You are lost and the worst thing you can do is to continue walking and drain yourself. Access your condition. Ask yourself: What do I need to do today, right now, to survive? How long can the food you packed last? Prioritising and do the most important chores first can help save your life.
The looming nightfall and darkness is lost trekkers worst enemy. It’s also the time when 90% of wildlife come out to hunt and find food - that’s you, if you’re not careful. If nightfall is drawing near, looking out for a safe shelter to spend the night should be your priority.
Go with the flow
Chances are, you fair better getting lost in the rainforest than anywhere else. Our forest is mostly damp and most plants are soaked in dew in the mornings. Collect dew and rain water with large leafs. Small stream in the jungle is mostly pristine and is safe to drink. Also remember, the smallest tickle always strings itself to a bigger waterway. Go with the flow and you’d usually end up near a river – and human settlement.
Au naturel
Although it’s not easy to find natural resources dry enough to start a fire in the damp forest, some resins, like the keruing tree’s, and bark strips are good fire starters. Look out for natural shelters.
Mousedeer trap
Young Leonard Hendrik and Milos Johed who got lost in 2005 in Bau, Sarawak made a cave their home for two nights before being found. Note what wildlife eats in the forest; monkeys are the best indicators. If it’s edible to them, it is most probably to you too.
Draw attention
Break off branches at eye-level, 5 feet above the ground, along the path to help rescue team track you. One can also leave heaps of stones, piles of branches or leafs for the same purpose. A whistle never fails to draw attention and its piercing shrill can echo far.
When making a smoke signal, you get more smoke by adding leaves than wood to the bonfire. Understand that from the air you’ll be a tiny dot. Find an open spot where the plume can rise beyond the forest canopy.
Caveat - take care not to start a forest fire and jeopardize yourself.
Getting along with wildlife
Walking around the rainforest is not like walking through the carnivorous exhibit’s cage in the zoo wearing a sheep’s skin. Carnivorous animals like to mark their territory and leave plenty of clues.
Survival Kit – Comprehensive list of essential items
- Water purification tablets (iodine)
- Knife (sturdy fixed-blade knife with a 4” to 6” blade)
- Fire-starters
- Butane or similar lighter (in a waterproof container even if it's just a zip-top plastic bag)
- Metal match (magnesium fire stick)
- Waterproof matches (in waterproof container)
- Kindling (Vaseline coated cotton balls, pre-charred cotton material, natural materials)
- A smaller knife for more delicate work (folding multi-tool, but be selective. Most tools are useless for survival situation)
- A small fine-grade knife sharpener. I dull knife is dangerous.
There are plenty of small sharpeners.
- Snare wire
- Parachute cord (small-diameter nylon rope)
- Signaling mirror
- Compass
- Fish hooks and line
- Small LED flashlight
- Small alcohol wipe packets
- Tetracycline tablets for diarrhea or infection
- Immodium (diarrhea is extremely bad in the tropics as staying hydrated is your #1 priority)
- Antibiotic ointment packets or small tube (Neosporin or Bacitracin)
- Surgical blade
- Butterfly sutures
- Insect repellent packets (small rubs are better than lotion and can often be reused)
- Sleeping bags
- Needles and thread
- An epipen if you’re allergic to insect stings
- Life-sustaining personal medication
- Pen and notepad
When you should carry a survival kit?
Basically, anytime you venture off into the great outdoors, you should have the fundamental essential: fire-making tools, a knife, a few water purification tablets, and if you’re going to be around water, some fishing line, sinkers, hooks and line. If you’ve got room for a compass, take one.
Please click on the individual photos below for a bigger image
Scenes of Endau Rompin jungles
| HEALTH & FITNESS |
We recommend that would-be-adventurers take regular exercise a few weeks’ before the said activity.
If you suffer regularly from severe stomach, muscular, chest, heart or bronchial disorders, are a severe asthmatic or have high blood pressure, epileptic fits and pregnant, you are strongly advised AGAINST participating.
| SURVIVAL TIPS |
Here are some tips on what to do if you are in such a situation - lost in the jungle. To be lost simply means you are all alone and you cannot see or hear your friends anywhere. Your first reaction is do not panic.
Apply the S.T.O.P approach — Stop, Think, Observe and Plan.
STOP – Take a deep breath, sit down if possible, calm yourself and recognise that whatever has happened to get you here cannot be undone. You are now in a survival situation and that requires you to:
THINK – Your most important asset is your brain. Use it! Don’t panic! Move with deliberate care. Take no action, even a step forward, until you have thought it through.
OBSERVE – Take a look around you. Assess your situation and options. Take stock of your supplies, equipment and surroundings.
PLAN – Prioritize your immediate needs and develop a plan to systematically deal with the emergency. Make a plan and keep to it. Adjust your plan only as necessary to deal with changing circumstances.
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| GENERAL TREKKING TIPS |
When choosing a trail, be sure that you have enough time to complete the entire route before darkness falls. Do not stray off the path to chase after animals.
Use good judgment regarding the fitness level required for the trek and know your physical limits.
Always inform the park officials or let someone know of your plans and destination for the day, especially if going alone.
Take plenty of water and pack a few easy to eat snacks to keep energy level up. Unless trekking with a local guide, it is not advisable to eat jungle fruit or drink from rivers and streams.
In the highlands try to trek on the ridge tops to save energy traversing the steep slopes and catch a cool breeze.
Be as quiet as possible to avoid scaring any wildlife. Getting an early start during the dawn provides the best chance to sight animals seeking food and the warmth of the early morning sun.
Wear thin, loose, preferably cotton clothing to remain comfortable.
Cover arms and legs with long trousers and long - sleeved shirts to ward off mosquitoes and to provide protection against thorny plants.
Wear leech socks or long socks to prevent leeches from finding an entry way.
Choose sturdy footwear with proper ankle support and good traction.
Be prepared for sudden rain showers by carrying a poncho that wraps over both body and your carrying pack to keep everything dry.
A wide brimmed hat helps to shade a trekker from the heat of the tropical sun.
Endau Rompin Survival - Trekking in the jungle
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