Sportsman's Library - Hunting Articles

3-Step Approach to Survival

By Greg Davenport

Greg Davenport's programs set the standard for teaching wilderness medicine and survival skills for rescuer and subject. His curriculum teaches more than just skills--Greg teaches individuals how to use their survival mind and to improvise should things go awry.

Greg believes that survival needs in the desert are the same as those required in the arctic. The only thing that changes is the order in which you meet them and how you improvise to make it happen. This concept is the core of all his books and teachings. To better define his ideas, Greg uses a simple three-step algorithm that can apply to all survival scenarios.

Step 1. Stop and recognize the situation for what it is.

Step 2. Identify your “5 survival essentials” and prioritize them in order of importance, based on the environment, availability of materials, and your condition. The 5 survival essentials are:

• Personal Protection (clothing, shelter, fire)
• Signaling (manmade and improvised)
• Sustenance (water and food)
• Travel (with and without a map and compass)
• Health (psychological stress, traumatic and environmental injuries)

Step 3. Improvise to meet your needs using both your man-made and natural resources.

New for 2007, author and renowned survival expert Greg Davenport will provide seminars and clinics at four ISE. For more tips and information, visit www.gregdavenport.com.