Here are some tips on how to survive in the Great Sandy Desert:
- Do not drink all your water at once - drink little sips of water throughout the day, check your dehydration by the colour of your urine, if it's light, clear and water-like, you're having a good amount, maybe even too much water. If your urine is dark, maybe even turning green, you need to drink water as soon as possible.
- Stay hungry - the more you eat, the thirstier you'll get. If you have food with you, you should take care to only eat in small amounts.
- Keep track of where you are - if you're headed in one direction, make sure you don't go round in circles and get lost by marking where you've been and in which direction you went in. Do this by using sticks, stones or scratch into the ground if you lack materials.
- Try your best to conserve - move slowly, try not to sweat and close your mouth to slow the rate of dehydration. Covering your mouth with a bandanna may make it easier.
- Be aware of the changing temperatures - daytime in the desert might fry you, but nighttime temperatures will freeze you. You have to find a warm, comfortable place to stay for the night before it gets cold.
Here are some things recommended that you bring:
- Hiking shoes and comfortable walking socks
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping bag mat
- Tent
- LED flashlight and/or headlight
- Water
- Snacks
- Food
- Maps/Compass (if you can navigate one)
- Sunblock
- Insect repellent
- Paper tissues, wet wipes, toilet paper
- Plastic bag/Laundry bag
- 1 T-shirt for each day
- 1 Long-sleeved shirt for each day
- 1 Pair of trousers for each day
- 1 Pair of underwear
- Hat/Cap with neck protection
- Umbrella - protection from sun and rain
- Phone and charger/batteries (battery operated is better)
- Passport
- Emergency money
- If you are fortunate enough to have a LifeStraw, I would definitely suggest bringing it