In some evasion situations, such as while in a remote area, one may not be able to proceed immediately and directly to a safe place and may instead need to stop in one location for an extended period to rest, sleep, eat, plan, etc.
If carrying out such longer-range evasion, it is advisable to spend five to ten minutes of every hour resting rather than moving. It may even be necessary to remain in one place for several hours, even overnight. If actively evading pursuit, it is recommended to avoid spending any longer than 24 hours in one place and probably significantly less would be preferred, but never twice in the same location.
We will discuss further details on the actual process of establishing a “patrol base,” camp site or bivouac as well as natural shelter use/shelter construction in other articles. Here, however, we deal with how to choose the best location for establishing such a site, whether alone or in a group, along with some general points regarding one’s shelter. Major concerns addressed include stealth, safety, survival needs and comfort, not to mention environmental considerations for training exercises.
To begin with, as with planning any undertaking, a crucial part of the process is analyzing weather, terrain and human/animal considerations, thus pointing to the ten 天 (“heaven”), chi 地 (“earth”) and jin 人 (“human”) aspects of this website’s very title. Such analysis is dealt with in other articles, such as on the five militarily significant aspects of weather and the five considerations pertaining to terrain (OCOKA).
In addition to these fundamental considerations, most US SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) manuals employ the acronym BLISS (Blend, Low Silhouette, Irregular Shape, Small, Secluded Location) to outline the main aspects to keep in mind when occupying or establishing a shelter/rest location while evading a hostile threat. Each element of OCOKA comes into play in the discussion of BLISS below, so there is overlap and interrelation in the content of both acronyms.
B – Blend: It is important to select a location where the terrain and vegetation already offer good camouflage and concealment, with possibilities for blending in or that provide a natural screen from observation.
Yet just as how one can temporarily use natural or artificial materials to further camouflage oneself along with one’s position and equipment, in conjunction with the environment and beyond what they may already inherently provide, such improvements can also be made for longer term static positions.
If one needs to establish a campsite during long-range evasion, time should be taken to select an appropriate site and apply additional camouflage to one’s shelter, whether a tent, poncho, tarp or other form of shelter.
When using natural material to facilitate blending as well as breaking up the outline of one’s shelter or other structures, be sure to use vegetation that matches the vegetation found at the site selected. Take this material from a wider area, so as not to create holes of missing foliage, and do not apply too much, since this will also draw attention. Only use enough material to mimic the environment. Similarly, if digging is required in preparing a position, any unearthed soil should be discretely relocated and camouflaged or concealed.
When finished setting up and camouflaging a position, move away from the site and assess from different likely angles of observation how well it is concealed and/or blends into the environment.
Of further note, make use of shade to facilitate the blending of one’s position into the environment, but be certain to factor in how shadows will change and move as the sun or moon cross the sky.
L – Low silhouette: In addition to of course avoiding silhouetting one’s own body, structures like shelters should offer as low of a profile as possible, ideally no higher than the surrounding vegetation and concealing terrain features. Although primarily dependent upon the terrain and vegetation, a good rule of thumb is to keep shelters and other structures no higher than hip-height.
Locations along the military crest are ideal, since they prevent silhouetting oneself while maximizing observation. The reverse military crest, while less effective for observing the enemy, is a safer option in terms of avoiding detection, since the terrain conceals oneself rather than having to rely on camouflage.
I – Irregular shape: In addition to concealing or disguising one’s own outline, the shape of shelters or other structures should also be irregular, rather than a distinctive geometric shape that could stand out in a natural setting or one that clearly reveals what they are.
S – Small: Individual shelters or other structures should be as small as possible to reduce the likelihood of detection. When in a group, the requirement for dispersal (discussed in the article on target indicators) also applies to setting up positions in relation to one another, as these should not be so close together as to present an easily detected mass, nor too far apart as to hinder internal communication, integrity and control within the group.
S – Secluded location: The site selected should be away from natural lines of drift, but avoid isolated structures or vegetation, such as an abandoned building or a patch of bushes in an open field, since these are more likely to be searched.
Selecting an area in rough or difficult to access terrain with obstacles that hinder or delay approach is also advisable since these are less likely to be searched, take longer to negotiate and may provide some advance warning of enemy approach.
That said, however, always have two or more concealed escape routes so as not to trap oneself and to be able to escape undetected. It is also advisable to be able to observe likely avenues of approach to your position.
The location should be easy to find, in case one or an element of the group has to leave and return, such as to collect food and water or conduct reconnaissance. Yet avoid choosing a location next to a prominent terrain feature like a hilltop, radio tower, etc., that might attract the enemy’s attention, such as for orienting themselves, and thus also potentially bring scrutiny to your position. The location should not be next to anything else that could be of interest to the enemy or that they would have reason to go to, such as where they were last known to have parked their vehicle.
But beyond the acronym BLISS, there are also other important site selection criteria, such as related to safety, survivability and comfort, not to mention environmental responsibility during training exercises.[1] These include:
Safety: Ensure that the site is located in a safe place. Thus, for instance, avoid camping among poisonous plants, under dead trees where branches may fall, in areas that could be flooded quickly or on hilltops and by lone trees where lightning is more likely to strike.
Water: Having a campsite that is close to a source of water is desirable because water is essential for hydration, cooking and hygiene. That said, water taken from lakes, streams or rivers must be purified before drinking. Yet being too close to a source of water should be avoided, since the enemy might look there knowing that you need water or go there for water themselves. Moreover, the sound of running water can mask the sounds of an approaching pursuer, and is thus detrimental to maintaining good security.
Natural Shelter: The site selected should provide shade from direct sunlight as well as protection from wind and rain. Being on a hilltop exposes one to inclement weather, while low areas tend to have more moisture and insects like mosquitos. Being in between, however, such as the military crest, offers more protection from the elements as well as dryer terrain, which brings us to the next point.
Drainage: Gently sloping terrain allows for good drainage to prevent having to camp amongst muddy puddles and standing pools of water. Scattering pine needles or leaves can also help to reduce how muddy a campsite becomes.
Environmental Considerations: During training exercises or camping trips, in order to reduce the environmental impact of one’s activities, it is preferred to use established sites that are already dedicated to this purpose.
The same is true for campfires, as it is always preferable to use existing fire pits so as not to create new marks on the land. While fires should be avoided and only used as an absolute last resort in an evasion scenario, if camping fires are permitted at your location during a training excursion, these can make the experience more fun and comfortable. In such a situation, choosing an area with dead and/or fallen branches and trees nearby ensures an easy source of firewood with minimal environmental impact.
Whether in training, camping for fun or real-world evasion, always strive to practice good litter discipline and leave no trace when departing from a campsite. This includes natural materials used to create a shelter or for other purposes. Scatter these over a wider area to return the setting to being as close to its natural state as possible. A pile of branches will also alert pursuers to the fact that you were there. Site sanitization is of course not only good environmental stewardship, but it is also good stealth practice.
Before leaving the site, be certain to know your current location (which you should have already known from deciding to camp there), identify your next destination and have primary and alternative concealed routes planned for getting there.
Bibliography
Birkby, Robert C. The Boy Scout Handbook, 10th Ed. Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America, 1990.
Ranger Training Brigade, United States Army Infantry Center. Ranger Handbook. SH 21-76. Alexandria, VA: Byrrd Enterprises, 2000.
U.S. Department of the Army. Survival. Field Manual 21-76. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Army, 1992.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Survival, Evasion, and Recovery: Multiservice Procedures for Survival, Evasion, and Recovery. Washington, DC: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010.
U.S. Marine Corps. Introduction to Evasion and Resistance to Capture. MCI 0327. Washington, DC: Marine Barracks, 2008.
White, Terry. The SAS Fighting Techniques Handbook. Guilford, CT: The Lyons Press, 2001.
[1] The main, though not the only, source for the following paragraphs is The Boy Scout Handbook, 10th Ed.