Yeah...but what if you're injured?

[David]

Many/most would consider Les Stroud a pretty advanced expert on survival. In one episode he was playing the part of an injured person surviving a small plane crash in the snowy woods. Perhaps you've seen that episode? He has one arm in a sling to simulate it being broken. His plan was to shoot the entire week in a sling. He ditched it about half way through the episode due to the difficulties it presented.

So that raises the question: Anyone train/prepare for/think about/consider the possibility of having to survive while injured? Probably most of us are fairly comfortable starting a fire using some sort of method and/or tool. But have you done it with just one-hand? Could you find a way if you had to? If not, is there another back up option that you could use? Have we gathered food/water/tinder/fuel with one hand to see the difficulties it may present? How about different ways to carry a BOB/GHB/EDC if part of you is injured i.e. shoulder is dislocated may present problems strapping on a pack etc). Sometimes it is difficult doing these things full bodied and in tip top shape.

But what if....

Might be worth an hour or two just doing a few things here and there with some sort of self-imposed handicap just to see what you can and cannot do. In this way, if God forbid you find yourself in a similar situation you will at least have a little experience in which to draw upon.

Thoughts?

[Mac66]

Good point. When I shattered my elbow riding my bicycle a few years ago I was carrying my FAK in my Camel back back pack. I managed to get sitting up but with my broken arm and bones sticking out and bleeding I couldn't get to my feet. I also couldn't get my back pack off to get to the FAK. Fortunately a person came by who helped me up and helped get my back pack off. I was then able to wrap the wound and immobile the arm with gauze, an elastic bandage and sling before EMS got there. They were impressed.

I may have been able to eventually get up and get my pack off but I tried for 10 minutes before someone came along to help.

[David]

It's been just over a year since I broke my left hand. Still feels stiff even though it's been healed for quite some time now. But it was a real PITA when I still had to wear a hard brace. Fortunately I'm right-handed so that was a blessing. Still showed me what it's like to have some sort of limitation to normal activity. Everything took longer; getting dressed, making a meal and even using the restroom or taking a shower. And that was just normal daily stuff.

In an emergency situation where are under stress, having to do things quickly, perhaps make a fire, build a shelter, tend to someone else or defend yourself it's going to be a more involved ordeal all the way around. And that was just a busted hand. Turn that into an arm or leg injury or head or ribs and you've compounded the problem. Really something to consider because the emergency situation might happen because you were injured in some fashion.

And of course you could add to the conversation being ill rather than injured or worse yet...both.

[aerynsun]

I broke my collar bone twice from bike accidents. Mussels quickly attrified.

I think going into the forest and trying to get a fire together with a fake broken leg is a good idea.

All those ideas about cutting down/gathering/chopping wood go out the window.

[David]

All of this reinforces the idea of being able to manipulate things one-handed. Whether it's a firearm, knife or even a lighter.

I can expand this to being ill, disabled or otherwise impaired in some way. When I have an A-fib episode it often hits me like a ton of bricks. Sometimes even walking across the room feels like I ran a marathon. Winded, weak and out of energy. It would definitely impact a survival situation.

It's been almost two years now since I broke my left hand but it is still stiff on occasion. Fortunately, in the Outlaw match a few weeks ago we did a string of shooting with the support hand, which in my case is the left. I was very happy to see that I could shoot well with the left hand, and it was a 40S&W.

It's good to see what you can do, what you can't and how you could work around an injury, illness or disability if you had no other choice.

[Ronin.45]

The only way I'm starting a fire one handed is with a lighter.

[David]

The only way I'm starting a fire one handed is with a lighter.

You're not kidding!

I know there is a ferro rod that you can use one-handed by pushing it but got curious as to if you didn't have a lighter or that specialized ferro rod and instead just had a regular ferro rod. Hit an interesting video with a proper challenge.

[Bmyers]

If I'm injured, I'm asking my wife to start the fire and fix me some supper.

[David]

If I'm injured, I'm asking my wife to start the fire and fix me some supper.

Being married is also considered a prep

[Bob]

This could be a super fun SEP meet up event....