Important Outdoor Survival Tips

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When going on a trip that involves spending time outdoors it's important for people to be as prepared as possible. This may seem quite obvious but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people head into the great outdoors without taking basic survival gear and without learning even some of the most basic survival tips.

That being said, this article will help by discussing some important survival tips that everyone should keep in mind before going on a trip in the great outdoors.

Communication

For starters, one of the most important outdoor survival tips a person should remember is to tell a family member or a friend where one is going and when he or she is expecting to return. This will be important if unexpected emergencies arise.

Survival Shelter

Due to the fact that you never know when you may be stranded in the great outdoors or in the wilderness, it is reasonable to pack a tube tent. Such a tent does not take up much room, it provides adequate shelter, and it is relatively quick and easy to erect.

If you decide against packing a tube tent and you run the risk of getting stranded overnight, you will have to find or build a shelter so that you can stay dry and warm and keep safe from inclement weather and from wild animals.

First Aid Kit

It's always a good idea to have a first aid kit whenever you go on an outdoor trip. Make sure your first aid kit contains the following:

• First aid instruction guide
• Triangular bandages
• Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• Safety pins
• Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• Blanket (space blanket)
• Soap
• Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• Prescription medications
• Antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
• Roller bandages
• Absorbent compress dressings
• Scissors
• Insect repellent
• A splint
• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Adhesive cloth tape
• Calamine lotion
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers
• Sterile gauze pads (with a variety of sizes)
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Elastic bandage
• Mouthpiece for administering CPR
• Disposable instant cold packs
• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
• Oral thermometer

Emergency Supplies Kit

When going on an extended outdoors trip it is also important to have an emergency supplies kit. Such an emergency supplies kit should include the following items:

• Survival guide
• Tow rope (at least 25 to 50 feet)
• Masks with respirators
• Cell phone (with phone charger)
• Plastic tie wraps (for repairs)
• Blankets or a high-quality sleeping bag for each person
• Matches (waterproof would be best)
• Collapsible five gallon water containers
• Toiletry items
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Fire extinguisher
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Camper's shower
• Wax paper
• Paper and pencil
• Manual can opener
• MRE heater (little bag designed to heat military ready to eat meals)
  MREs or other non-perishable foods (such as canned foods and energy bars)
• Candle and empty tin can for heat
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant or in an emergency, you can use bleach to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water)
• Water purification tablets
• Metal container for boiling water
• Food (two meals per person per day)
• Compass
• Additional clothing
• Multi-purpose knife such as a Swiss Army knife
• Rain ponchos (or large plastic garbage bags)
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Map
• Needle and thread
• Bear spray or pepper spray
• Rope and string (at least 25 to 50 feet of each)
• Multi-tool with a saw
• Whistle
• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Pepper spray (or bear spray)
• Windup radio
• Small shovel
• Gloves
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Duct tape (for repairs and first aid)
• Warm clothing
• Aluminum foil (heavy duty-for boiling water)
• Snow shovel (for winter weather)

Outdoor Survival Tips: Conclusion

One last point. All the survival gear and tips in the world are useless if the person panics and fails to think logically in a crisis situation. This essentially means that in order to survive, a person needs a "survival attitude."

With the right survival attitude and with the survival tips outlined above, people who venture into the great outdoors will be equipped to deal effectively with most disasters and emergencies they encounter.

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