SURVIVAL PLANS
The Survival Plan is the initial process by which you or the group have chosen to stay alive. It is the final result of your appreciation and should be based on the facts at hand that have been subject to thorough and systematic thought and/or discussion. It needs to be prepared in a systematic way and re-examined regularly. It must be accurate, brief but clear, contain all necessary information and most importantly be capable of being carried out.
Layout of survival plans
Plans need to follow a logical sequence to ensure all aspects are covered. The five headings covered by the plan should include –
S - Situation
M - Mission
E - Execution
A - Administration & Logistics
C - Command & Communications
SITUATION [brief description]
This is a brief description of factors known and assumed from what has happened and should include the following details -
Human resources
What skills are available within the group? Does anyone have any survival knowledge? Is there anybody in the group with professional or specific capabilities? Does anyone have any disabilities or limiting health conditions?
Water
What water do you have? Is it likely to rain? Is there any water available in the area? What equipment do you have for storing water, carrying water and water procurement?
Shelter
What prevailing conditions do you need to shelter from? What can be improvised to provide shelter? What items do you have that can be used to build shelters?
Warmth (Plan ahead so this is not a vital step.)
Do you have matches or a cigarette lighter? Can you identify any alternative methods of lighting fires? Can you gather enough fuel to sustain warmth for a period of days?
Food
What food do you have? Is there any food available in the area? What equipment do you have for hunting, gathering and storing food?
Location
What is your present general location?
Direction
Can you indicate north, south, east and west?
Rescue [Only applies if you can be rescued.]
How do you expect to be rescued? What direction do you expect rescue to come from? How will you signal rescuers? What is available to build rescue signals?
Equipment
What equipment do you have and what can be improvised?
MISSION [overall objective of what you hope to achieve]
A clear, concise single purpose statement of the overall outcome to be achieved. In all survival situations the mission statement is - To Stay Alive.
EXECUTION [what you are going to do in order to achieve the mission]
Should contain details of your best course of action and how the mission will be accomplished. It must include a general outline together with details of roles, tasks, methods, boundaries and special equipment. If possible people in a survival situation should remain with their vehicle or aircraft and if on foot establish a camp as soon as practicable. If in a group task leaders should be elected and teams nominated for each of the following requirements -
Water
Develop a control and distribution plan for any available water and discuss and implement water procurement strategies and methods to be used.
Shelter
Conduct an audit of useable items available; nominate a shelter-building team to determine the type of shelter or shelters required and methods of construction.
Warmth
Identify ways of staying warm and develop strategies and procedures to cope. Nominate a team responsible for gathering fuel, identifying any available accelerants and identify suitable fire lighting methods.
Food
Develop a control and rationing plan of available food and discuss and implement food procurement strategies and methods.
Location
Locate your position relative to identifiable landmarks and easily recognizable features andset boundaries for movement outside the camp area.
Rescue Signals
If in a group elect a task leader, develop rescue strategies, build and maintain rescue signals and implement the 24 hour manning of fires and emergency signals.
Coordinating Instructions
Details common to all members of the group providing a standard by which elected leaders can maintain control and group members maintain focus. They include details of timings, movement, navigation and actions-on for injuries, lost persons and death[s].
ADMINISTRATION & LOGISTICS [what is needed and what is available]
Details of food and water available along with distribution and consumption arrangements. Dress standards and equipment requirements should be detailed.
COMMAND & COMMUNICATIONS [who is in charge and details of signaling]
If in a group the elected group leader and those in charge of the various tasks must be known and agreed to by all. The agenda for group meetings should be set along with timings for task completion. Those responsible for manning emergency signals and fires should be nominated.
Source: WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE ACADEMY.
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