What’s the goal of most survival situations? Get yourself rescued or stay alive until you can manage to get yourself back into fighting form.

But what happens when you don’t want to be found? Whether you’re hiding from hunted prey or from dangerous humans, you’ll want to blend in with ease.

1. Avoid Symmetry
Very few things in the wild obey the rules of symmetry. Avoid making one side of your face or clothing looking exactly like the other side.

Our vision tends to expect and enjoy things that line up well, so distracting eyesight with oddly placed and haphazard covering is a great way to confuse the mind of your prey.

2. Match Color Schemes
If you know the area in which you’ll be hiding, research the colors and patterns. Take the time to observe how things like wind, sunshine, and shadows change the appearance of the area.

Whenever possible, use items taken directly from the area in your camouflage. Use the leaves, plants, and soil from your surroundings in your outfit to be sure that colors really blend.

3. Masking Scents
Your scent gives off a surprisingly large amount of information about you. If it’s animals you’re hiding from, they’ll be especially sensitive to what you’re wafting.

Just as you’d use the plants and soil nearby to cover your colors, use them to mask your scent as well. Mud, leaves, and water from nearby ponds or lakes will help to cover any overly human odors.

4. Hiding Guns and other Accessories
You may need to be on the move, or you may end up being stationary for long periods of time. Plan accordingly by wearing clothes that can adapt to a variety of weather types.

Many items you’ll be carrying feature shapes and colors that are not found in the wild. Dull any shiny or eye-catching areas of your equipment and firearms.

Use hair-ties or elastic bands to attach grass, small tree branches, and stems of leaved plants to any surfaces that are symmetrical shapes or otherwise stand out.

Keep these basic rules in mind as you prepare your camouflage. As with any survival skill, it takes work and practice to get right.

Whether you’re fighting for your life, camping, or hiking with the family, you might find yourself in remote areas, often alone and probably fatigued. You need to protect yourself in every scenario.

Many outdoor enthusiasts choose to carry a concealed handgun for protection. There are just a few things to keep in mind to keep it secure and safe.

Keep it Concealed and Secure
There are plenty of holster options for active concealed carry. Compression shorts and tops for both men and women keep a firearm concealed and close-fitting, ensuring you’ll be comfortable.

Clothing made specifically for concealed carry has secure pockets made specifically for compact handguns. Make sure that they offer trigger protection and keep the gun secure.

Avoid holsters that cause discomfort and chafing or ones that deter you from moving naturally and engaging in strenuous activity. You won’t carry regularly if it’s annoying or painful.

Clean your handgun regularly to limit the effects of sweat and moisture on the frame and action parts.

Stay Aware
It shouldn’t stop you from getting out for fresh air and exercise, but remember that being in remote areas makes you a target. The backcountry can be full of sounds and activity, but try to be aware and get in tune with what’s happening around you.

Stick to well-known trails if you can. Getting lost will only make you anxious, and that can lead to bad decisions. Bring a friend along on your active pursuits to deter opportunistic attackers or animals.

You can carry concealed to be protected no matter where your outdoor lifestyle takes you. A compact handgun is very capable of protecting you while running, hiking, bicycling, and bugging out in a crisis.

Outdoor adventures always carry the chance for close encounters with a wild animals. Most don’t require any preparation or defensive measures, but some do. In areas known as bear country, there are measures and precautions outdoorsmen must take to ensure they come out of the situation alive.

What Gear Prevents Bear Encounters?

There is not a lot to pack when it comes to traveling in areas frequented by bears. I have been taught not to carry bear bells, as they do not act as a deterrent or let the bear know you are around. Instead, carry a loud conversation with your group members. Bears in the area will hear you and may leave the area because of your presence. Also carry a deterrent. Bear spray has proven to be the effective against bear species in America, even more so than firearms.

What Can I Do When I See a Bear?

Should you or your group encounter a bear, the first thing to do is keep calm. Make yourself appear big and talk to the bear in a loud, even voice until it moves on. Avoid eye contact, as this could appear aggressive. Don’t split up. This can excite the bear and encourage it to give chase. It can also lead to personal injury while running through unfamiliar terrain, making you even more vulnerable. In a case in New Jersey, a group split during a bear encounter that lead to the death of one of the men.

While backpacking in Yellowstone National Park, I chanced upon a young grizzly. I stood straight and started talking to it. Within seconds, it decided I was not very interesting and continued on its merry way. All that was required was a level headed response.

Remember: Do not put yourself between a bear and cubs. This will incur aggressive behavior from the adult. Also keep clear of a bear that is hunting and do not fish in areas frequented by bears. They will approach if you have food.

If I’m Attacked by a Bear, Should I Fight Back?

Whether or not to physically engage a bear depends on the circumstances of the attack. An offensive attack is generally defined as when the bear is approaching you out of curiosity or with some kind of aggression. In these cases, use your deterrent when the opportunity arises. Should the bear move past that, fight back and try to strike the eyes and nose. Avoid being hit by the paws as they can incapacitate you in a single blow.

A defensive attack is when a bear is defending cubs or a source of food. Grizzlies have been known to mount fake charges when threatened. In these cases, slowly back away while still making yourself appear large and avoid eye contact. If you feel that the bear will attack you, apply your deterrent when it is close enough.

A grizzly encounter is the only situation I’ve ever seen anyone recommend the fetal position in the case of a physical striking attack. In this case, cover your neck and vital organs while remaining as still as possible. Once the bear is convinced you’re not a threat, it will move on. If this does not work and the bear continues to strike, fight back. Try and used a hard or edged tool such as a knife or rock.

The best way to come out of a bear encounter alive is to avoid it.

  • Know if your area is in bear country. If so, make sure you’re checking trails for bear scat and food remnants.
  • Avoid feeding grounds such as streams and rivers full of fish.
  • When camping, hang your food out of reach or lock it in a bear box.

The more aware you are, the better chance you have of going through your adventure without having to worry about a close encounter with a bear.

Of all the disasters that can befall us wilderness explorers, few shake our boots quite like the snakebite. A recent Gallup poll asked Americans what it was they feared the most, and snakes topped the list with more than 50%, over such frights as heights and the dreaded public speaking.

The video of a rattlesnake strike below is enough to make your skin crawl. A fear of snakes is no reason to avoid the wilderness, though.

Relax. Here are some reassuring facts about snakebites.

  • Of all the snakes you might encounter in North America, about 10% of them are poisonous.
  • There are around 8,000 snakebites each year in the U.S., resulting in only about 8-15 deaths.
  • As long as a snakebite victim visits a modern medical facility quickly, survival rates are very high.
  • Snakes would much rather use their energy and venom on small varmints for food rather than on you just to be scary.

Relax. There are plenty of ways to avoid snakebites.

  • 50 to 70 percent of reptile bites managed by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center were provoked by the person who was bitten. Translation: If you don’t handle or bother a snake, odds are amazingly good that you won’t be bitten.
  • Deep grass, wood piles, and rock crevices are a snake’s favorite spots. Keeping your hands, feet, and faces out of those areas and your chances of survival increase drastically. If you must work or walk in these areas, wear sturdy ankle-high boots with tough pants or gaiters.
  • Walking around in the dark? Wear a headlamp, carry a flashlight, or stay in well-lit areas to avoid disturbing an innocent snake.
  • Snakes can still bite for a few hours after they die. If you see one smashed on the road, leave it there.
  • Remain relatively sober when camping and exploring the wilderness. Snakebites invariably happen to stumbling drunks who lack the coordination or brains to know when to leave well enough alone.

Relax. If you’re in the modern world, odds are good you’ll survive the bite.

  • According the the Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona (who know a thing or two about rattlers), your car keys are the most essential survival tool for a snakebite. After a bite, don’t mess around. Get in the car and get to a hospital.
  • Snakebite suction kits, tight tourniquets, and restrictive clothing all keep the venom concentrated in one area, and that’s bad. Loosen clothing, help the person to remain calm and still, and get medical attention.
  • Don’t bother trying to photograph, catch, or kill the offending snake. You’re just wasting time and increasing the odds of dealing with yet another snakebite victim. If you can remember it’s general appearance, that will help.
  • Get medical attention even if you’re totally 100% convinced that the snake was not poisonous. These bites can still cause nasty infections, pain, and there’s always the slim chance you could be totally 100% wrong.

 

You can’t see them, but they’re there. Bacteria are lurking in wait to descend upon your intestines and blood, but the fight isn’t one-sided. Sure, they have the power to totally ruin your trip and your health, but a little preparation on your part goes a long way.

E.Coli Waits in the Water
Everyone from the casual hiker to the gnarly survivalist must know about drinking safe water. One (out of many) of the most common and dangerous bacteria found in contaminated water is E. Coli. This powerful bacteria punches well above its weight, causing severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes kidney failure.

It’s best to just assume all water you encounter in the wilderness is contaminated by tiny nasties bent on your destruction. Keep your eyes and mouth closed when bathing or swimming in any questionable water, especially if it isn’t free-flowing.

When you’re out on your adventures, keep a record of where and when you gathered your water. When you find yourself at the doctor this will help to determine the course of treatment. It may help to notify authorities of contaminated water sources.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “If boiling water is not possible, a combination of filtration and chemical disinfection is the most effective pathogen reduction method in drinking water for backcountry or travel use.”

Stomach devastating Salmonella
Bacteria in food can not only ruin a fun outdoor adventure, it has the potential to cause deadly health problems.

Salmonella is a microscopic bacteria behind serious gastrointentianal infection known as salmonellosis. Ingesting this bacteria in under-cooked or contaminated foods can result in  cramps, headache, fever, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Symptoms can wait to show themselves for 12-72 hours, so keep track of what you’ve eaten over the course of your trip. This will help with diagnosis if problems set in.

Take special steps to keep your utensils and hands clean. Wash dishes and hands with anti-bacterial soap before and after use. Cooking in the dark can pose hazards for under-cooked meats, so bring a small food thermometer to check food temperature before you dig in.

Lyme Disease Causing Borrelia burgdorferi
One of the most powerful backcountry bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, is carried by deer ticks. It causes Lyme disease, which affects thousands of outdoor enthusiasts ever year. When a tick is infected with the bacteria, it transmits it on through bites.

Immature ticks, called Nymphs, are the most responsible for passing along the disease. They are especially dangerous due to their size, less than 2mm. Outdoor explorers and ticks are most active at the same times,  the spring and summer months.

When you return from outdoor trips, give yourself a full body check for ticks. They like to hide out in dark places like armpits and the groin area. A bull’s eye rash is an early indicator of a tick bite, but other symptoms can include fever, headache, and muscle pain. If you see a tick or rash, grab your phone and take a photo. This way you can show your doctor to help determine spread and diagnosis.

They may be tiny, but you should treat bacteria in contaminated food, water, and insects like the towering behemoth of doom that they really are. Add cleaning products to your packing list and test out your backcountry recipes before you hit the trail.

 

Autumn Veatch, 16-year-old girl, was flying in a small 3 passenger plane when it crashed over the weekend in the Pacific Northwest. Her step-grandparents who were with her still haven’t been found, but she used survival skills to get out alive.

The plane left on July 11 from Montana but never made it to its’ final destination. They encountered bad weather and couldn’t avoid slamming into a mountain. After the crash, she stayed near the wreckage for a full day before bravely deciding to take her survival into her own hands

Covered in bruises and burns, she managed to hike for two full days in the dense and dangerous forests of Washington state and was eventually found by a motorist.

Amazingly, she had the presence of mind to follow a drainage creek to a river, eventually finding a nearby trail. She pushed herself without food or water on to an eventual trail head where she was spotted.

She’s been treated for minor injuries and dehydration, but has emerged from this heartbreaking tragedy alive.

The inspiring story of her survival serves as a reminder that staying prepared for desperate circumstances is always a good idea. Her fitness of mind and body played a crucial role in helping get out of dense forests and endure intense stress.

A wilderness survival first-aid kit is very different from the kit you keep at home.  Add these five items so that you’re better prepared for wilderness emergencies. The items aren’t expensive and don’t take up much space, so there is no excuse for not having them with you. Being trained and prepared for wilderness injuries is crucial to survival. Continue reading “Build a Wilderness Survival First Aid Kit” »

Skiers love taking on whatever the mountain can dish out. There is nothing better than hitting fresh powder in the backcountry with friends. Canada’s CBC news reported that sales of backcountry ski equipment were up 40 percent at the start of the 2012-13 season and backcountry is no longer a fringe sector.  Ski big, ski fearless, but keep your head on straight. Don’t be the one that needs to be rescued in the backcountry.

Skiing Apparel Crucial to Safety
You have to wear the right gear if you’re spending all day outside in the winter wilderness. The right clothing and equipment will make sure you come home with some legendary tales of skiing the backcountry .

Dress in three layers when carving up the backcountry. A base layer closest to your skin should be form fitting and comfortable. Cotton materials get too wet when you sweat, so choose a wicking and fast drying set of long underwear. The second layer should be clothing items that trap warm air and keep it close to you. Fleece vests or jackets are great options for a second layer. The third layer for skiing is a pair of ski pants and a sturdy ski jacket. They should be waterproof to prevent melting snow from weighing you down. Since skiing requires lots of movement, a ski jacket should fit closely but not restrict movement.

You’ll be much better off using skiing equipment that fits you correctly. Buy backcountry gear at a store that has staff that will help you find the right equipment in the right size. Ask them about freeride gear that can adapt to any type of skiing. Sometimes you really have to spend the extra money to rent any gear that you need instead of borrowing someone else’s equipment.

The Best Way to Stay Safe While Skiing in the Backcountry
There is no way around it; Skiing alone can be very dangerous. Snow, cold wind, and injury are all things that can ruin a day on the mountain. Take a friend out into the backcountry and you’ll both enjoy the fresh powder even more.

Someone else should know where you’ll be skiing and what runs you’re taking. If something happens, they will know where to find you and bring help. Stay in touch with a set of outdoor walkie-talkies while you’re in the backcountry with a group. Getting separated in the wilderness can mean serious problems and you don’t want your friends risking their necks to search for you.

New skiers always want to go big. Be smart. Definitely know what types of slopes and runs you belong on. A backcountry run that scares you probably isn’t a good choice. Live to challenge another day. A green circle, blue square, black diamond will indicate the skill levels required to safely enjoy the slope. Test yourself, but do it with a skilled partner who knows what they’re doing.

Take breaks to catch your breath and get some food. Because of the colder winter temperatures, many skiers can’t tell they are sweating and tired. Take time between each run to stay hydrated with water or sports drink and fueled up with food that serves up big calories.

Cold Weather Survival
If you want to check out the wilderness and push the limits of the mountain, there is no better way than backcountry skiing. The runs are fast and the skies are clear but even then skiers can overlook crucial danger signs.

Know the signs of a possible avalanche. IF you’re buried in an avalanche, you have no more than 5 minutes before serious danger sets in. Recent avalanches in the area, recent heavy snow or rain, and windblown snow drifts could mean that an avalanche may happen in the area. Avoid trails or runs that seem like they have unsteady snow.

Slow speech, slurred words, sleepiness, and unstable emotions could be signs of Hypothermia. This can happen because of extended exposure to the cold. If this happens, get the person indoors if possible.  Restore warmth slowly. Remove any wet clothing and replace it with blankets and dry clothes. Give the person warm liquids to increase their body temperature.

Skiing is the best way to soak up all that fresh snowfall. Keep pushing limits and crushing snow. The mountain awaits.