Winter survival was on the minds of many in the Northwest and across the country following the saga of the James Kim family.

AP photo

Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police holds a bag of survival gear intended for James Kim.

The San Francisco family disappeared in the Southern Oregon wilderness after a Thanksgiving trip, wife and mother Kati Kim and her two children were found safe by rescuers, but James Kim died after going to look for help after several days.

FULL COVERAGE: James Kim died of exposure, hypothermia

Surviving on your own in the Northwest wilderness this time of year is a challenge under the best conditions.

Winter survival tips

What to do if lost

Experts know the biggest enemies for someone trying to survive outdoors are wet weather -- and the cold.

Elliot Eki of AAA said the auto club and many stores in the area have seen a huge jump in demand for winter car survival kits.

Brian Wheeler, who runs the Northwest School of Survival in Sandy, has trained thousands to survive in the wilderness over the past 23 years.

Wheeler said one key to survival is finding shelter -- and being creative in the woods.

"Could be a tree that's come down, so the root system affords you good wind protection. Rock overhangs, dense clusters of woods. You could get in there and out of the wind. Your greatest enemy is going to be the wind and the wet this time of year," Wheeler said.

"And the cold combined with that is not a good scenario."

Wheeler also said it's important to stay on the road you entered the wilderness on. Searchers will likely use those same roads to find you.

(KGW Reporter Pat Dooris contributed to this report)