Vacation Time…Desert Survival

It’s getting to be that time again, vacation time! If a vacation is out of the question this year because the budget is tight get out your copy of Pack Your Bags: We’re Staying Home and begin planning your stay at home vacation now. There are so many things you can do that are fun, educational and cheap while they accomplish the most important part of a vacation, uninterrupted family time.

We can talk more about that next week but for those who will be traveling to go four wheeling or will drive across the country let’s take a look at desert survival.

There are a few items to be sure you include in your car just in case, and if you are away from the car have these with you, no questions asked!

A emergency mylar blanket or three or four. They are inexpensive and light weight. In sunlight a mylar blanket can generate 5 to 7 million candle power of light. The reflection can even be seen beyond the horizon. This is by far the best item to insure your rescue. The blankets are also perfect for making a shelter as much of the heat from the sun’s rays will be deflected and the area under the blanket tent or lean-to will be several degrees cooler than the outside temperature.

You will want a shelter as the key to survival is to stay put. Moving around will lead much more quickly to dehydration. If you must move do so at dusk and at night.

Clothing may seem like the last thing you should have with you but forty percent of the body moisture that is lost through dehydration is lost through respiration and perspiration. A long sleeve shirt and long pants which are loose fitting will protect you from the sun and help prevent sunburn. They will also help prevent dehydration as loose clothing actually cools the body.

Water will save your life. Your chances survival will greatly increase if you have water. It is always better to drink water as you become thirsty rather than rationing it because you need water to think clearly. Once dehydration begins you will not, and you may make mistakes that are life threatening. Do not over drink but drink when you are thirsty just until you lose that sandpaper feeling in your mouth. If you are traveling by car always take drinks with you, no soda, coffee or alcohol as they will dehydrate you. When we travel I always use bags of ice in our cooler rather than blue ice so it can be used to drink if necessary. It has also come in handy for injuries.

If you are hiking or biking away from your car take plenty of water and drink often. I know water is heavy but you can put mylar pouches in pockets, get a strap and carry a bottle around your neck and/or attached to a belt loop. Naturally, a fanny pack and/or backpack will hold other survival elements and they can be stocked with water too. Be creative and take as much as you can possibly carry.

Review the section on survival water in the November 2009 and February 2010 Totally Ready Newsletters for idea for finding water sources and purifying what you find.

Food is less important but also necessary for survival. NEVER take anything salty. It will just increase your thirst. Do not take freeze dried or dehydrated foods which need to be cooked. If they are the variety, like a soup that you just add hot water, they are fine but if they need to be cooked you will lose water to steam.

Other items to have with you:

Hat..sun block…flashlight…multipurpose tool…fire starter…rain poncho, plastic bag or small tarp for collecting water, and sunglasses.

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