What is the Rule of Threes for Survival?
The Rule of Threes for Survival
The Rule of Threes is about understanding what elements are critical to increasing a person's chances of survival when facing life-threatening situations. This is an existing practical and widely recognized framework that helps guide your actions when disaster strikes.
We’ll dive deeper into the Rule of Threes, explain its significance, and discuss actions that you can take today to prepare for real-world scenarios. We also want to point out that it is more appropriately referred to as "The Rule of Threes" as opposed to "The Rule of Three". The 3's refer more to approximate timing of survival in different scenarios as opposed to hard and fast "rules".
What are the Threes Scenarios?
Scenario #1: 3 Minutes Without Air - The Ultimate Threat
In any survival situation, it is critical that you have access to breathable air. The human brain can suffer irreversible damage within minutes without oxygen, and complete cessation of breathing quickly leads to death.
Fortunately, you won’t need to worry about this unless you’re in certain catastrophic situations, such as a collapsed building, inside a smoke-filled room, or submerged in water. That said, it’s essential to always be aware of your surroundings and prioritize finding fresh air immediately if you’re in a hazardous environment.
Action Steps:
- Learn CPR: Familiarity with basic first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is of utmost important. Consider enrolling in a local first aid and CPR course. Or if it's been some time since your last course, consider taking a refresher class. These skills could be life-saving to your loved ones, and even a stranger.
- Mask purchase: If you live in an area that is prone to fires, consider keeping an air filtration mask in your home and car. An N95 or more advanced mask can protect your lungs.
Scenario #2: 3 Hours Without Shelter - Protecting Yourself from the Elements
The next most critical survival need is shelter. Without adequate shelter in extreme weather conditions, the human body can quickly succumb to hypothermia (in cold) or hyperthermia (in heat), leading to incapacitation and death. If you're in the cold, your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. If you're in the heat, dehydration significantly worsens the effects of heat. Excessive heat can lead to confusion, dizziness, nausea, and even organ damage and death.
Action Steps:
- Pack a tent, tarp, or sleeping bag: Carrying lightweight shelter options such as these can help protect you from the wind, rain, or sun. An emergency blanket (mylar blanket) is lightweight, compact, and reflects up to 90% of body heat back to you - making it an invaluable tool for preventing hypothermia. Every emergency kit should contain at least one. Plus they are small enough to fit in your pocket! If you forget to pack these items, look for natural shelter e.g. tree coverage.
- Wear appropriate clothing: Always try to layer your clothing. Be sure to include moisture-wicking layers and insulated materials. Also avoid cotton in colder wet conditions, as it loses its insulating properties when wet.
Scenario #3: 3 Days Without Water - Hydration Is Key
Water is essential for many bodily functions, such as regulating temperature, transporting nutrients, lubricating joints, and flushing out waste products. Without it, you can only last about three days. While this window can vary depending on climate, activity level, and overall health, dehydration can set in quickly and lead to serious complications.
Action Steps:
- Keep a hydration mindset: Make it a habit of drinking small sips of water regularly, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Thirst is a sign that dehydration has already begun.
- Always have extra water and the ability to purify water: In addition to keeping water bottles in your backpack, keeping a water bottle with a built-in filter or a water purification straw can be life saving. Water purification tablets are small enough to fit inside a pocket or small pouch.
Scenario #4. 3 Weeks Without Food - Your Body’s Energy Reserves
Although food is of lower priority in the survival hierarchy, it is of course still very important. People can survive for up to three weeks without food, depending on initial health, body composition, and access to water.
Action Steps:
Pack high-energy, lightweight food: Choose foods that are high in calories, protein, and nutrients, yet don’t take up too much space. Energy and granola bars are great options. Some of our kits are curated with 5-year shelf-life food bars, but also pack your own favorites.
Learn foraging skills: In a longer-term survival situation, it’s important to know how to find food in your environment. Study local plants and animals that are safe to eat in case you find yourself without your prepared supplies. Our Deck of Survival Playing Cards has some of these useful tips!
Preserve your energy: In an emergency, try to minimize physical exertion to conserve your body’s energy reserves. Focus on staying hydrated and keeping your body as sheltered as possible.
Applying the Rule of Threes to Your Emergency Preparedness Plan
As the Rule of Threes provides guidelines around critical timeframes for survival, it helps us carefully prioritize our emergency supplies, training, and actions.
Prioritization is Key: In the chaos of an emergency, the Rule of Threes helps provide clarity around actions. Always try to address the most immediate threats first.
Have practical items ready in your bug-out bag, home emergency kit, and auto kit. From first aid supplies to emergency blankets and water filters, these items can be useful in multiple challenging situations.
Keep Calm: Although panic can set it during an emergency, try keeping a clear mind and focus on the Rule of Threes to help guide your actions. Prioritize shelter, water, and air - then focus on food.
Stay safe, stay prepared. Feel free to browse our products at Savvy Survival, and let us know if you have any questions.