This tread is crazy guys.

How big is the problem? This is a survival website with people that like to comment on other people’s misfortune. Maybe the nature of the forum gives the impression the problem is out of control. I am sure only the worst cases are highlighted here and there are many others that are news worthy but are missed by members and others that never make the news. But, maybe this is not a big problem, although I am sure it is a growing one.

It seems the US has so many rules and regulations for people entering parks and forestry service land. I have read on here, in other places and personal experience that people have to apply for permits often costing money and in some cases booking in a year in advance. This is an arcane system that is outdated.

People that are interested in the outdoors should be encouraging other people to enjoy the outdoors. This being a survival forum with some very able and experienced members, it is ideally placed to encourage people to get out and enjoy their environment. But, to do it sensibly and safely, start easy and build up to the more remote locations.

Equipment is NOT always the answer. It is only an aid to survival. Think of the many people that carry survival equipment on planes and especially boats, because they are legislated to. Many think it is a waste of time, an added expense and in some cases, big brother taxing their enjoyment. They have no interest in survival. And, have no interest in educating themselves about survival. Many boat owners for instance, only carry the bare minimum of equipment that the legislation dictates. They often buy the cheapest equipment available and forget about it. They don’t replace out of date items or have equipment serviced. This would be the same if legislation was brought in for wilderness areas. The flood gates would open on cheap wilderness kits that would only meet the requirements of the legislation but not be much use to an individual survivor.

It should be common knowledge on here, that the principle of survival is a pyramid with ‘a positive mental attitude’ or in some quarters ‘a will to survive’ being the solid foundation of the base of the pyramid. Followed by ‘health’, ‘knowledge’ and finely at the very top and taking up the least space is ‘kit’. This can be seen in all of the stories of people that have survived amazing adversity with no knowledge and equipment but with a positive attitude. Also the many stories of the people that have died that had all the best equipment and knowledge but lost faith in themselves.

The way forward for making people aware of the risks is to educate them. To build on excellent campaigns such as a hug a tree campaign (is this still going?) and others that the US have. To highlight that people need to take responsibility for themselves with some simple steps to guide them if something was to go wrong.

If a percentage of the forestry service and parks revenue was put into a nation wide campaign in the media, internet and useful flyers at park entrances, similar to the natural disaster campaigns of many states for hurricanes, tornados, floods and the like; or that of the homeland security campaign. Then the message would slowly get through to many people that are interested in visiting the wilderness; especially those that live in the cities, which vacation in wilderness areas.

Educational campaigns like this are known to work. They don’t get the message across to the whole population but campaigns do get through to a percentage of the population which translate to huge differences on the ground.

But, maybe the authorities feel they have the right balance and don’t need to act.