Contributed by: Karen Ching
Hiking has been gaining popularity and it’s only a matter of time before you receive an invitation to go out of your townhouse and go on an outdoor adventure. However, if you lack knowledge, such an adventure can endanger your life. Survival skills in the great outdoors is not common knowledge anymore because of how urban and systematized life has become. But if you take the time to learn how to do so, you could equip yourself with the skills necessary to experience many of life’s greatest natural wonders such as the beautiful view on the top of a mountain. Don’t miss out and learn how to survive in the wild even if you get lost.
Plan Well
Before going out on a hike, be sure to find out if the path that you will be following is properly marked. Reading travel forums and hiking diaries can help you do this. You will also find out if a certain trail may be too difficult for your skill level and knowledge.
If your plans see you and your friends staying in nature for more than four days, then it will be useful to know if you can safely consume the flora and fauna found in the area.
Tell People Where You Are Going and For How Long
If you’ve ever seen the movie “127 Hours”, then you know why this is important. In case you are not back from your trip by the time you said you would, people will know where to find you.
Signal Your Location
When people get lost, they have a tendency to panic which leads to confusion and horrible decision-making. A cool head is important in order for you to be able to figure out when you are lost in the wild and incapable of finding your way back. Once you know that you are lost, find the best way to signal for help; either contact someone via cellular phone or find a way to have your GPS location tracked.
Bring Survival Gear
Here are a few equipment that you should always ring along when you go on an adventure in the wilderness:
- A whistle
- A compass
- A good knife
- Some water-proof matches (or matches wrapped in water-proof material)
- Extra clothes
- Lots of water
- GPS unit
It is important that you know how to use all of these items correctly to ensure your survival in an emergency situation. The GPS unit is necessary because your cell phone won’t have signal in most rural areas.
Stay in One Place
If you do find yourself lost, then you should stay in one place if you are sure the rescue will come soon. In the case that you are unsure, mark a spot that you can call “point zero”. This point will serve as your return zone since you must explore the area for food and other useful items. Be sure that you mark it evidently so that you can easily spot it when you return from scavenging.
Purifying Water
Water is your best friend especially when you are away from civilization. You can survive for weeks without food but for only three days without water. For this reason, you should save and smartly consume any water you have brought with you.
Whether or not your water supply is running out, you should immediately look for a natural water supply. The most reliable source would be a spring but those are hard to find. Worse comes to worst, you can gather dew in the morning from plants. You can also drink from a running river but you risk getting ill.
If river water is your only option, then you will want to stay healthy especially if rescue is uncertain. You can do this by purifying water. To do so, follow these steps:
- Remove as much sediments as you can from the water
- Boil it for three minutes
- Place it in a plastic bottle
- Leave this in a sunny environment for six hours
Though forests and the like are beautiful places, they are also dangerous. Follow these tips and study more ways to keep safe and you will enjoy a worry-free adventure in nature.