SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
Group survival activities should be organized.
Group survival depends largely upon the organization
According to the Code of Conduct for members of
of its manpower. Organized action by group members
the armed forces, it is your duty to evade capture by the
that know what to do and when to do it, during ordinary
enemy. Also, if captured, you must make every effort to
circumstances and during a crisis, prevents panic. One
escape. As a Seabee, you face the chance of being
technique for achieving organized action is to keep the
exposed to conditions that can force you into a
group well informed. Another is to devise a plan and
life-or-death struggle. Survival, in this case, depends on
then stick to it.
your ability to apply the techniques of evading and
Assigning each man a task that fits his personal
escaping. There can be no more important reason for
qualifications most closely is another way of organizing
making survival techniques part of your basic combat
a group. If one man feels he can fish better than he can
skills.
cook, let him provide the fish. Always determine and use
You can remain alive anywhere in the world when
special skills of members within the group.
you keep your wits. This is a major lesson in survival.
Panic, confusion, and disorganization are lessened
Remember that nature and the elements are neither your
by good leadership. It is the responsibility of the senior
friend nor your enemy. Instead, your determination to
member of a group to assume command and establish a
live and your ability to make nature work for you are the
chain of command that includes all members of the
deciding factors.
group. Make certain that each man knows his position
Your job is to get back. The more you know about
in the chain of command and is familiar with the duties
conditions peculiar to the region you are in, including
of every other man, especially your duties if you are
the plant and animal life, the better your chances are for
senior. Under no circumstances should leadership of the
survival.
group be left up to chance acceptance by some member
after a situation arises.
Survival in remote and desolate areas, in the Arctic,
desert, or jungle, depends on you. You must be
If senior, lead your men. Group survival is a test of
physically fit, have a fundamental knowledge of how to
effective leadership. Maintain respect for your
locate water, know what foods are available, and ways
leadership by using it wisely; be the leader, set the
to find and prepare them. You must also be able to
example. Watch out constantly to prevent serious
recognize plants and animals that can harm you.
arguments. To keep troublemakers from attracting
undue attention, to keep those who may "crackup" from
Water
disrupting the group, and to prevent carelessness caused
by fatigue, hunger, and cold are important parts of your
Without water your chances of living are nil, and all
job. Know yourself and your men and be responsible for
the food in the area means nothing. This is especially
the welfare of each individual.
true in hot climates where you perspire a lot. Even in
Develop a feeling of mutual dependence within the
cold weather your body needs at least 2 quarts of water
group by stressing that each man depend on the other
each day; a lesser amount reduces your efficiency.
men for survival. Emphasize that wounded or injured
When you cannot find surface water, tap through the
men will not be left behindthat responsibility of each
earth to the water table for groundwaterrain or melted
member is to see that the group returns intact. This
snow that has sunk into the ground. Access to this table
attitude fosters high morale and unity. Each member
and its supply of water depends upon the contour of the
receives support and strength from the others.
land and the character of the soil.
No matter what the situation, the leader must make
In rocky soil look for springs and seepage.
Limestones have more and larger springs than any other
to base his decisions, he should ask for information and
type of rock Because limestone is easily dissolved,
advice from other members of the groupmuch as a
caverns are easily etched by groundwater. Look in these
general uses his staff. Above all else, the leader must, at
caverns for natural springs. Because lava rock is porous,
all times, appear to be decisive.
Situations arise that must be acted upon
for springs along the walls of valleys that cross the lava
immediately. The ability to think on your feet usually
flow. Be on the lookout for seepage where a dry canyon
determines successful survival. Consider the facts and
cuts through a layer of porous sandstone. In areas with
make decisions rapidly.
a lot of granite rock look over the hillsides for green
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