Wilderness Survival Guide

Mental toughness is essential for wilderness survival. Train yourself to be mentally prepared for both the expected and unexpected. If you do not have military training, you can still acquire the needed skills and attitude by thorough preparation. Read about survival. Practice wilderness skills, such as fire building for warmth. Learn to use topographical maps, a compass and the stars for navigation. Enjoy the outdoors and be confident of your ability to cope.

  1. Self-Reliance

    • Lots of experience in the outdoors helps you become competent in the wilderness. Competence leads to confidence, and confidence is necessary for survival. Overconfidence is a recipe for disaster; know the difference. Badlands National Park rangers warn hikers not to rely on a mobile phone as a safety net, because phones will not work in many wilderness areas. Safety depends on a person’s good judgment, preparedness and vigilant attention. Go into the backcountry planning to be completely self-sufficient.

    STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan)

    • A key to surviving many of life’s situations is knowing how to think through a problem and develop action plans. Impulsiveness leads to danger when faced with a survival situation. Mentally train yourself to think through alternatives before embarking on any of them. The acrostic “STOP” stands for “stop, think, observe, plan.” As a dangerous situation develops, physically stop to take an inventory of what you think. Consider your options. Observe your surroundings and the condition of companions. Consult with other team members. Determine your plan of action. Think through how and when it can be accomplished.

    Traveling Prepared

    • Carry a first-aid kit on all outdoors outings.

      Assemble or purchase a wilderness survival kit. The kit should contain all-purpose items, such as a knife, a fire starter, a water bottle, a flashlight, a bandanna, plastic zipper bags, 6 feet of duct tape, a poncho or space blanket, a mirror for signaling, a whistle, a compass and a 10-foot length of parachute cord. For acquiring food, pack a selection of fish hooks, fishing line and bobbers. The line can be used to rig a snare for a rabbit or for fishing. Include a stainless steel cup that can be used for cooking or for holding a drink or food. Carry water purifying tablets or straws. Carry a first-aid kit, a snakebite kit and bear spray.

    If You Have With No Equipment

    • In an emergency, you may need wilderness survival skills but have no equipment. Remember STOP. Stop to assess your situation. If your car is broken down, search it for items that may be helpful in the wilderness. Use a screwdriver or razor to whittle a stick into a sharp point to spear fish or lizard. Enlist a discarded cup or plastic beverage container to carry water. Leave a note (including the date and time) with your malfunctioning vehicle, telling the direction in which you plan to walk.

    Backup Plans

    • Leave your travel itinerary with a responsible family member or friend. Give specifics on when you will be back and where you will be traveling. This information can help rescuers find you in hours instead of days. Leave a copy of your itinerary in the driver’s seat of your vehicle. Register at trailheads or with rangers, if given the opportunity.