Survival in hostile environments is a critical skill for military personnel, and the US Army's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school is renowned for teaching these skills. The SERE school's curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and techniques necessary to survive in captivity, evade capture, and return to friendly forces. In this article, we will delve into 13 game-changing army survival strategies from the SERE school, providing a comprehensive overview of the skills and techniques that can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation.
Key Points
- Understanding the principles of survival, including finding or creating shelter, starting a fire, and locating a source of water
- Learning how to navigate using the sun, moon, and stars, as well as how to use a compass and create a makeshift one
- Recognizing the importance of finding and purifying water, and learning how to do so using various methods
- Understanding how to start a fire without matches, including using friction, solar fire, and bow drill methods
- Learning how to signal for help, including using smoke, mirrors, and flares
- Understanding the basics of first aid, including how to treat wounds, broken bones, and other injuries
- Learning how to find and prepare food in the wild, including plants, animals, and insects
- Understanding how to avoid and treat waterborne illnesses, including dysentery and cholera
- Recognizing the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude and learning how to stay motivated and focused
- Learning how to use camouflage and concealment to avoid detection
- Understanding how to create a shelter using natural materials, including leaves, branches, and snow
- Learning how to start a fire in wet conditions, including using dry wood and kindling
- Understanding how to navigate in extreme weather conditions, including deserts, jungles, and arctic environments
Understanding the Principles of Survival
The first step in surviving a hostile environment is to understand the principles of survival. This includes finding or creating shelter, starting a fire, and locating a source of water. The SERE school teaches students how to use natural materials to create a shelter, such as leaves, branches, and snow. Students also learn how to start a fire without matches, including using friction, solar fire, and bow drill methods. Additionally, students are taught how to locate a source of water, including how to identify sources of water, such as streams, rivers, and ponds, and how to purify water using various methods.
Navigating in the Wilderness
Navigating in the wilderness is a critical skill for survival. The SERE school teaches students how to navigate using the sun, moon, and stars, as well as how to use a compass and create a makeshift one. Students also learn how to use natural landmarks, such as mountains, rivers, and valleys, to navigate. Additionally, students are taught how to use a map and compass to navigate, including how to read a map, use a compass, and triangulate their position.
| Navigation Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Sun Navigation | Using the sun to estimate direction and time |
| Moon Navigation | Using the moon to estimate direction and time |
| Star Navigation | Using the stars to estimate direction and time |
| Compass Navigation | Using a compass to determine direction |
| Map and Compass Navigation | Using a map and compass to navigate |
Signaling for Help
Signaling for help is a critical component of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to signal for help, including using smoke, mirrors, and flares. Students also learn how to create a signal fire, including how to build a fire, create a smoke signal, and use a mirror to reflect sunlight towards any potential rescuers. Additionally, students are taught how to use a whistle to signal for help, including how to use the international distress signal, three short blasts on a whistle.
First Aid and Hygiene
First aid and hygiene are essential components of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to treat wounds, broken bones, and other injuries. Students also learn how to maintain personal hygiene, including how to wash their hands, face, and body, and how to dispose of human waste. Additionally, students are taught how to avoid and treat waterborne illnesses, including dysentery and cholera.
| First Aid Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Wound Treatment | Cleaning and dressing wounds to prevent infection |
| Broken Bone Treatment | Immobilizing and splinting broken bones to prevent further injury |
| Personal Hygiene | Maintaining personal hygiene to prevent the spread of disease |
Finding and Preparing Food
Finding and preparing food is a critical component of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to find and prepare food in the wild, including plants, animals, and insects. Students also learn how to identify edible plants, including how to recognize safe and unsafe plants, and how to prepare them for consumption. Additionally, students are taught how to hunt and prepare animals, including how to set traps, hunt with a rifle, and prepare meat for consumption.
Avoiding Detection
Avoiding detection is a critical component of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to use camouflage and concealment to avoid detection. Students also learn how to create a hiding place, including how to use natural materials, such as leaves and branches, to conceal themselves. Additionally, students are taught how to move quietly and avoid leaving signs of their presence, including how to walk quietly, avoid breaking twigs, and not leave footprints.
| Camouflage Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural Camouflage | Using natural materials, such as leaves and branches, to conceal oneself |
| Artificial Camouflage | Using artificial materials, such as camouflage clothing, to conceal oneself |
| Concealment | Using natural or artificial materials to hide oneself |
Mental Preparation
Mental preparation is a critical component of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to maintain a positive mental attitude, including how to stay motivated, focused, and calm under pressure. Students also learn how to use positive self-talk, visualization, and other mental techniques to stay motivated and focused. Additionally, students are taught how to manage stress and anxiety, including how to use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation.
Extreme Weather Survival
Surviving in extreme weather conditions is a critical component of survival. The SERE school teaches students how to survive in extreme weather conditions, including deserts, jungles, and arctic environments. Students also learn how to use natural materials to create shelter, start a fire, and locate a source of water in these environments. Additionally, students are taught how to navigate in these environments, including how to use natural landmarks, such as mountains and rivers, to navigate.
| Extreme Weather Environment | Description |
|---|---|
| Desert Survival | Surviving in hot, dry environments with limited water and shelter |
| Jungle Survival | Surviving in dense, tropical environments with abundant water and vegetation |
| Arctic Survival | Surviving in cold, snowy environments with limited water and shelter |