Main Essentials

Surviving The Equatorial Rainforest of Malaysia - for the Ordinary People.

Tokwan’s Essentials of Survival

1.    Fire

2.    Shelter

3.    Water

4.    Cordage

5.    Nourishment

6.    Medical

7.    Navigation

8.    Communication.
     
      Before exploring on a Survival Kit, remember the international Survival “Rule of 3’s”.

·         You cannot live 3 minutes without air

·         You cannot live 3 hours without warmth if below freezing temperature.

·         You cannot live 3 days without water.

·         You cannot live 3 weeks without food.

These 3 essentials will help you determine what items you need in order to come up with your own survival kit. I built mine around these 3 essentials.

1.    Fire 

  

     Fire is the most important attribute in survival. It gives you light, which is the most important moral booster in such a situation. It gives you warmth. It helps to discourage nocturnal animals from getting close to you, as fire is a threat to them, it spells danger as smoke from the fire to animals, means the jungle might be burning. With fire, you can process or sterile water and cook food. Fire is your television.

·         Think how would you make fire?

·         Do you know how to make fire?

·         If you do know, how fast can you do it?       

·         Do you have the skills of primitive fire making?

·         Do you have the tools to make fire?

·         Will a torch light or a camping lantern and a headlamp give sufficient light, be

able to give you warmth and protect you?

2.   Shelter 

Shelter made from 2 pieces of 7 Eleven disposable ponchos and plastic strings.

      A shelter is something that shelters you from the elements such as rain, the sun and wind. It also helps you to be more confident, as you are protected by a roof, and as if you are surrounded by the walls of home.

·         Think or imagine what you would need to make a shelter during a survival   situation. Anticipate how long would it take you to built a shelter?

·         Can you make a shelter with a raised bed within 2 hours as most people would   realize they are lost with just a couple of hours of daylight remaining.

·         Would you be able to make a shelter in case of a  storm and heavy rain?  

·         How would you cut branches or small sized timber? Do you have the tool?

·         Would you be able to collect branches, twigs and leaves to make roofing for your   shelter?

·        Can your cutting tool cut vines for cordage if you do not have enough ropes?

Thinking of the above, would you rather bring a small tarp for the shelter roofing? Maybe a small and light hammock to sleep off the ground?

Please Note: In an Equatorial Rainforest, sleeping off the ground is key. You should NEVER sleep on the ground, even if you have a ground sheet. There are too many dangers and risks if you sleep on the ground, one of the dangers being,  snakes looking for body heat donors. You might be the donor.

3.  Water 

Processing water for cooking and consumption.

       A person cannot live more than three days without water. If you found water,

·         how would you collect,           

 store and transport water?

·         Do you have the knowledge

 to filter and purify water?

·         If you do, do you have all

 the necessary items?

·         How would you make the

 water you found drinkable?

·         How do you boil water and how long do you need to boil it?