THE SURVIVAL ALGORITHM

Copyright © 2006. Stackpole Books. All rights reserved.

Davenport, G. J. (2006). Wilderness survival. ProQuest Ebook Central <a onclick=window.open('http://ebookcentral.proquest.com','_blank') href='http://ebookcentral.proquest.com'
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 6

Three Steps to Wilderness Survival

The ability for a person to prevail in a survival situation is based on

three factors: survival knowledge, equipment, and will to survive. All
are important, but the most important is the will to survive.
Unfortunately the will to survive cannot be taught in a book.
Increasing your knowledge of survival skills and understanding of
related gear, on the other hand, can. One method of increasing your
skills and knowledge is through others. It’s with this end in mind that
this book has been written. For most of the last twenty years I have
used a simple three-step approach to help overcome most survival
scenarios. Understanding and using this approach keeps the
survivor organized, reduces stress, and ultimately increases the will
to survive. It can do the same for you.

GREG DAVENPORT’S THREE-STEP APPROACH

TO WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
As an outdoor educator and wilderness survival expert, I believe a
survivor’s needs remain constant regardless of his or her
circumstances (climate, terrain, or health). In fact, the only thing that
changes in how these needs are met is how they are prioritized and
how well you improvise to meet them. The three steps are stop and
Copyright © 2006. Stackpole Books. All rights reserved.

recognize the situation for what it is; identify and prioritize your five
survival essentials for the situation you are in; and improvise to meet
your needs (using man-made and natural resources).

STEP 1

Davenport, G. J. (2006). Wilderness survival. ProQuest Ebook Central <a onclick=window.open('http://ebookcentral.proquest.com','_blank') href='http://ebookcentral.proquest.com'
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 Stop and recognize the situation for what it is If you think you’re lost,
you probably are. Stop trying to find that familiar road or rock.
Walking when lost burns up daylight and moves you beyond the
probable search-and-rescue zone. This common scenario often
leads to a cold and frustrating night for both you and search and
rescue teams. Once you recognize that you are lost, stop wandering
around! Use your time to identify and meet your five survival
essentials, making a safe and rapid rescue more probable.

Factors that influence survival

STEP 2
Identify and prioritize your five survival essentials. Once you’ve
recognized the situation for what it is, it’s time to identify your five
survival essentials and prioritize them in order of importance Take
the time to write down your order of preference and be willing to
Copyright © 2006. Stackpole Books. All rights reserved.

adjust the order as mandated by your constantly changing scenario.

The five survival essentials are:
1. Personal protection (clothing, shelter, fire)
2. Signaling (man-made and improvised)
3. Sustenance (identifying and procuring water and food)

Davenport, G. J. (2006). Wilderness survival. ProQuest Ebook Central <a onclick=window.open('http://ebookcentral.proquest.com','_blank') href='http://ebookcentral.proquest.com'
target='_blank' style='cursor: pointer;'>http://ebookcentral.proquest.com</a>
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 4. Travel (with and without a map and compass)
5. Health (mental, traumatic, and environmental injuries)
Health, personal protection, and sustenance needs relate to
maintaining life. Signaling and travel relate to returning home.
Although these needs are constant, your situation and the
environment will dictate the exact order and method used to meet
them. To better understand the five survival essentials, each is
explained in greater detail in the following chapters.

STEP 3
Improvise to meet your needs (using man-made and natural
resources). Tap water, refrigerators, heaters, and a nice bed are not
part of an outdoor adventure. These needs can often be met,
however, with a little imagination, your gear, and what Mother Nature
provides.
Since it’s unlikely you’ll have all the necessary resources in your
gear, you’ll need to improvise using what you have and what Mother
Nature can supply. Sometimes this task is easy, and other times it
may stretch your imagination to its limits Using the following five
step approach to improvising will help in the decision process.
Copyright © 2006. Stackpole Books. All rights reserved.

Davenport, G. J. (2006). Wilderness survival. ProQuest Ebook Central <a onclick=window.open('http://ebookcentral.proquest.com','_blank') href='http://ebookcentral.proquest.com'
target='_blank' style='cursor: pointer;'>http://ebookcentral.proquest.com</a>
Created from lynchburg on 2021-10-21 04:09:35.
 Greg Davenport’s three-step approach to global survival

1. Determine your need (shelter, signal, heat, etc.).

2. Inventory your available man-made and natural materials.
3. Consider the different ways you might meet your need (tree-well
shelter, snow cave, etc.).
4. Pick the one that best utilizes your time, energy, and materials.
5. Proceed with the plan, ensuring that the final product is safe and
durable.
The only limiting factor is your imagination! Don’t let it prevent you
from creating a masterpiece that keeps you comfortable while in your
survival situation.
No matter what your circumstances, these three steps will help
Copyright © 2006. Stackpole Books. All rights reserved.

you during a time when you are uncertain of what tomorrow brings.
They keep you organized, on task, and focused on a safe return
home

Davenport, G. J. (2006). Wilderness survival. ProQuest Ebook Central <a onclick=window.open('http://ebookcentral.proquest.com','_blank') href='http://ebookcentral.proquest.com'
target='_blank' style='cursor: pointer;'>http://ebookcentral.proquest.com</a>
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