Tropical Survival

Introduction | Tropical Weather | Jungle Types | Travel Through Jungle Areas | Immediate Considerations | Water Procurement | Food |

Most people think of the tropics as a huge and forbidding tropical rain forest through which every step taken must be hacked out and where every inch of the way is crawling with danger. Actually, over half of the land in the tropics is cultivated in some way.

A knowledge of field skills, the ability to improvise and the application of the principles of survival will increase the prospects of survival. Do not be afraid of being alone in the jungle; fear will lead to panic. Panic will lead to exhaustion and decrease your chance of survival.

Everything in the jungle thrives, including disease germs and parasites that breed at an alarming rate. Nature will provide water, food and plenty of materials to build shelters.

Indigenous peoples have lived for millennia by hunting and gathering. However, it will take an outsider some time to get used to the conditions and nonstop activity of tropical survival.