Nicolet Search Team Being Prepared to Travel into the Woods

Give complete route details of where you are going to close relatives/friends.
Tell them about anyone's special medical conditions e.g. diabetes, asthma.
Tell them when you plan to return and have them call authorities if overdue.
Leave a note 'inside' your car or truck outlining your hiking plans. For security reasons, it is not necessary to place the note so it can be read through the windshield. If you're missing and we find your car, we will get inside to read your note.

2. Take the correct map and a compass. Know how to use them.

3. Take appropriate clothing and footwear.

In the Wisconsin North woods it is especially important to avoid hypothermia. Weather changes rapidly in all seasons.
Always take a waterproof wind breaker, and clothing that can keep you warm when wet, e.g. wool.
Avoid cotton which absorbs perspiration and rain and becomes cold when wet.
Avoid cotton jeans.
Even in warm weather in the woods, be prepared for rains and night cold if stranded. Large plastic trash bags can substitute for rain gear in an emergency.
Take drinking water, take drinking water, take drinking water! Water is much more important to your survival than food.
Take high calorie/high protein snacks to maintain energy.
Don't overestimate your abilities.
Always allow time for the unexpected, e.g. thick scrub, rock lines, streams, swamps.
Don't go faster than the slowest member of your group.
At regular intervals do a head count of your group.
Don't split up your group during a hike. There is safety in numbers.
Don't leave an injured person alone. A group of three or more will allow one to look after the injured while the other goes for help. If there are only two of you, do not leave the injured person alone unless you know exactly the route to get help. Stay on trails, roads, etc.!

4. Stay put when lost.

Find a campsite (with nearby water, if practical) and that will be visible from a helicopter.
Wave vigorously (a bright or white shirt, jacket, etc.) at any helicopters - they are probably looking for you!
Don't forget if you are overdue to phone home from the first phone you come to. Make sure, if you are overdue, that you notify local authorities that you are safe.

A Good Survival Kit

A good survival kit should be compact, lightweight and contain the bare necessities. Ideally, much of what you pack should serve more than one purpose. Look around your home and use your imagination. Prescription medication bottles make nifty waterproof containers, and mint tins hold an amazing array of small items. Here are some things to consider:

Charged cell phone. Whether you keep it in your pocket or backpack, enclose it in a waterproof plastic bag.
Compass
Whistle
Fire starting materials – disposable lighter, waterproof matches, magnesium and steel, candle, fire starter cubes, cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly (all packed in a waterproof container). Bring three different kinds of fire starters in case a method fails to work.
Orange plastic trash bag – can be used as poncho, ground cloth, shelter or to signal your location.
Mini-flashlight
Signaling device – mirror, foil, glow stick, plastic neon-colored tape
Knife or multi-tool
Poncho, space blanket or tarp
Parachute cord or rope (about 25 ft.)
Water purification tablets
Several waterproof bags in varying sizes – to keep things dry and segregate items that get wet
Prescription medication
First-aid kit: antiseptic wipes, assorted bandages, tweezers, pain reliever, insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm, tablets for diarrhea/upset stomach, safety pins

Other personal items to consider if you have room in your backpack are high energy foods like granola bars, candy and fruit; sunglasses; extra socks; rain gear; hat; and gloves. Bikers should always carry a basic repair kit to fix flat tires and make minor repairs.

Starting a fire

Pick a sheltered spot out of the wind and at least six feet from any fuel source – especially your shelter! Clear the area of debris and surround it with rocks, if you can find them to contain the fire. Rocks will also retain heat for several hours and radiate it to a nearby shelter.

Gather dry tinder, kindling and fuel:

Tinder has a low flash point and is easily ignited. Things like dryer lint, cotton threads, dry wood powder, sawdust, wood shavings, unraveled string, wool fuzz, dry shredded bark, crushed fibers from dead plants, cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly, steel wool and foam rubber make good tinder. Always carry some tinder with you in a waterproof container.
Kindling has a higher combustion point and should be mixed with tinder. Paper from your wallet, dollar bills, pine cones, pine needles, dry twigs, wood shavings, dry bark and dry grass make good kindling.
Fuel ignites and burns slowly. It’s best to use dry, dead wood like the insides of fallen trees and large branches. Green wood will work, but will produce a lot of smoke; split it if you can and mix it with dry fuel.

Build a teepee of small dry twigs and branches with an opening in one side. Shelter the tinder in a small ball of dried grass. The easiest igniter is a disposable lighter. When the tinder catches, shove it under the teepee and add bits of tinder and small kindling until the fire is burning. If you chose to pack a candle, it can be a life-saver for starting a fire. Add fuel and keep replenishing it until the fire is well established.

National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

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