The rule of threes

Doc Ruby

This is fairly basic bushcraft but its always good to share the knowledge for those not yet aware. The rule of threes is the fundamental rule for survival situations:

Three minutes without air
Three hours of exposure
Three days without water
Three weeks without food

These are all conditions which will probably cause your death, and so should direct your actions should you ever be unfortunate enough to find yourself in trouble. First find or make shelter and warmth, then seek clean water, and lastly food.

Now as usual its not as clear cut as all that, you can last a long time in a temperate environment, and many people have adequate fat reserves to keep going for quite a while.

Conversely, you might only last minutes in a very hostile environment, and you are going to suffer debilitating pain and nausea, not to mention mental confusion and depression after only a few days without food if you're not used to going without. And don't be fooled either, I remember reading about a young lad this summer, he was out at a house party and tried to take a shortcut through some fields, got lost and decided to sleep where he was. Sadly he never awoke. Respect exposure, even if it seems relatively benign.

The rule of threes is a guideline, not neccessarily a set of hard and fast rules, but you could do worse than remember them in a bad situation. Most people get found in 72 hours or less as long as they've told someone where they were going, so optimise your chances.

Doc Ruby

And I will add that in all survival situations, it is paramount to keep your spirits up. This counts for a great deal in all walks of life, but in particular in the wilderness. Play up your successes and forget the mistakes and errors, congratulate yourself and give yourself little treats when you can. Self pity is the end of the road.

Take it seriously.

krissovo

The rule of Three's combined with STOP or better yet S(B)TOP will save lives!

S - Sit, Basically once you know you are in a potential situation is to stop whatever you are doing and sit down and relax.

T - Think, What have you got yourself into? What do you have available? What route did you take? What are your surroundings? What elements (weather, terrain, time, etc) do you need to think about?

O - Observe, What is around you? Water, Shelter, firewood, are you in a position to be found?

P - Plan, Now you have calmed down and assessed the situation you are in a position to make a real PLAN. Will you continue to move to known location? Will you make fire/shelter? Can you survive where you are? Refer to the rule of threes as your master guide to assist in your plan

Ok now my acronym!

S - Sit
(B) - Brew Up, Once you sit get out your cooker or start a fire and make a cup of Tea. This will make you think better by taking your mind off the situation and relaxing a bit. Inadvertently you will have satisfied the second and third rule of three's and (normally the most important unless your injured) by finding enough shelter to light a stove/fire and getting some warm fluids inside you. Have a nice brew and continue to make your plan
T - Think
O - Observe
P - Plan

Edit - Rule of three's should be a sticky