“A
practical guide to woods comfort, safety, and survival” You Alone in the
Maine Woods, from the Maine Department of
Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education.
|
I know I have asked you
this before, but do you like reading survival manuals? Because if you do, I have a good one for you. First published in 1972, by the Maine’s
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, it is titled, You Alone in the
Maine Woods.
This manual was
originally compiled and written by Recreation Safety Officer Gareth Anderson
and Warden Colonel John Marsh, with the help of many wardens, guides and old
time hunters. Warden John Ford
illustrated it.
This booklet was written
to provide you with information about what to do before you go out into the Maine
woods and by extension any wooded wilderness area within the same general
latitude as Maine. Maine covers four
degrees of latitude, from 43:05 to 47:14: other places located within those
latitudes are southern France, northern Italy, Romania, Mongolia, Manchuria in
northeast China, Vladivostok in eastern Russia, and the northern Japanese
Island of Hokkaido1. In
addition, this manual was written to teach you the steps you should take to aid
in your own rescue if you have an “unexpected adventure” in the wooded, wilder
parts of the world, and to make yourself more comfortable while you wait for
the searchers.
Some areas in the eastern US, within the same latitude as Maine. From Google Maps.
I have always taught the
“72 hour rule” which states that, in the United States, most “misplaced” people
are found within 72 hours of being reported missing. In fact, experts note that 85% of “misplaced”
persons are found alive within 12 hours and 97% are found alive within the
first 24 hours of being reported missing.
The key statement is “of being reported missing”; it is very important
to always tell someone when you are leaving, where you are going and when you
will be back. Never, never, never, ever
change your plans without telling someone.
I like You Alone in
the Maine Woods. I like that the
authors included this disclaimer in their booklet was not “a guarantee against getting lost”.
I like this statement because everyone who goes into the woods will
someday become bewildered and possibly “misplaced”: hopefully, if you ever
become bewildered and then “misplaced” you do not panic, because then you will
be truly “lost” (for more on “misplaced” versus “lost” read, “You Are Never Lost, Only Misplaced…”, HERE).
Another thing that I
liked about You Alone in the Maine Woods was that it was originally
written in 1972, with the assistance of old Maine guides and wardens, when old
knowledge was still common knowledge.
This is important, because by the late 1970s and early 1980s, as
exploring the outdoors became increasingly popular and more mainstream, people
began to rely on expensive, hi-tech gadgets and gear, which can break, get lost
or run out of batteries, at the expense of learning outdoor skills. Also by the 70s and 80s, many of the old-time
guides and wardens would have passed away.
What do you do when you are alone in the wilderness and you don’t have
your gadgets, if you have never been taught how to do things the old-fashioned
way? As a bonus, the State of Maine has
kept You Alone in the Maine Woods current with advances in modern gear
and technology, like synthetics, light-weight waterproof fabrics and GPS, by
updating and releasing ten editions with the most current one being released in
2003.
Read this manual before
you trek into the woods and then carry it with you on your journeys in the
wilderness. The authors covered many
different topics and designed the booklet to be a guide, to use until help
arrives, if you become “misplaced”.
The contents of You Alone in the Maine Woods, from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education. |
The authors pointed out
that “This manual may not contain all
there is to know about survival”. No
one source can cover every situation that can occur in the wilderness, the best
that you can hope for from a survival manual is that it paints with a broad
brush and covers concepts, generalizations and a few specific details and
tips. You Alone in the Maine Woods,
does just that.
Here are some examples of
the tips that you will find in You Alone in the Maine Woods…
“This is your personal survival manual.
Read it thoroughly before your
trip into the Maine woods, and then carry it with you when you go.”
You Alone in the Maine Woods, from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education, page 4. |
You Alone in the Maine Woods, from the the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education, page 5. |
“[the items in the
survival kit above] These items, even in
moderate amounts will help prevent hunger and create a sense of well being if
you become lost. The amount of each is
up to you. There are other things that may
be added, but try to keep the package small and light at all times, so it will
remain easy to carry. (page 5)”
“Along with your survival kit, you have another obligation to fulfill
before entering the Maine woods. Make
sure you tell someone where you are going, including a written itinerary, and
when you plan to return (page 6)”
“…woodsman
of old…knew that wool, even when wet, retains warmth far longer than flannel,
cotton or man-made fabrics…(page 6)”
“The Clothing Worn by an Old Maine Guide”, from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education, page 8. |
“Today’s lightweight garments have a remarkable ability to withstand
penetrating winds. In addition, the
better garments such as the climate control fleece ones, can handle perspiration
buildup equal to or better than wool.
This moisture can amount to one and a half pints of water every 12
hours. Trapped moisture can be a serious
problem in a survival situation…(page 9)”
You Alone in the Maine Woods, from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Information & Education, page 10 |
“It is a good practice to carry an extra pair of socks when traveling
for a day…A dry pair of socks will feel like a million dollars if your others
get wet…(page 11)”
“One final rule with compass work: Believe your compass under all
circumstances (unless it is obviously broken)…(page 19)”
Author’s Note: always bring
two compasses, a main one and an emergency spare: compare them for peace of
mind, for more on this read “Getting
Lost And What To Do About It”, Circa 1915”, HERE.
These tips and many,
many, more can be found in You Alone in the Maine Woods: you can download a
free PDF copy HERE or you can go HERE to order a free hardcopy booklet, by
emailing the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries
& Wildlife Information & Education, on their “Contact Us” page.
Read it, study it, use it
and most importantly enjoy it!
Notes:
1
“Maine An Encyclopedia, Latitude and Longitude” https://maineanencyclopedia.com/latitude-and-longitude/,
accessed May 25, 2019
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