Note: Entries in this index, carried over verbatim from the print edition of this title, are unlikely to correspond to the pagination of any given e-book reader. However, entries in this index, and other terms, may be easily located by using the search feature of your e-book reader.
action, taking, 50–51
A-frame shelter, 156, 157, 161–62, 165
Africa, food in, 211
alcohol, 314, 335
Algonquin Provincial Park, 217–18
allergic reactions, 184, 313–14
altitude sickness, 316
anger, 48, 50
animal activity, tracks and other signs of, 44, 195, 202
animal dung, used for fire, 108, 133
animal fats, used for fire, 108, 109
animals. See also creepy crawlies; critters; predators and dangerous animals
edible, 185–87, 208–11 (see also game)
poisonous
ants, 262
fish, 188, 273
mussels, 5
platypus, 272
scorpions and spiders, 168, 313–14
snakes, 314
warning signs, 186
water from, 86
animal trails, following, 75. See also tracks
antidiarrheal tablets, 24, 356
antihistamines, 24, 356
antiseptic ointment, 24, 356
ants
anthills, 146
bullet ants (Maunyi), 145–6
as food, 185
and plants, 265
poisonous, 262
and water, 76
anxiety, 47–48. See also calm
Arama, Dave, 265, 266
Arctic regions
clothing for, 288, 297
fire considerations in, 138
food in, 209
hazards in, 271
shelter in, 171
survival kit for, 32
travel and navigation in, 246–47
water considerations in, 90–91
weather in, 283
arid regions
clothing for, 297
fire considerations in, 136
food in, 208
hazards in, 269–70
shelter in, 166–67
survival kit for, 31
travel and navigation in, 245
water considerations in, 89–90
weather in, 283
assessing and prioritizing, 41–45, 303, 343
audio signals, 62–63
avalanches, 177, 248, 273–74
banana leaves, 158
bandages, 24, 25, 356
bandana, 20, 22, 353
bark
cedar, 137
used for roofing material, 169
barometers, 280
batteries, 34, 132
bears, 254, 256
Beauchamp, Allan “Bow,” 78, 87
bent-pole frame shelter, 163
bird down, 107
birds
catching, 202
following, 75–76
bites, 248, 263, 272, 296, 313–14
blankets, 34
solar, 29, 247
“space,” 29
bleeding, 312
blisters, 292, 315
blizzards, 271, 282. See also Stolpa, Jennifer and James
body parts to protect in survival situations, 303
boiling water, 87
bone, making knives from, 330, 332, 333
boots, 35
boreal forests
clothing for, 297
fire considerations in, 136
food in, 208
hazards in, 270
shelter in, 168–69
survival kit for, 31
travel and navigation in, 245–46
water considerations in, 90
boredom, 50–51
boulder, 170
bow-hunting, 49
bowline knot, 326, 327
burns, 307
butane lighters. See lighters
butterfly sutures, 24
calm, staying, 42, 49–50
canyons
clothing for, 297
fire considerations in, 136
food in, 208
hazards in, 269–70
survival kit for, 31
water considerations in, 89–90
weather in, 283
Caribbean Ocean, 91
carrion, eating, 207
carry bag, making a makeshift, 221
carrying
fire, 111
gear, 220
people, 222, 223
cedar, 97
cedar bark, 137
celestial objects as navigation tools, 240–41
cell phones, 34, 63, 64
chair, makeshift, 222
charcoal, 70, 207, 315
charred cloth, 117–20
checklists
complete survival kit, 354
first-aid kit, 356
home survival kit, 357–58
personal survival kit, 353
vehicle survival kit, 355
chemical lights, 58
chimney, making a, 103
chlorine, 87
Clement, Jonathan, 49–50
climate, 220, 278–79. See also weather
clothing,
dangerous, 292
extra, 293
keeping it dry and clean, 292–93, 302–3
making, 34, 293–94, 296
maintaining, 282–93
protective, 265–66
region-specific considerations, 297–98
research and planning, 12–13, 287–91
traditional vs. high-tech gear, 291–92
for vehicle survival kit, 34
clothing signals, 61
clouds, 248, 280
clove hitch, 326–28
clubs, making, 327, 335, 337
coastal regions
fire considerations in, 138
food in, 210
hazards in, 272–73
shelter in, 176–77
survival kit for, 33
water considerations in, 92
weather in, 284
coconuts, falling, 272
coconut water, 83
cold weather, 267–69. See also clothing
water considerations in, 90–91
compass,
learning to use a, 8
making an improvised, 27, 236–38
parts of a, 230–31
using it with a map, 232–236
using it without a map, 231–232
conditioning, vi
confidence, 251
control over situation, gaining, 47
cooking and food preparation, 186–87, 205
cook set, 34
cook stove, 34
cotton balls, 107
couples and survival kits, 18
creepy crawlies, 185, 186, 262–63. See also insects
critters, catching, preparing and eating, 185–187
cups, collapsible metal, 22
dangers, 251–52. See also specific topics
deadfall traps
Doug’s, 199–200
figure-four, 198–99
Paiute, 200, 201
dehydration, 69–74, 182, 267, 270, 305. See also water, drinking
depression, 50–51
deserts
clothing for, 297
fire considerations in, 136
food in, 208
hazards in, 269–70
survival kit for, 31
water considerations in, 69–70, 89–90
weather in, 283
destination, knowing your, 5–6
dew, collecting, 77–78
diarrhea, 24, 315
disease, 312–13. See also health problems
dislocations, joint, 310, 311
distillation. See solar still
double figure eight knot, 327, 329
down, bird, 107
dressing (game), 204
eating. See also food; specific topics
carrion, 207
charcoal, 207
edges, making, 331–32, 335
edibility test, 184–85
edibles, wild. See also poisonous plants
availability, 183
latitude and, 183–84
myths regarding, 182–84, 264
personal sensitivities, 184
plant identification, 183
region-specific, 208–11
education and training, 5
electrolytes, 315
e-mail, 29
emergencies, vi, 11, 18, 45
Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), 63
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio
Beacons (EPIRBs), 27, 63
energy, managing your, 182
EpiPen, 313
equipment. See gear
eye protection, 247, 337
fear, 47–50. See also calm
figure eight knot, 327, 329
fire bow
components, 121–23
method, 126–31
process, 124–26
fire considerations, region-specific, 136–38
fire ingenuity, 134
fire piston, 115
fire(s), 97–99. See also fire-starting devices, fire bow
building, 104–10, 134
how long to leave, 109–10
maintaining and transporting, 108–11
natural disasters and, 345, 347
in rain and snow, 134
resurrecting, 110
to scare away animals, 258
selecting site for, 99–100
size of, 100–102, 104
ways to make, 112, 335
when ground is wet, 100
fireside smoke, 280
fire-starting devices, 22–23, 32. See also fire(s), ways to make
fire-starting tinder, 23–24, 105–7, 137
fire-starting tools and methods,
last-ditch, 112–13, 117–22, 132–33 (see also fire bow)
primary, 112, 114–16, 335
first aid, 24–25, 301–2, 303–4, 348, 355. See also injuries
fish, 187–89, 272–73
fishing equipment, 25, 32, 187–89, 334
fishing techniques, 190–92
flag trees, 239
flares, 25, 34, 58
flashlights, 25, 34, 58, 334
flint and steel, 120
flint strikers, 23, 115, 116
flowers, 239
food. See also starvation; specific topics
critters and creepy crawlies, 185–87
dried, 22, 205–6
group vs. solo survival and, 211–12
importance of research, 181
and managing your energy, 182
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), 35
myth of wild edibles, 182–84
natural disasters and, 345
preserving, 205–6
regional considerations, 208–12
survival concerns, 181
footwear, 224, 296
forests, temperate
fire considerations in, 136
food in, 208
hazards in, 270
shelter in, 168–69
survival kit for, 31
water considerations in, 90
fractures, 308–9
friction, fire by, 120
frostbite, 268, 271, 305, 306
frustration, 48, 50
fuel, 34, 335
game, 193–201. See also specific topics
garbage bags, 25–26
Garner, Thomas and Tamitha, 219–20
gas leaks, 347
gear
carrying, 220
choosing appropriate, 11–13
traditional vs. high-tech, 291–92
Getgood, David, 162
glass, 335, 347
Glass, Hugh, 50
global positioning system (GPS), 25, 242
goggles, 247, 334
Gore-Tex, 291
grasses, dried (used for fire), 108
ground signals, 61–62
group vs. solo survival, 52, 65, 211–12, 274, 317, 340
guide, relying on yourself vs. the, 9
gum, fishing with, 334
hand lens, 26
hand sanitizer as fire starter, 335
hanging shelter, 164
hazards, 251–52. See also specific topics
headache, 312
health problems, 10. See also disease
heat exhaustion and heat stroke, 269, 310, 312
herbal medicines, 302
Holladay, David, 7
home survival kit, 357–58
hunting, 32, 203, 334
hunting tools, making, 203–4
hurricanes, 281
hygiene, importance of, 302–3. See also clothing, maintaining
hypothermia, 268, 269, 305–6
ice
crossing, 228
eating, 76–77, 90, 91
sea, 91
weak, 228
infections, 316
injuries, 304, 312–16. See also first aid
insects, 76, 265. See also creepy crawlies
iodine, 87
Jeremiah Johnson (movie), 99, 256
joint injuries, 308–10
jungles
clothing for, 297–98
fire considerations in, 138
food in, 210
hazards in, 271–72, 279
shelter in, 176
survival kit for, 32
travel and navigation in, 248
water considerations in, 92, 279
weather in, 283
Kalahari Desert
Bushmen, 6, 82
Stroud’s experiences in, 69–70, 86, 89, 113, 136, 200, 252, 259, 270, 322
Kamler, Kenneth, v, vi
kindling, 107
Kinta, 158
knives. See also edges; wood, splitting
belt, 20, 22
making, 330–33, 335
sharpening, 22, 333
Swiss Army–style, 26
knots, 326–29
knowledge, vi, 10–11, 42–45
Kruger, Douw, 98
laser flares, 58
lean-tos, 156–58
lenses, 26, 132
lighters, 23, 114
lightning storms, 282
lint, 107
local guidance regarding weather, 279
local knowledge and experts, 5, 7
loneliness, 50–51
luck, vi
MacGyver (TV show), 333
magnesium flint strikers. See flint strikers
magnetic needle of compass, 231
magnetic north, 235
magnetized needles, 27, 236
magnifying glass, 26, 132
maps, learning to use, 8
road, 35
in survival kit, 26
taking bearings with, 234
taking bearings without, 231–32
topographic, 229, 233
matches, 23, 114–15
Maunyi, 145–46
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), 35
medication, 24
mental and psychological attitude, 343
mental fitness, testing your, 10–11
mental keys to surviving, 44
“mess kit” See cook set
metal, making knives from, 330
mirrors, signal. See signal mirrors
money, 26
moon, as navigation tool, 241
moose, 217–18, 261
moss, 239
moss cups, 78
mountainous areas
food in, 210–11
hazards in, 273–74
shelter in, 177
travel and navigation in, 248
water considerations on, 93–94
weather in, 284
multi-tool, 26–27
mushrooms, 264–65
natural disasters close to home, 343–48
nature
“becoming one” with, 51, 52
vs. man, 51–52
navigation. See also specific topics
basic survival, 228–29
natural disasters and, 346
region-specific, 245–48
using natural features for, 239–42
needles, for compass
magnetized, 231, 236
magnetizing, 27
nighttime travel, 224
noose, 195
notebook, 28
Ontario, 144, 217
packs, making, 337–38
painkillers, 24
Paiute deadfall, 200, 201
panic, 46–47
parachute cord, 27–28
parasites, 70
pencil, 28
Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), 27, 63
physical fitness, 9–10
planning and preparation, 3, 4
informing others of your plans, 13–14
natural disasters and, 344
for survival, 3–5, 45
for survival travel, 218
for the worst situation, 11, 18, 45
plants. See also edibles, wild
healing, 302
water from, 82–83
plastic bottle, purifying water with a, 334
“playing dead,” 256
poisonous animals, 186, 272–73
poisonous plants, 264–66. See also edibles, wild
polar regions
food in, 209
hazards in, 271
shelter in, 171
survival kit for, 32
travel and navigation in, 246–47
water considerations in, 90–91
weather in, 283
potassium permanganate, used to make
fire, 132, 133
predators and dangerous animals, 253, 261
accidental predators, 253–56
creating an early warning system for, 260
securing your shelter from, 259–60
tips on dealing with, 260–61
true predators, 256–59
prescription medicine, 24
prioritizing, 41–43, 45
quinzee, making a, 171, 174–75
quuliit (seal oil lamp), 108, 109
rabbit snare, 196
rafts, making, 226
rags signals, 61
rain, 25–26
rainwater, collecting and drinking, 77, 91–92
Ralston, Aron, 39–40
rapids, swimming in, 227
rawhide, 324
rescuers, 64–65
research, doing your, 4–8, 10–11. See also specific topics
rivers, rising, 272. See also water
Robertson, Dougal and Linda, 91
rock(s)
making knives from, 330
splitting, to make an edge, 331
water from, 85
root bed, 169–70
rope
as part of safety kit, 27–28
making, 324, 326, 335
twisting, 325
route, knowing your, 5–6
safety pins, 28
salt, as preservative, 206
sandstorms, 283
sanitizer, hand, 335
satellite phones, 64
saw, folding, 28
sawdust, 107
scissors, 26–27
scorpions, 187
sea and open water
clothing for, 298
food in, 209
hazards in, 271
survival kit for, 32
travel and navigation in, 248
water considerations on, 91–92
sea ice, old vs. new, 91
seasickness, 271
self-reliance, 8
sendansos.com, 14
shadow stick, 237
sharks, 258–59, 272
sharpening stone, 22
shelter construction basics
bed, 147–49
frame, 150
wind-and waterproofing, 151
shelters, 141–43
creating, 32
fire in, 152–53
frame, 150
heated ground, 153
importance of site selection, 144–46
long-term, 154, 156–65
natural disasters and, 345
region-specific considerations, 166–78
short-term, 154–58
shingling a shelter, 151
shock, 307
shoulder dislocation, 310, 311
sickness, 312–13
signal fires, 59. See also fires, size of
making, 60–61
signaling for rescue, 45, 55, 344
signal mirrors, 28, 56, 57–58
signals, 55. See also SOS messages
making your own, 58–59, 335
ready-to-use, 56–58
simple, 61
targeted, 55–63
technological, 55, 63–64
simplicity, thinking, 322
skinning game, 204
sky, watching, 75, 281
sleep, 157, 168, 266
slush, eating, 76–77, 90
smoke, 59. See also signal fires
smoking food, 205–6
snakebites, 314
snakes, 248. See also creepy crawlies
snares, 194–97
snare wire, 29
snow. See also avalanches
eating, 76–77, 90, 91
sheltering with, 171
snowblindness, 246, 271
snow cave, making a, 172–73
snowshoes, 337–38, 339
snow shovel, 36
solar blanket, 247
solar still, making a, 80–81
Sonoran Desert of Arizona, 136
SOS messages, 14. See also signals
sound. See audio signals
spears, making, 335–37
spiders. See creepy crawlies
splints, 308–9
SPOT satellite messenger, 29, 63–64
sprains, 310
squirrel snare, 197
stars as navigation tools, 240
starvation, 266–67. See also food
steel wool, 132
stings, 313–14
Stolpa, Jennifer and James, 13–14, 33–34
streams. See water
stress and stressors, 41. See also calm
stretcher, makeshift, 222, 223
sunglasses, 247, 337
surgical blades, 25
survival, vi, 18. See also specific topics
survival guilt, 51
survival kits, vi, 17
carrying case, 21, 34
complete, 21–30, 354
disadvantages of prefab, 18–19
home, 357–58
making it yourself, 18–19
natural disasters and, 344
personal, 19–21, 353
tailoring them to your destination, 31–33
top five items in, 32
vehicle, 33–36, 355
survival situations, reacting to, 46–51
survival skills. See also specific topics
essential, 348
getting over the squeamishness of destruction, 323
thinking like a sculptor, 321–22
thinking simplicity, 322
Survivorman (TV show), v
survivors, characteristics of, 40
swamp areas
food in, 211
shelter in, 178
water considerations in, 93
sweating, 290, 291, 295
tape
duct, 22
marker or “surveyor’s,” 26
tarp, 36
tarp shelters, 165
text messaging, 29, 34
thirst, 73
thread, 27
three, as number signaling distress, 59, 63
throwing sticks, 203–4, 335
thunderstorms, 282
tidal waves. See tsunamis
tinder. See fire-starting tinder
tipi, 164
toilet paper, 36
tools, 36, 323–24. See also specific tools
torches, making, 338
tracking insects, 76
tracks, animal, 202. See also animal trails
trailblazing, 242–44
traps, 193, 198
bottle, 200
Doug’s deadfall, 199–200
figure-four deadfall, 198
Paiute deadfall, 200, 201
where to set, 194–97
travel, survival, 64–65, 346. See also specific topics
natural disasters and, 346
at night, 224
planning and preparing for, 218
rate of travel, 222
region-specific, 245–48
by water, 225–28
whether to stay or leave, 215–21
traveling in a straight line, 244
travel partners/group, 9. See also group vs. solo survival
Traverse, Chris, vi, 295–96
trees
for navigation, 239, 242–44
water from, 82, 83
tree torch, 61
“tree wells,” 160–61
triangle, three signal fires in shape of, 59
tsunamis, 273
underwear, as hunting tool, 334
ungulates, angry, 261
urine, 86
vegetation, observing changes in, 75
vegetation still, making a, 78–79
vehicle survival kit, 33–36, 355
vehicle wreckage signals, 62
vines, as source of water, 82
Wabakimi, Ontario, 144
watch, used as makeshift compass, 238
water
crossing, 226–28
rationing and preserving it in your body, 72
traveling by, 225
untreated, 70, 71
water, drinking, 34, 69–71, 182
filtering, 89
finding and collecting, 74–86
natural disasters and, 344
physiology and, 73–74
region-specific considerations, 89–94
shelter’s distance from, 145
water, open. See sea and open water
waterproofing, 26
waterproof matches, 115
water purification, 32, 86–89, 334
water purification tablets, 29
water purifying straw, 29–30
water sources, 74–79
wax-and-cotton fuel wads, 23–24
weather, 146, 220, 252–53, 277. See also specific weather conditions
vs. climate, 278–79
dangerous, 281–83
natural disasters and, 347
preparing to stay alive in dangerous, 277–78
region-specific dangers hazards, 283–84
ways to interpret signs and predict, 279–81
websites, 14
well water, 83–84
whistle, 30
widowmakers, 145
wiki-up, 164
will to live, vi, 39–40
wind, 146, 280
wind chill, 282
wind patterns, 280
windproofing shelter, 151
“wind tunnel” shelter, 144
wires
and electrical fires, 347
snare, 29
wood, 146
choose, 146
as fuel for fire, 108, 135–36
knives from, 333
splitting, 32, 135–36
for water collection, 78
wounds, 316
Ziploc bags, 30