This acronym is something we can use in every situation. Awareness is key. Having a positive attitude can make all the difference between surviving or not.

1. THE ACRONYM
SURVIVAL
is the key
to remember
in an
emergency

2. S Size up situation, surroundings, yourself & your equipment.
U Use all your senses; undue haste makes waste.
R Remember where you are.
V Vanquish fear and panic
I Improvise
V Value Living
A Act like the natives
L Live by your wits

3. SIZE
Up Your Situation
What are the dangers/threats, in order of priority?
Learn as much as possible about larger situation.

4. SIZE
Up Your Surroundings
Tune in to your environment.
You are part of a system.
What is different?
(is it me or do these guys look like meerkats?)

5. SIZE
Up Your Yourself
Have you, or a member of your team been hurt?
What is your mental and physical status?

6. SIZE
Up Your Equipment
What do you have? What can you get?
What condition is your equipment in?
What do you have that is necessary?
What can you do without?
Do you already have a Grab-N-Go bag?
If not, prepare one now! Check my free slideshow on
that.

7. USE
All Your Senses
Look around. Listen. Smell. Feel.
Check immediate vicinity.

8. UNDUE
Haste Makes Waste
Unless there is an immediate threat, think before
making decisions or moving.
Plan your next step.
Decide if staying in place or moving is the smarter
decision.
Make sure you don’t leave anything useful behind if
moving.

9. REMEMBER
Where You Are
Do you know where you are?
Don’t become overly reliant on GPS
Stay oriented. What are significant terrains features?
Make sure everyone in your group knows where
they are.
Have an emergency rally point.
Have a hide site/fallback position.

10. VANQUISH
Fear and Panic
Fear and panic kill.
They cause you to make bad decisions.
Act. Don’t react.
Don’t let your imagination run rampant.
Deal with the immediate problems.

11. VANQUISH
Fear and Panic
Fear drains energy.
Proper preparation reduces fear. So PREPARE!
Don’t be like the guy in Aliens (below) screaming
“We’re all gonna die!”

12. IMPROVISE
Look at what’s around you in terms of survival.
How can things be used differently than intended?
Be creative.
Be open to input from all team members.

13. VALUE
Living
We are much more adaptable than we believe we
are.
Trust in this.
Focus on the ONE thing you value in life above all
else, and make that your motivation to survive.

14. ACT
Like the Native
Both human and animal.
Those who inhabit an area have adapted to it.
You need to also.
Are there places they avoid? Things they don’t eat?
Water they won’t drink?
British SAS
in the desert
World War II

15. ACT
Like the Native
Treat locals with respect. Gain rapport.
Remember, we’re animals too.
And we’re predators.
ADAPT

16. LIVE
By Your Wits
Learn basic skills NOW.
Prepare NOW.
Every day set your survival priorities.

17. THE ACRONYM SURVIVAL
S Size up situation, surroundings, yourself & your equipment.
U Use all your senses; undue haste makes waste.
R Remember where you are.
V Vanquish fear and panic
I Improvise
V Value Living
A Act like the natives
L Live by your wits

18. More Free Information
I constantly update free, downloadable
slideshows like this on my web site for
preparation and survival and other
topics.
www.bobmayer.com/workshops
Also, I conduct Area Study workshops
for those interested in properly
preparing for their specific
circumstances.

19. The guide on the left is the complete preparation and
survival guide. The one on the right is a pocket-size
manual with just the survival portion. Useful in your Grab-
n-Go bag, car and kitchen drawer.
SURVIVAL GUIDES

21. New York Times bestselling author, is a graduate of West
Point and former Green Beret. He’s had over 80 books
published, including the #1 bestselling series Green Berets,
Time Patrol, Area 51, and Atlantis. He’s sold over 5 million
books. He was born in the Bronx and has traveled the world.
He’s lived on an island off the east coast, an island off the
west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, the Smoky Mountains
and other places, including time in East Asia studying martial
arts.
He was an instructor and course developer/writer for years
at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School which trains
Green Berets and also runs the SERE school:
Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape.
www.bobmayer.com