Can you imagine getting lost in the woods only for your remains to be discovered years later? Imagine staying for more than six months in the woods in constant fear of attack, and loneliness. You might never dread of such, but that a sad reality that has happened to some people. Some are lucky to be found alive. Unlike in the deserts, woods provide enough materials for your survival. You need water, food and shelter. You also need fire to keep you warm. Here are four survival tips
1. Try to Find The Way Out
When you realize that you are lost, you might start panicking. Take a deep breath and relax. Once you are calm, you can think straight. Try to think of how you arrived at your current position. If you have a map, take it and check your current location and where you intended to go.
If you have a phone, try getting a signal from different locations. You can switch it off or put battery saving mode on. If your phone has an option of emergency calls, try calling. Try to get clues of where you are by listening to traffic, running water and checking for any landmarks. You can decide to walk in a particular direction but leave trails behind. When walking, keep on looking back. You might be walking far into the woods. If you realize you are beginning to lose track, go back to the original point.
You need to shout explaining that you are lost and need help. Every time you are yelling call three times continuously. It will grab anybody’s attention that might be nearby. If you have a whistle, keep on whistling
If you decide to settle in a particular location, make it visible. At night, you can light a fire. During the day put grasses and leaves in the fire. Ensure that they produce a lot of smoke. If you have a mirror, you can use it to send visible reflections in the sky.
2. Making Fire
If you make a fire near dry vegetation, it can start spreading very fast. Ensure that the place you choose is a clear ground. Let it be below the trees to avoid the wind. The forest provides a lot of firewood. Collect fallen branches, grass, and any other material that can quickly burn. Small twigs can help to kindle fire. Cedar, juniper and dry wood logs can help you maintain it. If there are woods that are not completely dry, keep them near the fire. They will dry with time. Keep on adding the woods to the fire whenever you see it dwindling.
3. Finding Water
You cannot survive for long without water. You must disinfect the water to avoid any infections. Use a container to correct water from snow, dew or rain. You can also correct snow and other precipitants. You can use large leaves to channel the water to the container.
Find a smaller body of running water. River and a lake with running water are also good. Avoid taking the water without disinfecting it. It might contain harmful bacteria’s. You can sieve the water using any porous material to remove bacteria’s. If you have a ceramic material, use it to boil the water. Use a plastic sheet to make solar water.
4. Find Food
You can collect and roast certain non-harmful insects such as non-hairy bugs and crickets. Not all insects are suitable for consumption. Some are poisonous, especially those with bright colors. You can also look around for familiar berries. You can search for blueberries, blackberries and lettuce in the woods. You should avoid eating any fruit you are not familiar with or any mushroom. They can be poisonous.
For your safety, use the tree branches and logs to make a shelter. It might be tricky if you are building for the first time. If you have a habit of visiting the woods, practise building shelter before. It will protect you during harsh weather.
Conclusion
You might never want to imagine a scenario where you get lost in the woods. Predicting the future could be difficult. In case you go hiking or strolling and lose your way, avoid panicking. Try calling for help. Try finding your way out. If you can’t, make fire, shelter and find food.
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