Basic Survival Needs

Basic Survival Needs• Food • Shelter• Water• Attitude

In a small group, please discuss the importance of each of these 7 basic survival needs. After the discussion, rank each survival need based on their importance (“1” being the MOST important and “7” being the LESSER important).

Duration: 5-10 min.

PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)- More than any other skill, attitude determines success in a survival situation.- Could determine whether you live or die. - Consider “The Rule of Threes”; a guideline on how to prioritize basic survival

skills. A human can survive for:

• 3 min. without air• 3 min. without regulated body temp. (shelter)• 3 days without water• 3 weeks without food

- Challenges also need to be met without panic. When faced with potential survival situation, remember to use “SPEAR”:

• Stop• Plan• Execute• Asses• Re-evaluate

Shelter- Protection from the elements. (Ex. – weather, wildlife)- Most people in survival situations die of hyperthermia because of a lack

of basic survival skills. - Essential to prevent or minimize heat loss in cool or cold climates, and

minimize water loss in dry, hot, and humid climates.- When building a shelter, consider the following:• Location (avoid potential hazards, but stay close to materials)• Insulation (from ground, rain, wind, air)• Heat Source (body heat or fire-heated)• Personal or Group Shelter

- Look for natural shelters such as caves, fallen trees, stumps, and rock outcroppings.

- If natural shelter isn’t an option, consider building your own shelter such as a lean-to, debris hut, or snow cave.

- Basic shelter video clip:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMxASF4EAqM

Water• Fresh water is one of the most important things you will need• A minimum of two quarts of water per day per person is what is

generally considered necessary to sustain you.  • However, even when water is plentiful, it is often not safe to drink. It

can contain particulates, chemicals, and organic bacteria. If no known safe water is available to drink and cook with, there are a number of techniques that can reduce the risk from consuming water procured from a variety of sources. It is very important to know how and where to find a water source and filter water.

• How long can the body survive without water?

Food• If the body is healthy and well-hydrated, the body can usually go quite

some time without food. The body will live off the fat reserves; however going without food for too long will cause you to be light-headed and will certainly impact your ability to perform any strenuous activity.

• It is essential to know where to find food and how to ration it. • How long can the body survive without food?

Sources• http://www.wildernesscollege.com/basic-survival-skills.html• http://www.modernsurvivalists.com/prep/basic-survival-needs/