A fantasy takes over. There you are, stranded in the woods. You’re cuddled up next to a fire with a wildly sexy man by your side, holding hands. Suddenly, a loud cracking noise distracts you. Your man jumps in front of you, two steps ahead of the life-threatening danger. He rips open a bag and grabs a gadget that looks like simple hairspray. You cower behind him, exposed and afraid.
And then you see it. There stands an angry bear -- huffing, ears pinned back, fur bristled up on end. Next to her stand two innocent, wide eyed cubs. Your man pulls out the hair spray (which is really bear spray), protecting you from the danger that has become a reality. And with that, mama bear subsides. You are safe. Your man at your side. Thank goodness.
But what would happen if you really got stranded in the woods-without the sexy man? Would you truly survive?
Following are 11 tips you need to know in case this or any other dangers arise in the woods.
1. Carry a knife.
All kidding aside, knives are useful for more than just cooking. In fact, carrying a knife in the woods just might save your life.
“A knife is one of the most useful tools you can have in the wilderness,” says Ralph Dobson, an Eagle Scout, Marine and wilderness enthusiast. ”It’s your trusty companion in the woods. You've got to have it -- no matter what.”
That said, not all knives are created equal. This means you need to know just what to look for.
“You need a durable, comfortable knife,” Dobson says. “And I’m not talking about a Swiss Army knife.”
So just what is the right type of knife for the wild?
“Preferably, you want it to be lightweight and user-friendly,” Dobson says.
“In addition, make sure it is rugged with solid construction.”
2. Matches are your ally.
To survive in the wild, you need matches and a lighter. And make sure both are waterproof.
“It gets cold in the wilderness, and it might get wet,” Dobson says. “This means you need to start a fire.”
And that’s not the only reason fire can be essential. Fire keeps away animals.
But once you have matches, how do you start a fire? Though this question may seem silly, it’s one that many women have.
“First, stock up on wood. To do this, scrounge through the forest for dead or dry stuff,” Dobson says. “Then put that wood in a pile. And by pile, I mean a lot of wood. You don’t want to be walking away from your fire trying to find more wood in the middle of the night. “
In addition, remember to put your fire out thoroughly. As Smoky the Bear once says, “Only you can prevent wildfires.”
3. Don’t forget that compass.
Compasses are for more than simple science experiments. They’re your most important resource when it comes to knowing where you are in the woods.
Further, you want to have a backup plan. This keeps you from getting lost.
“You should also have a map of the area,” Dobson says. “This gives you a layout of the terrain. In addition, make a mental note of landscape marks that you pass by. This will help you to remember where you’ve come from.”
And there’s one more thing to know when it comes to direction. That’s the danger of GPS.
“Beware of GPS,” Dobson adds. “It might not work. Or the batteries could go dead.”
4. Bring one or more signaling devices.
When we think of signaling devices, our minds automatically jump to elaborate flares. But a signaling device doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact, it just might come in the form of your favorite compact.
“You can use a mirror as a signaling device,” Dobson says. “That could even be a mirror from your makeup kit.”
But how do you use this nifty resource?
“Attract the sun to the mirror,” Dobson says. “By doing this, it will flash. If there are people nearby, they are likely to see it.”
That said, the wee hours of the night are another story. In this case, you need to use a different approach.
“At night, use a flashlight or a whistle,” Dobson says. “And use it in threes. Three whistle blows or three blinks of a flashlight means you’re in distress.”
You can also use that famous flare. But don’t use this in the woods in summer because it could cause a fire.
5. Carry a first-aid kit.
When it comes to spending time in the woods, anything is possible. This means you could get hurt. So never leave home without a first-aid kit.
“Everyone needs a first-aid kit,” Dobson says. “You never know when injury might strike.”
The question is: What should a first-aid kit contain?
“First, you need basic bandages,” Dobson says. “You also need gauze, medical tape, antiseptic, splint material, tourniquet material, butterfly band aids, super glue (for serious cuts), sunscreen, and moleskin or duct tape for blisters.”
Don’t worry if this list overwhelms you. Outdoor-oriented stores sell kits that are already made up. That said, don’t opt for the simplest find. Take a look at exactly what you’re getting.
6. Water is your most important resource.
Don’t take this section lightly. Water is the most important thing to have when it comes to life or death in the wild.
Experts say the average person can only live for three to four days without water. And that’s without extreme conditions.
This means you need four things: bottled water, a canteen, a flame-resistant cup and water purification tablets.
Bottled water is a given. But what are these other nifty contraptions for?
“Water purification tablets make it so that you can drink water from a contaminated stream. You put it in your canteen and drop the purifier in,” Dobson says. “And the cup is in case you want to boil water. This makes it so that you can hold it over a fire without it breaking.”
7. Bring the right clothes.
Forget the cuteness factor. To survive in the wilderness, you need weather-appropriate clothing.
“Never forget to take the area’s weather conditions into account,” Dobson says. “Do your research. This means that you may need anything from rain gear to ski parkas. The best way to die is to go out with the wrong stuff.”
That said, many outdoor stores offer some cute yet durable options. Go to a large specialty store like Bass Pro or REI. And have an experienced clerk help you.
8. Throw some rope in your backpack.
Rope? Seriously? Seriously.
In truth, rope is one of the greatest assets to have in the wilderness. That’s because it can be used for a variety of things.
“You can use rope to get yourself up a cliff -- not that you would need to do this,” Dobson says. “In addition, you can use it to build shelter or construct needed items.”
But rope doesn’t just apply to scary things. It can also be used for planned necessities.
“Many needs arise in the woods,” Dobson says. “You can use rope to carry firewood or hang food items in a tree to keep bears away at night.”
9. You get hungry in the woods.
If you think you get hungry after an hour on the treadmill, try a day in the woods. Your stomach will be begging for options.
“Carry a military MRE (meal ready to eat),” Dobson says. “This requires no cooking at all.”
In addition, you can bring healthy, powdered nutrition shakes. Just mix these with water and you’re good to go.
And of course, you can gather food. But don’t do this if you aren’t familiar with what’s poisonous and what’s not.
10. You’ll need that flashlight when it gets dark.
A day in the woods can turn to night before you know it. For example, if the sun drops behind mountains, daylight can disappear earlier than expected. That’s why you need to be prepared.
“Carry a flashlight,” Dobson says. “And don’t forget extra batteries. This is important.”
Just remember to get a durable flashlight that’s made for the outdoors. You want it to be bright, waterproof and dependable.
11. Don’t forget those blankets.
Even if it doesn’t seem cold, it’s important to bring a blanket. That’s because you never know when disaster will strike.
“Make your blanket an emergency or space blanket,” Dobson says. “If you get hurt, you can cover yourself up with it. And it’s a safety precaution in case you end up spending the night in the woods unplanned. Plus, a silver blanket can be used as a signaling device.”
While you likely won't find yourself on Survivor, you may find yourself stranded in the great outdoors. Now you know what to do to be prepared.