“Surviving
in the Wilderness……have a Survival Gameplan!”
(Dec 2002 SARScene Magazine Article)
Wilderness recreation and eco-tourism are in growth phases throughout
much of North America. Thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts are
pouring into the great outdoors in numbers never before seen. The
result is more incidents, mishaps, and survival ordeals than ever
before. Government programs are gearing up to this increased use of
the great outdoors, with much research and development in the areas
of search and rescue, and public awareness of the dangers present
in the great outdoors (i.e. NIF Projects).
When we venture into the wilds for recreation, challenge, adventure,
sport, and peace of mind, we usually visualize and realize the following
benefits:
-personal growth and well-being
-physical fitness
-fresh air, smell of the early morning pines, mist on the lake……experiences!
-fun and challenge
-relatively low-cost recreation
We, for the
most part, don’t envision our death or serious physical/mental
injury as the outcome of a camping trip, or fishing excursion, or
snowmobile outing, or canoe expedition. And therein lies the problem:
we are biodegradable, and in our quest to become “at one with
nature”, some of us may become part of the natural environment
permanently!!!!!
Ask yourself these questions: are you and/or your group (or family)
prepared to spend the night in the backcountry, possibly with little
or no gear???? Do you regularly carry the essentials for survival
on your person? What is your gameplan if something goes wrong? You
might want to consider some basic Survival & Safety workshops
(www.wscsurvivalschool.com) and preparedness before your next outing,
or for your group.
In the Spring of 2001, the Wilderness Training Institute (and WSC
Survival School) embarked on a one-year initiative, aimed at developing
a “Basic Survival Prevention Course”, sponsored and endorsed
through the New Initiatives Fund (the National Secretariat for Search
and Rescue, and Emergency Measures Ontario). The federally/provincially-sponsored
programs were developed in response to increased disasters and loss
of life (and the Ocean Ranger rig disaster of 1986). Interested in
decreasing lost person occurrences, and improving search and rescue
outcomes, they saw the need for increased public awareness and training
programs (i.e. at schools, parks, outdoor shows, and literature) that
would be the focus of the Wilderness Training Institute’s program.
At the core of this endorsed survival training program is a “Survival
Gameplan”, developed specifically to educate outdoors folks,
and prevent needless loss of life. When you venture out into the wilderness,
you assume that there is an element of risk. Risk Management and Hazard
Evaluation, along with preparedness and avoidance, are key elements
of the survival gameplan philosophy. In essence, you understand that
there are uncontrollable risks, and controllable-avoidable risks.
Yes, avalanches and lightning strike sometimes without notice ...
unforeseen accidents can happen to the best prepared of us. The large
proportion of mishaps, we believe, can be avoided, or at least, planned
for, by having a survival gameplan.
Evaluate the risks, examine the hazards, i.e. weather, topography,
animals and insects, people, warnings issued by the authorities, and
activity-related dangers, and plan for the worst-case scenarios (or
avoid the outing if risks are high). In today’s world of eco-challenge
and extreme adventure, many would rather ignore the risks/hazards
in pursuit of their goals ... this is a decision based on one’s
personal ethics and morals, and choices .. but when things go wrong,
the outcome is serious injury or death, and enormous search and rescue
costs to the taxpayers.
The Survival Gameplan is based on the following premises:
(1) To survive has human beings, there are basic physical and mental
needs, proven by scientific evidence i.e. maintenance of body temperature,
body fluids, food requirements, oxygen needs, and rest.
(2) Searchers normally locate lost victims in 1 to 3 days, especially
when their general whereabouts is somewhat known i.e. trip plans
left behind
(3) A “Rehearsed, Practiced Response” results in improved
decision-making in times of crisis, and in panic-reduction
If you become
lost, with little or no survival gear, and no orienteering no-how,
your best chance to survive is the Survival Gameplan:
*ADMIT YOUR SITUATION, STAY PUT, SIT DOWN, CALM DOWN, REDUCE YOUR
ADRENALYN, DECIDE WHAT TO DO, AND WHAT GEAR YOU HAVE ON YOU TO HELP
YOUR SITUATION)
*PRESERVE YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE (BUILD SHELTER, FIRE)
*LOCATE SAFE SUPPLIES OF DRINKING WATER
*SIGNAL FOR HELP
*GET SOME REST (EVEN IF AN HOUR AT A TIME)
*CRITTER AND INSECTPROOF YOURSELF
*AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, LOCATE FOODS
And, depending on the situation, treat injuries (could be high on
the list if a severe injury, or low if minor injury).
Rarely, do you read about a lost victim who is found to have starved
to death. Anthony Hopkins said it best (in the movie “The Edge”)
when he noted that people who are in survival ordeals usually die
of shame. Most lost persons never admit that they are lost, rather
they try to find their way out, resulting in their walking for hours
or days in circles. Rarely, do they make the wise decision to stay
put, and preserve themselves. When they are walking in circles, obsessed
with finding their way out, they become hypothermic, dehydrated, exhausted,
devoured by bugs, and harder to locate. One recent lost victim exclaimed
“I let my ego and humiliation get the best of me, walking and
running in circles, rather than staying in one place”.
A former Park Warden noted that “We thought that it couldn’t
happen to us….our search team became lost for 3 days while searching
for a lost camper”.
Many lost
persons failed to leave detailed trip plans/itineraries behind to
make it easier for searchers. Authorities usually point to lack of
preparedness i.e. no basic essentials for survival (flashlight, fire-starting
items, shelter-constructing gadgets, compass and topo map etc.), improper
physical and mental ability for an unexpected overnight stay, alcohol
and drug use issues, and lack of skills as key components of the typical
lost soul.
Recommendations
to all who travel into the wilderness:
*leave detailed
trip plans behind
*carry a well-designed survival kit on your person at all times
(includes the essentials for survival i.e. shelter, fire, water,
signals, first-aid and food)
*dress appropriately for the wilderness i.e. wool, fleece, rain
gear, hat etc.
*utilize communications equipment i.e. cell phone, hand-sat phone,
emergency locator beacons, shortwave radio
*obtain necessary backcountry skills: map and compass, survival,
first-aid
*assess your physical/mental readiness for the level of challenge
*avoid excessive alcohol/non-prescription drug use…..you require
all of your senses and abilities if you become lost!
*rehearse your emergency plans, study the maps ahead of time
Go prepared,
and enjoy the wilderness with confidence, and be humble…..happy,
safe trails.
David Arama
Project Leader – Wilderness Training Institute,
Director - WSC Survival School
www.wscsurvivalschool.com
519-570-2021
(22 years spent saving lives!