnormally, or exposures in places where rabies is present.
Ask about tetanus and infection risk as well as rabies.
Animal wounds can damage tendons/nerves and become infected even when rabies is not the issue.
Back to top ↑
Practice before an emergency
Before a trip, look up the land manager’s wildlife page and food-storage rule.
Practice opening your approved food container quickly and locking it correctly.
Carry deterrent where legally appropriate and rehearse drawing it with an inert/training canister if available.
Teach children “stop, stay close, back away—do not run toward or from wildlife.”
Save the local park/ranger and public-health contact information offline.
Use guides as references, not substitutes for training
Conditions, local law, official emergency instructions, product instructions, and hands-on training can change what is appropriate. When an emergency service or responsible authority gives you a specific instruction for the active incident, follow it.
Reference sources:
National Park Service — Wildlife Safety
National Park Service — Bear Safety: Storing Food
National Park Service — Mountain Lion Safety
CDC — Rabies Prevention and Control
Source links are included so the guide can be checked against current official guidance. Review dates and local instructions before high-risk travel or seasonal hazards.
Related essential field guides
Additional procedures and printable references:
Wild Food and Safe Foraging →
New illustrated skills
Hunting Fieldcraft, Ethics and Safety
Snaring: Legal Restrictions and Animal Welfare
