Outdoor Survival - Know Your Priorities

Outdoor survival in an emergency situation isn't just about skills and knowledge. You also need the will to survive, and you need to prioritize. The following priorities are in the order of most importance.

1. Have The Right Attitude

If you read many stories of outdoor survival, you'll notice that many people are alive who shouldn't be. Maybe they crash a plane and then wander into the wilderness where they can't be easily found by rescuers. Or they almost freeze to death even though there are plants that could be used to shelter and cloth them. One reason they are alive is a strong will to live.

This is a great start. A strong will to live has often meant survival in the most terrible circumtstances. However, to maintain this will, you also should develop the real belief that survival is possible. Start by thinking of your favorite stories of survival against impossible odds. Focus always on the things you can do. This doesn't mean ignoring something that can go wrong, but don't think about it for a minute without also deciding what you can do about it.

2. Regulate Body Temperature

What is the number one killer in outdoor survival situations? Hypothermia - the loss of body heat. To stay warm stay dry, have enough insulation, and stay out of the wind. You might sleep during the day and travel in the cold of the night in some environments, and thus stay warmer. Stuff dried grass between layers of clothing for more insulation around your body. Make a fire if you can.

Heat can kill too. In a desert environment you might want to travel early in the morning and in the evening, and sleep in the shade during the heat of the afternoon. Fashion an umbrella out of any materials available, to shade yourself as you hike. If water isn't drinkable, use it to cool yourself, by soaking your clothing in it. A wet shirt or sock around your neck will cool you quite a bit.

3. Stay Hydrated

Water is a higher priority than food, since you can generally live just a few days without water in a survival situation. Locate a water supply, and find a way to purify it. If getting water will be an ongoing problem, reduce your need for it. Stay in the shade more, breath through your nose instead of your mouth, and don't use water for washing (or limit its use in any case).

4. Stay Safe

If you have ever watched the "Man Against Wild" television show, you know it's entertaining. I even learn something now and then. Unfortunately, the host loves to show off his skills and daring more than his careful planning. The point? You shouldn't jump off a cliff into water or climb down a water fall to save a bit of bush-whacking (he did both in recent episodes). Avoid obstacles, move slow on dangerous terrain, and generally try your best to stay uninjured. A simple twisted ankle can be a death sentence.

5. Be Found

The goal in most outdoor survival situations will be to be found. If people are looking for you, stay where you are. Get a signal fire ready to light, to help searchers find you. If there is a good reason to try to get out on your own (like if nobody knows where you are), leave a note and mark your trail as you go.

6. Gather Food

Food is a low priority in most outdoor survival situations. Most survivors, whether lost hikers, boaters or plane wreck survivors, are rescued or dead from other causes long before starvation becomes a serious issue. But on the other hand, having food to eat can help you maintain strength, warmth, and a sense of comfort, thus maintaining your will to survive.

Water cannot be rationed too severely (many have died of dehydration with water still in their canteens), but it often best to ration what little food you have. And lookfor more, of course. Almost all mammals and birds are edible if you have the means to cook. And why not learn to identify a few wild edible plants if you think you might someday be in an outdoor survival situation.

For more, see the Wilderness Survival Guide.

The Ultralight Backpacking Site | Outdoor Survival