Nature Preparedness and Survival: My Essential Guide

Always Be Prepared

Whether you are taking a leisurely afternoon hike or embarking on a multi-day backcountry adventure, it’s always wise to be prepared. I personally love the outdoors. Every chance I get, I’m on a hike, camping, or simply enjoying a quiet nature spot.

I also have taught nature preparedness classes for years. What I’ve found is that one of the biggest stumbling blocks people have about spending time in nature is a feeling of fear due to a lack of knowledge. In the past, this essential knowledge was passed down from generation to generation because it was necessary for survival while homesteading or living in remote locations far from civilization. With our new standard of living, we’ve lost this knowledge because it’s generally not needed in our day-to-day lives.

But I believe this has come at a great cost. We no longer feel comfortable in nature. And we are unsure of how to prepare for an excursion into the wild. Nature is unpredictable, which is why so many feel intimidated venturing into the wilderness.

However, spending time in nature is absolutely essential for our wellbeing. As I wrote in “Why We Need Nature This Winter” and “The Transformative Power of Wild Places and Connection—My Journey“, if we don’t connect with the natural world regularly, we can experience a decline in physical and mental health over the long-term.

The Foundation of Wilderness Preparedness

This is why I believe it is crucial to learn nature skills and pass them along to our children. Even with well-seasoned hikers and backpackers there is always something new to master. For most, knowing how to manage the basics in a wilderness situation includes: fire, shelter, water, food, first aid, and signaling. Learning about plant, insect, animal, and weather hazards is also important, as is a knowledge of both modern and natural field medicine. Choosing proper gear is another area that can be overwhelming for some.

To address this need, my co-author Shawn Clay and I have written “A Reference Guide to Surviving Nature: Outdoor Preparation and Remedies“. It’s designed to fit in your pack and covers the essentials of wilderness preparedness, including:

• Emergency Kits: How to choose the right gear and use it correctly
• Poisonous Plants: Identification and treatment (with color photographs for clarity)
• Insects, Spiders, and Ticks: Color photographs for identification and first aid information if bitten
• Critters that Walk, Stalk, and Slither: Best practices as well as color photographs for ID
• Wicked Weather: From Frostbite to Hypothermia: Avoidance and how to treat
• Basic Wilderness First Aid
• How to Plan a Fun and Safe Outing
• Pocket Emergency Field Kit with Checklist
• Appendix and Resource Guide: Identifying and using medicinal plants, recipes, notes, and much more!

Safe and Inspired Adventures

In short, A Reference Guide to Surviving Nature: Outdoor Preparation and Remedies is a must- have for your next excursion into nature, and a perfect gift for anyone (including kids!) new to the outdoors. I sincerely hope the information in this book will inspire you and your family to spend more time in wild places and help to foster a true appreciation for the great outdoors.

Wishing you many happy adventures!

Nicole Apelian