Missing Persons.

MANY… Missing Persons it seems indeed,.. in deed and in fact…  too.

Oft reported in/over all Media Forms and so on (click).

 

This Topic is one of the rather disquieting sort.

My,.. Shiro’s brow… furrows deep.

WHERE.?.

 

 

WHY.?.

 

An obvious need emerges for…

BUSH SURVIVAL SECRETS.

…THE TOP 9.

… of Shiro’s… herein.

Conspiracy Theories aside… (click)…

 

Missing Person’s…and:

Later investigations solve some and a form of peace at least presented to the Family and left behinds and interested parties.

But some… are still Missing it seems.

 

When some… turns into MANY… unanswered questions only remain.

Including…???… missing… or taken.?.

 

Survival within Nature’s embrace involves consideration of many factors.

The Research herein indicates external factors have affected… effects.

 

Many people go Missing yearly.

 

(Music Link)

 

Oft and consistently i, Shiro… go missing… purposely.

Taken… by choice and whimsy,.. not others intent (click).

The NATURE QUEST has long been a Mainstay in many Traditional Practices such as NINPO and SHAMANISM.

 

I “…go bush ” (click);..

… lost and missing in Nature as a personal experience.

(…The Bush,.. an OZ nick-name for NATURE’S LANDSCAPES.)

 

Survival Skills tested, examined and re-examined.

My choice. Totally.

 

 

IF ONLY… NATURE…

…COULD TALK…and…

…Shiro could fly… too.

 

The Wilderness or The Bush.. by it’s very Nature/NATURE… is semi-isolated areas.

Areas of Concern it seems indeed (click).

A need to balance use and preservation.

The dangers obvious for those who look.

 

 

The desire and thrill to seek out such adventures requires immediate tempering with risk and hazard assessment.

MOST newcomers… the most at risk.

 

 

The largest Bird in Australia is the EMU.

A Bird… that cannot fly.

 

A very quick Runner though… indeed,.. in deed and in fact… too (click).

A top speed between 50-75 kph.

 

USAIN BOLT btw… bolts along at about…  35 kph… (click).

Shiro… a lil’ slower.

 

This i found out quite early in my explorations.

 

 

The noise reverberated down into the gully where i walked.

A boom.?. of sorts.?.

 

I froze as it was a sound i knew not.

Crouching down now… angled my view up the sloped ground ahead.

A small series of movements could be just seen.

Wildlife it seemed.

 

EMU… emus actually.

 

More booms and grunts as i cautiously approached… bad idea.

 

Two figures jumped into the air,.. almost simultaneously (click).

Legs splayed, 3-toed clawed feet thrust out towards the other.

 

Males… deciding Territory.

 

(Video Link)

 

RUN… Shiro run… climb… too.

The dispute ended quickly as a claw found it’s target.

 

The one affected fell awkwardly and on rising… ran away… fast.

…TOWARDS ME…???… and kept going… past.

 

Relief Breath… given… and taken.

 

The winner per se followed slowly ensuring the loser kept moving.

Till… it spotted me that is.

…Relief time… over.

 

Still some 50 mtrs away… i, Shiro,.. decided to run…

…away as well.

Bolting… down the hill.

 

Fast as lil’ legs could go…

 

 

…wishing i had Wings… that worked…

…unlike the EMUs that is.

 

I could hear it nearing as i ran… towards trees and cover.

The EMU was fast,.. very FRICKEN fast… compared to me.

 

Probably… 3-4 TIMES FASTER.

 

As the gorge ground bottomed and flattened out… it caught up.

Making noises of boom like grunts as it came.

 

Thankfully… a Tree… also intervened… on my behalf.

Well… Trees,.. actually.

 

I had picked the spot as i moved.

Several Trees in a lil’ grouping.

Climb one and get above the jump height was the plan.

 

 

But first… a game of ring-a-ring-a-rosey…

…round and round the Trees (click)… we went.

EMU… and me.

 

As we did so i kept my walking-stick thrust out…

…hopefully to look bigger and so forth.

My back-pack… strapped well and fairly tight was no hindrance…

…and offered some rear protection… too.

 

Whenever and wherever a gap appeared the EMU pecked.

Usually meeting… Stick.

 

 

A final block met neck/head side on with good force.

Using the EMU’s recovery as distraction…

…and a pole-climb Technique learnt long ago with S. ED LOMAX (click).

 

The pic below is of the right theme and result,..

…safeish, nestled in Nature… looking at the EMU…

grunting and booming below.

 

Then finally moving off… too.

 

OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS…

 

The set of OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS necessary to handle any Emergency is one only garnered by experience and doing.

Life in the Wild has no reset button indeed.

Nature talks in a Language that can take a Life-time to come to grips with.

 

The following set of 9 Survival Tips will ensure you are listening…

…at least a lil’ i hope.

 

(Music Link)

 

 

Shiro’s SET OF 9…

…SURVIVAL SECRETS.

 

1. TELL THE WORLD.

 

Well…

…YOUR WORLD anyway.

Unless you have compelling reasons not to… …tell someone.

 

GAIN AND Give as much Info/Intel as you can and sort out an Emergency Plan/Timetable… if you… go walkabouts per se.

PLAN Prior… Using the following Tips as Outlines.

 

 

2. EAT AND DRINK… LOTS.

 

 

Keep up the food and drink.

Much Energy required. Rest lots… too.

Malnutrition and Dehydration affect your Mental processes as well as the Physical effects.

 

Stay with Hope,.. avoiding Frustration… (click)

…and Tragedy.

 

2-3 days without Water is the max.

Serious issues en-route.

Drinking your own Urine…no more than twice… will add another day perhaps (click).

 

 

Stay near fresh-water whenever possible, boil if req.

Be aware and considerate of Local Wild-life… who may also frequent the area.

Escape and Emergency Routes should follow Water-courses down-hill.

 

Take portable Water Purifying devices/tablets (click).

Learn to Devise Rain, Dew and Moisture catchers/drippers (click).

 

 

Be prepared to eat… anything.

Kill only to Survive.

 

Worms, Bugs and Insects, Reptiles, peculiar Plants etc.

Trapping, Snaring and Fishing basics an asset here (click).

Small/lightweight Locale Reference books will also help much here.

Gain Knowledge of the Locale’s Wild Berries and Fruits/Plants.

 

3. BASIC FIRST AID…

…AND NATURE’S HELPERS THEREIN.

(click).

Learn Basic First Aid… and/or more.

 

(Video Link)

 

 

4. PACK MULTI-PURPOSE ITEMS PREFERENTIALLY.

 

 

Wherever possible… Multi-use Items/Tools get priority.

Learn how they work, what they can do and how to repair/maintain them… and do so etc.

Such as the above,.. a prime example.

 

Also:.. When out Bush… throw nothing away unless it rots or carrying is not an option.

NOTHING.

 

All things may have a use… even just Emergency fuel for fire etc.

Plus stops littering.

 

If it rots… bury preferably,.. to avoid smell and predators.

Bury well the camp/fire remains,.. upon moving on… too.

 

 

A decent pocket Knife or such Multi-tool should be on your person… AT ALL TIMES.

Learn to adapt it’s uses… and to maintain,.. oil if req. etc and sharpen and so forth.

 

When buying such and whenever can… buy Pouches for the implement… in addition to basic implement protection many such have extra tabs, pockets, places and loops to attach other tools or hold a loop of rope/string/bow-string or carry a small sharpening stone or bundle of rod/spikes in etc.

Also prefer those with key-ring type attachments… to hang securely off Belt or Back-Pack… too.

 

(Video Link)

 

A light-weight Plastic PONCHO for Winter Protection can double as a Water Catcher Sheet in Summer… and ground cover material anytime… under your bedding or to eat off… or as a wrapping material.

 

I make a smallish bundle… wrapping inside such as the following,..

…which is kept dry etc:.. like wrapping a pressie by lining;

(…Netting/Poncho/Newspaper/Tea-towel…)

 

Into the Tea-towel…

Fine Grass Tinder clumps, Steel Wool, Cotton Wool, Water-proof Matches, Lighters, Roll of Duct Tape (click) and a small bundle of Metal rods/spikes about 6in. long bound by several Rubber Bands.

A Fishing Hand-Reel and line.

Small pack clothes-pegs.

Several Corks holding Needles, Fish hooks and weights/lures.

A spare Bow-string and small length metal garrotte Chain with finger-rings which allows one to use the implement as a Saw that can go in/for awkward places/small circum. sticks etc… also.

A spare Locale Map included… pencil… too.

 

Wrap Tea-towel in Newspaper… Newspaper in Poncho…

…and so forth… finally,.. in the Netting.

Makes a brick-size light-weight pack of many implements. Can be (net) slung or tied or packed as is.

 

Newspaper… spare reading material/wrap… or tinder… as well.

Teatowel… multi-uses.

Netting… fishing, trapping, multi-uses, carry-bag sling etc.

 

Steel Wool btw… cleans Pots, Pans and Tools… whilst in an Emergency,.. can also be used as Tinder.

 

 

5. NATURE NAVIGATE SKILLS AND WEATHER READING.

 

Basic Map reading and associated Compass and Navigation skills required (click).

Try the ages of Yore style;.. as below,.. read the Stars-way.

 

(Video Link)

 

Understand the Basics of Natural Weather Reading and Signs thereof (click)…

…in particular,.. relative to the Site/Locale you travel through/on.

 

 

6. BE CALM… AND FLEXIBLY ADAPTIVE.

 

 

Your Survival… is an attitude per se.

Stay focused calmly on the positive… no matter how small.

Keep it real… too.

 

Do not be rushed unless the situation demands it.

Assess and monitor your Physical AND Mental States. Adjust Plan as/if req’d.

 

Stay organised. Know your limits.

Be flexible and adaptive. Observe and use the surroundings wherever can to aid and protect you.

 

If you have not performed any Night Training prior,.. the disorientation effect and lack of visual acuity may be less than welcome… and more emphasised.

Many Locales may also have a different set of Predators at night.

Camp overnight, get rest and recheck your Bearings in good light etc.

 

DO NOT WANDER AROUND AIMLESSLY.

Waste of Energy and Rest-time and so forth.

 

Those who enjoy the Night… keep going.

The temperature is usually cooler… which may translate to more ground covered.

Keep the Focus.

Predators. Ill-intent Humans…

…low-light visibility etc to adjust to as well as using Night Navigation Methods applicable etc.

Stay hydrated.

 

If you understand the Term; “… The Observer…” in you… is to be used in the above Tip(s).

As if you are… “…Your Doctor…”  attitude here.

 

E.g. DO WHATS… “…BEST FOR YOU…“… not a patch-up job per se.

Tis YOUR Survival after ALL.

 

 

7. LEARN AND DEVISE SOS TYPES…

 

Survival may indeed depend upon a Rescue.

The… “…deserted Island…” scenario.

 

Clear a wide swathe of Land as best can… or use the Beach… if applicable.

Construct a HUGE… “…HELP… or… S.O.S….” signage.

Shiny and reflective if can… use metal, mirror glass, blanket, paper, alfoil, white/light colored clothes and rags, large light colored Leaves etc…

 

Dependent on Landscape… Go for contrast to attract if reqd.,..

…dark STONES/ROCKS on light Ground-cover etc.

 

For those with a… flare for FIRE… set up a HUGE BON-FIRE PIT Type… just like the Movies.

 

If you have… a FLARE…USE IT WHEN TIME.

DO NOT AIM AT THE RESCUE PARTY PLEASE.

 

THUS;..

…Rescued… and Survived.

 

 

8. GAIN AND TAKE COVER.

 

When Sleep and/or Rest reqd.;

Be a lil’ inventive… may help here.

 

Caves, Ledges/Overhangs, Lean-to’s, Tee-pee Style, Underground, In the Ground, Up Trees, Hammock Style, On the Ground etc.

Be discerning on where… NOT NEAR a filling River in Winter for example…

…less you have a Boat handy… too.

 

Each of the above Shelters has Benefits… and weak-points.

Dependent on Locale… insect or warmth may be priorities.

 

Predators perhaps… too.

Clear the area of local critters with noise, fire etc. as req’d.

Air-flow…and camp-fire smoke flow considerations may apply also.

 

Blankets can be Clothes, Large Leaves and other such soft and pliant Plant Material for bedding.

 

 

 

9. LEARN TO… START FIRES…

 

…FOR SAFETY and SURVIVAL THAT IS.

NO FIREBUGS NEED APPLY,..

 

…THOUGH FIRE… STOPS A BUG… DEAD INDEED.

Most Wild-life will avoid a fiery approach… also.

 

Helps cook dinners and acts as night warmers and lights,.. a Rescue Beacon… too.

 

 

Several workable FIRE-STARTER Methods exist and can be found online under SURVIVAL Type Sites.

I keep several pairs of generic reading glasses with magnification 2.5-3x… makes Map Reading and Needle Repair work etc a lil’ easier… to see…

…and in an Emergency… use the Lens and OUR SUN.

 

Thanks to a Modern OZ Invention… there is ONE TOOL… to easily do this job.

Referred to as the “…AUSSIE SURVIVAL TOOL…” (click).

 

 

A combo of WOOD, MAGNESIUM ROD, FLINT ROD AND CARBON STRIKER.

 

The STRIKER shaves the WOOD and MAGNESIUM for tinder.

STRIKER on FLINT… provides the sparky flames.

 

In addition to the above warming considerations,.. the Device has several applicable RESCUE aids.

At night… the FLINT SPARK can be seen some 2-3 kms…

…if line of sight and conditions suitable.

 

 

As a Torch or light… just hold over area and strike as req’d.

The Striker can reflect sunlight during the day… into the Rescuers eyes if attention needs to be grabbed… like a mirror.

 

Lastly and importantly… getting the Device WET… means lil’ indeed…

…in deed and in fact… too.

 

The WOOD IS NATURALLY VERY OILY ( …THUS WATER RESISTANT…),..

…AND…

…MAGNESIUM WILL STILL BURN it seems… wet or dry.

 

Hot as indeed.

 

 

Take a Shiro Tip or two,..

From Our World Legends:..

 

…or 9…

…and… SURVIVE… as well.

 

 

(Video Link)

 

(Music Link)

 

Till next…