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Wilderness & Navigation Life-saving
The Rule of Threes
Set priorities by what kills fastest: ~3 minutes without air, ~3 hours without shelter in harsh weather, ~3 days without water, ~3 weeks without food.
What to do
- 1Stop and think before acting — panic burns energy and causes mistakes (use STOP: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan).
- 2Address immediate danger (air/bleeding), then regulate temperature (shelter/fire), then water, then food.
- 3Stay put if lost and likely to be searched for; movement makes you harder to find.
- 4Make yourself big and visible to rescuers.
- 5Ration sweat, not water — work in the cool, rest in the heat.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Hunting for food while dehydrated or cold
- Wandering without a plan
- Ignoring the weather
Good to know
- Food is the LOWEST priority short-term — shelter and water come first.
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