Survival Skills You Need to Know before Getting on Hiking

More and more people are becoming aware of the current state of the world. As a matter of fact, there seems to be a conscious effort to preserve its natural beauty. What better way to see and experience such wonderful sights firsthand than by hiking, right?Hiking is more than a way to appreciate the strength and splendour of nature. It is also a way to connect to connect with your spiritual side and allow you to get to know yourself better. Films like Wild, 127 Hours and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty help viewers get a glimpse of how hiking pushes us to our limits and how we cope with change.If you are itching to get on a new adventure, here are some survival skills you need to know before getting on the trails:

Packing Essential Gears

Hiking can take hours or even days of your time. Because of this, packing light is your best bet. This means stuffing your bag with the most essential gears. Aside from food, hikers also need to bring with their trusty boots, tent, sleeping bag, stove and fuel, plenty of water and water treatment supplies, emergency kit and weather-appropriate clothing.However, if you are simply going on the trail for a few hours, it might be enough to bring trail food, water and your emergency kit. This will lessen your load, allowing you to go on your walk for a longer period of time.

Having Navigation Skills

Getting lost in the forest ala The Blair Witch Project is something you definitely don’t want to experience. To prevent running off in different and unwanted directions, mastering navigation skills are a must. Whilst a good GPS device will certainly come in handy, this might not work in the deep recesses of the woods, especially when your mobile signal goes haywire. Since paper maps and compasses never fail, you will be thanking yourself later on when you’re in survival mode.

Using Knowledge of First Aid

Before jumping into your first hike, it’s great to have a solid grasp of first aid. This comes in handy when you are experiencing dehydration, some minor cuts and abrasions, snake bites, burns, rashes or a broken bone. If you don’t have any knowledge or background on this subject, enrolling in survival classes might help in your favour. Think: are there first aid courses near me? Who knows, you might make the difference between life and death.

Know Your Limits

Lastly, each and every one who tackles such intimidating terrains is advised to know their limits. Whilst you may be tempted to run off and show your newfound confidence, taking a step back and learning from your more experienced companions is a must. So, when you’re travelling and beginning your new hiking journey, don’t show off. Don’t push yourself to undertake the most advanced trail when you are just starting. Remember, even the most experienced professionals trained a lot to get where they are.Developing and mastering these survival skills will surely help you on your travels. Whether it’s an afternoon run or a camping weekend with your pals, you will feel empowered knowing you can contribute your services if anything goes wrong.