The Survival Plan

Getting yourself into a survival situation is a scary experience. Anything can happen in the woods, while travelling, or during a natural disaster so staying prepared is a big challenge. If you were to pack enough equipment to prepare for everything you would probably need a transport truck to carry it all. So what do you really need to do when you are stuck? The first thing to do is create a survival plan. A survival plan is a type of game plan with all the details, schedules and materials that will be required to get you and your group rescued.

The most important aspect to any survival plan is to keep a positive attitude. Stay calm and focused. Tempers may flare up in groups as each person tries to pass the blame for the situation, but the way to handle it is to acknowledge the problem and then to fix it. Keep your mind occupied by making plans, building a shelter, gathering firewood and water, or by calmly talking to others in your group. These are all useful tasks that will help to give you a positive mindset ensuring that you will get through and to help determine what you are up against.

Start your survival plan before you leave home with a list of your destinations that includes phone numbers and addresses of where you will be staying. Try to include the names of the major roads (or boating routes) you expect to travel as well. Leave this list back at home with a trusted family member or friend but keep a copy with you as well. The list can be given to rescuers should you fail to check in. With such a list, rescuers have a better idea of the area you should be in. A recent photograph of you and your fellow travelers is a good item to leave with your family or friend as well. Knowing where to look for someone who is lost and what they look like gives everyone involved an obvious advantage.

As soon as you realize you are in trouble, stop travelling, sit down, take a break, and evaluate your situation. This includes figuring out where you are, if anyone with you needs first aid or medical attention, and what equipment will be necessary to get you back on track. It also includes contacting someone who can either give you directions or get help. If it looks like bad weather is on the way or it is getting dark, start to put the survival basics into place. Many decisions will have to be made possibly in a short period of time so it is a good idea to read up on some basics before travelling. If you can, phone your trusted family member or friend and let them know you need help and how serious the situation is.

Keep a diary of daily activities around camp and the medical symptoms and conditions of those who are injured or sick. The more information you can give rescuers the better and it will help to keep your mind occupied. Keep yourself or someone in your group busy by trying to determine your location and by monitoring the weather or radio. Prepare yourself to give directions as to your location quickly and clearly whether it is for the motor league, towing company, or rescuers. If communication is established, it could be brief so make sure you know what you need to say and how to say it clearly.

Should you become separated from your group you will need to know how to cook, build a shelter, give first aid and use a cell phone, so take some time and familiarize yourself with these tasks whether you expect to use them or not. Decide before you start travelling where you will meet up should anyone become separated form the group.

Work through your plan; decide on the most efficient way of getting to safety and what materials will be required based on the situation you are in. Keep a positive attitude about what is happening. Reassure yourself that most people who are lost or stranded are found within a few hours or a couple days at most. By taking calculated steps, knowing the survival basics, and most importantly following your survival plan you can get through almost any situation in one piece and back home safely.