Outdoor Survival Tips

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Author Bio: Hi guys, I am John. I love spending my leisure time outdoors – backpacking, camping, etc. If you would like to learn more about me, definitely check out Epic Wilderness.

The prospect at having a getaway or relaxing weekend from our bustling, hectic city lives certainly seems a great antidote for the mind, body and soul. And where better to spend it if not with Mother Nature? The cheerful chirping of the birds and the lush green scenery will leave you feeling revitalised and ready to take on the stress and challenges of the upcoming week.

However, camping in the woods/forests or even hiking or trekking is certainly no walk in the park, for danger could strike at any moment. After all, you are out of your element and sharing space with some of nature’s most fearsome creatures! Fret not however, for here are some tips that will help you stay safe and enjoy your trip.

Note: These tips will also come in handy in the scenario of you being stranded in the wilderness.

Find a good shelter

Now, if you are camping, you will want to be sure to set up camp where food and water are easily accessible. Choose to set up your tent on a level ground and pin them down, otherwise in times of a rainstorm, your tent will most likely be blown away!

The same case goes for if you are stranded. It is most unlikely for you to be carrying a tent about, thus you will have to make do and find shelters of your own. High, tall trees make very good ones and you can easily build makeshift ones with sticks for the time being. Be careful however of venturing into caves or dens, for some other animal may have already made it it’s home first.

Be wary of poisonous plants and fruits

Do not underestimate the powers of these plants or fruits, for even a simple brush against one of these plants will cause you to break out into rashes and have a very itchy nightmare! Poison ivy is well known for this and are very common in most parts of the jungle. Some of the others include, akar saga, wolfsbane and white baneberry which have been known to lead to a series of complications such as kidney failure, cardiac arrest and eventually death.

Moreover, only choose to consume fruits that you know of and are familiar with. Do not be fooled by a fruit’s smell or colour for it is just a ploy that will end up in you being the victim. Take cherries or some berries for example, chew on the pip, and hydrogen cyanide is released. The reactions range from vomiting and headaches(mild) to increased blood pressure and heart rate(serious). Therefore, it is wise to take note of the appearance and effects of these plants and fruits.

Building a fire

Not having a cheerful fire to bask in its warmth in the darkness of the chilly night, is hardly a comforting feeling at all. Plus it may even serve to keep you from being attacked by wild animals. Thus it is very imperative that you supply yourself with the knowledge of building a fire.

You will want to start out by gathering dry twigs and sticks, basically anything that will catch on fire. Then build a ring of rocks to serve as your fire pit and slowly stack up all your kindling on top of one another, leaving a few spaces in between so that the flames can get to the topmost sticks. Once that is done, all you have to do is rub two sticks together and blow gently to get your fire started. This may take some practice of course.

Having a sense of direction

In the event of you being lost, the most important thing to do is not panic! Take a few moments to calm yourself down by taking deep, long breaths. In finding your way out, a compass will be your best friend of course. If you don’t own one however, no worries, if you are able to locate the sun shining over the tree tops, align either your right or left shoulder with the sun and follow its blaze to lead you the way out.

Another most used way would be to locate water. Even if it is only a stream and not a river. Following a stream or river downhill is an extremely smart move as these often lead to roads and civilization. However, this also increases your chances of slipping into the stream or river itself or meeting more wildlife such as crocodiles.

Thus it is advisable to stay at least a hundred feet away just to be on the safe side. If in the event you are not lost and want to do some exploring of your own , but afraid of the possibility of getting lost, use rocks to carve out markings or symbols on every fourth or fifth tree. In doing so, you will be able to find your way back without a hitch.

Be respectful and cautious of the wildlife and surroundings

In order for you not to draw attention to yourself, you will want to be as quiet as possible and refrain from talking loudly if you are in a group walking through open ground. If you do however come face to face with an animal which in most cases is a bear, do not run!

Yes you heard me right. With all that adrenaline shooting across your system and your heart pounding, fleeing the scene seems like the best thing to do. However this increases your chances of being chased by the bear and probably be clawed or bitten. The bear would not eat you of course since humans are definitely not part of the bear’s food chain, but it might view you as a threat and in defense, attack.

To prevent something as horrifying as this from taking place, stop and crouch behind a tree or a bush and remain very still. Chances are the bear will lose interest and walk away.

Also always, always be wary and alert of your surroundings. Do not wander off into quiet, eerie areas of the jungle and also if paths are visible, remain on them. Do not turn about rocks or logs over , for these spots are usually homes to rattlesnakes and scorpions! Agitate them, and you’ll pay dearly for it. It is very important to keep both ears open and eyes peeled. You will thank yourself for it later.

Finding clean water

It is best to keep in mind that not all sources of water are clean and purified. Especially ones from rivers and streams. The amount of bacteria and parasites from animal faeces in one mouthful of water may be enough to poison and kill you. Water that flows from the tops of mountains are very pure and safe to drink, however on leveled ground this is hardly the case. Thus, it is always advisable to boil any source of water before consuming it. Other sources of clean water include rain and dew.

You can even obtain it from plants! Here’s how. This only works if you have a plastic bag at hand with you. If so,tie the plastic bag tightly over a leafy branch and leave it for a few hours. Since plants undergo a process called transpiration, whereby water is loss from the plant into the surrounding, water will have collected in the bag fit for consumption. Pretty cool if you ask me since even the most common of things end up being so useful!

And there you have it!

Tips that are fit to guide you into surviving your ordeal in the wilderness. Although, there are tons of other factors that need to be considered too of course, the 6 ones above are some of the most important ones and will undoubtedly help keep you alive and at the same time, enjoy your camping trip or trekking activity. After all there is no better cure or treat, than spending time out with Mother Nature, for it is truly one of God’s greatest creation and gift to mankind.