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Ho'W can you survive

John 'LoftY Wiseman's SAS
in the desert? desert survival techniques

ohn 'Lofty' Wiseman served in the SAS not possible then utilise close rocky outcrops or is important to discern whether poisonous.
for 26 years, setting a record for the the banks of a wadi. Snakes offer the best source of meat and can be
youngest person ever to pass selection Once shelter is acquired it is essential to cool ridden of stored poisons by cutting off their
when he was aged 18. In addition to down. To maintain hydration it is important to head. It is important to remember, however,
extensive service worldwide in which John saw drink two and a half pints for every three and a that the digestion the body undertakes as a
action in every theatre of operations and half lost, or a minimum of half a pint per 24 result of eating requires water to do so and
special operations required of the British Army, hours, drunk at midday and lights down. On therefore will contribute to dehydration.
he ran the Survival Training School for 22 this point, when travelling or stranded with Remember, it takes three weeks for a human to
SAS Hereford, specialising in all aspects of water supplies, always split it up over die from lack of food, but only three days from
survival training. We asked John to give us numerous containers or jerry cans instead of lack of water.
his top techniques for survival in a harsh just storing it in one big tank. This way if you In order to attract attention of search and
desert environment. have an accident in the vehicle or on foot and rescue parties, signals should be made by
Firstly, if your vehicle breaks down it is launching flares, drawing SOS on the
important to stay with it. A vehicle provides Without shelter a ground in stones, honking the vehicle's
many things, including cover, a lengthy horn in six spaced blasts every five seconds
shadow for shade, a structure to attach an person will get heat stroke and at night flashing its lights in the same
awning, a larger target for a rescue team to way. Smoky fires should be constructed out
spot, as well as being a valuable source of and die within hours of surrounding bush and scrub plants as
fuel from its tanks (for fires) and water from well as any spare tyres the vehicle is
its radiator (useful for soaking clothes and the tank is punctured, broken or contaminated carrying. A heliograph should also be used as
drinking if distilled). then you do not lose your entire water supply. much as possible, or if one is not available, a
Staying with your vehicle you should then Regardless if water supplies are high or low, it is piece of foil, glass or mirror in order to reflect the
prioritise constructing shelter, preferably an important if possible to complement it with Sun's light, causing a glint for searchers.
awning. Shelter is often discarded over water other sources. These can be attained through Other general advice would be to sleep as
acquisition, as it's wrongly believed to be more solar stills constructed by covering green much as you can, eat only when necessary, keep
important for survival. While maintaining plants under a plastic film or bag in a half metre your skin free of dirt and sand as this helps it
hydration is crucial, without shelter a person deep and metre round hole. The condensation sweat, treat all cuts and wounds immediately to
will get heat stroke and die within hours. The formed from the respiring plants at night - due prevent sores, when not on your feet put boots
best and easiest form of shelter to attain is to to the drop in temperature - can be harvested. upside down on poles to prevent venomous
construct an awning, attaching it to the top of In terms of food, snakes, spiders and creatures from crawling inside and keep the
the vehicle. If the construction of an awning is scorpions may be eaten; however, with each it head covered when in direct sunlight.
How can ever items
Drinking tube Mirror
A mirror or other
save your life reflective abject can be
1 used to reflect the sun.
thereby drawing attention
Multiple flasks/containers to your position for rescue
A flask gives you a secure, portable parties by its glint.
source of water, ideal if you are forced to
take shelter far from your vehicle or reach
higher ground in order to be spotted. If
carrying water in a large container, split it
up into many so you don't have all your
eggs in one basket.

Razor
A razor (ideally with an open Plastic bag
blade) can be utilised in various
ways, including killing and skinning A plastic bag can be
used to create a solar
animals, reflecting the sun for still, perfect for
attention, fashioning an awning or collecting water from
head·wrap and cutting branches respiring plants.
and bushes for firewood.

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