The outdoors can sometimes offer up amazing opportunities to explore and adventure, but it can also be a fiercely challenging environment. Being prepared for potential obstacles and risks can mean the difference between a successful expedition, and an emergency that could even cost you your life! In this article, we’ll look at some of the key survival techniques that every outdoors-goer should know. With these tools in hand, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the outdoor gauntlet.
1. Preparing for Adventure: Essential Survival Skills for Challenging Outdoors
The great outdoors is a no-holds-barred environment, and if you’re looking to embark on an outdoor adventure, you need to be prepared. Whether you’re planning a weekend camping excursion, an Arctic expedition, or any other venture into the wild, understanding a few core survival skills is essential for keeping yourself safe.
Navigation
- Knowing how to read a map is the first essential skill for venturing out. Before you go, familiarise yourself with the lay of the land, noting important landmarks and any potential hazards.
- Check that your compass is accurate and functioning properly. You don’t want to get lost and be unable to find your way back to base camp.
Shelter
- Understand what kind of shelter is most appropriate for the environment you are traversing. Is a tent the best option, or can you construct a basic shelter from natural elements?
- Do you have the skills and knowledge to construct a shelter, do you have the proper tools to do it, and are you equipped with the right supplies? Every environment is different and while one set of sheltering materials may work in one area, it may be completely inadequate in another.
Fire-Starting
- Being able to start a fire is essential for staying warm, cooking food, and keeping away wild animals. Learn about the local terrain and what type of fuel is available for fires, then stock up on what you need for a safe, reliable fire.
- You also need to understand the fire-starting process itself; without the right tools and technique, you won’t be successful in the wilderness. Practice with a fire-starting kit before you go and be sure to have at least two fire-starting tools.
Food & Water Preservation
- Knowing which plants are edible is important for surviving in the wild, as is being able to collect and purify water. Practice identifying plants and purifying water sources ahead of your journey so you don’t get caught out in the wilderness with only questionable sustenance.
- You’ll also need to be able to store food and water while on the go. Bring along containers and food storage bags so you can store and transport food and water safely and hygienically.
Your success in the wild depends on your preparedness; the better your understanding of the environment and the skillset required to survive it, the more likely you are to have an enjoyable and safe adventure.
2. Knowledge is Power: Survival Skills to Conquer Harsh Conditions
Power and strength are two key traits to know when facing harsh conditions. Whether you have to survive in the wild, or you’re in a dire situation, the right knowledge and skills can help you make your way out. Here are some survival skills that you can use in any situation:
Knowledge of Nature: Knowing the environment you’re in is the most important thing you can do to survive. Learn to recognize different plants and trees, and know their medicinal uses and edible features. Additionally, understanding basic animal behavior and weather conditions can help you make smarter decisions about your surroundings.
Build a Shelter: In some cases, building a shelter may be your only option. Knowing what materials to use, like natural elements or items available in the area, depending on the climate, can make a big difference. Constructing the shelter properly will provide necessary protection from the elements and wild animals.
Make a Fire: You never know when you might need to make a fire. Fire provides warmth and protection in the wilderness. It also allows for the cooking of food and boiling of water for safe drinking. Knowing how to make a fire in various conditions—such as rainy and snowy regions—can play a significant role in your survival.
Wilderness Navigation: Navigation, especially in the wild, needs not only tools like a compass and GPS, but also the skill to navigate on your own. Being able to recognize the stars, read the terrain, or even follow basic animal trails can help you find basic necessities and avoid certain hazards.
Food Resources: Identifying food resources, like edible plants, fish, insects, and even carrion, can be very useful in surviving difficult situations. Knowing how to properly find and cook these foods will not only keep you from going hungry, it could also save your life.
3. Survival Techniques You Don’t Want to be Without: Essential Gear to Have on Hand
FireSource: The most basic survival need is fire. Fire can provide warmth, light, and a way to cook food. Having the right kind of fire starter is essential. A ferro rod, magnesium stick or lighter is the easiest way to get a small campfire going. You should also consider carrying a fire steel or other type of firestarter so you can start a bigger, longer-lasting fire.
Knife: An essential piece of gear is a solid and reliable knife. Whether you’re foraging for food, preparing shelter, or defending yourself, a knife should always be close by. Make sure your knife is strong and sharp enough to take on any task it may need to do. Investing in a quality knife will go a long way to help secure your survival in the wild.
First Aid Kit: Whether you’re camping, hunting, or hiking, having a first aid kit is essential. This kit should include basic items such as band-aids, ointment, gauze, tape, and antiseptic wipes. It is also wise to have supplies such as iodine tablets and splints in case of any minor injuries.
Emergency Blanket: Keeping your body temperature stable is essential to surviving in any environment. An emergency blanket is a great item to have on hand to offer extra warmth or protection from wind and rain.
Water Bottle: You must stay hydrated when in an outdoor environment. Investing in a quality water bottle that can store your water is essential. A steel water bottle is recommended for its durability. Also, make sure you have a filter on hand if you are in an area that does not have access to clean water.
Back Pack: A quality backpack is essential for carrying all your gear, food, clothing, and water. Invest in a solid, waterproof backpack that is designed to handle outdoor activity. Make sure it is comfortable and has plenty of room for your needs.
4. Unafraid and Ready: Tips for Making It Through Outdoor Emergencies
For many of us, the idea of being stuck outdoors in an emergency situation can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are a few proactive steps we can take to make the experience more bearable. Utilizing these tips can help us react smartly and safely if we find ourselves in an outdoor emergency.
1. Pack Wisely
The most important tip for any outdoor excursion should be to pack wisely. Any type of emergency kit should consist of basic things like water, a flash light, a first aid kit, a whistle, a tarp, space blankets and energy snacks. If you plan to be staying out in nature for an extended amount of time, it may be beneficial to bring a camping stove, a tent, a water filter, a fire starter and signaling flags. In case this list seems daunting, many outdoor stores and websites sell premade kits for emergency situations.
2. Stay Calm and Focused
Keeping calm in an emergency situation is perhaps one of the most important things you can do. When panic takes hold, it can cause people to act irrationally or even give up hope all together. In an outdoor emergency, using the tools on hand to create a plan and keep calm are essential.
3. Stay Visible or Make Noise
If you find yourself in an emergency situation outdoors, the best thing you can do is stay visible or make noise. Waving a bright signaling fabric in the air, signaling with a whistle or simply yelling for help are all great ways to alert people who are potentially nearby. As long as visibility conditions are ideal, you can always try writing a message in the sand or snow as well.
4. Gather Useful Resources
- Branches, sticks and rocks can be used as tools to build shelter or signal for help.
- Large leaves, grass and debris can be put together to insulate against the cold.
- Dry wood, rocks, moss, and feathers are all great for kindling a fire.
5. Stay Updated on the Weather
Making sure you are staying updated on weather in the area can help you be on the lookout for any potential emergencies. If there is a forecast of a storm, it may be wise to recognize that a landscape may become flooded or blocked by snow. Being aware of potential weather conditions can help you prepare for any changes before they occur.
Nature can be a challenging place, with unpredictable conditions and limited resources. Knowing how to survive in a difficult situation is an important part of outdoor exploration. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can be more prepared and confident in navigating the great outdoors. With a little bit of knowledge, you can turn any outdoor experience into an unforgettable and positive one.
