Going off-the-grid always makes for an exciting adventure. After all, trying to live without the usual comforts in life can often be challenging, and being a ways away from civilization means you have to tap into your survival skills and intuition to stay safe and comfortable as one can be in the wilderness.
However, living off-the-grid is definitely not for everyone. If you want to try your hand at it, employing these safety precautions is paramount:
- Don’t go alone
It can be tempting to off-the-grid on your own, especially if you’ve been craving for solitude that staying solo in a cabin in the woods can provide. However, if it’s your first time going off-the-grid, it’s best to bring a companion with you, ideally one that has prior experience living off-the-grid and knows what to do in case you find yourselves in a pinch. Going with a companion or two on your first time can also help you gauge your off-the-grid skills, which can help you prepare for your next trip when you finally go solo.
- Bring a reliable communication device
Going off-the-grid doesn’t mean you should go without a way to communicate with the outside world. While one of the goals of going off-the-grid is to disconnect from the chaos that is normal life, having the means to communicate is important for your personal safety–as well as your mental health.
While you probably won’t have access to an MSAT G2 PTT radio where you’re going, it’s best to have at least a reliable handheld satellite phone with you. Choose a phone that fits your needs best, which would depend on where you’re going, how often you want to use it (for frequent communications or emergency situations only), the features you want (GPS, voicemail, call forwarding, etc.), and any conditions that you might encounter at your destination. Once you have your satellite phone, ensure that it is juiced up and you have extra batteries in your pack before embarking on your adventure.
- Upgrade your emergency kit
It is a no-brainer to bring an emergency kit whenever you’re going camping or staying anywhere that is far from civilization. However, if you’re going off-the-grid, upgrading your emergency kit is a must since you likely won’t have immediate access to emergency services, resources, and other things that are necessary for survival.
Bring every type of medication that you might need, including meds for allergies, colds, gastrointestinal problems, pain, and other common medical conditions. If you take prescription medication, it’s wise to bring extra apart from your usual fill just in case.
Moreover, bring extras for your first aid kit. You never know what kind of injury you can get while living off-the-grid, and a measly roll of bandage may not be enough to cover it. Apart from that, pack a small fire extinguisher, extra batteries, emergency flares, and a small weapon to defend yourself in case something happens.
- Keep contact with loved ones
Before leaving for your trip, let your family members or close friends know where you’re going, how long you’ll be planning on staying, and the exact date when you’ll be going back. In this way, they will know to contact the authorities when you don’t come back on time and will be able to point rescue teams in the right direction.
However, going radio silent after you leave may not be the best course of action for your safety (and your loved ones’ sanity!), especially if it’s your first time. Hence, it is good practice to check in with your loved ones at least once a day to let them know that you’re okay. In case you run into an emergency and are unable to contact them, they will know when and where to send help.
- Research the flora and fauna
One of the most common risks of living off-the-grid is encountering wildlife. Another is coming in contact with potentially dangerous flora that can either poison you or cause allergic reactions. That said, it is crucial that you perform due diligence and look up the kind of flora and fauna that you might encounter at your destination. Learn how to avoid and repel potential predators, and bring any necessary tools that you can help you do so. If necessary, you might also want to print out pictures of dangerous plants to make it easier to avoid them in the wild.
Going off-the-grid, even temporarily, can challenge your survival skills, sanity, and safety. If you want to maintain a good level of comfort and safety on your trip, employ these safety strategies before and after you leave for your adventure.
Meta title: Going Off-The-Grid? Here’s How You Can Stay Safe
meta desc: If you’re planning to go on an off-the-grid trip, there are some safety precautions you shouldn’t go without. Read on to learn more about them.
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