Survival in the steppes

The monotony of the steppe landscape makes orientation difficult. Therefore, the most ideal when navigating in the steppe is the presence of a map and a compass. When there is no compass, it can be made from available tools. But, when there is nothing at all, then the main and most reliable landmarks in the steppe are the stars, the Moon and the Sun.

In addition to the sun, moon and stars, you can navigate in the steppe by plants. In the southern steppes, a plant such as lettuce is widespread. It is a two-year-old weed with baskets of yellow flowers that are vertically arranged on the stem evenly in all directions. If lettuce grows in damp or shaded areas, then the leaves on the stem are positioned as usual and cannot serve as a guide. But when lettuce grows in a dry and open area, then the leaves on the stem are facing frontally (planes) towards the east; west, but ribs; indicate the direction north; south. Lettuce leaves relatively accurately indicate the sides of the horizon, which is why the plant received the name; steppe compass.

The direction of travel often allows the wind to be sustained. Once you know which way to go, feel the direction of the wind on your face. As a rule, the wind does not change for several hours during the day or at night. The exception is morning and evening.

How to get water in the steppe.

There are few rivers and lakes in the steppes, most dry up in summer, groundwater is deep. Finding water in the steppe is difficult, but not hopeless. First of all, it is necessary to look for signs of water in these areas: the direction of flight of birds, the location of vegetation, the direction of converging animal paths, a large amount of droppings. Also, the proximity of groundwater is sometimes indicated by swarming midges and mosquitoes, which can be observed after sunset, bright green spots of vegetation in the steppe.

The deeper the hollows between the hills, the more chances you have to find an old dry river bed or an abandoned shepherd's well in the lowland. Grazing livestock, shepherds leave behind a small depression in the ground that once served as a watering hole. Water in such places can be approximately at a depth of half a meter. When you find such a place, try the soil. If the soil is wet, start digging. When the first water appears, stop and wait for the water to begin to collect. In order for the water to be cleaner, you need to scoop it out and pour it out several times. The water will taste a little salty, so it is better not to drink it without boiling it, but to rinse your mouth.

If it was not possible to find these sources of water, then water supplies can be replenished by collecting dew, which falls abundantly in the morning, or using a solar condenser dug in the ground.

Bonfire in the steppe.

For the fire in the steppe, mainly brushwood and dry animal droppings are used, which serves as the main fuel and gives a strong and good fire. When harvesting brushwood, it is not recommended to collect branches in the dark, since during this period the likelihood of contact in dense bush with dangerous spiders that emerge from their burrows at night increases. If, when collecting animal droppings, you see that there is a lot of it in one place, it means that there are many animals grazing here and there may be people or a source of water nearby.

How to arrange an overnight stay.

One of the problems of survival in the steppe is finding shelter very difficult. First of all, a shelter in the steppe should protect from wind and cold, as well as from insects, predatory animals and poisonous snakes, to maintain the ability to maintain fire and heat of the human body. In this regard, the shelter should be small.

For the device and equipment of the simplest shelter in the steppe, it is better to use a raincoat. But, if it is not there, you can use a piece of plastic wrap or branches of bushes instead, from which you can quickly make a canopy or a protective wall from rain and wind. At the slightest opportunity, place the sleeping area above the ground, this will partially save you from dangerous insects and snakes.

In winter, snow caves and pits can serve as a good short-term shelter. They save time. To build a cave in a snowdrift or on a slope, a tunnel about 1 m long is dug in the bottom-up direction, which is then widened to the sides, making a horizontal platform. The tilted stroke will keep you warm and release carbon dioxide, which is heavier than air. In the case of dry loose snow, it is better to equip a snow pit.

What to eat in the steppe.

Having solved the issue of water, fire and shelter, you can explore the surroundings in search of food. You can always find food in the steppe, especially in summer, if you look closely at its inhabitants.

A large number of rodents live in the steppe: ground squirrels, hamsters, voles, mice and many others. There are also many predators in the steppe: steppe wolves, foxes, ferrets, ermines, martens, hedgehogs. As a shelter, most of the animals of the steppe use burrows that not only protect them from danger, but also help to escape from adverse weather conditions. With the approach of winter, life in the steppe stops. Most rodents, hedgehogs, reptiles and insects hibernate for the entire cold period, being in their burrows.

Snakes are wonderful and tasty meat, but beware of becoming prey yourself. Remember, even a snake's head, separated from the body, lives for several hours and can bite you. Snake skin is useful as a container for water and for other purposes. But keep in mind: males can crawl to the smell of a female snake, from a fairly large territory.

We must always remember that in most cases those who do not fight for their own lives die.