by Leon Pantenburg 

One inspiration for the SurvivalCommonSense website came from my middle son, Jimmy. 

Jimmy and his guitar.

In March 2008, Jimmy, 13 at the time, was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next 14 months, my family went from giddy happiness and indescribable joy when we thought Jimmy was cured; to the depths of fear, when his cancer returned.  Jimmy passed away on July 3, 2009. 

Throughout the experience, we all worked hard to face the unknown and not give in to despair. 

Throughout his entire cancer struggle, Jimmy demonstrated the epitome of a survival mindset.  He was unfailingly cheerful and upbeat. As new treatments were tried, and then failed, Jimmy didn’t lose hope and he never gave in to a negative attitude. He faced the future with the philosophy that he would live each day to the fullest, having fun, laughing with friends and not considering any other option.  Even though Jimmy didn’t ultimately survive, the time he had with his illness was anything but depressing.  He inspired us with his courage. 

SurvivalCommon Sense is about making the right decisions, when everything has turned to chaos in an emergency situation. This is a survival mindset. 

The following fundraiser and website is part of our family’s survival mindset. It would be easy to slip into depression and gloom, and to just give up. Instead, we remain optomistic about the future and will continue to support others who live with life-threatening illnesses and their challenge to survive.  

Today, we will put a yellow ribbon around the tree planted in Jimmy’s memory. We know we will see him again. 

If you are interested in helping other teenagers who stay in the hospital for treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses, please donate to www.HospitalTeenFund.org .  We appreciate your support. 

By Leon Pantenburg
One of the seeds for the survival common sense concept came from the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue. Deschutes County, Oregon, has one of the most active SARs in the country. I heard this story after asking how well visitors are prepared for the backcountry!

Don't underestimate Mother Nature! The weather can change dramatically, for the worse, in a very short time.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers were dog tired after three days of searching for missing backpacker Danny Curran, who had disappeared in The Cascade Mountains in November 2001.  (Mr. Curran’s remains were found on July 31, 2002). They regrouped in a trailhead parking lot to plan the next move. Snow started to spatter as a group of hikers headed out for the mountains. The searchers stared in disbelief.

“The hikers were lightly dressed and wearing shorts and flip-flops,” said Sgt. Marvin Combs, of Deschutes County SAR. “We figured they would probably be our next mission.”

Every year, unprepared wilderness visitors make mistakes that put them into danger and the news, Combs said, but there are countless other close calls where people are lucky. The misfortunes seem to follow some fairly predictable patterns.

“What scares us most are the near misses you don’t hear about,” Combs said. “People are embarrassed to tell about a close call they had.”

Psychological responses to emergencies follow a pattern, according to John Leach of the University of Lancaster, England, and the author of “Survival Psychology.”

Leach’s studies show that only 10 to 15 percent of any group involved in any emergency will react appropriately. Another 10 to 15 percent will behave totally inappropriately and the remaining 70 to 80 percent will need to be told what to do. The most common reactions at the onset of an emergency are disbelief and denial.

People don’t prepare for emergencies, Leach writes, for three reasons: Planning is inconvenient, preparations may be costly and an ingrained folk myth says to prepare for a disaster is to encourage it.

These unrealistic mind-sets are the basis for many wilderness tragedies, claims survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt, and he sees denial as the underlying cause.

“We deny we will ever be in an emergency. Then, we deny that the emergency is happening, and then, we deny that it ever happened,” Kummerfeldt said. “The usual progression is that a person thinks: ‘This isn’t happening to me,’ then, ‘It’s not that bad,’ then, ‘If it is that bad, there’s nothing I can do about it.’”

A disaster can happen to anyone, at any time. Be ready before it strikes!

To deal with reality, he adds, you must first treat the situation as being real and admit it is happening to you.

So, mentally and emotionally, what is the best course of action to develop a survival mindset?  The first thing to do, according to Kummerfeldt, is realize you’re in trouble.

“Ask yourself: ‘Am I OK?’” Kummerfeldt said. “If I am, what do I have to do to stay that way? If I’m not, what do I have to do?”

Mental conditioning is hard to define, says Deschutes County SAR veteran Al Hornish. Many people are afraid of the dark, he said, and impending darkness adds to the stress of being lost.

“People will just keep going because they don’t want to be out in the wilderness after night falls,” Hornish said. “This can cause them to make more mistakes.”

In one instance, he added, a lost hiker kept walking through the night.

“We asked why he didn’t just stop and wait until it got light,” Hornish said. “The man said: ‘I heard wild animals in the woods all night long.’”

Individual reactions to disasters tend to follow a pattern. Once you understand what is happening to you mentally, then you can take positive actions. This is a “survival state of mind”.

Here’s the typical disaster reaction progression, according to “Survival Psychology”:

Denial: The first reaction will probably be: “This can’t be happening to me!” But an emergency, disaster, accident or crash can happen to anyone, and it can result in a situation where your life is at risk.

Panic: Once you get past denial, there is a strong chance you may panic. This is when judgment and reasoning deteriorate to the point where it can result in self-destructive behavior. It can happen to anyone.

Hypoactivity, defined as a depressed reaction; or hyperactivity, an intense but undirected liveliness: The depressed person will not look after himself or herself, and will probably need to be told what to do. The hyperactive response can be more dangerous because the affected person may give a misleading impression of purposefulness and leadership.

Stereotypical behavior: This is a form of denial in which victims fall back on learned behavior patterns, no matter how inappropriate they are. The Boss may decide to continue in that role, even though he/she has no idea of what to do. Sadly, the underling may also revert to that subordinate role, even though he/she may be better prepared mentally.

Anger: A universal reaction, anger is irrational. Rescue workers frequently come under verbal and physical attack while performing their duties.

Psychological breakdown: This could be the most desperate problem facing a victim, and this stage is characterized by irritability, lack of interest, apprehension, psycho-motor retardation and confusion. Once this point is reached, the ultimate consequence may be death.

So, the key to a “survival state-of-mind” is to be prepared and confident that you can handle any emergency.
STOP: Stop Think. Observe. Plan.  Use common sense to stay warm, hydrated, nourished and sheltered.  Administer first aid when it’s a priority, and don’t follow the leader who may be hyperactive and claiming to be “in charge”.

Only you can be in charge of your and your family’s survival.  And, when you are prepared, you will be.

For more related SurvivalCommonSense.com tips and stories, click on the highlighted words:

• STOP: Use this exercise to reduce stress and focus your thoughts.
• Write a note to let people know where you went, before you left.
• Take your Ten Essentials on every outing.
• Dress with the right fabrics.
• Have a plan to make a tarp shelter.
• Carry lightweight, compact firestarter.
• Find the most effective fire ignition system.

Summer is here, and people like me are attracted to those empty spots on the map that indicate an arid desert region. Always take lots of water along, and never depend on being able to find it! But it’s a really good idea to know where to look for water in the event of an emergency. Here are some tips for finding water in the desert  from survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt. – Leon

This spring in the Central Oregon high desert is the only water for miles around. The vegetation around it makes the site easy to spot.

by Peter Kummerfeldt

Throughout much of North America, water is usually available and easily obtained from open sources such as lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Fundamental to finding water is understanding that it will always seek the lowest level possible. If water is present, some form of vegetation will probably show its presence.

A good strategy for locating water is to  find a vantage point from which you can scan the surrounding countryside. Slowly and methodically, search for any water indicators such as green vegetation, birds flocking to specific areas, trails left by both domestic and wild animals, and even large rock formations from which springs may originate or where water becomes trapped. Man–made sources of water such as windmills, tanks, dams and irrigation canals might also be observed.

Look for water in low lying areas, such as depressions, sinks, or tanks, where rainfall or melting snow is likely to collect. Water can often be found in these areas long after the last precipitation, especially if they are shaded. A pair of binoculars can save you a lot of walking!

Don’t risk your life trying to climb or reach the water’s edge when safer strategies can be used. Tie a line to a water bottle or other container and throw it or lower it into the water from a safe vantage point. Since many water containers do not come with a reliable attachment point when the container is uncapped, make one by duct taping a loop of parachute cord or other line to the side of the water container.

Do not use the retaining strap that connects the cap to the water bottle. Sometimes this strap will pull free from the full bottle as it is being retrieved from the water source. The  result could be a lost bottle.

Water in some lakes, particularly many found in the western United States, contain high concentrations of calcium carbonate and calcium bicarbonate in solution which makes the water non-potable. Lakes of this nature are usually easily identified because the calcium salts leached from the soil form deposits of white powder around the perimeter of the lake as the water evaporates. Water containing high concentrations of calcium carbonate and bicarbonate taste terrible and should not be consumed!

The water quantity produced by seeps and springs varies tremendously. In some situations the amount will be only a

The green grass in the middle of an arid area is an indicator that water might be present. This seep doesn't produce much water, but every little bit helps!

few teaspoons per hour. In other cases, gallons of water can flow from the ground in minutes. Where the quantities are small, the flat edge of the mouth on a plastic bag can be used to scoop up the water from a shallow source, or if it is flowing, to collect the water as it runs into the bag. (editor’s note: This is one reason I always carry a cup or wide mouth container!) A short piece of vinyl aquarium hose also works well for sucking up water from shallow collections or to recover water from narrow cracks in the rocks.

Following rain, water collects in low lying areas and may be found long after the last storms have passed through the area. Check out any depressions, sinks or other low places where water could gather. Water sources like these should be checked carefully since they are frequently contaminated with debris that has been washed into the drainage.

Finding the remains of animals that have died nearby or in the water and other similar contaminants will necessitate boiling the water, the use of halogens (iodine or chlorine) or the use of a mechanical pump to purify it.

It may be possible to locate abandoned open wells from which water may be obtained. Commonly the rope and bucket typically used to lift water from these wells will be missing and a person will have to improvise a means to lower a container down into the well to retrieve the water. Lacking a container a clothing item can serve as a sponge when lowered into the water. Windmills that could provide a ready source of water are a common sight across North America especially where little surface water exists. Commonly the water pumped to the surface is collected in a nearby tank or pumped directly into a trough from which livestock can drink. Where an open source is not available it may be necessary to dismantle or damage the piping associated with the windmill to gain access to the water. Without tools, this may not be possible.

The Nalgene bottle, center, has a piece of parachute cord secured with duct tape. This would allow the bottle to be tied to a rope and lowered into a pool. The nalgene is flanked by two soft, roll-up water containers.

In arid areas, particularly in the western and south-western United States, rainwater collectors called “guzzlers” may be found. These are designed to gather precipitation and feed it into a holding tank where it remains until it is either consumed by thirsty animals or eventually evaporates.

Rain water can be easily collected using a sheet of plastic or similar material. Water collects on the upper surfaces of any material (it doesn’t have to be waterproof) and drains to the lowest point where it is collected.

Even though water is not visible on the surface of the ground, it may still be present in the soil in sufficient quantity to be collected. Locate low lying areas where water is most likely to have accumulated and dig down until damp layers of soil are found. Over time, water may seep into the hole where it can be collected.

If no indicators of sub-surface water are present, dig a hole in the outside bend of a dry river bed. Look for a location where the centrifugal force of flowing water has eroded the outer bend of a river bank creating a depression where the last remnants of water flowing downriver will have accumulated.
A person’s ability to collect water trapped by plants, or contained within plants can be a valuable aide to combating dehydration. Once again, a line must be drawn between methods that are practical and those that are more survival legend than fact!

Barrel cacti for example, long featured in survival literature as a source of water in arid regions, should not be utilized. The quantity of fluid that can be extracted from a barrel cactus is very limited and the fluid that is obtained is not beneficial and may in fact be detrimental to your health!

Recommended Reading:
Desert Survival Skills
Desert Survival Skills
The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers

 Surviving a Wilderness Emergency
Build the Perfect Survival Kit

Related Product Links:
desert survival books
water filtering systems

For more related SurvivalCommonSense.com tips and stories, click on the highlighted words:

• STOP: Use this exercise to reduce stress and focus your thoughts.
• Write a note to let people know where you went, before you left.
• Take your Ten Essentials on every outing.
• Dress with the right fabrics.
• Have a plan to make a tarp shelter.
• Carry lightweight, compact firestarter.
• Find the most effective fire ignition system.
• How to make charcloth, a material that can catch a spark from any source.
• Use charcloth as an effective method of catching a spark to make a fire.
• It can kill you: Hypothermia
• Hardtack: A great emergency food
• About Leon  Pantenburg

In an instant, the backpacking trip in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains turned from an idyllic family outing to every parent’s nightmare. One moment, my son Daniel, 16 months old at the time, was playing around the campsite. In the next, despite the close supervision of four adults, he had vanished.

Though warmly dressed, this youngster would be hard to find if she got lost in the winter woods. Her clothing blends in with the surroundings and there is no whistle attached to her coat.

The adults immediately split up to search for Dan. I sprinted back down to the lake, while my wife, Debbie, ran the other way, up the hill. Out of the corner of her eye, Debbie caught a flash of Dan’s bright red jacket as he disappeared over the rise. She collared the would-be wanderer, who thought the chase was part of a game. Flagging Tape 1-3/16″ wide, Polka Dot, 14 to choose from

We took my oldest son, Dan, on his first backpacking trip when he was five months old. Debbie carried him and all the paraphernalia associated with an infant, and I carried all the camping gear.  When my brother, Mike, went backpacking with us, he and I would split the weight up. We didn’t go far, but we still managed to get back into the mountains, away from most of the crowds.

Infants are easy to take along, as long as you have properly prepared their gear. They can’t wander off, and a tarp in the sunlight, along with some favorite toys, quickly turns them into happy campers. And talk about happy memories!

The difficulty starts when kids reach the toddler stage and before they’re old enough to go to kindergarten. Kids in this age group have boundless energy and curiosity, no concept of danger, and a near suicidal lack of  common sense. By the time children reach kindergarten age, they are generally considered old enough to be taught. But if you’re taking a little kid into the backcountry, plan on spending all your time on full alert.

There are some steps to make your child as safe as possible, and outing preparation should start long before you arrive at the trailhead. These tips have worked well with all three of my children:

* Always dress kids in bright clothing. Soft, muted earth tones or black or white jackets are like camouflage, and the youngsters should be highly visible at all times. You may want to take along some fluorescent duct tape and/or flagging and attach it to the youngsters so they will be even more visible. ALL FLORESCENT FLAGGING TAPE

* Permanently attach a whistle on their coats or somewhere it won’t be lost. Explain that the whistle is always to be carried with them and only used if they get separated. Fox 40 Pearl Safety – Pink

* Teach them (and practice) the drumming game: Teach the child that if separated from the group, find a tree and a stick and start hitting it to make noise. Blow the whistle as part of the game.

* The usual rules about not talking to strangers are suspended if the child gets lost in the wilderness. Explain that there will be many nice people trying to help find him or her, and these searchers will know the child’s name. You don’t want the child hiding from rescuers. Re-enforce this idea as you hike, so they don’t forget.

* Keep them hydrated and fed, even if separated from you: Dehydration in the wilderness is a danger to anyone. For youngsters, especially, it can be deadly. My kids each had a bladder-style hydration system, as which work well. CamelBak Skeeter Kid’s Hydration Pack The novelty of  being able to drink out of a drinking tube, and the fact that the system was carried like a backpack, means the child probably won’t lose their water.  If the child is lost, it may take several hours to find them, and they will need to drink. It’s also a good idea to put snacks in the backpack part of the bladder backpack, so the child learns to look there for food. Clif Kid Zbar Variety Pack – 8 Chocolate Chip, 8 Chocolate Brownie and 8 Honey Graham per Box

Here are some child safety recommendations from Deschutes County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue:

* Everybody stays together.

* Teach the children that if they get lost or separated, to sit down, stay put, drink water and eat their snacks.

* Look bigger for searchers: Your waiting space, if possible, should be near an open space. Blow your whistle if you hear or see anybody!

* Don’t lie down on bare ground.

* Stay away from large rivers and lakes.

Suggested reading:
Surviving a Wilderness Emergency
Fieldbook
Build the Perfect Survival Kit

For related SurvivalComonSense tips, click on the highlighted words:

• STOP: Use this exercise to reduce stress and focus your thoughts.
• Write a note to let people know where you went, before you left.
• Take your Ten Essentials on every outing.
• Dress with the right fabrics.
• Have a plan to make a tarp shelter.




• Carry lightweight, compact firestarter.

by Leon Pantenburg

Here’s the scenario: You walked further down that interesting-looking trail than originally planned and the sun is starting to set behind the mountains. An unsettled feeling in your stomach starts to get worse, and becomes a knot. The knot twists tighter as you realize you don’t have a clue where you are.  The thought sets it: I may be lost…

When everything looks the same, and you realize you're lost, STOP.

For many of us, the first reaction might be to take off, rapidly, in the direction we came from. Maybe jogging would be a good idea. Then, despite your best intentions, you start to panic…

But think: STOP. Say it out loud if you have to, then think what the acronym stands for: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.

This well-used old acronym, probably mentioned in every survival manual, should be embedded in your psyche. STOP is a survival mind-set exercise. Here’s how to use it. Follow these steps.

Stop: Unless it’s dangerous, quit moving and sit down. Breathe. Take a drink of water. Eat a snack. Stay put – you can’t think until you can focus your thoughts. Time yourself – take at least 30 minutes to let the adrenaline wear off.

Think: Assess your choices and the tools available. Do you have your 10 essentials and the necessary survival gear along? Can you use them? Knowing you’re prepared for an unexpected night out can give you confidence and make you feel less afraid. This confidence could keep you from doing something stupid.

Observe: Take the surroundings into account, because this will affect what comes next. Is it getting dark? Is the temperature dropping or is the weather getting bad? These environmental factors must be considerations.

Plan: Based on your previous actions in this exercise, make an overall plan. Then make some immediate decisions and get going. Don’t expect anyone to help you, and don’t procrastinate.