Disasters and emergencies are an unavoidable aspect of our existence. The way we react to these circumstances significantly influences our chances of survival. Even if you possess extensive knowledge on prepping, it is important to acknowledge that a disaster can swiftly alter everything, leaving you without access to your emergency survival supplies. Therefore, lacking sufficient survival skills can greatly diminish your likelihood of enduring a disaster or emergency situation.
Understanding the significance of modern commodities is crucial as it has significantly reduced our knowledge of basic survival. Consequently, this can have detrimental consequences in the event of a prolonged disaster, potentially determining whether we live or die. Therefore, it is vital to acquire the following top 10 basic survival skills to safeguard the survival prospects of both yourself and your family.
1. Learn how to grow food and or find it
In a matter of seconds, disasters have the ability to completely alter the circumstances. Even if you have adequately prepared for indoor survival, it becomes crucial to consider the possibility of being compelled to survive in the open without any resources. Under such circumstances, it becomes essential to possess the ability to procure sustenance independently. Mastering skills related to cultivation for your family’s nourishment, along with adopting a hunting and gathering approach, are the most vital abilities to acquire in order to prevent starvation while surviving in the outdoor environment.
2. How to find water and purify it
An essential skill that everyone should learn in order to survive is understanding the significance of obtaining and purifying water, as it is impossible for us to survive without it. It is crucial to recognize that unless your water source is a spring, there is a likelihood that your water supply will eventually run out and you will need to locate another source. On this website, you can acquire further knowledge on water storage and purification techniques. Additionally, it is imperative to know how to purify your drinking water to guarantee its cleanliness and drinkability.
3. Learn the art of clothing repair
Mastering the skill of clothing is crucial for survival, as it is one of the most significant aspects. It is important to have expertise in various areas, including basic sewing and the ability to create garments from fabrics or leather, in order to increase your chances of survival.
4. Learn basic grooming skills
It is crucial to acquire basic grooming skills in order to maintain the cleanliness and health of your family during a survival situation. Remember that maintaining good health is among the primary aspects in securing the survival of you and your family.
5. Learn first aid
In a disaster scenario, it is not realistic to rely on receiving help from medical professionals. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of how to provide medical assistance to oneself and others, as it might be the sole opportunity during an emergency. Prior to and during a disaster situation, every household or group should possess a reliable first aid manual and kit.
6. How to start and maintain a fire
Mastering the skill of starting a fire is of utmost importance in order to guarantee your survival, whether you are indoors or outdoors. Knowing how to initiate and maintain a fire is crucial as it can determine the line between life and death during critical survival moments. The utilization of fire extends beyond merely cooking food and purifying water; it also plays a vital role in keeping you and your loved ones warm, ultimately enhancing your likelihood of survival.
7. Learn how to defend yourself and be willing to do it
Learning how to possess a firearm and operate it is a crucial aspect to guarantee the safety of oneself and one’s family during emergency circumstances. It is crucial to acknowledge that in times of disaster or emergency, there will be numerous individuals driven by desperation, willing to harm you and your loved ones in order to access your provisions. Equally important is acquiring the knowledge of self-defense techniques using items like clubs, knives, and basic hand-to-hand combat skills.
8. Learn and train your mind to expect the totally unexpected
Disaster situations have the ability to alter everything suddenly, yet knowing this fact does not prevent us from becoming extremely frightened during actual disaster and survival events. Engaging in training and practicing different drills for various horrors is an effective method to equip ourselves for such circumstances. It is important to remember that there will always exist a significant potential for strange, bizarre, and alarming occurrences during a survival situation. By engaging in such preparations, we will gradually train our minds to accept and adapt to these scenarios.
9. Understand the world and potential disasters that await
Being able to react and respond appropriately to disasters or potential disasters is crucial, as timing is of utmost importance. Staying updated and informed by monitoring global and local news is key in recognizing the early signs of a developing situation, allowing for proactive action. It is essential to acknowledge that having knowledge is vital for ensuring one’s survival.
10. Learn and condition yourself into a survival mentality
In order to improve your chances of finding solutions during a survival scenario, it is important to develop the skill of resourcefulness. This involves recognizing the usefulness of certain items and adopting a survival mindset.
Other Tips On How To Survive Outdoor Emergencies
In any season and most environments, an outdoor venture can quickly turn into a painful emergency survival ordeal if vital gear is lost, a crippling injury is suffered, becoming disoriented or lost while snowshoeing in the backcountry, or being caught in threatening bad weather. Nonetheless, creating a plan of action can enhance the likelihood of surviving these and other life-threatening situations.
1. KNOW you are in trouble
To begin with, it is important to acknowledge and embrace the fact that you are in a dangerous and potentially life-threatening circumstance. This is commonly referred to as the moment of realization when you become fully aware of the severity of the situation. Since your mind is the most influential tool for survival, it is crucial to activate a Positive Mental Attitude (PMT) promptly upon realizing the gravity of your predicament.
2. Conduct an INVENTORY
To ensure your safety, first evaluate yourself, others, your immediate surroundings, and nearby resources. Assess any injuries among you and others, including cold-related injuries, and provide appropriate treatment. Remember to include a backpacker medical kit as an essential part of your equipment. Next, analyze your environment to determine if the factor that caused the incident is still posing a danger, such as harsh weather or unstable terrain. If necessary, consider relocating to a more secure location.
3. Construct a SHELTER and fire
In order to survive, it is crucial to prioritize remaining dry and warm. Whether you are alone or with others, it is important to ensure that finding temporary shelter becomes your main focus. If the weather worsens while attempting to start a fire, you will be exposed to the cold and dampness without any protection from these elements.
If you are in a group, designate some individuals to begin constructing the shelter while others focus on starting the fire and attending to other requirements. As soon as you have successfully ignited the fire, you can proceed to build a more reliable and durable shelter that will provide protection against the elements, enhancing the initial makeshift lean-to that was needed hastily.
4. Create SIGNALS
Search and rescue units will be in the field searching for you as soon as they become aware that you are missing. Therefore, it is important for you to establish signals promptly. Among the most effective signaling methods are producing smoke during daytime and emitting a bright light during nighttime. Additionally, arranging three gunshots, three fires, or three distinctly man-made structures close together are universally recognized distress signals.
To ensure visibility from the air, a signal sign should possess segments that are no less than three feet in width and fifteen feet in length. Constructing ground signals can be achieved effectively by digging trenches in the snow or spreading a wide area with branches and boughs.
It is important to possess the knowledge of using a signaling mirror, and to always keep it with you. Additionally, including a whistle in your basic survival kit is crucial. While you can only shout for a short period of time, a whistle allows you to signal to others throughout the day. The SOL survival kit, along with many others, often includes a signaling mirror, whistle, and various other survival items.
5. Find a source of WATER
The first step for survival is to stay hydrated, and the availability of water varies depending on the environment and terrain. In certain cases, water-saturated soil can be found beneath the surface by excavating around massive rocks, cliff faces, and even dried-up stream beds.
In order to avoid potential illness, it is advisable to treat water before consuming it, regardless of whether it is obtained from melted snow or spring-fed brooks. Taking the risk of experiencing nausea or other health issues is an individual choice, especially in prolonged or extreme circumstances. However, an alternative approach would be to acquire the knowledge of constructing improvised filters using sand and moss-filled stockings or incorporating a portable water filter into your equipment. Another relatively simple and generally safe method of obtaining water is by using a bandana or lightweight fabric to wipe the morning dew off leaves and then squeezing out the collected moisture into a cup or another suitable container.
6. Find food to EAT
Although we can endure for several weeks without food, it is necessary to restore exhausted body fuel as we utilize it during our endeavors to survive. Furthermore, consuming food has a favorable impact on our mindset, boosting our positive mental attitude (PMA).
When considering survival food, it is important to keep in mind two essential points. Firstly, the fact that a substance is edible does not guarantee that it will be pleasant to eat. Secondly, if you are unsure of the identity of a particular food, it is best to avoid consuming it.
In certain survival kits, a small bottle of tabasco sauce is included to either conceal or improve the taste of a food item obtained from the wild. Additionally, it is important to consider that it is counterproductive to exert more energy (calories) gathering food than the energy acquired from consuming it.
7. PLAY to maintain a positive mental attitude
By thinking systematically, reword the given text without altering its meaning or excluding any details. The most essential tool for survival is the brain. Sustaining a positive mindset can be accomplished by generating moments of levity or by participating in activities that provide small rewards throughout.
In a group, for instance, hold a competition to determine who can gather the largest amount of firewood or amass the most diverse range of edible items. Even in solitude, conquering obstacles can be a gratifying endeavor. Transform these moments of positivity into a form of game and employ that playful mindset to help you persist through your circumstances.
In addition to KISSWEP, it is important to dedicate time to acquiring and honing basic survival skills. Whenever you explore the outdoors, make sure to have a kit with you that consists of essential items such as a durable knife, friction-fire starter, whistle, and 550 poly cord. A photograph taken by Tom Watson displays these items.
Remember KISSWEP
To easily recall these priority steps for survival and work on them sequentially, think of the mnemonic “KISSWEP”.
First, acknowledge that you are in trouble. Then, assess your inventory and belongings. Next, find a suitable shelter to protect yourself. Afterward, create a signal to indicate your presence and seek help. Following that, ensure you have access to an adequate water supply. Then, prioritize finding food to sustain yourself. Lastly, find ways to entertain or occupy yourself.
In order to enhance your learning experience, make sure to assemble your own kit consisting of essential items such as a durable knife, a friction-fire starter, a whistle, and a 550 poly cord. It is also important to prepare a trip plan that you can share with someone before heading out into the outdoors.
Although these techniques may require modification or customization depending on the circumstances, having the awareness that staying warm, dry, hydrated, and nourished is essential will enable you to prioritize being rescued. These seven steps can be repeated indefinitely to ensure your safety and well-being. Your intellect should be considered your most vital tool for survival. Prioritize honing your abilities and acquainting yourself with their application before finding yourself in a situation where you have to depend on them.
Understanding how to survive necessitates the possession of both mental and physical adaptability and determination. Having knowledge of the purpose behind a specific survival task can enable you to utilize resources in ways that may not be immediately apparent at first.
