Desert Survival

Desert survival skills are really about knowledge, planning, and timing. You need not be some rugged mountaineer with adventure stories to safely enjoy the desert. But you should go out there prepared, and... you should go. The deserts are often very beautiful, especially after the first spring rains. The U.S. has roughly 300,000 square miles of desert - plenty of places to visit.

Communication
Anytime you head out to the desert inform your friends or family and let them know where you will be and for how long. When you return home you should let them know. By doing this consistently, you build up a pattern and they will know when to alert authorities.

Auto Safety
Desert survival is also easier in groups. Not only should you go out with others, it is best if you have multiple vehicles. A lot of desert emergencies are caused by cars breaking down. So having 2 or more vehicles in your group greatly reduces the likelihood of being stranded.

Also, in regard to your vehicle, be sure it is well maintained and is in good shape. It's a great idea to take extra radiator coolant, distilled water, tool kit and a spare tire. Pantyhoses can actually come in handy as a makeshift fan belt.

If your car does break down, it is best to stay put and let search and rescue find you. If there are good reasons to leave carefully weigh out your options before taking off. If you are very close to help, that's one good reason, but you should be able to see your destination. If you are in the middle of nowhere, and no one knows you're out there, you may consider walking.

Never forget your first aid kit or desert survival kit. If you're hiking you can still take a mini-survival kit with you.

Try to do most of your walking in the early morning or late afternoon. Night walking is alright, but obviously more dangerous. As you walk take a 10 minute break every hour. If you feel tired or are not used to physical activity rest for 30 minutes every hour.

Walk at a comfortable pace and do not build up a sweat. Sweating will lead to dehydration. It can also lead to heat exhaustion or hypothermia.

Water
The heart of desert survival is water. Drink at least a gallon a day. If it's super hot you may need more. Don't try to ration yourself on less than a gallon a day. Dehydration will lead you to poor decisions and ultimately death. Use the water you have and look for other sources.

Morning dew is one source. Collect dew off of grass and other plants. Just before sunrise turn stones over. Their underside will be cooler and attract dew.

Look for birds that may be flying to water. Check the ground for animal tracks. A well-worn path most likely leads to water.

Do not drink alcohol, coffee, tea or soda pop. These drinks will only facilitate dehydration. Don't smoke either.

Desert Food
Most desert plants are not edible. However, cactus plants can be eaten and may be juicy. Carefully remove the needles and put some of the pith in your mouth. Drink out the juice, but don't eat the pith.

Avoid eating food unless you have plenty of water. Digestion requires more water and you can last several weeks without any food. The issue in desert survival is how much water you have not how much food.

If you have the water supply you are best off eating emergency food that you brought rather than trying to eat off the land. The energy spent trying to catch or find food may be too much.

Clothing
Desert survival clothing is light-colored, loose-fitting, and covers the body. Lighter colors do not absorb heat as much as dark colors. Loose-fitting clothes allow air to cool you down. Wear a full-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face and neck. Long sleeves and pants also protect your skin and actually keep you cooler than t-shirts and shorts.

One very important thing to remember is that the desert can become very cold at night. Take warm clothes, a jacket, and beanie as well.

Light-weight boots that breathe are highly desirable. Sneakers may be more comfortable but they lack the necessary ankle support. If your feet are beginning to swell do not remove your boots; you may be unable to get them back on.

Sunglasses with UV protection should also be on your desert survival checklist. Not only do they protect your eyes, but they will actually help you to see better during the day.

Desert Survival Shelter
If you're camping a regular tent will work just fine. Deserts can be pretty windy especially as night falls, so it's a good idea to use a tent rather than sleeping under the stars. Tents will also help protect against scorpions and spiders from entering your sleeping bag or crawling in your boots.

Take a tarp with you as well. Tents can be too warm during the day, but a tarp will still keep the sun off of you. Rest under the tarp by sitting on a chair or something else, but not on the hot desert floor.

If you weren't planning to spend the night and got stranded use whatever you can to create shade. The car will probably be too warm to sit in but may work if you leave the doors wide open. Trees may be too sparse to sit under, but if you gather branches together you can create a canopy or even a full-blown shelter.

Fires and Signals
Yes, you should actually build a fire. As mentioned above it can get pretty cold in the desert. Part of the trick of desert survival is handling the changes from extreme heat to chilly nights with windy conditions resulting.

If you have to gather water you can also boil it making it safe to drink. And you could cook your dinner, but these are less likely scenarios.

The other real big purpose for a fire is as a signal. Ideally keep your fire fairly small, but pile up the wood nearby. If you hear or see search and rescue then heap on the wood and get the fire burning bright. During the day you may even consider burning a car tire. It will stink, but the dark smoke will make you more visible.

Other signaling devices to have with you are the standard whistle and signaling mirror. Remember that 3 blasts of the whistle is a distress call. Use the signaling mirror to refocus sunlight towards a search team. If you see a dust cloud on the horizon it could be a vehicle so use the mirror.

Creating large words or letters with rocks or brush may help aerial search teams find you. SOS is the standard distress signal. But even an I (injured), X (stranded), or F (need food and water) can be used.

Final Reminders and Tips on Desert Survival
Drink water - a gallon a day.

Stay in the shade.

Watch out for snakes, scorpions, bees, spiders, and other desert creatures.

Monitor yourself and others for sunburn, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cramps, shivers, and hypothermia. Any of these can lead a fatal end. Check our Extreme Temperatures page for more information.

Don't let the desert scare you. It can be a wonderful time with beautiful scenery.

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