8 Steps to Wilderness Survival
Survival in any environment is a major challenge and can sound daunting at first look. There is so much to keep in mind in order to survive in the wilderness, in the urban wilderness, or home during a pandemic or power outage for even just a couple days. Though, emergencies and catastrophes can happen anywhere, so being prepared to exist with limited resources is a pertinent skill to hone. We have put together 8 steps to organize this process and highlight the necessities that are key for survival.
1. Preparation & Prevention – Avoid trouble and stay out of a survival situation
Preparation is the most important step to any trip, especially one into the backcountry. Putting in adequate work ahead of time to research the area, devising and plan, and understanding what gear is required is critical. Also, this includes knowing what kind group you are traveling with and their skills or limitations. When a plan is created, communicating that with the group and creating a buddy system will keep members of the trip informed and accountable for the safety of the group overall. Doing this upfront work before heading into the backcountry will minimize risks and surprises that could lead to an emergency.
2. Recognition – Use good judgment
3. Inventory – Stop and Think
When an emergency does occur, it can be easy for you to be scattered and lose focus. This is the most crucial time to remain composed and organized. Take a moment to note what people and resources are available to you at that moment. Also identify what factors are going to assist you versus what factors are going to pose as an obstacle to you. Doing this may seem like a waste of time but overall it will save time and minimize any surprises that come up.
4. Shelter – It’s more efficient to conserve energy than to create it
Once it is clear that evacuating will not be an option at that time, it is time to create a shelter. Spending extended time exposed to the elements will expend valuable energy that you may need in the future. Before building a shelter, take inventory of the clothing you have available, this will be your first line of defense. Try to layer loose clothes that are not cotton, this will be most efficient for maintaining a regular body temperature. Creating something that will provide insulation, protection from the water and wind, and shade will be critical. You want to build a shelter that will meet those basic needs, and go no further. Making anything that is not needed in that moment will be a misuse of your energy.
5. Signal – Stay put; bring help to you
Once you have established a secure area to stay put, it is best to stay where you are and attract help to come to you. Venturing out could only get you more lost and potentially lead you into an area that Search and Rescue already checked. Instead, you want to send signals out to attract resources to find you where you have settled. You want to send a signal that will stand out from the environment, like a fire, mirror, flare, or whistle. When sending these signals, project them in blasts of three so that responders can identify that you are in distress. While electronics may be helpful in this situation, something could go wrong and they could malfunction, so it is best to not solely depend on them for help.
6. Water – Stay hydrated, stay healthy
Meeting basic needs is crucial to surviving in the wilderness for an indefinite amount of time. While the body can last 3 days without water, you certainly do not want to ever let it get to that point. Finding a reliable source should be a top priority for you. If you cannot find a reliable source of water, there are different methods to collect water, including Transpiration bags and soil stills. Once you have collected water, it would be best if the water could be boiled to lower the risk of infection. Ideally you should be drinking 3-4 liters of water every day. The better hydrated you can stay, the clearer your mind will be and the easier it will be to make good judgment.
7. Food – Conserve energy
Food is another basic need that must be met while surviving in the backcountry. After 48 hours without eating, your condition can deteriorate, though you can go weeks without food. A good rule to follow is to try to intake more calories than you are expending. If food is scarce, look for small items to forage, such as bugs, nuts, berries, grasses, etc. Looking at the water’s edge is a good place to find small sources of food. As with water intake, the more consistent your food intake, the better you will be able to make good judgment and adapt to changes in the environment.
8. Play – The importance of Positive Mental Attitude
Keeping morale high in an emergency backcountry setting can be challenging, but maintaining it will be a huge benefit to you and your team. Keeping busy throughout the day will give you something to focus on and will give you the feeling of making progress. Any way you can change your perspective to improve the situation will be important for your survival. Keeping a positive attitude and doing things to remain hopeful can give you the will to live and carry on. Praying, thinking of loved ones, swinging songs, doing art, etc. are all ways to keep a positive mindset. Your attitude is everything, especially in a survival situation like this. Maintaining a positive attitude could truly make or break you getting out of a wilderness emergency situation.