How to Survive in the Tundra
The tundra is found in frozen areas such as the Arctic. The tundra is generally cold and the frozen ground never completely thaws because of the harsh winters and short summers. Survival on the tundra varies depending on the time of year, but the most likely situation for needing to survive is during extreme cold weather.
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Things You'll Need
- Backpack
- Food (high in fat)
- Cloths
- Knife
- Waterproof matches or flint
- Waterproof containers
- Sleeping bag
- Compass
- Map
- Signal gear
- Gun
- Ice axe
Instructions
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Prepare for extreme cold weather. This means preparing adequate food to maintain body heat. Stockpile foods high in fat and have plenty of warm clothing and changes of clothing. Always plan for the harshest conditions. Plan for layers of clothing worn loose and topped with a coat as well as having several extra socks and extra clothes. Pack items like flints and matches in a waterproof container and have a map, signal gear, knife, compass and down-filled sleeping bag. A gun is useful because the tundra is known to have animals like wolverines, wolves and bears.
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2
Follow the principals of "COLD." COLD stands for clean, overheating, loose layers and dry, which serves as a reminder to keep clothing clean, avoid overheating, wear loose layers of clothing and stay dry.
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Make a shelter if possible. While natural shelters on the tundra are limited, you can make use of snow drifts that are around 3 meters high. Use an ice axe to break up the snow or ice and dig out a cave from the bottom of the drift. Use a knife to make a ventilation hole to prevent problems like carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Pile dry leaves and plant materials to create a sleeping area. Put a sleeping bag down on top of the layer of plant material to prevent sleeping directly on the snow. Never sleep directly on the snow as it will cause the body to freeze and either result in death or health problems such as hyperthermia.
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Signal for help whenever possible. Survival is more a matter of getting out of the tundra than staying on the tundra. Humans do not have any natural defenses against harsh cold weather. Signaling for help on the flat land of the tundra will often result in faster rescues, but be careful not to signal at times when it is unlikely to be seen. Wait for planes or signs of humans before signaling.
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Kill animals as needed. The tundra has a number of animal species available for hunting and one of the primary ways to stay alive is by eating high-fat foods. This means killing animals on the tundra if food supplies start to run low.
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Tips & Warnings
The Arctic tundra is more survivable during summer months, when temperatures aren't as extreme.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
