With the season well into spring, it's time to think about summer survival. A major danger in hot summer weather is heatstroke. Left untreated, it can be deadly.

Heatstroke usually begins with heat cramps. Heat cramps have symptoms that include excessive sweating, thirst, exhaustion and muscle cramps. It's easily treated by moving to a cooler spot, drinking fluids containing electrolytes, like most sports drinks and resting. Avoid fluids with caffeine or alcohol. If you don't treat cramps, you'll get heat exhaustion. Symptoms include nausea, headache, dizziness, cool moist skin and dark urine. Treat it the same way you treat heat cramps.

If you don't treat heat exhaustion, you'll get heatstroke. Your body temperature will climb to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you'll stop sweating and you may experience hyperventilation and a rapid pulse. As your brain heats up, you could have seizures, pass out, hallucinate, or become confused. Your over-heated muscles, cramping in the early stages, can become either stiff or limp. Shock is a frequent complication of heatstroke.

Since heatstroke can be caused by extreme ambient temperatures, extreme physical activity, or both, it's not uncommon in people who are hiking or rock climbing, especially in the desert southwest. Avoid it by taking a few simple precautions.

First, don't wear too much clothing. Stick to loose fitting shorts or lightweight pants like these, that provide protection from the sun and can convert to shorts in camp. Lightweight loose polo shirts or a buttoned cotton shirt that provides ventilation will help you stay cooler. Stick with cotton socks that can wick moisture from your feet, and your choice of light hiking boots, and your feet will stay cool. Use sunscreen, and apply it often through the day to all exposed skin.Wear a lightweight hat to protect your head and eyes from the sun.

Try a backpack like this one. The straps vent air away from your body, it carries two 32 ounce water bottles, and has a hydration sleeve for a 3L bladder. Make sure you drink often. Fill a portable cooler cube with sports drinks for anyone who starts feeling heat cramps. Make sure your camp has a shady area and is near a water source, and make sure you have a water filter.

Pay attention to your body to survive. If you feel heat cramps, avoid heatstroke by finding a cool shady place to rest and drink.

(Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-stroke/DS01025,http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/DS01046 http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-stroke , http://firstaid.webmd.com/heat-exhaustion-and-heat-stroke-treatment )

If winter has you traversing the great outdoors in search of an exhilarating and new expedition, you may soon set your sights on trip to the Arctic tundra. The frozen dessert is a place to explore untouched lands, catch a glimpse of native wildlife and breathe in the fresh (really fresh) winter air. If you can survive an Arctic expedition, you'll be joining the courageous few who battled subzero winter temperatures and trekked through snowy banks, which are like no other place on earth. Ready to put your Arctic survival skills to the test? Here's what you'll need to explore the tundra like a pro:

1. Trekking poles. Unless you're wearing a pair of super boots that allow you to forge your way through hills and mountainous snow banks, you'll need a sturdy set of trekking poles to help you navigate the trail. Lightweight trekking poles will help you climb, maneuver and explore those slippery slopes with ease, and trekking poles can be folded and stashed easily into your pack when needed.

2. Insulated sleeping bag. Not any old sleeping bag will do when you're exploring the tundra, so make sure yours is designed with double or triple layers of insulation and has extra-tight padding to keep you well tucked in for your overnight stay in the Arctic. Sleeping bags designed with a hood attachment will keep that heat trapped in during those brutal nights, and any self-heating padding will ensure you're warm and toasty enough to get a good night's rest.

3. Temperature-resistant water filter. Making sure you're well-hydrated during your trip to the Arctic can be challenging, especially when battling cold winds and icy temperatures is at the top of your to-do list. Still, you'll need to stay well-hydrated to maintain strength and keep up with the challenging adventure ahead. A water filter that fits neatly into your pack will give you an endless supply of fresh water so you're always well-stocked on the essentials.

Heading out to bone-chilling territory isn't for every outdoor enthusiast, but if you're courageous enough to brave the Arctic and complete a trail, you'll need these essentials to survive the challenge. Pack up for your adventure with all of these survival basics for an exhilarating -- and safe -- winter getaway.

If you're a trekking enthusiast looking for a change of scenery, maybe it's time to forego the usual mountain trails and forest hikes for a change of scenery. Test your fitness and endurance level under the hot desert sun.

Trekking the desert trail is nothing like your usual hiking experience. Instead, it's a trip that is sure to put your survival skills to the test. You'll be walking miles of sand dunes by day and setting up camp in a desert oasis by night. Are you prepared for an adventure like no other? Here's what you'll need to get started on that desert adventure:

Water filter: You'll be miles away from civilization over the course of the desert trek, so a micro-filter or water purifying system is an absolute must. Anything lightweight and portable will help you stay well-hydrated during those long days and nights. The Katadyn Mini Ceramic Microfilter easily fits into a waist pack or backpack and can help you keep up with your water supply.

Trekking socks: Some desert trekking enthusiasts insist on walking over sand barefoot, but if you're not quite so adventurous, you'll need a pair of sturdy shoes and socks for support. Trekking socks are designed to absorb moisture and keep the heat as far from your skin as possible. The Coolmax Trail Running socks from Thorlo are designed for usual trekking and trail walking, but can easily fit into your desert hiking shoes or boots to provide some extra protection. You'll need these to push on through those brutally hot days in the desert sun, and the thicker varieties will provide some extra cushioning and support on those long days of walking.

Lightweight tent: You'll need a lightweight, easy-to-assemble tent to set up camp for the night, and anything designed with a cross-ventilation system will help you ward off those sleepless nights when temperatures continue to rise after sundown. The Black Diamond Eldorado tent features a mesh window for better ventilation, and this model is also a cinch to set up. Just pack yourself in with a lightweight sleeping bag and you'll enjoy a night of restful sleep under the stars.