The ABCs of Outdoor Survival

A few years back, a friend and I went for a ride in the Ozark mountains. We were on the tail end of a riding vacation, and we decided to spend our last afternoon in the Ozarks exploring the trails above the little cabin a group of us had rented.

It was mid-April, and the afternoon temperature was about 65 degrees. We left at 2 p.m., wearing just our riding gear. We planned a short ride, maybe two hours, so we didn't even bring water.

Well, the trails were unmarked two-track that ran through the mountains. We came across a man and woman picking out firewood with their kids and, presuming he was a local, asked him where the trails led. He said he had run 50 miles back in the woods and had not reached the end of the trail, so he truly didn't know. We were in big country, an area of hills and wilderness spanning as much as a hundred miles without towns or real roads. We rode the trails into that area for about 30 miles, passing dozens of forks and turnoffs. When a turnoff tempted us, we took it and explored. The country was beautiful and the riding a blast. By five o'clock, we were nearly out of gas and figured we'd better head back.

Our plan had been to simply follow our tracks home. The ground was moist, yet we could clearly see vehicle tracks in the leaf-covered dirt. However, there were so many turns that we became confused. Plus, it was getting dark and cold, and we weren't carrying matches, water, an extra shirt, food or even tools. It took us about 45 minutes to find familiar landmarks. We made it back to the cabin with only a few precious ounces of fuel remaining.

We were never in serious danger, but the 45 minutes during which we were not quite sure how to get out left a lasting impression on me. The thoughts of what might happen ran through my mind, and they were a bit frightening. If we had run out of gas, it would have taken us all day to walk out, so we would have had to spend the night. With no matches or warm clothes, it would have been a challenge getting a fire started and staying warm. No one knew we were up there, and the area sees very little traffic. Plus, we still were unsure of our surroundings. We could have conceivably been in those woods for two or three days.

The part that really bothered me was that had I brought only a book of matches and a compass, I would have been confident we could have spent the night if need be, and we could have used the compass to find our way out of the woods.

The key lesson here is that we participate in a sport in which emergencies can and do arise. ATVs allow us to fairly quickly travel into remote wilderness areas. If an accident or a breakdown leaves you stranded, you can quickly find yourself in a tight spot.With some preparation, you should be able to come through any situation just fine. If you pull a brilliant move such as our impromptu ride in Arkansas, a couple of mishaps or missteps can turn a casual outing into a couple days of serious trouble.

With ATVs, we have an advantage over most outdoorspeople in that there is room to carry gear. By packing a few things and taking simple precautions, you can buy some peace of mind and be prepared to handle most unexpected breakdowns or accidents or simply getting lost.

Here are some helpful guidelines:

1. Create a survival kit (see Making a Survival Kit), and pack it on your ATV.

2. Be prepared for cooler weather: Bring along some warm clothing. A fleece jacket and a windbreaker will suffice in warm climates. More is required for winter riding.

3. Bring water and snacks. A couple of energy bars and several bottles of water is typically plenty. This is a good practice anyway, as your body needs both when you are out on the trail.

4. Tell someone reliable where you are going. For long, several-day trips, your itinerary should be written down and include when you are leaving, where you are riding and when you will return. Also provide contact information (hotel, local establishment, friends you are staying with, favorite pub or whatever). On shorter trips, at least give a buddy a phone call and tell him where you are going and when he should expect you back.

5. Bring a map, or at least know which direction takes you to safety if you get into trouble.

If you do get into trouble, the most important thing to do is stay calm and think things through. People have survived incredibly difficult situations just by staying calm. If you panic, even a simple mishap can turn into a serious problem.

When things get tricky, use these tips:

1. As soon as you realize you are lost, take a few minutes to sit and think. What-ever the situation, you can usually find a simple way out of it with a little thought.

2. Take stock of what you have (amount of gas, food, water, matches, cell phone and the like).

3. If you are going to be spending a night in extreme weather, start by building a shelter, then build a fire and worry about water afterward. Food is necessary only after several days in the wilderness.

4. When prioritizing your needs, remember the rule of three: You can go three minutes without oxygen, three hours in extreme temperatures without shelter, three days without water and three weeks without food.