The Rule of Threes

- 3 minutes without air

- 3 hours without body heat

- 3 days without water

- 3 weeks without food

The rule of threes is important to hikers because it represents the primary needs in a survival situation.  Of the threes, shelter to protect body heat is considered primary since most hiking emergencies result in hypothermia.  This means it is important to pack for current conditions, but also possible weather conditions.  Layered clothing, emergency blankets and at least two waterproof fire sources should be on your person at all times.

How to Start a Fire

Knowing how to start a fire is a critical survival skill in the outdoors. It actually supports not one, but two, of the rules of threes: it provides protection from temperature exposure, and it is one of the tools used to make water drinkable. It is important when hiking to carry waterproofed fire staring material, but it is also important to learn and practice other methods that rely on materials found in the wilderness.

Primping in the Desert

A comb may seem like an unusual item in the desert, but it serves as an invaluable tool for the inevitable cactus encounter.  In cases where small cactus needles or cactus stems (like with the jumping cholla) have attached to the skin, use a men's fine tooth unbreakable comb to lift and remove painful stickers without touching them.  For larger needles, use pliers or bare hands.

Desert Sunshine

The one thing the desert has plenty of is sunlight.  Although  the temptation is to shed one's clothing as the temperature climbs, it is important to shield exposed skin from the sun's burning rays.  I prefer a long sleeve cotton tee, but remember that cotton is not a good insulator when wet.  Sunscreen is also a good idea, but most sunscreens wear off within a specified time, and if not applied liberally, they provide little protection.  Lastly a brimmed hat, neck protection, and sunglasses finish the job.

Did you know? The desert sun also makes it difficult to take good photographs.  To avoid washed out colors, use a polarizer lens and to balance the high contrasts between shade and light adjust you exposure using spot metering techniques.

A Pound of Boot...

...is worth five on the back.  This is an old Army adage that simply reminds us that a heavier boot is not always a good solution.  Improvements in sneaker construction have enticed some hikers to switch to lighter footwear for day-packing and short trips.  In the desert sneakers are an option, although a high mid-weight boot would provide greater protection for little weight.  More importantly don't go out in the desert in high heels or thongs.  It sounds crazy, but people have done it in the past.

If you enjoy hiking, consider investing in high quality boots.  People who spend more money on their tents, usually spend more time rubbing their feet.

Did you know? that it is better to test hiking boots in the afternoon when your feet are more swollen?  Find out more -Hiking Boots Tips

However, boots are only half of the equation: have you ever tried lacing your shoes differently. Here are some suggestions from Carol Fray, M.D.. associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Southern California -

• Narrow feet: Consider using wide-set eyelets that bring the sides of the shoe more snugly across the top of the foot (a).

• Wide feet: Eyelets set closer to the tongue and set closer together add width to the lacing area (b).

• Narrow heel, wide forefoot: Consider using two laces for a custom fit (c). The wide-set eyelets help snug up the heel, and the closer-set eyelets help adjust shoe width to the forefoot.

• Feet pain: For pain in specific areas of the foot, try skipping eyelets in the vicinity of the pain and tightening laces above and below the skipped eyelets (d).

• High arches: Lacing straight across between eyelets (instead of crisscrossing) can reduce or eliminate pressure points (e).

• Toe problems: For toe problems, including hammertoes, corns and painful toenails, insert laces so that one lace traverses diagonally across the length of the tongue, from toe to top (f). Pulling on the lace will raise the toe box to reduce pressure.

• Heel fit: The lacing pattern shown in illustration (g) can help prevent your heel from moving in the shoe and rubbing blisters. Laces are looped through each other before being tied.

The Cactus Myth

One of the more common myths of the desert is that barrel cacti are full of water. One simply has to lop off the top of a barrel cactus and a pool of drinkable water awaits.  Although barrel cacti maintain moisture in their fleshy tissues, the amount of water is relatively small. Furthermore the pulp of most cacti contain toxins which ingested by humans lead to diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, conditions that could be life threatening in survival situations. One exception, however, is the prickly pear cactus.  The fruits are edible raw and if boiled, the pads can be used in a variety of cooking.  Still, hikers should be wary of eating unfamiliar plants unless it is their last resort.

One way to test the potential effects of ingesting a plant is to rub part of it on your skin. Wait a couple hours to see if a rash develops.  If not, ingest a small amount, and again wait for a couple hours.  If no reaction occurs, you may be able to consume larger amounts.

Better methods to find water:

• Search for Cottonwood trees which require a steady source of water to their roots

• Dig a hole in a dry riverbed near bends or shaded areas to find a underground stream

• Do not rely on building a solar still as the amount of water produced is not life sustaining

• Use clear plastic bags over plant branches to catch transpiration and morning dew

• Bring a long straw to extract water from deep cracks that shade water from evaporation

• Study behavior of birds and other animals to locate oasis

• Locate water areas on maps before departing, but be careful of seasonal water sources

• Avoid leeward sides of mountains (side opposite prevailing winds) as less rain typically falls in these regions

The Real Ten Essentials

1.   Direction        - topographical map, map compass

2.   Shelter            - space blanket, extra socks, fleece pullover

3.   Fire                  - waterproof matches, cotton balls and petroleum jelly

4.   Light               - flashlight, spare batteries

5.   Protection      - sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves

6.   Signal             - whistle, signal mirror

7.   Water             - Iodine tablets, long straw, water balloon, tin

8.   Food               - bear bag, bouillon cubes, trail mix

9.   First-Aid         - moleskin, antihistamine, burn treatment

10. Tools              - pocket knife, 50’ nylon rope, plastic bags, duct tape

The original “Ten Essentials List” began in the late 1950s.  The purpose was to provide an all-inclusive list of supplies that should be taken on any hiking, camping or climbing excursions.  As times changed people updated these lists, and soon several variations began to appear.  Worse were lists that added too many items.  Unfortunately these lists missed the real idea behind the ten essentials; they are not items, but rather categories of items.  If you consider what to take based on a category, rather than a specific item, you are less apt to add unnecessary items or leave important ones behind.  Best of all, this trains your mind to think about situations and possibilities, which in reality is the number one essential tool.

Water in the Desert

Deserts are defined by their lack of water. Learn to ration sweat, not water. By staying in the shade, limiting activity to cooler times such as night and using your available water, your chances for survival increase greatly. Sipping water does not get it to the brain and vital organs. Take a good drink when you need it. People have been found dead from dehydration with water in their canteens. Also, do not rely on "parlor tricks" such as solar stills as a primary source. These will often produce more sweat digging the hole than is obtained from water gained. Learn to locate water through areas of green vegetation, flights of birds, converging animal trails and digging in the outside bends of dry creek beds. Javelinas and burros are excellent at finding water and digging it up in creek beds. Best of all, plan ahead, and allow one gallon per person a day. This does not include your needs for cooking, pets or auto maintenance. - Desert USA

- Dr. E. A. Adolph

Flash Floods

It is important to understand that although the desert can be dry for long periods of time, there are also occasions where it can receive large amounts of rainfall.  In the Southwest, there are actually five seasons.  The fifth season is called monsoon, and it represents violent thunderstorm and rain activity between late June and early September.  Originating in Sonora, Mexico, these storms are produced due to intense heat and convection that occurs early in the day.  By mid-afternoon these storms arrive in southeastern Arizona, either producing intense, heavy downpours or brilliant lightning.  Unfortunately, the hard soil in the Southwest cannot handle such rain.  Consequently, the rain accumulates in ravines, canyons, and washes, picking up speed and force as it travels to open desert beds.  These are called flash floods and they present real danger to the unaware hiker (or even vehicle).

To avoid flash floods consider the following points:

• Thunderstorms can be identified by their characteristic dark gray color and high-rising anvil shape
• Even though the sky may be clear, it may be raining elsewhere and moving in your direction.
• Avoid using washes and ravines in late afternoon
• Never enter a flooded wash as the force of such water is too great for vehicles or people
• Bring a weather radio to monitor local conditions
• Camp on high ground

Lightning

Even though Arizona's monsoon season only represents three months of the year, Arizona currently ranks 19th in lightning fatalities.  Furthermore, your chances of being struck are 1 in 600,000, but this could be even higher if you are participating in outdoor activities.  I know this to be true since I have a sister who has been struck, and although she was fortunate to survive, her boyfriend was not.

To minimize the risk of a lightning strike consider the following:

• Do not lie on the ground

• Do not go into a shallow cave

• If boating seek shelter off the water

• If in an open area seek other shelter

• Avoid sharp changes in terrain

• Squat in a fetal position with your hands around your knees

• Get rid of conductive metals around your person

• Although counting between a visual strike and its corresponding thunder boom can determine distances, it does not provide any security

• If in a group, stay apart from each other

• If the air feels electrified, a strike may be imminent.  Close your eyes and mouth to avoid the superheated air that is produced

If someone is struck by lightning:

• they do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled

• apply CPR immediately if heart has stopped beating

• apply rescue breathing if stopped breathing

• seek medical attention immediately