Prepare properly your hiking expedition
A hiking expedition, even a well-prepared one, can expose your group and yourself to numerous unpredictable risks. In a survival situation, these risks are increased. It is important to prepare appropriately and have a clear road map. If you are expecting rescue, it is preferable not to move. Certain circumstances may compel you to leave. That is some animals can attack your food reserves. Your camp may be threatened by natural hazard, like a flood or a forest fire. Before getting on the road, study carefully the land that you’re about to travel.
Evaluate your hiking field
Be prepared
Before any travel, try to get the most information you can about the land that you want to go through. Don’t have blind faith in the maps, especially regarding water supplying. A few little field trips with a lightweight equipment will allow you to prepare nicely for a bigger expedition.
Mountains
It may be tough to find shelter in stripped mountains. Falling of rocks, snow and ice are some frequent risks and the weather varies a lot. Some adapted gear and mountaineer skills will be necessary to face steep slopes without danger.
Temperate regions forests
In a forest, there is often a danger that dead trees come down on you. Dangerous animals, like wild boars are living in woodland areas. If we can easily find materials to get a shelter and food, moving through these are more difficult.
Deserts
In the desert, the key concern is water. With the lack of clouds to manage heat, temperatures rise very high during the day and brutally fall at night. If you need to get across a desert, travel only at night, from one watering place to another.
Rivers
Rivers are dangerous and you must get closer to them with caution. To get across a river, you may have to find fallen tree trunks. This way you’ll be able to make bridges with it. Or else you’ll have to find a ford. Rivers can sometimes be the hunting territory of dangerous animals like crocodiles.
Jungles
The heat and humidity of jungles are unpleasant and unhealthy for humans ; but insects and bacteria love it. Little cuts get infected, food goes bad and clothes are constantly getting wet by rain or sweat, if not both. Moves are particularly tedious in secondary jungle.
Savannah
Water is a factor important to take in account crossing vast grassy areas. It can be difficult to find a refuge there. Don’t forget that you can be threatened by some predators hunting big herds of herbivores grazing in these meadows.
Beach and Sea
You should never underestimate the sea ; it is always dangerous. In tidal areas, it is easier to walk on flat sand at low tide than to have to climb the dunes or climb the cliffs, but watch the sea regularly to check the direction of the tide. Some dangerous little animals can hide in the beach sand or in big sea water puddles.
Evaluate your hiking partners
A group of adventurers must choose its leader. He’ll have to evaluate capabilities of each individual before defining a travel plan. The strengths and weaknesses of each member must be carefully and confidentially studied by the group leader. His action plan will be determined according to the capabilities of the group as a whole. To lead a group is not an easy thing to do, especially when lives are threatened and if some individuals refuse to be ordered.
Strength in Unity
The more the group stays united, the bigger its chances of survival. The group’s integrity depends on its leader’s qualities.
Some advice when dealing with a group :
Mothers and children are relatively malleable but they need specific attention.
Injured members can delay others and expose them to dangers.
Some people may not be well equipped for walking.
Look out for the slightest hint of discouragement and involve every single individual in group activities.
Older people may be weaker but they also may be the most able group members.