Working on a new book - input welcome

R.A.T.

R.A.T.

Randall's Adventure & Training
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Feb 4, 2004
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It's is going to be specifically for jungle survival but I want to throw a chapter in there on unique, miscellaneous survival tips (be they jungle or anywhere else). So, if anyone has a unique tip they would like to contribute, feel free to post them up here. Not sure when we will get it published since I have just started the outline.

Here's an example of what we're talking about when it comes to survival tips. We teach this to our guys in Peru so they can judge the width of a river if need be. Sorry about the sorry ass hand writing:

river_width.jpg
 
Maybe put in a chapter on edible and useful plants along with Illustrations (or actual pics) and descriptions of the plant. Also putting key survival or first aid tips at the very front or back of the book for quick and easy refference. You could also read ( or in your case reread im sure ;) ) The SAS survival book to get a feel for the book and maybe some ideas on what type of topics to include.
 
Well, the power has gone out twice now, one of the joys of living in a third world country, I'll try this again for a third time:

This is something I mentioned to Jeff recently in Peru.

I have noticed after years of walking through the bush trying to navigate straight lines using dead reckoning / pace and compass navigation (while working) that people seem to favour one side or the other, that is they will veer off to the right or to the left of their intended path, and in my opinion, this is primarily related to whatever hand is occupied (carrying something) during the traverse; carry something in the right hand and you will gradually veer off to the right, carry something in the left and you will veer off to the left. Even when not carrying something most will veer off the same way each time, and this could be related to whether you are right or left handed, and may even be caused by having an unbalanced pack load or carrying more on the right side of your belt than your left.

One can set up a course and test this to see which way you stray of course and correct for it. This is generally a small correction, say in the order of 5-10m over 50-100m traversed, but if you are doing a long traverse without GPS or where GPS will not work due to thick canopy, it could be substantial after several kilometers if you are not constantly aware of it and correcting for it.

I first noticed this while working in the Arctic years ago (wide open spaces with lots of snow), generally we will take a compass bearing, then go head-down for 50-100m, then correct the course with the GPS, take another compass bearing, and repeat the process. After following in other peoples tracks, and even looking back at my own tracks in the snow, I noticed that almost everyone seems to veer of course consistently and in the same direction. This of course is in flat areas, if you are following a contour along a slope for example, you will always veer off down hill, and it takes a real conscious effort to keep a straight track no matter what hand you are carrying in or what your preferencial side is.

off_course.jpg


Keep in mind this is based on my own personal observations and I have nothing scientific to back it up!
 
:eek: nice I never thought of that, no wonder your a heck of a navigator, that would come in handy in orienterring (spelling?).

Also you could mark off 50 or 100 yards and walk it off stepping like you normally would (counting your steps), then you could figure out how many steps you take before you go 100 yards. This knowledge helps when you are trying to get from point A to point B using a map, If you keep the distance you've went in your head then you should realize when you've passed up you destination up avoiding alot of confussion and disorientation.
 
We teach backstops, handrails and aiming off to avoid getting lost and to avoid passing your target. Rob and I discussed this in Peru. For his job he mainly has to do dead reckoning though.
 
The importance of your mind as a survival tool. Include a chapter on the psychological aspect of survival. Few books do.
 
R.A.T. said:
We teach backstops, handrails and aiming off to avoid getting lost and to avoid passing your target. Rob and I discussed this in Peru. For his job he mainly has to do dead reckoning though.
Click to expand...
I was reading about that in the last issue of SOF.
 
Actually those techniques are just part of our full nav course that we teach here in the States. We teach a portion of that with jungle students.
 
Something we made a point of teaching the daughter when she was younger, and smaller, was to not move and sound like a prey animal, thus helping to avoid attracting large predators (mountain lions) when out and about.
Just a thought.
 
this may sound dumb but stress the important of a knife and basic function and useage . I know so many people who travel whether in town or hiking and never pack a knife. to me that is just silly.
 
Most would already know this, but some people always go into the woods with only subdue colors and when they need to be rescued, they blend in with the environment with nothing that will stand out. Maybe stress that you should at least have some sort of clothing article to stand out. (Reflective yellow/Blaze orange)
 
importance of Body & Foot care.
decent gear list (w/pictures)of Survival items,you see how popular gear threads are on forums.
what to do if lost section ?
down aircraft survival, alot of remote location stateside or Jungle are privately flown in.
 
Don't know if you've ever heard of this but when I was in the Border Patrol in the 1960's working the desert border areas of Arizona I encountered situation I'd like to relate.

While signcutting S. of Sells, AZ I picked up a Mex. National who'd been separated from the herd and seeking help.

I asked what was happening & he related he'd been rattlesnake bitten. He rolled up his pantleg & removed a rag wrapped around his ankle. He'd had a half an onion pressed against the wound. The onion was purple, blue, & putrid looking while the wound was clean & appeared unswollen or discolored.

After that incident I asked a number of Mex. Nationals that I encountered who were carrying onions, why the onion? The common reply was for snakebite.

I've never seen this written up anywhere but it would pay to check with competant medical authority to ascertain if this is approved first aid.

Ruff Cobb
 



along the lines of foot and body care...

tighty-whities only in the jungle, boxers not recommended... seriously :)



.
 
Jeff

I have read a number of the survival books out there. One thing I have noticed is how many people suggest a good knife, but skip right over what makes a good survival knife. You and Mike designed the RAT and RC series of knifes based on what you felt made a good knife for general survival/camp. It might be a good idea just to put in a small section on why you designed it as you did, and why the RC isnt a 12" blade, with a hollow handle, and a huge saw back, etc. Of all the outdoors and knife questions I get, this is the one that is asked the most.
 
While we are on the subject of your literature Jeff, I picked up Tactical Knives magazine yesterday at a grocery store and I really liked your article about the SOGs Trident. Good job :thumbup:
 
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