Survival Dictionary

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Watts”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Word after”

Wide Area Augmentation System. An array of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections for improved accuracy which averages up to five times better than a non-WAAS or disabled WAAS unit.

Waterproof boots extending from the foot to the chest, traditionally made from vulcanised rubber, but available in more modern PVC, neoprene and Gore-Tex variants.

A proword in radio communications signifying “I must pause for longer than a few seconds. I will call you back.”

A proword in radio communications signifying “I must pause for a few seconds.”

Turbulence behind a vessel.

The sport of riding on a short, wide board like a surfboard and performing acrobatic manoeuvres while towed behind a motor boat.

Slang in radio communication indicting perfect signal strength, akin to 5x5.

Inclined to lean or tip over.

The sound made by the rumbling of the stomach.

A traveller who travels aimlessly.

A strong desire to travel and explore the world.

Slang for sleeping bag.

Sandals made from straw rope that in the past were the standard footwear of the common people in Japan. Also worn by the samurai class and foot soldiers during the feudal era of Japan.Traditionally, the rope material was made of rice straw; however, waraji can be made out of various other materials. Now they are mostly worn by traditional Buddhist monks.

Waves created by a vessel.

Broad thin plank along ship’s gunwale to keep out sea water.

A wasp, unlike a bee, can sting multiple times. A wasp sting is less painful than a bee sting but can become serious for people with allergies.

A period of duty, usually of four-hours duration.

Natural cycle in which water evaporates, condenses and returns to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, etc.

Also known as water poisoning, when due to over-hydration there is a disturbance in the brain function and the balance of electrolytes is pushed beyond safe limits. It can happen if one consumes more water and not balance it with food.

The ability to resist, but not completely repel, water.

A water sport in which an individual is towed, skimming the surface on skis. The skier must have adequate upper and lower body strength, muscular endurance, and good balance.

The upper level of the saturated zone. This level varies greatly in different parts of the land and also varies seasonally depending on the amount of rain and snow melt.

Place where running water makes a sheer and sharp drop.

The line where the hull of a floating vessel meets the water surface.

Slacklining over water - pools, lakes, rivers, creeks, docks, etc. The slackline can be set up high over the surface of the water, close to the surface or even underneath the surface. It is important, however, that the water be deep enough, free from obstacles, and that the area should not be travelled by boats.

The ability to repel water completely.

The process of coating matchsticks with a material to make them resistant to water. Usually accomplished with a coating of wax.

Land that drains water into a stream, lake or river. It is also the line that separates adjoining drainage basins. A topographical ridge line often form natural political borders.

Receptacle to hold water, normally made of a sheep or cow bladder. It is still used in some developing nations. Modern waterskins are made of various plastic or rubber impregnated canvases, or sometimes simply thicker transparent plastics offering features such as detachable straw-hoses, valves, refill openings, closures and handles, styles of covering or cases, and removable cases or carry pouches.

Composite material to make walls. A woven lattice of wooden strips (wattle) is daubed with a sticky material (wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw). Used for at least 6,000 years and is still used in construction across the world.

Someone who travels on foot.

Reference point to identify a physical landmark in navigation. Multiple waypoints mark a route.

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Word before”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Wilco”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Words”

Interlacing two threads at right angles to each other to form a textile. However, for survivalists and adventurers weaving can mean weaving vines to make cordage or weaving fronds to make shelter.

Making cordage is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish. However, it is possible and the knowledge of plants that can provide the material to weave into cordage is essential. Intertwining fibres from a plant into workable rope is the method of weaving cordage.

Strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying width and fibres, often used in place of rope. It is a versatile component used in climbing, slacklining, furniture manufacturing, automobile safety, auto racing, towing, parachuting, military apparel, load securing, and many other fields. Most modern webbing is made of synthetic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester. Webbing is also made from exceptionally high-strength material, such as Dyneema and Kevlar. Webbing is both light and strong, with breaking strengths readily available in excess of 10,000 lb. There are two basic constructions of webbing. Flat webbing is a solid weave, with seatbelts and most backpack straps being common examples. Tubular webbing consists of a flattened tube, and is commonly used in climbing and industrial applications.

To heave up an anchor preparatory to sailing.

Barrier across a river to alter its flow. They are smaller than conventional dams. Typically they pool water behind them allowing it to flow over their tops. Commonly used to alter the river’s flow to prevent flooding, measure discharge and make navigable.

A tight-fitting, vermin-proof seal designed to prevent contaminants from flowing down inside of the well casing.

The tubular lining of a well. Also a steel or plastic pipe installed during construction to prevent collapse of the well hole.

The top of a structure built over a well. Term also used for the source of a well or stream.

Waterproof boots made from rubber or PVC, usually worn when walking on wet or muddy ground or puddles. Generally just below knee high. Also called gumboots.

A strip of leather or other material stitched into a shoe between the sole and the upper. Or a tape or covered cord sewn into a seam as reinforcement or trimming.

A ridge or bump on the skin caused by a lash or blow or sometimes by an allergic reaction.

A venomous rattlesnake found in the United States and Mexico and responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities. Commonly grow to about four feet in length. When threatened, they usually coil and rattle. They are one of the more aggressive rattlesnakes in the way that they stand their ground when confronted by a foe. If rattling does not work, they strike in defense.

When a kayaker flips over in a sit inside kayak and has to get out of the kayak whilst still in the water.

Joke played on a sleeping person by licking a finger and sticking it into the ear to mimic the feel of a penis being inserted.

An area of land that is wet, permanently or seasonally, and the soil low in oxygen. It is different from other land forms or water bodies is the vegetation of aquatic plants adapted to the unique soil. There are many types of wetlands including swamp, slough, fen, bog, marsh, moor, muskeg, peatland, bottomland, mire, wet meadow, riparian, etc.

Insulated garment made of neoprene used by surfers, divers, kayakers, canoeists and others engaged in water sports.

Structure built along the shore of navigable waters for ships to lie alongside to load and unload cargo and passengers.

A sharpening stone used to sharpen knife blades, axe blades, etc.

Knot tied at the end of the rope to prevent unravelling.

Body of swirling water produced by the meeting of opposing currents. The majority of whirlpools are not very powerful. Powerful ones may be termed maelstroms.

An aerodynamic instrument which produces a sound when a stream of air is forced through a confined space. Small and portable whistles is the desired size for adventurers primarily for the purpose of attracting attention.

Same as termites.

Tampons which appear after a sewage leak in the female toilet area.

A condition caused by falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to nothing.

A section of river with significant number of rapids is referred to as a whitewater section. When the gradient of the river rapidly increases to create turbulence, air gets trapped in the water body to form a frothy and bubbly current. This current appears white, hence the term.

Sport of paddling a kayak on a whitewater river.

A recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river, often on whitewater.

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “With”

A domed round shelter used by many American Indian tribes, constructed with a framework of poles and covered with some kind of brush, branches, leaves, hides, cloth, etc. It is different from the American tepee. Also called a wikiup.

A domed round shelter used by many American Indian tribes, constructed with a framework of poles and covered with some kind of brush, branches, leaves, hides, cloth, etc. It is different from the American tepee. Also called a wigwam.

A proword in radio communications signifying “I understand and will comply.” Used on receipt of an order. “Roger” and “Wilco” used together are redundant, since “Wilco” includes the acknowledgement of “Roger”.

A natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity.

An area connecting wildlife populations separated by roads, development, logging, etc allowing animals to move from one habitat to the next thus preventing inbreeding that can occur within isolated populations.

Weak, Incompetent, Malingering, Pussy.

The effect wind speed has on the temperature perceived by the skin.

An instrument to measure the result of a combination of wind speed and ambient air temperature. Also called Anemometer.

A graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a view of how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location.

Difference in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Horizontal wind shear is a change in wind speed between fixed points on the ground at a given altitude. Vertical wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction at different altitudes.

Used in dead reckoning navigation, it is a graphical representation, with three vectors depicitng the relationship between aircraft motion and wind. The air vector represents the motion of the aircraft and is described by true airspeed and true heading. The wind vector represents the motion of the airmass over the ground and is described by wind speed and the inverse of wind direction. The ground vector represents the motion of the aircraft over the ground and is described by ground track and ground speed.

A device to convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical power.

Wind waves or wind-generated waves, are surface waves that occur on the surface of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, canals, etc. They result from the wind blowing over an area of fluid surface. They range in size from small ripples to waves over 100ft high.

Winch used to raise a ship’s anchor.

Slacklining in very windy conditions. Depending on the intensity of the wind, it can be difficult to remain on the line without being blown off. The sensation one experiences is like flying as the slacker must angle his body and arms in an aerodynamic manner to maintain balance.

A mill that converts wind energy into rotational energy by means sails or blades.

A wide tube or funnel of canvas, used to convey a stream of air into the lower compartments of a ship for ventilation.

A water sport that combines surfing and sailing. It consists of a board powered by wind on a sail.

The side of an object exposed the wind.

Sport of gliding through the air using a wingsuit that ends with the deployment of a parachute.

Very lightweight length of twisted metal wire with thumb loops at two ends to saw wood.

Named after the large, white, wood-eating larvae of the moth that feeds on the roots of the witchety bush, the witchety grub is now called the wood grub across the world for almost all wood eating moth larvae. Full of protein, they are considered good survival food.

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Worked”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Working”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Will”

A round-bottomed cooking vessel originating from China used for stir frying, steaming, pan frying, deep frying, poaching, boiling, braising, searing, stewing, making soup, smoking and roasting nuts, etc.

Large wood-eating larvae of certain moths are known as wood grubs or witchety grubs and are a staple delicacy for aboriginal Australians, and among survivalists around the world.

A stove that uses wood as fuel. Usually it is made of metal, has a fire chamber, a base, an adjustable air control and a chimney.

The camouflage pattern issued to United States soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors from 1981, with the issue of the Battle Dress Uniform, until its replacement around 2006. It is a four color, high contrast disruptive pattern with irregular markings in sand, brown, green and black.

Or the bitter end, is the part active in knot tying. It is the part opposite of the standing end.

Standard for global positioning systems. Latest version is WGS84 established in 1984, revised in 2004. Most handheld GPS devices calculate location based on WGS84 datum.

Without Rule of Law. Refers to a tie after a disaster when all hell breaks loose and the system cannot cope with lawlessness.

Pronounced “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” translating to “What the Fuck?” or “What just happened?”

When The Shit Hits The Fan. Same as SHTF.

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Would”

Morse Code abbreviation meaning “Weather”