PSR ExpertPrimitive Survival Rating

Field First Aid

Stay or evacuate

Lost-person and wilderness medicine both emphasise decision points: self-rescue vs signalling for help.

1 min readMedium energyMedium reliability

At a glance

Energy investmentMedium energyBad marches destroy remaining reserves.
ReliabilityMedium reliability
TimeDecision within minutes; execution hours

Materials

  • Map/awareness
  • Signal tools
  • Honest assessment of injuries

Steps

  1. 1List life threats and mobility limits.
  2. 2Estimate time/distance to help vs risk of moving.
  3. 3If staying: improve shelter, water, signals.
  4. 4If moving: short stages, mark route, rest before exhaustion.
Stay-or-go study: a camp with a signal fire and water beside a dotted route following a drainage out, with a compass and hand-drawn map
Staying put with water and a signal beats walking, unless you can name where you are walking to.

Common mistakes

  • Pride delaying a call for help
  • Night travel without need
  • Splitting the party carelessly

Other methods

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