Hunter Education Course

Chapter 11: Survival

Hunters don't intentionally head into the woods to get lost. But every year, we hear on the news of a search party of local law enforcement officers and volunteers who have to scour the woods in search of a lost hunter. It's an all-too-common occurrence. And it can be prevented. Hunting is a safe activity, and by following some simple guidelines outlined in this chapter, you can reduce the chance of getting lost in the great outdoors. And if that does happen, the information in this chapter might also save your life.

When a person gets lost, a change takes place both mentally and physically. Mentally, the first feeling is panic, then fear. Fear is not a bad thing and can motivate a person. But sometimes the hunter wanders around the woods in circles, getting frustrated at the thought of being in the woods overnight. Physically, the changes that take place include increased heart rate and faster breathing. A hunter can get confused easily. And that's why the best thing to do is to stop, sit down and think about the situation.

When you're lost, what matters is not that you have the latest gadgets and gizmos - the most powerful tool you have is your brain. Having a positive mental attitude will save your life!

Preventive Survival

1. Build a Pack

Putting together a pack with items is an excellent way to prepare for a hunting trip. It should include all of the following items:

2. Make a Plan

Making a plan is simple. Write down the location where you will be hunting, the names of your hunting partners, contact numbers, what route you will be taking and when you expect to return. Leave this plan with a family member or friend and keep a copy in your vehicle. Knowing the weather conditions for the hunt, the terrain of the land and the type of game being hunted are all factors that will you help you prepare for the hunt. This preparation occurs long before the firearms are packed into the hunting vehicle.

3. Be in Good Physical Shape

Hunting on a friend's farm is quite different than heading out to the mountains for a week-long hunt. Physical conditioning is very important. Outdoor experiences can require more physical exertion than a hunter gets in everyday life. Prepare for the hunt long before the season begins. Start by:

• Hiking similar terrains that you will be hunting in.
• Wearing your loaded fanny pack or day pack to get use to the weight.
• Wearing clothes and boots similar to what you wear while hunting.

4. Clothing

The clothing you wear when hunting depends on the weather conditions. Be sure to wear something that is suitable for the season in which you're hunting.

Extractive Survival

Sometimes hunters get lost despite their most careful precautions. But if they are adequately prepared, the misadventure will not last very long.

The first action the hunter must take is to stop and sit down.

The word STOP is an acronym used in survival. It means:

Stop and sit down. Keep a positive mental attitude.

Think about your surroundings. Could you find your way out, or are you going to spend the night?

Observe what is around you. Can you hear cars? Can you hear farm animals or farm machinery? Can you see radio towers or old logging roads? Can you smell smoke from a wood stove? Use your senses to find out where you are.

Plan what you do. The time of day and the weather will influence how the plan will be set in motion and what you will do first.

The Big Three of Survival

For hunters who get lost in the woods, the big three of survival are shelter, fire and signal. Water and food are important, but not as important as these top three needs. Let's review each right now.

Shelter

This will protect a hunter from the elements. Natural shelters can be rock overhangs or thick evergreen trees (e.g., cedar, pine, spruce or hemlock). A man-made shelter can be as simple as a garbage bag, poncho or space blanket, or more elaborate, such as a debris hut or a lean-to. Depending on the shelter you build, make sure it is clearly marked with blaze orange or a color not normally found in the woods. To mark a shelter you can, use blaze orange flagging tape, a blaze orange vest or some article of clothing that is brightly colored. Rescuers will see the color and check the site out.

Fire

In a survival situation, fire is your friend. You can use it to boil and purify water, to keep warm and calm, or to signal. To build a warming fire, collect some tinder, small wood and larger pieces of dry wood. Once you think you have collected enough wood, go back and collect some more. Place the tinder and small wood in a small pile and surround it with larger pieces in the shape of a teepee. Clear a three-foot-wide area around your fire for safety. Carry waterproof matches, a lighter, or a magnesium fire starter in your pack to always have a way of starting a fire. For signaling with fire, add green plant material to your flame - this will produce a lot of smoke.

Signal

All rescuers are trained to recognize that a distress call can be any series of three signals: three blasts of a plastic whistle, flashes with a reflective device (e.g., mirror or old CD), flashes from a flashlight, rocks hit together three times, or fires arranged in a circle, triangle or a line. A rescuer who hears or sees these signs will head to that location. When signaling, it is important to stay where you are. As rescuers get closer, they will respond with two blasts from a whistle or other signaling device. The sound of a whistle will carry farther than the sound of your voice.

Other Survival Needs

Water

Always carry water with you. If you are lost and in a survival situation, you need to find water within two to three days. But take note that most water today carries the risk of some type of contamination, either from rain or runoff from livestock or crop fields. That is why it's important to ensue the water you drink is purified first. Two major risks are the giardia and cryptosporidium parasites - ingesting either of these can make you very sick.

Water purification tablets are available, but some people are sensitive to the chemicals.

Small portable water purifiers work well and can be carried in a pack. This technology has become so advanced that the portable water purifier will remove 99.9% of waterborne contaminates.

Boiling water is the safest method of purifying water. Keep the water at a rolling boil for five minutes. Let it cool before you drink it, and then start boiling some more.

Food

Most individuals can go without food for two to three weeks. Packing some high-energy power bars or trail mix in your pack for emergency situations is a good idea. If you have harvested game, start a fire. You will eat well! But it is not a good idea to eat vegetation from the woods unless you can identify the plants as being safe for human consumption.

Orienteering using a Compass

With today's navigation technology such as handheld compasses and global positioning systems (GPS) getting lost is much harder than it used to be, but it still does happen. Don't wait until you're lost to use your compass or GPS. Before you head out for a hunt, take a bearing of where you plan to hunt, to help find your way back if necessary. If you are not familiar with a compass, we have provided an easy and simple explanation of the parts and how to use it. Let's look at the parts of this kind of compass:

Calculating a Bearing to an Object

Topographic Maps

Topographical maps give a bird's-eye view of the land. They show the following:

• A graphic representation of the earths surface.
• Land as seen from above.
• Detailed information concerning water, vegetation and man-made features of an area.
• Contour lines.

Contour Lines

Contour lines give a hunter important information about ground elevation, including how steep the ground is. Your read this information in order to travel safely when hunting in the woods. A contour line is a continuous line of the same elevation (or height) around the edge of a feature. For example, contour lines close together signify a steep slope. Contour lines farther apart, signify a gently rising slope.

Basic First Aid

The majority of hunters will, at one time or another, get scratched or cut from briars or fences, and may nick themselves while using a knife. Most of the time, these injuries are not life threatening and can be treated at the camp or in the field. For minor cuts and abrasions, a good first aid kit is an essential part of a hunter's equipment. A cell phone - when there is a good signal - is great for calling medical help if needed. These items that should be in a first aid kit:

• Two pairs of latex gloves(or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to latex).
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Cleansing agent or soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye-wash solution to flush the eyes or as a general decontaminant.
• Prescription medications you take every day (check expiration dates on medications)
• An elastic bandage.

Treating Minor Cuts and Abrasions

Follow these three steps when treating minor cuts and abrasions:

• Clean wound with soap and water.
• Apply antibacterial ointment.
• Apply a sterile dressing.

Medical Emergencies in the Field

Shock

Shock is a state of profound depression of the vital functions of the body. It can be caused by any serious injury. A person experiencing shock will be pale and have cool, clammy skin. Their pulse will be weak and rapid, and they may exhibit confused behavior, anxiety or excitedness. You can do any or all of the following to help the person in a state of shock, but most of all, seek medical help as quickly as possible.

• Check for all injuries and conditions.
• Have the person lie down.
• Maintain their body temperature.
• Elevate their feet.
• Seek medical help.

Snake Bites

Snakes are more active during warm weather. If you are bitten by a snake, the best thing to do is sit down and stay calm. Try to identify the snake - not all snakes are poisonous. Apply a cold pack to the bite if possible, and seek medical assistance immediately.

Bleeding Wounds

Apply direct pressure to a wound to stop it from bleeding. Place a sterile dressing over the cut and press on the dressing with the palm of your hand. If the wound continues to bleed, keep putting direct pressure on it. Elevating the location of the wound can also help stop the bleeding. If a tourniquet is required, avoid placing it below the knee or elbow because of possible damage to vessels and nerves which lie close to the skin.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself off. An individual who is experiencing heat exhaustion will exhibit an increased body temperature; faintness; rapid heartbeat; an ashen or grayish appearance; cold, clammy skin and nausea. You can do any or all of the following to help the person experiencing heat exhaustion, but most of all, seek medical help as quickly as possible.

• Move the person to a shady or air-conditioned location.
• Have the person lie down and elevate their feet slightly.
• Loosen or remove their clothing.
• Use a fan to help cool the person down.
• Seek medical help.

Stings and Insect Bites

If you are allergic to certain insect bites or stings, be sure to bring along whatever medicine you require. Talk to your doctor about allergic reactions that you have experienced. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help you with the discomfort.

For common stings and bites, relieve the discomfort by applying something cool, such as a wrapped cold pack, to affected area. This will also help reduce inflammation. Cold packs should be wrapped in a towel and placed directly on the affected area. If you are not feeling well, call for medical help as soon as possible.

It will also be beneficial to keep The Extractor Kit handy in case of stings or bites. The Extractor Kit must be applied within a short period of time for effectiveness, so follow directions on the kit.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than it creates it. Durring hunting, it occurs when a hunter is not dressed properly or does not dry off quickly after getting wet. The symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, slurred speech, slow rate of breathing, loss of coordination, and skin that is cold and pale. When this happens, immediate action must be taken. You can do any or all of the following to help the person get warm, but most of all, seek medical help as quickly as possible.

• Keep the person warm with a blanket or coat.
• Build a fire to keep the person warm.
• Give them warm liquids to drink.
• Remove their wet clothing.
• Seek medical help.

Be sure to carry a cellphone with you, and know the emergency numbers in the area where you will be hunting. Also, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to take a class in first aid and CPR. Contact your local health department and join a class.

THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!

Hunter Education Course