After having solved the problems of finding water, shelter, and animal
food, you will have to consider the use of plants you can eat. In a survival
situation you should always be on the lookout for familiar wild foods and
live off the land whenever possible.
You must not count on being able to go for days without food as some
sources would suggest. Even in the most static survival situation,
maintaining health through a complete and nutritious diet is essential to
maintaining strength and peace of mind.
Nature can provide you with food that will let you survive almost any
ordeal, if you don't eat the wrong plant. You must therefore learn as much
as possible beforehand about the flora of the region where you will be
operating. Plants can provide you with medicines in a survival situation.
Plants can supply you with weapons and raw materials to construct shelters
and build fires. Plants can even provide you with chemicals for poisoning
fish, preserving animal hides, and for camouflaging yourself and your
equipment.
NOTE: You will find illustrations of the plants described in this
chapter in Appendixes
B and C.
