A Missouri father and his two young sons died while hiking last week. David Decareaux and his sons were found Saturday night in Reynolds County, Missouri. They had left that morning on a hike, got lost, and died when the weather turned extremely cold. Would your child know how to survive if he got lost in the woods? Teaching your child what to do if faced with a similar situation could save his life. One program that teaches boys about wilderness survival is the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts can earn their wilderness survival merit badge by learning some valuable survival skills, such as starting a fire without using matches, building a shelter and using a compass.
These survival skills helped to save the life of Jared Ropelato, a young boy who disappeared in August of 2011. Jared, a Boy Scout, got lost in Utah's Ashley National Forest and spent over 20 hours alone and in cold temperatures. He was able to build himself a shelter to withstand the elements.
“Jared told ABC News he'd learned a few tricks that helped him get through his ordeal -- including digging a hole and covering himself with dirt to preserve his body heat.”
When hiking in the wilderness it’s important to bring a survival kit with you. The kit should include basic first-aid items, such as bandages and Neosporin. The kit should also contain a flash light with extra batteries and a battery powered radio. Matches, a compass and a waterproof poncho are also important items to take along with you. Of course water and non-perishable food are also a necessity.
Preparing your child with tools, such as training and a survival kit, before he takes even a short hike can help avoid a tragedy.
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