How to Send Signals to Call Someone for Help


If you are a lost in the wilderness, you may need someone for your help and in this situation. You should be able to send a signal to call rescue teams for your help. There are some ways that will help you to send a signal to others for your help:

Sending Signal with Fire

It is common to get lost in the wilderness and if you are trapped in the same situation, then you can use fire and smoke sign. It is a great way to grab the attention of a rescue team by starting a big fire.

Smoke for Signal

You can use a smoke signal as well to get the attention of other people toward you. Try to burn wet logs and you will get lots of smoke. This smoke accumulation will help you to call people for your help in the wilderness.

Mirror or Shiny Object

If the sun is shining on your head, then you can use a mirror or shining object to tilt in front of the sun and get back and forth reflections. You can move the mirror or any other shiny object to get the attention of airplanes or helicopters. Make sure to target a particular object for reflection so that you can grab the attention of pilots. It is quite difficult to get the attention of a pilot in the sky, but you can do it successfully with lower flights.

Audio Signals

It is another way to grab the attention of other people toward you. It will be good to use a whistle or any other noise-making objects to make continuous notice. It will help you to grab the attention of nearby rescue teams and they may help you to go home. You can clap, yell or even beat an object to make a noise. It will help you to get some help to go back home.

You can also use a flag or make a large pile of ice or mud with a deep and visible world “HELP”. It will help you to get the attention of any person and you can be rescued by teams.




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Tips to Make Your Own Compass


You can find your location with the help of compass; therefore, it will be good to carry a compass with you. If you have resources, you can make your own compass with the help of given tutorial.

The magnetic compass is important for the survival walking stick because it will help you to walk in four directions, such as east, west, north and south. It contains a magnetized needle that has the ability to align itself along with the magnetic field of the earth. To make a compass, you will need:

• A paperclip
• A razor blade
• A hair pin
• One safety pin

Choose a Magnetizer

You should select a magnet to magnetize your needles, such as rub your needle against magnet or any other magnetized item that is magnetized with the static electricity. You can tap it along the piece of iron or steel. The refrigerator magnet can be a good choice for you, but you can also buy plain magnets from the craft stores. A steel or iron nail, crowbar, horseshoe or any other household item will be a good choice. The silk of fur can be used to magnetize the needle, or you can use your own hair.

Get All Important Material

You can get a bowl or jar, water and a section of cork to design a compass. Now make the compass by inserting the needle in the cork after magnetizing it. Make sure to maintain an equal balance on the both ends of the cork to handle the razor blade. You can use a small item that can float instead of the cork as well, such as a leaf.

Floating Compass

Fill the jar with water and keep the compass on the top. The needle will align itself along the magnetic fields of the earth. If you are in an area with the heavy breeze, then the needle may find it difficult to align along north to south. Make sure to use a deeper jar or a bowl to offer protection to needle against the wind.

Learn to Read Compass

The needle will spin slowly either clockwise or anticlockwise in the direction from north to south. If the needle is unable to move, you can rub the needle again to increase its magnetic power. The needle will be settled against north to south. You have to find out the north direction by reading the stars. You can draw an imaginary line on the ground to mark the north. If the stars are unavailable, then you can use shadow method. Pick up a stick and fix it in the ground in an upright direction.

Mark the shadow and wait for fifteen minutes. It is time to mark the shadow once again. The line between the marks will be east-west. If you are standing with the first rock on your left and the second on your right, then you are facing north direction.







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GETTING TO KNOW THE WILDERNESS


In order for one to successfully immerse in the natural environment, there must be a complete understanding of what is to be faced. Things like weather conditions, the danger zone, and the like should be determined. These are essential in deciding the next course of action.

Predicting the Weather

Clouds determine the mood of the sky – each class relates to a certain weather condition. There are three main types: stratus, cirrus and cumulus. In certain cases, clouds may manifest two classes at one time.

Cirrus clouds appear striated and are typically 6,000 m high. Cirrostratus clouds are darker and more uniform in appearance. Cirrocumulus clouds are small, spherical, ivory-tinted clouds present at high altitudes. In normal conditions, these are signs of fair weather. However, in more arctic regions, ever accumulating cirrus clouds joined with moderate to strong winds may indicate that a blizzard is approaching.

Cumulus clouds are white and look like flat-bottomed clumps of cotton balls. They are slightly closer to the earth than cirrus clouds and often emerge during noontime when it’s sunny. They also indicate fair weather. But as they grow bigger and move higher up, they may transform into cumulonimbus clouds, which usually come in the shape of an anvil. This can point out an oncoming thunderstorm.

Stratus clouds are relatively close to the ground. They appear gray and can mean that it’s about to rain. Nimbus clouds also indicate rain.

They have an even gray color and spread throughout the sky.

Scuds are loose, hazy, and featherlike in appearance. They usually appear on a windy day and can indicate continuing bad weather.

Practicing bushcraft is not easy, especially for those living in the suburbs. It requires proper mental conditioning and a physically fit body. Without these, there would be culture shock and, consequently, unnecessary stress.

In bushcraft, the most important piece of equipment one must bring is knowledge. Material things are only props and can be totally crafted from nature. As a matter of fact, it is possible to live in the wilderness with no premade tools or paraphernalia whatsoever, but this is not recommended. The difficulty level for this scenario would certainly be high and it is only accomplishable by masters of bushcraft.

The Red Zone

The red zone refers to unsafe areas which are to be avoided at all costs. In determining such, look out for caves or holes or any type of habitat of large and burly animals. When an area is filled with bones and carcasses, there is bound to be a carnivorous animal nearby. Also, stay away from wide, open areas as they do not provide good camouflage and may make the group vulnerable to predators.

It also helps to be aware of different animal habitats. Sometimes, it is inevitable to settle down in areas where some predators reside. But knowing which type of animal resides in the area aids in developing precautionary measures.

Bears usually reside in forested areas with abundant understory vegetation that is surrounded by nut and fruit bearing plants.

Snakes can live in just about any area, be it a dessert, marshland or in the ocean. However, they prefer to stay in warm places as they cannot produce their own body heat. They usually hide in tall blades of grass or in trees.

Alligators and crocodiles live in wetlands such as marshes or swamps. Some stay in holes by these areas to conceal themselves.

Wolves move in packs and usually live in large areas such as mountains, forests, and even arctic areas. Look for possible areas of denning such as caves.

Survival Kit


The contents of the survival kits depend on the type of terrain to be explored. As a general rule, keep the kit layered. This means that the most important items are placed at the most convenient area, preferably in the pocket or attached to the belt. Less important and more bulky items can be placed in the knapsack.

Since it is important for one to travel light, it would be best to select multipurpose items. If two objects serve the same function, choose the one which could be of more use. All of which should be stored in a single container. It can either be a band aid box, an ammunition pouch or whatnot. The most important thing to ensure is that it is waterproof, portable, easy to carry and durable.

For navigation, prepare a compass and, if available, a map of the vicinity.

First aid materials include antiseptics (e.g. isopropyl alcohol or betadine), a tourniquet, clean bandages, surgical blades, an elastic bandage, hypoallergenic medical tape, butterfly sutures, and a needle and thread.

Do include some OTC meds: paracetamol (for fever), antacid (for indigestion or hyperacidity), mefenamic acid (for pain), decongestant (for colds), antitussive (for dry cough), expectorant (for productive cough), and antidiarrheals (for anupset stomach).

Do not forget to bring the most important tool: the knife. Also include snare wire, an axe, fish hooks, and a snare line.

Some shelter essentials include blankets, a canopy or a poncho, insect repellent, waterproof matches or a lighter, and a candle.
To purify water, be sure to bring small bottles of iodine or chlorine and a dropper.

Include some toiletries such as soap, shampoo, a change of clothes, and female essentials (e.g. tampons or sanitary napkins).

• Food 

A normal, healthy person can last an average of three days without water and about three weeks (21 days) without food. In bushcraft, bringing ready-to-eat food is not essential as most resources will be derived from the environment. Some dry crackers or hard candy could be brought to prevent hypoglycemia (abnormally low levels of sugar) whilst searching for possible sources of food.

• Water 

The body loses water through various mediums, such as sweat, urine, and stool.

On a typical day with moderate levels of physical activity and temperatures of about 20 ° C, the average adult loses about 2,000 to 3,000 mL (2-3 L) of water. With more extreme conditions wherein the temperature is higher, there is intense activity, in high altitudes or when one is sick, man is bound to lose larger volumes of water from the body.

It is advisable to bring at least a canteen full of water (about 500 mL) during the beginning of the journey, since one needs to constantly take small sips of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. However, if one is experiencing increased stress or is exposed to extreme conditions, do increase liquid intake. More water can be found later on from natural sources.

Choosing a Bag


The number one mistake many first time backpackers make is to TAKE TOO MUCH STUFF. Unless you are really going off the beaten track, you are likely to be able to buy almost everything you need while you are there.

The bigger the bag, the more you will be tempted to fill it. Choose a bag which is a maximum of 40 liters, unless you have some vital and specialist equipment you cannot get while you are out there.

Don’t leave home with your bag already full to bursting. It is easier to buy things once you are out there and you may want some room to bring home souvenirs.

Pick a bag with crush straps so that you can compress it when it is half full.

A raincover is an extra expense and can be a hassle to take on and off. Choose a bag which is already described as waterproof and use an umbrella to shield both you and the bag from rain.

You don’t have to pick a top of the range brand new bag. Rucksacks are often available second hand plus a brand new bag may signal to potential thieves that there is something worth stealing inside.

 Although having extra pockets on the outside of the bag can be useful, remember that they are very vulnerable to theft. Don’t store anything of value in there.

Look for bags which allow you to secure them. Padlock together zippers and if your bag has a drawstring closure, replace the string with a thin cord bike lock. Although a determined thief (and one with more time on their hands) can easily slash the bag to get inside, this will deter a more opportunistic criminal.

Bring a chain and padlock or bike lock to allow you to secure the bag, either to a stationary object or to another couple of bags to make an unwieldy bundle that someone cannot simply pick up and walk off with. Don’t just loop the chain or lock through the straps a thief can simply cut the straps.

Add a wrist leash to secure your bag to your person while you wait in a station or airport. If you fall asleep, this makes it harder for someone to simply walk off with your bag. Get into the habit of falling asleep with your head on your bag to further discourage pickpockets.

Paperwork


There is a surprising amount of paperwork you will need to sort out before you embark on your trip, and it’s best to start doing this two or three months before you plan to leave. Having everything in place in good time will cut down on last minute panics and will save you time and money.

• Find your passport and check the expiry date. Usually you will need it to still be valid for six months after you plan to return— you need to give yourself time to renew it if that is not the case. Make sure it has plenty of spare pages. 

• Check the visa requirements of the countries you plan to visit. Some may let you apply at the airport when you arrive, but it is a good idea to have at least your first destination (or any which take a long period of time to arrange) already in place before you depart. You can find agencies that will apply for the visa on your behalf for a fee, and you will have to weigh up the relative time saving merits of this for yourself. 

• It is often cheaper to use an agent than to travel in person to an embassy to present yourself. Once your visa is in place (it is best to secure this first of all, just in case you are refused or it takes longer than expected) you can buy your plane ticket. The more flexible you can be with dates and times and the further in advance you are looking, the better deal you are likely to find. 

• Take a few spare passport photographs of yourself with you. They may come in handy when applying for visas and other forms. 

• Get adequate travel insurance and make sure that you are covered for any specialist activities you plan to undertake (water sports, horse riding, skiing, etc) and that any expensive items (such as cameras and laptops) will also be covered.

• When deciding on your level of insurance cover, look into the individual countries you will be visiting. If you are an EU citizen travelling in Europe, you may not need health insurance (unless undertaking dangerous sports) but may need to complete an E111 form. If you are a UK citizen in Australia, you will be covered by the Australian health service (there is a reciprocal arrangement in place with the UK). Make sure you are aware of the circumstances surrounding healthcare in your destinations. 

• Read your policy in full. You may find that there are exclusions (many policies do not cover accidents which happen while you are intoxicated, for example) so make sure you know what risks you are taking. 

• Check with your doctor about which vaccinations are recommended for your destination. Bear in mind that some vaccinations need to be given a month in advance or may take more than one shot, spaced over the course of days or weeks.

Introduction

 ‘Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance’


When planning a backpacking trip, the advice can seem very overwhelming for a first time traveler. There are endless gizmos, gadgets and innovations on the market, each promising to be convenient, safe, light-weight and solve so many problems on the road that you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

In backpacking, as in so many areas of life, you will find that you need far less than you think. Most of the items you will find yourself using on a daily basis will be ones you already owned at home and are pretty simple— a length of cord, comfortable shoes and an old pillowcase.

The benefits of packing light are almost endless— you will find it easier to move around, enjoy yourself more, it will be easier to run for trains, if you and you bag have to squeeze into a seat on a bus you will be more comfortable, you will be less of a target for petty theft and so on. A backpack which is bulging at the seams is harder to find things in when you are in a hurry, and takes longer to pack and unpack. Think also about your destination— if you are going to a developing world, that means fewer conveniences such as escalators, lifts and well-maintained footpaths, so you may end up carrying your bag a lot. Even a few kilograms can make the difference between you enjoying your trip, and finding every step a hassle.

Remember: there is a direct correlation between how much your bag weighs, and how much you enjoy your trip.

Before you set off, book yourself in a checkup with your doctor to discuss vaccinations and to make sure you have enough of any prescription medication you take (such as asthma or the contraceptive pill) to last for the whole of your trip. Take a copy of the prescription with you, as some countries have very strict rules about what you are allowed to bring in.

NB: If you do have prescription medication and are travelling with a buddy, it is a good idea to ask them to stash some of your supply in their bag. That way, if you lose your bag, you have not instantly lost all of your medication and should have enough time to replace it.

Have your teeth examined before you go. Explain to you dentist that you are going backpacking and would like to avoid any problems occurring on the trip. You should also probably get your eyes checked, especially if you wear glasses or lenses.

If you are a student, consider applying for an International Student ID card. You may be surprised at the amount of discount it gets you, especially if you plan to travel around Europe.

Aim to learn a few words in the languages of the country you plan to visit. No one is asking you to become fluent, but simply being able to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will go a long way.

The further in advance you plan your trip, the more chance you have to take advantage of cheap flights. You may find yourself flying at strange times of the day or night, but you can save a considerable amount of money this way. Although theoretically you could plan, pack and leave for your destination in a week, in practice it is better not to leave everything to the last moment.