Wilderness Survival: Learning Skills and Techniques for Emergencies While Backpacking

Backpacking is a popular activity for those who love to explore nature and the great outdoors. However, when you venture into the wilderness, you need to be prepared for emergencies.

Learning wilderness survival skills and techniques can help you stay safe and make it through any unexpected situations that may arise (see related article: 7 Tips for Backpacking).

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Learning how to start a fire is a crucial skill to acquire in wilderness survival. A fire can provide warmth, light, and the ability to cook food, all of which are essential in a survival situation. You can start a fire using a variety of methods, such as matches, lighters, or even natural materials like flint and steel.

Another important skill in wilderness survival is knowing how to find and purify water. In the wilderness, you can’t always count on finding a clean water source. Knowing how to filter and purify water can ensure that you have access to safe drinking water.

Knowing how to build a shelter is also crucial in wilderness survival. A shelter can provide protection from the elements and help keep you warm and dry. You can build a shelter using natural materials like branches and leaves, or you can bring a lightweight tent with you.

In addition to these basic survival skills, it’s important to know how to signal for help if you need it. You can use a variety of methods, such as mirrors or whistles, to signal for help and get rescued.

Wilderness Survival Tips Every Backpacker Should Know

Learning wilderness survival skills and techniques can take time and practice, but it’s worth it to be prepared for any emergency that may arise during your backpacking trip. By taking the time to learn these skills, you can enjoy your trip with confidence and peace of mind knowing that you can handle any situation that comes your way.

Shelter Building

When you’re lost or stranded in the wilderness, knowing how to build a shelter is one of the most important wilderness survival skills to have. There are various types of shelters you can build, such as a lean-to, a debris hut, or a tarp shelter. These shelters can help you stay warm and dry, and protect you from the elements. Knowing how to build a shelter using natural materials and basic tools is crucial to your survival in a wilderness emergency. Make sure to practice building different types of shelters before you head out on your backpacking trip, so you can be prepared for any situation.

Wilderness Survival: DIY shelter made from forest debris — Wilderness Survival: Rustic debris shelter for outdoor adventures (Source Canva)

Fire Starting

Starting a fire is an essential wilderness survival skill. Whether you need to keep warm, cook food, or signal for help, having the ability to start a fire can make all the difference in a survival situation. While carrying a lighter or matches is a good idea, it’s also important to know how to start a fire without these tools. Using primitive methods such as a bow drill or hand drill can be effective, but they require practice and skill. Learning how to start a fire using a variety of techniques can increase your chances of success in a survival situation.

Starting a fire with flint and steel for wilderness survival — Sparks flying while starting a fire with flint and steel (Source: Canva)

Water Procurement

When it comes to wilderness survival, knowing how to procure water is crucial. Finding clean water in the wilderness can be a challenge, and dehydration can cause severe health issues. Knowing how to treat water from natural sources like streams, lakes, and rivers is crucial for survival in the wilderness. Techniques such as filtering, boiling, and using purification tablets can all be effective. In addition, it’s a good idea to carry a water filtration or purification system with you when you’re backpacking, just in case. Even in the most remote wilderness areas, having the right knowledge and tools can guarantee access to clean drinking water.

Wilderness survival: Drinking water from a leaf — Nature’s cup: man drinks water from a leaf (Source: Canva)

Navigation

Navigating the wilderness is a critical survival skill in wilderness survival. If you get lost, knowing how to read a map and use a compass can be the difference between life and death. Before heading out on a backpacking trip, make sure you have a map of the area and a compass. Familiarize yourself with the terrain and the surrounding landmarks. If you do become lost, use the map and compass to determine your location and the direction you need to go to reach safety. Additionally, it’s important to have a backup plan in case your navigation tools fail, such as leaving markers along the way or carrying a GPS device.

Hand holding compass for direction — Navigate the great outdoors with a trusty hand-held compass (Source: Canva)

First Aid

Injuries can be a common occurrence while backpacking, and having basic first aid skills can be vital in an emergency. This can include knowing how to treat various injuries, such as cuts and wounds, sprains and fractures, and hypothermia. Carrying a basic first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers is also important.

Signal for Help

If you are lost or in a survival situation in the wilderness, signaling for help can mean the difference between being rescued or not. Knowing how to signal for help is crucial, and there are several methods you can use. One way is to use a mirror or other reflective object to reflect sunlight or create flashes that can be seen from a distance. Building a signal fire is another effective way to attract attention, as the smoke and flames can be seen from far away. Additionally, carrying a whistle and knowing how to use it can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Calling for help with a smoke signal to a helicopter — Sending a smoke signal to a helicopter for wilderness rescue (Source: Canva)

Food Procurement

When backpacking, it’s always best to bring your own food. But in case of emergencies, it’s important to know how to find food in the wilderness. There are many edible plants and animals in the wild, but it’s essential to learn how to identify them before consuming them. Some common edible plants include berries, nuts, and roots. As for animals, it’s important to know which ones are safe to eat and how to hunt or trap them. However, it’s important to note that hunting and trapping regulations vary by location, so it’s crucial to research beforehand. Having the knowledge to locate food in the wilderness can potentially save your life during an emergency.

Woman foraging wild berries for food — Woman forages wild berries for fresh food (Source: Canva)

By learning these wilderness survival skills and techniques, you can be better prepared for emergencies while backpacking. It’s also important to always bring necessary supplies such as a first aid kit, a map and compass, and enough food and water for your trip. Remember, being prepared can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation.