Core Survival Skills

First Aid Fundamentals

Assessment (ABCDE):

• Airway - Is it clear? Any obstruction?
• Breathing - Is person breathing? Rate and quality?
• Circulation - Pulse present? Bleeding?
• Disability - Neurological status, responsiveness
• Exposure - Check for injuries, keep warm

Essential Skills to Practice:

• CPR - refresh quarterly, muscle memory matters
• Heimlich maneuver - choking kills fast
• Wound cleaning - infection prevention
• Tourniquet application - practice timing, placement
• Splinting fractures - immobilize above and below joint

Practice: Take a hands-on first aid course. Online knowledge isn't enough. Red Cross, community colleges, fire departments often offer courses.

Medication Knowledge

• Know your family's medications, doses, and alternatives
• Understand basic drug interactions
• Learn to recognize allergic reactions
• Keep medication list updated and accessible
• Understand expiration dates - most meds safe but less potent

Epinephrine auto-injector: If you or family member has severe allergies, know how to use it. Seconds matter.

Essential Knots

1. Square Knot (Reef Knot)

Use: Joining two ropes of same diameter, first aid bandages

How: Right over left, left over right

NEVER use for safety-critical loads - can slip. Granny knot (wrong) = right over left, right over left.

2. Bowline

Use: Fixed loop that won't slip, rescue, securing lines

Memory aid: "Rabbit comes up the hole, around the tree, back down the hole"

The bowline is called the "king of knots" - learn it until you can tie it blindfolded.

3. Clove Hitch

Use: Securing rope to pole, tree, or post

Quick to tie, can slip under load - add backup knot

4. Taut-Line Hitch

Use: Adjustable loop for tent lines, clothesline

Can slide to tighten, holds under tension

5. Figure-8

Use: Stopper knot, prevents rope end from slipping through

Foundation for figure-8 follow-through (climbing tie-in)

6. Sheet Bend

Use: Joining two ropes of different diameters

Better than square knot for this purpose

7. Trucker's Hitch

Use: Creating mechanical advantage to tension a line

Essential for securing loads, tarps

Fire Triangle

Three requirements for fire:

• Heat: Spark, flame, friction
• Fuel: Tinder, kindling, fuel wood
• Oxygen: Airflow, ventilation

Remove any one, fire dies. Control all three, control fire.

Fire Starting Methods (Ranked by Reliability)

1. Bic Lighter

Simplest, most reliable. Keep 3-5 around. Works cold, wet, tired.

2. Ferro Rod (Ferrocerium)

• Strikes at 3000°F, works when wet
• Good for thousands of strikes
• Practice - aim sparks at tinder, not your hand
• Need good tinder preparation

3. Waterproof Matches

Backup only - limited supply, wind issues

4. Magnifying Glass / Fresnel Lens

Solar ignition - needs direct sun, patience

5. Friction (Bow Drill, Hand Drill)

• Last resort - exhausting, skill-intensive
• Requires correct wood selection, proper form
• Practice before you need it

Tinder Preparation

• Natural: Dry grass, birch bark, pine needles, cattail fluff
• Carried: Cotton balls with petroleum jelly (burns 5+ min), dryer lint
• Commercial: WetFire, fatwood sticks

DIY Fire Starter: Stuff cotton balls with petroleum jelly in a straw or pill bottle. One ball burns 3-5 minutes.

Fire Lay Types

• Teepee: Quick heat, good for boiling water
• Log cabin: Long burn, good coals
• Dakota fire hole: Low profile, fuel efficient, less visible
• Reflector: Fire against rock/wall reflects heat

Essential Car Skills

1. Changing a Tire

• Practice once in your driveway
• Know where jack and spare are located
• Loosen lug nuts before lifting car
• Jack on frame, not body
• Tighten in star pattern

2. Jump Starting

• Red to dead battery positive
• Red to good battery positive
• Black to good battery negative
• Black to unpainted metal on dead car (NOT battery)
• Start good car, wait 2 min, start dead car

3. Checking Fluids

• Oil: Check level, color (should be amber, not black/milky)
• Coolant: Check reservoir level, never open hot radiator
• Brake fluid: Clear to light amber, low may indicate leak
• Power steering: If equipped, check level

4. Basic Troubleshooting

• Won't start, no click: Battery or connection
• Clicks but won't start: Battery weak or starter
• Cranks but won't start: Fuel or spark issue
• Overheating: Coolant, thermostat, fan

Emergency Car Kit

• Jumper cables or jump pack
• Spare tire + jack + lug wrench
• Flashlight + extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Blanket (winter)
• Water + non-perishable snacks
• Basic tool kit
• Duct tape, zip ties
• Phone charger
• Flares or reflective triangle

Situational Awareness (Cooper's Color Code)

• White: Unaware, relaxed - only safe at home behind locked doors
• Yellow: Alert, aware of surroundings - default state in public
• Orange: Specific alert, potential threat identified - have plan
• Red: Fight - threat confirmed, act immediately

Most people live in condition White. Condition Yellow isn't paranoia - it's awareness. Notice exits, people, unusual behavior.

De-escalation

• Stay calm, lower your voice
• Don't argue, don't threaten
• Acknowledge their feelings without agreeing
• Create distance, don't corner anyone
• Exit situation if possible
• Know when to disengage

Practice: Next time someone is angry with you in public, consciously lower your voice and slow your speech. Notice the effect.

Home Security Basics

• Locks on all doors and windows - use them
• Exterior lighting - motion sensors
• Know your neighbors - community is security
• Don't advertise valuables or absence
• Have a safe room and family plan
• Fire extinguisher on every floor

Quick Preservation Methods

Dehydration:

• Slices 1/4 inch thick, consistent size
• Herbs: Hang dry in bundles
• Fruits: Dip in lemon juice to prevent browning
• Store in airtight containers with desiccant

Canning Safety:

• Water bath: Fruits, pickles, tomatoes (high acid)
• Pressure canner: Vegetables, meats, soups (low acid) - REQUIRED
• Follow recipes exactly - botulism is deadly
• Use tested recipes (USDA, Ball, extension office)

Root Cellaring:

• Store undamaged produce only
• Keep dark, humid, 32-40°F
• Don't store apples with potatoes (ethylene gas)
• Check regularly, remove spoiled items

Monthly Practice Schedule

• Week 1: First aid review, CPR practice (mannequin or pillow)
• Week 2: Knot practice (10 min/day)
• Week 3: Fire starting (practice with ferro rod)
• Week 4: Vehicle check (fluids, tire pressure, emergency kit)

Skills degrade without practice. 15 minutes a week maintains competence. 1 hour a week builds mastery.