For a safe trek, keep survival kits close

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail", Benjamin Franklin, the legendary author, scientist, innovator, writer, activist and political theorist once said. This is true in every aspect of our lives, but more particularly for trekkers, those in the armed forces and all those who love adventure.

A human being can survive for: three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, three weeks without food. But, in fear, you cannot survive even for three seconds. So, it is important not to fear and panic in any situation.

Survival in any condition is all about water, fire, shelter, food, first aid, signal and navigation. The order may change depending on the circumstances or your priorities.

However, one strategy that must be followed is often referred to as STOP: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan and Proceed. This should never be ignored.

In the last decade, trekking in India had gained popularity in India but in terms of safety and security, there are questions and often big questions.

The death of nearly a dozen trekkers in a forest fire in Kurangani Hills in Theni district of Tamil Nadu has exposed how vulnerable trekkers are.  

This is perhaps the first of its kind tragedy in India. There have been cases of accidents, snake bites, falls from cliffs, attacks by predators and so on, but as far as deaths due to forest fire vis-à-vis trekkers are concerned, this is the biggest.

Trekkers go to places that are not easy to reach and a simple, handy 'survival kit' could come to your rescue in different situations. Not many carry it, but you will miss it the day it is needed the most.

The drill during any forest fire is simple: leave the area and don't wait for things to develop or settle down, maintain situational awareness by looking at the geography around you, choose downhill roads and stay away from dry grass, shrubs.

Remember, don't try to save your gear and belongings; those are replaceable, your lives are not. If the flames are upon you, seek low ground and plan an escape. A black patch of burnt area could be the safest and signalling an aircraft from here using a small piece of mirror would be easy.

If there are trails that can be seen, stick to that and if not, follow the path that has the least resistance. Keep using your survival kit – keep whistling, keep flash the mirror in sunlight, if it is morning, and keep checking the compass. Also, beware of getting your feet caught in cavities that may leave you with a twisted/sprained ankle.

If one is trapped and has few items in his/her kit, things that can be of help in case of a fire are water bottle, energy bar, torch, dynamo flashlight and a bright orange help flag. Your best chance of getting help is during the aerial survey when the forest is scanned after the fire. Try every technique using all the resources you have to catch the attention of the pilot or the navigator.

When we go for camping or hiking expeditions, archaeology missions, astronomy sessions and so on or, for that matter, even a casual holiday, we tend not to carry some useful items. We often come across people going without a blade, penknife, matchbox or lighter, a simple towel or a basic wristwatch. This is ill-advised.  

A pen knife could be a game changer, so this is one thing that cannot and should not be ignored. At the very least, carry a safety pin or a compass – these small yet effective tools can save lives.  

Over the years, we have seen, heard or read of disasters - earthquakes, fires, landslides, accidents, floods - when tourists and adventurers have been caught in dire situations. While some end in tragedy, we have also seen the use of remarkable survival strategies - some stories including a penknife - that have saved many lives.

You may not need to carry a survival kit in your everyday, systematically organised lives. But the free and wild outdoors that we seek to explore are a different ball game, and the safer and more prepared we are, the more exhilarating and satisfying the adventure can be.