SHOW ME HOW TO

SURVIVE

SHOW ME HOW

TO SURVIVE
THE HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN HERO JOSEPH PRED

protect
home safety
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 navigate the mean streets stay safe in the wilderness be prepared at the office make a family emergency plan stock an emergency kit stock a bunker prepare a flood dinghy set up a panic room bury a tornado shelter make your home safe prepare your pet keep pets safe after a disaster know animal warning signs weather a hurricane build a flood barrier fill sandbags properly firescape a yard fight fire with an extinguisher be prepared in a house fire prepare for travel stay smart abroad protect against identity theft burglar-proof a home check a car before a trip 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 pack a car emergency kit stay safe in a parking garage get help for a boat in trouble read storm clouds boat safely in a storm know your knots sleep on the beach pitch a snow camp shelter in the jungle camp in the desert prepare for social collapse prepare rugged venison jerky preserve meat in a smoker catch backyard game hunt pigeons in the city feed a family without a farm get fit for the outdoors clean a gun store a gun be safe at the range disarm a shooter keep from spreading the flu pack a first-aid kit

first aid

help
wilderness skills
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 help after an accident call for help check a pulse bolt from a wrist grip escape from a choke hold break out of a bear hug deal with a burgled home follow up after a burglary perform cpr on an adult do the heimlich maneuver give cpr to a baby save a choking baby improvise an airway puncture 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 suture a wound decompress a chest stop bleeding bandage a nasty wound cauterize a wound in the field save a toe improvise a leg splint wrap a sling know your fractures test for edibility deal with a poisoned kid identify natural poisonous foods identify venomous insects

74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

treat a bee sting treat a jellyfish sting make a ginger poultice evaluate your medicine chest remove a small fish hook treat a blister remove a splinter remove an object from your eye put out a clothing fire halt an electrocution avoid lightning on a mountain identify burns deal with a superficial burn

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

handle a chemical burn help a seizure victim recognize a heart attack identify a stroke treat hyperventilation survive an asthma attack soothe a mild allergic reaction spot a severe allergic reaction stop a nosebleed free a frozen tongue preserve a dislodged tooth fill a cracked tooth spot and treat a concussion

100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111

help a lost child rescue a cat up a tree rescue-breathe for a dog protect a baby bird rescue a swimmer in trouble identify heat-related illnesses treat heat exhaustion help clean up an oil spill clean an oiled bird help someone out of an ice hole treat frostbite save a hypothermia victim

prevail
112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 mark your trail read animal tracks and scat walk a straight line in the woods navigate with your watch stay on track in the desert navigate out of a swamp read the stars find the equator in a forest build a campfire light a fire with chocolate construct a fire drill use a fire plank purify water in green bamboo boil water in a tree stump collect water from fog get water in the desert signal an airplane erect a quick tepee assemble a debris hut set up a shade shelter build a swamp bed dig a snow cave 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 survive an avalanche prevent snow blindness be avalanche aware find an avalanche victim make a fish trap catch a fish bare-handed go ice fishing snare a hare gut a hare squash a squirrel nab a fox trap a rodent impale an elk be bear aware fend off a mountain lion save a child from a coyote treat a snake bite get jungle savvy remove a botfly with bacon prepare tasty snake meat eat a scorpion eat wild around the world 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 survive a shipwreck use pants as a flotation device find land when lost at sea build a dugout canoe pick a coconut use coconuts ace an emergency scuba ascent escape a kelp forest avoid a shark attack fend off a shark resist a wolf pack battle a pit bull spike an assailant embrace your enemy do a handshake takedown deal with failed brakes handle a hydroplaning car weather a chemical spill survive a snowbound car improvise a signal mirror

a note from joseph

As an emergency manager, Ive advised individuals and organizations on everything from minor problems such as stopping a nosebleed (#95) to large-scale environmental challenges, like avoiding an avalanche (#136). While writing this book, I was lucky to be able to draw on my day-to-day professional experience with life-saving procedures like CPR (#56), as well as my personal interest in the challenges in the great outdoors, such as cleaning up an oil spill (#107) . . . and a few problems I hope to never have to deal with, like repelling an angry pit bull (#167). Through my research 95 in preparing this book, I learned a few new things that may prove useful battle a pit bull one day, such as keeping pets safe after a disaster (#12), how to fight a shark (#165), or how to build a flood barrier with sandbags (#15). In my line of work, you can never be too prepared, so although I hope no one will ever need them, Ive also included instructions for saving a child from a coyote (#149) and disarming a shooter (#45). Stay safe out there!

stop a nosebleed

167

45

disarm a shooter

To be truly prepared for any emergency, its best to start getting ready now, before you find yourself face-to-face with a mountain lion. Start by packing a go bag (a kit containing everything youd need to get by for 48 hours in an emergency). Include personal items like ID, food, medicine, tools like a flashlight and knife, and other handy survival items like a dust mask, a radio (with extra batteries), and a list of emergency contact numbers. Now that you have your physical needs handled, work on your brain by practicing situational awareness. Stay attentive to your surroundings, your wellbeing, the presence of others, and possible dangers or threats. It isnt about looking for problems, its about avoiding becoming complacent and making mistakes as a result. For instance, imagine yourself hiking through an unfamiliar jungle (#151). Without worrying or panicking, stay aware of whether anyone in your party is tired, hungry, or injured. Focus on the path ahead of you, while keeping a relaxed state of awareness about your surroundingswatching for predators, poisonous plants, and insects. A positive, relaxed, open mindset also saves lives in the field. Someone with a negative outlook might panic or give up when faced with a swimmer in trouble (#104), but a person who focuses on solutions will quickly scan the beach for a rescue aid and jump in the water. Ready for an adventure? Just keep these basic tenets of great rescue work in mind as you read through the book and youll be a hero in no time!
get jungle savvy

151

rescue a swimmer in trouble

104

how to use this book

In the pages that follow, virtually every piece of essential information is presented graphically. In most cases the pictures do, indeed, tell the whole story. In some cases though, youll need a little extra information to get it done right. Heres how we present those facts.

134 154

survive an avalanche

135
2

prevent snow blindness

be avalanche aware
Avoid avalanche-prone areas in the forty-eight hours after rough weather or a thaw. If you must go, pack a collapsible shovel, a snow probe, and an avalanche beacon.

136

find an avalanche victim

137
2

1 ft (30 cm)

Slopes of 30 to 45 degrees are most likely to avalanche, but even slopes of 25 to 60 degrees can slide in certain conditions. Make a long slit. Go to location of last sighting. Set beacon to receive mode.

Try to jump above the break line.

Move perpendicular to flow.

Cut a strip of duct tape; fold.

4 3 4
A heavy, compacted layer of snow resting on a powdery layer is highly unstable.

Grab a sturdy tree or rock.

Swim on top of snow.

Fasten around head with tape.

Blacken cheeks with soot. Smooth, grassy slopes without rocks or trees are most dangerous.

Poke with snow probe.

Dig downhill from victim.

save a hypothermia victim

111

Snow debris and broken trees indicate previous avalanchesbe wary of repeat slides. If submerged, cover face. Make airhole as snow slows.

Everyone in your party should car ry an avalanche beacon. Should you lose someone in an avalanche, you can use your beacon to hone in on the radio signal emitted by the victims beacon and find them quickly.
Uncover head first. Send for help.

MORE INFORMATION Follow the * symbol to learn more about the how and why of the given step.

CROSS-REFERENCES When one activity just leads to another, well point it out. Follow the links for related or interesting information.
save a hypothermia victim

111

ICON GUIDE Throughout the book, handy icons show you just how its done. Here are the icons youll encounter.
TOOLS Everything youll need to perform an activity appears in the toolbars. Having a hard time deciphering an item? Turn to the tools glossary in the back of the book. Check out the timer to learn how much time a relatively short task takes. The calendar shows how many days, weeks, or months an activity requires. Look to the ther mometer to learn the temperature needed for a given action.

23
min

Repeat the depicted action the designated number of times.

The phone icon lets you know when its time to call for professional medical help. Danger! Avoid this if youre not trained. (Or if you dont want to get into trouble!)

MATH When measurements matter, find them right in the box. Handy angle icons help you do it from the right angle.
1 lb (450 g) in (1.25 cm)

A NOTE TO READERS The depictions in this book are presented for entertainment value only. Please keep the following in mind:
RISKY ACTIVITIES Certain activities in this book are not just risky but downright nutty (like #169, for example). Before attempting any new activity, make sure you are aware of your own limitations and have adequately researched all applicable risks. PROFESSIONAL ADVICE While every item has been carefully researched, this book is not intended to replace professional advice or training of a medical, architectural, sartorial, culinary, athletic, or therapeutic natureor any other professional advice, for that matter. PHYSICAL AND HEALTH-RELATED ACTIVITIES Be sure to consult a physician before attempting any activity involving physical exertion, particularly if you have a condition that could impair or limit your ability to engage in such an activity. Or if you dont want to look silly (see #75). ADULT CONTENT The activities in this book are intended for adults only. Some of them are probably unwise even for adults; use your common sense and discretion (if, for instance, you plan to attempt #39). BREAKING THE LAW The information in this book should not be used to break any applicable law or regulation. In other words, just dont even think about trying #60. Ever.

ZOOMS These little circles zoom in on a steps important details, or depict the steps crucial donts.

All information in this book has been carefully researched and fact-checked. However, the publisher makes no war ranty, express or implied, that the information is appropriate for every (or any!) individual, situation, or purpose, and assumes no responsibility for er rors or omissions. You assume the risk and full responsibility for all your actions, and the publishers will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special, or otherwise that may result from the information presented. Just between us, though, youre probably safe planting a garden (#40).

stock a bunker

Nuclear war may be pass, but a well-appointed underground bunker will never go out of style.

air filter periscope radio geiger counter

3 ft (1 m) underground

nonperishable foods

hand-cranked air exhaust

walls made from multiple thicknesses of lead, concrete, and packed dirt

extra clothing Remove clothing before entering bunker. chemical toilet

gas masks clean water Add 2 drops of bleach (containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) to each qt (1 l) of water ; wait thirty minutes before drinking.

prepare a flood dinghy

If you live in a flood-prone area, be ready to make a quick escape in a stocked dinghy, launched from an upper floor.

life vests radio blanket

oars

crowbar

rope

first-aid kit flashlight whistle boat patch kit air pump reflective tape rain gear

Nervous about home invaders? Stay safe in the comfort of your own home with a custom-built panic room.
Soundproof the walls and reinforce them with steel. intercom

set up a panic room

security cameras

security monitor

gas masks

buried phone line toilet

Hide the entrance behind a bookcase or in a closet.

water and nonperishable food

ventilated generator

If tornados are a concern in your town, partially bury an old school bus in your yard, then stock it with gear.
bus

bury a tornado shelter

clean water clean wool water blankets

first-aid kit

nonperishable food radio blankets

flashlight radio

flashlight