Imagine being stranded somewhere. What do you need to know to ensure you survive for a few days without getting into trouble? Here’s a quick guide to the most important skills needed to survive in the wild.
Mental attitude
Don’t panic! Human beings are more resilient than we think. We can survive three days without water and three weeks without food. Our temperature can be left unregulated for three hours. Consider your options in order of priority: warmth and shelter, water and then food, and you’ll increase your chances of making it out alive.
Finding shelter
Shelter is the most important thing you need, so seek it immediately. You need to maintain your fluids in extreme heat and prevent hypothermia in extreme cold. Here are some things to consider when building a shelter. Make sure it is in a safe location away from any hazards and is insulated from the elements. You can make use of any natural shelters in your surroundings, such as caves and hollows. Utilise any debris to make a shelter. If you have supplies from an outdoor bushcraft store, you should be able to put together a shelter easily.
Water
Sourcing water is the next most important thing. You cannot guarantee the safety of the water you may find as it might have harmful pathogens in it. If you boil your water, you will destroy most pathogens. Some filtration systems are also available from outdoor retailers. You can trap rain water using whatever clean items you have on hand, such as a bandana or vine leaves.
Fire
Fire can warm you and your shelter, cook your food and boil your water, making it a very useful thing indeed. It’s a good idea to carry things like lighters and matches to start fire. If you don’t have these items, you may have to use friction to create a fire. It is in these situations you close your eyes and wish you had a Stoves Northern Ireland company to provide you with a heater from sites such as http://www.stovebay.com/stoves#.XPYrbYhKhPY.
Food
Finding food will be a challenge as you need to be able to identify suitable sources of food to eat. Look out for edible plants and fruit. Try to have some information on hand to help identify poisonous species. Consider eating insects and birds for energy.
Preparation is key to survival. Make sure you thoroughly research before you embark on an adventure.
