Just a knife for survival

[golok]

I was told one of the aspects of commando training involves being alone in the jungle for a week, probably reaching a particular destination in a stipulated time.

The only survival aid is a knife.

Can a non-commando with some experience in the wilderness emerge alive from such an exercise?

His chances of being alive after a week would probably require some knowledge of his surroundings and some intimate knowledge of edible fruits, plants and animals (small ones).

What are his chances of survival from an expert's point of view?

 

[Tightwad]

While I'm no expert the "only a knife" scenario would work
IF.......the user had some basic field knowledge and a good
bit of luck .........mixed with grim determination to survive.

Situations such as you discribed are last resort live or die
scenarios. Humans can ,if not injured, think their way out
of all kinds of problems if there is a solution to be found.

 

[Ravenn]

Check out
www.stalkingthewild.com

 

[Outdoors]

I would think that it would depend largely on the climate and season. In an equatorial climate, it could be very feasible to survive for a week with only a knife. If it were winter in Alaska or the mountain high country, you could be dead in a few hours without some means of starting a fire quickly.

Patrick

 

[psy-ops]

that is the only problem I see.

you can sleep and rest for a week all you have to do is find water.

in the jungle there are so many vines and palm leaves to drink from that shouldn't be too hard.

I think patrick is right it depends on climate if it were the arctic then you maybe, me definitely! have a serious problem.


I like ron hoods rule of 3s 3 mins without air
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

this helps me work out the priorities and also helps me relax so I don't panic at least not right away,

 

[Brian Jones]

I think if you find yourself in the woods with only a knife and very few skills, the best thing you can do is relax, and survey the situation, then devise a plan, and follow it. Ron Hood gives what I think is the best advice here to start out -- pull down your pants, and squat, and do a number 2...there are two reasons for this, he says:

1) chances are if you're that scared, you're gonna hafta evacuate your bowels immediately.

2) the absurdity of doing this while thinking, will hopefully make you laugh a little and get some control of your fear.

Just make sure your knife is in the sheath securely while your vitals are "hanging out..."

 

[bae]

Well, you're not likely going to starve to death in only a week, so I wouldn't worry too much about berries, snares, fishing, and that sort of stuff.

Concentrate on the essentials.