Welcome to Survival AZ!

"Are you prepared enough to know what to do when you find yourself in a survival situation?"

Imagine being on a hunting trip and the day is coming to a close.  You decide that cutting across a small valley is faster than taking the trail back to camp.  As it gets darker, you realize you've made a wrong turn, and don't know where you last came from.  You are now in a survival situation, and have to prepare yourself for the night.

Situations such as these happen all the time.  How you've prepared yourself before being in a survival scenario will make all the difference on how you fare through the experience.  Having the right equipment will do little good if you don't know how to use it.  Knowing alternative uses of that equipment will make your situation all the more bearable, and could save your life.

Arizona has all seven major climate zones, with extremes ranging from it's hot deserts to icy high mountains.  Knowing how to survive in each of these areas is vital.  If you realize you are in a survival situation, just remember to

S T O P
Stop Think Observe Plan

STOP - Don't even think about going any further.  You will only frustrate yourself and waste valuable time.  Unless you are in a medical situation, take off your gear and take few minutes to relax.  Watch the birds, trees and clouds ... anything to help you to help lower the adrenaline rush you are on.  If you are troubled, it could take up to a half hour or more for you to collect yourself so you can think straight.

THINK - After you have regained your composure, try to figure out where you are.  Study your map, if you have one.  Look around at the land features and see if you can identify any of them.  This may help you figure out where you are at.  Think back and mentally retrace your steps.  Where do you think you went wrong?  What was the last point of reference you positively identified?  Are you able to retrace your steps back to that point?

Remember, do not rush to any judgments.  If you cannot determine your way out, plan forward, even if it means spending the night.

OBSERVE - Assess your situation.  First things first ... does anyone need any medical attention?  What is the weather like?  Are you able to see any natural shelters around you?  Take an accounting of all items on you, as well as other natural resources around you.  How can you make the things you have and and those around you fit your immediate needs?

If you find yourself in a hazardous situation, like a wildfire, electrical storm, avalanche, rockfall, etc., take immediate action and move away from the hazard.  If a sudden storm is upon you, take shelter.  Protect yourself in anyway you can from the storm, by either putting on any rain gear, setting up a tent, or finding a natural shelter that will help you stay dry.  If you are in the desert in a storm, do not stand in washes.  Flash flooding comes very sudden and without warning, even if the storm is off in the distance.

PLAN - You need a plan, or a course of action.  This is the time you create a SOP, or Standard Operating Procedure.  After figuring out all aspects of your situation, develop a plan that will use the least amount of your energy.  If you are absolutely sure you are lost, or nightfall has come, stay put.  You should only move to reach a safer or more sheltered location.  From there, wait until help arrives.  If you left a detailed trip plan with someone, your failure to return when you anticipated will trigger a search for you, which most likely is within 24 hours after being noticed you did not arrive on time.

Understanding these four simple rules will give you the edge you need to begin your survival preparations.  Just remember to keep your mind clear and not to panic.  All other things in life (i.e. work, school, skateboarding, etc.) must take the back seat when you are in your own crisis situation.  Securing your surroundings will give you the support you need to be able to overcome the situation you are in.