5 Skills to Learn Before Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Planning a day hike? Maybe a week long backpacking trip? How about a picnic in the park? No matter where your next outdoor adventure will whisk you away to next, it’s important for us to be prepared.
There are so many wonderful outdoor experiences to be had, but there’s also a lot of unknowns. There are wild animal encounters, slippery rocks, unexpected bad weather, among others. Because of the unknowns, we should increase our chances of returning home safe and sound by learning a few key skills.
Here are 5 skills to learn before your next outdoor adventure:
1) Map and Compass
Do you know how to read a map and compass? They’re both essential skills. Have you ever been to a park with the intention of following a specific trail only to end up getting lost? No? That’s great! However, it’s completely possible and something we need to be aware of regardless if we’re following a trail and especially if we’re not. Keep a physical map of the local area in your pack and before you leave, map out the start and end points of your journey. Take your compass and place it flat on the map. Line up north on your compass with north on the map. Take a look at your start and end point based on where the compass aligns. If you’re going to be traveling west, notate that. This will at least give you a good idea as to the general direction you need to go in order to reach your end point and to return home in case you get lost. I would highly suggest taking an in-person class to learn about map and compass reading.
2) First Aid
Do you keep a first aid kit in your pack? That’s great! A first aid kit is essential. In addition to keeping a first aid kit, it’s highly recommended to know a few basic first aid skills. This would include things like, how to identify shock, how to treat a sprain and what to do in case of a snake bite. If you can find online or in-person first aid classes, they’ll provide a lot of hands on training. I would also highly recommend taking a ‘stop the bleed’ course, look for a course in your area, they’re usually free. There are also quick reference guides and books such as The Survival Medicine Handbook by Joseph Alton and Amy Alton.
3) Read The Weather
There are many places in this world in which it’s bright and sunny one minute and flooding the next. It’s extremely important for us to be aware of the changes in weather. For instance, if you’re hiking in a canyon and it starts to rain, there’s a high chance that will create a flash flood which is very dangerous. By noticing the signs of the change in weather, you can work to reach high ground before it starts to rain, or at least before it gets to the point where there is no escape. The best way to go about this would be to get a book on identifying weather, such as the Field Guide to the Weather by Ryan Henning. Then whenever you’re outside, practice your weather identifying abilities. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
4) Basic Survival Skills
Understand some basic survival skills such as how to make a fire, how to build a shelter, how to identify wild edibles and how to procure and purify water. These skills can be learned by reading books, watching YouTube videos and taking in-person classes. The best teacher is to continually practice. Make fires regularly at home or at your local park. Head out to your local park or forest and practice building a shelter with a tarp and with natural materials. On your hikes and walks, take a book on wild edibles and practice positively identifying wild edibles (if you cannot positively identify, do not consume). Look for water in your area and learn how to filter and purify that water through a commercial water filter, by boiling or other various methods. You may not need these skills regularly, but if you ever need them, you’ll know when and how to execute them properly because you took the time to practice.
5) Control Emotions
Learning to control your fears, anxiety and general emotions will be an important skill to have when faced with a challenge in the outdoors. This is especially important if you ever come across any wild animals. One of the easiest ways to control your emotions and focus your mind is practicing deep breathing. It sounds too easy, but it works wonders. Try this: Count to 5 and slowly take one deep breath in. Count to 5 and slowly release. Do this a few times. Practice this technique when you’re calm and practice it everyday. Stressed at work? Try the breathing technique. Did someone do something to upset you? Try the breathing technique. If you can take a few moments to control your emotions through breathing, your ability to make informed, rational decisions will be increased.
The great outdoors is a time for us to relax, unwind and get back to being one with nature. But there are also many unexpected variables that can arise. By being prepared with gear and skills, we’ll be able to tackle anything that comes our way.
Take classes. Read books. Stay safe. Have fun.
