The Art of Improvisation in the Outdoors

Key highlights: Being resourceful and capable of improvisation increases safety and success in hiking and bushwalking. You need to be able to think on your feet in emergencies, with unexpected weather changes, or gear malfunctions. Key tips include carrying a small first-aid kit, dressing in layers to adjust to weather changes, and having a lightweight emergency shelter. It's also crucial to have basic first aid knowledge, understand how to use natural features for navigation, and be prepared to create makeshift solutions with the materials on hand.

Why Resourcefulness is Key for Safety and Success

Whether you’re heading out for a day hike through your local bushland or setting off on a longer, multi-day trek across Australia’s rugged terrain, one thing is certain: things don’t always go according to plan. The weather can turn, equipment can fail, and unexpected challenges can arise. That’s why one of the most valuable skills to develop as a hiker isn’t just knowing how to pack the right gear—it’s being able to improvise when things go wrong.

Improvisation and resourcefulness are not just about making do with what you have. They’re about problem-solving, staying calm under pressure, and using your surroundings to your advantage. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency, facing unexpected weather, or dealing with a broken piece of gear, being able to think on your feet can make all the difference. Here’s why improvisation is a crucial skill for every outdoor adventurer, and how you can improve your ability to handle whatever the trail throws at you.

When Improvisation is Most Useful

While every hiker hopes for smooth sailing, the outdoors can be unpredictable. Let’s look at some of the most common situations where improvisation comes in handy.

Emergency situations
Keep a small emergency first-aid kit, including tape, gauze, and a few basic supplies.

1. Emergency Situations

Accidents happen, and injuries can occur when you least expect them. Whether it’s a twisted ankle, a fall, or something more serious, improvisation becomes crucial when medical help is far away. Knowing how to use the materials in your pack—or even what you find in your environment—can be a lifesaver.

For example, if you or a fellow hiker is injured, you may need to create a makeshift splint. A piece of clothing, a hiking pole, or even a strong stick can be used to stabilise the injury until you get to safety. In an emergency, your ability to think quickly and use whatever you have on hand can be the difference between a minor setback and a serious problem.

One of the most valuable things you can pack is knowledge. If you haven’t yet completed a Remote Area First Aid (RAFA) or Wilderness First Aid course, I strongly encourage you to do so. These courses provide essential skills and insights, ensuring you know what to pack, why it’s necessary, when to use it, and how to improvise in challenging situations. Knowledge is an indispensable part of preparation, helping you feel more confident and capable when facing the unknowns of the wilderness.

Tip: Keep a small emergency first-aid kit, including tape, gauze, and a few basic supplies, in an easily accessible part of your pack. It could make all the difference in an emergency.

Changing weather conditions
Australia’s weather is notoriously unpredictable.

2. Changing Weather Conditions

Australia’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. You could start your hike in bright sunshine only to be caught in a downpour hours later. If the temperature suddenly drops, or if you get stuck in a storm, your gear might not always be enough to protect you. That’s when you need to get creative—or, at times, consider turning back.

A few years back, my wife and I were hiking to the summit of Mount Anne in Tasmania’s southwest. As we left the carpark, we had blue skies and a mild day. However, after a steep 1000m ascent, we reached the plateau and were immediately hit with a barrage of horizontal rain and hail. Seeking shelter behind a rocky outcrop to gather our thoughts, we decided turning back was the best option. On returning to the carpark, a glance back up at the peaks behind us revealed the same blue skies we had enjoyed earlier that morning.

Improvising shelter is often necessary in these situations. A rain poncho can double as a tarp, or you could use large leaves or a reflective space blanket to create temporary protection. Even the clothes you’re wearing might be able to help—if nothing else, layering up to trap body heat is always an option.

Tip: Always layer for the conditions, as wearing appropriate clothing for the weather can help you maintain body heat and stay comfortable in unpredictable conditions. Carry a small, lightweight emergency shelter, like a space blanket or a tarpaulin, that can serve multiple purposes, from insulation to a makeshift tent. 

Common reasons hikers get lost
GPS signals and data connections can be unreliable in remote areas.

3. Navigational Challenges

The trail can sometimes be unclear, and GPS signals and data connections can be unreliable in remote areas. Getting lost or confused about which way to go can happen to even the most experienced hikers. When your digital tools fail, your compass is out of reach, or your map is unreadable, improvisation becomes essential.

Understanding how to use natural features to guide you is a vital skill. The position of the sun, the direction of the wind, or even how certain terrain features align can help you regain your bearings. In some cases, you might need to create a rudimentary compass using a watch and a needle, or you might find your way by recognising key landmarks along your route.

Tip: Learn to recognise natural navigation markers and understand how to use the sun’s position, shadows, and terrain features to help guide you when GPS is no longer an option.

Spot and treat mild dehydration
If water is scarce, a portable water filter or purification tablets can help.

4. Limited Resources

Running out of food or water on the trail can quickly turn into a serious issue. That’s why it’s essential to always carry extra food and water in case things don’t go to plan. If you’ve run low on supplies and the next resupply point is miles away, you’ll need to improvise.

If water is scarce, a portable water filter or purification tablets can help, but knowing how to safely collect water from natural sources like streams or rainfall is essential. As for food, you’d be surprised at how many natural plants can provide a quick snack if you’re in a pinch. Just be sure you know what’s safe to eat before venturing off the beaten track.

Tip: Carry a small water filter and a few purification tablets for emergencies. Familiarise yourself with the local plants and fungi that are safe to eat, but always err on the side of caution.

Equipment failures
The repairs don’t need to be permanent—just enough to get you back home.

5. Equipment Failures

There’s always a chance that a piece of gear could fail. A broken strap on your backpack or a snapped trekking pole can quickly derail your plans if you’re not prepared to deal with it.

But with a bit of creativity, you can fix many issues without needing to call it quits. A broken tent pole can be replaced with a stick or a piece of durable cord, and a torn backpack strap can be mended with some duct tape, string, or a small sewing kit (which I always carry). I’ve seen plenty of makeshift repairs when the sole has separated from hiking footwear. The repairs don’t need to be permanent—just enough to get you back home. When it comes to outdoor gear, your ability to improvise repairs can help keep you going, even when things aren’t perfect.

Tip: Always carry duct tape, paracord, and other repair tools to fix any gear issues that might arise. These simple items can save you from abandoning your hike.

Advanced wilderness first aid training
Take a Remote Area First Aid (RAFA) or Wilderness First Aid course.

How to Develop Your Improvisation Skills

The good news is that improvisation is a skill you can develop with practice. Here are some ways you can improve your ability to think on your feet:

Practice with Your Gear

The more familiar you are with your gear, the easier it will be to use it in unexpected situations. Practice using your first aid and survival kits, setting up your shelter in different weather conditions, or even building a fire with limited resources. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when things go wrong.

Take Wilderness First Aid Courses

A Remote Area First Aid (RAFA) or Wilderness First Aid course is one of the best ways to build your improvisation skills. These courses teach you how to assess and treat injuries in remote areas, and they often include practical scenarios where you’ll need to use your resourcefulness to solve problems. You’ll learn what’s in your pack and how to make the best use of it when you’re in a pinch.

Learn Survival Skills

Taking the time to learn basic survival skills can make a huge difference. From starting a fire without matches to navigating without a map, there are countless skills that will help you improvise when you need it most. A wilderness survival course or self-study in books or online resources can provide you with the foundation to handle emergencies with ease.

Be Observant

Being observant of your surroundings is essential to improvisation. The more aware you are of the natural environment; the more solutions will present themselves. Look for natural resources that can aid in your survival—whether it’s identifying safe water sources, using terrain features to navigate, or finding materials for shelter. Pay attention to the weather patterns, plant life, and animal behaviour as they can provide clues to what’s happening around you. The more you train yourself to notice the subtle details, the better equipped you’ll be to improvise in a pinch.

Some hikers are better prepared
When you’re out in the wilderness, things won’t always go as planned.

The Mindset of Improvisation

Improvisation isn’t just about having the right tools; it’s about having the right mindset. When you’re out in the wilderness, things won’t always go as planned, but staying calm and focused will help you think clearly and find solutions. It’s about being flexible, keeping a positive attitude, and trusting that you can make things work.

The key to a successful outdoor adventure isn’t just about having the best gear or the most detailed map. It’s about being resourceful and knowing how to adapt when things don’t go according to plan. The ability to improvise in the outdoors is what keeps you safe, helps you overcome challenges, and allows you to keep moving forward—even when things seem uncertain.

So, the next time you hit the trail, remember it’s not just your gear that matters. It’s your ability to think on your feet, remaining observant, using what’s around you, and staying calm when things get tough. And above all, it’s the confidence that comes with knowing you’ve got the skills to handle whatever comes your way.

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About the Author

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Darren Edwards is the founder of Trail Hiking Australia, an avid bushwalker, and a dedicated search and rescue volunteer. With decades of experience exploring Australia's wilderness, Darren shares his passion for the outdoors, providing practical advice and guidance on hiking safely and responsibly. He was interviewed on ABC Radio and ABC News Breakfast to discuss bushwalking safety, highlighting his commitment to promoting responsible outdoor exploration.

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