Made in the shade...

[K.L. Davis]

I am working on a handbook called Survival by the Numbers... it is based on something I learned a long time ago, and call the Rule of Threes...

You can live for:
Three minutes without oxygenated blood to your brain.
Three hours without protection from a harsh environment
Three days without water, and
Three weeks without food

Of course, this is not cast in stone, but it does give one a good idea of how to set your priorities, and what is really important.

Oddly enough, the one that most folks scratch their head on, is the Three Hour rule, but in many cases seeking shelter is the first and most important thing to do.

I went out this afternoon, about 1700 local, to get some more information about this, and thought this was interesting enough to share with those few like minded folks I know. I spent about a half hour at a small rock outcropping near my home, it is only a few minutes away, and just off of a paved road, but it demonstrates some things rather nicely.

For starters... it was a warm day today, the official was probably 103-104, and it was clear most of the day... it is the monsoon season though, and afternoon clouds and storms can build quickly; but other than a little hot and humid, it was a nice day.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1269

Actual temperature was closer to 115... this was taken hanging about 5 feet from the ground, in direct sunlight.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1265

I checked the temp on a rock immediately below the branch in the above picture, and found it to be about 124-126

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1272

So.... hanging out in this temperature is not going to work for long, and copping a squat on that rock to evaluate you situation will simply cook whatever parts of you are on the rock.

In this situation, it is important to get out of this heat immediately. The physiology of how heat affects you is something for another time, but suffice to say that when it comes to surviving in this environment, an ounce of prevention really is worth more than a pound of cure.

So let's get out of this sun quickly... looking down a small game trail, about 50 feet away, there was a large rock. The northern side of this rock was cut back under and shaded. Although cramped, there was enough room to lie down and sort of wedge oneself into that shaded area.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1262
https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1264

So what, if anything, does this really gain us? While far from perfect, it gets you out of the sun, and the temperature in the little crawl in...

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1273

Was about 108

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1274

This is 20 degrees cooler than plopping your butt down on one of the rocks exposed to the sun!

Oh... important safety tip here: if you don't already know this, you want to do a little exploratory poking around in places like this, before you hook-slide it safe into home. We share our little part of the world here with several (fanged) critters that find the shelter and solitude of these dark crags comforting - and they don't care all that much for visitors.

So... from here, it was time to pick a better place to be. It has to be someplace that is close and easy to get to - and has a high likelihood of improving your situation.

About another 200 feet away, there is a large outcropping of rocks with many small shelters...

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1266

And the prominent feature of that outcropping, was a natural dugout that appeared to be large and well sheltered.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1271

As it was, I could easily stand in the entrance to the dugout, and even very near the back, it was quite easy to sit and crawl around. There was a lot of sign of animal activity, which I also classify as environment... but something that will be addressed later in the day.

For now, I am out of the heat... in fact, where I was sitting near the back of the dugout, was (with the cross breeze) a rather comfortable 88 degrees.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=260&pictureid=1270

That's almost a full 40 degrees cooler than hanging out where I started! Again, this little shelter will most likely bring some guests by after nightfall, but for now it is perfect.

[LHS]

Along similar lines, I have noticed a trend in parking behavior since I moved to Phoenix 11 years ago. People in most parts of the country will park as close to their destination as possible, to shorten their walk. People who have spent considerable time in Arizona will park on the far side of the lot if it means they park in the shade.

[SeriousStudent]

Good luck with your book, Mr. Davis.

Please let us know when it is available for purchase, I am always adding to my library.

[Mark71]

Good info. Please let us know when the book is available.

[Outlander Systems]

Shelter!

This is a great thread, K-Man.

I think most folks get hung up on food, when shelter should be priority number one. As well, when people think "death by exposure" the common image is always a cold one; heat is a definite killer.

[C45P312]

Thanks for the insight. Never looked into anything like this before. Very interesting stuff. Give us a heads up when the book is out!

[Ga Shooter]

Great info. Humidity, like here in south Ga can make it very dangerous to be out in hot weather also. Will be looking forward to your book. These are the kinds of skills that unfortunately are dying out but that should to be taught to everyone before they get a driver's license.

[uwe1]

Great information. I've been scouting the same area out myself. My home is nearby the peak in your picture.

[SeriousStudent]

Great information. I've been scouting the same area out myself. My home is nearby the peak in your picture.

You have a very pretty backyard. But I grew up in the deserts of West Texas, and like a yard I do not have to mow. ;)

[uwe1]

The whole area around the mountain was majority desert there until the housing boom a decade ago. The area around the mountain is national forest and my family goes hiking there regularly. Unfortunately it has been scorching hot as of late.

I had grass in my first yard and learned my lesson. Now I have synthetic, but 3 years of high temps have melted some of it. :O

You have a very pretty backyard. But I grew up in the deserts of West Texas, and like a yard I do not have to mow. ;)

[MookNW]

You'll likely find me here when it's 120 out
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/23/fb/96/pool-bar.jpg
btw, great start.

[Dozer]

Great info Kino. We learned the rule of three in 29 Palms but this seems to be more in-depth to what we saw.

I look forward to your book.

[Von Rheydt]

Very nice Sir, thank you. I like show and tell demo's rather than chalk and talk.

Can I also suggest that if you plant your arse in the shade and scrape down, if possible - calories and physical state permitting, you also find a lower temp below ground level.

Let me know when you publish I'd be interested to buy a copy. My thing is bushcraft - European variety so I have to re-learn most basics over here in the US now.

I have never done a US desert but would welcome the experience. I have a small trip planned through North Africa at the end of 2012. Through Morrocco, W Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and finally Ghana - 6 weeks. If anyone is interested shout up.

[M4arc]

Wow, that's quite a difference!

Thanks for taking the time to post and share.

[Keith E.]

Good post Sir.

Thanks, Keith