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In The Desert|
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| Survival In The Desert: If You are stranded 100 miles from the nearest services. Your cell phone has a dead battery. The temperature is pushing an unbelievable 110 degrees and you have no water. Does this sound like a nightmare? Well, it doesn't have to be; no matter what the situation. If you are stranded in the middle of the desert, it helps to ease your mind to know what you should do. If you are stranded and have no means of clear communication, the first thing to do is draw attention to your situation- even if there is nobody around at the moment. This way, should somebody be worried about your late arrival, you have left a presence that someone could follow. When stranded alongside a road, a good tip is to make a sign. Try to make a sign that calls attention to your desperate situation. Make it big enough to read from a speeding car, and written clear enough to understand with one pass. In my opinion, the back side of some of those sun shields that you put up in your windshield to keep your car cool make great signs, however, let's face it, would you pay attention to the pre-written logo "NEED HELP- CALL POLICE "? Let’s face it, most people who see these signs usually ignore them. But if you write it yourself, then it says you are in need of help now, and someone is more likely to pay attention to something he or she does't ordinarily see on a day to day basis. Draw attention to yourself. Place the sign in an area that it would draw attention. For example, put it on the trunk of your car, or the side of your wheel, just make sure that it is visible from a distance. What next? Well, unfortunately the next step is to wait. In order to get stranded on this road, you obviously drove on it. It would be a fair assessment to think that someone else would too. I know what you're thinking. A true survivalist doesn't need the help of anyone else, right? WRONG! A good survivalist uses all possible tools in order to keep alive- what ever it takes. So you wait. In the unlikely event that no one passes by, or you receive no help from those who pass by, then it's time to take matters into your own control. Wait until early evening in order to depart from your position. Pack as much water as you can comfortably carry for a long distance. Drink any excess water that you can not carry. If you have a jacket, bring it with you, even though you are in the desert, you are traveling on foot at night, and it gets very cold in the evening. Besides, a jacket during the day can provide a refuge from the relentless sun, and give you enough comfort as a shelter in order to rest. Write down the direction that you are heading in and if possible the destination you hope to reach. You should also put your time of departure. If someone is actively looking for you, then they can better find you with the information you have given. If you have been injured, then it's probably a good idea to write this down too. Once you are ready to leave, pick a landmark in order to determine your direction. If on the highway, or some back road then STAY ON IT!!!! Walk in the direction you have come from, this way you know what you can expect to find. If you are in the middle of nowhere with no roads and no signs of civilization, then pick a distinctive landmark that you can use to navigate with. I said to leave in early evening, and there’s a reason for that. In the desert, the sunsets are spectacular, but they also give you a solid western direction. Stand facing the setting sun. Now remember that distinctive landmark that you chose before? Look at the landmark in relation to your sunset. Is it behind you? That means it is east. To the right? That would be north. Left would be south. Now comes the tricky part- which direction to go? This is a choice that needs to be based on your knowledge of the geography. Where are you? Where were you going in the first place? Okay, so try heading back in the direction you came from. Again, this will help you to know what you’re in for. Or, if you know that Vegas is to the east, head in that direction. It’s all up to you, just as long as you leave a message describing your plans. So we begin to walk. It’s getting dark, you are worried, it's natural. Walk in a brisk enough pace to keep you warm, but not so fast that you cannot keep it up or that you begin to sweat. Water conservation is really important here. By actively moving, you are burning energy. And in order to burn this energy, your body needs water. So don’t waste it by sweating too much. If you are hungry and have food, do not eat it. Your body uses a lot of water up in the digestive process; water that could be used to keep you alive. Your body can go weeks without food but only days without water. Conserving water should be your only concern here; not how fast you find help. Keep your wits about you. You need to keep a clear head in order to keep your bearings, and above all, your sanity. If you have water, and are thirsty, then drink it. DO NOT SAVE IT FOR LATER! When your body is thirsty, it means you need water. At that point, if you deprive yourself of water, then you begin to dehydrate. When you are dehydrated, you will most likely die if you do not get water, so DO NOT SAVE IT! What if you don't have water? Well, remember that jacket that I asked you to bring? Prop it up against a rock, along with any other clothing that could be used to collect water. Make sure you set these out a few hours before dawn, and that you are not depriving yourself of body heat by shedding them. With these out, they will collect the morning dew that's in the air, waiting to condense in the sunlight. In the morning, drink that water before it evaporates and find or make some shelter from the sun. Rest. Conserve your energy for the evening, when you can begin again. At any time, should you be dizzy, do not sit down or lay down. This can cause you to pass out. While passed out, you have no active control of your body's actions, and could easily choke on your tongue. I say this, because as dehydration sets in, your mind will begin to tire, and your body will begin to shut down. If you can keep your willpower up, you can force your body to keep moving. Now, the tips given here are just those needed to survive in a basic, less than life threatening situation. Remember that this situation can turn serious in just a matter of a few days. If the unthinkable happens, and you are not in any better position then you were a week ago, the only extra advice that I can give to you without actually taking an advanced desert survival course is to keep your senses about you. The most important thing that you can do to extend your chances for survival is to keep a calm head. Panic is your worst enemy; it can lead you to make desperate decisions that only lead to trouble. The human will is a strong force, and you would be surprised how tough you can get when in a life-threatening situation. Fear can be an asset, just as long as it doesn't affect your mental well being. Many people don't accomplish the needed task solely on the reason that they don't believe that they can. Affirm yourself on a daily basis, and tell yourself that failure is not an option, and your willpower will follow - even if you are faking your confidence. And remember, survival is no game, it's extremely serious and can mean the difference between life and death, so don't take any unnecessary risks, and you'll live longer. |
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