A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

Copyright (c) 2009 Jonathan Perez

Even though leaving the everyday constraints of a nine to five is always on the back of the nature lovers mind, regardless of how experienced they are it is always imperative that you’re properly equipped when you go. Probably one of the types of gear you must take with you that could prove to be a lifesaver when something unexpected occurs is emergency supplies and kits.

You have to take with you the proper climbing boots if you are planning on doing any kind of hiking when you’re out camping. If you do happen to get stuck in the woods, a pair of sneakers just won’t do. Now, durable footware will cost more, however it will give your tootsies stronger protection from blistering up, will keep them nice and dry, and will let air ventilate your feet. Have in mind the type of footware you take along and use since if you get to the point that your feet begin to experience pain even the littlest things and movements can really hurt.

Following, the true nature lover will have to have a reliable tent to sleep in at night. Whatever tent you choose to take with you has to be one that you can walk with for a good distance and that’s not difficult to have breakdown and set up. Practice carrying the tent around on your back before the trip to test if you can withstand the weight for a long period of time while on the go. One thing you definitely want to avoid is carrying that tent with you and then having to waste hours mantling.

I would have to say that two of the most important pieces of camping supplies to bring along on your hiking trip are a sharp buck knife and a rechargeable flashlight. Knives can help cutting up food, getting branches for fire, and for repairing or making other tools. Be sure to get a proper sheath for your knife and to make sure that the blade is sharp for every trip you make.

So the outdoorsman will be carrying a tent, extra clothing, food, white gas for fire, a knife and other equipment, therefore he will need a good backpack that will help him haul along whatever he needs. A backpack that you can rely on has to come with chest and waist straps, because if not you’ll be forced to manhandle the entire thing on your delts, and it will definitely feel a lot more difficult to take with ever move you make. To protect your back, the backpack should have support bars.

Pack your bare necessities because that’s all you’ll stand to carry for a long hike. Don’t forget, in addition to the previous items, you’ll need to bring emergency supplies as well. You’ll need a first aid kit, spare batteries, ropes and flashlights. For comfort you’ll want to have a sleeping bag and cooking supplies.

Without these items or a superior knowledge of outdoor survival, it would be difficult to spend extended periods of time out in the wilderness. Though you may not plan to be away for long, sometimes the worst can happen and therefore it is best to be prepared. Even the most rugged outdoorsman would agree.

Friendship. What it means and what it takes.

What are the most important things to remember in order to survive in the wilderness?

One of the biggest mistakes day hikers make is assuming they don’t need to plan for wilderness survival. After all, a hiker usually reasons, “I only plan to be out for a few hours. I’ll be back long before sunset. There’s no reason to carry more stuff than I have to.” Unfortunately, hundreds of hikers die or become seriously injured every year by relying on this faulty reasoning. Wilderness survival requires planning ahead and making three basic assumptions.

The first assumption you should make is that you may be gone longer than you plan. If you’re planning a day hike (a few hours or more), plan as though you’ll be out overnight. Bring enough water for the hike, plus enough for the night and the following 24 hours. You may become lost or otherwise unable to get back to your starting point by sundown. Your body will already have lost a great deal of water from the exertion of the hike. The last thing you want is to find yourself stuck in the wilderness overnight with no water. It may seem like a hassle to carry so much water. However, your survival chances will increase exponentially if you have enough water to sustain you in case of emergency.

If you are stranded in the wilderness overnight, always assume that the temperature will drop. Even in the desert, overnight temperatures can be significantly colder than in the daytime. Exposure to cold or inclement weather can result in hypothermia and may even lead to death. Day hikers should never leave home without additional warm clothing. A sweatshirt, long pants, socks, and rainproof jacket or covering should be carried in a backpack. You also should consider carrying a thermal emergency blanket, which is lightweight and compact for easy carrying. They reflect heat, protect from weather and are fire-resistant.

The third assumption day hikers should make is that they may become injured. If you aren’t prepared for the possibility of an injury, you could find yourself in trouble. Hikers should always carry a basic first-aid kit. Many hikers who have chosen not to carry one in order to save weight or space have regretted it later. Make sure the kit is fully stocked with band-aids, a sterile cleanser, gauze, adhesive tape and cloth bandages. Always replace items later if you use something from your kit.

Some other important things to remember:

* Take a buddy. Hiking alone is never recommended. It can be very dangerous, especially if you become injured. Hiking with a partner increases your chances of getting out of the wilderness alive if you get hurt.

* Take a cell phone. Dozens of hikers are rescued every year because they carried a cell phone. Having a cell phone may reduce your chances of injury or death by up to 50 percent.

* Make a plan. Be sure you know the area where you’ll be hiking. If you haven’t been there before, get a map of the area and mark the trail you’ll take. Make copies of your map, and make sure every member in your group has a copy.

* Inform someone at home. Never go into the wilderness, even for a short time, without telling someone where you’ll be, and when you plan to return. Leave a copy of your map with the person and explain your plans in detail. Tell them where you plan to leave your car. Arrange to call when you begin your hike and as soon as you return. This way, if you don’t get back when you planned, someone else will know and have a good idea where you are.

Using your head ahead of time may very well save your life. It just pays to be prepared.

The survival tips are:

1)      Identification: Get your dog microchiped. These are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted by your veterinarian just under the skin at the back of their neck with little or no pain. When scanned by a chip reader, your name and contact information is displayed and you get your dog back. These chips can be implanted in a large variety of pets including horses. Additionally, make sure your dog’s vaccinations and license is up to date and tags are in place. You may be required to leave your dog at a shelter and you’ll be glad you did these items.
 
 
2)      Get a “Kennel/crate” or small animal carrier. These will help keep your dog safe and calm. Advance “crate training” can be very helpful to put your pet at ease. Emergencies often create stressful situations for pets and can cause unusual behavior. If you have to evacuate, you don’t want to waste valuable time trying to round up your scared dog, so do this well in advance. Controlling your dog is essential to it’s safety. You should have an appropriate “muzzle” device just in case, as well as a sturdy collar and leash.
 
                                                 
 
3)      Be as calm as possible yourself. Our pets are keenly attuned to us and react strongly to stress that you exhibit. Additionally, bright lights, sounds, other animals and smells will agitate your dog. The “fight or flight” self preservation mechanism will be very strong. Dogs are “pack animals” and look to their pack leader, the Alpha Dog, for guidance (that’s you). Show your dog strength and resolve.
 
 
 
4)      The more prepared you are in advance, the less stressful the emergency situation will become. Think out your plan in advance; starting NOW.   Gather your survival items or purchase a pre-assembled 72 hour emergency survival kit for yourself and loved ones. During “fire season” or hurricane season” keep your car’s fuel tank a little fuller than normal just in case you need to evacuate the area. Large scale evacuations from hurricanes or wildfires have resulted in traffic delays of several hours. You may not be able to return for weeks.
 
 
 
5)      Assemble or purchase a dog survival kit. These should include food, water, and bowls; first aid items; dog toys; waste clean-up items; and a strong leash and collar. These are minimum requirements and you likely will want to add other items as well as any medications your dog requires.   Your vet’s phone number is another reassuring thing to have in your dog’s survival kit.
 
Now you know the tips to keep your dog safe and have it survive the next emergency disaster!