Wilderness Survival ( Chapter 1 )

You Must Have the Following Equipment

One day trip

This is a list of essential goods to carry with you when you head out into the wilderness. Of course, you can take more, but this list will keep you safe.

Make sure all members of the party know how to use the GPS and that the party has a backup traditional compass.

Walking boots: appropriate footwear is required for outdoor activities. Ankle support and shock absorption are not provided by trainers or stylish shoes. Prevent blisters by breaking in new boots properly before going on a lengthy walk.

Socks: Wearing correctly constructed walking socks will help reduce blisters.

Rucksack: big enough to carry all you need but not so big that you're uncomfortable. A day excursion requires less gear than a week in Yellowstone! It doesn't matter how long your trip is or how big your knapsack is, make sure it's securely fitted to your back and has padded hip and chest straps.

Waterproof clothing: even if no rain is anticipated, you should be prepared to stay dry if needed.

Even short journeys require spare clothing. If you get wet, you get chilly, and you get cold, you risk hypothermia. Pack a hat and gloves to keep your hands warm and your head cool.

You don't need an ER supply closet's worth of sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, bandages, sting relief lotion, etc.

Sunscreen and bug repellent: even on chilly, foggy days, the sun can be intense. Walking makes you sweat, and moisture attracts flies and other insects that can bite you. Insect repellent helps.

Water system: whether you bring water in bottles or a hydration bladder, be sure you have plenty.

If you run out of water, be sure you have a way to filter it.

A small burner, cooking pan, plate, cup, and camping ‘spork' (spoon and fork combined) with some high energy rapid meals (instant noodles, hot chocolate, malt beverages, etc.) If you won't be out long enough to use a stove, remember to have a way to make a fire to call for help.

No need for a Crocodile Dundee blade, but a robust blade that can gut fish or bunnies if needed.

Flashlight and batteries: even if you don't plan to be out after dark, delays, fog, or poor weather may make a flashlight useful. Always carry extra batteries; you don't want to pull out your flashlight and discover it dead.

If you become lost or delayed, you may need to stay warm overnight. A survival sack is a bright visibility bag designed to keep you safe in an emergency. BIVVY BAG A bivvy bag is a step up.

Longer trips

If you plan to spend more than a day in the woods, you will need to bring extra gear.

You decide how big a tent to pack. You may pack a single tent for the whole group and carry it in sections. You might even bring a one-man tent each.

Sleeping bags come in an assortment of weights and tog ratings (for warmth). A 1 season bag is only suitable for the summer, while a 4 season bag is suitable all year. Even in the summer, some regions, especially in the mountains, can be exceedingly cold. Weather can change suddenly in some regions. Your bag should be comfortable at least 10 degrees colder than the area's typical nighttime ‘low' temperature. A 3 season bag is fine for summer and late spring/early fall camping, but a 4 season bag is recommended for all other periods.

Sleeping mat: protects you from the cold of the ground which can deplete your body's heat. It also keeps you warm. There are two types: foam and inflatable.

In general, the inflated mats are better and lighter.

You get the idea!

Clothing

Clothing is a crucial safety item. It protects you from excessive heat and cold. Maintaining your core body temperature is essential for survival in the wild. The human body should be kept between 96 and 102°F. Overheating and hypothermia are two of the most dangerous hazards in the wild.

Several thin layers are more efficient than one thick layer in trapping air and insulate the body.

Wearing a base layer prevents chafing and overcooling. A long sleeved T is required in the cold.

In the summer, a vest top and shorts will do, but consider a longer pair for the evening. Wear a thicker fleece layer (in winter) or a lighter top and trousers (in summer). A windproof and waterproof last layer Many firms provide jackets with a fleece layer zipped into the waterproof shell for added comfort. Make sure your middle and outer layers are breathable, wicking, and allow moisture to escape.

A Gore-Tex jacket is great.

Never leave home without a hat, a warm winter hat, and a summer sun hat. Warm gloves and a scarf (cotton in the summer) are also required. If you want to walk in the snow or during a rainy season, consider wearing gaiters over your boots to keep snow and water out.

Even in the coldest conditions, walking makes you sweat and heat. To enhance airflow, loosen elastics or vents around your neck, wrists, and ankles. If this does not help you cool down, remove one layer and save it in your pack so you can reapply it if needed. If you stop exercising, make sure you reapply your jacket as you can rapidly become cold.

Summer walking in shorts might be tempting. In some locations this is great, but in others,you might consider wearing long pants even on the hottest days to avoid mosquito bites. You'll know if you're walking in one. Some clothing businesses provide pants that can be zipped off at the knees to become shorts; this is a decent compromise.

Water

The human body needs more water than anything else. Our bodies are up to 70% water and when dehydrated we lose efficiency. Humans require at least 8 glasses of water every day, even when doing little, therefore this requirement increases in the wild.

But you can't just drink from any source of water.

Water is highly likely to contain parasites or other disease-causing organisms. Drinking water from an unknown source requires extreme caution.

If you are going out for the day, make sure you have enough water and a backup filtration system. If you're out longer, filter your water as you locate it. Assume a water source is contaminated (spring in the mountains) and run it through your purifying system. There are modest filter systems that can make even sewage safe to drink, or you can use tablets or chemicals like potassium permanganate. If in doubt, boil the water for five minutes after filtering to ensure it is safe to drink.

Look for the smallest, fastest running streams to purify as they are less likely to be contaminated than larger streams. Never drink from a lake or pond, a slow-moving stream, or an area populated by livestock.

If you don't have a water filter or a way to boil water, you can collect rainwater (on a plastic sheet). If you can't do this, you can create a simple filter by pouring water through sand and gravel through the sleeve of a shirt. This is not a proper filter and you may need bowel treatment when you return home. It's still safer than untreated water.

You should never drink seawater unless you have a suitable desalination filter. If you are stuck near the sea, you can use a shallow bowl to evaporate saltwater and collect the condensate on a plastic sheet. This takes a long time, requires warm weather, and produces just modest amounts of water. (Best Water Filters or Purifiers )

Food

If you are going on a lengthy trek in the wilderness, you should have enough food. When preparing for your trip, make sure you have enough dehydrated high-calorie items to last you two days. Not only do soup packets include a lot of calories, but so do chocolate bars (Mars and Snickers) and boiled sweets.

Because you will be walking for 6-8 hours per day in the wild, you will need to ingest 4,000 calories per day.

Your local camping store will have a choice of flavorful camping dishes that can be prepared right in the packet. You can then add dates, apples, and bread to your diet. Raw meat should not be carried, although eggs can be carried for 3-4 days. If you are hunting, bring your kill to a safe spot, preferably near to your pick-up point. If you live in a bear-prone location, make sure your food storage area is 150 feet away from your tent, and your cooking zone is 150 feet away from both.

Whether you're going out for a few hours or a few days, you should attempt to bring some extra food. If you find yourself without food for any reason, it's tempting to consider trapping some smaller animals. Unless you know how to securely prepare traps and gut and skin an animal to make it safe to eat, you should avoid this. If there are streams nearby, you may attempt catching fish with a simple hook and line or a fish trap made of wood/grass. If you've done your homework, you'll know which berries and plants are safe to eat.