Wilderness Survival Skills

Instructions Step 1: Find a spot Find a damp, sunlit location, such as a dry steambed, the bottom of a hill, or another place near a water source. Step 2: Dig a hole Use a standard or collapsible shovel to dig a 3-foot-deep hole into damp ground. The water in the hole is what you’ll …

Instructions Step 1: Define your adventure Define your snowshoe adventure according to whether you will trek flat, steep, packed, or icy terrain, or participate in competitive events, and consider snowshoe styles based on their intended use. Step 2: Consider weight Consider your weight, plus the weight of the gear you will carry, to determine what …

Instructions Step 1: Obtain a scat sample Obtain a scat sample, making sure to handle it using tools or gloves. Step 2: Match the shape and size Match the scat shape and size to its animal family. Scat that looks like fattened threads indicates the weasel family, while scat that looks like M&Ms is most …

Instructions : Children under 10 should not use a jackknife, and an adult should help older children. Step 1: Use a whetstone Use a whetstone, usually made of granite, to sharpen your jackknife. Find them at many outdoor, camping, or kitchen stores. Step 2: Position the blade Position the blade against the stone at a …

Instructions Step 1: Register Register for the orienteering course. You will be given a map, a control description, and a control card. You will also be given the option of renting a compass if you have not brought your own. TIP: The control description describes features such as the path, a junction in the path, …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare mixture Mix the peroxide, baking soda, and soap or lemon juice in a bucket. : Keep the soap and peroxide mixture away from your eyes and mouth. Step 2: Collect ingredients for mixture Remove your clothing and get into a bathtub or shower stall. Step 3: Lather up Dip the wash …

Instructions Step 1: Sand the wood Sand the wood base until it is smooth. Step 2: Drill a hole Drill a ⅜-inch diameter hole at a 135-degree angle to, and about 1¾ inches from, the end of the wood base. Drill deeply without going all the way through the wood. Step 3: Insert the dowel …

Instructions Step 1: Seek animals Go where the wild things are — landscapes with heavy brush for hiding and diverse vegetation for year-round food — and search for physical evidence. In addition to footprints, look for droppings, worn ground, and signs of rubbing, gnawing, chewing, scratching, or disturbance to the ground. Step 2: Examine clues …

Instructions Step 1: Head to the Northwest Head to the Pacific Northwest of the United States or Canada, where most Sasquatch sightings have been reported. Step 2: Search during the right time Search during the summer months, from July to October, and during the very early morning hours when Sasquatch are most active. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Scrape the hide Remove meat and fat from the hide by scraping it with a knife. Scrape from side to side — not head to tail. TIP: Use a fresh hide, preferably from an animal that has died a natural death or been the victim of a recent accident. If you use …

Instructions Step 1: Attach bowstring Tie each end of the string to the ends of the bow. Step 2: Wrap the bowstring around the drill Wrap the string once around the drill. Adjust the tension of the bowstring so that the drill does not slide back and forth along it. TIP: Do not let the …

Instructions Step 1: Avoid hiking after storm Avoid hiking immediately after a storm. Most avalanches occur at the time of or shortly after a heavy snowfall. Step 2: Avoid steep slopes Avoid slopes with pitches greater than 25 degrees. TIP: If you must traverse a steep slope, cross at the highest point possible, one person …

Instructions Step 1: Identify the wind direction Identify the wind direction, since the wind should blow toward the back of the lean-to. Surrounding vegetation will indicate the direction of the most common winds. Step 2: Locate two trees Locate two trees, slightly farther apart than the width of your tarpaulin. The line between the trees …

Instructions Step 1: Collect stones Collect stones, taking care to remove debris. The stones should be about the size of a tennis ball. TIP: Avoid stones that are porous and likely to fracture or crack when heated. Step 2: Build a fire Build a fire and wait for the coals to get white-hot. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Adjust barrels Hold the binoculars in the normal viewing position. Move the two barrels closer together or further apart until a single circular field comes into view. TIP: Roll the eye cups back if you wear eyeglasses. Step 2: Set diopter setting Set the diopter setting to zero wile viewing a distant …

Instructions : A bow and arrow is not a toy. Pointing it at someone could result in serious injury. Step 1: Make the stave Find a straight or slightly curved live branch about 4 or 5 feet long with a 1 to 1 ½-inch diameter. Choose wood that flexes without cracking. Use a saw or …

Instructions : People who are allergic or sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin should not use willow bark. Step 1: Find a willow tree Find a tree in the willow family. Examples include quaking aspens, bigtooth aspens, white willows, black willows, crack willows, purple willows, and weeping willows. Step 2: Remove bark Cut into the …

Instructions Step 1: Dig a trench Dig a trench with your shovel, 15 to 24 inches deep, that you can comfortably lie in. TIP: Locate the trench between sand dunes or rocks. Step 2: Surround the trench with sand Place the sand you unearth around three sides of the trench. Step 3: Prepare an entrance …

Instructions Step 1: Drive poles into ground Drive several straight tree limbs at least 1 foot into the ground every 8 to 10 inches along a single line. This is your first wall line. Step 2: Make mortar Make mud mortar by mixing together two parts clay soil, two parts water, and one part dead …

Instructions Step 1: Select a site Select a site for the wigwam. Use a clearing or clear an area yourself. TIP: The ground should be soft enough to accommodate the ends of tree saplings. Step 2: Stretch the saplings Find 25 to 30 green tree saplings that are 10 to 15 feet long. Use your …

Instructions Step 1: Place lightweight items at the bottom Place lightweight items at the bottom of the pack and heavier items at the top. Distribute the weight in the pack so that it remains balanced. TIP: If you plan to hike on rough or uneven terrain, move the heavier items to the bottom of the …

Instructions Step 1: Rub chocolate on the bottom of the can Rub the chocolate all over the bottom of the can. Step 2: Wipe the chocolate off Wipe the chocolate off with a towel, cloth, or paper, rubbing and polishing as you wipe. : Do not eat the chocolate after it’s been in contact with …

Instructions Step 1: Make noise Make noise while you’re walking in the woods. Step heavily to make the ground vibrate and scare snakes away. Step 2: Protect your legs Wear long pants and tall boots when you are hiking or camping. They will protect your feet and legs from snakes as well as insects. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Apply mosquito Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin to get rid of chiggers. Step 2: Clean your yard Clean your yard of tall grass, brush, and weeds. Chiggers will not survive in areas that are well maintained. Step 3: Bathe in soapy water Take a bath in warm soapy water as soon …

Instructions Step 1: Use chips Use your favorite potato chips as a fire starter. Light the chip with a lighter or a match and it will burn for approximately 3 minutes. Step 2: Use lint Pack a toilet paper roll with dryer lint. When you are ready for a fire, pile wood around it and …

Instructions Step 1: Get a good tent Splurge on a quality tent. A good tent serves as shelter from the wind and rain, and also remains breathable while trapping body heat inside. Step 2: Make a barrier Make a barrier between yourself and the ground. This can be as simple as a pile of pine …

Instructions : Select a quarry site When inside the igloo, make sure you have adequate ventilation. Always keep the entrance open. Step 1: Select a quarry site Select a suitable site for quarrying snow blocks. The snow should be firm enough to cut into blocks, but soft enough to allow the blocks to fuse when …

Instructions Step 1: Dress warmly Dress warmly for the cold outdoors. Wear a thin, breathable base layer, with an insulating layer of fleece, wool or down. Your outermost layer should be a wind and water resistant, breathable coat or jacket. Make sure to wear a hat and winter gloves, too. Step 2: Fix up your …

Instructions Step 1: Get dressed Get fully dressed in your winter attire, including durable waterproof gloves. TIP: Avoid jeans. They’ll get water-logged and cold. Step 2: Find a spot Head outside and scope out a strategic area for your fort. Natural barriers – like fences or walls – are good places to set up your …

Instructions : If you or your pet has been stung multiple times, seek emergency medical assistance. Step 1: Pull quill out Remove quills as soon as possible after they are embedded. Get a firm grip on the quill with the pliers or hemostats, and pull. TIP: If you are at the doctor’s or vet’s office, …

Instructions : Use extreme caution when dealing with fire. Keep an extinguisher on hand and always check with local authorities before building a bonfire. Step 1: Prepare the fire pit Dig a pit six to 12 inches deep with a diameter of five feet. Place a ring of large stones along the edge. : The …

Instructions : Never keep food in your tent. If an animal picks up the scent, your food –and you – could become its next meal. Step 1: Keep your food and food trash in a locked cooler and, if you’ve got a car nearby, store it in your trunk at night to keep it away …

Instructions Step 1: Clip your carabiner Clip a carabiner to an overhead knot on a bite. Wrap this around the first tree and clip your carabiner. Feed the line out to the second tree. Step 2: Wrap a sling Wrap a sling around the second tree. Clip the sling together with two carabiners. Step 3: …

Instructions : Snakebites are serious. Seek immediate medical attention. Step 1: Call 911 Call 911 before you do anything. Or, if you can, drive straight to the nearest emergency room. We don’t want to scare you, but snake venom can lead to amputation of the infected limb if it’s not treated quickly. Step 2: Know …

Instructions Step 1: Check the rules Make sure a campfire is allowed at your campsite. Step 2: Find a pit See if your campsite has premade fire pits. If not, you’ll have to make one. Step 3: Locate a clearing To create your own fire pit, choose an area at least ten feet away from …

Instructions Step 1: Memorize this saying Before you go meandering among the woodland creatures, memorize this saying: ‘Leaves of three don’t touch me.’ This pretty much says everything you need to know about avoiding poison ivy. TIP: If you know you’re going to be in an area with poison ivy, carry a poison ivy-specific cleanser, …

Instructions Step 1: Pick your water carefully Even if you’re intending to purify it, pick water carefully—ideally, from a running stream. Avoid standing water, and/or water that is dark, smelly, or filled with debris. Step 2: Boil it Boil water for about five minutes on a camp stove or over a campfire, removing anything that …

Instructions Step 1: Use the shadow stick method During the day, try the shadow stick method. Find a stick about three feet tall and put it in a flat piece of ground with no greenery nearby. Mark the end of its shadow with a rock. Wait 30 minutes, and mark the tip of the new …

Instructions Step 1: Dab on a little eucalyptus Dab on a little eucalyptus oil—studies show ticks hate it. Just add ten drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your sunscreen. Step 2: Try fabric softener sheets Tie a fabric softener sheet to your belt. Though no studies have been done to prove it, many hikers swear …