At first glance the subject of Desert Survival seems deceptively simple. Find water and stay out of the sun; right? Not so fast, its a bit more complicated. To discuss desert survival properly we must ask ourselves a few questions. What is a desert? Why and how long will we be in the desert? And most important of all; what do we mean by desert survival? That is, what and tools supplies will we have with us.

There is no way we could write a complete desert survival guide in a short article. Here we will cover some of the basics precautions that should be taken while traveling or backpacking in the desert.

Just this year, the media covered several deaths caused by desert travel around the south western region of the United States. All of these could have been avoided by taking the proper precautions.

So what is a desert? Close to a third of the world’s surface is considered desert. Most people think of the vast sand dunes of the Sahara as seen in Hollywood movies. But a desert is defined as any arid land area that generally receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of rainfall per year. Most of the little water it does receive is quickly lost through evaporation. Average annual precipitation in the world’s deserts ranges from about 0.4 to 1 inch (10 to 25 millimeters) in the driest areas to 10 inches (250 millimeters) in semiarid regions. Antarctica and parts of the Arctic are considered desert, but we are going to cover what we could call a hot desert.

Other features that mark desert systems include high winds, low humidity, and temperatures that can fluctuate dramatically. Hot deserts often experience drastic temperature changes with very high temperatures during the day and contrasting frosty nights. The temperature ranges seen in the Southwestern deserts can range from 120 degrees during the day to freezing temperatures at night. The same cloudless sky that allows the sun to bake our skin during the day, quickly cools the ground at night by radiating the heat into space. This makes the desert a challenging place to survive in.

Unlike desert plants and animals, humans have not developed the extreme protective mechanisms needed to truly “survive” in the desert. So what that should tell us is that we must thoroughly prepare to travel or survive for a set period of time within this arid territory. Part of this preparation must include obtaining and using the proper protective gear and supplies.

So what can we do to improve our odds in case of an emergency? The same steps taken to avoid a survival situation in most cases.

* Plan the trip – make a travel plan
* Prepare your vehicle
* Know the possible dangers
* Have an emergency kit
* Understand the region

Plan the Trip

Whether you are simply driving through a desert to get to your destination or planning a backpacking trip, it is essential that you prepare properly. Using the rule of threes as a guide, we know that the body can only live three days without water under normal conditions. The higher desert temperatures and low humidity increase dehydration. The simple process of breathing causes fluid loss. Plan for at least a gallon a day per person preferably two. Remember, we can make fire, we can make a shelter, but we cannot make water.

Plan your route and share the information with several people you can trust. Let them know when you plan on going in, what locations you will be traveling through, and most importantly, when you plan to be back or check in! During our recent desert trips, we shared our location down to GPS coordinates. Set times when you will check in. Stick to your plan, and if anything changes take the time to call your safety contacts.

If anything happens, stay on your plan route. If you are traveling by car, stay with the vehicle. Try to make yourself visible. My emergency blanket is orange on one side and reflective mylar on the other side. This can be used for both signaling and to create a quick shelter for shade.

Signaling:

* Signal Mirrors:

A signaling mirror can be seen at long distances. Learn how to properly use one. If you do not have a signaling mirror, break a side mirror off your vehicle if needed. Learn different signaling methods. A distress signal can be 3 fires in a V shape or piles of rocks in a triangular shape.

A signaling mirror can help rescue see a person at a much greater distance. As the following images indicate, the glare from a mirror will be visible long after the human shape has blended into the background. If a signal mirror is not available try using different reflective objects. (examples: rear-view mirror, side mirror, CDs, Chrome plated items)

* Flares:

Flares can be used to signal at night and can also be used to start fires in an emergency.

* Signal fires:

Set up materials for a signal fire. Wood in the desert is scarce at times and will be very dry. It will not create dark smoke so other items have to be added to the signal fire. Your spare tire, oil from the engine or pieces of the car interior will make dark smoke.
Try to find shade. If there is no available shade, make some. We can use the reflective tarp or dig a trench under the vehicle once it cools down. Remember that some critters seek the same shade.
Note: If you have infants or elderly as part of the group, they will be affected by the temperature changes more quickly. Do whatever is necessary to get them in the shade as soon as possible. Pouring water on clothing can help to cool them down.

Prepare your vehicle

Prepare your vehicle. Check the fluids, the tires, and the electrical. A few basic items to carry in your vehicle include:

* Water! Several large blue plastic jugs (marked water)
* Shovel – in case the vehicle gets stuck
* Car jack – Exhaust air jack
* Sand ladders – pieces of carpet can sometimes do the trick
* Wool blanket
* Reflective blanket
* Portable battery booster
* Hose repair kit
* Signal mirror – flares – distress flag or ballons
* Fuel can (metal)
* On board air compressor
* Spare serpentine/fan belt
* CB radio if possible

These items are just suggestions. The type of trip taken and the length of time must be taken into consideration. Do some of the items seem extreme? Recently someone followed their GPS directions into unmaintained desert roads. Their vehicle was buried in the sand and they were stranded for days which lead to the death of one of the group members. This tragic event perhaps could have been avoided with extra water and a shovel.
Continue Reading »

Tags: Desert Survival, survival gear, survival kits

If your in a wilderness survival situation, keep in mind that everything in the world needs water.  So if you come across a creek, stream, pool of water, pond, lake or river, chances are your gonna be able to find some kind of food source.

immature muscadine grape

A couple of days ago my kids and I (Kevin) went on a fishing trip on local creek. While we were there I noticed some Muscadine grapes hanging over the creek.  Its been awhile since I have seen these grapes – I see the vines all the time but you have to catch the grapes at just the right time of year.  When the grapes are ready to eat they will turn a bright purple color.

When the grape is a bright green colors, its no ready to eat and will have an unpleasant  bitter taste to eat.  As the grape turns a purple color, the bitterness will slowly go away.  So if the grape is mostly purple and a little green, the bitter taste will not be too bad.  But its best to eat the grapes when they are a deep purple color.

Warning about eating food you find in the wilderness: Unless you are 100% sure what it is – DO NOT EAT IT! There is no need in risking your health or even your life on eating something. Some plants are poisonous and can make you very sick. So ff there is any doubt of what it is – DO NOT EAT IT! Its not worth it.

The only reason why I ate the grapes in the video, is because I was raised in the area and have known what Muscadine grapes are since I was a child.

Continue Reading »

Tags: fishing, minnows, muscadine grapes, perch, waterborne diseases, wilderness survival

wilderness-survival

This should be a pretty simple question, even for a 5 year old. This picture and the video was filmed on a rock flat where the overflow from a stream goes. Meaning, when the stream overflows, the water runs over this rock flat. When the water recedes there are these pools of water. Inside one of these pools of water are some things that were swimming around. They were about 1/2 inch long, had a head and a tail. For the most part they were just sitting still, but when I moved around, they started swimming. Maybe I scared them?

To help out, here is some geographical information.
Location: East Texas
Date: July 18, 2009

What are the things in the water, what can you do with them, are they edible,,, just post whatever you want in the forums.

Post your comments in this thread of the wilderness survival forum.

Tags: camping, finding food in the wilderness, hiking, wilderness foods, wilderness survival

The question is, how do you find water in the wilderness? In the following video example there is a dried up creek bed with evidence that water had been there – such as small pools and discolored sand.

The video was taken in East Texas, just north of Jasper.  Over the past month the lack of rain fall has pushed the area into drought conditions.  Creeks and streams that normally flow all year long have dried up.  Hikers and campers that were depending on those creeks as a water source are going to be sorely surprised to find them dried up.

Post your comments in the finding water in dried up creek beds thread of the survivalist forum.

Tags: camping, finding water in the wilderness, hiking, wilderness survival