How to Survive in the Desert

Follow these simple rules and you may get out alive.

1. Keep a survival kit in your vehicle, and pack one whenever you hike. It should contain things like matches, a compass, mirror to use for signaling, a knife, lip balm, sunscreen and something that will hold water.
   
2. Step 2
   Drink a small amount of water every hour. If you find a mostly dry streambed with just a small patch of wet earth, dig underneath to find water. Another method of obtaining water is to seal a plastic bag over a green plant. As the plant transpires the water vapor will collect inside the bag.
   
3. Step 3
   Plan to travel at night and sleep during the day if you find you have to survive in the desert for a period of time to protect yourself from heat related illness. Seek the shelter of any shade you can find.
   
4. Step 4
   Wear clothing. It may seem like you'll be cooler if you shed your clothes, but clothing actually helps your body's cooling process by preventing sweat from evaporating too quickly. Clothing will also help protect you from sunburn.
   
5. Step 5
   Prepare to signal planes passing overhead. If you have flares available, shoot one off whenever you see a plane. During the day keep a smoky fire burning; at night, a bright, clean burning one. Spell out the word SOS on the ground as large as you can using whatever materials you can find.