Could you survive in the wild in the aftermath of a disastrous event? To survive in a dire situation, you have to prepare. This includes training hard, conditioning your mind, improving your skillsets and getting physically fit. The aim is to be ready to face any challenges that may come your way when you trying to survive in the wild.
If you want to know more about how to survive, what skills you have to perfect, and what equipment and gear you need, you are reading the correct article.
What Are The Basic Survival Skills?
When it comes to survival and survival skillsets, there are many skills that will help you through. But if you wish to venture into the wild, and be prepared for the unknown, there are five major skills that you need to master. When you master these skills, you will have a clear understanding of your potential and capabilities. These basic survival skills which rely on your ability to put your knowledge and understanding into action are:
- Fire: Generate fire for warmth and water purification
- Shelter: Protect yourself from the elements and predators
- Signalling: Knowing when and how to signal
- Food and Water: Collecting food and water
- First Aid: Tending to medical needs
Fire
The most important element is fire. Anyone who wishes to venture into the wild needs to master the art of building a fire. This is because there are several uses of fire which can be beneficial to your survival.
Building a fire can help you to purify water and thus make it safe to drink and for cooking. Fire can also provide you with light and warmth, signal rescuers and keeps away predators. The skill of knowing how to generate and use fire is one of the essential skills required for surviving in the wild. This can be done in two ways: one is by using gears, while the other is by collecting firewood and lighting them up.
Shelter
Another important skill is creating shelter. Without safe and effective shelter, it would be next to impossible to survive in the wild. This skill is all about protecting yourself from excess exposure to sunlight, rain, cold, snow, insects, wild animals and criminals. It should be noted that in the wild, anything that adds or takes away your normal body temperature can be a potential enemy. So, protecting yourself is of utmost importance.
Additionally, you should have proper clothing and you should aim to wear the clothes that go with the environment. Again, conserving energy is very crucial. If nature helps you with a shelter, do not use your energy in making one. Also, you should practice how to make a simple lean-to shelter because this will help you if you cannot find a proper site for camping.
Signalling
Signalling is another basic survival skill, but it is somewhat unique. This is because knowing when and how to signal can help you alert potential rescuers that you are looking for or who may be looking for you.
You can signal them by using fire, bright markers, mirrors, flags, whistles, flashing lights, and smoke. One technique is to make three fires in a triangular shape, but make sure you keep them at safe distances as they can ignite the area. Another technique is to use mirrors when you see a plane flying overhead or if you spot natives in the distance. Additionally, you can make an S.O.S. signal in an open field to catch attention as well.
Food and Water
The basic survival skill is searching for and collecting food and water. Food and water are the two most important elements that can help you survive in the wild. Before you venture out, you should take some energy bars, candies, an extra portion of food, and water.
Be very cautious and do not eat plants or drink from suspicious water sources that you have no clue about. Finding a proper water source can be a problem, but what you should never do is drink urine. If you do find a water source, use a water filter to purify it. If you do not have a filter, use a handkerchief to filter the water, boil the water, and then drink it. Also, it is much recommended to carry some poly-zip bags, so that whenever you find a river or stream, you can collect water from them.
Remember! Stay away from wild berries and seeds, and stay hydrated.
First Aid
Another lifesaving skill is knowing how to perform first aid. This skill is not just about developing basic medical needs, but it is knowing how to put the skill to use in a situation. Remember, in the wild, and you have to take care of yourself, so do not panic, as it only makes things worse. Stay calm and focused and concentrate on the task at hand. If you are administering first aid, you need to have a clear head. Activate the STOP acronym – Sit, Think, Observe, and Plan.
One of the unwritten rules of basic survival skills is to train your brain to make rational calls. This is the first line of survival and can determine whether you succeed or fail.
Necessary Equipment and Tools for Survivalists
The most skilled survivalist, even one that possesses the basic survival skills, will need equipment and tools. Here is the list of items and a few product recommendations that survivalists need to survive and thrive:
1. Tools
Multi-tool: RoverTac Pocket Knife Multitool
Pocket knife: Smith and Wesson Pocket Folding Knife
Pliers: Leatherman Multitool with Spring-Action Pliers
2. Water Purification
Water purification tablets: Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
Portable water purifier: Membrane Solutions Straw Water Filter
Water purification drops: Aquamira – Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment Two Part Liquid
3. Illumination
Set of batteries: Energizer AA Batteries and AAA Batteries
Flashlights: GearLight LED Flashlight
Emergency candles: Candlelife Emergency Survival Candle
4. Tape and Cordage
200 feet of paracord: Tough Grid 750lb Paracord/Parachute Cord
Duct tape: The original Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape
100 yards of monofilament fishing line: Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
5. Fire-Building Kit
Flint or magnesium fire starter: überleben Zünden Fire Starter
Matches: Diamond- Strike ON Box Matches
Magnifying glass: AIXPI Magnifying Glass with Light
Emergency tinder: Procamptek Fire Plugs – Emergency Tinder
6. Blanket
Fire blanket: Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket
Wool blanket: Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Thermal blanket: Titan Survival Emergency Survival Blanket
7. Metal Pot or Mugs
Cooking pot: Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set
Canteen cup: Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit
Enamel mug: Joyfair 12oz Enamel Camping Mug Set
8. Trekking Poles
Adjustable trekking poles: TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Non-adjustable trekking poles: Nordic Walking Poles
Hiking staff: Prime Adventure Hiking Stick Walking Staff
9. Emergency Poncho
Rain poncho: SaphiRose Rain Poncho
Hiking poncho: USGI Industries Military Style Rip Stop Camouflage Rain Poncho
10. Safety Pins
Curved safety pins: Dritz Quilting 3032 Curved Safety Pins
Heavy duty safety pins: 5 Inch Heavy Duty Jumbo Stainless Steel Safety Pins
Industrial safety pins: Tool Gadget Large Stainless Steel Safety Pins
11. Basic Medical Kit
Adhesive bandages: Band-Aid Brand Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages
Gauze: Medpride 3’’ x 3’’ Sterile Gauze Pads
Elastic bandages: Premium Elastic Bandage Wrap – 4pk (2×3″, 2×4″)
Pain Relief (ointment): Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel
Pain Relief (tablets): Amazon Basic Care Naproxen Sodium Caplets 220 mg
Aspirin: HealthA2Z Aspirin 81mg (300 Tablets), Low Strength, Enteric Coated
Antihistamines: Benadryl Ultratabs Antihistamine Allergy Relief Medicine
Antiseptic wipes: Dynarex BZK Antiseptic Towelettes – 5″x7″
Triple antibiotic ointment: GoodSense Maximum Strength Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Tweezers: DUROX- Sharp Tweezers to Extract Cactus, Wood and Metal Splinter
12. Emergency Food
Canned foods: Wild Planet Wild Sardines
Ready to eat kits: ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply
Freeze-dried food: Mountain House Classic Bucket Freeze Dried Food
13. Rescue Signals
Signaling mirror: Jetec Survival Reflective Mirror
Whistle: LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard
14. Large Tarp
Canvas tarp: CARTMAN Finished Size 8×10 Feet Canvas Tarp
Insulated tarps: Arcturus Heavy Duty Insulated Thermal Reflective Tarp
Fire retardant tarps: Tarps Now Fire Retardant Canvas Tarp
15. Rain Gear
Waterproof rain jacket: Titan Survival Dryflip Rain Jacket
Yellow rain coat: Helly-Hansen Workwear Mandal Adjustable Waterproof Jacket
Types of Survivalist Courses
There are several types of survival skillsets and similarly, there are many survival courses that can help you become proficient in them. Here are some of the most important ones:
Martial Arts
Learning martial arts is not only helpful for self-defense but can also help you survive in the wild. There is always the possibility that you are going to face a challenge where you will have to defend yourself. As a result, it is always better to learn some unarmed takedown and striking moves as well as some armed moves with bladed weapons and blunt weapons. This is one course that will help you to survive in the wild.
First Aid
Learning basic first aid skills can help you or your friend in the wild. Get trained in basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid skills, then move up to the wilderness first aid level. Even though you are less likely to use it, it is better to learn the basics than get wounded and not be able to fix it. This is a wise move because the rate of getting an infection is much higher in the wild.
Food
Food is a necessary element you need to survive. A survival food course will tell you which wild foods you can eat and how to prepare your food. A food survival course can make you entirely self-reliant and ensure that you can feed yourself.
Wilderness
Having proper knowledge of wilderness survival can help you survive the wild with your full potential. The wilderness survival course will teach you all you need to know about building a fire, shelter, signaling, purifying water, and more.
Shooting
Another great skill is shooting. This skill can help you hunt, defend yourself, and use weapons as perfectly as possible. Consider enrolling in a course about firearms and other weapons. This will enable you to protect yourself and enhance your survival chances in the wild.
Best Survivalist Training Courses
The importance of being prepared for SHTF situations has resulted in disaster preparedness and survival training courses. Here is a list of the top five schools offering survival courses in the United States:
- Alderleaf Wilderness College: Nature skills and wilderness survival school
- Boulder Outdoor Survival School: Outdoor survival classes
- Cody Lundin’s Aboriginal Living Skills School: Teaches how to be strong in emergencies
- Sigma 3 Survival School: Learn about bush craft and survival
- Wilderness Awareness School: Awaken your relationship with nature
If you want to reach your full potential for surviving in the wild, check out the course offerings by the above schools. You may be able to enhance your skills and thus improve your chances of survival in a crisis situation.