How to survive in the jungle

The hardest part of moving around a jungle is finding your sense of direction and managing to actually follow it. Progress is always very slow in the jungle and it hosts so many dangers when compared to other climates, making it one of the hardest to survive in. The chances of actually getting stuck in a jungle are higher than you may think, with countries around the Indonesia area and South America being hot spots for unfortunate travelers. Should you ever find yourself stuck in a jungle or rainforest then here are a few things to keep in mind to increase your chances of survival.

Stay cool

Getting lost in the jungle would be very scary because you probably won’t know which way to go when you realize you’re lost. The trees and plants are so closely packed together that you can’t normally see more than 100 feet or even less in some jungles. Don’t panic and start to run in the direction you “think” is the right way, but instead, take a moment and assess the situation. Take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and try and clear your head before deciding what to do.

Think about how you became lost in the first place and make a plan according to your situation. Do you remember seeing any landmarks you could use to get a sense of direction? When was the last time you knew where you were and is it possible to get back there? Ask yourself as many questions as possible to try and find out where you are and what the best course of action would be.

Salvage the wreck

This one is only possible if you become stranded from some sort of vehicle crash, but in this event, it’s very important to properly salvage what you can from the wreckage before moving on. The obvious things should be taken first like food, water, medical supplies, and clothes, but don’t forget to take a few extras that may come in handy down the road. Bending off a piece of metal to use as a knife or a mirror to use for signaling later on could save your life in the long run.

Watch out for insects and infection

The warm humid climate found in jungles makes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, and all they need to get going is a host. The second you turn up in the jungle you will be a target for mosquitoes and many other bugs and parasitic creatures all looking to drink some of your blood or lay an egg in your arm. The chances of you having a large amount of bug repellent are pretty small, so your only option is to use mud. Cover up with clothing as well as you can but to protect the exposed areas, take a handful of mud and smear it all over your skin in a layer as thick as possible without it just falling off when you walk.

As for infections, it’s difficult to treat them without proper equipment as you can’t escape the warm and humid environment that makes infection develop quickly. Just try and keep any open wounds you have as clean and dry as possible, always keeping them covered from the air and changing whatever you’re using as a bandage as often as needed.

Follow water

Since jungles are no stranger to water it shouldn’t be hard to find a small stream. In the event you come across one, follow it for as long as possible and keep a lookout for any signs of life. Even in very remote areas, there’s the chance of coming across a fishing cabin or an isolated house you can take shelter in and wait for rescue.

Streams will always lead to bigger water sources and when it does you are one step closer to being rescued, plus they often contain a source of food if you have the option to do some fishing.

Keep your bearings

It is unlikely that you’ll be able to see for any significant distance so finding where you are could be tricky. Ever heard the saying “you can’t see the forest for the trees” before, well this comes from being in the middle of a huge forest and only being able to see a handful of trees around you. This is even more true in a jungle and relying on being able to see a mountain or other landmark at all times isn’t a good idea.

There is one thing that you should be able to normally see to get your bearings, so long as it’s shining bright enough. The rays of the sun will be coming through the trees and can give you a sense of direction, just make sure to compensate for its movement. If you’re in the southern hemisphere then the sun will rise in the east and be due north when it’s at its highest point. Keep a note of which direction north is and try to associate it with a landmark if possible, and if not then at least you’ll be able to move in the same direction with the sun as your compass.

Finding food and water

Water shouldn’t be much of an issue but unless you can boil then it’s a good idea to stay away from sources like streams and ponds. Parasitic creatures love to lay their eggs in water and you don’t know what’s been added to it upstream. The safest way to find water is to drink it off plant leaves and from the cores of bamboo, as both these sources wouldn’t have had the chance to go stagnant and host insect eggs.

There is a huge amount of condensation in the jungle and making a trap for it can be useful. Start by digging a hole in the floor with a cup in the bottom before lining the top with a sheet of plastic, but make sure to put a small stone in the middle of the plastic so it dips above the cup. The colder soil should cause condensation from the warm air to form on the underside of the plastic which will drip off the lowest point into the cup.

Keep your feet dry

Having permanently wet feet in a warm climate will greatly increase your chances of developing sores and blisters, which will in turn probably become infected. You may not be able to keep your feet dry at all times, but if possible dry your socks out before putting them on again for when you sleep. If you make a fire then dry your boots and socks out whenever possible to stop your feet from developing something nasty. If you can get your feet completely dry for a few hours a day this should be enough to stop any water-caused sores from forming and turning bad.

Aim for rescue

The jungle is by far the hardest place to find missing people as helicopters and drones can’t see through the thick canopy and ground teams make very slow progress through the thick vegetation. If you are with a vehicle then stay with it as a plane crash or boat at the side of a river should be easy to spot, but if your vehicle is too small or didn’t make a noticeable impact then you’d be better off on foot. It’s never advised to leave your vehicle in the event you become stranded but sometimes you may not have a choice due to supplies or injuries.

Take some rubber from the vehicle’s wheels to use on a signal fire if you hear something fly over. If you don’t have this option then a thick smokey fire would be seen for miles on a clear day, the only problem is starting one in the first place. Everything is so wet in the jungle and starting a fire at a moment’s notice may be tricky, so keep something on hand you can use like some dry tinder or spare paper or card.

Prepare

Of course, the best way to survive getting lost in the jungle is to be prepared to get lost. A survival straw can filter up to two weeks’ worth of drinking water and weighs little more than a pound. Taking antibiotics and a well-stocked medical kit along with a piece of tarp to keep the rain off will serve you much better than anything you’ll find within the trees. You should never go to an extreme climate without being fully prepared for the worst, and keeping yourself in good condition is more important here than in other terrain types as the chances of being found by a rescue team are significantly lower in the jungle.