Survival kit for the desert

It is not as easy as it looks in the movies. Surviving in the desert might just be the toughest thing that you will get to do in your entire life. Dehydration kills you faster than starvation and the blazing sun can cause heat strokes, severe heat strokes capable of shutting down organs and other bodily functions, resulting in death. Nights give chills. If you plan to take a trip through a desert, or even if you are visiting a state with these vast reaches, it is better to always keep prepared and equip yourself with survival tactics. You never know when they might come in handy. Surviving a desert is not a child’s play, but it is also not impossible. Read on to keep your mind equipped with these basic maneuvers.

1.Tools: Necessary tools would be ropes, clothing to cover yourself up and to create tents, woolens to keep warm, water, something to start a fire with, knives, a compass, a flashlight and batteries. You could procure these from your car which has broken down. Make sure to carry enough of these if you plan to go to or near a desert.

2.Cover Up: It is important to protect yourself from the direct rays of the sun. It is also important not to lose water through perspiration. Covering the entire body with thin layers of clothing is a must, given the fact that one can lose up to one litre of water in sweat within two hours of being in the desert. Wear a large hat, or cover your head with a light coloured cloth. Use Sunglasses to prevent glare from forming in the eyes.

3.Hydration: One can lose 3 liters of water through sweat in a day in desert. Hydration is the most crucial part of surviving a desert. If your pee becomes dark in colour or your skin develops rashes, drink water immediately. The body is 70% water and in a desert, you will need 3-4 litres of water per day.

4. Travel Hours: It can be very difficult to cover distances in the scorching sun. It would be best to hide yourself in a cave or create a make-shift shelter beside any mound using sticks and a draped cloth. Travel during the early hours of the morning and in the evening. Rest during the heat of the day and the cold of the night. Nights can be extremely cold. Keep yourself warm with the appropriate clothing. You will have to shift your body clock, but it will be best for you.

5. Feed yourself rightly: Eat only enough to keep the hunger pains away. Every time you eat, your body will demand water. You don’t have to starve yourself, but passing out with dehydration is the last thing you want.

6. Desert beings: You might want to rest in a cave or beside some rocks for shade and shelter. While entering or getting seated in any place, make sure to look out for desert animals. Do a thorough check before turning any rock or laying against any wall. Check for scorpions, tarantulas and snakes. If you find any, do not try to attack. Most of the times, the animal will be scared of you and will just walk away. Wait for them to leave before setting up your tent.

7. Signaling: Be sure to give out signals for help. You could do this by writing a huge ‘SOS’ using stones and sticks. Burn a dry cactus or wood to create large amounts of smoke during the day. Use a flashlight with a powerful beam at night. Chances are that you will get help. It all depends on the strength of your signal and of course, luck.

8. Find the source of civilization: Look out for birds to spot for oasis or water streams. Possibility is that you will find civilization or travelers and nomads there. If water isn’t available at such a place but some trees are flourishing, it means that there is water underneath. Dig a hole 1 feet deep in the moist soil that you find and leave it for a few hours. It will fill up with water.

9. Leave your mark: Look for a landmark like a mound, a hill or a huge particular tree/rock. Mark your position with respect to it and then move on. In case you get lost, you will know where to return back to and where to go. Leave signs of help like the SOS mark if you move on from that place. Leave marks to indicate your further direction of movement. You could do this my carving arrows into a rock/tree/cactus. Be very careful with it.

10. Stay put: Once you find an oasis or a place with water and trees, stay put there. Chances are that you will be found by other members of your species. Keep hydrated, stay cool in the day and warm during nights. Above all, don’t panic. You can find stories of hundreds who have survived a desert.

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