5 Tips for Surviving in the Wilderness

Going camping and exploring the outdoors can be a serene and relaxing experience. However, when things go awry, you need to be prepared to survive in whatever situation you are in. No matter where you are exploring, there are situations where you can be put in a vulnerable spot. Maybe your phone died, and the sun is going down. Maybe your kayak cracked, and you are stranded on an island in the middle of a huge lake. There are tons of different scenarios where your life is dependent on your ability to survive. Here are five tips for surviving in the wilderness!

Develop a plan

No matter what situation you find yourself in, you need to develop a plan. Can you reasonably make it to safety in a good amount of time? Or, do you need to prepare to spend the night where you are stranded? It is important for you to rational consider all of your options.

Although it really does vary based on your specific situation, a general rule of thumb is to stay put. If you went on your expedition responsibly, someone should know where you are. If they know when you should be back, hopefully, they would contact someone who can help.

If not, you need to use discretion as to if moving is smart. Overall, use your intuition and be safe no matter what you choose.

Find a water source

Once you have established that getting out of your situation cannot reasonably happen, finding a water source is crucial. You can only survive a couple of days without water. Finding a lake or stream is crucial to surviving for an extended period.

That being said, you should always carry Iodine tablets or a hanging bag to filter your water to avoid illness. The last thing you need when being in a survival situation is stomach issues from contaminated water.

Build a shelter

After finding a spot with an adequate water supply, you need to set up camp for the night. If you have all your camping gear already with you, great! You are all set. If something far worse were to happen, you may need to construct a shelter.

Use sticks and any other natural finding to build a shelter big enough to keep you warm and protect yourself from the elements.

Make a fire

Depending on the climate, having a fire can be very beneficial to you. A fire will provide warmth, protection, and a way to potentially cook what food you have access to.

Carrying flint and steel or another fire starter even if you don’t plan on making a fire on your trip can be lifesaving.

Keep the right mindset

There are a lot of physical elements that come into play when in a survival situation, but your mental strength can be what decides life or death. Without the right mindset, all of the physical work you do to survive means nothing.

Being very concentrated on your situation and hopeful about the outcome keeps your head straight and focused on making it out unscathed.

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