| Most of the outdoor survival situations that | | | | Third, be sure to pack something you can turn |
| occur can be prevented with a little | | | | into a shelter quickly. A garbage bag is an |
| preparation and planning. A survival | | | | example of such an item. It can be easily |
| situation is something that can happen to | | | | made into a shelter. Just cut a slit in the |
| anyone, regardless of his or her experience | | | | middle of the closed end and pull it over |
| or expertise in hiking. Survival situations | | | | your head. This is a great solution to the |
| don't always arise because someone is | | | | problem, and a bag is easy to pack in a |
| inexperienced or reckless. If you want to | | | | pocket. It only costs a few pennies, and it |
| have the best time you can on your hiking | | | | may save your life. Hypothermia can occur |
| vacation, while keeping yourself and your | | | | even in 50-degree weather, so it is critical |
| family as safe as possible, there certain | | | | that you have a way to make a quick shelter |
| steps you can take. | | | | should the need arise. |
| | | | |
| First and most important, be sure to leave a | | | | Always carry a wool cap in your vehicle and |
| travel plan with someone at home. A travel | | | | your daypack. Eighty percent of your body |
| plan lists the possible locations you expect | | | | heat leaves you if your head is exposed. You |
| to cover while on your hiking vacation. It | | | | must always protect your head when you are |
| does not have to be a detailed list. You can | | | | hiking. If you don't have a cap, use a sock |
| use a map and just mark the spots on it where | | | | or a bandanna. You can wear anything on your |
| you plan to be. If you leave a travel plan, | | | | head as long as it keeps your head warm. |
| then searchers will have an idea of where to | | | | |
| look for you if you become lost. | | | | Finally, make a habit of carrying at least |
| | | | three fire-making resources with you. Having |
| Second, always carry a few basic items with | | | | a lighter is always a good idea, but having |
| you in case you have to spend the night on | | | | only one source of fire making while hiking |
| the trail. Take a garbage bag, a lighter, a | | | | is inadequate. Lighters may get wet, and then |
| whistle, a pocketknife, and a water bottle. | | | | they won't light anymore. Also carry a spark |
| This is the minimum number of essential items | | | | rod and windproof matches in your pocket or |
| you should bring with you whether you are | | | | pack. You are like to make a fire in rainy or |
| hiking for a day or for a week or longer. | | | | otherwise bad weather. While this can be |
| These items address the basic needs from | | | | tricky, it can be done. Just collect dead |
| shelter to water and heat. Depending on your | | | | twigs from evergreens like pines, firs, or |
| outdoor activity, level of skill, and the | | | | spruces. These trees have a lot of resin so |
| climate you plan to hike in, you may need to | | | | they will catch fire faster than other types |
| carry more extensive equipment. | | | | of wood. |
| | | | |