Who needs to learn survival techniques?

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Who needs to learn survival techniques? Everyone!

In the days of yore, all girls learned to cook and sew in home economics class, but boys weren?t included. Eventually, boys were encouraged to take this class. They learned how to cook and sew. Good idea. Everyone should know how to cook and sew.

The same goes for survival techniques. Who needs to learn survival techniques? Everyone because one never knows when it might be needed, and you don?t want to be ?caught with your pants down.? Preparedness is essential and something a responsible person undertakes in advance.
People who maintain campsites, rugged lodges, and homes in remote sites know that preparedness can be the difference between life and death. In less dramatic terms, it can be between the difference between “roughing it” and modern comforts. Water filtration systems, composting toilets, and propane stoves are all essential for long-term survival.

Those who go hiking, camping or engage in outdoor pursuits in the wilderness in unpredictable weather situations (freezing conditions or desert conditions,) especially need to know survival techniques and carry essential survival gear. Survival techniques are put to the test during times of disaster ? hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, tsunamis, avalanches, black outs and, heaven forbid, future terrorist attacks, which, unfortunately, can strike at any time.

Each home should be equipped with a survival kit that includes water, non-perishable food items, medications that are needed daily, batteries, flashlights, blankets, a hand-cranked powered radio, cell phone and cell phone charger in the event that a disaster strikes. Each home should also be equipped with a First Aid kit that is readily accessible and can be grabbed and taken to the basement or wherever the people end up. Store water in advance so there is access to fresh water.

When there is a power outage, this puts everyone into a tizzy. In advance of this event, purchase flashlights and know where they are stored so you can find them in the dark. If you are stranded outside in the freezing cold, it is imperative that you build a shelter, which can be a snow cave shelter, snow trench shelter, snow block, parachute shelter, snow house or igloo, lean-to shelter, fallen tree shelter or tree pit shelter. Research how to construct a shelter prior to venturing out in cold-weather regions.

If stuck in an avalanche area or somewhere that is snowy and frozen you can melt ice or snow for drinking water. Ice melts quicker than snow. Melt the ice or snow in a tin can or in whatever you have available, putting the contents close to a fire that hopefully you have been able to start. Once the ice or snow is melted keep it close to the body so that it doesn?t refreeze.

If you have water in a canteen do not fill the canteen completely because this allows room for the water to move around, which will prevent it from freezing.

If you are stranded in the extreme cold, do not sleep directly on the ground. Find some insulating materials, such as pine boughs, and lie on them because this material will prevent the ground from absorbing your body heat.

When outdoors and lightning strikes do not lie down on the ground because this puts an individual at even greater risk of being struck. It is much safer to crouch on the balls of the feet. The feet should be together, which lessens the contact that is made with the ground. Hands should be placed over the ears, which protects the individual from acoustic shock. When in a group of people, spread out, putting a minimum of 20 feet in between each person. This reduces the risk of multiple people getting struck by lightning.

If you are stranded at sea, this is a really bad situation. If it is freezing cold that presents problems, and if it is boiling hot and the sun is frying you that creates yet another dire situation. Limit your physical activity because it is best not to sweat anymore than is absolutely necessary. Sun shades can be made of tarps or sails. Salt water dries the skin, so don?t rub it on your skin to keep cool and do not drink it. If you are fortunate enough to have a supply of fresh water with you do not drink more than 12 or 16 ounces a day. Rationing is essential. It is possible to survive on two- to five ounces of water a day.

Construct some kind of container, out of a tarp or whatever is available that allows you to capture rainwater, which you can drink and rub on your body if you are hot. When you get close to land it is apparent because birds will be seen as well drift wood. Something else to know: Cumulus clouds generally develop over land and wind normally blows toward land during the day and then out to sea at night.