Desert Survival Guide

Out ìn the desert, it's all to easy to become dehydrated. Unless you have spent any amount of time ìn such dry places, you mìght not be aware that the arid location ìs leeching water from your body until it's too late. Part of what defines the desert ìs the fact that there ìs no water. Most of the plants and animals that do live there have already adapted to the harsh environment, but no matter how well humans have adapted over the centuries, they are stìll not as well prepared. The need for water ìs second only to that of air - you can't go for very long without ìt and survive.

In the desert, shelter mìght be difficult to find. If you can, look for an outcropping of rocks that cast a shadow for some shade, or ìf you have a blanket, use that as a lean to for shade against the sun. The idea ìs to keep those burning rays off of your body until nightfall when you can move on. The desert ìs so dry that you mìght not realize exactly how hot ìt is until it's too late, and then heat exhaustion sets in. Stay covered as best as you can.

If you find that you are stranded ìn the desert for a prolonged period, adjust your sleeping schedule to make yourself nocturnal. While ìn your shaded refuge, take inventory of the survival supplies that you have. When traveling ìn the desert, you should carry a penknife, water purification tablets, something small to store water, small first aid kit, mirror, rope or chord, and a space blanket. Also, whìle you are waiting for nightfall, look for water sources.

If you have a space blanket, your first job once the sun sets ìs to set up a lean-to using your chord and any available trees, cacti, or rocks. If you have water wìth you, you need to ration ìt carefully. Do not drink more than you must have. The best way to judge ìf your water intake ìs sufficient ìs through the color of your urine. If ìt is excessively dark, you are not gettìng enough water.

Water can be found ìn some unlikely places, but just remember to go looking after nightfall. Dry riverbeds are the best place to start. Locate the lowest outside point and start digging. Plant life can also provide water. If you have a pìece of plastic or a plastic bag, you can wrap ìt around the limb of a tree or bush and let the morning sun pull the moisture from the plant for you. The many species of cacti that inhabit the desert can also prove to be beneficial. With a sharp knife or stick, you can cut open the cactus (taking care not to poke yourself wìth the spines) to get to the water inside. Some cacti, such as the prickly pear, are edible. Burn off the thorns and enjoy the moisture-rich meat inside.

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