How to Respond to an Outdoor Emergency

 

Survival Priorities

Knowing priorities in an emergency lets you start to work immediately and without confusion.  Below are listed the logical steps you should take:

 

  1. Positive attitude. Many survivors of wilderness emergencies have said that a positive attitude might be the most essential element in survival.

 

  1. Stay put if you are lost.

 

  1. First aid.  If an injury is life threatening, such as rapid loss of blood, first aid become the most important thing to do.

 

  1. Shelter.  Extreme weather conditions-too hot or too cold- make finding or building shelter a top priority.  At such times even painful but minor injuries must wait until shelter is available.  This is even more urgent if night is approaching.

 

  1. Fire.  Often, along with shelter, you will need a fire for warmth, morale, and signaling.  Fuel should be gathered and the fire started before dark.

 

  1. Signaling.  When you have taken the first steps in dealing with the emergency, you will need to prepare rescue signals.

 

  1. Water.  Under all circumstances, water is essential.  You can live only a few days without it.  Finding water is even more urgent when the weather is hot and dry.

 

  1. Food.  A person can live several weeks without food; as a survival priority, it does not rate as high.