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Helpful Survival Skills

Ahwatukee is blessed with great weather for 9 months of the year, so get out and do something! If you aren't trying one of our featured outdoor activities above, why not just go hiking on some of the great trails throughout the Valley. There are many places to get out and explore but please keep some basic safety tips in mind. Try to hike with at least one other person. Make sure you always let someone know where you will be and when you expect to be back. Pay attention to what season it is, if it is summer you should plan on leaving and returning very early - carrying enough water to stay hydrated in summer is very difficult. If it is monsoon season or if there is any chance of rain, watch for flash flooding, not only where you are hiking, put where you park your car. Most problems involve people getting lost, injured or stuck somewhere. Remember if you're lost, stay where you're at and don't panic if you can't use a cell phone or GPS, sometimes you won't be able to get a signal. If you are hiking off the beaten path take the usual survival items along:

Map and Compass (make sure someone knows how to use it)
Water (make sure you have some way to purify it)
Flashlight and Batteries
First Aid Kit (Aspirin, Pepto-Bismal)
Any prescription glasses or contacts, anaphylaxis kit, important meds
Light Tarp
Signaling Device (mirror or whistle)
An Army Knife or Tools for cutting wood and making repairs
50 yard spool of 30 pound test fishing ilne and fishhooks
Hat
Sun Screen, Sunglasses
Candy or other non-perishable food
Extra Clothing (if case yours become wet or for cooler temperatures)
Fire Starter (someway to start a fire, particularly under adverse conditions)
Notepad and Pencil
Toilet Paper
Duct Tape

In your car you will also want to be prepared whether you are hiking, camping, traveling cross country or just across Arizona. Make sure you have the following:

Map and Compass (make sure someone knows how to use it)
Water (minimum gallon jug, you may need water for you or your car)
Flashlight and Batteries
First Aid Kit (Aspirin, Pepto-Bismal)
Any prescription glasses or contacts, anaphylaxis kit, important meds
Light Tarp
Flares/Reflectors
Jumper Cables
Rags/Towels
Spare Change
50 yard spool of 30 pound test fishing ilne and fishhooks
Hat
Sunscreen and Sunglasses
Candy or other non-perishable food
Can Opener
Metal cup and spoon
Pocket Knife
Sharpening Stone
Hatchet
Machete
Repel Tick Kit
Pepper-spray Bear Repellent
Sawyer Snakebite kit
Blanket and Extra Clothing
Notepad and Pencil
Cell phone and extra batteries

If something does happen, you will need to assess your specific situation and determine what you should be most concerned with. Setting priorities is extremely important. Remember to stay calm. Make sure you know exactly what you have available to use and what you will need. Depending on the situation, your priorities may be shelter, fire, food or water. Keep everything you have clean and working well (including yourself - hygiene is very important). Make sure you boil your water and don't eat any wild plant if you don't know what it is, many plants can be poisonous. Being prepared is the most important part of any trip or vacation.