FAQ’s

1How long can a person go without food/water?
Believe it or not water is more important to replenish than food. However, whenever possible care should be taken to acquire both. Generally, a person can go 3 days without water and up to a week without food. The longer you are without food or water to fuel your energy reserves the weaker you will become and the less you will have to expend if needed.
2Is it possible to make fire with ice?
Yes, is it optimal? No. However, it requires little energy expenditure and can be done while at rest.  Take a small piece of ice approximately 8” square and 1-2” thick. Use the heat from your hands to slowly shape the ice into a lens with a flat side and a domed side. Use focused sunlight through your lens to create fire. This method has obvious perils.
3How important is mental preparation in survival?
It is a fundamental key to survive and the overarching mental ability to remain calm and thinking clearly in every situation are the pinnacles to strive for.

 

 

I’m lost and need to make a fire, I have a little water left in my water bottle, but I don’t have the energy for a friction fire. What can I do?

This actually happened to me years ago in one of my first planned wilderness survival experiences. Unfortunately, I did not have the adequate knowledge to avoid a very unpleasant time. If you have a clear water bottle with about ¼ of the water remaining and a sunny day it is possible to make a fire with sunlight focused though the upper smooth radius of the bottle with water. Read my post about it.

 

How can I apply survival mentality to my everyday life?

Survival and success are closely linked, but they are not often thought of together. Thinking about them as closely related will be the best method to applying survival mentality to the day-to-day. Optimizing effort, being prepared in situations that may arise, thinking ahead and being proactive are examples.

 

What should I prioritize in a survival situation?

Thinking of it like this may help. Prioritize your energy. The spending and generation of energy will be the link between physical survival and death.  In truly dire situations you may have a very limited account to draw from. Thinking about your reserves and optimizing your efforts will reap the most beneficial combination of expense and earnings.

 

What is the most important survival aspect?

You could find a number of correct answers to this question. I will submit the most universally important aspect of survival is the mental capacity to control fear and anxiety. Food and water are obvious answers that no one would be surprised to hear. But, would you be prepare to eat anything, drink anything available to survive? Could you overcome your fear of heights if the need called?

 

Can survival and success be the same?

Absolutely.  You are not alone if you find it difficult to draw parallels between survival in a harsh environment and success in your everyday life.  Mental fortitude to overcome, realization that life isn’t and will never be fair and actively engaging in practice/training increase any survival or success situation.

 

What is the most hazardous climate for survival?

I imagine there are experts out there who will disagree with me. However, my feeling is regardless of rain, snow, ice or sun your best chance of survival comes down to the loss and retention of energy. Energy = calories = core temperature. Too hot, no good. Too cold, also no good. Striving for a consistent core temperature that is comfortable will offer the best chance of survival by optimizing the bodies expenditure of energy.