If the weather is too bad, consider postponing your journey. I always make myself aware of the weather forecast even if I am going no further than the corner shop. To dress warmly, remember that lots of thin layers work better than a few thick layers. Banish pride, vanity and...

Growing up in Iowa taught me way more than I ever could have imagined. Iowa is known to have brutal winters, along with blistering wind chill factors and icy driving conditions. I have remained in Iowa and sometimes ask myself, “Why?” It is through my love of family...

Before venturing into the wilderness get prepared for the unexpected. * Get avalanche certified and carry an avalanche shovel, beacon and probe if you are a winter backcountry enthusiast! * Take a first aid course since accidents do occur. * Always carry a survival kit. For the general nature enthusiast, basic survival skills are included here to initiate an understanding of what needs to occur in a wilderness emergency. Keep in mind that YOU MUST REMAIN CALM when implementing these survival skills. A clear head will allow you to implement and plan for survival and rescue. 1. FIRE. ...

If you are planning any sort of outing in the wilderness, it is essential that wilderness survival kits are part of the planning. Poor preparation can prove to be fatal because accidents. Not only is it important to have survival items but you need to know how to use them. When you prepare your kit, it should be based on the environment in which you are traveling. If you are traveling in a cold, snowy region then you must prepare your wilderness survival kits for that kind of weather. Proper gear in this weather includes blankets, matches, warm clothing, flares, first aid and energy food. Preventive...

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Every year we read or hear about hikers or hunters having to be rescued or even worse. You can bet that when these folk left home, the last thought on their mind was having to fight for their lives in a situation they just would not be prepared for. Being prepared for an outdoor trip means more than taking along a first aid kit. Assuming the worst means you should be prepared to spend at least one night outdoors without shelter. Then, if your day trip turns sour, you are ready for the worst. Typically, it is major trips and expeditions that are well planned with emphasis on survival. This is natural in...

You may have the skills and the knowledge to make a fire, navigate in the wild, construct shelter and find food, but there is more to wilderness survival than just those things. It takes a strong mind to make it in the wilderness. There have been a number of people that have survived situations that were life threatening with little or no knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness. Survival Starts with the Mind When someone finds themselves in an environment of survival, there are a number of stresses that can have an impact not just on the body, but on the mind as well. Emotions and thoughts if...

Outdoor survival skills can mean the difference between escape/rescue and tragedy. Fortunately, most survival skills are simple and easy to learn. Here are the top ten things to do in a survival situation, in order: 1. Don’t panic. Breathe. Relax. 2. Give yourself first aid if needed. 3. Inventory your survival items. 4. Assess any imminent weather dangers. 5. Find an open area where you can be seen from the air. 6. Create appropriate shelter. 7. Drink lots of water. 8. Make fire, but safely! Learn how to build fire in a variety of ways and how not to start a wilderness blaze in your quest for...