Wilderness Survival Advice

Being caught in the wilderness without cell phone reception or a vehicle can be very scary. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prepare for such a situation and ensure that you will be safe.

Staying Warm

To keep warm in a cold outdoor climate you should avoid the four major heat thieves:
1) evaporation - heat escaping through sweat or breath
2) conduction - laying or resting on cold objects
3) elements - exposing your skin to cold elements
4) convection - air or moisture stealing heat from your body.

Making Shelter

If you are going to be stuck in the wilderness overnight without a tent, then you should try to put together a shelter to sleep in. Depending on weather conditions, you might be able to find a cave or uprooted tree to use as a shelter. You could also easily assemble a basic shelter using pieces of wood, boughs, leaves, and grass.

Finding Food

It is important to keep your body nourished. If you do not have any food with you, then find items that you can consume. Using your eyes, nose, and taste buds, you should be able to find items that can be safely consumed. It is always a good idea to avoid plants, and look for nuts, berries, and roots to eat.

Staying Hydrated

Finding water should be one of your first priorities when you are lost in the wilderness. While most humans can survive several days without food, you cannot go a couple of days without water. Try to find a creek nearby to use as a water source, and if you have the ability you should boil the water and allow it to cool to ensure it is safe to drink. However, the best way to prepare for a situation like this is to include some emergency water boxes in your backpack before you head outdoors.

Insect Prevention

Most insect bites are not poisonous, however some spider bites are, and others can become easily infected. Always check your clothing, sleeping area, and gear every day for spiders, scorpions, or other insects. Avoid ticks by staying out of tall grasses in humid areas, and checking your body for the presence of ticks regularly.

Treating Wounds

If you receive a major wound, once again use all of your strength to stay as calm as possible. If the area is bleeding you need to apply direct pressure using bandages. If you do not have a lot of material to use, your hand can be used instead. Keep the wound elevated, above your heart, lying down if necessary. Once the bleeding has slowed, use gauze or material to bandage around the dressings.

It's Best to Stay Prepared

The best way to stay safe in the event you become stranded in the wilderness is by bringing ample supplies with you when you head outdoors. If you do not want to bring an emergency survival kit, you should at least bring essential supplies such as water, a compass, a radio, etc. Check out GetReadyGear.com to see the many survival supplies you could include in your backpack.

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