Surviving in the Wilderness

First, think about what Brian did. An organizer is provided for students to list details about Brian’s experience. This easy-to-assemble flip organizer contains 9 areas for students to list facts. A full answer key will aid in class discussions and checking students’ work to see if they are on the right track.

GET THE ORGANIZER.

Would you like a printable version of the facts listed below? You can get them here.

GET THE HANDOUT.

• • Humans need eight cups of water each day.

  • When 1% of the total water weight of a person’s body is lost, the person will feel thirsty.

  • Sixteen drops of bleach will treat one gallon of water.

  • Approximately 4000 people are treated annually for drinking contaminated water in the United States.

  • A person can survive without water for three to five days.

• • A person can survive without food for approximately 30 days.

  • Insects and bugs are high in protein and are great survival foods.

• • Most hypothermia cases develop between 30 to 50 degrees. Body temperature only has to drop 2ᴼ for hypothermia to begin.

  • Add 37 to the number of chirps a cricket makes in 15 seconds to determine the approximate temperature.

  • The body loses heat twenty-five times faster in water than it does in air.

• • Three is the universal signal number for distress.

  • When you discover you are lost stay where you are. Yell “Help!” or blow a whistle 3 times to signal you are lost. Wait several seconds. Then turn 90 degrees and try again. Keep doing this. If someone yells back, let him come to you. Sometimes echoes may cause you to lose your orientation. Even if someone sounds far away, keep yelling. They may sound this way because they are turned away from you.

At the moment you realize you are lost you should S.T.O.P. (Sit, Think, Observe, and Plan). The first ten minutes of being lost are when most search fatalities make their deadly mistake. Stay calm. Use your head, not your feet. Staying calm is important to survive. Use this acronym to remember:

S – Sit down.

T -Think.

O -Observe your surroundings.

P – Prepare for survival by gathering materials.

According to the Charley Shimanski of Mountain Rescue, there are ten essential items that every hiker and backpacker should carry. They are — 

• U.S. Geological Survey topographic map and magnetic compass
• flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs
• extra clothing including mittens, hat,  jacket, and rain gear
• sunglasses
• extra food and water
• waterproof matches in a waterproof container
• candle/ fire starter
• pocket knife
• first aid kit
• space blanket or two large heavy-duty trash bags

From 1992 to 2007 there were 78,488 individuals involved in 65,439 search and rescue incidents in the United States National Parks.

• 2659 fatalities

• 24,288 ill or injured individuals

• 13,212 saves

Search and rescue operations are expensive. On average, the United States National Park Services responds to 11.2 incidents daily. This costs around $895 per operation.

• In 1998, Denali Nation Park in Alaska rescued eight climbers by helicopter over the course of five days. This rescue cost more than $220,000. At the time this was the most expensive rescue in history.

• Grand Teton National Park had a record high of more than $219,000 in 2011. The park completed 33 major searches.

• Rocky Mountain National Park spent $41,000 to rescue a hiker in May 2014.

• • Hiking ~ 48%

  • Boating ~ 21%

Approximately twenty percent of the National Park Service search and rescue missions result in fatality.

Most Common Fatalities Requiring Search and Rescue

• Hiking ~ 22.8%

• Suicides ~ 12.1%

• Swimming ~ 10.1%

• Boating ~ 10.1%