
Survival Skills 101 For First-Timers in the Wilderness
Survival Skills 101 For First-Timers in the Wilderness
Spending time outdoors is one of the best things you can do if you want to get closer to nature. But as a budding nature enthusiast, it’s also your responsibility to learn a few survival hacks that might come in handy once you start your adventure.
One of the crucial factors in wilderness survival is to equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools for the kind of environment you’re planning to visit. Most people learn these things through experience. But you can certainly learn a thing or two from them so you won’t have to experience the same. Survival skills 101 for first-timers in the wilderness.
Orient yourself with the moon
Check the moon and see its shape. If the crescent moon rises just before the sun starts to set, the bright side of it will face west. Meanwhile, if it rises after midnight, then the moon’s bright side will face the east side. To make it easier, you can also use the North Star, too. But you can try this lunar method if the other stars aren’t visible.
Using a natural bandage
Using the resources you have available around you is a must, especially if you’re planning to spend a day or two of your Alaska adventures outdoors. Fortunately, nature has everything you need, especially if you know where to look.
If you run out of bandages, you can gather dried sphagnum moss from swamps or bogs and use it to stanch your wounds. These plants are known to have antibacterial properties and have the same level of absorption as cotton. You can press it against an injury or bind it right on top of a sterile pad once the blood starts to form.
Preventing insect bites
Insect bites can be bothersome and even dangerous at most. If you’re in an area infested with mosquitoes and other insects, then you need to seek out windy spots to escape them. You can also apply mud to your skin to prevent them from biting you.
Another way to avoid these biting insects is by rubbing flakes of birch bark on your clothing and your skin. The oil coming from this plant can repel bugs. Keep also in mind that apparels with dark-coloured as well as wet as perspiration can attract mosquitoes. Make sure you always wear dry clothes with lighter colours to avoid attracting them.
Managing frostbitten skin
Frostbite is common, especially in cold areas. If it happens to you, then you need to place the white, waxy frozen skin directly into a basin with lukewarm water. You can also apply hot wet clothes to the affected area until it becomes pink. The goal is to let the blood flow go back to normal immediately. Never attempt to apply dry heat directly to the frostbitten skin because it quickly burns.
These are only a few of the most essential survival skills you need to learn before you take your Alaskan adventure. Remember to ensure your safety all the time so that you can create memories you can bring back home.