THE SURVIVAL EXERCISE

It is approximately 10.00 a.m. in mid-June and you have just crash landed in the Thar
Desert in North Western Rajasthan. The light twin engine plane, containing the bodies
of the pilot and co-pilot has completely burned. Only the air frame remains.
Miraculously, none of the rest of you has been injured.

The pilot was unable to notify anyone of your position before the crash. However, he
had indicated before impact that you were 120 km south-southeast from a BSF camp
which is the nearest known habitation and ground sightings taken before the crash
indicated that you were approximately 90 km off the course that was filed in your
Flight Plan.

The immediate area is quite flat and, except for occasional shrubbery and long barrel
cacti, appears to be rather barren. The last weather report indicated that the
temperature would reach 46°C that day, which means that the temperature within a
foot of the surface will be 57°C. You are dressed in light clothing short-sleeved shirts,
pants, socks and slip-on shoes. Everyone has a handkerchief. Collectively, your
pockets contain Rs 18.50 in coins, Rs 1060.00 in notes, a pack of cigarettes, and a
ballpoint pen. You have no mobile devices.

YOUR TASK

Before the plane caught fire your group was able to salvage the 15 items listed on the
next page. Your task is to rank these items according to their importance to your
survival, starting with “1” the most important to “15” the least important.

You may assume:

1. The number of survivors is the same as the number on your team.

2. You are the actual people in the situation.
3. The team has agreed to stick together.
4. All items are in good condition.

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 SURVIVAL DATA SHEET

Your Name:

Item Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Your Team Expert Difference Difference
Individual Ranking Ranking between between
Ranking (start doing 1&3 2&3
this only
when the
observer
joins you)
Torch Light (4 battery size) 9 3 4 5 1

Knife Rampuri 6 6 6 0 0

Sectional Air map of the 3 4 12 9 8

area

Plastic raincoat (1 for each 14 14 7 7 7

member)

Magnetic compass 13 2 11 2 9

First Aid kit with gauze 5 7 10 5 3

.45 Caliber pistol (loaded) 4 8 8 4 0

Parachute (red & white) 15 5 5 10 0

Salt tablets (1000) 7 15 15 8 0

Water (1 bottle each) 1 1 3 2 2

Book on edible animals of 2 9 13 11 4

the desert
Sunglasses (a pair each) 10 10 9 1 1

Liquor (one 750 ml. bottle 8 12 14 6 2

of Rum)
Overcoat (1 for each 11 11 2 9 9
member)
Cosmetic mirror 12 13 1 11 12

Total 90

Instructions:
Step 4 - Individual error score – Expert ranking (step 3) minus individual ranking (step 1).
Add up all the figures in that column (ignore the plus minus sign) and make a note of the
total at the end. The total is your individual error score

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Step 5 - Team error score – Expert ranking (step 3) minus team ranking (step 2). Add up all
the figures in that column (ignore the plus minus sign) and make a note of the total. The total
is your team error score.