SURVIVAL

When an aircraft must bewitched or crashlanded, the sudden shifting of cargo or equipment may cause injury or loss of life. Therefore, it is important to secure any loose gear that may not be tied down and recheck cargo for security of tiedowns. Emergency gear, such as life rafts, water, food, and first-aid kits, should be placed in the aircraft where it can be easily removed in the event of a crash landing. Each type of aircraft has different ditching or crash-landing procedures. Therefore, you should refer to the NATOPS manual for ditching procedures of each specific aircraft.

LAND SURVIVAL

Once your aircraft has crash-landed, clear the aircraft as soon as possible. If you have time, remove the emergency supplies from the aircraft.

Once the aircraft is cleared, stay a safe distance away until the engines have cooled and any spilled fuel has evaporated.

Set up temporary shelter for protection from the wind and rain. If a fire is needed, start it at once.

Get your emergency radio operating and have other signaling equipment, such as flares, ready for immediate use.

Now relax and rest until you are over the shock of the crash. Leave extensive preparations and planning until later.

After you rest, organize the camp. Appoint individuals to specific duties. Inventory all food and equipment. Look for a water supply. Prepare a shelter for protection from rain, hot sun, snow, wind, or cold. Collect all possible fuel for fires. Try to have at least a day's supply of fuel on hand. Look for food.

Prepare signals that can be recognized from the air. Spread a parachute canopy out. This will be a good signaling aid for search aircraft.

If you have bailed out, try to make your way to the crashed aircraft. The rescuers can spot it from the air even when they cannot see a person. Stay with the aircraft unless briefing instructions have been to the contrary. Do not leave the aircraft crash area unless you know you are within easy walking distance of help. If you travel, leave a note giving planned route (except in hostile territory). Stick to your plan so rescuers can locate you.

You are the key man in the rescue. Help the search parties to find you and follow their instructions when they sight you.

ARCTIC SURVIVAL

Most people, when they think of arctic survival, think of trying to survive on an ice float at a temperature of -50 below zero without shelter or the possibility of getting food. This is not true.

Even on the ice pack, a person who is properly prepared can survive. Many of the arctic regions have abundant plant and animal life. The arctic regions are not too different from some regions of the United States.

Shelter

In the Arctic, as in any area, a shelter can be improvised from parts of the aircraft and emergency equipment or from natural materials in the vicinity.

The kind of shelter that is made depends on whether protection is needed from rain, cold, heat, sun, or insects, and also whether the camp is only for a night or for many days.

Choose the location for the camp carefully. Try to be near fuel and water - especially water.

ARCTIC WINTER. - Do not live in the aircraft-it will be too cold. Try to improvise a better insulated shelter outdoors.

Camp in an area of timber, if possible, to be near fuel. If you cannot find timber, choose a spot protected from wind and drifting snow. Do not camp at the bases of steep slopes or cliffs where snow may drift heavily or come down in avalanches or in areas where you run the risk of floods, rockfalls, or being battered by winds.

In timbered country, a good winter shelter is a lean-to. Lay the covering boughs shingle fashion, starting from the bottom. If you have a piece of parachute nylon, use it for the roof. Close the ends with fabric or boughs.

Keep the front openings of all shelters crosswind. A windbreak of snow or ice blocks set close to the shelter is helpful.

In making shelters, remember that snow is a good insulator. In timberless country, make a