How to Survive in the Desert: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Survive in the Desert: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Survive in the Desert: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Survive in the Desert: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Survive in the Desert: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
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Any desert can seem endless when you drive or walk across its sands. People are miles on end without a mere sign of life, only in the company of plants, dunes and heat. If, for example, your car breaks down and you get stuck there, learn to conserve water and survive until rescue arrives. As much as it seems a movie-worthy situation, it can still happen to tourists who venture into the great deserts, like the Atacama, in Chile.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Desert Emergencies

Survive in the Desert Step 1
Survive in the Desert Step 1

Step 1. Wear clothing that reduces sweat loss

Much of the body's water loss happens through perspiration. Cover as much of your skin as possible with loose, lightweight pieces to retain sweat, reducing evaporation. So, it's better to wear cotton shirts rather than something made of sports fabric or the like. On top of everything else, wear a light coat.

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and gloves.
  • Also bring woolen garments or something similar in case there are emergencies at night, when temperatures drop a lot.
  • Lighter colored clothes reflect more heat while darker garments protect the body from UV radiation (which can cause skin burns). If possible, buy white pieces that have an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) equal to or greater than 30.
Survive in the Desert Step 2
Survive in the Desert Step 2

Step 2. Bring plenty of water on the trip

Whenever you travel to a desert, carry with you more than you think you will need. On hot days, at 40 °C, the body loses about 900 ml of water in the form of sweat every hour. If you experience an emergency, liquid can mean the difference between life and death.

  • Separate water in multiple containers to reduce the chances of loss (in case of accidents and leaks).
  • Store excess water in a cool place in the vehicle, away from direct sunlight.
Survive in the Desert Step 3
Survive in the Desert Step 3

Step 3. Bring foods that are small, light and nutritious

Energy bars, cereals, dried meat etc. are good choices. Research the ideal products, try them out in advance and get ready. When vehicles break down in the middle of the desert, all the moving work is transferred to the legs - which need to be strong and carry only the essentials.

  • Include some foods that contain salt and potassium, which are lost in sweat, to retain more water and prevent heat exhaustion. However, be aware: if you become dehydrated, too much salt can make your condition worse.
  • Food is not a priority in desert emergencies. If you don't have water available, eat as little as possible to stay active.
Survive in the Desert Step 4
Survive in the Desert Step 4

Step 4. Take survival gear

Read the following list of essentials:

  • Resistant blankets for emergencies.
  • Ropes.
  • Water purification tablets or tablets.
  • First aid kit.
  • Flint (or other flame-producing equipment).
  • Powerful flashlight - preferably LED.
  • Knife.
  • Compass.
  • Signal mirror.
  • Goggles, dust mask or bandana (for possible sand storms).

Part 2 of 3: Survival Tactics

Survive in the Desert Step 5
Survive in the Desert Step 5

Step 1. Acquire nighttime habits

In a desert survival situation, don't walk the sand dunes during the day. Opt for the night, when the air is cooler and milder, so you can travel longer distances. Plus, you'll be faster and free from the risk of heat exhaustion. In hot climates, this simple decision can reduce your water consumption by up to three liters a day.

Survive in the Desert Step 6
Survive in the Desert Step 6

Step 2. Take cover during the day

If you can't take shelter in the shade of a car, use your ropes to hang an emergency blanket between two objects for the hottest hours. Then place another blanket over the first one (which, in turn, can be a thin layer of polyester fabric). The gap between both pieces will insulate the shelter, making it cooler.

  • Build this shelter overnight. If you do this during the day, it will end up retaining heat in the place.
  • If you prefer, take shelter under large rocks or in caves - but be careful as another animal may be using the place.
Survive in the Desert Step 7
Survive in the Desert Step 7

Step 3. Submit help request signals

Building a fire is a great strategy as it creates and spreads smoke during the day and light at night. If you're on the move, use a flare mirror to reflect light onto planes, helicopters, or cars passing in the distance.

If you plan to stay in the same spot until rescue arrives, use rocks or other objects to write "O. O. S." (or something similar) on the floor. Thus, planes, helicopters and other aircraft that pass by the location will identify you

Survive in the Desert Step 8
Survive in the Desert Step 8

Step 4. Decide if it's better to stay in the same place

If you have reserve water and someone is aware of your situation, it might be better to stand still and wait for rescue. Otherwise, you'll tire in less time, and your body will eliminate more water - if you can't find another source. That said, if you're low on liquid, you'll need to get more (after all, it's impossible to survive more than two days in the desert without the resource).

Survive in the Desert Step 9
Survive in the Desert Step 9

Step 5. Find some water source.

If it's been raining in the desert for a while, you may be able to find puddles on outcrops or rock surfaces. Furthermore, you may have to explore areas where there are groundwater:

  • Follow the tracks of animals that are going downhill, birds that are circling in a certain location, or even flying insects.
  • Try to find vegetation, especially if these plants are large and have broad leaves.
  • Follow dry canyons or laugh reader and try to find dips, especially at the edges of these places.
  • Try to find a slope of hard, non-porous rock where rainwater can seep into the surface. Dig the sand or soil at the base of this location.
  • In developed areas, try to find houses, buildings or other constructions. When the sun is low, its light will be reflected off distant objects and structures that collect water.
Survive in the Desert Step 10
Survive in the Desert Step 10

Step 6. Dig the soil for water

Once you find one of the areas listed above, drill a hole about a foot deep. If you notice the presence of moisture, increase its diameter in the same proportion and wait a few hours for this structure to fill with water.

If possible, purify any water you find. If you have no other choice, take it as you found it. Even if you get sick, symptoms will only appear after a few days - and dehydration acts in much less time

Survive in the Desert Step 11
Survive in the Desert Step 11

Step 7. Fetch water from other locations

In addition to groundwater, you can try to find spots where plant sap accumulates before dawn, as well as in hollow tree trunks. Collect the liquid with an absorbent tissue and then squeeze it into the mouth of the container.

Rocks that are partially buried in the sand will have a fresh base in the early morning. Turn them upside down so that the liquid condenses

Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the Perils of the Desert

Survive in the Desert Step 12
Survive in the Desert Step 12

Step 1. Watch for symptoms of dehydration

Many people are careless and thus make their journey difficult. Don't try to save the water you have, or you could lose your life. If you notice any of the symptoms below, drink more of the fluid:

  • Dark or strong-smelling urine.
  • Dry skin.
  • Dizziness.
  • Fainting.
Survive in the Desert Step 13
Survive in the Desert Step 13

Step 2. Rest if you suffer from heat exhaustion

If you get dizzy or nauseous or your skin feels cold and sticky, move to a shaded spot right away. Rest and do the following to recover:

  • Take off or loosen clothing.
  • Drink some sports drink or a little salt water (about 5 ml of salt for every liter of water).
  • Place wet garments on your skin to cool off from evaporation.
  • Attention: if you don't take care of yourself, you can even suffer heat stroke - which also causes muscle cramps, leaves the skin red and does not produce sweat and, over time, causes damage to the organs and leads to death.
Survive in the Desert Step 14
Survive in the Desert Step 14

Step 3. Stay away from dangerous animals

Many of the mammals and reptiles you encounter will flee, especially if they are alone. Follow the same tips below and get to know the environment well to avoid leaving any animal trapped. If possible, do research on the region's fauna before visiting it to find out how to react.

  • Do not put your hand in small places or under rocks without poking them with a stick first. Maybe there are scorpions, spiders or snakes there.
  • In places with killer bees, be even more careful and avoid the hives.
Survive in the Desert Step 15
Survive in the Desert Step 15

Step 4. Stay away from plants with thorns

As easy as it is to stay away from cacti, you may not be aware that some of them drop burrs on the ground to spread their seeds. Although this is not a priority, avoid places with these plants. At worst, you could cut yourself and get an infection.

Tips

  • If you don't find possible water sources, go to higher points of the land to see the environment better.
  • Being exposed to desert conditions for a long time can alleviate stress on the body and mind, but these effects won't last long if you leave the place - and you can't get used to drinking less water.

Notices

  • Many cacti are poisonous. You can eat the fruit, but don't try to open the thorny part to take the pulp - unless you know what you're doing.
  • Generally, first aid kits for snake bites do not work and can even be harmful. There are limited techniques for this type of situation.
  • River beds and the like do not usually retain water all the time. Don't think your tour map will do at these times.
  • Solar ovens (made from plastic sheets) are almost never effective in the desert. You may need days to retain enough water to compensate for sweat loss during digging.

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