The

Rule of 20
A practical primer for crisis preparation,
wilderness skills, and survival in any
situation. Be prepared, no matter what gets
thrown at you.
Stay safe. Follow the Rule of 20.

www.SurvivalEngineers.com

Table of Contents
3

Introduction

The First 20 Minutes: When Disaster Hits Without Warning

The First 20 Hours: Evacuate or Stay?

The First 20 Days: Your Home as an Emergency Shelter

Alternative Shelters

11

Survival Retreats

11

The Significance of Water and Where to Find It

12

Cleaning Water

15

Storing Water

16

Nutrition and Food Storage

18

Ideal Foods for Stockpiling

19

Cooking Without a Kitchen

22

Electricity

24

Hygiene

25

First Aid

27

Signaling

28

Communication

30

Other People

31

Firearms

33

Tracking

35

Plant Identification

37

Closing Remarks

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Introduction
Learning survival skills is a worthwhile activity, even if youre never forced to put them to use in a life-ordeath situation. Not only does it sharpen your mind in unique ways, but it also instills within the
practitioner a general self of self-sufficiency, discipline, and independence. This book serves as an
introductory primer, covering 20 specific skills that will be invaluable in any number of harrowing
situations.
Theres a difference between simply reading something and really internalizing it, though. You can read
a book about playing the violin, but you wont be able to pick one up and make decent music without
practice. Muscle memory, instinct, and proper training are the keys to putting what you read here into
action. Ideally, this should lay a framework that you build upon over time.
That said, one of the biggest aids to any survivalists arsenal is learning how to think, and considering the
20 skills laid out here in a thoughtful manner will make a world of difference. Thats the true Rule of 20,
and one you cannot afford to ignore. In a crisis, your priorities will dramatically shift, with the safety of
yourself and your loved ones taking precedence over all else. And with that comes a new mindset
towards food, water, shelter, other people everything, in essence.
So, as you read, allow your mindset to change, and allow that evolving mindset to work its way into the
way you see your surroundings. Train yourself to be prepared on the day when your independence
becomes less of an abstract idea and more a matter of practical challenges.
The nature of disasters whether theyre natural, or brought about by the malicious actions of people
are as unique as they are numerous. For this reason, its worthwhile to consider the challenges you face
in terms of the length of the crisis. (For example, an event that poses a survival threat for 5 hours, while
deadly serious, is not helped by stockpiling food and water.)
Be prepared for:
1. The first 20 minutes
2. The first 20 hours
3. The first 20 days
And within those considerations, give some serious thought to the 20 crucial survival skills outlined here.

3|The Rule of 20

The First 20 Minutes

Survival Topic #1: When Disaster Hits
Without Warning
For many reasons that well discuss in upcoming sections, its preferable in numerous hypothetical
situations to dig in and make your home your fortress (or another structure, like a survival retreat) in the
event of a crisis. But what if youre out and about when it all hits the fan? What if youre at work during
a terrorist attack? Or, what if your home is destroyed or the area becomes unsafe? How many will lose
their lives in those first hours, if it all happens quickly and unexpectedly?
Its difficult to prepare for the vague possibility of a fast, unpredicted catastrophe or attack, but some
basic emergency safety knowledge and solid thinking on your feet will help you get to safety long
enough to plan your next move.

Unexpected, Unpredicted Catastrophes

Inside: In the event that youre in a building that is suffering significant damage, seek cover. Sturdy
tables and chairs will allow you get low and keep your head out of the way of any falling debris. Watch
for light fixtures, ceiling fans, and other things overhead theyre likely to fall.
Once youve taken stock of the situation, you can make moves to get out. Stay low and move quickly but
carefully. If the building is on fire, youve got more to think about. Staying low is even more important;
it will be significantly easier to breathe. Test doorknobs and handles with the back of your hand before
opening them if flames are on the other side, theyll heat the knob, and simply grabbing it can cause
extreme burns.
Outside: If youre outside and buildings are coming down, dont go inside. Move away from anything
that may fall, including streetlights, power lines, and telephone poles. Shrapnel, flying glass, and falling
walls are among the biggest causes of casualties associated with buildings falling.

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If you find yourself trapped under a building that has collapsed, do not light a lighter or match for light.
Structural damage to buildings can cause gas leaks, and exposing the fumes to a flame (especially in an
enclosed space) could trigger an explosion. Cover your face with cloth to avoid inhaling dust. You can
signal your presence to rescuers by tapping on pipes or walls. Depending on the situation outside, you
may not love the idea of being found, but if youre trapped under wreckage, chances are you have little
choice.
Once youre clear of the initial dangers, you can get yourself to safety and plan your next move.

The First 20 Hours

Survival Topic #2:
Evacuate or Stay?
Leaving Home Behind
With any luck, youll have some warning before the crisis situation becomes critical and youll be able to
evacuate from home. Its not ideal to need to leave, but you should be prepared for all situations. At
home, were on our own turf, and any preparations weve made can pay off. There are definite
advantages to digging in when the situation allows for it, but thats a luxury that nobody can count on.
Consider a military or terrorism event, a natural disaster, or a biological catastrophe any of the dozens
of scenarios in which staying put might spell the end of things. In a situation like this, it may become
necessary for you and your loved ones to simply leave, and to leave as quickly as humanly possible. If
you have some foreknowledge that a situation is impending, you may be able to stock up on last-minute
supplies. However, you probably wont be the only one doing it. Check out the first of our two free
bonus books, 20 Items That Sell Out When Disaster Hits.

The Bug-Out Bag

Heres where your bug-out bag comes in, a compact pack that you can just grab and go.
Traditionally, the bug-out bag is a kit designed with the bare minimum to keep you alive for 72
hours while evacuating so you can get to safety. These are a staple among survivalists, relatively
easy and inexpensive to assemble, and absolutely worth it in a serious crisis.
Furthermore, thinking about your bug-out bag is a useful thought exercise considering why
each item is important and how it might be used will help you with the most important skill of
all, cultivating a survivalist mindset.
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In fact, this topic is so important that weve devoted an additional bonus guide to it. Thats a
free gift to you, so see 20 Items For Your Bug-Out Bag for more information.

Know Where Youre Going

You need to have an idea of where youre going. Stop and think about that now, not later. Many
experienced survivalists have a place in mind retreats are among the most common, especially if you
or a loved one owns a secluded cabin, lake house, or something similar. (Well discuss survival retreats in
more depth in the next topics discussion.) Maybe its a neighboring city that you have reason to believe
will be out of harms way or where you intend to rendezvous with other loved ones. Whatever your
place, have one in mind. Leaving the house and wandering aimlessly will, of course, get you nowhere.
Be realistic about your options. Many people new to the survivalist mindset default to thinking about
life after civilization crumbles as a kind of cautious seclusion in the wilderness, staying out of sight of
others and living off of the land. The problem is that this is far, far harder than most people seem to
assume. The amount of food actually needed to sustain a person through hunting, gathering, and
farming is staggering, as is the work necessary to procure it. And thats in adverse conditions (which
youll also have to live in). Very few of us are self-sufficient enough to work this situation effectively. By
reading a guide like this, youre taking a first step towards getting there, but its important to keep a
clear head about the realities of living in the wild. Its not the best option for every situation.
Have a plan in place and discuss it with loved ones ahead of time. If, for example, your family is
separated during a crisis, everyone needs to know the place to try and meet at.

Know How Youre Getting There

Lets talk about cars. If its time to get out of Dodge, most people are going to attempt to do it in their
cars. Being behind the wave will result in being stuck in traffic, which you dont want, so when youve
made the decision to go, commit to it and do so quickly. If the situation is extremely dire and youre
looking at casualties, abandoned vehicles, and general chaos, you might have your choice of vehicles. In
that case, expect fuel to be scarce (can you stop at a gas station?) and roads to be problematic.
Consider the distance from your home to the place youre fleeing to. What is the likelihood that youll
have the amount of fuel needed in your car to get there without re-fueling? It may be worthwhile for
you to keep spare fuel somewhere, though do so at your own risk. Gasoline is extremely flammable,
after all.
If turns out that you need to appropriate a car, youd want to consider a balance between fuel efficiency
and utility. An SUV, for instance, may be able to handle adverse conditions better than a compact coup,
though that same SUV may become useless if it runs out of gas halfway to your destination, leaving you

6|The Rule of 20

stranded. One way is to plan on changing vehicles often, if you think thats a possibility, but as always,
every situation is different.

The First 20 Days

Survival Topic #3: Your Home as an
Emergency Shelter
What is your house?
Its more than a place to keep your things and hang out with your family. At its most basic, a home
serves a single purpose: to protect you from harm. Walls put a barrier between you and the elements as
well as other people and animals. In a crisis, you will need shelter, whether its your own home, indoors
elsewhere, or one you construct in an outdoor setting. Think of this as your base camp, no matter
how minimalist it may be.

Regulating Body Temperature

In order to understand the importance of shelters, its critical that you understand that regulating your
bodys temperature is absolutely vital in a survival situation.
Your bodys regular temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celcius). Hypothermia occurs
when your body temperature is below that, and hyperthermia occurs when its above it. Youll start
seeing negative effects if either of these persists for too long. Conditions that will increase your
problems:
1) Exposure to wind
2) Lying on uninsulated ground
3) Wearing damp or wet clothing
4) Clothing thats too thin (especially on the head or feet)
These are mainly issues we tend to think about in regards to cold weather, but theyre problematic in
hot weather, too. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion have hit many an unthoughtful person in even safe
conditions on hot summer days.

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Your Home as a Shelter

Think about the natural temperature of your rooms if left unattended. Rooms with windows facing solar
south will heat up in sunlight the light pours through the windows, but cannot escape the room as
easily, causing the room to heat. Its the same effect as getting into your car in the summer after its
been out in the sun and finding that it feels like an oven. Here, we can use it to our advantage. Keep the
windows clean to allow light in, then cover them at night to help heat retention.
Theres also an issue of space. The smaller the space to heat, the more efficiently it will warm. You can
compound the effect by sleeping in a small space that traps your body heat, whether thats a little
compartment with blankets and furniture or even a tent or lean-to within the room. Youre borrowing
the idea that makes igloos work. Your bodys natural metabolic heat will be trapped more fully there,
while the room is heated by sunlight. Thats double the warmth of a random cool room in your home
with virtually no effort.
As you likely know, heat rises. This is something else to remember. An upstairs room will stay hot longer,
especially as heat from the lower rooms escapes upwards into the upper.
IMPORTANT: People are going to want to make fires in their indoor shelters, especially when its cold,
but this can have fatal consequences. Damaged homes can have gas leaks, which may trigger an
explosion. Burning fuel in heaters or building a fire can cause deadly carbon monoxide to build up in the
enclosed space, which is odorless and deadly. Entire families have died in their sleep in homes that
arent even damaged, but have a carbon monoxide leak.

Heating Home Shelters

Traditional fireplaces are less and less common in newer homes as more people opt for electric or gas
fireplaces, which will be of no use in the event of grid failure. People with old-school fireplaces,
however, will be among the few who can safely build a fire indoors. Again, dont use fireplaces that have
been in disuse for long periods of time, as this can result in chimney fires. When in doubt, dont risk it.
Remember, you can no longer expect the fire department to come and help you.
Woodstoves are better, though even more rare. Most of the heat from fireplace fires is lost through the
chimney, but woodstoves conduct heat and warm a room much more thoroughly. Its unlikely you have
a woodstove in your home, but if youre building or buying a Survival Retreat, theyre a smart alternative
to fireplaces.

8|The Rule of 20

Wood 101:
Not all firewood is created equally. Wood with a high BTU count (British Thermal Units) needs less heat
to release more energy, so it burns more quickly and brightly. If youre stockpiling your own wood that
you cut yourself, you can do some research ahead of time about the BTU counts of the trees common to
your area. Conifers like pine and cedar may smell nice, but they dont burn as well.
If youre stockpiling, keep your firewood elevated off the ground. A common way is to create a platform
by laying plywood or 2x4s on blocks or logs, then stack the wood atop that. If possible, cover the pile
with a tarp and/or put one beneath. Wood thats allowed to lie on the ground is more likely to become
infested with bugs and will soak up groundwater and dew (which will rot it). Dry wood always burns
better than wet.
In a pinch, you can burn anything wooden, but its not always safe. Chemically treated or painted wood
will give off toxic fumes, which is the last thing you need. Particle board and plywood also burn
poisonously due to the glue used in their construction.
Lastly, depriving burning materials of oxygen will make them burn more slowly. Loose brush in piles, for
example, will burn very quickly, but itll take longer if its packed in a tight bundle.

Survival Topic #4: Alternative Shelters

Of course, you may be forced to seek shelter outside the home. When considering using a standing
structure as a shelter and/or building one, two things are important: the shelters ability to trap your
body heat and its ability to keep out rain, wind, etc. If possible, your shelter should be as well hidden as
possible. You never know who might stumble upon you, and the closer they need to be to do that, the
better.
In towns and cities, you might choose to use abandoned buildings. If looting is occurring, places that
look like theyll make good targets are to be avoided again, you dont want unexpected company. If
buildings have been damaged, try to check for structural damage. You dont want it collapsing on you in
your sleep, after all.

Building a Shelter Outdoors

In an outdoor setting, however, youll likely need to make your own shelter from scratch. Dont pick a
spot randomly. Make a thorough sweep of the area, scanning for natural features of the terrain that
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might be to your use. If its cold, for example, setting up shop in a place that gets plenty of sunlight will
keep you warmer during the day. The terrain can also offer you a solid surface to work with. For
instance, setting up a shelter against a rock wall gives you at least one side of a shelter that will
completely block the wind, as well as absorb and conduct heat from sunlight, keeping the shelter
warmer. Alternatively, in hot weather a shady spot (especially one that gets wind) will help keep you
cool. Too much direct sunlight, however, even in a cool climate, is to be avoided, as sunburn will cause
problems with proper hydration.
Cave mouths, if theyre not inhabited by animals, are pretty ideal. Theyre great for keeping out the
elements, and the temperature inside caves is generally temperate. Furthermore, theyre easy to miss,
allowing you to remain well hidden.
When we talk about wilderness shelters, many people think instantly of lean-tos made of wood and
brush, which may work for you in a pinch but are not at all ideal. They wont keep you warm or dry, the
two most important factors. If you have tarps, rope, or anything else, you should take advantage of that.
Tarps are sheets of waterproof material made to be fastened in a variety of ways. Theyre flexible and
useful in a number of survival situations, from catching some momentary shade to catching rainwater to
drink. Theyre an exceptionally useful tool for survivability. Consider how large and heavy theyll be
when rolled up and carried when purchasing one. Also, youre best off springing for UV-protected
versions, as exposure to sunlight will wear out and eventually ruin tarps.
Tents are something most of us are familiar with, even those among us who arent big outdoorsmen. A
solid, dependable tent doesnt have to be expensive, but cheaply made tents will show problems very
quickly, even when set up correctly. A tent that leaks, collapses frequently, or is prone to tearing is
almost as useless as no tent at all. A solid tent is a great investment, and even if you never need to use it
in a survival situation, youll have it for camping trips and family outings.
When you buy a tent, make sure to set it up and stay in it at least one night. When youre on the move
in a crisis is the worst time to have to learn to set up your tent. Furthermore, sleeping in it at least once
will give you an idea of what to expect when you have to sleep in it. Does it leak? Do bugs get inside?
How much sunlight gets in the mornings, and how does that affect the temperature? All of these things
are things youll be happy to have learned if your tent becomes your primary shelter for any length of
time.
Sleeping in automobiles is another way of getting shelter, and you may find yourself doing this if youre
traveling by car or van. In this situation, your main consideration should be where you park. Shady spots
can keep it from getting too hot and stuffy if its warm outside. On the flip side, facing solar south in
sunlight can warm your car up considerably in the afternoons.
Just as in other indoor spaces, dont make fires in cars even candles to avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning.

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Survival Topic #5: Survival Retreats

Many professional survival consultants swear by survival retreats. A survival retreat is a home away
from home, often a mountain home or cabin that you could head to when things get heated. Even if
your survival retreat is never used in a crisis, youve still got a great place to visit when you need to get
away from it all or just take the kids to the woods for an outdoor weekend.
An ideal survival retreat will not be grid-dependent in the least. In upcoming sections well discuss
specifics, but there are a variety of means to supply a small living space with electricity and water
independent of the outside world.
Whats more, your survival retreat offers privacy and isolation, which may be invaluable in a hostile
situation. You may find that you are much more familiar and comfortable with the surroundings than
strangers as well, allowing you some added security. Finally, a survival retreat may be easier to defend if
necessary, especially if you take the time ahead of time to consider lines of sight, engagement ranges,
and points of entry ahead of time.

Survival Topic #6: The Significance of

Water and Where to Find It
Understanding the Significance of Water
Water is the most important part of staying alive. It is a necessary component in every biological
function, all the way to the cellular level. When one considers this, it seems strange that Americans are
so far removed from their water sources in some communities, even the tap water in homes is of
questionable quality, and more and more people drink only bottled water.
Most people are, essentially, chronically dehydrated. We tend to drink when thirsty, but thirst is the
bodys indication that we are already significantly dehydrated. Long before dehydration becomes a
serious health risk, it causes subtler adverse effects: the body becomes weaker, more prone to heat
stroke and hypothermia, judgment is impaired, and reflexes are slowed. In a survival situation more
than any other, you need to be at the top of your game, and hydration is a crucial component in this.
You will likely need to train yourself to drink more and more often, within the limits of your resources.
Some people are at extra risk, and if youre traveling in a group, keep a keen eye on them:

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1) Pregnant women are drinking for two, and have an additional physical burden that requires
more energy.
2) People at high altitudes and in extreme climates will lose water more quickly than those at sea
level and in temperate climates. At high altitudes, the body has to work harder due to having
less oxygen, and the cooler air draws more moisture from the lungs as we breathe. Those in hot
climates will sweat more, which will also accelerate moisture loss.
3) People with burns can lose water through these wounds. The skin is the bodys largest organ,
and it also stores a large amount of water.
4) Children process water more quickly. They also may resist drinking and eating. Worst of all, its
hard to train a child to recognize symptoms of dehydration, so they may not bring them to your
attention until theres already a significant problem.
5) Sick people can lose massive amounts of water through vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive
sweating. Diarrhea, while a nuisance more than anything in most countries, is a serious killer in
third world countries, especially among infants and children.

Where to Find Water

Springwater is the best naturally occurring water source, if youre lucky enough to have access to it.
Flowing water is always better than standing water. Even though the water may look clear, however, its
best to treat it if possible or at least UV sterilize it, as many diseases are waterborne. Grazing animals
may defecate in the streams, sending parasites and bacteria downstream right into the water youre
drinking.
Standing water from ponds and puddles is a poorer choice for drinking. Besides being generally filthy,
there may be things lying beneath the surface that you cant see, such as dead fish, animal corpses, etc.,
none of which you want in your water supply. However, standing water can be used to water plants,
manually flush toilets, cleaning, and washing clothes.
Well water is another good option, as long as you can get to it. Some people use electric pumps to
gather well water, and with no electricity this is no good. But photovoltaic systems are available, as are
hand-pump mechanisms. The simplest option is a torpedo bucket, a normal plastic bucket on a rope
with a valve at the bottom, designed to catch water as its pulled back up.
Hidden home sources are often questionable to drink, but useful for cleaning, watering plants, and
flushing toilets. Were talking about rainwater collected in gutters and downspouts, hot tubs, and pools.
Depending on your home, you may have a lot of extra water on hand, and if you can safely treat it, it
may be enough to keep you alive for a long period of time.
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Survival Topic #7: Cleaning Water

So youve got water. Now its time to make it safe to drink. This isnt as complicated a process as some
might think, and a little know-how may save your life.

Filtration
The first step is to pre-filter the water, removing any large, visible particles and debris from it. The most
simple way is to simply pour it through a towel or cloth. The water wont be clean yet, but youll catch
rocks, sand, and other large particles.
Filtering water more thoroughly is best accomplished using a water filtration system. Many small
options exist, including pocket filters. Theyre easily found in outdoor stores, but youll want to be on
the ball ahead of time and get one before you have to have it, not after. When things get nasty, youre
going to have a much harder time getting your hands on the equipment you need. There are more
primitive and basic ways to filter water, but theyre much harder to work properly than simply buying a
device that works for you.

Boiling
Boiling water is the simplest way to ensure that its purified. Water needs to boil for at least 5 minutes
to be safe, but closer to 20 is ideal. At home, youd simply boil water in a pot atop your stove, but in the
absence of those luxuries, youll have to use alternatives.
If you have a pot, you can of course boil water on any fire you build. Without a pot, a common way is
rock boiling. Its simple: heat rocks in a fire, then drop them into your water container. The heat will
transfer from the stones to the water. Of course, take note of your container putting fire-heated
stones in a plastic container might melt the container, for example.

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Ultraviolent Purification

UV Treatment requires special equipment, and the currently available devices come in a wide range of
sizes and prices. Your needs will vary depending on your situation (are you on the move, or holed up in a
house?) and your budget. UV Treatment doesnt actually kill bacteria, germs, and viruses, but it renders
them harmless so that they pass through your digestive system without causing problems.

Calcium Hypochlorite
Calcium Hypochlorite is commonly known as pool shock, and it can be used to treat large amounts of
water at once. However, you need to understand the process fully and perform it carefully. One
teaspoon of shock per 2 gallons of water (no metal containers!), plus 1 part chlorine solution to 100
parts water. Its going to smell like chlorine, and thats okay.
Dont use tri-chlor or di-chlor varieties. These contain added chemicals and are certainly unsafe.
Varieties with antifungal or clarifier additives are also unsafe.

Water Purification Tablets

There are also tablets available at any outdoors store that are made specifically for this purpose. They
typically rely on iodine and, while not perfect, are an easy, lightweight option. Its good to have many
different ways to tackle any given challenge, so carrying these in conjunction with other methods is
good.

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SODIS: Solar Water Disinfection

SODIS is not your best option, but its probably the simplest. All it requires is sunlight and plastic PET
bottles, and this method is endorsed by the World Health Organization if its the only option available.
Its used frequently in third world countries.
Of course, filter the water as thoroughly as possible first. Then, expose the bottles to as much sunlight as
possible. Setting them on metal roofs or other reflective surfaces (tin foil, space blankets, etc) will
increase the efficiency of disinfection. The water needs to remain exposed to the sun for at least 6
hours, but longer is better.

Survival Topic #8: Storing Water

The Basics
A gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. Whether youre storing water in bulk at your home or you need
containers that you can travel with, always keep in mind how much theyre going to weigh when full. If
youve got 50-gallon drums of water in your garage and expect to load them into the back of a truck by
yourself, you might run into problems.
Opaque containers are better than transparent containers. When water is exposed to sunlight, algae
grows (even in sealed containers), but opaque containers can help slow the process down. (Milk is often
sold in yellow jugs for similar reasons.) You can make transparent containers opaque, of course. You can
paint them, wrap them in duct tape (you should have plenty of it by now), or even just cover it with a
tarp. The algae is not really dangerous, but its not pleasant to drink, either. If algae does grow, you can
treat it with chlorine, the same as a pool, then rinse the container.
Plan on using sealable containers. Open water sources will become dirty, collect germs and bacteria, and
end up as cesspools. Local wildlife will also get into it, like every other water source, and may fall in and
drown or just leave behind feces. This will, of course, cause problems if you intend to drink it. Its not
as important if this is water youve set aside to water plants, clean, or other things, though.
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Container Options
Consider storage containers in terms of portable and non-portable varieties. If youve got a survival
retreat, your home, or base camp of some sort, you can use much larger containers for stocking up on
extra water supplies. If youll be moving around, you need something more lightweight.
As far as products made specifically for this, camping water bottles and camelbacks are good. Nalgene
bottles are extremely popular in general, and theyre renowned for the punishment they can take. There
are also camping style jerry cans that come with special spouts for pouring (theyre heavy when full).
Both of these containers use plastic caps that can break when dropped, so buy extra caps. If your cap
breaks, your container is useless not good when youre on the move.
Re-using household products is another way. Use sturdy, opaque jugs if possible. Milk jugs, for example,
can tear or break easily. Bottles used for storing chemicals are often among the best, but theres always
a chance small amounts of the chemicals will remain in the container (especially if they contain additives
like scents or phosphates.) Use your best judgment and keep your eyes open at the grocery store.

Survival Topic #9: Nutrition and Food

Storage
When stockpiling food, concentrate on nutrition vs. volume. Dried foods and canned goods are the basic
staples of a survivalists stash, but not all non-perishable foods are created equally. A can of mixed
vegetables will supply you with more nutrients than a can of Spaghetti-Ohs. Your health, after all, will
be your number one priority, and cutting corners with irresponsible eating is a terrible idea. The same
goes for portions and frequency of meals youll want to ration your food in a disciplined fashion. In our
everyday lives, being undisciplined in our diets is unhealthy, but its not fatal. In a survival situation, that
sort of behavior isnt going to cut it.
Being disciplined gets easier quickly, by the way. The average American eats significantly more than they
need to survive, a luxury of our relatively affluent conditions. Your bodys hunger mechanism adjusts to
suit eating habits, so the more you eat, the more often you get hungry. Luckily, the flipside is also true:
after a few days of disciplined eating, youll get hungry less often. Then, that discipline gets easier to
maintain. As a good general thought exercise, you should try and get a feel now for how much food you
actually need on any given day. Its not the same for everyone, and people with more mass require more
energy. And when we say more mass, dont think fat people vs. skinny people. Tall people and
muscular people also have more mass. Men require more than women, and young people require more
than older people.
Youll need to maintain your caloric intake as carefully as you can. This is primarily achieved through
eating carbohydrates and fats. Carbs are burned in the short-term for energy every day, and a lack of
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carbs will send your energy level into the dumps faster than anything except a lack of water. When the
body is deficient in carbs, fat is burned and converted to energy instead.
Your diet is going to become much simpler, perhaps even primitive, and that means you need to
readjust your habits and learn to eat all over again. Think in terms of function instead of pleasure.

Storage Basics
Keeping your food as isolated as possible is the way to go. Sealed containers will keep non-perishable
food items safe to eat for a very long time, and youll need a variety of containers in a variety of sizes.
Re-sealable containers like Ziplock bags can be used to store food once its initially opened, if it comes in
a larger package to begin with. Do be careful about rodents when using plastic bags, however rats in
particular will not hesitate to gnaw through just about anything to get to food. Keeping your stockpile
elevated is one way to at least hinder their progress.
Its not just rodents that can hurt your stored food, of course. Moisture, heat, sunlight, and oxygen are
all things to protect your food from. Keep it sealed tightly, off of the ground, in a cool, sunless place, if
possible.
Even sealed foods will lose nutrition over time, so try to rotate them regularly. First in, first out. After
two years, for example, canned foods will not be very nutritious anymore.

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Survival Topic #10: Ideal Foods for

Stockpiling
If youve got forewarning that problems are coming, or if youre simply always trying to live a very
prepared lifestyle, there are certain foods that will give you more bang for your buck.
Whole Wheat

Wheat is the grain of choice for most survivalists for its ease of preparation and its nutritional value.
Wheat is either hard or soft. Hard wheat is better for bread baking, and soft is better for pasta.
Preparing either variety, however, will often require you to grind the wheat into flour, at which point it
will begin losing its nutritional value quickly. Storing flour ahead of time, in other words, is not a good
idea. Make it and then use it quickly.
Other Grains
Varietys not a bad thing. Rice, oats, rye, and many others are also good grain choices. If youre not
much of a cook, experiment now and familiarize yourself with your preferred tastes and preparation
methods.
Honey
Honey is the best all-purpose sweetener for long-term storage. The honey in grocery stores is usually
mixed with corn syrup, but there are purer varieties available. Honey is not only delicious, but it takes
ages for it to spoil. Honey is a raw food, so dont feed it to infants, as it poses health risks.

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Salt
Its easy to underestimate the value of salt, since its present in so many foods we typically eat and we
often dont even notice it. Your cells have a certain balance of sodium and potassium that is vital to their
functionality, and a lack of salt causes cells to perform improperly. Whats more, sweat is very salty, so
we constantly lose salt through perspiration. Salt is also an excellent preservative that you can use in
pickling and canning. Packing meat with salt will add to its longevity as well.
Legumes
Beans will be the main contender in this category. Legumes may
become your primary source of protein, depending on your
resources. Its much easier to cook stored beans than it is to hunt
down animals for meat, though perhaps not as much fun.
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk comes in whole, skim, and low-fat varieties, just like
normal milk, and you can add it to many recipes for a boost of
protein. The less fat it has, the longer it will take to spoil.
Fats and Oils
Fats and oils are an important part of your nutritional intake. Dont
get stuck in that conventional modern mindset that these are to be
avoided, which is largely born of the fact that our diets generally
contain more than enough fats and oils as it is. When youre eating a simpler, minimal diet in a survival
situation, you may need to go out of your way to take in some fats. Cooking with lard, shortening, and
cooking oil is a good way to get a bit in your diet.

Survival Topic #11: Cooking Without a

Kitchen
Even if youre staying put in your home, you wont be able to use microwaves, ranges, ovens, and other
appliances in the event of grid failure. Camping over a campfire is a simple way to solve this problem, if
possible, as are cook stoves and grills (remember that you probably wont be able to replace tanks on
your gas grill if you run out).
But what about an oven? Here youve got a lot of do-it-yourself options, and many of them require little
preparation. Solar cookers, like the SODIS method for water purification, are used in third world
countries with success. They all work on the same basic principles, which well discuss by taking a closer
look at two popular designs:

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Box Cookers

A box cooker is deceptively simple. You can make one from a cardboard box, then coat the insides with
tinfoil or mirrors. The bottom needs to be black (you can paint it if necessary), which captures the heat
from sunlight. The reflective surfaces push heat towards the black surface. Most of the heat escapes
upwards (through the pot or dish with the food youre cooking), but some will escape through the
cardboard, so you can insulate this if youd like. Wrapping it in duct tape is a good option. Anything
inside the cooker needs to be able to withstand high temperatures, or it will melt or catch on fire, the
same as a traditional over.
You need a lid to put over the box when its open and cooking plastic or glass. Plastic wrap will even
work. The suns rays can get in, but the produced heat gets trapped. Glass is harder to work with
(especially since its heavy and breakable), but plastic is prone to tearing. Luckily, its also easy to keep
plenty of spare plastic on hand.

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Panel Cookers

Panel cookers work the same way as box cookers, but theyre even simpler. The one in this picture is
simply folded cardboard, lined with tinfoil. A black pot is held inside a larger glass one. Again, sunlight is
directed towards the two pots, where it passes through the glass and is absorbed by the black. Heat is
trapped relatively well within the glass pot.
These solar cookers take a long time to cook food, but they can be set up and then left to cook
throughout the hot afternoon hours, leaving you a meal thats ready to eat after the sun goes down.
These two solar cooker designs are simple, but there are hundreds of variants, all working on the same
principles.

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Survival Topic #12: Electricity

Living in the absence of the electric grid doesnt necessarily mean you have to do without electricity, at
least if you prepare ahead of time. Your options improve greatly if you have a dedicated retreat or base
camp (again, including your home).

Batteries
Flashlights, lanterns, communication equipment, and many other devices will require batteries.
Rechargeable batteries are the obvious choice, especially NiMH low-self discharge (LSD) batteries. You
should store more than you think youll need if you intend to use these, and keep them out of moisture
by packing them in plastic bags.
Of course, you need electricity to recharge these batteries. Devise a system ahead of time, even if its as
simple as a hand-crank generator system. For a more heavy duty electricity supply, your best options are
solar, wind, and water power.

Photovoltaic Electricity (Solar Panels)

Depending on where you live, your mileage with solar panels will vary. However, even a small panel that
doesnt get a great deal of sunlight should prove sufficient to recharge batteries. If you buy a small rig to
charge batteries, make sure it has a standard connector that your batteries will work with.
Its beyond the scope of this guide to teach you all the specifics of photovoltaic systems and how to
work with them, but theyre absolutely worth looking into. They can be expensive, but some systems,
while self-sufficient, can remain connected to the grid, allowing you to sell back extra electricity to your
local power company, gaining a bit of extra income. If youre in a sunny spot, this may be a great idea.

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There are some that require on-grid electricity in addition to the panels to power your home, which is
not a good choice. And there are systems completely isolated from the grid.
Portable systems also exist, most of them easy to transport in a vehicle. Obviously, they are not
powerful enough to provide the sort of electricity youre probably used to consuming now, but theyre
enough to charge batteries for communications equipment, electric lanterns, etc.
If your choice of system is portable enough to be stolen (and youre in a place where youre worried
about looting), or if your system isnt waterproof (not all of them are) its alright to set panels up behind
southern-facing windows.

Hydroelectric Generators
Water power isnt going to work for most people, but some survivalists use it at their survival retreats, if
theyre located near a river or sizeable creek. Pelton wheel generators are the most commonly used for
this purpose, and they can provide a decent amount of off-grid electricity.

Wind Generators

Wind generators are not as useful as solar panels for most people, but if you live in an area where its
often overcast or your base camp location doesnt get direct sunlight, you may have no choice but to try
wind generators.
The problems with most wind generators are pretty numerous theyre hard to set up, for one, since
they need to be elevated. Typically outside professionals need to be called in to set them up on a tower,
and if something should malfunction after the fact, youll have to climb the tower and attempt to repair
it, which isnt at all safe. They also stand out for miles, depending on the terrain, which will alert any
unwanted visitors in the area to your location.
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However, there is an exception: there are lightweight tip-up models that can be raised or lowered at
will. These are easier to maintain and set up, and when theres no wind you can lower it. You can also
opt to only use it at night (when it wont be so visible), if obscurity is a high priority in your situation.
Coupling a tip-up tower with an easy, lightweight generator turbine system is a viable option.

Survival Topic #13: Hygiene

As weve mentioned before, the survivalists experience is much like traveling back in time modern
conveniences no longer available, no simple access to medicine and modern medical advances, and a
generally more primitive lifestyle. Within that, theres something people take for granted: hygiene.
Pathogens in feces, bacteria, and generally uncleanliness cause numerous problems. Dysentery, for
example, kills a great many people living in unsanitary conditions. Being mindful of hygiene in a survival
crisis is not only important in keeping yourself healthy, but will also simply make your everyday life a bit
more pleasant.

The main thing: designating a bathroom.

There are reasons we have dedicated restrooms in our homes. One of these is that isolating our dirty
business from the rest of our living space decreases the chances of contamination. If youre in a home or
cabin or something similar, thats no issue at all; youll have a bathroom anyways. If youre camping
outdoors or setting up camp in an abandoned building, however, youll want to designate a specific
place as a bathroom.
There are other reasons to do this, too. Especially if youre outdoors, it will make it less likely that a
member of your group gets lost in the night while wandering far away from the camp to use the
restroom. Or (and this is more of a problem in enclosed buildings) it will keep people from slipping on
someone elses mess when they go to use the restroom. Depending on the situation, getting clean may
be a big problem for you, after all.
If youre outdoors, considering the space is important due to water carrying pathogens. Uninformed
individuals often use streams since it helps keep things cleaner, but anyone downstream will, of course,
be in the path. If anyone is upstream of you that youre aware of, you should assume for safetys sake
that theyre using the river or creek as a latrine, too.
Many avid campers carry little homemade toiletry kits, which are typically just a small spade and a roll of
toilet paper. Burying your waste is a good idea for many reasons: it decreases the chances someone will
come across your waste and realize youre there, keeps the smell down, and decreases the chances of
leakage. If it rains, any waste thats sitting on top of the ground is going to get carried downstream,
potentially into your camp or water sources.

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In many places without plumbing and modern toilets, people use alternatives that are easily
reproduced. A bucket is one simple option, and you can lay planks over it to sit on while using it. This is
easiest if you use a garbage bag or plastic bag of some sort to line the bucket, so you can simply remove
the bag and dispose of it later without having to find ways to clean the bucket itself as frequently.
Camping stores also sell portable toilet lids.
Finally, if youre at home, you can manually flush many toilets by pouring water into the bowl itself. If
you have a supply of disposable water, you can use your homes toilet even without running water this
way.

Germs, infections, and general sickness

A bottle of hand sanitizer goes a long way in avoiding the spread of germs. Face masks are another good
thing to carry, particularly if youre in a group. If one of your members falls ill, keeping the illness from
spreading to others will become a high priority, and face masks are a good first step. Latex gloves are
another thing to carry and use whenever dealing with a sick person or handling unsanitary materials.

Survival Topic #14: First Aid

In an emergency, the hardcore survivalist lifestyle leaves you even more prone than normal to health
problems and injury, as may threats from other people. Whats more, nothing can be taken for granted
tiny problems that we shrug off in our everyday lives with a prescription and some ointment may
become huge, even fatal problems when ignored. Preventative measures and general looking after your
health are your greatest assets, but when push comes to shove youre probably going to need some
form of treatment at some point. When that time comes, youll want those supplies on hand and the
knowledge of how and when to use them.

Useful Supplies
Well break these down into a few different categories.
Medication
Antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)

Painkillers

Antihistamines

Anti-Diarrhea Meds and Laxatives

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Infection can become a serious problem without access to proper medical help, and unclean living
conditions increase the likelihood of infection. Whats more, many of the things likely to cause cuts and
abrasions broken glass, splinters, etc are going to be more common in a crisis. Painkillers have
obvious uses, so keep what works best for you on hand. The strongest over the counter painkillers will
have things like Codeine in them. Antihistamines will prove useful for those with allergy problems,
particularly helpful if you expect to be spending a lot of time outdoors. Be aware that many
antihistamines will cause severe drowsiness. Finally, anti-diarrhea medication and laxatives will help you
combat a common affliction among travelers and campers: bowel irregularity. Be especially mind of
your hydration, as diarrhea causes severe dehydration, as will using laxatives to cure constipation.
Bandages
Band-aids

Gauze

Athletic Bandages

Medical Tape

Cold Packs

Butterfly bandages

Band-aids should be of the waterproof variety, preferably cloth over the cheap plastic. Some people
claim that covered wounds should occasionally be allowed to breathe or air out, but in actuality that
only increases the chances of infection. Gauze, coupled with medical tape, can create homemade
bandages suitable for a variety of wounds. Athletic bandages are reusable and work well in conjunction
with cold packs to help treat sprains, muscle soreness, etc. Butterfly bandages are excellent for holding
together deep cuts, even ones that might normally require stitches. There are medical glues that some
swear by for the same purposes, but their efficacy is a bit iffy depending on the wound, brand, etc. Use
your own best judgment.
Instruments:
Thermometers

Tweezers

Splinter Forceps

CPR mask

The uses of most of these are pretty self-evident. Forceps and tweezers can be used to remove shrapnel,
broken glass, splinters, and other things from cuts. Thermometers are invaluable for detecting fevers,
but avoid the glass mercury thermometers. You certainly dont want them to break, and you wont be
able to properly sanitize them after using them. Electronic disposable thermometers are cheap enough
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and effective enough that you dont need to consider an alternative. Finally, in the unfortunate event
that someone is hurt badly enough to require CPR, a CPR mask will help you avoid direct contact with
them, hopefully sidestepping the risk of catching any illness they may have.

Free Training
A short survival guide is no replacement for proper medical training, and serious individuals can get
serious training at little or no cost at all. Virtually every community has someplace offering courses
(sometimes free) in CPR and basic first aid. Volunteering as an EMT is also a possibility. These are all
worthwhile skills to learn in general, so if youve got the time, its worthwhile to invest some of it in
proper first aid training.

Survival Topic #15: Signaling

There are plenty of hypothetical times in which we can imagine you wouldnt want your presence to be
known, but there may also be times when you need to signal for help. It all depends on the situation and
your environment, but there are a few basic signaling techniques that are effective:
Fires and/or smoke
A signal fire and its accompanying smoke may be visible for many miles away. If youre in the type of
crisis in which enemies are present, of course, be aware that they may also see your signal. You dont
get the luxury of deciding who sees a signal fire.
Patterns and Messages
Obviously man-made patterns can catch the attention of people flying overhead or looking down from a
higher elevation. Arranging rocks, wood, or whatever else in a circular or X pattern is one option.
Color Contrast
Using bright colors against darker backgrounds obviously will stand out. Whether its paint, bright
clothes, tarps, or whatever, these will catch the attention of anyone who sees them.
Smaller signals can be used to signal neighboring survivalists if you have reason to believe others are
hiding or camping out. Marking your boundary in a subtle but noticeable way may not be visible or
obvious to threatening groups or from the air, but can be noticed by others in the same situation as you.
This will make them aware of your presence without you actually meeting them, which is certainly a
double-edged sword, depending on who they are. It may encourage them to steer clear, to approach
cautiously for trade or assistance, or in the worst case to sneak up with more sinister intent. As
always, be mindful.
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Survival Topic #16: Communication

In the event of large-scale catastrophe of any kind, communication systems tend to fail. News media
outlets are inundated with information and will pass much of it on for the sake of the scoop, whether
its reliable or not. Media outlets may also have agendas of their own or be controlled by entities with
agendas. The more hectic the news day, the less reliable the news becomes, but even unreliable news
can be useful to you if you sift through it and find the kernels of truth common among conflicting
sources. Having information at your disposal is important during dangerous times, as it will help you
predict events as they come and plan your moves with intelligence.
All communication is either one-way or two-way. Telling the difference between the two is trickier than
you might think using modern electronic communication systems, but in terms of basic understanding,
think of simple human dialogue: one-way communication would be secretly listening in on someones
conversation. Youre taking information in, but giving nothing (including your presence) away. Two-way
communication would be a conversation.
In the digital age, the same concepts apply. And while more information is always to your benefit, you
should carefully consider what information you give others who may be listening. You may not want
your location known, for instance, and the locations of cell phones, computers, and radio broadcasters
can all be tracked through triangulation or IP address (in the case of Internet use).
Whats more, virtually all voice lines are unprotected once their signals are in the air. Terrestrial phone
lines, while easily bugged or monitored, at least dont travel through the air. Cordless phone and cell
phone conversations are easily intercepted, even by private individuals with the right equipment (which
is purchasable at your local Radio Shack). Same goes for short-wave radios, CB radios, and walkie-talkies.
However, they can be useful for communicating with other members of your group, and especially if you
use coded language you can limit the amount of information youre putting out there people listening
in will know someones out there, but nothing else. Thats pretty low value information in many cases.
Cell phones, by the way, are among the first to go in big emergencies, since they rely on towers run on
the electric grid.

Ham Radio
Ham (or short-wave) radios can pick up signals from all over the world. They can broadcast if theyre set
up to do so, or they can just passively listen in. Theyre not the simplest things in the world to use, but
theyre also not terribly complicated. Theres a wealth of information on the Internet about them that
you can peruse, or you might consider joining a ham radio group in your town. Theyre more common
than youd think.
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AM/FM Radio
AM/FM radios are extremely common, and youve probably already got a few. These are a good way to
keep up on emergency information and news, and they dont necessarily require an electricity source.
There are models available with hand-crank generators built in that you can carry with you anywhere.
Be sure to scan both the FM and AM frequencies, as many government broadcasts use the AM band.

CB Radio
Citizens Band Radios are for more than just truckers. Many hobbyists use them,
especially since they can often pick up broadcasts from very far away. Powering
these will likely be problematic (theyre also quite heavy sometimes), but
coupled with a supply of rechargeable batteries, they can be a good option for
communicating with others in your area to listen in or trade information.

Secret Communication Within Groups

From a safety standpoint, if youre traveling with a group its smart to set up
some secret signals (verbal or nonverbal) that you can use to communicate
without others noticing. For example: Someone happens upon your campsite.
While youre speaking with them, another member of the group notices they
have a weapon concealed. Thats something you need to know, but if your
partner says it out loud, this may complicate the situation. If they use a harmless code phrase, however
(i.e. the stars sure do look nice tonight) in the course of the conversation, you can communicate that
information without alerting the potential threat. Similarly, if members of your group leave your home
base for a time, people still at the home base may set up some sort of signal sign visible from a distance
(but not obvious to others) to warn you not to come back yet, in the event that unwanted visitors have
arrived or something similar. There are many situations where this kind of secret communication could
come in handy if youre traveling with a group, work out a system. Youll have plenty of time to talk
about it.

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Survival Topic #17: Other People

One of the most unpredictable factors in any tense situation is what other people are going to do. You
have no way of knowing ahead of time whether the people you meet will be enemies intent on harming
you or the new friends that ends up providing invaluable aid. Being paranoid and irrationally afraid of
those around you is unhealthy, but being cautious and thoughtful is not. In any crisis, there are going to
be both good guys and bad guys, people trying to stay safe and healthy just like you, as well as those
who out of desperation or malice will attempt to prey on others. Be prepared for both.

Stay Hidden, See Them First

Remaining obscure is your first line of defense against unwanted visitors. If youre camping, its easy
enough to keep a low profile. Survival retreats are similarly already isolated by nature. If youre in a
building in an urban area or your own home, staying hidden is harder, but you can at least limit what
people are likely to see by covering windows and limiting your outdoor comings and goings.
In the case of someone stumbling upon your base camp, whether friend or foe its in your best interest
to see them before they see you. You always want as much control of the situation as possible. For
squatting in buildings, isolated ones with long lines of sight are ideal, as you can peek out without being
obvious and see people approaching from a long ways off. A survival retreat can have similar
advantages. In a more crowded space, you may be able to set up a decoy. For example, if there are
abandoned houses in your neighborhood but youre staying in your home, you can make it look like the
house across the street is inhabited. If youre lucky, your visitors will check out the house across the
street first, allowing you the opportunity to see them first and prepare.
Regardless of your living situation, you should prepare for someone to break into it. Its probably
impossible to really keep people out who have the time, energy, and desire to devote to it (short of
using force against them), but the longer it takes them, the better. The more noise they make, the
better as well. Here, primitive tactics work well stacking things up near doors, for instance, or
spreading cans and ropes around campsites. Youre more vulnerable while asleep, so anything that
wakes you is helpful. If you are traveling in a group, youre best off sleeping in shifts and leaving
someone on lookout.

Understand the Realities of Self-Defense

If someone means to harm you, you are well within your rights to defend yourself. However, a crisis
situation is not the time to start playing super hero, nor is it a chance to act on violent fantasies.
Understand that in a violent conflict, people will get hurt, and understand that getting hurt is a very real
thing, as is hurting someone else. In terms of close-quarters fighting, consider the example of people
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who train for years in the martial arts, but have never been in a fight. Fights are messy, impulsive things
lacking the smooth choreography of movies, and its often the case that the moment things get hairy
and the moment they get hit for the first time they forget all that training. Building up instinct is good,
but so is having a realistic outlook. If you fight with fists, expect to be punched. If you fight with knives,
expect to be cut. This applies to all levels of encounters.
The only safe fight, of course, is the one that doesnt happen at all. Even when youre well trained and
well prepared, things can be very unpredictable. For that reason its smart to try to defuse situations
when possible, rather than escalating them.
If someone poses a potential threat, being observant will give you an upper hand. Note their physical
condition and any potential injuries they may have. Remember, theyre probably living in a similar state
of hardship as you, and they might be terrified, starving, and desperate. Keep track of personal space,
and train yourself to notice movements that may precede a grab for a weapon or a rush at you. Do not
answer aggressive talk with aggressive talk. Individuals may attempt to threaten you or coerce you, but
if youre convinced the situation is going to lead to a fight, talking back to them in the same manner will
only signal to them that youre willing and able to fight back. If you think they can be scared off, thats
one thing. But if youre sure theyre going to attack, then you dont want to signal to them that youre
prepared to fight. You want to use that element of surprise, catching them off guard.
Also remember that the only defense in a proper offense. Simply fending off an attackers blows is only
going to slow them down. The attacker must be rendered unable to attack. Reading a guide or scanning
self-defense websites isnt going to teach you how to do that properly. Muscle memory and concerted
training are the only things that will. If youre serious about learning to defend yourself in a closequarters fight, look for self-defense classes in actionable, realistic styles that teach practical moves
meant to be easily mastered and implemented with efficiency.

Survival Topic #18: Firearms

It is not a coincidence that many avid survivalists also understand and own firearms. There are entire
books dedicated to firearm use in a crisis and survival type of setting, so here again additional research
may be your friend.
Different weapons are appropriate for different situations, of course. Hunting rifles, for instance, are
excellent for hunting game, but will prove less effective than, say, pistols or shotguns for fairly closerange self defense situations. Likewise, a larger scoped rifle will be more useful for hunting big game or
engaging targets at a distance than a small caliber pistol.
If a protracted crisis situation emerges, in which vital infrastructures stay down for a long period of time
and economic collapse occurs, many believe that ammunition will become one of your best bartering
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options. Its one thing that you cant find in nature or scavenge cities readily for, but its a thing that can
save your life. As such, that theory is not without merit. In any case, youre best off keeping plenty of
spare ammunition for whatever weapons you own.
Most importantly at all, educate yourself. Improper firearms use can and does end in accidental deaths,
and theres no excuse for owning weapons and not knowing anything about them. You might try taking
a class theyre very common or just asking a friend who owns and uses guns.

Read the Situation Appropriately

This cannot be stressed enough: respond to things appropriately. Caution is smart. Murdering out of
fear is an entirely different thing. For example, a traveler who wanders near your survival retreat may be
another survivor like yourself simply looking for a place to camp if you fire at them from long-range,
youll never get a chance to find out. Similarly, aggressive individuals will respond in kind to the level of
threat perceived, just like you will. Imagine you come back to your cabin in the woods and find someone
trying to steal water from your supplies. Theyre probably not ready to die over it, and you may be able
to run them off without any violent situation. But if you do pull a weapon and attack them, they may
just pull their own weapon and fight back the one you never knew they had and now theyve been
forced to fight for their life.
Ultimately, its like this: living in crazy times doesnt have to make you do crazy things. Keep your good
judgment and never stop using your head.

Dealing with Authority

Survival enthusiasts choose to improve their survival skills for a variety of reasons: as a simple hobby, as
a kind of useful thought exercise that has benefits in everyday life, out of a desire to be self-sufficient, or
in case of wide-scale natural disasters. Many, however, choose to be prepared out of concerns over
militant domination from threats either foreign or domestic.
In the case of a military power imposing control, you only have a few options:
1) You can try to disappear.
2) You can comply.
3) You can resist.
Getting outside the area of control is a possibility if you are able to live in an isolated and self-sufficient
manner, as many presume to be able to do. The skills in this guide, among others, may be critical in your
success.
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Compliance has historically been the most common choice in historical situations like this. Those who
comply have their own set of survival skills to attend to, largely psychological ones. Determination and
perseverance, as well as a whole mess of stoicism and patience, give people the ability to keep hope.
From there, its largely about blending into the crowd. Assertions of civil rights are useless. But standing
out to those in charge is typically a bad thing, not a good one, and being disliked by those in power (no
matter how low on the chain they may be) can come back to bite you later.
Many people reading this, who likely have an individualistic mindset, tend to jump towards resistance.
About that, we can say only one thing: do not take that decision lightly. History has shown that private
individuals hoping to fight a much larger power do not, in general, end up as the movies portray them.
More often than not, they simply end up dead.
If you choose to disappear into seclusion, you may need to occasionally make forays into controlled
areas for any number of reasons for supplies, meeting confederates, or anything else. In those times,
blending in to the crowd and hiding in plain sight may be your best bet. Avoiding suspicion is largely
about non-verbal language and confidence. Con man is short for confidence man, after all.

Survival Topic #19: Tracking

Tracking is a surprisingly complex skill, and hands-on experience is more useful than simply reading, but
thinking within a basic framework greatly increases your chances of correctly identifying tracks and their
meaning.

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Whether youre tracking animals for hunting purposes, or trying to keep tabs on other humans in the
area, youll need to train yourself to begin seeing signs as they emerge. These signs are referred to as
spoor, and go far beyond foot, paw, and hoofprints. They may also include:

Urine or feces animal droppings, extremely useful for identifying the type of creature youre
following, as well as how recently it was in the area. Fresh stool dries relatively quickly,
depending on climate and weather conditions. While human stool should be relatively easy to
identify, animal species will be less easy to differentiate without memorizing characteristics of
different species ahead of time.

Garbage Of course, this is a largely human trait. Depending on whos around, they may be very
likely to leave trash, cigarette butts, food wrappers, etc. behind.

Kills Predatory animals will often leave corpses behind after theyre done feeding. They may
also drag the kill to a different location, which will often leave a drag mark behind.

Marking and Scratching Posts Many animals mark their territory in different ways (often
urinating on trees, stumps, etc. Picking up on territorial lines that animals claim can give you an
idea of whats in the area. Felines will also use scratching posts.

You may be tracking an animal with the hopes of catching up to it (an activity known as trailing), or
simply trying to gather a more accurate idea of whats living and moving in your vicinity. Regardless of
the specific goal of your track, however, its important to see the entire picture and not become lost
simply in examining the spoor you find. The behavior of other animals and the language of birdsong, for
example, give clues as to the current situation in the wildness. Skittish animals will become scarce when
predators are nearby (yourself included, if you fail to move quietly and patiently), and many will vocalize
warning signals when they come into contact with danger.
For this reason, trackers trailing prey to hunt will keep moving, trying to put themselves in the mind of
the animal and anticipate its movement. Instead of looking at their feet, theyll look ahead, moving
quickly but with few sudden movements. Animals and humans alike tend to use worn paths, unless
theyre specifically trying to evade notice. Once the quarrys trail has been established along a path, you
may make the reasonable assumption that you can follow the path until its next fork.
Of course, animal noses are much keener than human ones, and trackers upwind of their quarry may be
detected. Some animals will also double back around on their trails before resting, settling downwind of
their own trail to catch a whiff of any predator that might be trailing them.
Train yourself to start thinking in this mindset and considering the ways in which the animals common in
your area live and move. This will help you not only to recognize signs, but also to accurately interpret
them.

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Human Tracks
Humans are among the animals least accustomed to making themselves unknown in wilderness settings,
and any tracks you come across can tell you a great deal of information. Consider, for instance, a
footprint. The shape and size of the print may give you a hint as to the kind of footwear theyre wearing,
which may indicate how well equipped they are. Longer strides indicate longer legs a taller person
while particularly deep tracks relative to what is normal for the area will suggest weight. Following a
humans movements will also suggest how much care theyre putting in to how they move. A person
who has gone out of their way to move off of trails and through hard-to-follow places has a reason to
stay hidden, one way or another, which is valuable information.

Survival Topic #20: Plant Identification

If spending time in the wilderness, many people will end up eating plants. Eating plants at random is not
at all safe, though, and you should attempt whenever possible to identify plants with 100% surety
before eating them. Things like wild onions and apples youll be able to identify easily, but others arent
so simple, and mistakes can have deadly consequences. Deadly Nightshade, for example, resembles wild
carrots and can kill. Mushrooms should not be eaten at all.

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The best favor you can do for yourself is to learn about the most common plants in your region in a
sincere fashion ahead of time. You should be able to identify them instantly by sight, as well as have an
idea of which are safe to eat and which arent.
If you dont have the luxury of preparation, however, you can use a universal edibility test. Its not
perfect, but its better than nothing:
1. Test only one part of a plant at a time.
2. Break the plant into its constituent parts (stem, leaves, roots, etc.)
3. Smell the food for strong or acidic odors. (This is not an indication of poison by itself, though.)
4. Dont eat for 8 hours before the test.
5. In the 8 hours before the test, perform a contact test by holding a part of the plant against your
wrist or the inside of the elbow. Allow 15 minutes for a potential reaction to occur. Dont eat
plants that cause a reaction.
6. Prepare the plant however you intend to eat it.
7. Touch it to your lip to test for burning or painful sensations.
8. If theres no reaction against the lip for 3 minutes, hold it on your tongue for 15. Do not eat it.
9. If after 15 minutes held on your tongue, there is no reaction, you may chew it. Do not swallow.
10. If after 15 minutes of the chewed plant matter has not caused a reaction, you may swallow.
11. For the next 8 hours, be vigilant. If any sort of reaction occurs swelling, numbness, itching,
anything out of the ordinary then make yourself vomit and drink water.
Still, that test will only suggest (and not with 100% accuracy) that that specific part of the plant is safe to
eat, and only in that tiny quantity. You may test again with a slightly larger quantity, with different plant
parts, etc. This trial and error method is workable in a pinch, but you save yourself time and headaches
by learning to identify plants in your area positively ahead of time.

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Closing Remarks
Whether you only need to keep yourself safe for 20 minutes, 20 hours, or 20 days, master each of these
skills and youll be prepared for whatever situation is thrown at you.
Weve stressed throughout this book the importance of re-learning how to think. The average persons
everyday priorities revolve around work and family responsibilities, eating and drinking with an
emphasis on pleasure, and leisure. Shifting to a survivalist mindset represents a drastic change in
priorities and to the way you approach the practical needs of life. However, each of us has the ability to
train our minds to see things in terms of survival by simply reflecting on the things we take for granted
and what we consider falsely consider necessities. Much of this is about re-examining false suppositions.
Thats vague. By way of explanation, think about your own fragility. You may consider yourself a weak,
easily damaged individual in a physical sense after all, bones break easily, bodies tire quickly, etc. Or,
you may consider yourself tough, hard, and self-reliant. The truth, as with most things, probably lies
between the extremes: each of us is both vulnerable and powerful, mortal but flexible.
In short, we are humans. And because we are humans, we are the most adaptable and persistent
species on the planet, the ones best suited to surviving even when our homes are lost, our freedoms
threatened, and our trails pursued. From nothing, we built civilization, laws, rules, militaries. People
survived before those things, and when they are gone, we will be able to survive once more, but those
who perform at the highest level will be those who have the right mindset and an unbreakable resolve
to make it through.
So, heres to staying alive. After the dust settles, well see you on the other side.

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