Joining the army was the obvious choice and the WO2 has continued to teach such skills during 23 years in the Royal Artillery.
But the 39-year-old recently found himself pushed to the limits on the extreme reality show Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse – where contestants are stripped of their clothes and dropped off in a remote location with nothing but a knife to help them.
“I cannot give away too much while the programme is broadcast but needless to say you have to draw on all you have to get through that type of experience,” the member of 29 Commando Regiment told Soldier. “There were other personnel taking part from different countries – including the US – and it was a great show to compete in.
“I’ve been well supported by my CO and the wider British Army throughout.”
While tight-lipped on the outcome of the Discovery Channel outing, the Herrick veteran – who also runs civvy firm South West Survival – said the extreme experience served as a reminder that all troops should keep basic instincts sharp, and plan for the unexpected.
He shared a few top tips…
Water is the fountain of life
You won’t last more than three days without water. So wherever you are in the world, keep your purification tabs close at hand. You’ll find a supply in your ration pack; look after them because you can add them to water that isn’t clean and you’ll have a drink ready within an hour or so. It might taste a bit like bleach, but at least it’s not going to make you ill. Ensure your bottle is always full, too.
You’re only as sharp as your knife
It’s an old saying, but very true. Look after your knife because it is the tool that unlocks so much in survival. You can use it to build your shelter as well as making traps, gutting fish and many other things. It’s a vital asset – that’s why you get one in Naked and Afraid.
Take cover; take rest
Wherever you are, shelter is critical. You need somewhere to protect you from the elements, whether the climate is hot or cold. It’s also important for resting and getting sleep, which is key to mental and physical wellbeing. In a survival situation you need to rest where you can to conserve energy.
Stretch your resources
Military survival is based around the premise you will be found and extracted within 72 hours, but you might find yourself needing to stay alive for longer than that. Therefore, it is important to think ahead – you can make a 24-hour ration pack last for a week if you have to. Know the basics of what you need and listen to your body – you can end up at risk by depriving yourself too much.
Improvise to survive
Your everyday kit can help you in ways the makers never intended. For example, you could employ the little mirror you use to apply cam cream to attract attention; you can bang cans together to make noise. Think about cutting wood to make an SOS message visible from the air.
Mentality matters
You must be in the right frame of mind if you are going to survive. Your mental resilience is vital so look after yourself in that area. Focus on what is important to you back home, the reasons why you want to survive. Recall memories, experiences and stories in detail – whatever it takes to keep your mind sharp.
