Don’t become one with nature – you are biodegradable

David Arama | Jul 05, 2012

By David Arama, Outdoors Survival Writer, Director WSC Survival School Inc./Marble Lake Lodge

Photo:  Matt Robins and Andy Chima training for wilderness survival.

During the week of June 10-15, I had the task of training Matt Robins and Andy Chima (outdoor enthusiasts from Michigan) in advanced wilderness survival. After an in-depth training workshop, we dropped them into a remote, secluded crown lands backcountry site with just a flint, tin can, and a knife! For five days and nights, they endured storms, relentless bugs, and a growling bear. As a backup precaution, we had emergency gear at their site at all times, and a cache of camping gear if needed, though none was used during their ordeal. Every year in Ontario, there are hundreds of reported "lost person occurrences", some ending up as fatalities. I asked Matt and Andy to comment on their experience, and what it would be like for a lost outdoors novice who while hunting, fishing, hiking or atving becomes lost.  Their replies were simply put, "Without essential survival gear, an unprepared lost person wouldn't last more than a few days"...."storms, bugs, dehydration, panic", "our week-long ordeal was extremely challenging, at times almost impossible!". They also noted that their survival simulation taught them real-life lessons, such as prioritizing goals and plans, and appreciating the important things of everyday life.

Matt and Andy gave some suggestions to all outdoor enthusiasts, including being dressed for the outdoors (function versus fashion), and always carrying a survival kit with a compass, map, knife, flint, tin can for boiling, flashlight, signal flares, small tarp, high-energy food rations, and a means of communicating for rescue, e.g. SPOT locator, cell or satellite phone etc.

Remember, don't become one with nature, you are biodegradable. Be prepared, and enjoy the great outdoors in the scenic Land O’Lakes.

"Survivorman Les Stroud" (OLN- TV) will be appearing at the Lodge (July TBA) and Ian McBain from "Survive This YTV" July 15 - 30.