Have you ever gone camping in the wilderness only to find yourself lost? It’s easy to think that you’ll be able to get yourself back on track using the call-a-friend card. After all, technology has made everything easier and more accessible. 

But what if you find yourself without the essential things that could get you out of there? Think you’ll survive? 

These kinds of emergencies are not something new. So, we’ve gathered the seven most important survival tips and tricks you need to know now in case of emergencies in the wilderness.

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Staying calm might just be the most important step in survival. Having a relaxed mind will help you keep your composure. If anxiety arises, it’s always good to remember the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Using your five senses keeps you grounded, which also helps you think clearly. Now that you’re calm and grounded, it’s time to devise a plan. 

Keep Your Cool

If you’re stuck in the wilderness, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with what to do. Now is the time to prioritize the most important things you may need. 

If it’s cold, it’s best to find a warm place first. If it’s warm, water is your best bet. For both situations, it’s crucial to stay dry as much as possible to avoid losing heat in your body. 

After finding a safe location, now is the time to worry about food, water, and a navigation plan.

Priorities, Priorities, Priorities

If you happen to have a lighter or a matchstick with you, then you’re pretty much all set. 

But if you get in a situation where you have no access to immediate fire, here are some helpful tips. 

We learned from our chemistry class that oxygen, fuel, and a spark create fire. Since fuel (dry leaves, twigs, and tree branches) and oxygen are readily available in the wild, a spark is all you need. 

To create a spark, these are some things you’ll need: 

Striking the steel against the flint creates concentrated energy that produces a spark. With a dry tinder nearby, that spark can easily turn into fire. 

A more modern way of creating fire is with wire wool and battery. The energy from the battery and the conductive properties of the wool generate an easy fire. 

Be careful, though. You should keep your hands away from the battery’s contact points to avoid injury. 

 “What if it’s raining?” you may ask. Don’t worry, we still got you.

In case of rain or wetlands, it’s admittedly much more challenging to start and maintain a fire. 

Try to find dry sticks off the ground or those still attached to their trees. Taking the outer bark off of wet wood to expose their dryer parts can also work. 

If worse comes to worst, it’s always an option to find trees that produce a pitch. If you’re in a place with pine, fir, or cedar trees, you’re in luck. Their pitches are highly flammable and can be used as an alternative fuel source.
 

Building Fire the Fool-Proof Way 

If you think you may have to spend a night in the wilderness, it’s important to consider building a decent shelter. This can protect you from any severe weather and potential wildlife creatures in the area. 

Your tent or shelter should not be on damp ground or on top of mountains or hills. Cold winds at night will be your biggest concern. 

Insulate the ground where your tent will be upheld. You want to keep as much heat in your body as possible by minimizing heat transfer to the ground. 

For emergency situations, the A-frame or Lean-to shelter is your go-to shelter shape if a hammock is not feasible. There should be enough space between the frames for your whole body to fit.

Making a Temporary Shelter

People can survive up to three weeks without food but only about three days without water. So, staying hydrated should be one of your priorities. 

Provided you’re not in a dry place, there should be plenty of water resources around. This could be river or swamp water. Or if it’s raining, rainwater is also a great source of water for emergencies. 

For river or swamp water, it’s advisable to gather water from the surface and in the natural direction of the flow. This reduces the amount of debris and unwanted microorganisms you may catch near the bed. 

It’s important to remember that these sources are usually not instantly portable. Boiling and filtering them should be done before consumption. 

If you’re stuck in a tropical land, you can even be creative with finding water alternatives like coconut water.

Staying Hydrated

When you get lost in an unfamiliar place, it’s important to have a general idea of the direction you’re trying to go. In this day and age, the most obvious way to get out of the woods is through your phone with a built-in map and compass. 

In the absence of technology, an improvised sundial could work, too. With a stick standing upright on the ground, you can observe the shadow cast by the sun. If you’re still familiar with your directions from grade school, this is the perfect time to use it.

Navigating Through the Wilderness

What do you do when you’ve run out of food? You hunt, of course. 

If there’s a river, there is the possibility of hunting fish. If meat is not your thing, it’s time to forage.

First, you must rule out potentially poisonous plants. They have similar characteristics that separate them from edible plants. If the plant has any of the following, it's best to run along and find another one.

Spurs that are color pink, black, or purple

Satisfying Your Hunger

These survival tips and tricks are only as good as you allow them to be. So, trust in your knowledge and keep a positive mindset when using these. It’s also good to stay alert for any potential dangers and possibilities of getting help. At the end of the day, you never know when you’ll need these tips, so it’s useful to keep them in your arsenal.

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