Many of the world’s harshest environments are located in the desert, where water is scarce and the heat and cold can reach temperatures that would make many people steer clear. If you are thinking of camping or going off-grid in a desert area, you’ll want to read these tips first, because trust me, Rob Raskin, when I tell you it is not the place you want to be caught unprepared! I do live in Las Vegas, after all. These are just a starting point for your research, of course, and if you’re planning on braving the desert, the more research the better.
Travel by Night
If you are planning to cross the desert, it is highly advisable to stay in a shelter during the day, because it’s easy to overheat. Staying in even a minimalist shelter created from a Mylar sheet is better than nothing, as long as you build it at night so you don’t trap the heat inside. If you are lucky, you may find a cave or other rock structure you can take shelter in as well, just make sure you’re alone in there first and there aren’t any rattlesnakes or other dangerous animals already taking up residence. By only traveling at night, you will lower your risk of heat exhaustion and save your body three quarts of water per day, and you will be able to travel faster as well.
Don’t Forget Your Survival Kit
If your survival kit is well-planned, you will be able to fit everything you need for basic desert survival into a pack that is small enough for you to carry. Some basics you will want to make sure you have are a knife, plenty of water, a compass, and a Mylar sheet. Of course it is optimal to bring more than just this in a larger pack, but this is the kit you want to have on your person at all times, even if you are planning to travel a short distance and you are leaving larger items like tents in the car for the time being. FYI – it is recommended that each person in your group carry at least one liter of water per day per person at minimum. The smartest thing to do is to take as much as you can carry.
To learn more basic survival tips, check my blog again soon, because I’m always posting something new. This is Rob Raskin, and I hope to see you next time.
Want to learn more about desert survival? Check out these videos!
How to survive in the desert alone
How to eat a cactus