Most people will enjoy camping, hiking, or simply being outdoors with little worry. However, even the best-laid plans can turn against you when the unexpected strikes. This means that you may get lost, or hit by a sudden storm that makes paths or trails inaccessible or injured, which means your mobility is limited.
In such cases, surviving in the wilderness becomes a necessity until help can arrive.
For those who may be out in the wilderness for the first time, the better prepared you are for the unexpected, the greater your chances of survival. Here are seven basic survival tips to help beginners make it until they can be rescued.
Keep Calm
First and foremost, you will need to keep a cool head so you can think. This is no time to panic or let your emotions get the better of you. Admittedly, losing your head in a situation like this can be easy, especially when it’s your first time out in the wilderness.
However, no amount of panicking will help you, so you might as well keep calm and start looking for ways to stay alive.
Plan Appropriately
Once you realize that you need help, create a plan to maximize your chances of survival. This will also give you something to do and occupy your mind to stay calm.
Whenever you complete a task, start working on the next one. However, when it is time to rest, do so to retain your strength.
Water
You can go for weeks without food, but only for a few days without water. Hopefully, you have some potable water and a way to make more such as through boiling tablets or filtration systems.
If you have none of these or no water source nearby, learn how to create water from condensation using a hole and a plastic cover.
Shelter
You will need protection from the elements, the temperature, and the sun while outdoors, so hopefully, you will have a tent or shelter half. If you do not, create a refuge from the wind using any available material from rocks, twigs, and branches.
Fire
Staying warm becomes a big priority if you are out in cold conditions. Plus, you will need fire to cook the food that you have. Be sure to carry with you a fire-starting kit so you can create a light when needed.
Remember that you may also need the fire to signal others of your presence.
Read: Rule of 3 for survival
Gather Food
Know what is edible out in the wilderness to survive over the long term. It helps if you bring along food that is not perishable, such as protein bars for energy.
You can hunt or fish for food while gathering edible items like berries, mushrooms, etc. However, if you don’t recognize it, don’t eat it.
Signal for Attention
If you need help, you’ll need to have some communication device or method of signaling for help. Fire is good, especially if you are out in the open. Otherwise, anything that calls attention to yourself should be utilized.
This is not going to be easy for a beginner to cope with the worst situation in the wilderness without being trained. But if you follow these seven tips above, you should be able to handle any unexpected circumstances.
