The natural world may be beautiful, but it can also be cruel and unforgiving. The problem is that most people don’t bother learning wilderness survival skills, which leaves them unprepared for emergency scenarios. Instead of just hoping for the best, learn how to outsmart nature in an emergency with some essential survival tips.
Put Together a Go-Bag
Having a go-bag set up by the door in case the worst should happen and the family has to leave home can make a life-or-death difference when it comes to wilderness survival. This portable emergency survival kit should contain all of the basics, including:
- Potable water and a water filter
- At least three days’ worth of light-weight, non-perishable food
- A first-aid kit
- A small mess kit
- Waterproof matches and a lighter
- Emergency blankets
- A tarp
- Paracord or rope
- A flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
- An AM/FM emergency radio
- A change of clothes
- Basic toiletries like Wet Wipes and toilet paper
- Small plastic bags
- Copies of important documents
- Comfort items for children
Of course, each person’s or family’s needs will be a little different. A good survival blog is a valuable resource for learning about quality gear and figuring out what to pack and what to leave behind.
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Learn How to Craft Temporary Shelters
The process of creating a temporary shelter varies depending on the environment. In sunny climates, the primary goal is usually to provide shade. In very cold climates, it’s to keep in the heat from a fire. The available materials will also dictate what’s possible. The best way to figure out what works in a specific climate is to head out to the nearest wilderness area and experiment. Keeping a tarp and paracord in the family’s emergency go-bag can also be incredibly helpful when it comes to crafting a temporary shelter.
Build a Fire
In wilderness survival scenarios, campfires aren’t just for cooking food. They’re also crucial for keeping wild animals away at night, staying warm, and providing comfort. Learn how to build a basic teepee or log cabin fire by leaning sticks up against each other to form a cone or stacking them to create a box-shaped structure, and use whatever convenient tinder materials are on hand such as kindling, dried leaves, or pine needles.
Establish Priorities
Having a go-bag on hand if the family has to leave home suddenly will provide a few days of food and clean water. However, not all emergencies that could lead people to take to the woods will be resolved within three days. Once there’s a shelter up to protect people and gear against the elements and a fire built, start establishing priorities. Water should always top the list, which is why it’s a good idea to have a portable water filter on-hand, but food sources are also important, as is maintaining the shelter and identifying potential threats.
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Stay Clean
Before modern medicine was invented, people often died from things like minor infections. Practicing basic hygiene reduces the chances of people developing infections and illnesses, which is essential not just for immediate survival but also for long-term success in a wilderness survival situation that is unlikely to involve trips to the doctor for antibiotics.
Practice Now to Stay Calm In an Emergency
The best way to make sure that everyone will stay calm and collected during an emergency involving wilderness survival is to ensure that they all have the skills required to survive comfortably. Practice skills like fire building, foraging for wild edibles, hunting, and other essentials before anything comes up.
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