Wilderness Safety and Survival

I will be back on Opera in a few more days and catch up. I hope I'm not coming across as antisocial - I've just been really busy

Often, in a survival emergency where two or more people become a bit lost, productivity sometimes yields to disagreement of how to best approach the situation. Before embarking upon an outdoor activity, discuss and agree upon the best courses of action for a variety of scenarios - that way, those involved can easily work together toward a solution in the case of an event.

If a member of the group starts to find fault or become impatient with the circumstances and take it out on others, simply remind them that part of their role is to behave in a fashion that keeps the group together and to keep the already difficult situation from becoming more stressful or unbearable.

Shelter, fire, water, food, and signaling are priorities, but first-aid should preceed all if needed. Always see to the needs of the weekest member of the group as a priority and leave no-one behind unless it is necessary to go for help. Always work together.

Bird calls borne on shimmering light and the mists that form the dawn. They all raise up with the sun from the valley below as my true love's voice pulls me toward the door of the tent to view those things that her voice bares witness to. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I see her smiling face as it turns to direct my thoughts to the beauty of the morning; the glow of which radiates from her striking eyes to form the grandeur of all that surrounds me and leaves me agasp in the moment that forms my awe.

Something just for fun - http://www.dogcreektradingco.com/Doomed!.html

Let me start this post by saying that I've been a paramilitary Survivalist for most of my adult life, so it is rare that I venture into the outdoors without a firearm. I have to admit that I don't go out target shooting as much as I used to and it is an equally rare occurrance if I actually fire anything I carry out in the woods.

90% of survival is being prepared for eventualities - compass = navigation, water = hydration, food = not having to kill anything or eat grubs - I will leave that Bear Grylls, but on those occasions where I have had to make due, I have sauteed my grubs with a bit of butter and garlic and a grinder of Italian seasoning can really dress-up a grouse (no point to being uncivilized in ones wilderness emergency culinary pursuits).

Aside of the obvious use of a firearm to obtain food or to maintain an edge of confidence in bear or cougar country, a gun is sometimes necessary where people are concerned. Since the age of 16, I have had to resort to gunplay (on more than several occasions) as a means of self defense or to protect my camp against people who intended on doing me harm. Three of these incidents were in the Arizona desert near Mexico, where cross-border freebooters will kill you for your vehicle or equipment.

A recent story here in the Pacific NW, involved a man at a isolated campground being approached by a father and son who declared that they needed his vehicle. All three men were unarmed, but the camper being out-numbered, decided it might be prudent to hand the intruders his keys and with cooperation (under the circumstances) appearing to be the better part of valor, said "take it". The criminals then told him that they were not going to be able to let him go, beat him unconcious out in the woods and left him for dead, face down in the snow to die of hypothermia. The injurred man lived, but the fugitives are still at large. Having met with success with their potentially newly established M.O., the pair are likely to do the same thing under the same conditions, but will most likely ensure that the next person is dead before they leave.

In 1979, as I immerged from the Arizona desert, returning to my campsite from quail hunting, I encountered two armed men approaching my camp from a mesquite thicket below the camp. I walked-up behind them with my shotgun, made them dump their ammunition and sent them on their way. The next few days were spent playing cat-and-mouse with them as they tried different tactics, with me popping up out of "nowhere" each time with a loaded shotgun pointed at them. They finally got the message and left me alone.

A couple things to keep in mind: 1) Do not advertise the fact that you are armed - an intruder may be targeting you to get ahold of a gun. 2) Never "draw down" on someone just because you feel threatened or intimidated - use your best judgement to determine if a real threat exists and always avoid resorting to violence unless it is your only option. 3) Never bluff - know that you must be willing to squeeze the trigger if you have no other option than to pull a gun in self defense - be decisive.

Most people you encounter in the backcountry are going to be decent people, but the most dangerous ones are going to approach you with a smile and a handshake before they make their move.

Be Prepared! Violent robberies in the backcountry are not uncommon.