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Everyone knows that the great outdoors can be both beautiful and dangerous. Whether you're backpacking through the mountains or camping in the wilderness, only a fool would take on a serious outdoor adventure without having a few ideas about how to survive in different situations.
In this post, we look at 6 ways to give yourself a fighting chance in different outdoor, backpacking, and camping situations – including staying warm, dealing with cuts and bruises, preventing heatstroke, avoiding animal attacks, building a shelter and emergency signalling.
Our #1 tip? Take your safety seriously. Buy a book on it – and always tells a friend where you're going.
1. Staying Warm: Hypothermia can occur when your body temperature drops below normal levels, and it can be fatal if not treated promptly. To stay warm, dress in layers, starting with a moisture-wicking base layer, followed by an insulating layer and a waterproof outer layer. It's also important to protect your head, hands, and feet, as these areas are particularly susceptible to cold.
Another way to stay warm is by building a fire. Always carry rain-proof matches or a lighter, so that you can start a fire using dry twigs, leaves, and branches. If you don't have matches or a lighter, you can try the fire-plow method, which involves rubbing a stick against a piece of wood to create friction, heat and, ultimately, start a fire. It's incredibly difficult, though, especially in damp conditions.
2. Cuts and Bruises: Cuts and bruises are common injuries that can occur while camping or backpacking. To treat one, first clean the wound as best you can. If the wound is deep or bleeding heavily, apply direct pressure to it with a clean cloth or bandage. If the bleeding doesn't stop, elevate the wound above the heart and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
To prevent infection, cover the wound with a sterile bandage or gauze. If the wound becomes red, swollen, or warm, or if you develop a fever, get help.
3. Heatstroke: Heatstroke is a serious condition that occurs when your body overheats. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, and a high body temperature. To prevent heatstroke, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Wear loose, light-colored clothing, protect against sunburn and take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.
If you suspect that you or someone else has heatstroke, move to a cool place and drink water. Apply cool, damp cloths to the skin, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
4. Animal Attacks: When outdoors, you're in nature's front room. You're in the beasts' domain. To avoid animal attacks, store food and trash in bear-proof containers and keep a safe distance from wild animals. If you encounter one, avoid making sudden movements.
If you're in bear country, carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you find yourself face-to-face with a bear, the advice from the BC Parks website is to stay calm, speak in a low and calm voice, avoid eye contact and slowly back away. Do not run, as it may trigger the bear's chase instinct.
5. Making a Shelter: If you find yourself in a survival situation, a shelter can help to protect you from the elements. One of the easiest shelters to make is a lean-to, which is made by leaning branches or logs against a tree or rock wall, and then covering it with leaves, moss, or other natural materials. Fallen trees with large, exposed roots can be a good place to start, too.
Always try to choose a dry location for your shelter and make sure that it's as insulated as possible in order to retain heat.
6. Emergency Signals: One of the best ways to signal for help is with a mirror. Reflecting sunlight off a mirror can be seen for miles and can alert rescuers to your location. Another option is to use a whistle, which can be heard from a distance. It's a simple, portable device you may one day be glad you packed.
More helpful tips here.
