5 Simple Desert Survival Tips

One of the greatest things about the desert is that there are countless opportunities for things to do like going off-roading, camping, hiking adventures or just sleeping under the stars. There is nothing better than camping out with friends and family and going on off-roading ventures in the middle of nowhere away from all the busy city life. The desert can be one of the most fun places to explore, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. The desert is a tough scenery for any kind of survival scenario. You can be in deep trouble if you have an accident, your vehicle runs out of gas, breaks down, or you get lost in a place where there is nothing but desert plants, dry sand, and intense heat. Here are 5 tips on how you can survive in the desert.

Basic Items to Have:

Before you decide to head out to the desert, it is essential that you are equipped with everything that you will need while you are there. The desert has no facilities nearby so it will be difficult to go buy something you forgot back home. When planning your trip to the desert, make sure to have the following items with you at all times:

Appropriate Clothing: You might think that wearing shorts and a tank top is perfect for the desert because of the heat, but it is not. The ideal apparel would be clothing that covers as much skin as possible but is loose and lightweight. This type of clothing will protect you from the UV rays and still keep your body cool. Having a hat, sunglasses, and a bandana will also protect you from the sun. Also, make sure to take a jacket or blanket as the temps can get pretty chilly at night.
Water: Water is the main priority to have during an emergency so make sure you have plenty of it to prevent dehydration. The general rule of thumb is to drink one gallon per day, per person! Take some in a backpack and then store some more in your UTV storage or pack a proper hydration pack so you always have water readily available.
Snacks: With water, you also need food. We recommend you take snacks like energy bars, beef jerky, and trail mix. Food is not a priority in an emergency, but if you are out of
First Aid Kit: A first aid kit comes in handy in case of an injury. Whether it’s a scraped knee or a headache, you should be prepared for anything. Keep the first aid kit in your backpack for easy access in case of an emergency. Add a small bottle of sunscreen to your kit to protect you from the sun.
GPS/Map: It will be a big mistake if you go wander in the desert without a GPS to guide you. Having a paper map as a back-up is also a good idea in case you have no signal and the GPS won’t work.

Tip 1: Find Shade to Stay Cool

If you get stranded in the middle of the desert, the first thing you need to do is find or make a shaded area to avoid extreme heat and wind. If your vehicle broke down, we recommend you stay in it to keep away from the sun rays. Being in direct sunlight for a long period of time will dehydrate your body, therefore, making it harder for your body to conserve water. We recommend you stay put in a shaded area throughout the day and travel (if needed) during the cooler hours of the morning or evening.

Survival Tip: Keep cool by covering up! When you are in the desert, wear a lightweight long sleeve shirt and pants along with a hat and bandana to protect you from the sun.

Tip 2: Get to the Highest Point

Getting lost or stranded in the desert can be frightening because there is pretty much only desert plants and dry sand as far as the eye can see. Being on the ground level is difficult to see what is around you because everything looks the same. We recommend you hike up to the highest point of your location to see if there is a road nearby you can go to or even other people around that can help you. If you leave your vehicle behind to hike up to the highest point, make sure to leave a note for rescuers letting them know the exact route you plan to take.

Survival Tip: Make sure to have a GPS when exploring the desert to guide you in your journey. If the GPS is not working due to satellite issues, having a paper map will also help you figure out where you are and where to go.

Survival Tip 2: Make sure you tell someone where you plan to be ride or hike and stick to that route. That way someone is aware of your location and can go for help if they see you have not returned.

Tip 3: Conserve Water!

If you ever get lost in the desert, the most important thing to do is conserve the water in your body to stay alive. The extreme heat rays and wind coming down on you dehydrate your body making you very thirsty. The first way to conserve water is to keep away from the heat and in a shaded area. If you have water, do not drink it all at once because you do not know how long you will be stranded or lost. Instead, take small sips throughout the day to keep your body hydrated for a longer period of time.

Survival Tip: We recommend you only drink the water you have. If you come across water in the desert, use extreme caution before you start drinking it because it may not be drinkable. If the water is contaminated, you'll lose the water your body has stored the first time you vomit or have diarrhea.

Tip 4: Conserve Food

Although food is not a necessity for surviving being lost in the desert, it is important that you conserve it. The more food you eat, the thirstier you will get. The main survival tip is to conserve water so we do not want to waste all our water in one meal. Your body can survive much longer without food than it can without water, and the last thing you want to do is increase your thirst.

Survival Tip: Only eat enough food to keep you energized and to take the hunger pains away.

Tip 5: Stay Calm and Don’t Panic

Panic is one of the most dangerous parts of any survival situation and being lost or stranded in the middle of the desert can be extremely scary. It is necessary for you to remain calm and assess your situation before you start panicking. You cannot think straight when you panic and will make your situation worse. Remaining calm will allow you to focus on your situation and think of a possible solution to your problem.

Survival Tip: If you know where you are, you will be able to think of a way to get you back to safety. If you do not know where you are at, we recommend you stay put until you are rescued or have a better idea which direction to head to.

Be Safe and Stay Calm!
The desert can be one of the most fun places to explore and go off-roading, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Any wrong turn of events can have you stranded or lost in the middle of nowhere with no help around. It is important that you are prepared for any incident that occurs. Make sure to have plenty of water and with you at all times as it is the main source of survival in the desert. By staying calm, hydrated, and away from the sun, you will be able to have enough energy to find your way back to safety.

Related:
- Tips to Avoid Getting Your UTV Stuck in the Dunes
- Items to Always Have in the Dunes
- How to Get Your UTV Unstuck From the Sand Dunes
- What To Know Before You Go To The Dunes

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