How to Survive in the Everglades

If you find yourself lost in the Everglades there are a few major concerns that should always be on your mind: food, water, safety/shelter, and how to get out of the Everglades.

In case you didn't know already, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Depending on where you are within the Everglades you'll find civilization to the east or west, and you'll need to know where to go if you ever want to get out.

"The number one survival tip would be to know how to read a map." says Kirk Singer, a seasonal park ranger at Everglades National Park.

The first thing you would want to do is find something to protect yourself. Hopefully you have a knife, but you could also create a makeshift spear out of a fallen branch.

Shelter and a fire would be the next step, especially if night is nearing; alligators come out to feed in the dark. If you are in the water, build a platform within a tree using fallen branches and palm fronds as bedding. If on solid ground, build a tent with sticks and palm fronds to cover the 'tent'.

"Find high ground and be aware of your surroundings," says Singer.

Now you need to start a fire. Gather firewood and tinder: anything that's dry and fibrous such as lint or moss. Stick some tinder within a crevice in a log and use another stick to create friction, which will spark the tinder. Gently blow on the tinder when you start to see smoke. Continue the process until you have fire.

Also surround the fire with stones to prevent the fire from escaping and causing a problem.

If you get thirsty you can use the water in the swamp. Use your shirt to collect water; filter the water through your shirt and let it fall into your canteen or other container. Position the water above your fire until it boils to kill any bacteria; making it safe to drink.

"In the summertime the majority of the Everglades is covered in one to three feet of water," says Singer.

If you get hungry you can catch fish or turtles and cook them. You could even eat tree frogs and insects raw. Obviously, they'll taste terrible. However the prospect of living to see another day should be worth it.

"Alligators and snakes will not interfere with you as long as you keep your distance and don't interfere with them," says Singer.

Keep moving west or east in the daylight and avoid all rivers or deep-water sections because they are home to numerous alligators.

The most important thing to remember, however, is to never give up hope. As long as you believe in yourself and that'll you'll be home again soon, you can easily survive the Everglades.

Kirk Singer reassures us, "As long as you know how and can survive in any forest or backcountry location, you can survive in the Everglades."

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