2 Control the bleeding by using a combination of direct pressure, limb elevation, pressure points, and tourniquets (in that order).
Direct pressure. You can control most bleeding by placing direct pressure on the wound. Attempt to apply pressure directly to bleeding surfaces. The scalp, for instance, bleeds profusely. Using your fingertips to press the edges of a scalp wound against the underlying bone is more effective than using the palm of your hand to apply pressure over a wider area. Use the tips of your fingers to control bleeding arteri-oles (small squirting vessels).
Attempt to apply pressure directly to bleeding surfaces. Using fingertips rather than the palm is more effective for scalp wounds. Attempt to promote clotting. Press on bleeding arterioles (small squirting vessels). If injury is in a limb, use pressure to control bleeding and elevate the limb. Dress the wound to prevent spread of infection.
Means of Bulletproofing
WHAT’S IT CALLED: Brewster Body Shield
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: chrome, steel
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: upper torso and head
WHAT’S IT CALLED: bulletproof vest
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: Kevlar, a strong synthetic fiber
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: torso
WHAT’S IT CALLED: combat helmet
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: Kevlar
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: scalp, upper part of the neck
WHAT’S IT CALLED: bulletproof glass
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: laminated glass over polycarbonate thermoplastic
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: everything, if you’re behind it
WHAT’S IT CALLED: armored car
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: galvanized, chromium-reinforced steel plating
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: everything, if you’re inside it
WHAT’S IT CALLED: riot shield
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: Kevlar
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: top of head to knees
WHAT’S IT CALLED: force field
WHAT’S IT MADE OF: telekinesis, Green Lantern’s ring
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BODY IS COVERED: everything
Limb elevation. When a wound is in an extremity, elevation of the extremity above the heart, in addition to direct pressure, may reduce the bleeding further. Never make people who are in shock sit up simply to elevate a bleeding wound.
Pressure points. To reduce blood flow, you usually have to compress an artery (where you can feel the pulse) near the wound against an underlying bone. Just pressing into the soft belly of a muscle does not reduce blood flow by this mechanism.
Tourniquets. A tourniquet is a wide band of cloth or a belt that is placed around an extremity and tightened (usually using a windlass) until the blood flow is cut off. The blood supply must be compressed against a long bone (the upper arm or upper leg), since vessels between the double bones in the lower arm and lower leg will continue to bleed despite a tourniquet. The amount of pressure necessary typically causes additional vascular and nerve trauma that is permanent. A tourniquet should be used only as a last resort—to save a life at the expense of sacrificing a limb.
3 Immobilize the injured area.
Using splints and dressings to immobilize an injured area helps protect it from further injury and maintain clots that have begun to form. Even if an injury to a bone or joint is not suspected, immobilization will promote clotting and help healing begin.
4 Dress the wound, and strive to prevent infection.
Use sterile (or at least clean) dressings as much as possible. Penetrating injuries may allow anaerobic (air-hating) bacteria to get deep into the tissue. This is why penetrating wounds are typically irrigated with sterile or antibiotic solutions in surgery. While this is rarely practical outside of the hospital, it is important to remember that smaller penetrating wounds (nail holes in the foot and the like) should be encouraged to bleed for a short period to help “wash out” foreign material. Soaking an extremity in hydrogen peroxide may help kill anaerobic bacteria as well. Do not apply ointments or goo to penetrating wounds, as these may actually promote infection.
Emergency Tip
Some data indicate that pure granulated sugar poured into a penetrating wound can decrease bleeding, promote clotting, and discourage bacteria. You are not likely to see it used in your local emergency department, but it might be worth consideration if your circumstances are dire.
5 Get medical attention as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Tourniquets are rarely helpful—it is uncommon to have life-threatening bleeding in an extremity that cannot be controlled by the methods described above. The areas that cause fatal bleeding (like the femoral arteries or intra-abdominal bleeding) do not lend themselves to the use of a tourniquet. Even most complete amputations do not bleed all that much and are controlled by direct pressure. Arteries that are severed only part of the way through tend to bleed more profusely than those that are completely severed.
POLITICAL UNREST
* * *
* * *
HOW TO DRIVE A TANK
1 Survey the area.
Evaluate the immediate surrounding area before entering the tank, since your field of vision is limited once inside. Note obstacles or unstable ground and steep slopes or banks, which can cause the vehicle to roll.
2 Board the tank.
Use the skirt step on the left front of most tanks to climb onto the front of the tank. Locate the driver’s hatch, below the turret. Lift and swing the hatch to the side, locking it in the open position. Climb inside. Close and lock the hatch behind you.
3 Sit down.
The driver’s seat, located in the center of the space, is tilted back like a dentist’s chair to accommodate the driving area’s low ceiling. Adjust the angle and height of the seat until you are comfortable and can see through the periscopes directly in front of your seat and can reach the controls.
4 Identify the gauges and instruments.
Your driver’s master control panel sits to your right and instrument panel to your left. The instrument panel features your fuel level indicator and other gauges; the control panel holds the switches and knobs necessary to turn on the tank’s engines, fans, and other systems. The controls and gauges are clearly marked. The gearshift is located atop the steering handle in front of you.
5 Check the fuel gauge.
Examine the fuel gauge on the instrument panel to your left to determine whether you have enough fuel to start the tank and reach your destination. Tank fuel consumption is measured in gallons per mile. You will need 10 gallons just to start the engine and about 2 gallons per mile once you get going. You can travel about 300 miles on a full tank of fuel.
6 Start the tank.
Flip up the silver ignition switch at the bottom left-center of your control panel to the On position. The engine will need about three to five minutes to warm up. You can help speed the process by revving the engine, twisting back the throttle on the right steering grip as you would on a motorcycle grip.
7 Test the periscopes.
The driver’s visual system consists of three periscopes that look like windshields. The two on either side of you allow you to view in front of the tank and to its left and right for about a 120-degree visual field. In between those two periscopes, you will find a central image-intensifying periscope, which looks straight ahead, for use in driving at night or in smoky or dusty situations.
Adjust the angle and height of your seat until you can see through the periscopes and can reach the controls.
8 Release the parking brake.
The parking brake control is to the right of your steering handle. Pull on its black, T-shaped handle, and then twist and ease it downward to release it.
9 Put the tank into gear.
Pull the silver transmission selector knob above the steering handle and ease it into the D (Drive) slot, second from the right.
10 Start slowly.
Some tanks can accelerate from 0 to 45 mph in le
ss than 10 seconds. Ease the throttle back to move ahead, slowly at first, twisting back farther as you feel more comfortable with handling the tank at higher speeds.
11 Steer.
Guide the tank as you would a bicycle, snowmobile, or motorcycle by rotating the steering handlebar to the left and right.
12 Listen for tread buildup.
The tank’s treads can become disabled with debris. If the tank is not responding quickly to your steering, you may have mud, sand, or some other substance built up on your tracks, which can cause the treads to come off the wheels, leaving the tank essentially immobilized. This buildup is usually accompanied by a popping sound. Drive the tank forward in a straight line over level ground until the popping stops, indicating that the tracks have cleared themselves.
13 Brake.
Once you have arrived at your destination, come to a stop by easing your foot all the way down on the service brake, located on the floor beneath your steering handle. Before exiting the tank, reapply the parking brake by pulling the black T-shaped handle to your right.
WARNING!
Put on protective headgear before entering the tank. Tank interiors are full of levers, knobs, and other protruding objects that can cut, burn, or daze.
Never try to get onto and into a tank while it is in motion, no matter how slowly it is moving.
Wear earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Tank engines are loud.
Run the exhaust fan for at least five minutes for every hour onboard to replenish the tank’s limited oxygen supply.
Tank interiors can be claustrophobic and nauseating, as they tend to fill with overpowering odors from their huge engines. Skip your previous meal before your tank ride.
HOW TO SURVIVE A HOSTAGE SITUATION
1 Stay calm.
Help others around you to do the same—remember that the hostage takers are extremely nervous and scared. Do not do anything to make them more so. Do not speak to them unless they speak to you.
2 If shots are fired, keep your head down and drop to the floor.
If you can, get behind something, but do not move far—your captors may think that you are attempting to make an escape or an attack.
3 Do not make any sudden or suspicious movements.
Do not attempt to hide your wallet, passport, ticket, or belongings.
4 Comply with all demands.
Hesitation on your part may get you killed instantly, or may mark you for later retribution or execution. Remain alert, and do not try to escape or be a hero. If you are told to put your hands over your head, to keep your head down, or to get into another body position, do it. It may be uncomfortable, but do not change your position on your own. Talk yourself into relaxing into the position—you may need to stay that way for some time. Prepare yourself both mentally and emotionally for a long ordeal.
5 Never look at a terrorist directly or raise your head until you are directed to speak to him or her.
Always raise your hand and address the hostage takers respectfully. When answering questions, be respectful but not submissive. Speak in a regulated tone of voice.
6 Never challenge a hostage taker.
They often look for potential execution victims, and if you act contrary in any way, they may select you.
7 Carefully observe the characteristics and behavior of the terrorists.
Give them nicknames in your mind so that you can identify them. Be prepared to describe them by remembering attire, accents, facial characteristics, or height—any aspect that might later help authorities.
8 If you are the victim of a skyjacking, know where the plane’s closest emergency exits are located.
Count the rows between you and the exit. In the event of an emergency rescue, smoke may obscure visibility, and you must know the fastest path out of the aircraft. Do not attempt escape unless it is clear that a massacre is imminent.
9 If a rescue team enters, get down and stay still.
Shots may be fired, and any sudden movements may draw terrorist or friendly fire.
10 Upon resolution, be prepared to identify yourself and terrorists to the rescuers.
Some terrorists may try to exit with you, posing as hostages.
WARNING!
To avoid making yourself attractive to terrorists, try not to take out your passport in public places.
Be especially alert in airports, train stations, bus stations, lobbies of expensive hotels, and stores that cater to affluent tourists. While civil strife and guerrilla activity usually focus on nationals—thus tourists are relatively safe—terrorists often choose targets that will get them the most attention.
To resolve a customs dispute, offer the official a “sample” of the goods in question–for example, a bottle of liquor.
HOW TO PASS A BRIBE
1 If you are hassled by an official, be friendly but aloof.
Do not show concern or act surly. Remain calm and good-natured. Try to determine if there is an actual problem or if the official is seeking some additional, unofficial compensation.
2 Never blatantly offer a bribe.
If you have misinterpreted the official’s intentions, you may get yourself in additional trouble by overtly offering a bribe.
3 If you are accused of an infraction, ask to pay a fine on the spot.
Say that you would rather not deal with the mail or go to another location, citing your fear that the payment will get lost. Mention that you want to make sure the money gets to the proper person.
4 Try to speak to and deal with only one official.
Speak to the person who acts as though he or she is in charge. If you offer money to a junior officer while a superior is present, the superior may demand more.
5 Offer to make a “donation” to the official’s organization.
Say that you would like to pay for gas, uniforms, car repairs, expenses, or other needs.
6 If you do not have cash, be prepared to offer goods instead.
Watches, cameras, and other electronics are often accepted as bribes. You might consider offering goods instead of cash even if you have the money, particularly if the “problem” concerns these goods. If, for example, a customs official tells you that you are transporting too many bottles of liquor, you might speed your trip and lighten your load by offering some of the items in dispute to the official.
WARNING!
Carry only a small amount of money in your wallet and hide the rest. This will prevent an unscrupulous official from seeing your entire wad.
HOW TO SURVIVE A COUP
1 Remain indoors if you learn about any nearby rioting or civil unrest.
Avoid the windows. Listen for reports on radio or tele vision. If you hear gunfire, try to find out where the shooting is located. Use the telephone if it is still functioning, or ask an official or your hotel manager for information.
2 If you believe the crisis is unresolvable or seriously threatens your life, plan to leave the country quickly.
3 Determine the best route to the airport or embassy, and leave the building through any safe exit.
Make sure that the airport is operating before you travel there. If you cannot make it to your own country’s embassy, plan to head for the embassy of an allied nation.
4 Wear clothing in muted tones.
Put on a long-sleeved shirt, a jacket, jeans, a hat, socks, and lightweight boots. (Although you may be in a tropical or warm part of the world, it gets quite cold on planes, and you may have to sleep in an airport or connect to a flight landing in a colder region.)
5 Exit away from gunfire or mobs.
Select a way out that is not easily observed. Exits include windows, vents, or even the roof.
6 Leave as a group.
Especially if you have to dash across an open area, such as the front of a building, a wide street, or a plaza, you are safer with company. Snipers or enemies will have multiple objects to focus on, not just one, and will not be as likely to make a move.
7 Do not run.
Unless your life is in imminent danger, walk. Walking is harder for the eye to detect: the human eye can quickly sight someone running. Running can also generate excitement—people may chase you.
8 If you must travel by car, be prepared for evasive maneuvers.
Drive on back streets, not main roads, and be prepared to abandon your car if necessary. Get to an airport or friendly embassy.
Drive on backstreets, not main roads, and be prepared to abandon the car if the situation becomes critical. Watch out for checkpoints, roundabouts, major intersections, and military/police barracks. Do not stop for anything—remember the car can be a useful 2,000-pound weapon that even a mob cannot stop. If you cannot drive forward, drive in reverse. A reliable driver who knows the area will be able to navigate much better than you. If no driver or taxi is available, hire a local to drive your car for you. (You may need to promise to give your car in exchange.) Abandon the car outside the embassy or airport. If a Molotov cocktail (flammable liquid in a glass container with a lighted wick) hits your car, speed up—it may burn out as you gain speed.
9 If you encounter unavoidable roadblocks, be prepared to bargain your way to safety.
You might need to give up everything you are carrying in order to get away. Offer cash first, equipment (watches, cameras, jewelry) second.
10 Get to an embassy or to the airport as soon as possible.
WARNING!
If you are in a volatile region where there is a likelihood of civil disorder, be prepared for a rapid evacuation. Each person and family member should have an escape pack set aside near the front door. A good, small backpack is preferable to any type of luggage. It should contain the following:
Ultimate Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Page 40