More on Survival

Basic Wilderness Survival Skills

Probably the most important skill needed in order to not just survive but possibly thrive in wilderness environments is the ability to throw a mental switch in our minds that shuts off civilization. Not morals or beliefs but the prejudices we carry around without realizing it. Just a couple of generations ago indoor plumbing was extremely rare. Today I know many people who can not bring themselves to use an outdoor washroom facility. If you can’t use an outhouse how are you going to manage to go in the woods? Do you know enough to dig a hole and bury your waste? To make sure it is not where it may pose a risk to your water supply. Little things everyone knew a hundred years ago.

If You are a picky eater how are you going to get by when nature plays a big part in planning your meals instead of marketing executives at fast food chains. You have to learn to eat what is available. In the wilderness you will not be able to make your favourite thing for dinner. Most especially if you favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations. One major piece of advice, don’t venture into the woods for a survival situation unless you have worked up to it. The most important kind of preparation you can make is mental preparation.

The advances in the development of outdoor clothing, equipment, emergency food and techniques have been growing rapidly in recent years. For those beginners interested in using the outdoors there is unlimited information on wilderness survival skills and equipment available. However, experience is the best teacher in any outdoor situation and your reaction in a wilderness survival situation depends on your education, training and practical experience. Always keep in mind that it can happen to you. Those who are mentally and physically prepared to survive are more likely to do so. To deal with an emergency situation one must be able to make decisions, improvise and remain calm. Running though possible scenarios in your mind or even better having drills or exercises to practice those may make the difference between life and death in a real setting.

Fear - For anyone faced with a wilderness emergency survival situation, fear is a normal reaction. Unless an emergency situation has been anticipated, fear is generally followed by panic then pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue, boredom and loneliness. It is extremely important to calmly assess the situation and not allow these seven enemies of survival to interfere with your survival.

Pain - Pain may often be ignored in a panic situation. Remember to deal with injuries immediately before they become even more serious. Getting the best first aid training available to you is extremely important. Next would be seeing that all members of your group are as up to date with their’s as is practical. Finally carry the best first aid kit you can under the circumstances. The kit you can throw in a car and take to a permanent campsite is going to be far more extensive than the one you backpack into the mountains. Few think of ascending levels of first aid kits. My largest is at home and is made up of other kits inside it which can be taken instantly in the event of needing to move quickly. The first aid and survival kits you keep on hand should be updated at least four times a year. They need to be adjusted to keep up with seasonal variations in conditions and the area you are in.

Cold - Cold lowers the ability to think, numbing the body and reducing the will to survive. Never allow yourself to stop moving or to fall asleep unless adequately sheltered. This becomes many times more important in the event you are wet as heat is conducted away from your body extremely quickly in such situations.

Thirst - Dehydration is a common enemy in an emergency situation and must not be ignored. It can dull your mind, causing you to overlook important survival information.

Hunger - Hunger is dangerous but seldom deadly. It may reduce your ability to think logically and increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain and fear.

Fatigue - Fatigue is unavoidable in any situation so it is best to keep in mind that it can and will lower your mental ability. Remember that in an emergency situation this is often the body’s way of escaping a difficult situation. Soldiers have a saying, never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down and don’t pass up an opportunity for sleep.

Boredom & Loneliness - These enemies are quite often unanticipated and may lower the mind's ability to deal with the situation.

HOW TO:
Build a Fire

Building a fire is the most important task when dealing with survival in the wilderness. Be sure to build yours in a sandy or rocky area or near a supply of sand and water as to avoid forest fires. The most common mistakes made by those attempting to build a fire are: choosing poor tinder, failing to shield precious matches from the wind and smothering the flames with too large pieces of fuel. The four most important factors when starting a fire are spark - tinder - fuel - oxygen. In days gone by it was unthinkable to travel without tinder. Tinder being the easily lit fuel you use to start a small fire which you build into a larger one by adding fuel.

The most common ways to create spark are:

1. Waterproof, strike-anywhere matches are your best bet. Matches may be water-proofed by dipping them in nail polish. Store your matches in a waterproof container.

2. A cigarette lighter is also a good way to produce a spark, with or without fuel.
3. The flint and steel method is one of the oldest and most reliable methods in fire starting. Aim the sparks at a pile of dry tinder to produce a fire.

4. The electric spark produced from a battery will ignite a gasoline dampened rag.
5. Remove half of the powder from a bullet and pour it into the tinder. Next place a rag in the cartridge case of the gun and fire. The rag should ignite and then may be placed into the tinder.

6. Allow the suns rays to pass through a magnifying glass onto the tinder.

7. I personally like to take with me special matches prepared ahead of time. I use a whipping knot to wrap the match. Which should be of the strike anywhere type then dip it in paraffin wax? This in effect makes the match a candle providing you with much more time to start your fire.

Dry grass, paper or cloth lint, gasoline-soaked rags and dry bark are all forms of tinder. Place your tinder in a small pile resembling a tepee with the driest pieces at the bottom. Use a fire starter or strip of pitch if it is available. I carry some powdered magnesium in my survival kit. I also carry a small bar of it with a flint side. It will not burn in solid form but a single spark can ignite the powder. It burns at thousands of degrees so is useful in igniting even damp wood.
It is important to keep in mind that smaller pieces of kindling such as, twigs, bark, shavings and gasoline, are necessary when trying to ignite larger pieces of fuel. Gather fuel before attempting to start your fire. Obviously dry wood burns better and wet or pitchy wood will create more smoke. Dense, dry wood will burn slow and hot. A well ventilated fire will burn best.
Build a Shelter

A small shelter which is insulated from the bottom, protected from wind and snow and contains a fire is extremely important in wilderness survival. Before building your shelter be sure that the surrounding area provides the materials needed to build a good fire, a good water source and shelter from the wind.
Wilderness shelters may include:

1. Natural shelters such as caves and overhanging cliffs. When exploring a possible shelter tie a piece of string to the outer mouth of the cave to ensure you will be able to find your way out. Keep in mind that these caves may already be occupied. If you do use a cave for shelter, build your fire near its mouth to prevent animals from entering.

2. Enlarge the natural pit under a fallen tree and line it with bark or tree boughs.

3. Near a rocky coastal area, build a rock shelter in the shape of a U, covering the roof with driftwood and a tarp or even seaweed for protection.

4. A lean-to made with poles or fallen trees and a covering of plastic, boughs, thick grasses or bark is effective to shelter you from wind, rain and snow.

5. A wigwam may be constructed using three long poles. Tie the tops of the poles together and upright them in an appropriate spot. Cover the sides with a tarp, boughs, raingear or other suitable materials. Build a fire in the center of the wigwam, making a draft channel in the wall and a small hole in the top to allow smoke to escape.

6. If you find yourself in open terrain, a snow cave will provide good shelter. Find a drift and burrow a tunnel into the side for about 60 cm (24 in) then build your chamber. The entrance of the tunnel should lead to the lowest level of you chamber where the cooking and storage of equipment will be. A minimum of two ventilating holes are necessary, preferably one in the roof and one in the door.


CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Clothing

Clothing must provide warmth and offer protection from the elements. Layers of light, natural fibers are best. Hats are a must, as they offer protection from both the heat and cold. Water proof outer layers are necessary.

Equipment
Equipment must be easily manageable and promote survival in any situation. Items to carry in your pockets may include a fire starter, waterproof matches and/or lighter, a pocket knife, goggles, compass, small first-aid kit and some sort of trail food.

Survival Kit

Items for your survival kit should be packed in a waterproof container that can double as a cooking pot and water receptacle and be attached to your belt. I guess I always wanted to be Batman when I grew up and have made myself a utility belt with a number of pouches. In my case they are digital camera cases. Each case has items for a different purpose. Purposes range from fire starting to first aid. To signaling to twine and pocket duct tape. One note duct tape does not work well in extreme cold.

Backpack
In addition to a survival kit, a good, comfortable backpack is mandatory. Loads of about 18 kg (40 lb.) are average. Items to include are; flashlight, extra jacket, socks and mittens, a pocket saw, gas camp stove, first aid kit, emergency food, and a tent and fly. Depending on season a sleeping bag or substitute may be a must.

CHECK LIST
Useful items to include on your hike are:

1. A map and compass.

2. A large, bright plastic bag will be useful as a shelter, signaling device or in lieu of raingear.

3. A flashlight with extra batteries.

4. Extra water and food.

5. Extra clothing such as raingear, a toque and gloves, a sweater and pants.

6. Sun protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and long sleeved clothing.
7. A sharp pocket knife. Your main knife should have a locking blade to prevent slipping and injury. A second Swiss army knife or multi tool can also be very useful.

8. Waterproof matches a lighter and/or a flint.

9. Candles and fire starter.

10. A first aid kit.

11. A whistle, flares, a tarp.

Remember this list is an absolute minimum. Your own location, situation and training will determine what else to add to this list. Never take anything with you which you have no knowledge of how to use.