SHOW ME HOW TO SURVIVE

The handbook for The Modern hero JOSEPH PRED

protect
home safety
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 navigate the mean streets stay safe in the wilderness be prepared at the office make a family emergency plan stock an emergency kit stock a bunker prepare a flood dinghy set up a panic room bury a tornado shelter make your home safe prepare your pet keep pets safe after a disaster know animal warning signs weather a hurricane build a flood barrier fill sandbags properly firescape a yard fight fire with an extinguisher be prepared in a house fire prepare for travel stay smart abroad protect against identity theft burglar-proof a home check a car before a trip 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 pack a car emergency kit stay safe in a parking garage get help for a boat in trouble read storm clouds boat safely in a storm know your knots sleep on the beach pitch a snow camp shelter in the jungle camp in the desert prepare for social collapse prepare rugged venison jerky preserve meat in a smoker catch backyard game hunt pigeons in the city feed a family without a farm get fit for the outdoors clean a gun store a gun be safe at the range disarm a shooter keep from spreading the flu pack a first-aid kit

74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

treat a bee sting treat a jellyfish sting make a ginger poultice evaluate your medicine chest remove a small fish hook treat a blister remove a splinter remove an object from your eye put out a clothing fire halt an electrocution avoid lightning on a mountain identify burns deal with a superficial burn

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

handle a chemical burn help a seizure victim recognize a heart attack identify a stroke treat hyperventilation survive an asthma attack soothe a mild allergic reaction spot a severe allergic reaction stop a nosebleed free a frozen tongue preserve a dislodged tooth fill a cracked tooth spot and treat a concussion

100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111

help a lost child rescue a cat up a tree rescue-breathe for a dog protect a baby bird rescue a swimmer in trouble identify heat-related illnesses treat heat exhaustion help clean up an oil spill clean an oiled bird help someone out of an ice hole treat frostbite save a hypothermia victim

prevail
112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 mark your trail read animal tracks and scat walk a straight line in the woods navigate with your watch stay on track in the desert navigate out of a swamp read the stars find the equator in a forest build a campfire light a fire with chocolate construct a fire drill use a fire plank purify water in green bamboo boil water in a tree stump collect water from fog get water in the desert signal an airplane erect a quick tepee assemble a debris hut set up a shade shelter build a swamp bed dig a snow cave 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 survive an avalanche prevent snow blindness be avalanche aware find an avalanche victim make a fish trap catch a fish bare-handed go ice fishing snare a hare gut a hare squash a squirrel nab a fox trap a rodent impale an elk be bear aware fend off a mountain lion save a child from a coyote treat a snake bite get jungle savvy remove a botfly with bacon prepare tasty snake meat eat a scorpion eat wild around the world 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 survive a shipwreck use pants as a flotation device find land when lost at sea build a dugout canoe pick a coconut use coconuts ace an emergency scuba ascent escape a kelp forest avoid a shark attack fend off a shark resist a wolf pack battle a pit bull spike an assailant embrace your enemy do a handshake takedown deal with failed brakes handle a hydroplaning car weather a chemical spill survive a snowbound car improvise a signal mirror

first aid

help
wilderness skills
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 help after an accident call for help check a pulse bolt from a wrist grip escape from a choke hold break out of a bear hug deal with a burgled home follow up after a burglary perform cpr on an adult do the heimlich maneuver give cpr to a baby save a choking baby improvise an airway puncture 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 suture a wound decompress a chest stop bleeding bandage a nasty wound cauterize a wound in the field save a toe improvise a leg splint wrap a sling know your fractures test for edibility deal with a poisoned kid identify natural poisonous foods identify venomous insects

Mt Dana

Mt Lyell

en o To Sacram at

make a family emergency plan

stock an emergency kit

120

Sonora

49

132

120

LA

SF

205

580

580

132

To Los

49

s Angele

feminine supplies eyedropper

prescription glasses camp stove sleeping bag emergency blankets

condoms

essentials
fire extinguisher spray paint

rope

prescription medications

wrench hand-cranked radio documents in waterproof bag bleach extra set of keys

garbage bags whistle

zip ties

Discuss possible local hazards.

Practice appropriate responses.

Have an out-of-state contact person.

health and hygiene

duct tape flashlight plastic sheeting

dust mask

moist towelettes

handy extras

cash
Mt Dana

boredom busters
To Sacramento

Mt Lyell

SF

family-care items nonperishable food 1 gal (3.75 l) water per person

223-

120

49 120

49

Sonora

LA

132

can opener

regional map emergency contacts

580

To Los Angeles

205

580

132

fresh batteries

candles and matches

Mt Dana Mt Lyell

Sonora

49

49

SF

LA

To Sacrame o n at

205

132

120

580

To Los

580

Angeles

132

120

vices

Add emergency numbers to family phones.

Set a meeting place in case of separation.

Teach kids to trust emergency workers.

cell phone and batterypowered charger

first-aid kit baby wipes

dice

paper and pen baby for mula

An out-of-state friend or relative can relay information between members of your family if youre separated during an emergency . Make sure everyone has that persons phone number and knows to check in.

cards

books

diapers

pet food

10

make your home safe

While youll want to prepare your house for the dangers unique to your region, there are some steps that everyone can take to make their homes safer.
Change smoke detector batteries twice a year.

Keep valuables in a safe.

Install safety latches on cupboards.

Balcony railing slats should be no more than 4 in (10 cm) apart.

Position beds away from windows.

Make sure shelves are properly braced.

Install nightlights throughout the house.

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and on every floor.

Hang heavy pictures away from sitting areas and beds.

Have your chimney checked by a professional once a year, whether you use it often or not. Strap down your water heater and install a flexible gas line.

Lock up chemicals and potential poisons. Keep a wrench near the gas valve in case you need to shut it off.

71

deal with a poisoned kid

Check repair or service personnels ID before allowing them in.

Dont hide keys outside.

20

prepare for travel

Have your mail held.

Set lights on a timer.

Dispose of perishables.

Lock the windows.

Give travel info to a neighbor.

Unplug appliances.

Stop any leaks or drips.

Adjust the thermostat.

21

stay smart abroad

Copy important documents.

Register with your embassy .

Pack extra meds.

Dress modestly .

Wear a money belt.

Stay sly by silencing ringer.

Only take reputable taxis.

Use cards instead of cash.

22

protect against identity theft

burglar-proof a home

23

Shred documents, especially any displaying credit card, bank account, or government ID numbers.

Start a neighborhood watch.

Install an alarm system.

Add motion-sensor lights.

Trim trees away from house.

Verify communications from banks, utilities, and commerce sites. Never e-mail passwords or account numbers. Only provide government ID number when legally required.

Be wary of unsolicited business calls.

Store ladders and bins inside.

Keep garage doors locked.

Secure sliding windows.

Look before answering door.

Use your credit card only on reputable sites.

Keep sensitive information and documents in a secured space. Review your credit report annually . Dont carry sensitive ID materials with you.

30

know your knots

bowline monkeys fist cleat hitch double fishermans knot square knot surgeons loop uni double overhand stopper

109

help someone out of an ice hole

boating

rescue

sailing

rock climbing

emergency sutures

fishing

bridge-making

ladder construction

42

clean a gun

be safe at the range

44

Verify gun is unloaded.

Disassemble gun.

Clean the bore of the barrel.

Remove residue.

Use a case or a holster.

Verify the range is clear.

Load the gun.

Keep finger off trigger.

Run cloths down the barrel.

Clean the slide.

Clean the magazine.

Reassemble; wipe off excess.

Always point downrange.

Enter stance; turn off safety.

Line up your sight.

Squeeze the trigger.

43

store a gun

disarm a shooter

45

Unload before storing.

Use a cable lock.

Store guns and ammo apart.

Secure the key to the safe.

Sidestep and grab the wrist.

Twist to break finger.

Grip and pull down.

Take control.

Oh, man! A jellyfish just stung your buddy, theres a fishhook stuck in your finger, and your hunting cabin has burst into flames. Worst vacation ever? Not if you know what to do (and no, it doesnt involve peeing on anyone. Sorry!). When things start going wrong, you can totally be the hero who has studied up on what to do and is ready, willing, and able to help out. Studies show that people who have thought about possible scenarios and planned out what theyd do are the ones who stay calm when things start falling apart around them. So read up, and be sure you really know how to handle tough situations. You (and your friend with the jellyfish sting) will be glad you did.

help

48

help after an accident

Help is on the way.

check a pulse

50

sec

15

Assess the situation.

Elevate the victims legs.

Keep him warm.

Reassure the victim.

Find the Adams apple.

Move to side, under jaw.

Press gently with two fingers.

Count beats.

Multiply by four to get the beats per minute. Generally, a pulse below sixty bpm or above one hundred is cause for concer n.

49

call for help

Observe accident details.

Call within view of accident.

Stay calm; answer questions.

Gather info to recount later.

Treat any minor injuries.

Call back if situation changes.

Stay until responders ar rive.

Provide infor mation.

63

stop bleeding

cauterize a wound in the f ield

65

510
sec

Elevate; apply pressure.

Remove any constrictions.

Layer gauze as needed.

Tape gauze in place.

Heat knife to red hot.

Hold to wound.

Remove; repeat.

Bandage wound.

This neat trick is both risky and incredibly painful. Only try this in the case of a massively bleeding wound when help is days away.

64

bandage a nasty wound

save a toe
treat frostbite

66
110

Elevate and wash site.

Assess need for stitches.

Add non-adhering bandage.

Cover with gauze.

Pick up the toe.

Wash wound and toe.

Add butterfly strips, gauze.

Fully insulate toe; put on ice.

If the wound is so deep that you see yellow fatty tissue, or if its hard to pinch closed, it needs stitches.

If there are skin flaps left, fold them over the wound before bandaging. Dont put adhesive directly onto an open wound.

95

stop a nosebleed

preserve a dislodged tooth

97

min

15

Apply inter mittent pressure.

Lean forward.

Catch blood with a cloth.

If bleeding persists, get help.

Hold by crown, not roots.

Clean in bowl of war m water.

Place in glass of milk.

Bring to a dentist.

f ill a cracked tooth

Different nosebleeds may respond to different approaches. Here are some alter nate abatement methods to try.

98

Try pushing on your upper lip.

If its caused by dryness, breathe into a damp cloth.

1 drop eugenol

96

free a frozen tongue

Wash hands thoroughly. Remove pieces of tooth. Rinse with disinfected water. Apply to reduce pain.

Keep victim still and calm.

Pour war m water.

Gently ease tongue away.

Comfort victim.

Roll melted wax into a ball.

Place wax filling in gap.

Bite to set in place.

See a dentist.

101

rescue a cat up a tree

rescue-breathe for a dog

102

4 8 1
Locate stranded cat.

2
Feed cat immediately. Cut a slit in the side of a pillowcase.

Pull tongue forward.

Close mouth.

Cover snout and breathe.

Repeat every three seconds.

protect a baby bird

1 2

103

7
Cinch top; climb down. Stitch a work glove to slit in pillowcase.

6
Call a wildlife aid center. Put tissue paper in a box.

4
Pull bag inside out, enclosing cat.

5
Grab cat by the scruff of the neck.

Climb tree; don glove. If bird is featherless, replace in nest.

38

catch backyard game

Place bird in box.

Cover loosely with a towel.

112

mark your trail

If you want others to be able to follow your path in the wild, make these inter national trailblazing symbols using grass, sticks, or rocks.

tur n right

head this way

not the way tur n left

read animal tracks and scat

tubelike with tapered ends danger oval with a pointed end small, circular pellets teardrop shaped pellets with bone and hair
trap a rodent

113

If you want to avoid crossing paths with unfriendly creatures, or to follow the trail of something tasty, keep an eye out for their unique scat and tracks.

looks like pencil lead

145

birds of prey

cat family

dog family

deer family

rabbits and hares

rodents

127

get water in the desert

8

signal an airplane

154 128

Yes! Need help! Any waterproof container will do. Wait for water to condense.

No. Dont need help.

7
The tubing should be at least 3 ft (1 m) in length. Make symbols on the ground large enough to be seen from above.

The plastic tarp must be clear.

Dig deep enough to reach the damper subsoil. You can help the process by by urinating nearbut not inside!the container.

During daylight hours, water vapor will condense beneath the tarp and drip from its lowest point.

Put a rock in the center.

serious injury

all is well

6
need compass and map believe safe to land here

Medium-sized rocks work best. Seal the airholes with sand.

1
Dig with a shovel or a large flat stone.

indicate direction to proceed

am going this way

need food and water

Make symbols using branches, footprints, or any other available material.

Dig a hole in the sand.

Add a container to collect water.

Insert the tubing.

Cover the hole with the tarp.

Anchor the tarp with rocks.

154 141

snare a hare

squash a squirrel

143
Lean a heavy rock on the top stick.

nab a fox

144

Prop the rock with notched sticks.

Tie a rope to the tree, then wrap it around the linchpin. Bait the bottom stick.

Anchor the linchpin with a baited stick

Trim two forked sticks.

Place sticks along rabbit trail.

Secure wire noose to tree.

Attach noose to sticks.

Set the noose undreneath the baited stick.

142

gut a hare

trap a rodent

145

impale an elk

146

Cover the pits mouth with branches and leaves. Dig a hole in a field. Prop a log over the hole, making what appears to be a shelter. Dig an elk-sized pit and add thick, pointed sticks to the bottom. 5 ft (1.5 m)

Hang and bleed out.

Make incisions in the pelt.

Peel the skin off.

Cut the head off.

3 ft (1 m)

A rodent will run under the log and be unable to see the hole.

Use extreme caution when climbing out!

Remove the feet and tail.

Slice the abdomen open.

Remove the organs.

Clean the carcass.

156
1

survive a shipwreck
2
57
do the heimlich maneuver

If youre adrift at sea and antsy to make landfall, watch for these signs that ter ra fir ma is near.

f ind land when lost at sea

158

Cumulus clouds gather near solid ground. Seabirds head away from land during the day and toward it in the evening. If you see a shape on the horizon, note its color. Land will be green; shadows and clouds will appear gray.

Get war m and dry.

Shield yourself from the sun.

Test the wind: it blows toward land during the day and away at nighttime.

Fields of seaweed grow near land. Suck on a button to ease thirst. Collect rainwater in a tarp. See land? Swim to it.

157

use pants as a flotation device

Remove your pants.

Knot bottoms of the legs.

Pull down to fill with air.

Cinch belt and hug.

Youll spot driftwood from trees (make sure its not debris from a boat).

174

survive a snowbound car

Its best to stay off the roads during a snow storm, but if travel cant be avoided, be sure to be safe. Always add additional items like space blankets to your emergency kit.

Dont wander away from your car.

If your reception is low, try texting for help. Put on any and all clothing items you might have.

Make sure to stretch frequently. Crack the window and light an emergency candle.

improvise a signal mirror

175

Crumple papers and stuff into clothing for extra warmth.

Keep the car turned off. Portion out and eat high-energy foods.

Form a V with fingers.

Hold a CD with other hand.

Align object between V.

Reflect light through V.