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Over many years and many miles backpackers and hikers have become familiar with preparing for emergencies before they happen. In any backpackers or hikers mind it is first and foremost "The What If."
Your first key to preventing accidents and emergencies is to be prepared for anything. Being prepared happens before you hit the trail and not after your in the wilderness. Always keep in mind that you should expect the unexpected.
Over the years a list of essentials have developed from many hikers and backpackers experience in the field. These items can and will save your life and are a must pack to ensure your safety on the trails.
The chance of getting lost in the wilderness is very slim provided that you are prepared.
It may sound silly, but a map is most essential to your well being. Be sure to know the map and the area your hiking in. Know how to use and follow the map you have for the area you are about to enter into. Your best bet is to check your route out with other hikers or rangers in the area who know the area beforehand. Never hike or backpack a trail that is beyond your level of skill.
Another essential to have and know how to use is a compass. Your compass is an essential navigational tool when walking unfamiliar trails. It is very easy to get off your trail for whatever reason and to suddenly get turned around, after all most of your surroundings are unfamiliar to begin with and they do all look the same somewhat.
An altimeter is also a very helpful tool to have packed with your compass. With most topography maps the altitude is listed on the contours, therefore you would use your altimeter to reference your whereabouts.
Other basic essentials to add to your pack are a first aid kit, extra clothing in case of weather change, extra food, sunglasses and a flashlight.
Also to add to your pack never forget your knife. Your knife can be used for a number of uses from cutting cheese to first aid.
Never leave home without a whistle. Your whistle is used in case you are lost in the wilderness and by blowing it loudly three times this will signify distress. Every backpacker and hiker knows this as a universal distress signal and by using this method whoever is in the area will come to your aid.
Carrying matches are of the utmost importance.
The waterproof variety is best, although you can purchase a waterproof match case that will provide you with assurance that your matches will always be ready to light. Matches are essential for lighting fires whether the fire is lit to keep warm or to signal with.
Another suggestion is to take matches and also a lighter. You can find small compact barbeque lighter is available at most stores and they always light and are very lightweight and compact. These are handy for a quick firestarter and usually have a larger flame that will stay on even suring a slight wind.
A firestarter is also a good thing to have. Firestarter is a chemical or candle for emergency firestarting with wet wood that will not easily burn under normal circumstances.
If indeed you do become lost, what do you do? You have all the right tools and know how to use them but which way do you go?
You go nowhere, you stay put.
If you continue to walk in unfamiliar territory you will still be lost, only farther away. This could mean that your rescue will take longer to get to you and possibly not be able to locate you because you could be far off your trail.
Never panic because panic brings about confusion and that causes you to loose your good judgement.
Stay calm and stay put.
You may need to set up camp where you are.
Build your fire and set up your tent.
Try to relax and have a meal if at all possible. Waiting is always hard under stressful circumstances, but try to keep your stress level down. Remember help is on the way and of course you have already sent your distress signal at this time.
You should have filed a wilderness permit and let others know where you are and when your scheduled return is to be.
If your late at all then you can be assured that people will be looking for you and rescue is on the way.
If the waiting gets to much for you work on attracting attention to the area your in. Your best bet in attracting attention is to build a smoky fire.
By gathering green wood and boughs and lighting them you will get fire but also lots of smoke. Smoke is the one thing that will attract attention faster than a distress call in the wilderness because people will relate smoke with forest fire. Depending on what area your in your fire may be spotted by a fire lookout, passing airplane, or other hikers who may be a few miles away.You may then continue to signal with your whistle blowing three times at thirty minute intervals and with the combination of the whistle and fire you are asured to attract some attention from somewhere.
Safety in the wilderness is everyone's priority and by knowing the rules and the essentials to pack the life you save may very well be your own.
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