9781422287842

10 Surviving the World’s Extreme Regions

Try to follow running water if possible. That’s because many communities live on a river or stream. Also, if you follow water, you will be able to replace the fluids you lose through exertion. There will be fish in the river or stream, and animals will be attracted to it to drink, giving you the opportunity to catch them. In addition, there will probably be many edible plants growing alongside it. However, don’t build a raft and float on it. Many northern rivers are fast, cold, and dangerous, and can smash a raft into splinters. If you decide to stay where you are and await rescue, it is very important that you get out of the wind. The combination of low temperatures and the wind creates a condition known as wind chill. This can pose great danger to the survivor: exposed flesh can freeze in seconds. This is why it is important to get

It is easy to be lost in the Arctic. The Arctic ice sheet surrounding the north pole is 670,000 square miles (1,740,000 sq km) in size.