Chapter 5: Outdoor Safety
Survival Skills
Planning and preparation should keep you from having an
outdoor misadventure. If something does go wrong, switch into survival mode.
Most everyone who treks into the wilderness gets turned
around occasionally. How you respond in the early stages
often determines if your disorientation becomes a temporary
hassle or a dangerous situation. If you keep a cool head,
you'll usually get your bearings fairly quickly.
Think through recent events to see if you can retrace your
path. If you decide you can't return to your camp or
car, commit yourself to spending the night where you are.
If you remain in one spot, it's very likely that you
will be found in a few days.
You now have three priorities: shelter, fire, and signal.
A tepee of larger sticks enclosing the kindling is
a good way to start a fire.
Rules of Survival
- Tell someone where you're going and when
you plan to return.
- Don't hunt alone.
- Take enough food and water to last for at least
two days in an emergency.
- Bring a map and compass, and always orient yourself
before leaving camp.
- Wear layered clothing and take extra clothing,
preferably wool and polyester, with you.
- Plan your outings so that you can return to camp
before dark.
- Never leave camp without taking fire-starting equipment
and a foil blanket.
- Don't panic if you become lost.
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