Being prepared for anything ahead of time is the most important piece of advice you’ll ever get when surviving in the outdoors. Most people will prepare for an emergency on a long hike or trip, but few do for short ones. The problems is that many still get injured or lost on short outings and are not prepared because they didn’t expect to be gone long. I’ll talk about some items you should always have with you – even for short outings/day hikes/etc. – later, but for now here are four steps to keep in mind if you get lost or stuck in the outdoors.
1. Stay Warm and Dry. If you prepared ahead of time and brought extra clothing and raingear you can ensure that you’ll stay warm and dry as night falls or weather conditions change. Always carry clothing for the worst possible weather conditions over the next 48 hours.
2. Find Water. You can go many days without food, but you’ll need water quickly. In the Southeast, where I live, this usually isn’t a problem, but in many parts of North America and the world you may be miles from water.
3. Find or Build Shelter.
4. Find Food. After you are warm and dry, find water, and have a safe and dry place to rest and sleep you can venture out to find food. Just don’t lose your way back to your shelter.
There’s much more to be said about each of these steps and about wilderness survival in general, but keeping these four steps in mind will help you organize your survival until help arrives.
Photo by Lin Pernille Photography
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It’s critical that people find food right away when they’re lost, since they will be burning calories like crazy staying alive in the outdoors. The only time humans can go a long time without food is when they’re fasting in bed, otherwise they will be barely able to move in a few days. The best emergency foods are dried raisens, cashews, dried blueberries, and wild rice, since they are so rich in carohydrates. Don’t leave home without them.
Thanks for the comment Tom. If Tom says it you can believe it as he’s been tested in the most beautiful and one of the most difficult places to survive in North America – Alaska.