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Whether you’re intending a day trek in the park or a week-long adventure in the wild, always plan for the unexpected. Don’t let anything go to chance.
Finding yourself in a survival situation as a result of something as easy as slipping on damp rocks or a muddy section of the path, perhaps spraining an ankle or joint. Hopefully, you’re not alone, yet what if you are? Or perhaps worse, suppose your friend is incapable of providing any aid? It’s now down to you to save yourself and maybe a friend to.
Planning is the key to survival. Always plan for the worst-case scenario/emergency. Yes, I know it’s not the spirit but engineers and pilots plan and train for complete system failures and bad weather. They therefore significantly increase the probability of surviving a potential disaster by calling upon redundancy and disaster recovery skills through training.
It’s impossible to anticipate every contingency, however, you can take steps to prepare for what you might run into as you discover nature, hopefully staying clear of any obvious dangers.
HOW YOU DRESS MATTERS
You need to dress properly, from head to toe. You may not have actually thought much about it, particularly if you are a novice.
We might be UK based here but let’s not just think about the UK. Although we get plenty of extreme weather across many parts of the British Isles along with our share of treacherous treks that could lead even experienced hikers into serious trouble, I will assume some of you are already or intend to hike more extreme locations around the globe.
Once you’re out of the trees, your body temperature will drop promptly as wind chill ends up being a major factor. Those rough slopes don’t provide much defense from the wind.
A light jacket can safeguard you from the sunlight, but sun cream SPF 40 might not suffice in preventing sunburn at greater elevations. Pack a factor 50+ but please don’t leave home without an effective sun cream if you plan on hiking mountains or exposed terrain.
Today’s new fibers make warm garments light-weight as well as water-resistant. When I started enjoying the great outdoors, we used mostly wool because when it got wet, it still retained some shielding qualities. It was hefty, it itched, and also when you did get wet, you smelled like a damp canine. Nice! Additionally, woolen apparel was challenging to clean. You could not just toss it in the washing machine.
Modern materials are so much easier and effective. They are cleanable for starters and come in a variety of colors. Extreme climate clothing offered today is far more comfortable and effective than the apparel many of us had to suffer just a few decades ago.
Layer it up!
Dress in layers, and place a jacket or poncho in your pack – Just in case. And put that hat on!
A hat prevents warmth loss in cold weather and also safeguards you from the blazing sun throughout the day. Remember even on cloudy days that sun is getting through, and over the course of a long day, you might still get sunburned. Not to mention increase the risk of skin cancer which is not uncommon with us outdoor types.
On particularly cold days, use a balaclava to cover both nose and mouth to retain heat in addition to a hat and a hood.
basic survival kit
A small yet adequate survival kit can be carried on your body without being a burden. Anything which is an inconvenience might be tempting to just leave behind. Make it just the essential items to get through hopefully short-lived emergency scenario, where you are not too far from help.
Think military. Consider what marines carry with them to survive and you won’t go too far wrong. A map and a real compass should always be found in your bag when navigating the wilderness. Utilizing a GPS (Global Positioning System) is great and always more convenient but a word of caution! Never ever depend on this, even if you carry (as you should) extra battery packs and a spare device. Discover how to use a compass because it’s not hard, plus no one can call themselves a true hiker or outdoorsman without knowing how to use a compass and of course read a map.
As you pick products for your wilderness survival package, choose things that have more than one purpose whenever feasible. Do whatever you can to lower the size and weight of your survival set and do not double up on unnecessary items.
You don’t have to go all fancy here. An empty Band-Aid box, simple bum bag, or any plastic waterproof airtight cases you can purchase from the supermarket. Sure there are plenty of ready-made ones you can purchase but don’t necessarily waste your money on things like this. It is easy to customise and put together your own pack probably with things you already have in your medicine cabinet at home.
Heading into the Wilderness? Now, you do need a full-on survival kit and not just Band-Aids and some first aid ointment. Get a triangular plaster and some big gauze pads to use for compresses. If you require a first aid kit in a survival situation, you do not require a Band-Aid, you potentially need some serious help. A triangle plaster can be used for pressure or to attach a splint.
Purchase or build your own serious first aid pack which you can place and leave in your main backpack. Whenever you go on a long trip into the wilderness you want it to be there so if necessary make or buy multiple and ensure they are in any backpack you use.
Your wild survival set ought to consist of:
- First aid products
- Water filtration system. Check out our own portable 2-stage water filtration kit.
- Fire starting devices
- Signaling Items
- Emergency food packs/bar food procurement items
Some instances of these items that you should not forget include a signaling mirror, compass, candle, lighter/fire starter tool or waterproof matches, magnifying lense, water filtration tablet and/or system, surgical blade with butterfly stitches, mini treatment, and first aid reference book, mini flashlight with extra batteries, foil blanket and of course a general blade.
Now, this doesn’t have to be a long impressive Mick Dundee blade, so you can boast to all your friends and quote ” That’s not a knife, this is a knife!” Yeah, a Dundee, Arnie, or Rambo knife might look cool but they are not particularly useful. Instead, get yourself a sensible 6-inch blade and Keep it sharp!
Reminder….You should obviously look for tools that double up and save on bulk, reducing carry weight providing they are of high build quality and are unlikely to let you down.
urban survival kit
Urban Survival
An Outdoor Survival Kit is not just for when venturing out into the wilderness. It is a handy thing to have prepared and ready-packed into one of your favourite hiking bags just in case something catastrophic happens even in an urban setting. Whilst we may think we safe living in civvy street, things can go wrong and of course in areas which are prone to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, etc or even war you need to be fully prepared with all the above.
Get your survival disaster kit ready and packed as soon as possible for peace of mind. It won’t take much effort, but it could mean the world to you if things were to go south.
You might need to leave your home at a minute’s notice, or “shelter-in-place” (staying where you are) and wait out a calamity. Your Survival Disaster Kit can save lives.
Outdoor survival kits should never be an afterthought
Final Thoughts
The very best advice is to just think ahead. Find out and also exercise standard wilderness skills so you’re prepared if you ever are required to utilise survival strategies. Take a First Aid course as well as discover CPR.
Do not overstep your capabilities and know your limitations. Don’t attempt to hike further without considering all potential dangers and checking your supplies. Do not permit others to compel you to exhaust your limitations. If you’re not comfy with a path or the pace, speak up!
Whenever you venture right into the outdoors, take some time to appreciate the views, but bear in mind that you are accountable for your own safety and others if you are leading a group. Plan for the unforeseen. Make or buy a good Survival Disaster Kit. Do not permit an unfavorable case to compel you into a survival experience.
Happy Adventuring!