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10 ways to survive in the wild 10 ways to survive in the wild
(19 minutes later)
A British teenager has survived a fortnight lost in the Australian bush. What are the dos and don'ts of staying alive in terrain like that?A British teenager has survived a fortnight lost in the Australian bush. What are the dos and don'ts of staying alive in terrain like that?
Jamie Neal suffered dehydration and exposureJamie Neal suffered dehydration and exposure
Jamie Neale, from north London, went missing in dense bushland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and was eventually found by two walkers.Jamie Neale, from north London, went missing in dense bushland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and was eventually found by two walkers.
His father says he survived on berries, leaves and water, and slept under logs. The weather had been foggy, wet and freezing.His father says he survived on berries, leaves and water, and slept under logs. The weather had been foggy, wet and freezing.
The area is a mountainous region dissected by deep gorges, with hanging swamps and heathland. There is eucalyptus forest on the higher ridges and rainforest in the sheltered gorges.The area is a mountainous region dissected by deep gorges, with hanging swamps and heathland. There is eucalyptus forest on the higher ridges and rainforest in the sheltered gorges.
In this kind of environment, what are the rules of survival?In this kind of environment, what are the rules of survival?
1. Water is crucial, says Mike Jarmain, chief instructor at Cambrian Survival in west Wales. In that kind of terrain, you'd ideally take it from as high a source as possible so it is less polluted, and drink running water rather than still. Boil it first if you can make a fire. But be careful following streams because these can lead into very dense forest. 1. Water is crucial, says Mike Jarmain, chief instructor at Cambrian Survival in west Wales. In that kind of terrain, you'd ideally take it from as high a source as possible so it is less polluted, and drink running water rather than still. Boil it first if you can make a fire. But be careful following streams because these can lead into very dense vegetation. And don't drink urine - it will only dehydrate you further.
Temperature in winter dips below zeroTemperature in winter dips below zero
2. Don't drink urine - it will only dehydrate you further, he says. There have been cases of people going more than 10 days without water, but dehydration affects mental and physical abilities. 2. Stay warm, because night temperatures in the Blue Mountains dip below freezing at this time of year - it's mid-winter in the Southern Hemisphere. "You can use anything that has similar properties to down, just shove it into your clothes to create air gaps," says Mr Jarmain. "People have wrapped themselves in grass inside their clothing, as long as it's dry. You're trying to make an insulating layer if at all possible."
3. Stay warm, because night temperatures in the Blue Mountains dip below freezing at this time of year - it's mid-winter in the Southern Hemisphere. "You can use anything that has similar properties to down, just shove it into your clothes to create air gaps," says Mr Jarmain. "People have wrapped themselves in grass inside their clothing, as long as it's dry. You're trying to make an insulating layer if at all possible." 3. Be visible to encourage a rescue. "The worst-case scenario is being deep in gullies where the vegetation is thick," he says. "You want to get to an area where they can see you, maybe an opening in a forest where trees have blown down, but you're between a rock and hard place because that might not be where the water is."
4. Be seen to encourage a rescue. "The worst-case scenario is being deep in gullies where the vegetation is thick," he says. "You want to get to an area where they can see you, maybe an opening in a forest where trees have blown down, but you're between a rock and hard place because that might not be where the water is." 4. Respect the snakes. They will generally stay out of your way, but don't antagonise them. While not all snakes in Australia are poisonous - and they hibernate in winter - it's best not to take any chances.
5. Respect the snakes. They will generally stay out of your way, but don't antagonise them. While not all snakes in Australia are poisonous, it's best not to take any chances.
BE PREPARED Warm clothing, including hat, gloves and waterproofsA whistle will save your voiceMeans of lighting a fireMap and compassMobile phoneTell people where you're going Source: Cambrian Survival Missing backpacker is foundBE PREPARED Warm clothing, including hat, gloves and waterproofsA whistle will save your voiceMeans of lighting a fireMap and compassMobile phoneTell people where you're going Source: Cambrian Survival Missing backpacker is found
6. Building a shelter is the most important task, say Nick Vroomans on his website, Staying Alive Survival Services in Australia, because the cold will kill you long before hunger or thirst. Build a framework, put some greenery over the top to keep showers off, and then make a bed from shrubbery because sleeping on the ground will sap your strength and warmth. 5. Turn over a log to find edible insects, says Mr Jarmain. Larvae are generally safer to eat than plants, but don't take risks with what you eat. Avoid plants that smell of almonds or marzipan, or if the leaves are very glossy.
7. Humans can survive for three weeks without food, so it's not the number one priority, says Mr Vroomans. Plants are the easiest way to get nutrition, but you need to know which are poisonous. Test berries by squeezing some juice on your tongue. If you're not sick within four hours, it's probably OK. 6. Watch your footing. Circumstances can suddenly become life-threatening if you are immobilised because of a sprained ankle or broken leg, especially if you're on your own.
8. Turn over a log to find edible insects, says Mr Jarmain. Larvae are generally safer to eat than plants, but don't take risks with what you eat. Avoid plants that smell of almonds or marzipan, or if the leaves are very glossy. 7. Test berries by squeezing some juice on your tongue, says Nick Vroomans on his website, Staying Alive Survival Services in Australia. Plants are the easiest way to get nutrition, but you need to know which are poisonous. If you're not sick within four hours, it's probably OK.
9. Watch your footing. Circumstances can suddenly become life-threatening if you are immobilised because of a sprained ankle or broken leg, especially if you're on your own. 8. Don't obsess about finding food, because it's not as important as staying warm and finding water, says Bob Cooper, who runs survival courses in Western Australia. You'll always find something to eat, like the heart of grass trees or just grass, which can be chopped up. Then you've got a variety of plants that are edible, and nuts and yams. And the stems of bulrushes taste like leeks.
10. Never give up. Where there's life, there's hope. 9. Heat up rocks if you have fire and then bury them in the ground where they will keep warm all night long, he says. A shelter can be made from branches from eucalpytus or gum trees, which are evergreen and can be easily broken. This will protect you from the elements and keep the warmth in.
10. Never give up. This backpacker must have had an excellent positive attitude, says Mr Cooper. An amateur prospector went missing in the Outback for four days and was looking for a place to curl up and die when he was found by Aboriginal trackers. That is not the right attitude.
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