Locate Water
You might die if you don’t have it for even a few days. Water is necessary for life. But where do you look for it if you’re in the middle of nowhere? Ideally, you should be able to find flowing water. A stream, river, or brook, for example. If it isn’t possible, a lake or pool may suffice.
You may also look for a dry riverbed and dig until you hit gold. You may also use mud to filter water if you find it. Look for some heart of palm or other water-bearing plants as a final option to help you survive. Some of them may need to be purified, which leads us to our next point!
Water Purification
So you’ve discovered some water. Now you must cleanse it so that it is safe to drink. There are three main approaches. To begin, bring the water to a boil for 15-20 minutes. You may also add two tablespoons of bleach per gallon (it will taste strange, but it is safe to drink. Simply stop using it after that point).
Last but not least, purifying pills might be utilized. You can get them for a few dollars at any camping supply store and have them on hand. If you’re getting water from dirt or a stagnant source, you might want to filter it first with a coffee filter. Alternatively, an item of clothing can be used. Just make sure you boil the water afterward to ensure that it is safe to drink.
To Build a Fire
The majority of what you think you know about starting a fire is incorrect. The greatest advice is to construct as you go. If the tinder fails to ignite additional components, attempting to create a whole frame is fruitless. Fuel and matches will be squandered if you aren’t careful. To start, collect enough tinder (thin grass or tiny twigs) to fit within your middle and thumbs in a circle.
Add kindling once it has caught fire (small twigs and sticks no thicker than a pencil, and no longer than fingertip to elbow). Add firewood (longer pieces of wood that stretch the length of your arm) after they have started to burn. As you proceed, build across, leaving enough room to add additional tinder if necessary.
Baby, Light My Fire
Let’s assume you’ve run out of matches, your lighter has blown out, and you don’t know how to construct a hand drill. What’s the best way to start a fire? You, on the other hand, have a firesteel stored somewhere. You may be familiar with the terms flint and steel. Think of this as the supercharged equivalent. In general, flint and steel do not produce sufficiently hot sparks.
Fire steel (also known as ferro-steel) can splatter super-hot sparks on your tinder. Ensure you have a striker that is up to the task. While using your knife is a possibility, do so with caution because it may dull the blade. You can, however, utilize it as a last alternative. Simply place the striker over the tinder and draw the fire steel for you to use. After a few minutes, your tinder should readily light.
Take Shelter
In the wilderness, the path of least resistance is the best option. It’s no different when it comes to constructing a shelter. You don’t want to spend all day slicing, sawing, and tying. Look for a fallen tree with the trunk still connected. It should be at a 45-degree angle to the ground. This is your main support beam.
Alternate the placement of additional pieces of wood (limbs and branches) against it. Afterward, lean additional branches over these with leaves and other types of cover. To make the tops more secure, strap them together (using the top of the fallen tree trunk as a reference). This is a quick and easy technique to construct a makeshift shelter. Make a fire in the front of the refuge to keep it warm and to keep the animals away.
Go Fish
When building a fishing pole, there are numerous factors to consider. If you don’t have any other options for line, you can use monofilament, thread, or green vines. In the end, you’ll need a piece of line that’s about 10-15 feet long. If necessary, use a surgeon’s knot to lengthen the line.
Finally, attach the line to your fishing pole approximately halfway down and loop it three or four times to the end. If your pole snaps while you’re fighting a fish, the line will fall into your hands. It increases your chances of obtaining a meal. Simply ensure that your line is sturdy!
Hook, Line, and Sinker
You’ll need to create a fish hook now that you’ve got a fishing rod! You may make use of a variety of resources. Some people advise making hooks out of sticks or thorns. This is a last-ditch attempt, in our opinion. Use your zipper or the pop-top from an aluminum can for more efficient alternatives.
Completely cut the loop towards the top, flex the tip outward, and sharpen it. Use thread from your clothes, dental floss, or paracord as a line. You can always utilize green vines if you get trapped. Simply ensure that you have enough length. Now it’s time to get your fishing rod ready and catch some food!
Know Your Foraging
In a survival crisis, knowing what to eat might be the matter of life and death. Common sense is also an excellent guide for items like the raspberries seen above. But what if you come across different berries and aren’t sure which ones to pick? There are a few guidelines, to be sure.
First and foremost, keep clear from berries that are hung from bushes with gleaming leaves (think holly berries). Second, stay away from any plant that has milky sap (this is why dandelion stems are a bad idea, the heads are fine though). Finally, only eat wild mushrooms if you are confident they are safe to consume. It may not be enjoyable to stick to palm hearts, but if you are doubtful, it might save your life.
Yummy Bugs
Insects are a fantastic source of protein. While some of them aren’t particularly delicious, they are high in protein. Grasshoppers and crickets, for instance, are excellent examples. They’re high in protein. The best part is that they can be found virtually anyplace. Ants are a rich source of protein as well.
They are, nevertheless, the bug analog of rice (eat them when you are hungry and in the mood for 4,000 of something). They also have a pleasant flavor. Stink bugs, scorpions, woodlice, grubs, and earthworms are among the edible insects. The woodland is a veritable feast.
SOS in Smoke
In a survival scenario, signaling for aid is a smart idea. As a result, you must understand how to construct an effective signal fire. To start, gather three big branches with a diameter of 4 inches and a length of 4-5 feet. Find one that has a fork in it if at all feasible. Construct a Teepee and fill it with a big amount of grass and loose green stuff.
Put as much as you can in the teepee while being careful not to overcrowd it. To keep the fire going, you’ll need an equally huge reserve pile. The moisture in the grass and vegetation will produce a dense plume of smoke that will be visible from the air.
To Be Or Knot To Be
Knots are a useful skill to have. It’s crucial to learn how to tie a few knots. Knots are used for securing objects, hanging objects from trees, and making bedding. Knots are very helpful for mountain climbing. Learning how to tie a few simple knots will aid you in catching meals, creating weapons, and finding refuge.
The fisherman’s knot, for example, is ideal for fastening a handmade hook to the line, while the surgeon’s knot is ideal for negotiating severe conditions. There are several guidelines available on the internet.
Survival First Aid
Survivor first aid differs from standard first aid training. When you’re in a survival crisis, this talent might literally make the difference between success and death. Make sure you know how to reduce dislocations, provide epinephrine, and perform a focused spinal examination.
It’s also vital to know how to treat wounds, build improvised splints, and, in a pinch, make a tourniquet. The whole point of survival first aid is to avoid ever having to ask yourself this question… What am I supposed to do now? It’s critical to comprehend how you should prepare for unforeseen circumstances.
Spears
Understanding how to fire harden an item is maybe the most essential aspect of constructing a survival spear. People frequently misunderstand this notion, believing that fire hardening entails thrusting your spear into a fire and burning it. Indeed, you want to raise the wood a little above the flames to enable the fire to super-dry it.
When it begins to turn color, you can tell the hardening process has begun. When wood hardens, it becomes devoid of water. It becomes lighter and stronger as a result of this. Make sure you select the appropriate spear stick. Hickory, Oak, Locust, Osage, Maple, or Ash are all suitable hardwood species. Avoid softwoods such as aspen, poplar, and pine.
Feathers Are Best
When you’re in a survival scenario, it’s critical to consider everything as a potential resource. You’re even better off if you can discover renewable resources. Feathers are an example of this. They can be used in a variety of ways. For one reason, because feathers are very combustible, you may use them to start a fire.
They’re also excellent fishing lures. Use these in conjunction with your own hooks to capture a day’s worth of survival food. You may even use them to construct comforters, pillows, or blankets… but you’ll need a lot of them.
Pine Pitch
Let’s pretend you’re in the thick of a survival crisis and you need to fix something but don’t have any glue. It’s not an issue; simply manufacture pine pitch adhesive. It’s simple since the majority of the hard labor has already been completed. Take pine sap and softwood charcoal from your previous bonfire and mix them together.
Warm the pine sap gently over a fire while grinding the charcoal into a powder. When it has reduced to a liquid, spread it across the charcoal in a 5:1 ratio. You’ve got pine pitch now. Wrap it around the end of a stick gently and store it after it has cooled. Just heat a bit and place it on a rock near your campfire to use.
Send Mosquitos Packing
Bugs are a major annoyance and might even be a danger in a survival situation. This is due to the fact that they transmit illnesses and viruses that can keep you looking for days. One bite might cause you to puke for days or cause you to have diarrhea. It’s not enjoyable. Look for herbs like sage, lemon balm, citronella, peppermint, and catnip to keep them away.
Mud, on the other hand, may be used as a natural insect barrier. However, this should only be used in severe situations. Find some wild lemon balm or sage, massage it on your skin, and you should be OK.
Cook Your Food
Cook meals whenever possible. Cooked fish has a number of advantages over raw fish. Cooking your food, for example, will very certainly kill any parasites that may be present. In a survival situation, you don’t want to get sick.
Cooked food, second, and probably most crucially, needs far less energy to digest. Energy reserves are critical in survival situations. Roasting food over a skewer or putting your dish on a hot rock among embers are two simple ways to prepare food over a fire.
Vital Vitamins
When you’re out in the woods, it’s critical to obtain lots of vitamins. When your body’s vitamin stores run low, strange things happen. That’s something you don’t want to happen. As a result, keep an eye out for white, meaty fish. They’re high in vitamin B and contain a lot of it.
Flora, such as rosehips, are also good sources of vitamin C. Gnaw on some beetles or crunchy crabs if you’re low in calcium. Additionally, look for natural plants such as spruce needles, licorice roots, and lichen. For extra vitamin advantages, brew a tea with them. When you’re stuck in the woods, it’s critical to prioritize nourishment.
Say No to Shrooms
It’s best to avoid eating mushrooms of any type, no matter how appealing they may appear. All it takes is one incorrect varietal to cause lovely symptoms like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and, in severe cases, liver failure! As a result, it’s recommended to stay away from mushrooms entirely.
Irrespective of what you believe you understand about them, you are taking your life into your own hands until you are very certain. Keep in mind that there are over 70,000 different kinds of mushrooms. Only around 250 of them are suitable for consumption.
Make Your Bed
You’ll have to sleep at some point. When you do, it’s critical to have a suitable bed. There are several simple things you can do with little effort if you have a tarp. You may create a hammock by suspending the tarp from a tree using a rope. The top will wrap over you and keep you warm all night.
You could also make an A-frame shelter using a tarp and a length of rope between two trees. Make sure the A-frame is near to the ground in order to keep you warm while sleeping. You may also collect old sturdy limbs and make a bough bed out of them. Simply construct a box out of fallen trees and fill it with soft materials such as pine needles and dead leaves. Inside, lie down like a waterbed.
Girl Power!
Because of their versatility, tampons may be a highly handy survival item. Of course, you must get over the primary usage element, but when it comes down to a life or death situation, that is a rather simple step. Tampons may be used as a bandage, a filter for dirty water, and a fire starter.
Because they are very combustible, they make great tinder. If you’re desperate for water and your only options are stagnant sources, you may also stuff a portion of the tampon into a straw and use it as a filter. Candle wicks, cordage, and fletching for blow darts are some of the other possibilities.
Stay Cool
It’s critical to locate refuge in the desert if you find yourself in a survival crisis. The heat and dry climate can deplete your strength to the point of exhaustion. To begin, attempt to dress in loose-fitting clothing that will reduce perspiration loss. Also, carry lots of water and keep moving at night.
During the day, seek cover beneath low overhanging rocks or by connecting cable between items and laying an emergency blanket overhead. These will keep you calm and clear-headed. Furthermore, you will retain more bodily fluids, reducing the danger of dehydration.
Fly By Night
If you must go over the desert, do so at night. It’s scorching hot during the day. However, you may find yourself nearing the freezing point at night. As a result, make sure you bring warm clothing for when you’re on the go.
Naturally, having a compass or a star navigation instrument on hand will be beneficial. You can navigate the desert safely by using the sky and compass as your guides. A word of caution, though. Keep an eye out for animals, since many of them are nocturnal as well.
No Streaking!
This one may be appealing in a desert survival situation. Under no conditions, though, should you seek to remove garments in order to stay cool. This just accelerates the dehydration process, which can be deadly.
You’re also losing your most effective source of sun protection. As a result, try to keep your arms, face, and legs as covered as possible. Also, if you have sunscreen, make sure you apply it. It may sound counterintuitive, but keep this suggestion in mind.
Get Off The Ground
This one is crucial in terms of survival. In the desert, avoid sitting flat on the ground. The temperature might be up to 30 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. Make do with what you have and build a structure that will elevate you around a foot and a half above the ground.
This is when car seats or tarps hung by rope come in handy. There are other advantages to keeping cool. You’re less likely to come across a dangerous insect or snake if you’re higher above the ground!
Find Water
There are places to obtain water in the desert if you don’t have any. Follow animal trails downward or even groups of flying insects, for example. They must have access to water in order to survive. You might also take a walk to the greenest greenery you can find. Look for plants that have a lot of leaves that are extremely broad.
Dig approximately a foot down once you’ve found one of these places. It’s alright if you don’t feel any dampness at first. Increase the size of the hole by another foot, then watch for the opening to fill with water for several hours. After that, ensure the water is safe to drink by purifying it. You may also gather dew with an absorbent cloth early morning and squeeze it into a receptacle.
But Not Cacti
Cactus water is best avoided, despite its allure. You will become unwell as a result of it. The explanation for this has to do with how cacti handle water. Cactus goes through a distinct procedure from other plants when it comes to photosynthesis. They only expand their openings at night, preventing carbon dioxide from escaping.
Along with another poisonous alkaloid, Oxalic acid, it is stored in a form called malic acid. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are the end results. Cactus fruit, on the other hand, may be consumed. That’s completely OK.
Watch for Flash Floods
Sand storms, ironically, have the ability to cause devastating flash flooding. Desert sand takes a long time to absorb water. A short, heavy rain causes dry river bottoms, lake beds, and canyon channels to fill quickly. These can sometimes result in a 10-30 foot high water wall!
According to the USGS, drowning kills more individuals in the desert than dehydration. The potential of flash floods is quite serious. As a result, you should never relax in ditches or dry river channels. Floods may uproot trees and shift boulders, potentially putting people in danger.
Raise Your Hand
If you are in the center of an avalanche, raise one hand over your head. If your hand is visible above the snow, rescuers will be more able to locate you. Also, before going out for the day on a winter mountain climb, check with your local avalanche station.
They’ll be able to keep you up to date on snowpack and avalanche danger levels. Of course, letting folks know where you’ll be is usually a smart idea. This will improve the efficiency of rescue attempts.
Snow Flails
This may be counterintuitive, but give it a go. As much as possible, thrash around in the snow. Do it as if your life is on the line because it is. You can stay on top of the snow by flailing. In the best-case situation, you will avoid the lethal slide.
In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be buried. If you follow our previous suggestion, your hand should be sticking out in the snow, ready for rescuers to arrive. The movement is also quite effective. The more you fight, the more the snow underneath you is pushed away.
Air Pockets
But what if you get buried and become disoriented? So, assuming you followed our previous two suggestions, you now have one hand over your head. It may, though, go either way. You never know, spitting might save your life in this situation. Make an air pocket in front of your face with your free hand. Suffocation kills the majority of avalanche fatalities.
Now it’s your turn to spit. Gravity will lead you in the right direction to begin digging. Make a hasty decision before the snow compacts. Who’d have guessed that spitting might save your life?
No Sno-Cones
Eating snow, as enticing as it may seem, is a poor idea. Snow that has just fallen is typically fine. It might, however, make you unwell even a day later. What is the cause behind this? Dirt and other contaminants become trapped between the ice crystals. It’s not a good idea to eat them.
Furthermore, scientists have shown that in just one hour, the amount of potentially hazardous snow contaminants may skyrocket. The best course of action is to stay away from it entirely. And you thought it was only the yellow snow that was awful!
Melt Snow
So here’s a method for making snow tasty. Bring it to a boil. As a result, all of the pollution trapped between the ice particles is released. It is, however, a two-step procedure. To begin, you must first heat the snow sufficiently to melt it. Boil the snow for 15-20 minutes after it is totally liquid.
Much of the hazardous pollution will be released into the air by steam. Everything else will be sterilized. However, don’t consume it immediately soon. First, filter it. After that, set it aside to cool and enjoy!
Snow Caves
Building a snow bunker may appear difficult, but it is not. Look for a beautiful drift that can accommodate you. If one is not available, pack snow to create a four-foot-high slope. Next, excavate a hollow large enough for you to lie in and a fire to burn in, with an entrance large enough for you to enter.
A tarp may be used as a door to close it. The next step is to punch a vent hole in the top of the box to allow air to enter and permit you to breathe. Your fire’s smoke will also exit through the vent. You’re now set to retire for the evening and keep toasty warm.
Snow Blindness
In a survival crisis, the last thing you want is blurry eyesight. While the sun might dazzle under normal settings, it can blind you in a snowy mountain wilderness survival emergency. Your eyes must be shielded. Eye black is one method of prevention.
This will prevent glare from striking your eyes, which might result in retinal burns. Wearing sunglasses made particularly for snow blindness is another option. Just remember to apply sunscreen on your face to avoid appearing like a raccoon afterward.
Build a Trap
A deadfall trap is a good way to catch food for yourself. To start, drive a twig into the earth halfway up with a notch cut into it.
Allow another stick to lay on that slot while a third stick goes from the head of the first stick to the rear of the stick you just placed.
To make it more table-like cut a groove in it. Put a rock against the ground stick on the opposite side. Set your trap by placing bait on the center stick. The trap is activated as animals approach the bait, and the rock falls, making them your next meal!
Float On
You must focus if you are trapped at sea and assistance is not near. The top of the list is floating. If your ship is sinking, you should try to grab a lifeboat or raft as soon as possible. If you don’t have one, take an emergency ring, a life vest, or something else that will float. A plane accident over water is the same. Grab anything that will keep you afloat if at all feasible. This should be your first focus. If necessary, you may even tie your slack pants legs together and use them as flotation gear. All you have to do now is keep your head above water.
But what if there’s nothing you can do to keep your head above water? You can even float on your back if you like. This is a fantastic method to save energy and put it to good use later. Keep in mind, though, that this only works on calm water. It is, however, a clever technique.
Flip around and swim for it if you float near enough to shore. You may need to flip over and float on your stomach if the water is choppy. Raise your head only to take a breath, then lower it again. Continue doing so until you are rescued or you can swim to it.
Let it Rain
Collecting rainwater might be more difficult than it appears. Large harvest barrels can be utilized at home. It is, however, a little different in survival situations. Of course, many individuals just place as many containers for collecting as they can.
While this method works, there are alternative, more economical options. For example, make a channel with a tarp for rainwater to run off into receptacles you’ve put aside for that reason. Once you’ve gathered it, remember to boil it so it’s safe to drink.
Many Fish In The Sea
Remember that in a survival crisis, the water is your best friend. You have all of the food you require there in front of you. You can find food with your own pole and hook to eat later. You may also catch them with a cast net or in tiny pools during low tide.
Also, don’t overlook the importance of seaweed. It is nutrient-dense. Once you’ve harvested it from the sea, clean it by boiling it in freshwater. You will enjoy a nutrient-dense supper in only a few minutes. Seaweed and fish may keep you going for days.
Do Not Go Far
Wandering is never a smart option. You must, of course, gather food, build a fire, and seek shelter. It is, nevertheless, a good idea to stay near the crash scene so that rescuers may readily locate you. If you’re flying with a big airline, keep in mind that rescue crews will be dispatched.
A rough position will be provided by the plane beacon. Helicopters or search planes should be heard. They should be easily identifiable. You could also find it useful to start a signal fire near the accident scene. The debris will be highlighted by the smoke, and you’ll be glad you remained close!
Dry Feet
When walking through tropical conditions, it’s critical to keep your feet dry. It is a top priority in a survival crisis. If left unchecked, moisture can lead to germs, infection, and the loss of your feet. Prevention is the most effective technique. If at all possible, wear waterproof footwear.
If you don’t have any, cover your feet with plastic bags and tape them down. To keep your feet dry, several jungle outfitters advocate putting moleskin over moisture-prone areas. When you’ve completed walking, remember to give them a chance to breathe. Extra moisture is able to escape as a result of this.
Down Hill
Walk downhill in a jungle survival situation. This is due to two factors. First and foremost, it is less difficult. Walking uphill is exhausting. Furthermore, tiredness may be exacerbated when humidity rises and the forest canopy closes in. Walking downhill, on the other hand, is a wonderful method to locate water.
After all, water flows downhill, so it’s only natural to go on a walk to discover it. Water is not the only source of sustenance; plants, fish, and other creatures may also be found near water. Additionally, you can follow the stream until you reach civilization and seek assistance.
Leave a Trail
Others may be able to locate you if you leave markings. To offer guidance, use standard trial marks. This will achieve two goals. Because they are not natural occurrences, anybody seeing them will immediately recognize that they were left by someone. Second, when they indicate your journey direction, they will bring them directly to you.
Just keep in mind that trees should be marked in areas that are clearly visible to passers-by. It’s ideal to mark at eye level, around five feet off the ground. It’s also a good idea to set them as frequently as possible so that rescuers don’t have to guess your whereabouts.
Don’t Panic
Of course, it’s not going to be easy to keep calm and carry on, but when you need to survive, panicking is the worst thing you can do. It stops you from thinking clearly and wastes precious energy.
Try breathing techniques to keep your cool and think about the situation, determining what you need to survive.