If you are a hiker or plan to become one shortly, you might want to consider getting safety gear in case things take a turn for the worst. You may be wondering what to look for when you are just starting out, but that all depends on terrain and weather. Many people are just plain confused about what they should have on them in case of an emergency. This article will help clear things up and hopefully help you choose the right wilderness survival gear for hiking needs.
Understand the Features of the Gear
The first thing that you need to know is that the last thing you want to do is buy unnecessary and heavy equipment that’s just going to drag you down. There are many different types of gear for hiking; some of them are going to be better than others in terms of needs and wants. When you do your research for hiking you need to be sure that you understand the features and how to use them. You don’t want to make any sort of rash decisions in the middle of the trail if you’re prepared. Many people are just fine with what they have on their trip, while others are looking for more expensive and “luxury” gear that is not needed.
One of the most important things that you need to know about when you are looking for hiking is that there are many online survival gear resources available. Whatever you end up doing, you should make sure that you understand and know how to use it, such as an emergency radio, first aid kit, or compass. Be sure that you get the best gear to prepare you in case things go wrong, here are just a few examples of items you’ll need.
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The Essential Wilderness Survival Gear :
Survival Radio – Be Prepared!
Actually, these survival radios play a major role when you are in the wilderness and enjoy Mother Nature. Think about what you would do if you were stranded in the dark with no service on your phone. If you have service, you could use it to call for help, but chances are the woods usually have horrible reception rendering your phone useless. So, keeping one in your hiking gear kit will never let you down in case of an emergency.
Always, try to choose the best reception quality radio from the market. They come in a variety of formats such as; there are handheld radios, pocket radios, walkie-talkies, vehicle radios, and even satellite phones. You can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Always, it should have a large volume dialer that lets you dial from one to many numbers quickly and easily. It should also have a large speaker that will allow you to hear the transmissions that are being relayed in case of an emergency.
The main feature that you need to look for in a survival radio is battery power. They should have a long-lasting battery life, that can be easily recharged when they are being used in times of need.
Many of the radios include batteries that will be stored in an external box for easy retrieval, if not you can look for hand-cranked ones. These hand-powered radios are perfect in these types of situations.
How To Choose The Right Compass
Photo by Anastasia Petrova on Unsplash
A survival compass can be a very handy item to have around with you, but it is especially important to learn how to understand the types of Norths and how to use a compass. While you may find yourself camping or hiking for extended periods, there is always the danger of wandering off into the wilderness and being separated from civilization.
So this could result in severe consequences if you don’t find your way back. A survival compass, in conjunction with other devices such as GPS and radio, is the perfect way to stay close to home in case of a disaster.
What kind of simple survival compass would be needed for an outdoor trip? If you’re camping, you need a compass that will stay properly aligned when the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re camping near any streams or lakes, be sure to carry a small pocket survival compass along with you as you can it to understand the direction you are traveling. It’s compact enough to store anywhere that won’t make a difference, but be sure to tie it down.
A survival compass and other GPS technology should be a vital part of a survival kit, as long as it can be seen at all times and will always be read correctly.
Emergency First Aid Kits
One of the most important things that you can have with you while hiking is an emergency first aid kit. These kits are meant to be your first line of defense if you ever become injured. They are meant to provide you with medical attention as soon as possible before the wounds get worst. It’s meant immediately to apply care so that you can get to a hospital and have your medical needs if it gets worst.
A basic first aid kit should contain supplies such as but not limited to:
- Bandages
- Antiseptic ointments
- Painkillers
- Disinfectants
- Anti-diarrhea tablets
- Anti-sickness pills
- Antidotes to common illnesses
- Antiseptics bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Rags
- Gauze pads
- Scissors
These are some of the things that you will need to have on hand at all times. If you are hiking for numerous days, you can consider having extra bandages and gauze pads, since you may need to replace these items as soon as possible. It is best that you keep a few extra kits in your bag, in case you find yourself or others in an emergency and there is no hospital close by.
Conclusion
First aid kits should be essential for any type of outdoor adventure you go on, they are easy to store, compact, and light. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the placements of the components, so you don’t need to go search through the bag to find what you’re looking for. In addition, like other hiking gear, the survival gear you are carrying should be reliable and easy to use.
