LIFE LESSONS

BACKCOUNTRY SURVIVAL TIPS FROM A WILDERNESS REALITY-TV STAR

BY BOB SEXTON

ONE OF TWO Canadians competing on season nine of the reality-TV show Alone, which aired last May, Teimojin Tan knew his survival skills would be tested to the limit. He and nine other contestants were dropped off in separate locations in the remote wilds of Labrador, each equipped with only 10 pieces of gear they’d chosen themselves, plus a camera to record the experience. Tan, 33, selected a multi-tool, axe, sleeping bag, ferro rod, cooking pot, bow and arrows, paracord, trapping wire, fishing line and hooks, and emergency rations. The goal? See who could survive the longest to win the $500,000 prize. An emergency room doctor, wilderness survival educator and former Canadian Army Reserve soldier, Tan ended up lasting 63 days and finishing in third place, making him an ideal candidate to share his proven survival tips.

GEAR Whether you’re heading out for the day or an extended adventure, always carry a cell phone, satellite phone or satellite messenger to call for help should an emergency arise, advises Tan. Also bring at least a few survival essentials, he says, including a mylar blanket (which can double as a tarp for shelter), a multi-tool, at least three fire starters (ferro rod-magnesium combo, windproof lighter and waterproof matches), a way to purify water and a first-aid kit.

PLANNING Before you leave, share your precise itinerary and route with someone back home to make it easier to find you in an emergency, says Tan. Include instructions on what to do if you have not returned or made contact by a certain date and time.

MINDSET Should you get injured or become lost, it’s crucial not to panic, which can result in poor decisions and make the situation even worse, warns Tan. So, the first thing to do after making a call for help is to ground yourself. “Take a breather and evaluate the situation to try to figure out what you need to do next,” he says. “Taking in all that surrounds you—both the dangers and the resources—is super-important.”

PRIORITIES Once you’ve calmly assessed the situation, the next important thing is to protect yourself from the elements. While every scenario is different, that typically means finding or creating a shelter, then securing clean water and making a fire. Rather than erect an elaborate bushcraft shelter, Tan recommends finding a natural formation in the lee of the wind that you can sit under or crawl into. In a survival situation, he says, the more energy you can save, the better. OC

Heat Shield

On a hot summer day, intense training can be potentially fatal if your four-legged hunting buddy has a hereditary condition known as exercise-induced collapse (EIC). Here’s what you should know about this malady, and what to do if your dog has it.

SYMPTOMS This nervous system disorder can occur during strenuous exercise, such as retrieving drills, when an otherwise fit and healthy dog becomes weak in the hindquarters and stumbles awkwardly. In some dogs, the weakness also moves into the forelimbs. Exciting or stressful activities lasting more than five minutes can also be triggers, especially in hot weather. EIC-related collapse often occurs without warning, though excessive panting is an early symptom. The condition is not painful, and it typically resolves within 25 minutes. It may take longer for the dog to regain the use of its legs, however, and rushing the recovery can cause muscle damage. In extreme cases, EIC can be fatal.

BREEDS While any dog can inherit EIC, it’s prevalent in several sporting breeds. That includes retrievers (especially Labs), German wirehaired pointers and some spaniels. Genetic testing can determine if your dog has the gene that causes EIC. For breeders, such testing is even more critical, as some dogs can be carriers without being affected. That means there’s a 50 per cent likelihood they will pass on the condition to their offspring

FIRST AID & TREATMENT

If your dog is diagnosed with EIC, avoid intensive activities in the first place, especially in hot weather. If an EIC episode occurs, the treatment is similar to that of other heatrelated health emergencies. For starters, stop the activity at the first sign of the dog wobbling, then move it to a shady spot where it can cool down and rest. In some cases, the dog may need to be carried; a dog sling, such as the emergency model in Ruffwear’s Backtrak Dog Evacuation Kit (pictured above), makes the job easier with large breeds. —LOWELL STRAUSS FOR THE