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Survival Scenario down under
- Thread starter Forrie
- Start date
barrabas74
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Messages
- 8,177
Judging by the picture it looks like sundown, if its not that changes the situation for me. If its sunup I have all day to look for a stream, food and cover some ground. I would look for a good throwing stick and make myself a lil frog catcher/spear. If its sundown(which it looks like) I am looking to make a shelter and fast, gather some wood, I dont know about you but I keepa bic in my pocket
along with some cotton balls and a compass. I know what I said only covers the immediate day, but I need to know if I am aloud to have those cotton balls and or compass in my pocket.
along with some cotton balls and a compass. I know what I said only covers the immediate day, but I need to know if I am aloud to have those cotton balls and or compass in my pocket.The difficulty in places like this is that you can be many, many miles from any source of water. Temperatures can be extreme and exposure to the sun for any significant length of time without drinking water is likely to be fatal. Thus you shouldn't just wander around hoping to come across a water source - if you're sure of one and it isn't too far then fine, but otherwise stay put.
The best advice in a place like this is to find/build a shelter which provides good shade, and to stay under it for the entire daylight hours. Lying still will prevent fluid loss through sweating. If you had a plastic bag, you could collect some water from the shrubbery, and if not you could probably still get some moisture out of the leaves. Forget about eating as the digestive process uses up water.
Temperatures drop significantly at night so this is the time to be doing any activity if it is really necessary. Just watch out for the snakes that are out and about at this time, and don't fall over and injure yourself in the dark. I'd prepare a fire which I'd keep slowly burning with plenty of green vegetation next to it, to be used as a signal.
Other than that, sit tight and wait for rescue. You did tell someone where you're going and when you're due there, right?
The best advice in a place like this is to find/build a shelter which provides good shade, and to stay under it for the entire daylight hours. Lying still will prevent fluid loss through sweating. If you had a plastic bag, you could collect some water from the shrubbery, and if not you could probably still get some moisture out of the leaves. Forget about eating as the digestive process uses up water.
Temperatures drop significantly at night so this is the time to be doing any activity if it is really necessary. Just watch out for the snakes that are out and about at this time, and don't fall over and injure yourself in the dark. I'd prepare a fire which I'd keep slowly burning with plenty of green vegetation next to it, to be used as a signal.
Other than that, sit tight and wait for rescue. You did tell someone where you're going and when you're due there, right?
Well, since I don't know this place, There are enough trees to provide midday shade, so I'd use them.
(Bear and Les don't mention shade? They stand in the hot sun yammering to us, when I can see a spot of shade in the camera shot. Whats up with that?)
Anyway, if main pack is lost, that insinuates I may have my PSK on my belt.
So I get my small compass, and before trekking anywhere, I use the big old land mass in front of me to start my "mental map".
If no compass I use the "stick & shadow" method, and reverse the East West directions because I am in the Southern hemisphere.
I see high ground in the distance, low ground between me and it.
If there is any water at all, it will most likely be down there. Make Note, but don't immediately go skipping downhill.
I may be on a hill myself, the way it looks, so, I turn around to get a 360° view of my whereabouts. might have to walk a short bit to see over my ridge.
Again, reference my compass, and keep drawing the "mental map".
OK, so now I have the distant High ground , the low ground, the hill I am on, and a decent view of my surroundings.
The world exists in 360° and 3 dimensions, always look all the way around, before tromping off toward the largest object you see.
Look for fencelines, roads, trails, foot prints, camp areas, anything that looks like a piece of humankind.
Bottomline: Orient yourself.
-Use the natural shade to stay out of the blistering sun.
-Make a Covering for you head out of leaves, grass, whatever, in some places they are called "hats".
There is not a 360° view, so I cannot see what is to the Right, Left and behind us.
Let's assume nothingness, or end this reply.
Observations:
-So the Low ground looks like the most likely place where there may be water.
-The large land formation would be the best vantage point, but, is gonna be one helluvva climb to get up there.
-There are trees and grass, so it's not totally inhospitable.
-There is shade.
-There is material to build a shelter, if need be.
-Check direction clouds are headed for prevailing winds.
-Clouds are thicker toward the left, behind the landmass.
-The sun is behind and to my right, based on the shadow being cast on the landmass.
Can't tell if it's morning or afternoon, since I don't know by the photo which direction I am facing.
If it's afternoon, and no sign of quick fix, it's shelter and fire time.
If i can get a fire built, before dusk, maybe someone will see it.
Otherwise, keep your cool, get a good nights sleep, watch out for scorpions, and think about what course of action you will take in the a.m.
(Bear and Les don't mention shade? They stand in the hot sun yammering to us, when I can see a spot of shade in the camera shot. Whats up with that?)
Anyway, if main pack is lost, that insinuates I may have my PSK on my belt.
So I get my small compass, and before trekking anywhere, I use the big old land mass in front of me to start my "mental map".
If no compass I use the "stick & shadow" method, and reverse the East West directions because I am in the Southern hemisphere.
I see high ground in the distance, low ground between me and it.
If there is any water at all, it will most likely be down there. Make Note, but don't immediately go skipping downhill.
I may be on a hill myself, the way it looks, so, I turn around to get a 360° view of my whereabouts. might have to walk a short bit to see over my ridge.
Again, reference my compass, and keep drawing the "mental map".
OK, so now I have the distant High ground , the low ground, the hill I am on, and a decent view of my surroundings.
The world exists in 360° and 3 dimensions, always look all the way around, before tromping off toward the largest object you see.
Look for fencelines, roads, trails, foot prints, camp areas, anything that looks like a piece of humankind.
Bottomline: Orient yourself.
-Use the natural shade to stay out of the blistering sun.
-Make a Covering for you head out of leaves, grass, whatever, in some places they are called "hats".
There is not a 360° view, so I cannot see what is to the Right, Left and behind us.
Let's assume nothingness, or end this reply.
Observations:
-So the Low ground looks like the most likely place where there may be water.
-The large land formation would be the best vantage point, but, is gonna be one helluvva climb to get up there.
-There are trees and grass, so it's not totally inhospitable.
-There is shade.
-There is material to build a shelter, if need be.
-Check direction clouds are headed for prevailing winds.
-Clouds are thicker toward the left, behind the landmass.
-The sun is behind and to my right, based on the shadow being cast on the landmass.
Can't tell if it's morning or afternoon, since I don't know by the photo which direction I am facing.
If it's afternoon, and no sign of quick fix, it's shelter and fire time.
If i can get a fire built, before dusk, maybe someone will see it.
Otherwise, keep your cool, get a good nights sleep, watch out for scorpions, and think about what course of action you will take in the a.m.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
- Messages
- 284
How far away would the base of the mountains be? I am terrible at figuring distances. But they don't look too far away, based on the size the phot portrays - 5 miles or so?
- Joined
- May 19, 2005
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- 12,709
I have a question about this scenario, and others like it. How did I end up in there in the first place? I mean, if it's me, then I got there by following a map. Since I keep my map and compass in my pants pockets, I presumably haven't lost those even if I lost my pack.
So the first thing I'd do is look over my map for the nearest road or train track or river bed. Even in the Sonoran desert, there's always water, even if it's a cattle tank. The kind of map that I would have on me when going there will show me where that water is.
So, ok, maybe I was in a small plane that crashed and so don't know the area. Or I'm in a car that broke down. In that case, I'm staying with the wreckage so someone can find me. Build a fire and break into the emergency water supplies that I always have in my vehicles and wait it out. Build a shelter as necessary. Wait it out.
Or am I killing the fun?
So the first thing I'd do is look over my map for the nearest road or train track or river bed. Even in the Sonoran desert, there's always water, even if it's a cattle tank. The kind of map that I would have on me when going there will show me where that water is.
So, ok, maybe I was in a small plane that crashed and so don't know the area. Or I'm in a car that broke down. In that case, I'm staying with the wreckage so someone can find me. Build a fire and break into the emergency water supplies that I always have in my vehicles and wait it out. Build a shelter as necessary. Wait it out.
Or am I killing the fun?
If we have been hiking the area, then we have an idea where we are, and would presumably, retrace our steps/direction, back to wehre we came from?
Or is that too simplistic?
I saw a story about a small plane crash in Africa. More like a forced landing in some scrub country. Now they were screwed. The pilot and co-pilot walked out, while searchers were looking 50 miles away where the plane had gone off course.
They made it to a remote outpost 2 days later, wickedly dehydrated, while the others at the crash site slowly were withering due to lack of water.
That was one scenario where you truly end up being somewhere you don't know, with very limited resources. The biggest knife in the world wouldn't help, unless it was hollow and contained water.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2007
- Messages
- 220
Dont forget, when you wake up, tie clothes to your ankles and walk through the vegetation. They soak up dew which you can then ring out into a pot, and have some nice wet clothes to keep your cool.
Well I assume you knew where you were before you went to sleep and lost your pack.
Even though I live 2,000 miles from this place and I've only been to it, once in my life, 12 years ago, I recognise it, as many Australian should, as being somewhere in the Kimberley Mountain Range. So I guess the next step depends if it was the wet or dry season and where you left your vehicle.
Regardless of your position due south is going to put you on either the Gibb River Track or Highway One. If you are short of water I would be making for that river that runs through the middle of the photograph. Once you reach the river you are not going to die of thirst or starvation, there is plenty of tinder dry wood to light a fire to keep you warn at night and plenty of shade during the day. Keep your fire burning and wait for one of the many tourist flights to go over then stand in a clearing and jump up and down. Dont sleep to close to the rivers edge or a crocodile might take you for a midnight snack
Even though I live 2,000 miles from this place and I've only been to it, once in my life, 12 years ago, I recognise it, as many Australian should, as being somewhere in the Kimberley Mountain Range. So I guess the next step depends if it was the wet or dry season and where you left your vehicle.
Regardless of your position due south is going to put you on either the Gibb River Track or Highway One. If you are short of water I would be making for that river that runs through the middle of the photograph. Once you reach the river you are not going to die of thirst or starvation, there is plenty of tinder dry wood to light a fire to keep you warn at night and plenty of shade during the day. Keep your fire burning and wait for one of the many tourist flights to go over then stand in a clearing and jump up and down. Dont sleep to close to the rivers edge or a crocodile might take you for a midnight snack
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2006
- Messages
- 1,067
First you have to Tie your Kangaroo Down Sport 
No seriously since I really don't know the area ill just think of the basics, shelter from the heat, move mainly at dusk or dawn, or at night but mainly to forrage water or improve shelter, Build fire and two more fire lays, burn them all night if possible, Make alot of smoke during the day, even if I dont hear or see rescuers, they may be over the next rise. If I really believe there is a good chance to find water I may move, That mountain does look awfly tempting as a vantage point to see and be seen from, if nothing else I may just start a fire up there.
Oh yeah and I would make a walking stick with a spear point as a defensive/ hinting tool, as well as to help be navigate terrain better.
If I have whats on my belt on in my pockets that includes several plastic bags and with the amount of vegitation I see i should be able to collect and store plenty of water.
Hopefully I informed someone of my plans, and route but if i am four days into a two week Hike I may not be expected for a while.
No seriously since I really don't know the area ill just think of the basics, shelter from the heat, move mainly at dusk or dawn, or at night but mainly to forrage water or improve shelter, Build fire and two more fire lays, burn them all night if possible, Make alot of smoke during the day, even if I dont hear or see rescuers, they may be over the next rise. If I really believe there is a good chance to find water I may move, That mountain does look awfly tempting as a vantage point to see and be seen from, if nothing else I may just start a fire up there.
Oh yeah and I would make a walking stick with a spear point as a defensive/ hinting tool, as well as to help be navigate terrain better.
If I have whats on my belt on in my pockets that includes several plastic bags and with the amount of vegitation I see i should be able to collect and store plenty of water.
Hopefully I informed someone of my plans, and route but if i am four days into a two week Hike I may not be expected for a while.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 353
very good Ausblade was wondering how long it would take some one to pic the location and the river in the photo
I'd have to ask, how the heck did I get here? Because that's going to seriously affect how I plan to get out.
Normally, I'd expect to hike my way back out to my car or some form of civillization. Barring that, I'd expect that I would have told someone back in civilization where I was going and when I was expected back. If I didn't return on time, someone would come looking for me. In either case, food is probably not a priority because I'd figure I can live a week without food and I should be out by that time. Priorities are not freezing to death, not overheating to death, and not dehydrating to death. Oh, and not getting eaten by predators to death. No idea what predators are there, but if it's anything I can't take with a 6" knife I'm pretty much hosed.
So find water, find a good place to set up a camp and build a shelter of some sort. Then make myself as visible as possible to aircraft.
Normally, I'd expect to hike my way back out to my car or some form of civillization. Barring that, I'd expect that I would have told someone back in civilization where I was going and when I was expected back. If I didn't return on time, someone would come looking for me. In either case, food is probably not a priority because I'd figure I can live a week without food and I should be out by that time. Priorities are not freezing to death, not overheating to death, and not dehydrating to death. Oh, and not getting eaten by predators to death. No idea what predators are there, but if it's anything I can't take with a 6" knife I'm pretty much hosed.
So find water, find a good place to set up a camp and build a shelter of some sort. Then make myself as visible as possible to aircraft.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2001
- Messages
- 157
I'd head towards the bottom of the valley, then follow the creek downstream.
IMO, better chance of finding water in the lowest part of the valley, even if it involves digging in a "dry" creekbed.
IMO, better chance of finding water in the lowest part of the valley, even if it involves digging in a "dry" creekbed.
Ok guys and gals lets say you only have one fixed-blade under 6 , no hatchet and main pack is lost.
Location:
Need I say more about location
Lets cover all points cheers guys
Ill leave the rest up to you cheers forrie
Did I walk into this picture or did I drive?
If I walk I should be able to walk back.
If I drove I would stay next to the vehicle NEVER LEAVE THE VEHICLE.
The Vehicle provides shelter, shade, some water and that is what the search party will look for first.
Start a smoky fire maybe using the fuel from the vehicle to burn a tyre or 2.
If you have to leave the vehicle for food or water make a clear sign or note as to which direction you are taking and the time and date.
NEVER LEAVE THE VEHICLE
- Joined
- May 10, 2002
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- 705
I don't see any boab trees. Looks like more people and a vehicle too about 100 metres in front, they'd probably help. Also looks like a caravan about 3 km's away off to the right a little. Lots of green so water isn't much problem even if you gotta do a bit of digging. There's a lot of places that look like that ... S/W Qld ... NT ... W NSW ... N SA ... WA ... So which direction do ya head in ... see if you can smell the nearest pub. Following that fence line just over from the people will surely lead you to a roast beef dinner. Not leaving your vehicle ... that depends on circumstances... you got bitten by that snake that you were trying to get for a feed?
Thats a big yowie that carried off the bag?
Turn around, stick out your finger and see if someone will pick you up
Thats a big yowie that carried off the bag?
Turn around, stick out your finger and see if someone will pick you up
