Have you ever considered how you would react if you were unexpectedly stranded in a remote location? You may believe that it will never happen to you, but you never know what will happen in the future, so it is best to be prepared for such an occurrence. Our guide on what to do if you find yourself stranded has been put together for those who don’t know what to do when they find themselves in an unfamiliar environment.
https://unsplash.com/photos/wrrgZwI7qOY
Keep a means of contact available
When you’re out in the wilderness, the last thing you want to do is spend all of your time staring at your phone. It’s also likely that you don’t want to take the phone that cost you a lot of money on a trip where it might get damaged. Why not invest in a low-cost mobile phone for emergencies? Even if you can’t get a signal to call a family member or friend, you can always call emergency services regardless of whether you have a signal with your network.
Keep yourself warm and dry
If it seems that you will be stranded for an extended period of time, it is essential that you continue to stay warm and dry for the duration of your wait. Being wet and then cold can result in illness or even hypothermia. Start a fire to keep warm and dry if necessary. Where possible, stay close to your Ute Van Hire for shelter and warmth. If you’ve found yourself completely lost, find trees, caves, or anything else you can use to hide beneath until you can be rescued.
Drink little and often
If you’re stranded and only have a limited supply of clean water, it’s critical that you use it wisely. Drinking a lot in one sitting causes water to pass through your body faster, causing you to dehydrate faster. Drinking a small amount on a regular basis will keep you hydrated long enough to be rescued. It might be worthwhile to research how to filter rainwater to make it safe to drink.
Keep a flare or two on you at all times
Those who know their way around will always have flares in their pockets. Flares take up little space in your backpack and can completely save your life. Flares look a lot like fireworks to those who don’t know what they are. You fire them into the air, and they are visible for miles around, alerting people nearby that someone is in danger. Carry flares; you’ll be glad you did.
Some essentials to stock up on
Finally, while you didn’t arrange towards becoming stranded, being prepared with what’s in your backpack will make the situation much easier. Here is a list of the necessities:
- A comprehensive first-aid kit. Getting stranded frequently indicates that you’ve been in an accident. To avoid infection, you should be able to patch yourself up and cover any open wounds.
- To keep your energy levels up, eat dry and canned foods.
- When the temperature drops, a blanket or cover will come in handy to keep you warm.
- A weapon of defence, such as a knife, in case a wild animal attacks you.
Remember that the best way to ensure your safety is to always travel with someone so that you can assist one another along the way.
Jessica Lippe 