Survival How I survived a broken leg alone and in the desert

[702dog]

Not me in the video, sharing only...

[battleship]

Well I would of fired my rifle in a safe direction the next day to get a passing vehicles attention. Don't understand why he didn't think of that.

[deckhandmike]

Well I would of fired my rifle in a safe direction the next day to get a passing vehicles attention. Don't understand why he didn't think of that.

If I’m driving in the desert and I hear gunfire I drive the opposite direction. I’m not getting hit by some dummy doing target practice. Nor am I going to investigate. You mind your own business out in the desert when firearms are being used. I’d say a gunshot is only a viable means of rescue once people are actively looking for you.

[twinfin]

I like first hand accounts like this. The guy never quit thinking things through and making plans for each new challenge. You'd be surprised how many people would just sit down and die waiting for someone else to come along and solve their problem. Your plan doesn't have to be perfect, but you DO need to make a plan!

[702dog]

Would starting a signal fire be beneficial if possible?

i thought about the rifle as well, but he broke it down to make a splint, correct? Also, I would carry a small sub-compact 9mm pistol with me as well for backup protection.

[G-forceJunkie]

Three evenly spaced shots is the universal sign for "help" when using a gun. i agree, i probably would not head towards random shots.

[FatCity67]

Three evenly spaced shots is the universal sign for "help" when using a gun. i agree, i probably would not head towards random shots.

Old school. Goodluck man buns wandering around knowing that tid bit of info.

[702dog]

Three evenly spaced shots is the universal sign for "help" when using a gun. i agree, i probably would not head towards random shots.

Thank you for this helpful reminder.

[smle-man]

I didn't watch the video but carrying a signal mirror and survival whistle are two things I always did when afoot in the desert. I also had a couple marine flares with me but people would probably think it was just more desert nonsense going on if they saw them.

[DaveInOroValley]

Makes a case for carrying a signal flare. Also one of the flashlights that has a "SOS" setting.

[Muleskinner]

I carry a Spot Satellite Messenger just for this situation.
Case closed.
That is all.

[sealocan]

Even if he had his rifle apart he could have opened up the ammunition, with his hand and a multi-tool or maybe a rock to use the gunpowder to maybe help start a fire even if things were damp or used strips of his clothing like the sleeves of the t-shirt. Once you get a small fire going sometimes things that are a little bit wet will dry out make some smoke and then burn.
Of course it's easy to come up with ideas when you're not in that situation though.

[Nacho_Eater]

I carry a Spot Satellite Messenger just for this situation.
Case closed.
That is all.

This x 1000

[broadside]

you guys saying that no everyone will thing the 3 gun shots or the signal flares, etc would be taken as typical desert shenanigans seem to be forgetting he got through to 911 and they appeared to be searching for him.

Now if someone does not have anyone searching for them, then sure some signals may be ignored.

Get a Spot or other PLB regardless.

[Nevada Desert Rat]

Thank You 702dog for posting my video. Its good to see you gentlemen are having a bit of a discussion and sharing thoughts. Thats why I made the video. I will tell you this being broken on the ground changes everything and what you can do. I did not believe shooting rounds was an option for me because the gun went through as much hell as I did and did not think it would function. Plus besides the bad situation I was in I was not in pain so if what I was doing failed I would have to continue on the ground. And not being in pain makes it easier to keep yourself together. As for fire twice I had fire but could not sustain it. How I got the powder out of a couple rounds is easy just put sideways pressure on the case while the bullet tip was against something solid. If you think smokeless powder is easy to ignite think again. A few months before this happened I traded the small carry gun in the backpack for the Tomahawk with the 550 cord on it. If I had it to do again I would have the tomahawk and cord. But now I have a spot satellite device now. Yes I now have a whistle, mirror, 3 ways to charge the phone, and a couple survival candles and at least 5 different was to start fire with among other things now.
Nevada Desert Rat