Do you ever wonder about what you would do if you were caught in a crisis situation. Imagine this – you’re in the wilderness, miles from civilization, and suddenly, a massive storm blows in. Or perhaps you’re in a hazardous urban setting during a power blackout. Would you know how to prioritize your survival needs. This article will discuss the top 10 survival priorities in a crisis. It’s a fact of life that crises occur, and they can strike anytime, anywhere. Being prepared and knowing your survival priorities can make the critical difference between life and death.
Understanding the Nature of Crises
Before diving into the survival priorities, let’s first understand what a crisis is. A crisis is a sudden event that disrupts normalcy, causing substantial danger or distress and necessitating immediate action. Crises can be incredibly diverse, ranging from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, to instances of social upheaval, financial downturns, and public health emergencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that the U. S faced 128 declared disasters in 2020 alone. These crises often occur with little warning, underscoring the importance of being ready for anything.
Importance of Preparedness
When crises strike, survival often depends on preparedness. Preparedness isn’t just about having the right gear or supplies; it also involves mental toughness and the ability to make quick, critical decisions under pressure. A study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals with high mental strength had a 67% higher survival rate in crisis situations compared to those with lower mental resilience.
Survival Priority 1: Water
Among the top survival priorities, water stands as the most critical. The body can only survive a matter of days without hydration. In a crisis, ensuring a clean water supply is paramount for staying alive. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends storing at least a three-day supply of water, which is about one gallon of water per person per day. There are also various methods to purify water in a crisis, like boiling, using purification tablets, or even solar distillation.
Survival Priority 2: Shelter
Shelter is the next survival priority. In a crisis, shelter protects you from harsh weather conditions, helps maintain body temperature, and offers a degree of safety from potential threats. Whether it’s finding a safe place in a building during an urban crisis or constructing a makeshift shelter in the wilderness, securing a protective space is vital. According to a report by UNHCR, adequate shelter can reduce morbidity rates during crisis situations by approximately 30%.
In the next part of this series, we’ll delve deeper into the remaining survival priorities, such as securing food, fire, first aid, and communication, among others. Remember, knowledge and preparation can significantly enhance your survival chances during a crisis. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Survival Priority 3: Food
Picking up where we left off, after water and shelter, your next major concern in any crisis is food. The human body can technically survive for weeks without eating, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy—or safe. Lack of food can quickly sap your energy, cloud your judgment, and weaken your immune system, putting you at greater risk in unstable situations.
In an emergency, it’s important to focus on calorie-dense, non-perishable foods.
Think energy bars, nuts, dried fruits, and canned goods. FEMA recommends having at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person in your family. If you’re caught without supplies, look to your environment: wild edible plants, insects, or fishing, depending on your location, can be valuable sources of nutrition. And don’t forget about food safety—contaminated food can be just as dangerous as having no food at all. When in doubt, stick to food that’s sealed, dried, or recently cooked.
For example, after Hurricane Katrina, thousands of survivors depended on relief meals and basic staples like rice and beans to pull through the days before regular food supplies could be reinstated. Having a small stash of shelf-stable foods is always a wise move.
Survival Priority 4: Fire
Once your basic needs for water, shelter, and food are addressed, fire jumps high on the priority list. It’s simple: fire provides warmth, helps you cook food, purifies water, and can even act as a signal for rescue. In cold environments, hypothermia is a serious threat (even at temperatures above freezing), and fire can literally save your life.
But starting a fire in a crisis isn’t always straightforward. Wet conditions, lack of matches, or wind can make it a real challenge. That’s why it’s smart to always carry waterproof matches, a lighter, or a fire steel in your emergency kit. Practice fire-making techniques before you ever need them. As a backup, learn to use natural resources—like dry leaves, pine needles, or even a car battery for a last-ditch spark.
A classic example comes from wilderness survival stories: stranded hikers often cite fire as their morale booster and life-saver. Having a reliable way to make fire can be the difference between a miserable night and a fighting chance.
Survival Priority 5: First Aid
Crises often bring injuries—cuts, burns, broken bones, or infections are common in disaster scenarios.
That’s why first aid skills and supplies are essential. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50% of disaster-related deaths in some scenarios are caused by treatable injuries or infections. Having a well-stocked first aid kit and knowing how to use it can mean the difference between life and death.
A basic first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, tweezers, and any necessary personal medications. More importantly, knowing how to stop bleeding, treat shock, or set a splint can keep you or a loved one alive until help arrives. Organizations like the American Red Cross offer courses on first aid and CPR, which can be invaluable in a crisis.
Statistics: Survival by the Numbers
Let’s zoom out and look at the numbers, because statistics can reveal just how crucial these survival priorities are:
- Water: The human body is roughly 60% water, and dehydration can cause organ failure within 3 days. According to the CDC, over 780 million people worldwide lack access to clean water, leading to about 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year.
- Shelter: In the aftermath of natural disasters, the UNHCR reports that exposure (lack of shelter) is a top contributor to post-disaster mortality, especially among children and the elderly.
- Food: The United Nations estimates that in famine or disaster zones, up to 30% of deaths are directly linked to malnutrition or starvation.
- First Aid: A study from the International Federation of Red Cross found that up to 59% of pre-hospital deaths from injuries could be prevented with basic first aid.
- Fire: According to the National Fire Protection Association, in wilderness survival scenarios, having the ability to create fire can double the chances of survival during freezing conditions.
These numbers paint a stark picture, but they also underscore why prioritizing water, shelter, food, fire, and first aid is so critical when every minute counts.
In Part 3, we’ll continue climbing the survival priority ladder, focusing on communication, navigation, and other essential skills—plus, we’ll share some fun facts and surprising stories from real-life survivors. If you’re ready to become more prepared, don’t miss the next section where we dive deeper into the skills and knowledge that can make all the difference when facing the unexpected.
Transitioning from Part 2, we have so far covered five major priorities when it comes to surviving in a crisis: water, shelter, food, fire, and first aid. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in ensuring one’s survival in the face of disaster. As we continue the exploration, let’s delve into some interesting facts related to survival situations and finish off with a spotlight on a relevant expert in the field.
Fun Facts
- The Rule of Threes: In survival situations, an easy way to remember the human body’s limits is the Rule of Threes: You can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in extreme conditions, three days without water, and three weeks without food.
- Animal Signals: Observing wildlife can provide valuable survival information. Birds, insects, and small mammals can lead you towards water sources, while a sudden absence of animal activity can be a warning sign of impending natural disasters.
- Edible Plants: Did you know that there are over 2,000 plant species that are edible to humans. With the right knowledge, you can forage effectively in a survival situation.
- Fire from Ice: It’s possible to start a fire using a piece of ice. By shaping it into a lens, you can focus sunlight onto a pile of kindling.
- Human Body Resilience: The longest recorded survival without food is 382 days by a man named Angus Barbieri, who lived off his body’s fat reserves under medical supervision.
- Survival Swimming: Contrary to popular belief, it’s less exhausting to float on your back rather than tread water if you’re stuck in the sea with no life jacket.
- Morse Code: Morse code is still a widely recognized signal method. Knowing the basic SOS (. ) could save your life.
- Survival Stories: History is full of incredible survival stories. The famous oceanic flight 815 crash survivors lived on a deserted island for 108 days before being rescued.
- Miracle of the Andes: Perhaps the most famous survival story is the 1972 Andes flight disaster, where 16 out of 45 passengers survived harsh winter conditions at high altitude for 72 days.
- Psychological Survival: Positive thinking and a strong will to survive are often the key difference between those who survive in crisis situations and those who do not.
Author Spotlight: Bear Grylls
One of the most renowned survival experts globally, Bear Grylls, is known for his decades of experience in extreme survival conditions. From serving as a soldier in the British Special Forces to surviving Everest’s summit, Bear Grylls has become a household name through his survival television shows like “Man vs.
“
Grylls often emphasizes the importance of mental strength in survival situations, and his practical demonstrations and insightful advice have educated millions on survival techniques and priorities. If you’re interested in survival skills, his books, such as “How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate Survival Guide for Any Situation,” can be an excellent resource.
As we transition into Part 4 of this article series, we’ll be answering your most frequently asked questions about survival priorities in a crisis. Armed with this knowledge, you can better prepare yourself to face any challenging situation head-on and increase your chances of survival.
FAQ Section
- What is the single most important survival priority.
Water is the most critical survival priority. Humans can only survive for about three days without water, making it the most immediate concern in most survival situations.
- What is the Rule of Threes.
The Rule of Threes is a mnemonic device to remember the human body’s survival limits: You can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in extreme conditions, three days without water, and three weeks without food.
- How can I start a fire in a survival situation.
Having waterproof matches, a lighter, or fire steel in your survival kit is your best bet. However, if you don’t have these, you can use natural resources like dry leaves, pine needles, or friction-based methods.
- How important is first aid knowledge in a crisis.
First aid skills and supplies are crucial in a crisis. A study by the World Health Organization found that nearly 50% of disaster-related deaths in some scenarios could have been prevented with proper first aid.
- How long can a human survive without food.
The average human can survive for several weeks without food, depending on factors like overall health, fat reserves, and hydration. The longest recorded survival without food is 382 days by a man named Angus Barbieri.
- Is it necessary to know Morse code.
While not mandatory, knowing basic Morse code signals such as SOS (. ) can be beneficial in a crisis where regular communication methods fail.
- What’s the best survival food to stockpile.
Non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods like canned goods, energy bars, nuts, and dried fruits are ideal for a survival kit.
- What does shelter mean in a survival situation.
In a survival situation, shelter refers to anything that can protect you from the elements, maintain body temperature, and provide a degree of safety. This could be a tent, a makeshift lean-to, or even the interior of a car.
- How much water should I store for an emergency.
The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
- Who is a renowned survival expert I can learn from.
Bear Grylls is a globally recognized survival expert with decades of experience in extreme survival conditions. He has authored several survival guides and hosts survival television shows like “Man vs. “
In the words of the NKJV Bible in Proverbs 27:12, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. ” The importance of foreseeing potential crises and preparing accordingly cannot be overstated. Knowledge, preparation, and a strong will to survive are your best allies in any survival situation.
In conclusion, knowing the top 10 survival priorities in a crisis – water, shelter, food, fire, first aid, communication, navigation, signaling, psychological resilience, and learning from the experts – can significantly enhance your survival chances. Being prepared for a crisis doesn’t necessarily mean expecting the worst at all times, but rather arming yourself with knowledge and skills to face any emergencies that life throws your way.