How to Survive in the Wilderness

So why did I pick the wilderness, you ask? Well, the 'wilderness' can describe any land out in the wild. By wild I mean land untouched by man. Since that is cleared up, on to the article!

If you are going on a vacation, or camping, or visiting a national park, or the desert, it is a very good idea to plan ahead in the event that you get lost. Here are some ways to survive in the wilderness.

Food and Water
If you have a backpack with you or just a simple pack, you want to be sure to have food with you at all times. You never know when you might get lost, separated from the rest of your group, or wander off. The best food to have with you are dried fruits and nuts. This has the best energy and protein combination, and you can carry a lot of it in very little space. Try to get unsalted mixed nuts though. You do not want to be thirsty all the time. Granola bars are good as well. They have carbohydrates, which will be needed in case you get lost. Don't be hasty and eat all of your food on one sitting. Try to ration it out so you have a steady supply of food throughout the day. Try to always have on hand at least 2 liters of water with you at all times. I would say a gallon, but when you are walking on a trail or sight-seeing, a gallon of water is too bulky. In the event that you get lost, drink about six to seven mouthfuls every few hours. This is pretty close to an eight ounce glass of water. You also want to be careful with it as well. Spilling just a little bit will add up in the end. There are also hydration packs, similar to a backpack. These hydro-packs slip onto your back and hold little else but water. A drinking tube is readily available on one side of your shoulders. Having one of these lightens your load considerably. In the event that you run out of water, what do you do? You can try to find a running stream of freshwater. If you are surrounded by snow, you can collect snow and melt it. This gives you pure, clean water. Or you can purchase a portable water filter and have it handy in your backpack.

Stay Calm
The last thing you want to do when your are lost is panic. Some people will start to frantically run around, assuring themselves the trail is nearby. Some will wander around, having no sense of their bearings and get even more lost. The best thing to do is stop walking. Call out one of your group members names. Look around at your surroundings. Try to remember large trees or rocks. When you walk around later, you can use these things as a reference. You can compare trees to see if they look the same, or if the area around you is getting denser. If it is, you are going the wrong way. How so? The deeper and darker a forest is, the farther away the trail is. Trails and pathways are made through open, well lit areas. Look at the ground and see if you can spot your own tracks. If you can see them, then you might be able to follow them back to where you came from.

Gear
It is always a good idea to carry with you a first-aid kit, a small survival kit, and a knife. The first kit has many valuable things you can use, besides the fact that you can patch yourself up to some degree. In case you need to make a fire, you have rubbing alcohol. The survival kit varies from manufactures and price ranges. The basics that you really need though, are: a small mirror, compass, large trash bag, a bright bandanna, a hatchet, parachute cord, and a flashlight with batteries. The mirror can be used for signaling, and a compass can help you find North. The bandanna can be used as a bandage and for signaling. The large trash bag can be used to sleep in, or as a tent, or as protection against wind and rain in the form of a poncho. Among other uses, the hatchet can cut down wood for fires. The cord can help set up your tent and make traps for animals. With these tools, you have a better chance at survival in the wilderness. With the flashlight you can make signals for help as well.

Be Prepared
Talk with your group and go over how to use things in the survival kit and first aid kit. Make a plan of what to do in case someone gets lost. You should have some type of signal system to be used with the mirror and bandanna. As long as you are alert and keep your wits, wilderness survival should be will be easier to deal with.