Outdoors Survival Ideas for your Vehicle and BackpackOutdoors Survival equipment and mindset can be crucial for your survival in the Colorado back country be it desert or mountains. Unlike many other places in the United States, out west there is so much public land with lots of dirt roads going everywhere that sometimes people can get into predicaments quite easily. What seems like a beautiful day can sometimes change so rapidly that it can quickly take you by surprise. Vehicles break down, get stuck, you get lost or injure yourself. The weather can change for the worse in minutes from a calm, warm, sunny day to high winds, blowing snow with blizzard conditions. Its always best to be prepared for the worst as outdoors survival depends on it. My wife is always saying that I worry too much, but the truth is that I have been lost, broke down, stuck and spent a night stranded in a vehicle and it can sure help if you have something to work with. It is easier to keep your head on straight and not panic if you have prepared for the worst and thought about these things beforehand. Outdoors survival is part being prepared and part having the common sense to know how far you can safely push yourself or your vehicle. The one thing that might surprise people from other parts of the country is that there are many remote areas that nobody will be coming by to help and your cell phone will not work because of the mountains and canyons. All that you have is what you have brought with you. A few years ago a person that I had worked with for several years had gone on the Grand Mesa cross-country skiing with his wife and daughter in a popular area. Only going for a few hours they only brought a few munchies and water but nothing extra. A storm blew in and made it hard to see and covered their tracks. They spent the frigid, windy night in a pine tree with no fire. The next day he took off to get help, but did not return. The search party found his wife and daughter the next day hungry and frost bit. They found his body in the spring, in a creek bottom. This goes to show just how easy things can go wrong. Over the years there are some things that I have found necessary for outdoors survival to keep in my truck when venturing into the outdoors. 1. A good tow strap about 20 ft. long 2. Shovel 3. Tool Kit, spare flexible radiator hose and hose tape, hose clamps, electrical tape and wire, extra fuses, jumper cables, tire chains, portable jump start, air compressor with tire plug kit, spare fan and alternator belts. 4. Extra coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, blanket, 12ft. by 10ft. tarp 5. Oil, water, 6. A good jack, preferably a high-lift jack, these can be used for changing tires as well as to get unstuck by jacking the vehicle up and pushing it to the side out of a rut or putting rocks or logs under the wheels. It can also be used as a winch to pull a vehicle out of a hole with a chain or strap. Be careful when using jacks or tow straps as you can get seriously injured when used improperly. These kind of jacks may not work with the flimsy bumpers on newer vehicles but can be used under or in the receiver hitch. A good scissor or hydraulic jack will work under about any vehicle. 7. At least two sources of light. flashlight and 12 volt spotlight 8. Road flares, great for starting fires or as an emergency signal Outdoors survival gear in my backpack includes the following items that are also listed on my Colorado Hiking Tips page. Always carry two lighters in case one fails (preferably windproof), matches, signal mirror, whistle, large plastic trash bag, compass, space blanket, 20 ft.length of 1/8 nylon cord, candle, knife, nylon wire ties, toilet paper, compass, map, insect repellent, roll of electrical tape and a light source like a small flashlight or better an led headlight so your hands are free. Outdoors survival can hinge on being able to build a fire and can be the difference between life and death. Make sure that you not only have the tools to build it, but also fire building techniques down pat before venturing into the outdoors. There are many easy to light fire starters on the market. I carry a small can of Sterno with me to heat water or to smear on wood to get it going. Very easy to light. Some common drugs to bring include asprin in case of heart problems(talk to your Doctor), naproxen or ibuprofen for muscle or joint pain, Imodium for diarrhea, Benedryl in case of an allergic reaction or bee sting and antacids for stomach relief. If you become lost or break down, always try and stay calm and make a plan. Don't get into a panic because it will just make matters worse. Sometimes its best to just stay where you are if you don't know which way your going. A persons first reaction to being lost is usually to take off like a scared rabbit and wind up way out of the area that you told people you were going to be in the first place making it a heck of a lot harder to find you. In many places there can be cliffs and gulches that a person can fall into if they cannot see because of fog or heavy, blowing snow. If you have a two-way radio bring it. If your cell phone does not work you might be able to contact someone on one of the many channels. I leave my other radio at home when I take off by myself and tell my wife where I am going and what channel I will be on. Keep it in your pack. There are many of these that have a 12 mile or more range. If you can contact someone then you can give them your location off of your GPS. One of the most important outdoors survival tips is tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Always bring more food, clothing and water than you can possibly use and the tools to build a fire. For More Information on Outdoors Survival
|
