Imagine disconnecting from the digital world and immersing yourself in the raw beauty and challenge of nature. A survival trip isn’t just a vacation; it’s an opportunity for profound personal growth, resilience building, and the acquisition of life-saving skills. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or a curious beginner, understanding the principles of survival can empower you to navigate unexpected situations with confidence. This guide will delve into the essential aspects of planning and executing a successful and safe survival trip.
Planning Your Survival Trip
Planning is paramount to the success and safety of any survival trip. Rushing into the wilderness unprepared can lead to dangerous consequences. Careful consideration of your skill level, the environment, and necessary gear is crucial.
Assessing Your Skill Level
- Self-Evaluation: Honestly assess your existing skills. Are you comfortable navigating with a map and compass? Do you know how to build a fire without matches? Have you practiced basic first aid? Identify areas where you need improvement.
- Start Small: Don’t jump into a week-long solo expedition. Begin with shorter, guided trips or practice skills in a controlled environment like your backyard or a local park.
- Training Courses: Consider enrolling in a survival course to learn essential skills from experienced instructors. These courses cover topics like shelter building, water procurement, fire starting, and basic medical care. Many wilderness schools offer courses tailored to different skill levels and environments.
Choosing the Right Location
- Environment Considerations: Research the local climate, terrain, and potential hazards. A desert survival trip requires different skills and gear than a trip to a temperate forest. Consider the availability of water, food sources, and potential dangers such as wildlife.
- Permits and Regulations: Check with local authorities for required permits, regulations, and any potential restrictions. Many areas have designated camping sites or fire restrictions that you need to be aware of.
- Accessibility and Escape Routes: Ensure the location is accessible but remote enough to provide a true survival experience. Plan potential escape routes in case of emergencies.
Essential Survival Gear
- The “Ten Essentials”: This classic list includes navigation (map and compass), sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen), insulation (extra clothing), illumination (headlamp/flashlight), first-aid supplies, fire starter, repair kit and tools, nutrition (extra food), hydration (water bottle/filter), and emergency shelter.
- Knife: A sturdy knife is arguably the most versatile tool in a survival kit. Choose a full-tang knife with a durable blade for tasks like cutting wood, preparing food, and building shelter.
- Water Filter/Purification Tablets: Access to clean water is crucial for survival. A water filter or purification tablets can help you obtain potable water from natural sources. For example, a Sawyer Squeeze water filter is lightweight and effective at removing bacteria and protozoa.
- Shelter: A lightweight tarp or bivy sack can provide essential protection from the elements. Practice building a lean-to or other basic shelter using natural materials.
- Fire Starter: Carry multiple methods for starting a fire, such as waterproof matches, a ferrocerium rod (fire steel), and tinder. Practice starting a fire in different weather conditions.
Mastering Essential Survival Skills
Survival isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about possessing the knowledge and skills to utilize it effectively. These core skills are the foundation for staying alive and thriving in a wilderness environment.
Shelter Building
- Natural Shelters: Learn to construct basic shelters using natural materials like branches, leaves, and mud. A lean-to provides protection from wind and rain, while a debris hut offers insulation from the cold.
- Tarp Shelters: A tarp can be used to create a variety of simple and effective shelters. Experiment with different configurations to find what works best for the environment and available materials.
- Location is Key: Choose a shelter location that is protected from the elements, has access to water, and is free from hazards such as falling rocks or dead trees.
Fire Starting
- Fire Triangle: Understand the three elements of fire: heat, fuel, and oxygen. You need all three for a fire to ignite and sustain itself.
- Tinder, Kindling, and Fuel: Gather appropriate materials for each stage of the fire-building process. Tinder (e.g., dry grass, birch bark) ignites easily, kindling (e.g., small twigs) helps build the flame, and fuel (e.g., larger branches) sustains the fire.
- Fire Starting Techniques: Practice using different fire-starting methods, such as matches, a ferrocerium rod, and friction-based techniques like the bow drill.
Water Procurement and Purification
- Finding Water Sources: Identify potential water sources such as streams, springs, and dew. Learn to recognize signs of groundwater.
- Water Purification Methods: Always purify water before drinking to remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Boiling water for at least one minute is an effective method.
- Collecting Rainwater: Rainwater can be collected using a tarp or other waterproof material. Be sure to filter or purify it before drinking.
Navigation
- Map and Compass Skills: Learn to read a topographic map and use a compass to navigate. Practice taking bearings and following a course.
- Natural Navigation: Develop your skills in natural navigation by using the sun, stars, and natural landmarks to orient yourself.
- GPS Devices: While helpful, GPS devices can fail. Rely on traditional navigation methods as your primary means of orientation.
Food Procurement
While not always necessary for short trips, knowing how to find food can significantly enhance your survival experience and provide essential nutrition.
Plant Identification
- Edible Plants: Learn to identify edible plants in your area. Be absolutely certain of your identification before consuming any wild plant. Use reliable field guides and cross-reference information.
- Poisonous Plants: Equally important is learning to identify poisonous plants to avoid them. Common poisonous plants include poison ivy, poison oak, and water hemlock.
- “Universal Edibility Test”: If you are unsure whether a plant is edible, perform a small-scale test. Rub a small amount of the plant on your skin, then on your lips, and finally, if no reaction occurs, place a tiny piece on your tongue. Wait for any adverse reactions before consuming more. This test should be used as a last resort and with extreme caution.
Trapping and Snaring
- Basic Trap Designs: Learn to construct simple traps and snares for catching small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds.
- Ethical Considerations: Practice ethical trapping and snaring techniques. Check your traps regularly and release any non-target animals.
- Legal Regulations: Be aware of local hunting and trapping regulations. Obtain any necessary licenses or permits before setting traps.
Safety and Emergency Procedures
Even with meticulous planning, accidents can happen. Being prepared for emergencies is crucial for survival.
First Aid and Injury Prevention
- Comprehensive First-Aid Kit: Carry a well-stocked first-aid kit that includes supplies for treating common injuries such as cuts, burns, sprains, and fractures.
- Wilderness First Aid Training: Consider taking a wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder course to learn how to manage injuries in remote settings.
- Preventative Measures: Take preventative measures to avoid injuries, such as wearing appropriate footwear, using caution when handling sharp objects, and being aware of your surroundings.
Signaling for Help
- Visual Signals: Learn how to create visual signals such as signal fires, ground-to-air signals, and reflective signals using a mirror or shiny object.
- Audible Signals: Use whistles, shouts, or other loud noises to attract attention. The universal distress signal is three of anything (three fires, three whistle blasts, etc.).
- Emergency Communication Devices: Consider carrying a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon (PLB) for emergency communication. These devices allow you to send SOS signals to rescue authorities.
Dealing with Wildlife
- Animal Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in your area and take precautions to avoid encounters. Store food properly to avoid attracting animals to your campsite.
- Bear Safety: If you are in bear country, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising bears.
- Snakebite Prevention: Wear appropriate footwear and be cautious when walking in areas where snakes may be present. Learn how to identify venomous snakes in your area.
Conclusion
Embarking on a survival trip is an enriching experience that can foster self-reliance, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. By carefully planning your trip, mastering essential survival skills, and prioritizing safety, you can create a memorable and transformative adventure. Remember to start small, practice your skills regularly, and always respect the environment. The knowledge and experience gained from a survival trip can be invaluable, not only in the wilderness but also in everyday life.
