Survival Tips for the Wilderness With Nothing on You

There are two basic ways to prepare yourself for being lost in the wilderness. One is to learn survival skills. The other is to carry appropriate supplies. But suppose you are lost in the wilderness without any supplies? What then?

  1. Before You Get Lost, Prepare to Get Lost

    • If fate deposits you in unfamiliar terrain with nothing but the clothes on your back, there are three keys to your survival: (1) remaining calm, cool and collected so you can observe, assess and act; (2) finding or creating the resources you need to survive; and (3) getting help.

      The first step is---stop. Don't get even more lost or make it even harder for others to find you once they realize you are missing.

    Find Resources You Need to Survive

    • According to the "Rule of Three," a human being can survive for three hours unprotected in extreme temperatures, three days without water and three weeks without food.

      You are surrounded by plants and animals. There is water. Ponds are likely to be contaminated. Springs are best, but rare. If you are not near a spring, stream or river, you can dig for water (look for damp ground).

      Searchers may find you well before you are at risk of starvation. You might forage for edible nuts, mushrooms, fruits, nuts and even leaves. The problem is knowing which ones are edible, which must be learned ahead of time. When desperate, test a plant part for edibility by progressively increasing your exposure to it.

      For shelter, seek a cave or stout tree. Or dig a ditch or make a tent out of branches or loose wood. Investigate your surroundings for other possibilities.

    Make Tools You Need to Survive

    • You can make a crude knife or spear by abrading a stick against a stone surface.

      Even many primitive methods of making fire require tools. But if you've made a knife, can find sticks and tinder (dry grass or leaves that will easily catch fire), and can create friction, you can make fire. Isolate your fire so that the forest doesn't burn down around you, and be sure you have enough wood to sustain the flames once they get going.

      Nature is your compass. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Moss grows most easily on the north side of trees (though not always, nature lovers warn us). The North Star is in the northern part of the night sky. When leaving your base, note your surroundings and blaze a trail so you can find your way back.

      If anybody might be looking for you, create a display visible from a distance. This may include persistent fires to create smoke signals (set as high as possible, several yards apart), tamped-down foliage, an arrangement of rocks, even a broken-down vehicle.

      These are just a few hints to help you survive if you find yourself lost with nothing. It can't hurt to learn more before it happens. A single fact may be the one you need most to survive.