A survival plan is dependent on three separate but intertwined parts to
be successful: planning, preparation, and practice.
Survival planning is nothing more than realizing something could happen
that would put you in a survival situation and, with that in mind, taking
steps to increase your chances of survival. It can happen to anyone,
anywhere, anytime, so remember: failure to plan is a plan to fail.
Plans are based on evasion and recovery (E&R) considerations and the
availability of resupply or emergency bundles. You must take into
consideration the mission duration and the distance to friendly lines; the
environment, to include the terrain and weather and possible changes in the
weather during a protracted mission; and the platform you will be operating
with, such as an aircraft, a multipurpose vehicle, or perhaps just a
rucksack. Planning also entails looking at those E&R routes and knowing
by memory the major geographical features in case your map and compass are
lost. You can use classified and unclassified sources such as the Internet,
encyclopedias, and geographic magazines to assist you in planning.
Preparation means preparing yourself and your survival kit for those
contingencies that you have in your plan. A plan without any preparation is
just a piece of paper. It will not keep you alive. Prepare yourself by
making sure your immunizations and dental work are up-to-date. Prepare your
uniform by having the newest uniform for emergencies. It will have the most
infrared-defeating capabilities possible. You can have signal devices and
snare wire sewn into it ahead of time. Break in your boots and make sure
that the boots have good soles and water-repellent properties. Study the
area, climate, terrain, and indigenous methods of food and water
procurement. You should continuously assess data, even after the plan is
made, to update the plan as necessary and give you the greatest possible
chance of survival. Another example of preparation is finding the emergency
exits on an aircraft when you board it for a flight. Practice those things
that you have planned with the items in your survival kit. Checking ensures
that items work and that you know how to use them. Build a fire in the rain
so you know that when it is critical to get warm, you can do it. Review the
medical items in your kit and have instructions printed on their use so that
even in times of stress, you will not make life-threatening errors.
