The Rule Of Threes

[eddiec]

I was just wondering, has any one ever heard of "the rule of threes"? It was something I learned when I was on a search and rescue team. It is as follows...
A person can survive...
1. 3 minutes without oxygen
2. 3 hours without shelter
3. 3 days without water
4. 3 weeks without food

I found it to be a valuable tool, both in rescue situations and in survival situations... And it's easy to remember.

[owl_girl]

Cool. However there’s always exceptions.

[Sarge47]

I was just wondering, has any one ever heard of "the rule of threes"? It was something I learned when I was on a search and rescue team. It is as follows...
A person can survive...
1. 3 minutes without oxygen
2. 3 hours without shelter
3. 3 days without water
4. 3 weeks without food

I found it to be a valuable tool, both in rescue situations and in survival situations... And it's easy to remember.

Dr. Ron Hood talks about the "Rule of Three" on his videos. I've added another: Three of anything, flashes, fires, shots, etc is an international distress signal.

[survivalhike]

The rule of three is a nice way to help you remember the differences between certain needs and a good way to help pioritize. Most people have a poor understanding of prioritys.

When I tell people about the survivorman show the first question they always ask me is how does he live without food for seven days. This being number one for people who already know where they are getting their oxygen, shelter, and water from. The truth of the matter is that water and shelter are going to be far greater priorities for the most part in the majority of survival situations. I'll say it again...Christ went 40 days, you can go a week.

[mbarnatl]

I always remember the Rules of 3 this way:
Rules of 3

- You can survive without oxygen or with major bleeding for 3 minutes
- You can survive exposure to extreme cold or heat for 3 hours
- You can survive without water for 3 days
- You can survive without food for 3 weeks

[Tony uk]

One of them isnt right, A person can survive 4 mins without air and with not have any braindamage due to oxeygen starvation, However you can survive longer than that but much longer than 6 mins and brain damage is very likely and anything over 7 mins with normaly kill you

[survivalhike]

None of these are intended as hard fast rules I'm sure, they are just an illustration of the importance of certain aspects of survival over others. It's a device that helps establish priority.

[mbarnatl]

None of these are intended as hard fast rules I'm sure, they are just an illustration of the importance of certain aspects of survival over others. It's a device that helps establish priority.

You are absolutely correct. Just as some people have lived longer that 3 weeks without food.

[Fog_Harbor]

None of these are intended as hard fast rules I'm sure, they are just an illustration of the importance of certain aspects of survival over others. It's a device that helps establish priority.

Yeah, they they were gonna call it it; "the rule of three, or sometimes more, occassionally less, and sometimes not at all, but then again ya never know" but no one could seem to remember that.

[Fog_Harbor]

I was just wondering, has any one ever heard of "the rule of threes"? It was something I learned when I was on a search and rescue team. It is as follows...
A person can survive...
1. 3 minutes without oxygen
2. 3 hours without shelter
3. 3 days without water
4. 3 weeks without food

I found it to be a valuable tool, both in rescue situations and in survival situations... And it's easy to remember.

I also like the one I heard Les Stroud use; the 5 W's for setting up camp:
Weather
Wood
Water
Widowmakers
Wigglers

Silly as it may seem, simple things are easier to remember. We can't remember our PIN number, but we know that Oscar Meyer has a first name! lol

[HOP]

I agree with the rule of 3 as a measure but have to say that we shouldn,t want to go there on purpose waiting until you have to have water or food is a bad idea, my main problem with SuvivormanI think he contributes a lot of information but usualy waits til he is dehydrated or weak to releive these problems . On air I think the need will kick in on its own. I beleive in acess the situation and then get busy.

[glocker36]

You forgot one that I learned and has kept me safe on numerous occasions. Put it at the top:

You can survive 3 seconds without common sense.

I have seen this one raise its ugly head in numerous accident reports that I have read over the years.

[Beo]

You will not survive 3 weeks without any food. Not happening.

[Beo]

Nope I'm wrong, it can be done.
Dec. 21 2006 TOKYO - A man who went missing in western Japan survived in chilly weather without food and water for over three weeks by falling into a state similar to hibernation, doctors said. Mitsutaka Uchikoshi had almost no pulse, his organs had all but shut down and his body temperature was 71 degrees Fahrenheit when he was discovered on Rokko mountain in late October, said doctors who treated him at the nearby Kobe City General Hospital. He had been missing for 24 days.

Think I'll pass trying it his way.

[trax]

some of the people around my office think I'm hibernating !

[dilligaf2u2]

If you are in the USA I would add:

Leaves of 3, leave them be!

Don

[RobertRogers]

And, of course, 3 strikes and your out.

[Beo]

I tend to hibernate from society when not at work. But that's just me. Please someone make this planet bigger so I can get lost from everyone!

[trax]

I tend to hibernate from society when not at work. But that's just me. Please someone make this planet bigger so I can get lost from everyone!

awww...you know you'd miss me, just watch volwest will be back. He can't get enough of my witty repartee.

[eddiec]

This was just a small thing I learned when I did search and rescue a few years back...