Wilderness Girls
Mar 24 '08
The Bottom Line Don't die in the woods!
As a real estate agent, I try to sell people homes to keep them out of the wilderness. However, living in the gorgeous foothills of the Smokey Mountains, it seems logical that people are going to venture into them. Here are some survival tips if you do decide that hiking might be for you!
It seems a simple thing, but check the weather for the few days after your planned hike. Be prepared in the event you are there longer than you'd like.
*Make a fire with a can of Coke and a bar of chocolate! I read the story, and there are many who swear by this. Turn the can upside down, shine it with the chocolate, find some tinder, and bake in sun. I am paraphrasing, but many people swear that this really works!
You may have to eat some plants to survive your stay, but be careful! Not all plants are non-toxic to us. This story from Wilderness-Survival.net gives you a crash course in identifying plants.
Even more important than food is water. An individual can survive for 3 weeks on limited calories, with plenty of water. BCAdventure.com has tips for finding and purifying water.
Don't leave home without it!
Be smart and plan before you go. Some items you should never leave home without are as follows:
1. Extra food and water: Extra food means food that you do not plan to eat on your hike. It probably should not even be something your particularly like so that you aren't tempted to eat it excepting an emergency. Though it may not keep you from starving, it will give you some needed calories. Also important is to keep a liter of water with you at all times, and refill at every source possible. Keep iodine with you for purification.
2. Extra clothing: Again, you don't intend to use it. Perhaps a wool jacket, mylar blanket or even a trash bag that can do double duty as rain protection and for gathering wood or food/water.
3. Map and Compass: And know how to use them!
4. Flashlights with extra batteries: You can probably walk after dark by starlight alone, but the flashlight comes in quite handy when trying to read the map.
5. Sunglasses and Sunscreen: Believe it or not, it is actually more important in snowy climes than those we have in the Smokies, but important still.
6. Matches and a candle: Store in an airtight container, such as an empty pill bottle. It will be airtight and keep moisture out. Now, keeping the fire going is another story. Use the candle or other fire starter for this.
7. Pocket or utility knife: It seems obvious, but I've been without one!
8. First Aid Kit: Don't leave out tweezers, scissors, bandages, alcohol swabs, triple antibiotic ointment, Tylenol, and any prescription medications you take.
If you become lost in the woods, you should secure shelter first. Make yourself visible to searchers. Next find water, as dehydration is a bigger risk than starvation. And it takes water to digest your food. Be safe, always let someone know when you are leaving and when you plan to be back. Tell them to alert the authorities if they have not heard from you by your deadline!!
Source: Back to Nature
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