What is wilderness survival

One of the reasons for this show's success is that there is an adventurer in all of us and since we all cannot be in a survival situation we like to live vicariously through the people on the show. But don't make the mistake of thinking that being in a survival situation would be fun.

Wilderness Survival is not a game, there is no reward challenges, and there is no immunity. How do you think you would fare in a survival situation?

Could you build a shelter? Could you light a fire without matches? Could you forage for food and purify water? In real life you don't have luxury items, you don't get tarps and matches and camping supplies. In real life you may not have any tools except your own two hands. If you were stranded in the wilderness would you end up a survivor? Don't worry about those questions. Instead take action and educate yourself on survival techniques. Nature is unforgiving and you must be prepared to fight to stay alive.

The contents of this website are taken from actual US Army training manuals, this is the same material used to train the best army in the world. You will not find a more complete resource on Wilderness Survival. So prepare yourself because one day you may need it. This 15 inch survival knife with drop point blade features a thick quality stainless steel blade with serrated top edge.

Textured and ribbed solid metal handle and guard. Nylon sheath. Survival kit includes a hollow grip with a compass top to store items within the knife itself, as well as additional pouches on the sheath to hold the rest. Complete survival kit. Wilderness Survival Home. Take Our Survival Quiz! This type of survival usually takes place in a remote location. One of the biggest differences between urban survival versus wilderness survival is the set of tools. It is your best friend.

A multitool is perfect for an urban survival kit. A striker and a ferro rod is needed for starting fires. A bow saw is a great thing to have to cut through logs for firewood. This is crucial because you will need this wood to help cook the animals you find to eat. Water is crucial, so you will need a survival water filter. You can get very sick from water in the wild, so a water filter will help you get fresh water quickly. The average person can truly only survive about three days without water and a week without food in the wild.

A survival kit is the difference between life and death. Millions of people have survived in the wilderness since the beginning of time. People have been stranded in the middle of nowhere for weeks, and they have made it out alive.

A survival kit will help people survive if they are stuck. You may even need to approach survival with a hybrid model if you live somewhere in the middle of the wild and an urban development. Both scenarios should always include a first aid kit , fire starter, proper clothing, and a mobile phone if possible.

Finding safety could mean the difference between life and death in a disaster. Always keep a calm mind, use what you know, and utilize your survival kit so you can help others around you and be as safe as possible in a danger zone. Privacy Terms. These essential survival skills are the basic requirements of a comfortable and safe night in the wild. Learning how to build a shelter is extremely important to your survival.

Not only can this makeshift shelter become your home away from home, but it will also protect you from wind, rain, snow or even sun. If you build it properly, your emergency shelter can also keep you warm since you can contain your fire within it.

If your unplanned overnight stay takes place during extremely cold temperatures, you will want to prioritize your shelter in order to protect yourself from hypothermic conditions.

In harsh conditions like a blizzard , the general rule is that you have three hours to survive without a shelter. First, consider the location of your shelter. Your site selection must include enough of the material needed to build the shelter. Of course, your shelter must also protect you from the wind. I would also suggest evaluating the potential problems that could arise due to the surrounding environment.

For example, building your shelter in a low flatland area could lead to flooding during heavy rainstorms. Avoid setting up shop below rocky hillsides prone to rockslides. Next, consider the size of your shelter. It must be big enough for you to lay down inside so you can rest and recover. The bigger the shelter, the more body heat and fire it takes to warm the inside. In cold conditions, it is much easier to warm up the interior of a smaller shelter.

There are a few types of shelters that make for good options. Food and especially water are critical concerns when surviving in the wild. While uncomfortable, humans can go up to three weeks without food but the rule of thumb is that we can only survive three days without water. As such, finding water is your first priority. Ideally, you are looking for two or three cups of water per day to keep your systems functioning smoothly. In the summer, this may not be difficult. Running water like streams or waterfalls make for great sources.

In many quiet areas, the water may be safe to drink on its own. However, stagnant bodies of water like ponds or lakes likely carry diseases that will make you incredibly sick. When in doubt, purify the water. You can do this by boiling it for three minutes, treating it with Iodine tablets, or pumping it through a water filter.

If you find a damp or muddy area, dig into the ground and create a hole. There is a good chance the hole will begin to fill with water. Of course, you will want to treat this water but it will serve its purpose in hydrating you. Collecting rainwater is a great option, as is the collection of dew drops that gather on plants.

In the winter months, finding water may be easier. Look underneath ice for small streams of running water. When possible, melt ice rather than snow as this is more fuel-efficient. It is also a good idea to avoid eating snow. While that may seem counterintuitive, your body puts a lot of effort into heating and melting the snow. Since there is minimal hydration in return, eating snow actually dehydrates your body even more. Finding food may be trickier. It is a good practice to try to forage or find local food sources before digging into your emergency rations.

As a general rule, you will be looking for food in the form of wildlife or plants. Snares, traps and nets will help you snag an animal for food. Study your surrounding environment and identify the most trafficked game trails. Not only are these the best locations for a trap, but they frequently lead to water holes used by the animals. Foraging may sound easier than snagging an animal but be aware: many plants are poisonous, so it is imperative that you are confident in your plant selection before cooking up a leafy green stew.

While there is no one rule that applies to the entire forest, there are a few guidelines that will generally help you make your selections:. This guidebook shows readers how to find and harvest over different plants for consumption and medicinal purposes. Using a guidebook such as this, you are sure to learn about a few native plants in your area that are safe to eat. Not only will this fire keep you warm in cold environments, but it will also allow you to boil water for purification and help stave off wildlife.

First, find a safe location for your fire. If possible, opt for a sandy or rocky area to avoid causing any type of forest fire. After selecting your site, evaluate your options.