Master These 5 Essential Outdoor Survival Skills

Many of us have been camping at some point in our lives. Camping as a recreational activity takes many shapes and forms. From the urbanized glam-camping (also known as “glamping”), to the old-fashioned roughing it with only the most basic of gear to keep you comfortable, camping is a foundational experience for many Americans. While you were in the service, basic outdoor survival skills were surely a helpful skill. Now that you are out of the service, it’s the perfect time to put that training to use and build upon those innate outdoor survival skills by enjoying the splendor of nature. So, let’s take a look at exactly what you need to know just in case you find yourself with nothing but your wits, and two sticks.

There are many different things to remember when it comes to hacking it out in the wilderness. For some, the amount of survival knowledge needed can be overwhelming. However, it’s not as complicated as you might think. You don’t need a plethora of survival skills training either. Knowing just the basic outdoor survival skills is, for the most part, enough to get you through. Let’s start off with some of the most essential-supplies.

While this is not always a luxury one may have access to, it is paramount that you be prepared before you go out into the wilderness. Having all the basic tools to take care of yourself will ensure that you’re headed in the right direction. Consider packing the following tools in your day pack:

Knife

Firestarter

Tent or sleeping bag

Canteen

First-aid kit

Rope

Compass

It is crucial that you have what you need before you set out. As they say, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Regardless of where you find yourself settling down, fire is a must in your repertoire of outdoor survival skills. Its versatility is unmatched, able to keep you warm, cook food to an edible temperature, and give you light. Starting fire, however, can be tricky for those who may not have much experience. As mentioned earlier, a fire starter is ideal to have when trying to ignite a flame, but there are other ways to get a fire started. While stereotypical, the age-old method of rubbing two sticks together, also known as the “fire plow,” is still a viable option for getting a fire going. By creating friction, the sticks are able to create enough mechanical energy to convert it into thermal energy. This in turn creates an ember. Once the ember is created, using tinder such as dry grass or tree bark, and blowing on the source can help stoke the flames. Other methods to ignite a fire include using sparks by striking flint and steel together. You can also use sunlight via a magnifying glass to heat up your tinder. Both of these approaches have stood the test of time, and while there are better ways to start a fire with today’s inventions, these two methods remain effective.

Having a canteen (or flask as it is sometimes called) with you is one of the most important things to remember when going out into the wilderness. The human body consists of 50-70% water, and so it is extremely important that you remember to hydrate yourself. Having a continued water source with you at all times is vital to your health and safety. This is why hydrations should be the highest priority on your list of outdoor survival skills. Even if you run out of water, there are ways to turn unclean water into drinkable, bacteria free water. Water purification tablets have been proven to kill pathogens that reside within contaminated lake water. They do this by using the ingredients chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and iodine. The dosage can vary, and so it is important to follow the instructions on the tablet’s packaging before use. Boiling water is a survival skill method that has been employed for decades. By letting the water come to a boil, it ensures that all pathogens and bacteria are exterminated. This then makes the water safe for consumption.

Having a roof over your head is essential to human survival. You won’t have that, so the next best thing is to find something that makes a good stand in for a roof. A tent is an ideal piece of equipment to have with you, providing shelter from the elements. There are many different kinds of tents to choose from, but what kind you get matters little, only that you have something to put over your head. Remember, protection from the elements is key. But what if I didn’t bring a tent with me? Luckily, there are other ways to provide shelter for yourself, it just takes a bit of creativity and some elbow grease. For starters, there are many natural formations within nature’s terrain that work perfectly for shelter. With a bit of foraging for parts such as fallen tree branches, you should be able to get something accommodating enough whipped up to keep you warm and dry. Speaking of utilizing the natural environment, you can also craft a makeshift shelter using various parts of your surroundings. Using tree branches and twigs as walls/supports, and mud/dirt to keep everything holding together, you’ll have yourself a meager yet decent place to sleep for the night. This one is a bit trickier, but with enough determination it can be done.

An outdoor survival skills class will prepare you for every scenario you will encounter out in the wilderness to ensure your safety. These classes can be very useful and informative, transforming the aspiring survivalist into a pro. However, these classes are not a requirement. Outdoor survival skills can be learned by other means, such as YouTube, Google, and through practice. One of the best ways to get a grasp on learning survival skills is to just try it yourself. That may seem daunting, but it’s not as intimidating as you think. Going on camping trips with more commodities can help ease you into the concept of roughing out there for real. Perhaps take a group of friends with you. Bonus points if they know a thing or two about outdoor survival skills. While outdoor survival skill classes can help you learn the ropes and work toward becoming self-sufficient, they are not exactly necessary. Feel your way through it; do what feels right to you and your comfort level.

Getting out into nature is something that is supposed to be fun and uplifting. Sure, it is very important to be prepared before you go tromping into the wilderness, but it shouldn’t be something that stresses you out and causes dread. Everyone’s comfort level is different, and so the approach you take to getting started can vary depending on what feels right to you. If you feel you’ll get value out of an outdoor survival skills class, then do it. If you feel that you can learn the ropes yourself and do it armed with nothing but the vast knowledge of the internet, then go for it! Whatever you do, make sure that you are prepared, safe, and above all, enjoy yourself as you immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Happy camping and stay safe!