Whether you are hiking a designated trail or trekking through the backcountry, survivalist skills will help you cope with the physical and mental challenges of wilderness travel. Foremost among your skills should be the mental capacity to cope with your situation. Your travels might place you in unfamiliar situations in which you must make quick, rational decisions. There is no room for fear or doubt in a survivalist. Your mental strength will be your greatest asset.
Basic Human Needs
A survivalist guide would not be complete without first discussing the basic human needs of food, water, shelter and sleep. Fulfilling these needs can be a matter of life and death. A knowledge of wild edible plants will help you find food should your stores become depleted. If you cannot carry enough water for your needs, you can use a potable water filter to ensure clean, safe water. Water filters are available at outdoor stores. Get a filter that can remove bacteria such as giardia and salmonella. A simple tarp can provide you with shelter from the elements and perhaps help you sleep. For your food needs as well as warmth, fire-building skills can increase your comfort level. Waterproof matches will ensure you have the necessary materials to create a fire when you need to warm up.
Navigation
Navigational skills are vital to prevent you from becoming lost. Always carry a compass whenever you travel in the wilderness, since cloud cover can prevent you from using the sun as a navigational tool. You also can use an analog watch as a crude replacement for a compass if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, south of Alaska. Point the hour hand toward the sun. An imaginary line between 12 o'clock and the hour hand will form a north-south line. Generally, the sun will south at noon. This technique is not a replacement for a compass.
You can also approximate your distance traveled by your stride. If your stride is 2-1/2 feet, you will generally travel 3 mph over easy terrain. Knowing your direction and distance can help you keep track of your location.
Weather
A survivalist must be able to read weather patterns to avoid dangerous dangerous conditions. A storm is often preceded by a drop in air temperature and pressure, according to WildernessSurvivalSkills.com. If you notice these changes, find shelter immediately. Cloud cover also will provide you with clues regarding weather patterns, according to the United States Search and Rescue Task Force.
First Aid
If you are in the wilderness, chances are you are far from help in case of an emergency. Your first-aid kit should include items for treating injuries, such as bandages, gauze and antiseptic ointment. Depending on your location, you also can include a snake-bite kit or OTC bee-sting remedy. Aspirin or ibuprofen can provide the necessary pain relief for you to make it back to safety.
Communication
Technology gives you another vital tool for your survival guide. Your cell phone can provide you with a way to call for help should you become injured on the trail. Some software programs such as GPS Pro have a safety feature that allows you to send an SOS with your geographic location. SOS Tracker and Glympse offer similar services. This information can be extremely valuable to rescuers trying to locate you.
Member Comments