Escaping Wilderness: Journaling Survival

Page 1



JOURNALING SURVIVAL Designed by Adele Wiejaczka


CONTENTS


LETTERS FROM THE FIELD 05

PREPARATION 11

FIRST AID KIT 43 PLANE CRASH 35

SURVIVAL MENTALITY 23


CHAPTER ONE


LETTERS FROM THE FIELD

CHAPTER ONE


ESCAPING WILDERNESS



ESCAPING WILDERNESS


“I FEEL THE MOST GROUNDED AND CENTERED WHILE IN A WILDERNESS SETTING. IT IS WHERE I AM MY BEST.” —ADELE


CHAPTER TWO


PREPARATION

CHAPTER TWO


Less than 32.0 percent of Americans participate in outdoor endeavors, with varying levels of ability among these 68.2 million people. This graph represents people 16 years and older in the US participating in land resource–based outdoor activities, from 1999–2003.

ACTIVITY

BACKPACKING

PRIMITIVE CAMPING

% of US population (millions of people)

10.4% (22.2)

15.9% (33.9)

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


DEVELOPED CAMPING

GATHERING FOOD

VISIT TO WILDERNESS

26.4% (56.3)

28.5% (60.7)

32.0% (68.2)

CHAPTER TWO


About 100,000 years ago, the first stone tools were developed, and with these came a lot more control over nature. The first dwellings were built, and the first clothing was crafted from skins and pelts. Soon, basic grass and fiber weaves were added to the clothing lineup. Over the next 80,000 years, these additions to mankind’s communal knowledge caused a population explosion. During this time, mankind could travel far and wide, as he had clothes to protect against foul weather. Mankind no longer relied on nature to provide shelter, he could build it and even carry it with him as necessary. These factors caused a major expansion of the areas inhabited by mankind, which extended throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and eventually across the Bering Straits to North and South America. As expansion took place and people continued to gain knowledge and ability in the outdoors, they began exploring for personal gain and benefit. Thus began the era of adventurers.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


CHAPTER TWO


Two adventure travelers celebrate their preparation for a trip. They have carefully packed their needed gear and are ready to hit the trail. Mark says that he has a lot of fun on the trail, but being ready for anything is what allows him to relax while in the outdoors and enjoy his time.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


Detailed prior planning is essential in potential survival situations. Including survival considerations in mission planning will enhance your chances of survival if an emergency occurs. This includes medical supplies, equipment, food/water, contingency plans and telling someone of your travels. Often the biggest mistakes happen before someone even leaves on a trip. Although part of the joy in traveling in the outdoors is the unknown, it is important to take care of your basic needs. Without preparation you expose yourself and your potential rescuers to unneeded risk. The wilderness provides enough risk without further exposing yourself. One of the most climbed mountain in America is Mount Washington in New Hampshire. According to Barry O’Connell’s article on the “Weather of Mount Washington,” the relatively small peak (6,288 feet) has killed more people than any other mountain in America. With over 99 accumulated deaths in 1992, the majority of these deaths were due to hypothermia because climbers were unprepared for the range of weather patters on the mountain. A little bit of research and prior knowledge would have alleviated this problem. Many of these deaths occurred in the summer months, when people chose lighter packs over a few warm layers. Traveling in the outdoors requires respect. Any wilderness traveler should carry warm layers, rain gear, food, lighters, and a first aid kit.

CHAPTER TWO


Wilderness medical training places a greater emphasis on long–term patient care in the backcountry where conventional hospital care can take days to reach. In the 1950s organizations such as The Mountaineers began developing training programs that addressed these special needs. The first Wilderness EMT course was taught in 1976 to help EMTs in Colorado adapt their skills and knowledge when working with Search and Rescue teams. Today wilderness medical training is a requirement for all outdoor professionals and guides. Another avenue of wilderness rescue and medical support is Search and Rescue. They provide search services and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. One of the world’s earliest well documented Search and Rescue efforts ensued following the 1656 wreck of the Dutch merchant ship Vergulde Draeck off the west coast of Australia. Survivors sent for help, and in response three separate Search and Rescue missions were conducted, unfortunately without success.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


A wilderness medicine student is used as an example to create a femur splint out of a snowboard. In a wilderness setting, rescuers have to get creative with limited resources and supplies.

CHAPTER TWO


ESCAPING WILDERNESS


Once out in the wilderness and traveling in remote areas, you are reliant upon your predetermined preparation, equipment, supplies, ability, and mind set. Remaining calm in many situations can often save the day, allowing a solution to arise without panicking. As we discuss travel in wilderness areas, it is important to determine what exactly “wilderness� is referring to. The simple definition of Wilderness is an area where the earth and wildlife is untrampled by man. More specifically it is federal land retaining its original character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, and is being protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions. Wilderness designations effect human activity in these areas by prohibiting uses of the land including, permanent or temporary roads and structures, the use of motor vehicles, the landing of aircraft and limitations of anything motorized. Wilderness areas are supported by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Wilderness survival is off the beaten path, in settings at least one hour from definitive care. Survival is proportionally harder to obtain the further you are from help and civilization.

CHAPTER TWO


CHAPTER THREE


SURVIVAL MENTALITY

CHAPTER THREE



Endorphins released to repress pain

How well you exercise self control and composure in emergency situations often decides

Enlarged bronchial tubes

the outcome in survival scenarios. Self control is defined as, “the ability to control your own

Increased heart rate

behavior, especially in terms of reactions and impulses.” In survival situations people are “not

Fatty acids and glycogen released from fat deposits

all there,” they are running on rudimentary

and liver for quick energy

systems, experiencing altered states of perception, cognition, memory and emotions. Survival

Constricted blood vessels cause hair to stand on end

situations effect people on every level. If you allow yourself to panic, your ability to

Fibrinogen in bloodstream

problem solve is greatly reduced and you are susceptible to irrationality. This can cause greater problems than the situation itself. We are all familiar with the concept of “fight or flight.” The phrase was coined by Harvard University physiologist Walter Cannon in 1915. The fight or flight theory states that animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, priming the animal for fighting or fleeing. This response was later recognized as the first stage of a general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms.

CHAPTER THREE



“TO BEST OBTAIN THE SURVIVAL MENTALITY, FOCUS ON LIVING IN THE MOMENT. LAUGHTER OR PLAY WILL HELP YOU.” —AL SIEBERT


TENTATIVE SLOW FALLIBLE

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


Emotion is an instinctive response aimed at self preservation. It involves numerous bodily changes that are preparations for action. The nervous system fires more energetically, the blood changes its chemistry so that it coagulates more rapidly, muscle tone alters, digestion stops, and various chemicals flood the body to put it in a state of high readiness for whatever needs to be done. All this happens outside of conscious control.

SURENESS UNHESITATING QUICK

CHAPTER THREE


ESCAPING WILDERNESS


A survivor must compartmentalize and set small goals when faced with potentially hopeless situations. In these scenarios, a person goes through stages of horror, anger, depression and needs to turn this into will–power and a plan. Once a person reaches the plan stage, they are able to focus on the task at hand effectively. In extended group survival scenarios structure must emerge, however, there are phases that people must move through. First, people go through the shock of the experience, and then a social order will develop. From this social order, leaders rise to the surface, which can begin to allow solutions to appear. Establishing leadership in emergency situations is crucial for a success in the situation. Leaders can rise to the surface in situations naturally, as advisors, logistical leaders, spiritual leaders, and counselors. Leaders are important because morale and order need to maintain even in the worst of situations. That said, too many leaders in a group survival situation can create chaos. There needs be hierarchal organization to any successful endeavor. It has been found that people will fight harder to live if there is something or someone to live for. Successful survivors are always connected to loved ones, friends, and society, giving them the motivation they need to push through.

CHAPTER THREE


SURVIVAL IS NOT ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT RATHER ABOUT THE SURVIVAL OF A

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


CHAPTER THREE


CHAPTER FOUR


PLANE CRASH

CHAPTER FOUR


ESCAPING WILDERNESS


nine community members were invited to participate in a discussion on wilderness survival. However, this was no ordinary discussion. The group was immediately placed metaphorically in a crashed plane deep in a remote mountain range. They were given the task to determine what role they would play in the group and how they each would approach the survival attempt. Immediately, leaders emerged and personalities rose to the surface. The group deciphered some key ideas about wilderness survival from this exercise.

CHAPTER FOUR


One of the members, Aaron, brought up the

Some people took the stance that society has

processing of any situation: shock, social deci-

really fallen from the challenge and adventure

phering, then solutions. He claimed that “natu-

that was once present during the days of explo-

ral abilities will rise to the survive.” He was of

ration and a life that was closer to nature. Due

the opinion that competency is largely social,

to this dynamic, some people who desire these

meaning that the group dynamic is the largest

experiences have to find them through modern

component of a survival situation. Although

day “recreation.”

technical abilities might be important, true organization and leadership arises from how people view one another and who they trust.

One point this entire group agreed upon was the reality that the unknown is the most challenging part of any survival circumstance.

In any situation, there is the potential for peo-

Multiple people shared experiences in which

ple to chose to solve the problem on an indi-

they were physically fine, but it was the waiting

vidual level or a group level. There were strong

that affected their mental state and made them

opinions in this discussion as to how this might

anxious. When faced with the option of going

play out over time when faced with mortality.

with a mobilizing group to get help or staying

Thus the question was posed: “Are we better

behind, everyone agreed that they would rather

off alone or together.”

be on the move, because at least they would be doing something and have something to focus on, rather than just waiting.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


“THE VERY THINGS WE CALL SELFISH ARE SURVIVAL AT ITS ESSENCE.” — JAKE


ESCAPING WILDERNESS


If you were faced with this same scenario, what role do you think you would play in the group survival dynamic?  LEADER  FOLLOWER  OBSERVER  SPIRITUAL/MORALE LIFTER  THINKER/PROBLEM SOLVER

CHAPTER FOUR


CHAPTER FIVE


FIRST AID KIT

CHAPTER FIVE


PROBLEM #1 In our society, we are not readily taught how to process, control, and use our emotion to our benefit. Instead it is easy to allow our emotions to control us and dictate our actions. It all depends on the individual and their personal experiences. Dealing with emotion in a survival situation is a delicate balance and can be the difference between life and death.

SOLUTION Design can offer a solution to this problem through the development of a website framework. This website will allow people to safely and comfortably share their stories of survival and how they dealt with their particular situations. The site will contain supplemental material that provides tips on how to use emotion to one’s benefit. In addition, there will be monthly scenarios in which participants are encouraged to dialogue about solutions.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


HOME

ABOUT

SURVIVAL

PICTURES

FORUM

CONTACT

Welcome to the Wilderness Survival Forum. We look forward to hearing your survival stories. This is a safe community to share your thoughts, fear, experiences, and tips for extreme situations.

CHAPTER FIVE


PROBLEM #2 There are wilderness medical training materials available, however, these materials could be strengthened to better reach the students they are attempting to instruct. As I have learned through the research of this topic, people remember what they do better than what they read. Graphic based texts will help to provide information that students are able to understand and utilize faster.

SOLUTION Develop well窶電esigned books and materials for medical training programs that are image heavy, providing clear and quick access to the most important information first. Companion materials should be designed to be taken into the field as wilderness medical field guides. When people are in high stress situations, they need tangible and clear guidance.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


WILDERNESS MEDICINE TRAINING AID

CHAPTER FIVE


PROBLEM #3 I am among many that find introspective and inspiring experiences while in nature. Many times I will be traveling with minimal gear, wishing I had something appropriate to record my thoughts, drawings, and writings.

SOLUTION Develop durable and streamlined journals to be used in the outdoor setting. Prompts will be written throughout to help the outdoor enthusiast have a deeper connection with their experience and the environment they are traveling through and observing. This will help to deepen the process that someone experiences while in a remote wilderness setting.

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


CHAPTER FIVE


ENDNOTES


Gonzales Laurence. Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why. W.W. Norton and Company, 2004. Headquarters, Department of the Army. US Army Survival Manual, FM 21-76. Platinum Press, Inc, 1992. Neimark, Neil F. Mind/Body Education Center. <http://www.thebodysoulconnection.com/ EducationCenter/fight.html> O’Connell J. “Weather of Mount Washington.” 1994 <http://www.spongobongo.com/oc994> Swenson, Marcie. “The Truth About Wilderness Magazine” USA-ALL Access Advocate. Spring 2009 Wikipedia: Search and Rescue. <http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_and_rescue> Wilderness Medicine Institute. 2012 < http://www.nols.edu/wmi/> Wilderness Survival Skills and Tips. 2009 <http://www.emergencymadeeasy.com/Wilderness-Survival.html> Wilderness Survival Website. 2001 <http:// www.wilderness-survival.net> Wise Geek. “What is Adrenaline?” 2003 <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-adrenaline.htm>

ENDNOTES


NOTES



NOTES



awiejaczka@gmail.com ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY MFA Graphic Design GR 600 Visual Communications Lab Professors: Jeremy Stout and Kimberly Mitchell Typefaces: Avenir, Hand drawn writing Software Illustrator CS5.5, Indesign CS5.5, Photoshop CS5.5 Printed by Graphic North (Fairbanks, AK) on 32lb. Write in the Rain waterproof paper Hand bound

ESCAPING WILDERNESS


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