Survivor geek: Expert gives wilderness survival tips

The No. 1 tool for surviving in the wilderness is a sharp mind.

That was one of the tips from Doug Luehr at Saturday’s Preparedness Fair.

“The more knowledge you have, the less stuff you need,” the Kalispell resident said.

“Food is your lowest priority,” he said, noting a pound of fat in the human body has 3,600 calories.

For those faced with surviving in the wilderness, Luehr advises staying calm, thinking and creating a plan.

Once the plan is put into action, celebrate your successes, he said. He encourages people “be a rescuer, not a victim.” Helping others is a good way to have a positive frame of mind.

“Having something else to live for is a huge motivating function,” he said, noting one can think of loved ones miles away.

The No. 2 priority is signaling. Creating a fire is extremely helpful, although not essential. Tri-tone whistles and signal mirrors also are good.

Attending any major medical issues is third on the priority list.

Luehr recommends packing QuikClot, a hemostat that stops bleeding. Band aids are practically useless, he said. Gauze and tape are better.

Having Benadryl on hand is good for allergic reactions. “Chewing on willow leaves is the equivalent of aspirin,” he said. “Learn about plants specific to the area where you will be.”

Silver Soft is a good antimicrobial. Tweezers or a "tick key" is good for tick removal.

Shelter is the fourth priority.

“We’ve had people die from hypothermia in the summer,” he said. This can happen if one gets wet and the temperature falls below 50 degrees.

Dress appropriately. “Cotton will kill you,” he said. This is because it soaks up water. “Synthetics are fantastic!” They help one stay warm and dry.

Space blankets can serve as a good ground cloth, but an Escape Bivvy is better and costs only $40.

One can pile up leaves and branches two or three feet in thickness to make a shelter or as a cushion from the ground. It’s important to have something underneath you to sleep on. This provides protection from moisture.

One can dig a pit, build a fire, cover it with dirt, and sleep on top. People have survived for three days in a blizzard this way, he said.

Luehr provided examples for fire building. Storm-proof matches are good, but cost 25 cents each. Cotton balls rolled in Vaseline is cheaper, and of course, regular matches will do.

The fifth priority is water. One can put water into a glass or plastic bottle and put it in the sun. This will purify it, but the water needs to be in a clear glass or plastic container that is placed on a dark surface in bright sun. The required number of hours depends on the situation. “Leave it out the whole day to be safe,” he said.

The sixth priority is food. He recommends Life Caps, a vitamin powder one can add to water. This helps one utilize stored fat for energy.

Bugs such as grasshoppers and crickets are a good source of protein, he said. Remove their heads, legs and wings and boil or roast them to avoid parasites. One can also eat the inner bark of trees.

Luehr packs a bag that weighs less than 10 pounds when he goes into the wilderness. “Do you have a survivor kit or a security blanket?” he asked. “There’s too much junk out there that people rely on to their detriment.”  

For more information, go online at survivorgeek.com.