Never Leave Home Without Them
I always have a knife and a way to make fire.
Back in 2000, I was working for a firm that ran a series of management training Monday Mornings. We were six or so to a table, eight or nine tables, the entire staff, pretty much. Most of it was basic team-building, getting to know the people you work with, some creativity exercises, etc., etc. Then, on the sixth Monday came the final exercise.
You and the people at your table are coming back from a vacation in South America. Over the Caribbean, you hit a storm. The plane crash lands. The pilot is killed. The plane is unflyable. You all are all right. You have no idea where you are, but you can see that you are in a jungle on a mountain. You take everything out of the plane. Here is the inventory. You all have to come out alive together.
First of all, let me say that one team did not come out at all. They settled down where they were.
I said to bring the large Christmas candle so that we could build a fire. My team mates said that being in the jungle, it would be easy to start a fire, so we don't need the candle. I said to leave the revolver and rum behind because with that combination, someone is not coming home. My team mates said to bring the revolver because you can fire it into the air to attract natives who will help you. I said to head downhill. My team mates wanted to climb higher to get a look around. It was a long morning...
At the end of it, the mentors gave us the answer from the back of the book, the US Army Ranger book.
Always have a knife and way to make fire, say the Rangers. So, since then, I always have.
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Epilogue. The Rangers also said to stay with the plane for 72 hours because you know that someone will miss you and come looking for you. Setting the plane on fire would be a good signal, they said. And head downhill.
So, at the time, I was learning to fly. I had not yet soloed. One landing was a bit short and the instructor corrected me. When we were down, he asked, "Now what would have done if you landed in that bean field?" I said, "Wait 72 hours, set the plane on fire and walk into the airport." He did not get it, but I still find it funny.
Back in 2000, I was working for a firm that ran a series of management training Monday Mornings. We were six or so to a table, eight or nine tables, the entire staff, pretty much. Most of it was basic team-building, getting to know the people you work with, some creativity exercises, etc., etc. Then, on the sixth Monday came the final exercise.
You and the people at your table are coming back from a vacation in South America. Over the Caribbean, you hit a storm. The plane crash lands. The pilot is killed. The plane is unflyable. You all are all right. You have no idea where you are, but you can see that you are in a jungle on a mountain. You take everything out of the plane. Here is the inventory. You all have to come out alive together.
First of all, let me say that one team did not come out at all. They settled down where they were.
I said to bring the large Christmas candle so that we could build a fire. My team mates said that being in the jungle, it would be easy to start a fire, so we don't need the candle. I said to leave the revolver and rum behind because with that combination, someone is not coming home. My team mates said to bring the revolver because you can fire it into the air to attract natives who will help you. I said to head downhill. My team mates wanted to climb higher to get a look around. It was a long morning...
At the end of it, the mentors gave us the answer from the back of the book, the US Army Ranger book.
Always have a knife and way to make fire, say the Rangers. So, since then, I always have.
-----------------
Epilogue. The Rangers also said to stay with the plane for 72 hours because you know that someone will miss you and come looking for you. Setting the plane on fire would be a good signal, they said. And head downhill.
So, at the time, I was learning to fly. I had not yet soloed. One landing was a bit short and the instructor corrected me. When we were down, he asked, "Now what would have done if you landed in that bean field?" I said, "Wait 72 hours, set the plane on fire and walk into the airport." He did not get it, but I still find it funny.
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Something I learned from a wilderness first aid course years ago is to save drier lint (from a mainly cotton load) and keep in a sealed bag. It makes perfect emergency fire lighting tinder. I still carry some in my pack on day hikes just in case. It weighs nothing.
The list is long of things to do mostly stay busy and keep the panic level down. I't mostly common sense. You aren't a Ranger Team. Never leave behind nor throw away anything. Determine directions as soon as possible. Sun up sun down is the start point and starts a map drawn in the dirt or on bark. Collect local information some might have on the area you were flying over. Think before doing. Anyone speak the local languages? Western Hemisphere three Spanish, English, Portuguese. that's right for the whole hemisphere except Tahiti and a couple islands and a few spots here and there then French.
You can't carry a knife this time unless it's a private flight and unless you didn't take off or were headed for a non USA destination.
But you can pack some small odds and ends in the suitcase and maybe find it in the wreckage. Water purification tablets? Something from the wreck that will allow carrying water? so. knife, compass, any medicinals, spare clothing, which means you may have to strip off and bury the dead. Get their ID. No Ranger Team damn. Check the others may be no Ranger Team but you might luck out and have someone whose been through the schools. The revolver besides wasting it on sound which won't be heard in an overflying aircraft is your food supply provider. The matches are to kill the germs by cooking. That container from an airplane part? Useful for boiling water. Now you are thinking! no room for subjectivism in this situation.
TSA is not your friend.