What Would I Do If I Was Lost In The Jungle

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Tarzan is perhaps the most popular fictional figure that was lost in the jungle. Fortunately for him, he was raised by animals and managed to thrive in the jungle. In real life, you have the not-so-fortunate tales of William Charles Mildin, Yossi Ghinsberg , and Percy and Jack Fawcett.

Mildin was the 14th Earl of Streatham who, according to an article written by Thomas Llewellan in 1959, was lost in the jungle for 15 years. Lord Mildin ran away from home when he was only 11 years old. He found himself in Africa after the ship he was on was destroyed by a violent storm.

Mildin ended up living with apes in the jungle until he left to be with a tribe of natives. Five wives, four children, and a number of years later, Mildin made his way back to Britain. Some believe that he is the inspiration behind Tarzan, though this was never confirmed.

Ghinsberg was lost in the jungle with three other people. The group set for the Tuichi River in the Amazon for an adventure that would turn deadly as they were ill-prepared for the expedition. When their supplies ran out, the four decided to split into two groups.

Ghinsberg and photographer Kevin Gale boarded a DIY raft and sailed down the river to look for help. Unfortunately, they were separated when they encountered a waterfall. Gale was later discovered by local fishermen while Ghinsberg was rescued after being lost in the jungle for three weeks later. Their two other companions, Marcus Stamm and Karl Ruprechter, were never found. Ghinsberg’s story is the basis for the 2017 movie Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe.

The Fawcetts along with Raleigh Rimmell were not so fortunate. They disappeared in the jungles of Brazil in 1925 while looking for a lost city which Percy called “Z” or “Zed.” The trio was supposedly killed by one of the tribes living near their last known whereabouts.

The reason we mentioned these people is for you to understand that it is completely possible to get lost in the jungle but also possible to live to tell your tale. In fact, many such tales of getting lost in the jungle have been made into books and later, films. The question now is what you would do to survive being lost in the jungle.

 

S-T-O-P and Stay Calm

Like with any emergency situation, you need to keep your bearing. The moment you panic, you decrease your chances of surviving. Keep calm, survey your situation, and figure out what you can do to survive. Remember to S-T-O-P or Stop, Think, Observe and Plan.

 

Stop

5-In-1 Survival Whistle

Once you realize you’re lost in the jungle, stop and stay calm. If you’re with a group and believe they are not far from you, shout or use your emergency whistle. While it is quite difficult to discern where the sound is becoming from, the noise will at least alert people that someone is in trouble.

 

Think

If you’re lost in the jungle alone or far from the rest of the group, you need to think clearly. Try to remember anything you can from the time before you realized you’re lost. Retrace your steps and recall landmarks, the direction you came from or where the sun was, or anything that might help.

Ideally, you should have researched about the place before going on your hike. This should give you an idea where nearby villages or bodies of water are. Try to figure out how to get to them from where you are.

 

Observe

Observe your surroundings. Look for human or animal prints on the ground. Check for other signs of traffic such as broken branches and trampled grass. If you find a trail, this may lead you back to where you came from or to a village.

You must keep your guards up however, in case you’re following a trail made by drug cartels. Not trying to scare you here but these things have actually happened.

 

Plan

Plan your next moves based on what you know so far. You need to decide which trail you’re taking if you discover more than one. If you can’t figure out where you’ve been, choose a direction and stick to it.

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Side Spiral Notebook

Leave a note containing vital information on the note including your name, the direction you’re taking and the time. The rescuers will have an idea where to find you in case they chance upon your note.

You also need to think about survival. Most people who get lost in the jungle don’t make it back or get rescued immediately. It may take days and weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBRmyCDHDHU

Plan out how you will get through this. Check your gear and supplies. Figure out how long you will last and what you can do with what you have.

 

Staying Put

When you’re lost in the jungle, one option is to stay put and wait to be rescued. Ideally, you should have told someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back, especially if you’re on a solo hike. If you get lost in the jungle and reported missing, rescuers will know where to start looking.

Watertight First Aid Kit 1.0

You should also stay where you are if you’re hurt. If you’ve been travelling and near exhaustion, it’s time to stop, stay put, and get some rest. Conserve what’s left of your energy to look for food and water, build a makeshift shelter, and to do what you can to be spotted from afar.

During his ordeal, Ghinsberg learned that, “survival is about efficiency because energy is scarce.” He also realized that he was “stronger, smarter and more able than (he) believed (him)self to be.” A good thing to remember if ever you get lost in the jungle yourself.

 

Finding Your Way to Safety

Travel During the Day

If you decide to find your way to safety, do so during the day. It’s safer if you see everything including a map if you were smart enough to bring one.

You have to deal with the sun, though. Walk under the trees but be weary of open areas in case a helicopter or rescue plane passes by.

Emergency Survival Blanket By Survival Frog

Wear your hat, long-sleeved shirt, and sunglasses if it gets too hot. If it gets cold or rain starts to pour, bring out your jacket, poncho, tarp, or emergency blanket. You should have all these if you’re going on a hike or riding a plane.

 

Find the North

It’s important to have positional awareness. Knowing where the north is will be vital to eventually finding your way to safety.

Use your compass to guide you. If you forgot to bring one, make your own compass. You can also determine where the sun rises and sets. This will tell you where the east and west respectively are.

Pathfinder Glo Pocket Compass

If you have to travel at night, use the North Star as your guide. It’s near the tip of the tail or handle of the Little Dipper. If you can’t see the star, skip the night travel and wait for the break of dawn when you can see a little better.

Before stopping to get some shuteye, make an arrow with some sticks pointing to the true north. This will help you with the directions come corning.

Here are other ways to find the true north without a compass courtesy of OffTheGridNews.

 

Walk in A Straight Line

From where you’re standing, look straight ahead to where you plan to go then look at what is exactly behind you. Focus on particular trees on both points then walk straight from tree A to tree B. Mark trees along your path using your knife.

 

Finding Resources When Your Lost in the Jungle

Water

Water is vital. Conserve your supply and find other sources such as rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Use a personal water filter or purification tablets to make the eater safe to drink. You can also strain then boil the water.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

If it rains, use any container you have to collect water. You can also catch rainwater with a tarp or poncho. Collect dew in the morning using a piece of absorbent cloth. Dew water is potable but you can filter or boil just to be sure.

Check out this guide from Art of Manliness on other ways to find water in the wild.

 

Food

You don’t have to worry that much about dying of hunger if you have a steady source of drinking water. However, it would still be better if you get to eat something while waiting to be rescued. You still need the energy that food provides in order to survive.

Wise Company 120 Serving Fruit Buckets

Foraging is a skill that will help you survive being lost in the jungle. Know which fruits, plants and mushrooms are safe to eat. Fishing is another important survival skill. There are different ways to catch fish in the woods. Check out some of the techniques here.

One common method is to make a spear out of a branch and your knife. Secure your knife to the end of a pole or straight branch with your paracord then use it as a spear to catch fish. If you find bamboo, you can turn it into a 4-pronged spear, which is better for catching your next meal.

100′ Black 550 Lb 7 Stands Paracord Bundle

Another popular technique is to catch fish with a makeshift net made of paracord. You can also paracord to make a line for your DIY fishing rod. Other ways to find food when you’re lost in the jungle include hunting and using traps.

 

Getting Rescued

Find An Open Area

As mentioned, one option is to stay put in one place and wait to be rescued. You need to find a clearing in the woods to better your chances to be spotted.

It’s also a good idea to go high. Climb up a hill or mountain and fins a place you can camp until you’re rescued. Of course, you can’t stay under the sun for too long. This will hasten dehydration and give you sunburn.

 

Build A Fire

Waterproof Outdoor Tough Tesla Lighter

A better option is to make a fire. The smoke will be visible from afar. At night, the glow of the fire can be seen for miles. Fire is also important in keeping you warm at night, boiling water, cooking animals you catch, and keeping other wild animals and critters away. Here’s how you start a fire without matches.

 

Catch Attention

Orange Help Flag

Hang a bright-colored piece of cloth on a branch and place it high on a tree or in a clearing. Use a mirror, Mylar blanket or anything that reflects to catch the attention of a passing plane. If you managed to salvage a flare from the wreckage of a plane or boat, you should use it wisely. Wait for the right time before suing the flare. Make sure it will be spotted by rescuers.

 

 

How to Hunt and Forage For Food and Not to Go Hungry in the Wild – Photo by nito/Bigstock

If you have suggestions on how to survive being lost in the jungle, please share away. Go to The Gentlemen Pirate, as well, to see more posts on survival.

What Would I Do If I Was Stranded On An Island – Photo by grandfailure/Bigstock

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Gentleman Pirate Club aims to share valuable knowledge and tips on how you can prepare and survive emergencies and other dire situations. We think of different scenarios and show you the many ways you can survive them. We also believe in self-sufficiency as a way to prepare for whatever lies ahead. As our ship sails in these waters, we look for valuable treasures. When we spot one, we tell you where it is.

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