26 Tips for Surviving in the Desert

The Desert Can Be An Unforgiving Place.

By Felice Prager

To the casual observer, the Arizona desert is a strange yet beautiful place. It has some of the most unusual and enticing landscapes, wildlife and plants in the world. The sun shines relentlessly. Shadows mystify. Hills beckon. Exotic things grow. What is over the next ridge? What might I miss if I don’t look?

Yet, for the unwary, unsuspecting or uninformed visitor, the Sonoran Desert can be an unforgiving place. A small blunder can turn an afternoon drive off road or an overnight camping trip into an emergency. People sometimes die in the desert.

With so many moving to desert areas or vacationing in the desert region, it is important to be aware of the desert's dangers so that safety precautions can be taken. Even being caught on the side of a road without enough water can be dangerous.

Yearly, residents of the southerwestern desert hear helicopters flying overhead, searching the desert arroyos for a winter visitor or an unlucky resident who has not returned from an outing. Regularly, the news carries stories about someone who climbed a cliff and could not negotiate his way back down. Stories abound about people caught in flooded washes during monsoon season. People simply underestimate the severity of a desert environment.

15-year-old Hiker Rescued (JASON BEAN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL)

Even the experienced hiker can get into a dire situation. Fortunately, they usually travel prepared for emergencies, so they survive. They have learned from past errors. With a bit of knowledge and a lot of common sense, tragedies can be avoided. There is no such thing as being too prepared when you are in an environment that can pose danger. After all, surviving in the desert is nothing more than plain old common sense with a few added bells and whistles.

Here are a few tips:

1. Share your plans. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. Let them know your route, the type of vehicle you will drive, and communication methods you will use. Leave a map, and do not change your plans without letting someone know. Leave the following information, in writing, with someone whom you will notify upon your return:

·                                 your route and destination,

·                                 vehicle description,

·                                 traveling companions,

·                                 any potential health issues, and

·                                 what type of emergency supplies you already have with you, including medications.

2. Do not depend exclusively on a cellular/mobile phone. They don’t always work in remote areas. If you are in doubt, check with your service provider or the link below to confirm coverage areas. It is wise to be skeptical of promises made about battery life and coverage area. Load apps that will help you in an emergency.
3. Instead of relying unduly on a cell phone, especially for your more ambitious wilderness excursions, consider the rental or purchase of a satellite phone. A satellite phone, or “satphone,” is a mobile phone that communicates directly with orbiting communications satellites. The handsets can be the size and weight of the original mobile phones of the 1990s. They also have a large retractable antenna. (Visit the site http://www.allroadsat.com/rentals/globalstar-rentals.aspx for more information.) Two large satellite networks cover the U. S.: Globestar and Iridium. Satellite phones work better than cell phones although they do require a wide “view” of the sky to get a reliable connection.
4. A CB or ham radio is another option. Ham radios have the potential to work from very remote locations; however, they are a do-it-yourself proposition, and they require a government license. They also require training and informed gear selection to be of full use.
5. Consider carrying one of the handheld GPS devices now available. These can provide very helpful topographical maps, aerial photography and satellite imagery for the desert traveler. An example is the Earthmate GPS PN-20 with Topo USA 6.0 National & 1GB SD Card/Reader. This device is low-cost, has high-sensitivity, and delivers capabilities previously unavailable at any price. Most smartphones have GPS chips, but remember GPS also has a downside.

You can also purchase a personal locator beacon (PLB) - emergency life-saving devices that can be used when all else fails. A PLB is a small transmitter that sends out a personalized emergency distress signal to the nearest rescue service. They are becoming a highly effective and internationally recognized way of summoning help, though they should be used only in life-threatening situations.

6. Make sure you are using a vehicle meant for desert terrain. If your vehicle does not have offroad capability, it is unwise to make the trip. Make sure you are skilled at maneuvering an offroad vehicle in difficult terrain. Many people buy vehicles with four-wheel drive and assume owning the vehicle makes them an expert. Offroad driving requires having the proper vehicle and the skill to handle it in rough areas. Classes are available for those wanting to learn the “how to’s” of offroad driving. Since many problems in the desert start with a car that breaks down due to ill repair, be prepared for everything. Make sure your car is in good condition with good hoses, a spare tire, spare fan belts, necessary tools, extra gas, water and oil. A tune-up is wise prior to offroad adventures. Using a mechanic who is informed about the proper maintenance of an offroad vehicle is a wise choice. Make sure your gasoline tank is full, and bring extra fuel.
7. Listen to your body. Bring sufficient water for each person traveling with you. A good measure is one gallon per person per day. With water, the rule is, “More is better.” You can always drink it when you get home if it is not used, but if you don’t have it when you need it, it can be a matter of life and death. With water, make sure you drink it as needed. Rationing water can become very dangerous. Often when a person is dehydrated, the thinking processes malfunction. Drink what you need. Don’t tell yourself you’ll save it for when you really get thirsty. That just doesn’t work in the desert. Soda is not a substitute for water because it tends to dehydrate the person drinking it.
8. Respect the heat. If water is limited, keep your mouth closed. Do not talk, eat, smoke, drink alcohol or eat anything salty. Limit activity.
9. Be prepared for emergencies. Have adequate first aid supplies, including proper medication for anyone who requires it. If someone is diabetic or asthmatic, for example, it is vital to have enough of their proper medication with you. Bring more, rather than less, than you need.
10. STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. It will be the first thing found by searchers because it’s much easier to detect from the air than a human being. In addition, your car has many things to help with your survival such as mirrors, hubcaps, a horn, a battery, lights, a lighter, gas, oil and floor mats. Raise the hood and trunk of your vehicle to show distress. Pilots and rescue workers look for this as a sign of emergency.
11. Make sure you have a flashlight with new and extra batteries. An investment in a better quality flashlight might be worth your while in the end. Remember, a cheap flashlight is...a cheap flashlight.
12. If you feel absolutely certain about your location and route and feel you must leave your vehicle, make sure you leave a note for rescuers telling them who you are, when you left, and the exact route you plan to take. If you don’t know exactly where you’re going, stay put.
13. Do not sit or lie directly on the ground, which may be 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature. Improvise a sunshade and elevate your body. Think creatively with the supplies you have. Use a car seat or something to raise yourself at least a foot and a half off the surface. There is also a greater possibility of having a problem with a poisonous insect or a snake when you are directly on the ground. In addition, stay outside of your vehicle, especially in the mid-day heat, until things cool down.
14. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Even though desert glare might not seem to make a difference, it will impair your distance vision and hamper your adaptation to night vision. It can cause severe headaches. If you have no sunglasses available, improvise with a sun shield made from cardboard or cloth, a hat or bandana. Applying charcoal, soot, or oil around your eyes may help.
15. If you have lip-gloss, use it. Do not lick your lips, as it will hasten chapping and splitting.
16. Dress properly. Wear the proper foot protection and keep your body covered. The sun can be a killer. Change your socks regularly, even if you are changing to used socks. Sunning and aeration of socks and undergarments have a marked freshening value, physically and psychologically.
17. Do not remove clothing in an attempt to stay cool. This hastens dehydration. Wearing clothes helps you avoid sunburn. Cover up your arms, legs and face as best you can. If you have sunblock, use it.
18. Be watchful. If you see a dust storm approaching, cover your face as best you can to keep the dusy out of your lungs.
19. If the weather is cool, start a fire in a cleared out pit without overhanging branches. Always bring waterproof matches.
20. A roadway, even a remote dirt roadway, may signal passing traffic. Stay on it. It can bring help.
21. Watch the sky. Flash floods may occur any time thunderheads are in sight. Weather can change in the desert quite rapidly. Do not remain in dry washes (arroyos) which can flood suddenly, becoming dangerous.
22. Try to keep control of your emotions. There is nothing more dangerous than blind panic.
23. In any survival situation, everything you do must be preceded by the thought: Am I safe in doing this? If there’s any question, don’t do it.
24. Use common sense! Hire a guide if you must, but never undertake something for which you are not fully prepared. Finally...
25. THINK!

Read more: http://www.desertusa.com/

10 TIPS FOR WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

10 TIPS FOR WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

Communication is KeySometimes we forget how easy we have it. Amid our crazy life schedules we tend to take for granted that purified bottle of water when thirsty, or the push of a button to light a fire. But it’s important to remember that in the blink of an eye, it can all be gone. The unexpected happens you get in an accident or lose your way; now, it’s just you and the wilderness with no ties to civilization. Here are ten basic survival tips to get you prepared- just in case.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Please please please tell someone where you are going before you set off for a trip. No matter where you go, even if you end up stranded unexpectedly, you started from somewhere in civilization. Tell close friends and family where you are going and if you have a specific route or amount of time you will be gone.

KEEP YOUR HEAD ON

Now is the time to be calm and think positive. It doesn’t sound like much, but optimism goes a long way, and in a survival situation, it starts with you, your attitude and your will no matter how scared and alone you may feel. First, keep a realistic outlook and diligently plan to keep yourself in the best possible physical and mental state. If something isn’t working out, like building a fire or shelter, don’t rush, because that can lead to panic. Stop, breathe and think about what you need, observe your surroundings and organize a new plan.

TAKE INVENTORY

Keep everything you’ve got, because the second plans go south, these items will become your most prized possessions and could save your life. Don’t underestimate the worthiness of even the smallest knick knack-inn Gary Paulson’s classic, The Hatchet, Brian Robeson used his shoe lace to make a nifty bow and arrow for survival!

Build a ShelterBUILD A SHELTER

It’s time to get creative. Familiarize yourself with how to build a lean-to; there are various types of shelters you can build and each has different pros and cons. Obviously you want overhead covering for warmth at night and protection from the elements. If you are in rocky, mountainous terrain, look for overhangs. Otherwise, use limbs and leaves or anything that can provide insulation. Pine needles usually blanket the ground in thick batches, excellent for bedding.

AGUA POR FAVOR

Your body will not last more than three days without water. If you are lucky enough to be near a body of freshwater – good for you, just make sure to boil before quenching your thirst. No water in sight? Continue your search and construct a rain catcher or water still.

KEEP THAT BELLY HAPPY

Things can get frustrating when it comes to finding adequate sources of food when you are in survival mode, especially since malnutrition will work you mentally and physically, making you feel weak, cranky and delirious. It’s a good idea to get familiar with edible wild berries and plants for future reference when out in the wild. Also, it’s time to grow up and banish the word  “picky” from your vocabulary. When it comes to survival, embrace anything and everything (carefully) including bugs, eggs, fruit, leaves. Learn to build some simple traps to catch small animals and don’t rely on just one single food source. Protein is important for strength; know what various nutrients your body needs for prime sustainability.

LIGHT THAT FIRE

Those glowing red flames provide light, cooked food, warmth and protection from predators and pesky bugs. Here are a few tried and true techniques for conjuring that mighty blaze:

Fire Plow

Bow and Drill

Lens Method

Fire from Ice

Soda Can and Chocolate

Battery method

ONE WORD: TOOL

Keep a pocket knife, or multi-tool with you at all times, because you never know when you will need it- and when you do need it, you will rejoice that you have something to cut, protect and prepare food- even if all you have is a crappy, little knife. Now just learn how to sharpen it like MacGuyver.

H-E-L-P

Survival is your first priority, but don’t forget- you need to get rescued as well. Come up with an action plan in case a plane flies overhead or there are are search parties nearby. You’ve seen it in the movies – prepare a giant, easily visible fire pit out in the open or lay out stones in the pattern of HELP or S.O.S. You can also use any shiny, metallic object for reflection purposes.

NAVIGATION

It’s a good idea to have a compass with you at all times, but if not then what? Get old school and use the stars– it’s a lot easier than you think. Also, keep note of rivers, paths or mountains- following these can lead to roads and civilization.

7 things you can not do on a trip

7 things you can not do on a trip

We often write about what to do when traveling: go there, take it and stop here and so on. But there are many things that a traveler should not do. So let's see a list of the most common mistakes of tourists.

Do not eat in places with a lot of tourists

In such establishments, prices are always twice as high, and food is much worse. When a cafe or restaurant is not worried about whether you will return to their place, then it's better not to go there. Thanks to the flow of people, the owners know that the turnover in any case will not fall. It's great to eat pizza at the Coliseum or to have a coffee near the Louvre, but it's better to go several blocks. Use the advice of local or online services like Yelp or TripAdvisor.

Do not exchange currency at the airport

At airports, the worst course you can find. Of course, there are situations when cash is urgently needed. But if you are not in a hurry, then take your time to the city center at your destination.

Do not use only international services

Any international service, for example, for searching for air tickets, has "blind spots". Some sites contain useful information about loukosters, do not forget to check them.

The Best Survival Gadgets For Adventurers

The Best Survival Gadgets For Adventurers

by Stuart Kenny

So you’re putting together a list of essential survival gear and survival gadgets to take with you into the great outdoors, and you’re wondering if there are any awesome survival gadgets that you should bring along too?

Of course, there are hundreds or thousands of survival gadgets kicking around on the camping market, so on the back of bringing you our essential outdoor survival guide, we thought we’d bring you a list of some of the best survival gadgets to help you get by in the wilderness.

From portable torches to multi-tools and firestarters, these awesome survival gadgets could make your life a whole lot easier just when you need exactly that…

1) LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw is the ingenious invention that lets you drink directly from puddles or streams without any of the risks normally associated.

The TIME Magazine Invention of the Year winner uses a microbiological purification filter, and comes at a more than reasonable price as well, so it’s accessible not just for the hardcore camper but for everyone who wants it.

Needless to say, this could prove to be a saviour if a real survival situation kicks in while you’re hiking, or even just provide some quick relief from dehydration while you’re on a regular trek.

2) Swedish Army Firesteel

So, you’re stranded alone, you’re wet, you’re hungry, and your energy is slowly evaporating. What do you need to do? You need to get help, but in the meantime you need to build a fire.

No matter what the weather, this Swedish Army Firesteel will help you do just that, instantly creating a spark at 3,000 degrees Celsius which makes making that fire that much easier.

For the amount this costs, it’s almost a crime to go up the hills without one. The thing lasts for 12,000 strikes, is approved by the International Survival Instructors Association, and let’s face it, is just pure genius. A must-have for any adventurer.

3) Global Sun Oven

Never heard of a solar oven? Basically, it does what it says on the tin, using the heat of the sun to create a usable oven which in the case of the Global Sun Oven, can get up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

At only 21 pounds in weight, it’s light for what it is, can be used even in the cold of winter and is sure to make things a whole lot easier when it comes to food if you’re struggling in the wild! This is one expensive survival gadget, but it’s also one you’re sure to be thankful for.

4) Power Plus Barracuda LED Solar Wind-Up Torch

A wind-up torch is an essential survival gadget whether you’re looking to survive in a dangerous disaster situation or survive a night by yourself in a cosy tent.

When you’re looking for what to buy though, you need to look at the details – how much effort goes into charging it, and how much will you get out of that charge?

The bad boy above ticks all of the boxes when it comes to those charges. One minute hand cranking give you an hour of light with all three LEDs or 80 minutes with just one, 110 minutes of flashing, and better yet, it’s rainproof and windproof up to an impressive 45 feet.

Solar panels also mean that after one hour of direct sunlight you’ll get 120 minutes light out of it. As far as survival gadgets go, this one is sure to brighten your day!

5) BioLite Camp Stove

It’s often said that if you’re in a survival situation with a phone that has signal, you’re not really in a survival situation at all.

Being able to directly call for help eliminates a whole host of potential scenarios that could result in serious damage to a hiker or camper in trouble, and so having charge in your phone can be imperative.

That’s where the BioLite Camp Stove comes in. Not only is it a camping stove, it is also a charger, generating power from burning biomass. You would have to burn hours of fuel to get the stove to fully charge your phone, but in times of need it could provide that extra spark needed to let you make that pivotal call. A genius survival gadget indeed!

6) Hydrapak Collapsible Bottle

This one isn’t a lifesaving gadget in itself, but everyone knows that a water bottle is an essential piece of survival gear, and this is one way to make it that much easier to carry.

While water packs can be punctured easily and can be a pain to refill, the Hydrapak Stash collapsible bottle is super durable and comes in sized of up to 1L. It’d be ideal to carry in your backpack just in case something does go wrong with an original water bottle and your left without a source able to carry water.

7)  SunRocket Sunlight

Technology these days eh? That’s right, the SunRocket Sunlight gives you the power to boil water using only the heat of the sun.

Not only could this prove key for your cooking and drinking needs, it could also prove an essential part of any first aid kit, heating water to sterilise for use in treating injuries. It’s not as expensive as you might think either… A genius survival gadget that could make your day or save your life!

8) Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit

Okay so this one is kind of cheating. It’s not so much one survival gadget as several survival gadgets… but it all comes in a oner, so we’re claiming it!

You never know quite what you’re going to get into when you’re out camping, so particularly for those who are new to outdoor exploration, this Bear Grylls survival kit is ideal. The 15-piece kit has tools ranging from firestarters to survival blankets to sewing kits and snare wires, as well as instructions on how to signal for attention if it all goes wrong.

9) Zippo Hand Warmer

Know that time your mate who doesn’t even smoke bought a zippo just because he thought it looked cool? Well he was right, it does look cool, and now you can own one too… for a function that’s actually worthwhile!

This Zippo hand warming gives off ten times more heat than a disposable hand warmer, is re-usable, doesn’t have a flame and works for up to 12 hours with just one fill. Oh, and you’ll look like an absolute boss if you learn how to flick it on properly.

10)  Leatherman One Hand Tool

A multi-tool shouldn’t be viewed as a knife with a bunch of other stuff attached. In fact, if you’re really after a survival knife, you should get one separate to a multi-tool, a straight-edged, fixed knife which is far more reliable in crucial situations than one designed to fold away.

However, that doesn’t mean multi-tools aren’t useful. They save a whole lot of space in your bag and can provide all sorts of benefits when you’re dealing with the niggles and hassles of camping life. This Leatherman multi-tool makes handling those hassles even easier, allowing for one handed deployment of all 16 features on the survival gadget.

It’s also very easy to identify each tool via imprints left on the handle, meaning this is one of the most practical multi-tools about, which at the end of the day, is why you bring along the survival gadget in the first place!

A source:

https://mpora.com/outsiders/10-of-the-best-survival-gadgets-for-all-your-outdoor-needs#wPD6IiLscwjOo1dH.97

10 rules of how to properly prepare and pack a backpack for trekking

10 rules of how to properly prepare and pack a backpack for trekking

To assemble a backpack in a hike is a whole science, which can only be known with experience. It is important not to forget anything important, not to put too much. It is equally important to pack all carefully selected equipment in a backpack in such a way that you do not have to disassemble all the contents at the nearest halt in search of, for example, a knife. Besides, on how correctly you will pack a backpack, your perception of its weight will depend.

I asked my friend John Gimson Jr. - an experienced tourist who passed with a backpack behind his back about 7000 miles, to give some advice on picking up a backpack on a hike.

1. Start to gather in a few days

Write a list of things; fasten it in the corner, where you will put the equipment, gradually removing it from the list. During these days you will understand what you really need, what you can not take, and what is missing and you should buy. Slow fees also reduce the chances of forgetting a thing, and passing glances at a bunch of gears raise your spirits. Then, when you have already accumulated experience, the fees will pass faster, but from the list of things still do not refuse!

2. Choose the appropriate backpack

Proceeding from the things left in the corner; choose a backpack of the required volume. I do not like that something hang outside and I prefer that everything fit inside the backpack. Outboard equipment must necessarily cling to trees, bushes or rocks. I'm not talking about clattering kettles and pans, which some people like to hang outside.

If you fasten things outside the backpack under the screeds, duplicate their fastening with small carabiners, or laces. Often things are forgotten during halts: you need to get something out of the backpack and you unfasten the straps, then fasten them back and just forget that you have something fixed.

Of course, foam is difficult to fit inside the backpack, so, more often; it is attached from the outside. I refused the pens because of their cumbersomeness, and I go camping with Term-A-Rest pneuma mats: they are softer on them and they take up less space.

3. Properly distribute things

The basic principle is to place the heavy equipment closer to the back, from the waist up to the level of the shoulder blades. If you pack heavy equipment from below, the backpack will pull you to the ground. Having placed heavy things above the shoulder blades, you will feel like a pendulum.

It is also important to observe the balance of things on the sides of the backpack. If something heavy was put on the right, then put the counterweight to the left. The backpack should not be outweighed on one side.

4. We pack the sleeping bag

Do not fully tighten the straps on the compression bags - you will have a ball, in a backpack, it creates around itself a lot of space that is difficult to fill with anything. The loose bag lies flat and "envelops" other equipment, fixing it during the transitions and useful filling the volume.

Try generally to refuse compression for a sleeping bag (or tent), of course, based on the situation, and you will see how cool it is distributed over the free cavities of the stuffed backpack.

5. Use special bags for things

So you can quickly find the necessary equipment, and there will not be a mess in the backpack. For example, for clothes I use a compression bag, and the clothes are also distributed to me in small bags: a spare set of thermal underwear in a separate zip-lock, socks in another.

Zip-Loks are good because they can be squeezed together with things, leaving a small hole, and, having got rid of excess air, close. So they will take less volume.

Sacks for equipment come in different colors and sizes, from durable Cordura material or lightweight from the mesh. So you can even better distribute your things and do not waste time searching for them. And yes, please do not take rustling t-shirts, do not disgrace your fellow travelers with an eternal rustle, especially in the morning.

6. Distribute meals by day

Distribute meals by day - it's much more convenient than dumping, pasta and other food in one package, and then gets it every time, measuring the right amount for dinner.

Packages with food can be pulled off food film to save space, put deeper into the backpack and forget about them, only in the evenings getting 1 package the next day. It can be placed where it is easy to reach during the day, preferably closer to a burner or a bowler.

7. Collecting things in the upper valve

At the top of the backpack there is usually a convenient large pocket for things that you will certainly need during a day trip: a windbreaker, a rain poncho, a cap, toilet paper. Use it for such things; do not put the necessary things that you may need during the day, deep into the back of the rucksack.

8. Do not hide the camera in your backpack.

If you think that in beautiful places you will stop and get it to photograph - you are mistaken. Carry the camera at hand, for example a soap box can be put in the pocket on the femur strap.

It is convenient to carry a large camera in a triangular case by fastening it in front of the shoulder straps.

9. Protection against rain

Depending on the weather, think about the case from the rain. It can be a classic cape for a backpack or a more complete option - a poncho. So the water will not seep between the backpack and back.

Sleeping bag or clothes I would still advise to put in waterproof bags or hermetic bags. They, by the way, come with windows, which simplifies the search for the right thing. Provide also hermetic covers for your electronics, documents and maps.

10. Setting the backpack

Correctly adjust the suspension of the backpack for growth, if possible. There should be no space between the shoulder and the straps, and the thigh strap should fit tightly around you. Remember that most of the weight should be on the femoral belt, and not on the shoulders.

Tighten all the side straps; fill all the dangling ends of the ties and straps: they will not hang out in the wind and irritate you with their clapping. One day, the dangling end of the strap over my shoulder flew into my eye with force. Sensations are very unpleasant, I tell you.

Bonus

Wear a backpack slowly and without jerks - take care of your shoulder ligaments, as well as the seams of your backpack from ruptures!