PRIORITIES OF SURVIVAL – PROTECTION, LOCATION, WATER, FOOD. Whilst being listed in order of priorities, common sense and flexibility must be utilised in changing this order. But for most situations, this sequence works.

In aviation survival (often taught as SERE or bushcraft), the four priorities are summarized by the acronym PLAN: Protection, Location, Acquisition, and Navigation. Protection is the immediate priority: this includes first aid for injuries and finding or building shelter to prevent hypothermia or heatstroke (the "Rule of 3" says you can only survive 3 hours without shelter in extreme conditions). Location is second: you must prepare signals (mirrors, flares, or SOS patterns) to help rescuers find you. Acquisition follows, focusing on finding water first, then food, as the body can last much longer without calories than without hydration. Finally, Navigation involves orienting yourself to your surroundings and determining if you should "stay put" (usually the best choice after a crash) or attempt to travel toward civilization. In 2026, survival kits for pilots often prioritize high-tech "Location" tools like Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to shorten the rescue window significantly.