Ultimate Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook

by David Borgenicht

  As you work your way across, face upstream and use the branch to help maintain your balance and to probe for underwater obstacles. Even a smooth, sandy bottom can conceal dangerous stingrays. Take small, incremental steps with the end of the branch leading your way along the bottom.

  5 If the water is moving too quickly to wade, swim over the rapids.

  In shallow rapids, lie on your back and point your feet downstream. Keep your arms close to your sides and use them like flippers to steer your body in the right direction. In deep rapids, lie on your stomach and swim diagonally across the river facing downstream. Do not attempt to swim while wearing a backpack.

  If You Are Traveling in a Group

  1 Unfurl a length of rope about three times as long as the river is wide.

  Tie the ends together to create a big loop.

  2 Station two people about 20 feet apart on the riverbank.

  Each person should hold onto the rope with both hands.

  Grasp the rope midway between the two people who will remain on shore, and walk across the river.

  Pull the rope taut across the river so that subsequent people can cross. Allow the slack part of the loop to float downstream.

  Station two people on the opposite side of the river to hold the rope as the last person crosses.

  One part of the rope will now be tight between them, and the other slack.

  3 Send the first crosser through the river.

  Direct the first person crossing to use both hands to grip the slack section of the rope midway between the two handlers and to hold on to the rope as he walks into the water. If the first person gets swept off his feet by the current, the other two should reel him back to shore.

  4 Pull the rope taut across the river.

  When the first person has made it across, he should pull on the looped rope to produce a tense length between him and one of the people on the opposite bank. The slack part of the loop will now be adrift on the river downstream from the taut part of the rope. This way, if subsequent crossers lose hold of the taut rope line, they have a chance to catch on to the slack line as a backup.

  5 Instruct subsequent crossers to hold the taut rope line as they traverse the river.

  Crossers should face upstream as they work their way across; it is easier to maintain balance this way.

  6 When the last person is ready to cross, station two people about 20 feet apart on the riverbank’s destination side, each holding on to the rope loop.

  Bring the last person across the river in the same manner as the first person crossed.

  BE AWARE!

  The best way to cross the Amazon is by raft, paddling across the river’s widest point to avoid strong currents. Angle the raft slightly downstream so that you expend your energy crossing the river rather than battling the current.

  HOW TO CROSS A FROZEN RIVER

  1 Anchor a short, thick log to the riverbank.

  Find or chop a log measuring approximately two feet long and at least one foot thick. Lay it on the ground parallel to the river, about two feet from the water. Drive several stakes into the ground on either side of the log to hold it in place.

  2 Find a log for the bridge.

  The log should be long enough to span the river with three feet of clearance on either side.

  3 Test the weight-bearing capacity of your log.

  Lift one end of the long log onto the log you’ve anchored next to the river; prop the other end of the long log onto a tree stump or a flat stone tall enough to lift the log off the ground. Step on the middle of the span to test its strength. If it doesn’t break, it’s safe to use.

  Wedge the log in the corner formed by the anchor log and the rock. Pull the log into a vertical position, then lower it across the river.

  4 Drag the long log next to the anchor log.

  Place the log parallel to the river, between the water and the anchor, so that one end lines up with the end of the anchor.

  5 Place a heavy stone next to the anchor at the end of the long log.

  Form a solid corner between the stone and the anchor. This will keep the bridge log from sliding as you maneuver them into position.

  6 Tie a rope around the far end of the long log.

  If you are working alone, leave enough slack in the rope to span the width of the river. If you have help and enough rope, leave twice as much slack.

  7 Raise the log to a vertical position.

  Using the stone and the anchor to prevent slippage, pull on the rope to stand the long log straight up.

  8 Lower the log across the river.

  Slowly let out the rope so that the far end of the log ends up on the opposite bank.

  9 Elevate the bridge if necessary.

  If the riverbank is soggy and the log is touching the cold water, prop the near end of the log on the anchor to provide more space between the river and the bridge.

  Point your feet downstream. Assume a sitting position.

  HOW TO RUN A CANYON RIVER

  1 Read the rapids.

  Look for a V-shaped pattern of ripples that points downstream into the churning waves. This is usually where the water is deepest and fastest, reducing the potential for collision with an underwater rock. With your boat facing straight ahead, paddle into the current that will naturally lead you to the middle of the V.

  2 Paddle furiously.

  Hit the white water with as much speed as possible. The bigger the waves, the more important it is to paddle hard and maintain momentum as you pass over them. If the raft is moving too slowly, it may slide backward over a standing wave and get stuck or capsize.

  3 Use the weight of the rafters to propel the raft forward.

  Roiling water will spin the raft sideways, causing it to lose momentum. Quickly move all the passengers to the side of the raft that has been thrown up into the air by a wave. If the raft loses forward momentum altogether, stay on the high side of the raft and use paddle strokes to pull the boat out of the hole.

  4 If you get tossed overboard, attempt to get back in the boat.

  Grab for another rafter’s forearm with one hand and a rope on the side of the boat with the other.

  5 If you can’t get back in the boat, point your feet downstream and assume a sitting position.

  Bend your knees, and bring your toes above the surface. Watch the boat and maneuver yourself so you don’t come between it and a boulder. Resist the urge to stand up, which will likely result in the current’s hurling you dangerously forward. Avoid fallen trees, which can force a swimmer beneath the surface. At the end of the rapid, get back onto the nearest boat or swim to the shore as soon as possible.

  6 If the boat flips, let your life preserver bring you to the surface.

  If you come up beneath the raft, use your hands to move to one side. If there is no serious danger downstream, hold on to the raft on the upstream side, then climb on top of the overturned raft. If there are serious hazards downstream, move away from the raft and swim the rapid on your own, as described above. Once you reach placid water, bring the boat to the shore, turn it over, and assess your losses.

  HOW TO FISH IN RAPIDS

  1 Find “pocket water.”

  You want a spot just downstream from many large rocks, where an eddy pool has formed, providing shelter for fish. In this calm spot, the line won’t be dragged and spook the fish.

  2 Cast directly out across the river.

  Keep your rod held high to minimize drag.

  3 Let the fly float downstream.

  4 Let the fly circle.

  When your fly lands in an eddy pool, let it make several cycles before pulling it back into the current; this may not be necessary if the line drags your fly into the current by itself.

  BE AWARE!

  A bait fisherman can use basically the same technique; just be sure not to use soft bait, which can be stripped off your hook by swift rapids.

  CRITICAL KNOTS

  Sheet Bend

  Typically used to join two ropes
together.

  Two Half-Hitches

  Used in mooring a boat.

  Bowline

  Used to make a small, nonslipping loop to secure around an object.

  Figure 8

  Used to keep the end of a rope from running out, as through a pulley on a boat.

  Constrictor

  Used for securing a load. May be difficult to untie when pulled tight.

  GEOLOGICAL DISASTERS

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  HOW TO SURVIVE AN EARTHQUAKE

  1 If you are indoors, stay there.

  Get under a desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a doorway; the next best place is in a hallway or against an inside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place. Do not run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.

  2 If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.

  3 If you are driving, stop, but carefully.

  Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.

  4 If you are in a mountainous area, watch out for falling rocks, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.

  5 After the quake stops, check for injuries and apply the necessary first aid or seek help.

  Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. Cover them with blankets and seek medical help for serious injuries.

  6 If you can, put on a pair of sturdy thick-soled shoes (in case you step on broken glass, debris, etc.).

  7 Check for hazards.

  Put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately.

  Gas leaks: shut off the main gas valve only if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor. Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, or appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire. Do not turn on the gas again if you turned it off—let the gas company do it.

  Damaged electrical wiring: shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring.

  Downed or damaged utility lines: do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them.

  Spills: clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, or gas.

  Downed or damaged chimneys: approach with caution and do not use a damaged chimney (it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house).

  Fallen items: beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open closet and cupboard doors.

  Places to take shelter and to avoid.

  8 Check food and water supplies.

  Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If the power is off, plan meals to use up frozen foods or foods that will spoil quickly. Food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days. If the water is off, you can drink from water heaters, melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Avoid drinking water from swimming pools and spas.

  9 Be prepared for aftershocks.

  Another quake, larger or smaller, may follow.

  WARNING!

  Use your telephone only for a medical or fire emergency—you could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn’t work, send someone for help.

  Do not expect firefighters, police, or paramedics to help you immediately They may not be available.

  Struggle to stay on top of the snow by using a freestyle swimming motion.

  HOW TO SURVIVE AN AVALANCHE

  1 Stay on top of the snow by using a freestyle swimming motion with your arms.

  2 If you are buried, your best chance of survival is if someone saw you get covered.

  The snow in an avalanche is like a wet snowball: it is not light and powdery, and once you are buried, it is very difficult to dig your way out.

  3 If you are only partially buried, you can dig your way out with your hands or by kicking at the snow.

  If you still have a ski pole, poke through the snow in several directions until you see or feel open air, then dig in that direction.

  4 If you are completely buried, chances are you will be too injured to help yourself.

  However, if you are able, dig a small hole around you and spit in it. The saliva should head downhill, giving you an idea of which direction is up. Dig up, and do it quickly.

  WARNING!

  Never go hiking or skiing alone in avalanche territory.

  Carry an avalanche probe—a sturdy, sectional aluminum pole that fits together to create a probe six to eight feet in length. Some ski poles are threaded and can be screwed together to form avalanche probes.

  Avalanches occur in areas with new snow; on the leeward side of mountains (the side facing away from the wind); and in the afternoons of sunny days, when the morning sun may have loosened the snowpack. They occur most often on mountainsides with angles of 30 to 45 degrees—these are often the most popular slopes for skiing.

  Loud noises do not cause avalanches except if they cause significant vibrations in the ground or snow.

  Carry a beacon to broadcast your position to the other beacons in your group.

  HOW TO SURVIVE A VOLCANIC ERUPTION

  1 Watch out for falling rocks, trees, and debris.

  If you are caught amid falling debris, roll into a ball to protect your head. If you are trapped near a stream, watch out for mudflows. (Mudflows are mudslides caused by a large volume of melted snow or ice combined with rocks, dirt, and other debris.) Move upslope, especially if you hear the roar of a mudflow.

  2 If you are in the path of lava, try to get out of its path in any way possible.

  You will not be able to outrun the lava, so do not try to race it downhill. If you are near a depression or valley that might divert the flow from you, try to get to the safe side.

  3 Move indoors as soon as possible.

  If you are already inside, stay there and move to a higher floor, if possible. Close all doors and windows, and move any cars or machinery indoors, if there is time.

  4 Do not sit or lie on the floor or ground.

  It is possible to be overcome by volcanic fumes. The most dangerous gas is carbon dioxide: it does not have a strong odor, and it is denser than air, so it collects near the ground.

  5 Evacuate the area, but only if authorities tell you to do so.

  Your best chance of survival is to use a car to drive to a safer area, but even a car may not be fast enough to outpace a lava flow. Some flows travel at 100 to 200 miles per hour. Since volcanic ash can quickly clog the radiator and engine of your car, avoid driving except to evacuate.

  If you are caught amid falling debris, roll into a ball to protect your head.

  STORMS

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  HOW TO SURVIVE A FLASH FLOOD

  In a Car

  Watch cars in front of you.

  If you see drivers stalling or notice water reaching halfway up car wheels, do not proceed.

  Estimate the water depth.

  Water may be deeper than it appears. A car will stall (and float) in six inches of water. If you are unsure if a road is safe to drive through, get out of your car and check the water level using a stick.

  Exit the vehicle immediately if the car stalls or begins to float.

  If the door will not open, crawl out the window (you may need to break a power window if the car’s electronics become saturated).

  Walk or run to safety.

  Get to higher ground as fast as possible.

  Float.

 
If you are knocked off your feet by the rushing water, cover your head with your arms and attempt to float on your back, feetfirst, until you can grab a stationary object and climb to safety.

  At Home

  Call for help.

  When you see floodwaters heading toward your house, seek help. Because of the risk of electric shock, avoid using a wired telephone if there is water in the house. Use a cellular phone.

  Observe the water level.

  If the water outside is less than six inches deep, and you are able to walk without falling down, move to higher ground. If walking is impossible, go back inside.

  Avoiding Floodwaters

  Do not attempt to swim across floodwaters. Deep, quickly moving floodwaters will almost certainly overpower you and sweep you away. You will be unable to see large objects, such as trees, that may be carried by the water, and you may be struck by them.

  Exit the vehicle immediately if it stalls or begins to float.

  Move to the highest floor.

  If the house is three or more stories, move to a high floor. If the house is two stories or less, get on the roof.

  Signal rescuers.