You can survive 3 hours in inclement weather.

You can survive 3 minutes in inclement air conditions.

That where we can start with our wrong but useful model called the “3 and 30 Rule”. So let’s say that you do find yourself on your own in a survival situation. Stay put if you know someone is looking for you AND you are safe in that area. This principle also includes the following:

Depending on the scale of your excursion into the wilderness, a Trailhead can take the form of verbal or written information and can be as detailed as you need it to be.

That way, if you don’t come back on time, potential rescuers have vital information to help locate you. It’s the information you give people about the route you are traveling and for how long you expect before you return. At Trackers Earth, the first rule we start with is:

Your most immediate needs can change with your environment.Īll models are wrong, but some are useful.īut even though they’re wrong, some rules, lists, and models can be helpful. There are rules and lists for how to survive in the wild, but no single perfect method. A person who is cold, sick or hungry will not be very interested in socializing, learning or working.Here’s the thing about wilderness survival. If a person cannot satisfy this basic survival need it dominates their interest and concern. This is the need for oxygen, water, food and shelter.

So based on this survival rule the most basic of all needs are those to do with physical survival. The rule may be useful in determining the order of priority when in a life-threatening situation, and is a generalization (or rule of thumb) rather than scientifically accurate. For example, if you have a large quantity of food and water yet are exposed to the environment, then the harsh conditions rule applies.

You can survive 3 days without drinkable water.Įach line assumes that the one(s) before it are met.

You can survive 3 hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold).

You can survive 3 minutes without breathable air.

For any survival situations we need to remember and prioritize the Survival Rules of 3:

3 rules of survival