How to Survive in the Wild: Preparing for Emergencies and Learning Vital Survival Skills
Adventures in the wild can be a great way to break away from the monotony of day-to-day life and explore new places. But when an emergency arises, proper preparation and a well-stocked survival kit can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to survive in the wild can be a matter of life and death; and the following skills will help anyone become confident and capable in the wilderness.
Essential Survival Kit for Preparing for the Worst
Before heading out on an outdoor adventure, it is important to be prepared for any contingency. A required and important part of effective wilderness survival is having the right gear.
Make sure to pack and check the following items in your essential survival kit:
• First aid kit – should include items such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic creams, medical tape, tweezers, scissors and pain killers. Additional pain killers and antibiotics should be kept in the pack in the event of a medical emergency.
• Firestarters – these are critical for cooking, staying warm and providing light in the darkness. Different firestarters should be prepared and included, such as lighters, matches and fire tinder balls.
• Knife and/or multi-tool – an essential item with a wide range of uses.
• Waterproof bag – a dry bag will protect your survival kit from any water allocating in the area.
• Compass – this will help you keep track of your location and navigate your way back home once the expedition or the emergency is over.
• Signal mirror – when shipwrecked or lost, this can be used to alert help to your location.
• Whistle – this can be used to attract help when lost in the wild.
• Water-Filter – an effective and lightweight device to filter water to make it drinkable.
• Emergency Blanket – lightweight and perfect for staying warm in the cold.
• SOS kit – a combination of all the above items.
Learning Important Survival Skills
Learning some basic survival skills can give a person the confidence and capability to handle any situation that may arise in the wild. Here are a few of the key survival skills to help someone weather any outdoor emergency:
• Building a Fire –building a fire and maintaining it is one of the absolute basics of wilderness survival. Fires help to keep warm, and can also be used for cooking, sterilizing water and signaling for help.
• Setting up a Shelter – basic shelter can help to shield from wind and rain, as well as provide warmth.
• Finding Fresh Water – getting access to fresh and clean water is one of the most important wilderness survival skills.
• Making a Knife – learning to make a knife or a multi-tool can come in handy during a pinch.
• Learning to Forage – learning to identify and find edible plants, nuts and berries can help to keep hikers fed.
• Firemaking without Matches – in order to start a fire without the use of matches, a person should be comfortable using flint and steel or using a bow-drill.
• Disease Prevention and Recognition – being knowledgeable about the bacterial and fungal dangers that can be found in the environment is key in preventing illnesses.
Situational Awareness and Caution
Knowing how to stay safe in the wild is just as critical as learning wilderness survival skills. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure, it’s important to accurately assess the physical and mental capabilities of those taking the trip. The following safety precautions should be taken to ensure a positive and healthy outdoor experience:
• Be sure to tell someone about the plan for the duration of the expedition;
• Notify authorities if an emergency arises;
• Have several routes planned to reach the outbound destination;
• Pre-plan rest stop points;
• Carry a map and a compass;
• Stay within reach of help;
• Carry a cell phone with fully charged battery;
• Wear appropriate outdoor clothing;
• Consume plenty of water along the way;
• Wear sunscreen to avoid sunburns;
• Exercise caution when encountering any wild animals;
• If feeling lost, remain in one place and stay calm.
It is critical for anyone who is heading out into the wild to be prepared. A well-stocked essential survival kit and the right knowledge of wilderness survival skills is the most important thing to keep in mind before starting any kind of outdoor adventure. Knowing how to stay safe and cautious while in the outdoors is key as well. Following these safety tips and stocking the right equipment can ensure a successful and enjoyable adventure in the wild.
