Wilderness Survival Guide

Wilderness Survival Guide

The great outdoors, they have been filmed photographed and written about. People have lost their lives as well as livelihood trying to explore and map its vastness. The outdoors provide endless beauty and adventure, but also come with their fair share of danger and hazards. Whether you are a weekend warrior, hiking ever break you get from your 8 to 5, or the occasional escapist who decides every couple of months they need a day out in the wild, keeping up with your survival tips can be the difference between a trip to remember and one to forget. Below is a checklist of items your should consider for each different adventure.

Hiking checklist

Camping checklist

Rock Climbing checklist

Staying hydrated

When surviving in the wilderness it is essential to stay hydrated, in general a person is suppose to drink approximately two cups of water in the two hours before exercise, then drink an additional 1/2–3/4 cups for every 15 minutes of activity that will be had. All foods have a certain amount of water in them, so eating will keep you hydrated as well. Fruits and vegetables tend to have a higher water content so eating them will help in the water intake that is needed for bigger activities. Remember, do not relay on thirst to tell of dehydration. Some signs of dehydration are fatigue, headache, nausea, and light headedness. The best way to stay hydrated would be to always have a water bottle or hydration pack near by.

Eating

Eating for survival means having to overcome the thought of what is or at least looks unappetizing. Eating is a means of keeping up your strength and peace of mind. Insects are a great source of protein, they provide up to 80% protein where beef is 20%. When needing to fend for ones self the process of making a fish hook with any type of metal could be used, as well as thorns, small bones, shells or wood. Eating fruits and plenty of greens will keep up in the sugar levels, while eating plenty of complex carbohydrates the day before will boost your energy levels to help maintain good endurance during a long activity.

Cleanliness

If an area that is very damp it is important to check your feet and dry them out as often as possible. This will help to ensure that rashes and and foot issues do not arise. Even thought being out in the wilderness can be a very rugged terrain it is still essential to keep as clean as possible to maintain a good health. Also depending on the activities that is being done it is key to check clothing and personal items for little creatures hiding out that may want to sting or bite. Getting bitten can be difficult to overcome if not dealt with right away so avoiding the situation as best as possible would be beneficial.

Shelter

Depending on the location and weather that the activity will be dealing with there are different types of shelters to choose from. It's not just size and shape that you must be concerned with but the types of material that they use as they can be double insulated or single. Tents can be a hassle to set up, so being aware of this before the time comes is key. One of the first things that needs to be done is the set up of the tent. While the tent is set up, and without having it staked down, it is best to maneuver it around into the most logical position. Once staked down in a good location you can continue to set up camp.

Something else that is essential in the over night activities is a good sleeping bag. Having a good sleeping bag is essential for all camping trips. If lost on a hike, depending on the weather, this can sometimes be difficult but could be a determining factor in ones survival.

Location

One of the most important things to consider before heading out is the location. Deciding on a location will determine what type of equipment will be needed as well as quantity. Some of the locations that are popular would be the beach, the mountains, and the desert. All three of these locations will be different temperatures based on the seasons that are chosen, so the supplies that will be brought along would vary accordingly.

Weather

Learning the different cloud formations is very useful in knowing what to expect in the weather to come. For example, cumulus clouds are fluffy, white clouds that can heap up together forming a large mountain of clouds that could possible turn into storm clouds. Cirrus clouds, on the other hand, are high, thin, streaked or curly clouds that usually mean fair weather. In colder weather these clouds may start to multiply with a steady northern wind only to mean a blizzard alert. Knowing the weather forecast before going on a trip will help in the planning of gear to bring as well as knowing the length of stay that will be endured. Weather can be a big damper on a trip out if not prepared or expected.

For more information, and for all of the items needed for your adventure, make sure you head over to OutdoorPros.com