Outdoor Survival
Outdoor survival can mean different things to different people. Essentially, it is staying alive under adverse
conditions. But whether you're a combat soldier, or a survival enthusiast wanting to live wild for a week,
preparation is essential.
Preparation for an outdoor survival situation consists of four basic essentials, in the following order: -
- Mental Attitude
- Knowledge
- Training and Practice
- Equipment
1.) Mental Attitude
Your mental attitude is probably the most important factor. Whether on your own, or with others, morale could be
critical. You must have the will to survive. If your morale drops low enough, you just give up.
In the film "The Edge", Charles Morse (played by Anthony Hopkins) tells his co-survivors that most people in their
situation die of shame. This may be shame of getting into the situation in the first place, or shame of things that
have since gone wrong, or just shame that you don't know what to do. It is also very common for a survivor to feel
ashamed that others died and they didn't. This shame will affect your morale and your will to live.
If you find yourself in an emergency outdoor survival situation, your mental survival kit is more important than
anything else. Your mental outlook and will to survive will be the deciding factor.
2.) Knowledge
The next most important factor is knowledge. If you have the knowledge necessary for outdoor survival, it will
make you more confident and less fearful. This, in turn, will help to ensure that your mental attitude will be
right.
Health:
Make sure you know first aid. (If you are going as part of a group, everyone should know first aid.) You should know
how to maintain your health.
What are the danger signs of hypothermia,
dehydration or frostbite?
How can you avoid food poisoning and other health hazards?
Nutrition:
You should know how to find food and water. Being able to find water is essential - you can survive for about three
weeks without food, but only three days without water (less in a hot climate).
Outdoor Survival skills:
Learn how to read a map. Learn how to use a compass, and also how to navigate without a compass. If you find
yourself without a compass it is still possible to navigate using the stars, navigate using the sun, and also use nature to find your bearings.
You should know how to send a distress signal,
and how to use a Signal Mirror.
Camp skills:
Make sure you know where to set up camp and how to make different types of shelter.
You should know how to light a fire and the
different types of fire that could be constructed dependant on the situation.
Make sure you know how to prepare and cook your food. Learn all the various knots - how to tie (and untie) them
and when to use them.
Climate & Terrain:
Get to know the area you will operate in. Try to memorise landmarks and river directions in case you find yourself
without a map.
Find out about the people, climate, vegetation and animal life. Winter survival skills are very different to the
skills required for desert survival.
3.) Training and Practice
Practice and maintain your outdoor survival skill.
The more you practice the better you will be. Learn how to put your knowledge to use and keep practicing.
If you are a bit rusty things will take longer, and time could be of the essence. You may, for example, only have
minutes to get your signal fire going, so practice.
If you can, get some professional outdoor survival training. There are a number of outdoor survival schools that
run weekend courses and upwards. These will not only be educational, but fun as well.
4.) Equipment
The last thing on the list is equipment. If you have the right mental attitude, the knowledge, and have trained
and practiced putting that knowledge to use, you should be able to survive without any kit. Add good equipment and
you will be ready for anything.
So, what kit should you take? This depends on the type of trip you are planning, and how long the trip is likely
to be.
Check out our section on Equipment for advice on sleeping bags, torches and knives etc.
It is also a good idea to have an emergency survival kit kept in a small container like a 2oz tobacco tin.