How to Survive in the Wilderness

Getting stranded in the wilderness can be dangerous when you take into account all of the factors that stand against you, like wild animals, lack of shelter, poisonous plants and limited food and water supplies. Being prepared is one way to ensure that if you find yourself stranded in the wilderness you can get through it until help finds you, or you find your way to safety. To learn more about how to survive in the wilderness, please check out the information in this how to.

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Getting stranded in the wilderness can be dangerous when you take into account all of the factors that stand against you, like wild animals, lack of shelter, poisonous plants and limited food and water supplies. Being prepared is one way to ensure that if you find yourself stranded in the wilderness you can get through it until help finds you, or you find your way to safety. To learn more about how to survive in the wilderness, please check out the information in this how to.
Introduction
- You never know when you might get stranded in the wilderness. There are a number of circumstances that could land you in the wilderness, like a hiking injury or a broken down car. In the event that you find yourself stranded, a healthy knowledge of survival skills will help you get through.
Step 1: Four Basic Needs
- Traveling through the outdoors can take a lot of out a person. Even the most in-shape traveler could find himself in a bind without access to the four basic necessities for wilderness survival:
1. Warmth
  - Even if the daylight hours provide plenty of sunlight, the darkness is sure to be cold.
2. Water
  - Humans can only live for three days without water.
3. Food
  - You could survive for up to three weeks without food, but remember that food supplies energy to the body, and you will need all of your energy if you are traveling during the day.
4. Sleep
  - If traveling during daylight hours, you will need rest, otherwise you might find yourself suffering from exhaustion.
Step 2: Prepare Now
- It is important to understand basic survival skills, even if you aren't planning to take a hike into the wilderness. Anything could happen, so you want to be prepared.
1. First aid: Knowledge of basic first aid and safety could save your life.
2. Fire building: There are several techniques for starting a fire in the wilderness; learn and practice them.
3. Shelter: Learn about different types of shelters for different types of terrain. A desert shelter will be vastly different from a woodland shelter.
4. Water: Spend time learning about the different ways you can find and purify water for drinking and cooking with.
5. Food: Depending on the terrain, you may have more food options than anything.
  1. Learn about different types of edible nuts and berries.
  2. Study trap-building for small game.
  3. Hunting for game may be an option.
6. Weather: It's important to know about weather patterns, as you don't want to be caught unaware when a storm rolls in.
7. Navigation: Even if you don't know much about the area you are stranded in, learning how to navigate and read a compass will keep you from wandering in circles.
8. Communication: Regardless of the technology you carry with you, cell phone batteries will only last for so long. It's important to learn how to leave signs and send signals to help others locate you.
Step 3: Practice Safety
- There are a number of safety precautions you will want to employ while you are in the wilderness to ensure your continued health and well-being.
1. Do not leave uneaten food or garbage in your camp area as it will attract unwanted animal attention from predators and hungry wildlife.
2. Practice fire safety:
  1. Do not build the fire too close to trees or dry brush.
  2. Always make sure fires are completely out before moving on.
3. Take caution while hiking, so you do not create an unnecessary injury.
4. Watch for poisonous animals and plants.
5. Do not push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Listen to your body, and rest when you need rest.
6. Monitor your stress levels. The more stressed out you get, the harder your body will work. You may even start to panic, which could be dangerous.
Conclusion
- You never know when an emergency will leave you stranded in the wilderness, and that is why it is essential to spend time now preparing and learning the basics. Familiarize yourself with the survival needs, and spend time learning as much as you can about signaling, finding shelter, food and water, navigation, fire building and weather prediction. You don't have to be a nature enthusiast or survival expert to get by in the woods, but a basic understanding will definitely give you a leg up in an emergency situation. Most importantly, don't let the situation overwhelm you. Keep your head, and draw on your knowledge of outdoor safety.