How To Survive In Certain Habitats
Survival of the fittest i one of the oldest sayings, probably not as old as "Ye Old Pub" but it has been etched into the wall of History.
There are several different climates, habitats and areas of where the nature of its core changes drastically. From the heat of the Sahara Desert to the icy mountains of Alaska, some ways of survival might not work in more then one area. Here is some tips to help.
Cold/Frozen Areas: Not many folks will claim to love the cold, even less will claim to have survived the cold climates of the frozen north. Where ice and snow rule keeping warm is a necessity. Keeping enough clothes to keep warm, having a fire and trying to stay out of frozen winds is important. A good tip to remember is to have shelter, keeping warm is dire less you freeze to death. If cold the body will try its best to warm you up which will throw away much needed energy.
While traveling you will start to become dehydrated, many experts saying trying to eat snow to stay hydrated will only lower your body heat. Your body will expend energy to heat up the cold snow which will once again put you in danger. It would be best to simply melt the water by a fire or wait for it to melt naturally before drinking, you can also boil pine needles to help boost your immune system. It might not taste the best but it will give you some much needed Vitamin C.
Remember the most important thing to do when in a frozen landscape is to stay warm and hydrated, try to keep a flint and steel with you at all times. It will help light fires if no match or lighter is around. Be wary of animals as well. Bears, wolves or any other heavily furred animal could be lurking about.
Hot/Desert Areas: We are now taking a full 360 here, from the cold to the extreme heat. In the desert your greatest enemies are dehydration and exhaustion. Wandering around in the heat of the day can exhaust you greatly which will also dehydrate you, when in a certain very hot place your best chance if you wish to move is at night. If possible try and find a shaded spot, or make one from clothes if you can, try and conserve as much bodily water as you can. Some deserts might not get much colder at night but it will help to navigate better.
If possible try to find a body of water, or carry alot of water if you know you are going to someplace hot. Depending on the area you might get oasis like areas.
Some experts saying peeing on your clothes, well maybe not all of them, will help with keeping cool. The moisture from it will be alot more refreshing then nothing, although maybe a bit more gross.
Scorpions, snakes, vultures or any other kind of animal that makes its home in these hot and sunny climates can be dangerous. Keep an eye to the sky and one on the ground, a sting from a scorpion or a bite from a venomous snake is just as dangerous as mother nature.
Mountainous Areas: Now depending on the area you are at it could be hot or cold, depending on the area doing one thing might while it might not in another. Slipping and falling are just a few of the issues that can occur, rockslides and hungry animals as well.
When climbing make sure to do your best to keep balance, if possible use a walking stick for added leverage and if climbing try to use rope. Having a harness made will help if you do slip, just make sure that it is tied down to a good anchor, and that it is tied in a strong knot.
If in a cold mountain area you would be better of staying by the base, going higher could mean stronger winds which will decrease body temperature. If a hot climate staying by the base still might be your best bet, unless foraging for food try staying on the ground.
Water could be much easier obtained, rivers or perhaps simple rain could provide water. For mountain water you still might want to boil it, just because it is clear does not mean that it doesn't have any bacteria in it. Rain water can be caught using jugs, a open water proof coat or some other material capable of holding water. Rocks could provide good cover from the wind, always be wary of your surroundings.
Forest Areas: A good thing about forest survival is that they can be the most plentiful, trees can provide branches for fire and creating shelter. Streams or rivers for fish and water, various plant life. But they can still be dangerous.
Bears and other animals can still prowl around the woods, once again keeping a close eye on your surroundings is key.
Trying to find a goo spot to check your surroundings is important thing to do, you could be close to a road or establishment and may not even know. However make sure that if it gets dark quick to try and make or find shelter first. Most important thing to make for your shelter first is a bed, sleeping on the cold ground can absorb your body heat which once again is much needed. Walls and a roof should come after the bed is made.
If you know you might be there for awhile make preparations, having a shelter and a good supply of fire wood for if cooking food or boiling water. Also if needing to clean your teeth chew on some sap, also finding branches with alot of fibers will also help, it might not be like using a toothbrush but you have to keep your teeth in good condition.
Lost On a Island: Thanks to Tom Hanks we have this lovely spot on the list, being stuck on an island. Usually how that happens is a ship sinks or a plane crashes, just go watch Lost.
You can create an SOS signals using drift wood or anything flammable, the more smoke you can get from the fire the better chance of being spotted is. If that doesn't work prepare a shelter. Scavenge whatever you can find to aid you, since there are several islands with different aspects to them it will be hard to explain what to do in everyone.
Creating a shelter and using the several tips from the list will be your best chance of survival, create a little safe house area and make sure to keep a signal fire at the ready. A flare gun could also help if you have one.
Staying calm in all scenarios is important, you need to think calmly and rationally, do not let your fear take a hold of you. And finally be safe.
