Modern survival: how to cope when everything falls apart

321 Pages·2012·6.777 MB·English

by  Davies, Barry

MODERN
SURVIVAL
MODERN
SURVIVAL
HOW TO COPE WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART
Barry Davies
Skyhorse Publishing
Copyright © 2012 by Barry Davies
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the
publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles.
All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing,
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for
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editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special
Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor,
New York, NY 10018 or [email protected].
Skyhorse® and Skyhorse Publishing® are registered trademarks of Skyhorse
Publishing, Inc.®, a Delaware corporation.
Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Davies, Barry, 1944-
Modern survival : how to cope when everything falls apart / Barry Davies.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-61608-552-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Survival—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Survival and emergency
equipment—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.
GF86.D378 2011
613.6’9—dc23
2011043764
ISBN: 978-1-61608-552-0
Printed in China

Disclaimer
The Author and the Publishers offer in good faith the infor-
mation regarding the survival skills and techniques described in
this book. They point out that some of these may be dangerous
in certain circumstances. Therefore, they disclaim any liability
for any injury which may result from employing these skills and
techniques.
Readers should also note that these skills and techniques
are for use in the context of emergency survival situations only.
When practicing any of these skills and techniques, the relevant
laws of the State, as well as all individual rights, must be strict-
ly observed. The Author and the publisher are unable to accept
any responsibility for proceedings of use, correct or otherwise,
of these skills and techniques.
Before I undertook this project, I took serious legal advice
regarding the reproduction of the photographs in this book. I
have complied with the law and the various regulations required
by other bodies. Where I do not hold the rights to the original, I
have the owner’s consent, or this consent has been published
within their website. Where there has been doubt as to owner-
ship, every reasonable effort has been made to locate the true
owner of each picture.
Finally, the pictures in this book will hopefully help save the
lives of many people, and for all those who have contributed,
knowingly or unknowingly, I thank you.
VI
CONTENTS
Disclaimer VI
Introduction and Outline Concept XV
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) XVIII
FEMA’s Mission Statement XIX
Chapter 1 — Personal Requirements for Disaster Survival 3
Why are we in Danger? 4
The Reality of a Disaster 7
Pre-Disaster 9
Behavior 11
Children in Disasters and War Conflicts 14
Disasters are Sudden 15
Fear 17
Pain 18
You’re Alive 19
Make a Decision 20
Stay Put 21
Moving 21
Place of Safety 22
Immediate Protection 23
Traveling Alone 25
Sleeping 28
Water 31
Personal Hygiene 32
Clothing 33
Afraid of the Dark 35
Lights 35
How will you Defend Yourself? 37
Unarmed Combat 39
MODERN SURVIVAL
Chapter 2 — Surviving in a Theatre of War / Civil Unrest /
Terrorism 43
Civilians in a War Zone 46
Staying Alive in a War Zone 47
Make a War Zone Grab Bag 49
Some Advice from a Survivor of the War in Sarajevo 51
Bullets, Explosions and Explosive Devices 53
Explosives 56
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) 57
IED Prevention 60
Search Dogs 60
On Discovery of an IED or Possible IED 62
Immediate Treatment for IED Casualty 63
Terrorism 64
The Possibilities 64
Why Does Terrorism Exist? 65
Terrorism in Perspective 68
How a Terrorist will Strike 69
What to Do During a Bomb Attack 71
Hijacking 73
How to React in a Hijack Situation 75
Chapter 3 — Earthquake and Tsunami 79
Earthquake Disaster Plan 81
Evacuate 83
Make contact 84
When an Earthquake Happens 85
Coastal Earthquake 86
Natural Warning Signs 87
Trapped Below Ground 87
Tsunami 89
Tsunami Warning 90
Evacuation Plan 91
Safety Events 92
Caught in the Water 93
Aftermath Recovery 93
Returning Home 94
Lessons Survivors have Learned following an Earthquake or Tsunami 96
VIII
CONTENTS
Chapter 4 — Forest & Wild Fires 99
Understanding Wild Fires 102
Preventing Wild Fires 104
Inside your Home 104
Outside your Home 105
What to do if Caught in the Flames 108
Returning to your Home 108
Fires in the Outback 109
No Escape 110
Real Fire Escape Story 111
Chapter 5 — Major Flooding 117
House Precautions and Preparedness 119
Flood Warning 119
Flood Precautions 119
Preparing for a Hurricane 124
During the Flood 126
Driving During a Flood 128
Cleaning up after a Flood 129
Flash Floods 130
Get out of its Path 132
Chapter 6 — Extremes of Weather—Hot & Cold 135
Fire in the Home 138
Surviving Extreme Cold Weather Outdoors 139
Ensure a Good Night’s Sleep 141
Water in Extreme Cold 142
The Effect of Cold on the Human Body 143
Caught Outdoors 145
Travel During Extreme Cold Weather 146
Never Trust Ice 147
Surviving Severe Hot Weather 149
Heat Exhaustion 151
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion 152
Treatment 152
Looking Out for Each Other 153
Cooling Systems 154
Dehydrated Water 154
Neck Cooling Scarf/Hat 154
‘Chilly’ 155
IX