Venturing into the great outdoors is an exhilarating experience, offering a sense of freedom, connection with nature, and the thrill of adventure. However, nature can also be unpredictable, and even the most experienced outdoorsman can find themselves in situations where survival skills are essential. Whether you’re a weekend hiker or a seasoned backcountry explorer, having a solid foundation of survival skills can mean the difference between a challenging adventure and a dangerous ordeal. Angelo Dellomo explores essential survival skills every outdoorsman should know.
1. Navigation Without Technology
While GPS devices and smartphones are incredibly useful, they are not failproof. Batteries die, devices break, or signals can be unavailable in remote areas. Mastering old-school navigation techniques like reading a map and compass is vital. Understanding how to orient a map to the landscape and plot a course can help you find your way even when modern tools fail.
In addition, learn to navigate using natural landmarks, the position of the sun, and constellations at night. For instance, the North Star can guide you if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. This ancient skill ensures you stay on track no matter the circumstances.
2. Building a Shelter
Exposure to the elements is one of the biggest threats in a survival scenario. Knowing how to construct a shelter can protect you from wind, rain, or extreme temperatures.
Look for natural features like caves or fallen trees to use as a base, then build onto them using branches, leaves, and debris. A lean-to shelter, made by propping large branches against a sturdy horizontal beam, is a quick and effective option. Insulating the shelter floor with leaves or pine needles adds a layer of warmth and protection from damp ground.
3. Starting a Fire
Fire is not only a source of warmth but also a way to cook food, purify water, and signal for help. Learning multiple methods of starting a fire is essential. If you have matches or a lighter, keep them in a waterproof container. However, also practice alternative methods like using a magnesium fire starter, a flint and steel, or even friction techniques like the bow drill method. Equally important is gathering the right materials: dry tinder (like dry grass, birch bark, or cotton), kindling (small sticks), and fuelwood to keep the fire going.
4. Finding and Purifying Water
Humans can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. Finding and purifying water is a cornerstone of survival. Streams, rivers, and lakes are common sources, but in their absence, you can collect dew, rainwater, or water from plants.
However, natural water sources can carry harmful pathogens. Always purify water by boiling it, using purification tablets, or filtering it through a portable water filter. If none of these methods are available, a DIY filtration system using sand, charcoal, and cloth can help remove larger impurities.
5. Foraging for Food
While water takes precedence, food is essential for maintaining energy in extended survival situations. Familiarize yourself with edible plants, berries, and nuts in the region you’re exploring. Carry a field guide to ensure proper identification since many plants have poisonous lookalikes.
Additionally, learn basic trapping, fishing, and hunting techniques. A simple snare trap or a makeshift fishing spear can help you secure protein-rich food in a survival situation. Always prioritize food sources that require less energy to obtain, such as fishing or scavenging for insects.
6. First Aid Basics
Accidents can happen anywhere, but in the wilderness, even a small injury can escalate if not treated properly. A well-stocked first aid kit is crucial, but so is the knowledge to use it effectively.
Learn how to clean and dress wounds, splint fractures, and recognize symptoms of hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Carry multi-use items like duct tape (for makeshift bandages) and learn how to use natural remedies, such as plantain leaves for wound care or willow bark for pain relief.
7. Signaling for Help
When lost or injured, signaling for help can increase your chances of rescue. Carry a whistle, signal mirror, and brightly colored fabric as part of your gear. Blowing a whistle in sets of three is a universal distress signal. Similarly, creating large signals on open ground using rocks, branches, or fire can catch the attention of search and rescue teams. At night, fires and flashlights can act as beacons. During the day, use reflective surfaces like mirrors or metal to flash sunlight toward potential rescuers.
8. Mental Resilience
Survival is not just about physical skills—it’s also about mental toughness. Fear, panic, and hopelessness can cloud judgment and lead to poor decision-making. Staying calm, maintaining a positive mindset, and focusing on one task at a time can help you manage stress and make better choices.
One way to foster mental resilience is to practice mindfulness and breathing techniques. Additionally, remembering the acronym S.T.O.P. (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) can help you slow down and create a logical survival strategy.
9. Preparing Your Gear
Preparation is the first step to survival. Before heading out, pack essential items like a knife, multitool, fire-starting kit, first aid kit, water purification system, navigation tools, and extra layers of clothing. Always inform someone of your route and expected return time.
Knowing how to improvise with the gear you have is equally important. For instance, a tarp can serve as a shelter, rain cover, or stretcher, while paracord can be used for traps, fishing lines, or securing a shelter.
10. Continuous Learning and Practice
Survival skills are perishable—what you don’t practice, you may forget. Regularly test your abilities, whether it’s starting a fire in damp conditions, navigating without a GPS, or identifying edible plants. Take survival courses or go on short wilderness trips to hone your skills. Books, videos, and online forums can also be great resources for expanding your knowledge. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel in any situation.
The wilderness offers beauty and adventure but also demands respect and preparation. Equipping yourself with these essential survival skills ensures that you can handle unexpected challenges and enjoy your time in nature safely. Remember, survival is about adaptability, resourcefulness, and maintaining a positive mindset. With the right skills and preparation, you can turn even the most daunting situations into opportunities for growth and resilience.