Friday, May 28, 2010

Survival Awareness - Changing Conditions

Below the Snow Line

Being aware of your surroundings is a priority in any type of survival situation. Realizing that conditions can sometimes change quickly and drastically will help you be prepared to face any challenges due to those changes. Whether you are hiking a mountain trail or traveling in a rural or urban area your environment change rapidly. These changes can be due to terrain, weather or the presence of others (people, wildlife, etc.).

Maintaining an awareness of changing conditions is largely a mental discipline. Make a mental note of the small changes in your environment and it will help you avoid a big surprise. Abrupt changes in any environmental conditions should be a signal that something could be wrong and you may suddenly find yourself in harm's way or in a situation you may not be prepared for properly.


At the Snow Line


A great example of this is mountain hiking. You can be below the snow line one minute and then suddenly find yourself knee deep in the white stuff. It's best to be prepared ahead of time and have an awareness of changing conditions. Your survival could depend upon it.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Also pays to keep an eye out for whats going on above you if you are on a mountain. A rain shower that is occurring up there can send a flash flood down your way - amazing what slope will do to funnel water downhill.

Same advice goes for desert arroyos - never camp in an empty watercourse, for fear that a flash flood would catch you unaware.

riverwalker said...

To: Anonymous 7:06

I was saving that tip for a different post and you beat me to it! LOL

Great tip! I'll try to expand on the topic in a later post.

Thanks anon!

RW

Anonymous said...

Ah sorry. You can delete the comment if you like, it won't hurt my feelings none. :^)

Have a good weekend.

Ken said...

...is one thing i'm trying to instill in my boy...slow down,be aware(he's 9 now...hard to do...lol)anyway,we walk for twenty yards or so,and kneel,whisper talk,and listen/look,being still makes some critters nervous and they'll move...i used this same method to teach him to 'count' the approach of a storm recently,he did good,we got back to the truck about two minutes before the rain...

riverwalker said...

To: anon 12:00

No problem! It was a great comment and I'll leave it. Will try to expand on the topic later and hopefully you'll have some additional insight then also.

Thanks anon!

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Ken

Consider yourself lucky if you can slow down a 9 year old...

You should also be worried about trying to keep up ...LOL

Sounds like they're a quick learner though, especially if you managed to beat the rain.

Thanks Ken!

RW

chinasyndrome said...

R.W. awareness is important in the mountains or city.If more folks were aware they might not get caught in bad situations.

China
III

riverwalker said...

To: chinasyndrome

Even when I travel in the "big city" it pays to be aware of your surroundings. Finding yourself in a "less than suitable" part of town can lead to big problems in a hurry.

Thanks CS for making a great point! Your input and insight is appreciated.

RW

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