Jungle Survival

Perhaps you're going on an expedition and need some basic jungle survival skills. Or maybe you find yourself lost and separated from your group. Whether planned or not the jungle can be a scary and harsh place to be. A few tips may make it easier to survive both emotionally and physically.

There are different types of jungles so the conditions you face may be different as well. Generally they have tremendous plant and tree growth. This makes for lots of shade and often difficult walking terrain. They're teeming with insect and animal life. They're quiet during the day and noisy at night. Some are swampy; saltwater swamps are very dangerous.

Jungle Survival Water
You may think with all the rainfall, vegetation, and animal life that finding food and water is easy. For most people it's not, but if you know what to look for it's certainly achievable.

As you travel through the jungle, you will want to look ahead of you so that you keep moving in the same direction (it's easy to get lost). But do look down as well and try to locate game trails. The paths animals make will eventually lead to water.

Most water needs to be purified. You can use tablets/drops, boiling, and filtering, but take the time to be safe.

Many plants have water in them. Pitcher plants attract the insects they devour by holding water. Vines can be cut and drained of their water directly into your mouth; let the water drop out rather than putting your mouth to it. You can get water out of plants and roots by squeezing or smashing the pulp.

Some plants have water sitting on them. They may catch rain water or dew. You can tie a clear plastic bag around a branch and the leaves will evaporate their water onto the bag.

Some trees can be good sources. Cut a banana tree down leaving a stump. Dig out the contents and form a bowl. The roots will draw water into the bowl. The water may be bitter to start, but this is jungle survival and it's drinkable.

Never drink anything that looks milky (other than coconut which is a great source of water and food), smells or tastes foul. There are lots of poisons in the jungle.

Jungle Survival Food
The first rule is that if you don't know what it is don't eat it. A good jungle survival reference book or plant guide would be useful. Unfortunately there are many plants that will make you sick or even lead to death.

However, there should be plenty of fruits such as figs. This is the easiest food source other than any emergency food you may have brought. Don't eat too much as it can lead to diarrhea. It is more important to stay hydrated than well fed.

Nuts are another good source found in many jungles. Tubers such as yams may be available. Seeds too are often edible. The jungle has plenty of food as long as you know what's safe.

Animals may be another source of food, but it's best to conserve your energy and hunting expends a lot of energy. Fishing is a good way to get meat, and if you're knowledgeable some insects as well. If you want to catch larger prey, the best route is to build traps.

Jungle Survival Clothing
The main thing is to wear a hat, long sleeved shirts, pants, and boots. You want to keep your body covered up and protected from insects and other pests.

Ants, mosquitoes, lice, ticks, leeches, spiders, and bees are just some of the concerns in the jungle. What makes them dangerous is that some of them are poisonous and others carry disease. Typhus, malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases can be transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other insects.

Jungle Survival Tools
Aside from the survival kit and first aid kit that you should always have, there are a few items particularly helpful in jungle survival.

A machete is high on the list. It can be very difficult to travel through thick jungle areas. Use a machete sparingly to conserve energy but keep it handy.

A knife will be useful in cutting fruits and trees, killing or preparing animals, and making shelters. This is indispensable.

Mosquito netting can save your life. Again mosquitoes can transmit malaria.

A compass is especially important in jungle enviroments. Towering trees may prevent you from seeing the sun and visibility may be reduced to 100 feet or so. As a result it is easy to walk in circles. You need some way to keep moving in the same direction.

Jungle Survival Shelter
With the ample vegetation in jungles it is easy to find the materials you need. A simple teepee or lean-to made out of palm fronds is a great way to go. By alternating the way the palms lay you create a rain-proof roof. Use vines to tie them together or to a frame.

Bugs may be attracted to your fire, so keep it away from your shelter. Otherwise you may have too many unwanted guests.

As mentioned above the jungle can be very noisy at night. So afternoon naps are an ideal way to make sure you get the rest you need.

Getting Found in the Jungle
Unlike in many other landscapes, jungle survival may mean that you need to find your way to help, rather than waiting on search and rescue. The tree-top canopy prevents planes from spotting people. Clearings may be found if you can locate a river or lake, but even then you would be hard to spot.

Horizontal visibility is limited as well. And traversing a jungle is slow going.

So it may be in your best interest to get out your compass and set out in a particular direction. Check the compass often. Look ahead and spot a tree to head for.

This is of course dangerous especially if you are alone. However, staying put can lead to desperation as well. If you decide to move, take it slow as twisted ankles and knees are a common problem with the uneven jungle floors.

Take frequent breaks and remember to plan ahead. Don't wait until dusk to build a shelter and start a fire. As you travel look for food and sources of water. And as always, don't panic or give up.

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