How would you deal with this common situation BEFORE IT HAPPNES?

You are on Day 1 of a wonderful 3 day camping and hiking trek with a group of friends. Its evening and your group has set up a nice comfortable campsite. You’ve responsibly selected a toilet site away from that lovely bubbling spring nearby and away from your campsite… and because you’re about to have that well earned sleep, you go to use that toilet area. You don’t want everyone to know, so slip away from the group and head in the general direction of the toilet site with nothing but your shovel and some toilet paper… after all you’ll only be gone a few minutes, right?

Is this what would be going through YOUR mind?

“Ahh, that feels better, and I know I didn’t disturb anybody because I went far enough so I couldn’t hear their voices… Now back to that cozy sleeping bag… Wait, which way did I come? I think I turned this way to dig the hole back in…. Oh no, which way is the camp? How embarrassing, I’ll just walk this way…I’m sure it’s THIS way… isn’t it? I’m sure I passed this tree… or did I? I can’t shout out because then they’ll know I got lost going to the toilet… I’m sure it’s THIS way… maybe if I shout NOW they’ll hear me… Maybe they’ll come looking for me…I’m so cold, I wish I’d brought my jacket, I wish I’d brought my whistle…. But I was only going to be away A COUPLE OF MINUTES!!”

This is a much more common scenario than you would believe – and yes, it can even happen to YOU if you don’t think before leaving the group. There are three steps you can take to prevent this situation, and even if you do one or two you will be OK, but they have to be done before you leave the campsite.

1. Tell one or more people that you are heading to the agreed toilet area

2. ALWAYS take these items with you when you leave your group – yes – even during the day and even for a few minutes:-

• Shovel – to dig the hole
• Toilet Paper – well, you know what that’s for
• Torch – in case it gets dark before you get back
• Jacket – you could get very cold before you get back
• Whistle – it’s louder than your voice and can be more easily heard
• Compass – if you took a bearing before you left, you’ll be able to get back
• Hand Sanitizer - to maintain personal hygiene

3. Take a back-bearing. Before you focus on what you went there to do, turn around take a look around at the way you have just come. Familiarize yourself with the landmarks so that you will at least know the general direction back to your camp. Even if you are slightly lost, you will at least be heading towards your group and you can call to them to find your way back.

What other practical wilderness survival skills, tips and techniques could help smooth the way so that you can create some of the best experiences of your life in the wild places on this earth?

Click here to find many, many more – with specific information for couples, women and children.