This is the first in a series of, requested, posts covering survival, security, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and generally how to react in an emergency when others may be looking for you.

First we'll have the SERE (Survival, Evasion, and Recovery) training manual's

QUICK REFERENCE CHECKLIST

Decide to Survive!

S- Size up the situation, surroundings, physical condition, equipment.

U- Use all your senses

R- Remember where you are.

V- Vanquish fear and panic.

I- Improvise and improve.

V- Value living.

A- Act like the natives.

L- Live by your wits.

1. Immediate Actions

a. Assess immediate situation. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!

b. Take action to protect yourself from nuclear, biological, or chemical hazards (Chapter IX).

c. Seek a concealed site.d. Assess medical condition; treat as necessary (Chapter V).

e. Sanitize uniform of potentially compromising information.

f. Sanitize area; hide equipment you are leaving.

g. Apply personal camouflage.

h. Move away from concealed site, zigzag pattern recommended.

i. Use terrain to advantage, communication, and concealment.

j. Find a hole-up site.

2. Hole-Up-Site (Chapter I)

a. Reassess situation; treat injuries, then inventory equipment.

b. Review plan of action; establish priorities (Chapter VI).

c. Determine current location.

d. Improve camouflage.

e. Focus thoughts on task(s) at hand.

f. Execute plan of action. Stay flexible!

3. Concealment (Chapter I)

a. Select a place of concealment providing¾

(1) Adequate concealment, ground and air.

(2) Safe distance from enemy positions and lines of communications (LOC).

(3) Listening and observation points.

(4) Multiple avenues of escape.

(5) Protection from the environment.

(6) Possible communications/signaling opportunities.

b. Stay alert, maintain security.

c. Drink water.

4. Movement (Chapters I and II)

a. Travel slowly and deliberately.

b. DO NOT leave evidence of travel; use noise and lightdiscipline.

c. Stay away from LOC.

d. Stop, look, listen, and smell; take appropriate action(s).

e. Move from one concealed area to another.

f. Use evasion movement techniques (Chapter I).

5. Communications and Signaling

(Chapter III)

a. Communicate as directed in applicable plans/orders,

particularly when considering transmitting in the blind.

b. Be prepared to use communications and signaling devices on short notice.

c. Use of communications and signaling devices may compromise position.

6. Recovery

(Chapter IV)

a. Select site(s) IAW criteria in theater recovery plans.

b. Ensure site is free of hazards; secure personal gear.

c. Select best area for communications and signaling devices.

d. Observe site for proximity to enemy activity and LOC.

e. Follow recovery force instructions.