Survival
Hints for the Sportsman, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal
Online |
Survival Hints for the
Sportsman, was compiled in 1959, by the RCAF Eastern Area
Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, and is an interesting and very hard to find
booklet, which includes some great points and tips on survival, particularly on
survival in the Canadian forest. I found
a copy for sale a couple of years ago, purchased it, and in the spirit of the compiler's
wishes, I have decided to share it with you.
The authors of Survival
Hints, explained that they had three
main ideas in mind when they wrote the booklet.
First, that it was to be used as a guide to help you prepare for an
expedition into the wilderness, second, that should you become lost in the
wilderness, that you could use the instructions provided to stay alive, and
third, to help you help your rescuers to find you.
The authors also recommended
learning to use and always carrying, several essential survival tools, whenever
you go into the woods. They felt that
you should always carry a sharp axe with a sheath or a sharp knife, strike
anywhere matches in a water-proof container, a compass and map and some
emergency food (for information on a really tasty 1962 survival ration go
[HERE] and [HERE]). The authors also
suggested the following optional items, a whistle, sunglasses, signal mirror,
mosquito net, snare wire and a medical kit which includes tape, a sewing kit
and insect repellent. These essential
and optional tools are very similar to the early 10 Essentials developed by The
Mountaineers.
What I liked most about this
booklet was the philosophy of the authors, which is as follows, that there is
no disgrace in becoming lost, although there is a potential for a tragedy,
particularly if you haven’t prepared ahead of time or you give in to your
fears, lose your will to live and then die before you are found. The compilers of Survival Hints
believed that tragedy could be avoided with “a little knowledge, a minimum of skills and a STRONG DESIRE TO LIVE”. Additionally, they felt that “YOU MUST HELP YOURSELF!” and that “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. To help yourself, you have to learn and
practice some essential habits and skill, so “LEARN THESE…AND LET’S STAY ALIVE”.
I hope that you reading
this booklet as much as I did and until next time, Happy Trails!
Sources:
RCAF Eastern Area Rescue
Co-Ordination Centre, Survival Hints for the Sportsman, The Queen’s
Printer And Controller Of Stationary; Ottawa, Canada; [1959]
Front
and back cover, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Inside
cover and preface, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Inside
cover and pg. 1, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
2 to 3, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
4 to 5, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg. 6 to 7, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
8 to 9, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
10 to 11, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
12 to 13, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
14-15, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
16-17, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
18-19, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
20-21, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
22-23, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
24-25, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
26-27, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
28-29, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
Pg.
30 and inside back cover, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online |
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