Could You Survive A Sudden Storm©

 

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

In the northern United States, particularly around the Great Lakes, the fall weather can be unpredictable.  Storms pop quickly as they cross the lakes.  Temperatures drop and bring rain.  Or snow.  Sometimes both.  In any case, hypothermia creeps in quickly when temperatures drop to between 30°F and 50°F (-1°C to 10°C).  And it can happen in temperatures above 40°F to 50°F if you’re wet from rain, sweat, or falling into the water (for more read “Hypothermia, It Can Happen Any Time, Anywhere ©” HERE).

 

A sudden storm is blowing in quickly.  You’re on an open hillside and you need shelter.  Quick!  So what do you decide to do?  Do you pick, A, B, C or D?

 

The ‘Rule of Threes’ is a tool that can help you make the correct decision.

 

Choice A)  Look for a spot that is close to water and fuel wood.  The storm is already here and depending on how much rain has already fallen, fuel wood might be wet.  And you don’t have to worry about dehydration for a day or so.  But you do need shelter from the wind and the rain within the next few hours.  The sooner the better.

 

Choice B)  Look for a spot that is level and large enough for you to lay down in, and that shelters you from the wind and the elements.  The most important thing is to stay dry AND get out of the wind.  Look for a fallen tree, a rock, anything that blocks the winds.  The root-ball and trunk of the blown down tree in the picture makes a good start for a shelter.  If your shelter site close to materials to build a build a better shelter from even better.  (for more read “...Seeking Shelter Against the Wind©” HERE at  and “Winter Survival ... a Low-hanging Tree Shelter©” HERE)

 

Choice C)  Look for a cave or rock shelter. 

A rock shelter or cave would be perfect, if you can find one.  The Allegheny Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains have plenty rock ledges and shelters, but not all areas are similarly blessed. 

 

If you do find one an overhang and have the means to build a fire, remember always put your fire just under the drip-edge of the overhead ledge and sit behind it against the back wall of the shelter (for more read “Rock Shelters or Half-Caves, That Home Away From Home, Part One ©”, HERE, “Rock Shelters or Half-Caves, That Home Away From Home, Part Two ©”, HERE, “Remember This If You Want to be Warm ©”, HERE)

 

Choice D)  Make do with the available terrain and seek protection immediately.

 

So what did you pick?  A, B, C or D?  The Air Force survival experts picked B as the correct answer, with C as a good back up if a cave could be found.

 

Did you get the right answer?  If not, it’s OK because now you know.  Hopefully you will never be in a survival situation like this, but if you are a little bit of education could save your life.

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

I hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE.  Don’t forget to follow me on both The Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE, and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube.  If you have questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment on either site.  I announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.

 

That is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources

 

“Could You Survive”, Spokane Daily Chronicle, September 12, 1977, Spokane Washington, Page 22, https://books.google.com/books?id=__lLAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=%22Could+you+survive%22&article_id=3746,2800258&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjr94fXiPaXAxWXoCsGHYHVEXYQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Could%20you%20survive%22&f=false, accessed November 7, 2026

 

Quant, Ken; “Understanding the Two Main Causes of Sailing Winds on the Great Lakes”, August 29, 2012, https://www.greatlakesscuttlebutt.com/news/sailing/understanding-the-two-main-causes-of-sailing-winds-on-the-great-lakes/, accessed November 7, 2026

 

United States Department of Agriculture, Outdoors USA: 1967 Yearbook of Agriculture, [United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1967], p 87-89, https://archive.org/details/yoa1967/page/n3, accessed November 7, 2026

 

Smoke Signals, 1859 ©

 

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

  

The Rule Book by Stephen Kirschner et al., reprinted rules for American emigrants to communicate with smoke at distances like the native American tribes of the plains.   These rules were originally from The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions, written Captain Randolph B. Marcy, an experienced U.S. Army officer, (1812 - 1887). 

 

Native Americans of the plains and western states were known to use smoke signal to communicate with each other of great distances.  They could be seen at distances of twenty to fifty miles (32 to 80 km) on the level plains of the west.

 

On the highest elevations of land available, a small fire was built but not allowed to blaze.  It was then partly smothered by placing an armful of green grass and weeds over the fire.  This creates a dense, white plume of smoke that ascends in a vertical column for hundreds of feet.  Once the current of smoke is established, the Native American operator takes his blanket and spreads it over the smoking pile weeds and grass to confine the column of smoke for several moments.  By rapidly lifting the blanket the operator can cause a dense bubble of smoke to rise.  The operator can control the length and frequency of the bubbles of smoke with the proper use of the blanket.  This will create an easily visible elongated egg-like bubble or column of smoke to rise.

 

Interestingly, the Indé (Apache) people of the American Southwest used a slightly different form of smoke columns to send messages.  Instead of communicating with elongated beads of smoke as the natives of the plains did, they used columns of smoke.  The different number of columns communicating different meanings. 

 

The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions had these suggestions for using smoke signals.

 

For modern travelers in the wilderness or survivalists, being able to communicate over large distance is an important skill.  It could save your life by attracting attention and signaling rescuers.  It can also communicate pre-arranged messages. 

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

I hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE.  Don’t forget to follow me on both The Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE, and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube.  If you have questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment on either site.  I announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.

 

That is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources

 

Bodmer, Rudolph John; The Book of Wonders, [Bureau of Industrial Education, Inc; Washington, D.C., 1918], page 412, https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Book_of_Wonders/AP8QAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22smoke+signals%22+indians&pg=PA412&printsec=frontcover, accessed October 30, 2026

 

Marcy, Randolph B.; The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions, [London, Trübner and Co., 1863], page 149 to 15,

https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QafxOH9ci5FNgD7rI2yHtaQ83KRfUar23SOXPzKjPUsNLu6OzJxtefH4NVPvefs04BO-VWqVAKakoR3ur4q7saH6vHOD3lJHzCYIXIfZGSEF5OTxqMsB5XIf2BKxlKtntbNLIg_3fatYzl9Quuch-tnpMRY3qWUOMI3lbx8DR3tRS4UXzD4nq2vbyEKOBv8Dgnnn0Ksr65shx3BVem29YR7VUk_YQKEzntRB8M9a92ruYfSTL5kCEinXn2-wQQ5lm19Fxg4TQK-NB4NOk68fujwSPmu0fsg8WbwSR197SRcGCfrqGQg, accessed October 22, 2026

 

Mallery, Garrick; A Collection of Gesture-Signs and Signals of the North American Indians, [Government Printing Office, Washington, 1880], page 32 to 326, https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Collection_of_Gesture_Signs_and_Signal/V7v4W94oId8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22smoke+signals%22+indians&pg=PA325&printsec=frontcover, accessed October 30, 2026

 

Tracking Indians, 1859©

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

I came across a copy of The Rule Book by Stephen Kirschner et al. the other day.  On page 132 there were ten rules for tracking Indians, circa 1859.  Unfortunately they didn’t list the source, so I looked for it.  It is from The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions, written Captain Randolph B. Marcy, an experienced U.S. Army officer, (1812 - 1887).  And again unfortunately, these authors modernized and abbreviated the original rules.  In military operations and when split seconds matter, standard operating procedures are a must.  As events and enemies change so do the SOPs, but some things are changeless across centuries.  Here are the rules in their original form.

 

Both Captain Randolph Marcy and a later author, Captain William H. Waldron, the author of Scouting and Patrolling, insisted upon caution when overlooking the crest of hills and ridges during a search for hostiles.

 

Waldron include some interesting tips on limiting and focusing long distance vision when reconnoitering over long distances WITHOUT binoculars. 

 

As I read Captain Marcy’s rules, I was struck by how similar many of these operational rules and the practices of Major Robert Rogers and Captain Samuel Brady, both famous scouts and guerilla fighters, were.  In addition, they share many similarities to the later LRRP standard operating procedures of the Vietnam War, as noted in The B-52 Tips: Jungle Recon Tips of the Trade.

 

Captain Marcy continues his list of SOPs for tracking hostile Native Americans, with the following six additional rules. 

 

I trust you had fun with me on this expedition through historical miscellanea and something entirely different.

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

I hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE.  Don’t forget to follow me on both The Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE, and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube.  If you have questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment on either site.  I announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.

 

That is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources

 

Farrow, Mountain Scouting

https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/farrowsmanualofm00farr/farrowsmanualofm00farr.pdf, accessed October 22, 2026

 

Marcy, Randolph B.; The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions, [London, Trübner and Co., 1863], page 149 to 15,

https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QafxOH9ci5FNgD7rI2yHtaQ83KRfUar23SOXPzKjPUsNLu6OzJxtefH4NVPvefs04BO-VWqVAKakoR3ur4q7saH6vHOD3lJHzCYIXIfZGSEF5OTxqMsB5XIf2BKxlKtntbNLIg_3fatYzl9Quuch-tnpMRY3qWUOMI3lbx8DR3tRS4UXzD4nq2vbyEKOBv8Dgnnn0Ksr65shx3BVem29YR7VUk_YQKEzntRB8M9a92ruYfSTL5kCEinXn2-wQQ5lm19Fxg4TQK-NB4NOk68fujwSPmu0fsg8WbwSR197SRcGCfrqGQg, accessed October 22, 2026

 

Project (B-52) Delta H.Q. Nha Trang, Republic of Viet Nam, The B-52 Tips: Jungle Recon Tips of the Trade, [Special Operations Press, 2012]

 

Waldron, William Henry; Scouting and Patrolling, [National Capital Press, Washington, 1916], https://www.google.com/books/edition/Scouting_and_Patrolling/S6gVAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Scouting+and+patrolling+waldron&printsec=frontcover, accessed October 22, 2026

 

Could You Survive a Surprise November Snowstorm©

 

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

It’s that time of the year.  Hunting season is coming up, and the weather is getting changeable...colder and snows on the way!

 

What would you do if you and your companions were confronted by an early surprise snowstorm, you’re all cold and wet, you’re at least one hours walk, maybe two, from your camp.  It is later in the afternoon, dark will be soon, you don’t have a compass, visibility is dropping and one of you is starting to stumble, mumble and complain about being tired?  That is the question that the Air Force Survival experts asked, almost fifty years ago, in the “Could You Survive’ column published in the Spokane Daily Chronicle, on October 25, 1977.  It’s a good question, what would you do?

 

Here’s some clues from the authors and some information to help you make your decision.  The authors wrote “...one of your companions begins to stagger and complains of fatigue”, this is a clear symptom of hypothermia...it is called the ‘5 umbles’.

 

The ‘5 umbles’ are an easy to remember checklist of behavioral and physical warning signs that can be used to identify the onset of early to moderate stages of hypothermia; the point where the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C).  Temperatures between 95°F and 90°F  (between 35°C and 32°C) is mild hypothermia, and at this stage, your body is still actively fighting the cold, however symptoms such as fatigue, shivering and clumsiness may appear.

 

The 5 Umbles

·       Grumbles.  When someone uncharacteristically begins to be irritable, complain, becomes apathetic or has a sudden negative attitude, this can be a symptom of hypothermia.

·       Fumbles.  The body responds to a lowering of the core body temperature by reducing the blood flow to the extremities, to keep the body core warm.  This causes a loss of fine motor skills, trouble zipping jackets, buckling gear, or holding objects, clumsiness, and slow reaction times.

·       Stumbles.  The lower blood flow to the limbs also leads to a loss of balance, missteps, stiff muscles, and trouble walking unaided.  The stumbles is often an early symptom of hypothermia, with the victim showing small signs, such as missteps and appearing off balance.

·       Mumbles.  Slow, thick, confused or incoherent speech, along with growing general confusion or sleepiness are a sign of the beginning of hypothermia.

·       Crumbles/Tumbles.  These symptoms are the final sign in the stage toward death by exposure.  The victim could display severe confusion, paradoxical undressing (taking off clothes while freezing), because the person is unable to understand the sensation of sudden “warming”, combativeness, irritability, collapse, unconsciousness, or cardiac failure.

 

So what do you think you should do?  Choice A, B, C or D?  Remember only one gets you all out alive!

   

 

What to Do about the Umbles

 

 

·       Seek shelter.  Look for a dry, sheltered, or area, out of the elements.  Find someplace out of the wind and weather.  Build a fire if possible.

·       Remove/replace wet clothing.  Gently take off wet layers and replace them with dry, warm clothes or blankets, if any are available.

·       Insulate and rewarm.  Cover the victim with wind- and waterproof layers, and place warm (but not hot) water bottles or heat packs in the armpits and groin.

·       Provide fuel.  If they are fully conscious and can swallow, offer warm, sugary drinks – no vasodilators, such as alcoholic or caffeinated liquids.

·       Call for help.  If possible, seek help immediately if body temperature is very low, confusion is severe, or the person becomes unresponsive.

 

So did you get the right answer?  I hope so.  In any case now you know and if you’re ever in this situation, now you’ll know what to do.

 

Don’t forget to come back next week and read another well researched and informative article on the outdoors.

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

I hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE.  Don’t forget to follow me on both The Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE, and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube.  If you have questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment on either site.  I announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.

 

That is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources

 

Air Force Survival School, Fairchild AFB; “Could You Survive”, Spokane Daily Chronicle Oct 25, 1977, page 17, https://books.google.com/books?id=ElZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=%22could+you+survive%22+september+october+november&article_id=6776,2056101&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6qK-5obiXAxW8z_ACHQKaO5AQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=%22could%20you%20survive%22%20september%20october%20november&f=false

 

Mullenix, Todd; “Let’s Add Humble to the 5 ‘Umbles’ of Hypothermia”, January 23, 2023, [© 2026 NCOAE], https://ncoae.org/blog/lets-add-humble-to-the-5-umbles-of-hypothermia/, accessed October 17, 2026