Hiking and backpacking are activities that are highly enjoyable and liberating, as they provide an opportunity to declutter your thoughts, reduce stress, and discover places that would otherwise remain unseen.
Despite the unlikelihood of encountering an emergency, engaging in wilderness exploration inevitably involves certain inherent dangers. Therefore, it is essential to consistently equip oneself with adequate preparation and possess fundamental survival abilities in order to navigate such environments.
We have compiled a list of the top 18 survival skills that every backpacker should know in order to provide assistance.
1. BE PREPARED FOR THE AREA
Make sure to thoroughly understand the weather, terrain, wildlife, and insects that you may come across before heading out. It is more convenient to make changes to your pack before leaving home than to be caught off guard on the trail.
2. LEARN TO MAKE A FIRE
Knowing how to start a fire is an essential skill that every backpacker should possess, as it can be a lifesaver for cooking or providing warmth. Despite the availability of various fire-starting tools, having a solid understanding of the fundamentals remains crucial. At a minimum, it is recommended to carry a flint or strike igniter as a backup option.
3. LEARN HOW TO FIND OR MAKE A SHELTER
It is crucial to be skilled in creating a rapid shelter, particularly in regions with severe weather conditions. Take the time to familiarize yourself with setting up a tarp or tent until it becomes automatic. Additionally, it is wise to have knowledge of constructing a basic lean-to shelter for situations when your main shelter is inaccessible.
4. LEARN HOW TO TIE VARIOUS KNOTS
Having the ability to tie different knots is a valuable skill to possess. It can be beneficial in tasks such as hanging a bear bag, ensuring the stability of tent and tarp guy lines, or even scaling a mountainside in case it becomes necessary. Obtain insights from our illustrated manual featuring the five most practical knots.
5. LEARN HOW TO LOCATE WATER
If you follow the laws of gravity, you will have a higher chance of finding water at the bottom of a hill or mountain. In case there are no water sources in close proximity, another option is to collect dew during the early morning. Scouting Magazine and The Art of Manliness are both valuable resources that offer useful tips on how to locate water sources.
6. KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST
If you become lost, it is advisable to remain in one place. However, if a long time passes without any indication of rescue, you will have to take action. In order to maximize your chances, acquire knowledge on how to alert others for assistance. This involves using a mirror or fire to create light, whistling, or placing colored objects in easily visible locations.
7. LEARN NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS
It is important to emphasize that if you are backpacking or hiking alone, you must pay attention to the following. Even if you don’t end up completely lost, it is possible to deviate from the intended path if you are not skilled at reading maps.
To become familiar with reading a map, as well as determining your location and orientation, it is important to pay attention to landmarks. This will assist you in remembering your position and finding your way back if needed.
If you find yourself feeling lost, make sure you know how to utilize the sun for two things: determining the direction you’re moving in and estimating the amount of daylight left.
If you want to ensure your own safety, it is advisable to have a compass and the knowledge of how to utilize it. In the absence of that, you can employ alternative methods such as the watch face or shadow stick technique as a temporary substitute for a compass.
8. ESTIMATE DAYLIGHT WITH THE HAND TRICK
Additionally, it is beneficial to be aware of the remaining daylight. To determine this, you can employ a handy technique. Extend your hand with all four fingers positioned horizontally along the horizon. Ensure that the top of your index finger aligns with the lower part of the sun while your pinkie remains closest to the horizon. Each finger on your hand symbolizes a duration of 15 minutes. Thus, if your pinkie rests on the horizon and your index finger is positioned just below the sun, you can estimate around an hour of daylight remaining. This approach is straightforward and quite reliable.
9. SET UP SHELTER/SEEK WARMTH BEFORE YOU’RE WET OR COLD
Although it is more of a survival tip than a skill, it is still important to note that even with the use of an emergency blanket, cold individuals will not receive any heat reflection.
10. LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH LARGE PREDATORS
Although close encounters with bears are rare, it is important to be aware of the species inhabiting the area. In general, black bears tend to be wary of humans. Grizzlies, too, typically aim to avoid encounters, but they may exhibit more aggression if they sense danger.
In North America, it is advisable to educate oneself on how to defend against mountain lion and bobcat attacks as well. To provide a brief overview, one should extend their arms in the air and make loud sounds to appear larger in size.
11. CARRY A BASIC FIRST-AID KIT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT
It is advisable to always carry a basic first aid kit. In addition, it is recommended to educate yourself by watching instructional videos on how to treat commonly occurring injuries. Moreover, acquiring knowledge on how to create splints and slings for fractures and broken bones could prove valuable, and trekking poles can serve this purpose effectively.
12. LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR GEAR
If you don’t know how to use bear spray or an emergency blanket, having them won’t be beneficial. While bringing the correct gear is important, it is even more crucial to acquire the knowledge of using them properly.
13. LEARN TRICKS TO WARM UP OR COOL DOWN
To ensure staying warm outdoors, there are several approaches to consider. Initially, increasing body temperature can be achieved by engaging in physical activity and consuming food. Another aspect to keep in mind is choosing the appropriate number of layers to wear. However, it is advisable to avoid perspiring as it can lead to a decrease in body temperature. It may seem counterintuitive, but excessive clothing and sweating can potentially result in complications in the future. Therefore, it is preferable to strive for maintaining dryness whenever feasible.
Speaking of cold and heat-related illnesses, in order to cool down, it is advisable to find a shaded area, take a break, and ensure an adequate intake of water.
14. LEARN THE SIGNS OF SERIOUS CONDITIONS
If ignored, frostbite, hypothermia, dehydration, and altitude sickness have the potential to rapidly become life-threatening. It is crucial to familiarize oneself with the initial symptoms of each condition in order to avoid further deterioration.
15. LEARN TO IDENTIFY EDIBLE PLANTS IN THE AREA
If you find yourself lost in the wilderness, although obtaining water takes precedence, it might still be imperative to locate a source of sustenance. Acquiring the ability to recognize a variety of berries or edible vegetation could potentially save your life.
16. LEARN THE BEST WAY TO MELT SNOW
When considering the process, try to conserve water for mixing with the snow to hasten its melting, whether through boiling or shaking in a bottle. Melting snow takes longer than anticipated.
17. LEARN WHAT TO DO DURING A NATURAL DISASTER
Natural disasters such as avalanches, forest fires, earthquakes, or other occurrences can take place. It is crucial to equip yourself with knowledge, which is the most beneficial action to take.
18. ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE YOUR PLANS!
When planning a day-hike or a week-long backcountry trip, it is essential to ensure that someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, is aware of your travel plans. At a minimum, they should be informed about the location you intend to hike and the estimated time of your return. This knowledge can be crucial for your survival in case you get lost in the wilderness and require assistance from rescue teams.
5 Survival Skills To Master
Regardless of whether you have been hunting in remote areas for many years or are preparing to embark on your initial mountain expedition, mastering these 5 survival skills will not only aid you in immediate survival but also provide you with the opportunity to think clearly.
1. Shelter Building
When you are in a survival situation, the first thing you should focus on is finding shelter. It might not be possible for you to construct a proper camp as shown in the picture. In this situation, time is running out, as being exposed to natural elements can be risky, even in mild weather. If you are hunting in the western region, you will probably encounter cold temperatures and high altitudes, making the situation even more challenging, particularly during the night.
Not having shelter can cause challenges in regulating body temperature, resulting in hypothermia. Additionally, it serves as a form of protection against predators, providing a sense of security rather than acting as an impenetrable fortress. Nonetheless, it can provide enough time to defend oneself.
The reason why everyone should have the ability to build a shelter from natural materials is because it is a fundamental survival skill.
2. Building and Maintaining a Fire
After prioritizing shelter, the subsequent step would be to establish and maintain a fire. This fire would serve various purposes including providing warmth, illumination, and a means to cook food. Additionally, it could potentially act as a distress signal and deter any potential predators.
Starting and maintaining a fire can be a challenging task, particularly in wet or cold conditions, unless you possess proficient knowledge in doing so.
3. Food and Water Procurement
If you lack clean drinking water and a means of nourishment, your chances of survival for a prolonged period are extremely low. Moreover, the time frame is limited as you can only endure three days without water and a week without food.
Finding Water Sources
Locating suitable water can present difficulties. When in remote areas, water sources might be limited, and consuming water without filtering or purifying it beforehand may be unsafe. Furthermore, techniques such as solar stills could be employed to obtain potable water, but constructing them may not be feasible due to the lack of suitable equipment.
Knowing the most basic way to locate a water source is important for this reason.
- Moving Water: Rivers, streams, lakes, and springs are obviously sources of water but you might not be in the right location to find them. So the trick here is to look for water that’s flowing and moving, as stagnant water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful organisms. You should still always filter or boil the water before drinking it, even if it’s from a flowing source.
- Wildlife: Animals need water to survive, so if you see signs of wildlife, such as tracks or droppings, it’s likely that a spring or another source of water is nearby.
- Rainwater: Collecting rainwater is another option, but you’ll need a container to catch it in. Tarps or other waterproof materials can be used to make a simple rain catchment system.
- Snow and Ice: In colder climates, snow and ice can be melted to provide drinking water. Melt it first though. If you’re surviving in this type of climate, eating snow or ice directly can lower your body temperature and lead to hypothermia. Plus, it should still be purified.
- Vegetation: Certain types of plants and foliage can catch or hold a significant amount of water. If catching, be sure to purify the standing water first. If it’s part of a plants flesh, you’ll need to be able to safely identify the plant species as well.
Practical Tips for Foraging Food
If you’re a backcountry hunter, it is expected that you have a strong understanding of locating food. While engaging in activities like hunting, fishing, or trapping, you can obtain valuable protein and fat, which sustains your calorie intake. However, during survival mode, these methods may not always be available.
Assuming that hunting, fishing, and trapping are already accounted for in terms of obtaining food, let’s now shift our attention to the aspect of survival which involves gathering food through foraging.
If you don’t have specific information about the hunting location and time, which are crucial for identifying edible plants, we will provide you with some general guidelines for foraging.
- You Aren’t An Elk: For whatever reason, some people believe that if an animal eats a certain type of vegetation then it must be okay for humans to do the same. This is a terrible idea and a quick way to poison yourself. Deer can survive on mostly toxic plants, but that’s not an invitation to find hemlock and scarf it down. Don’t let other animals’ vegetation choices guide your own.
- Smell, Touch, Taste: In non-survival situations, the rule is to avoid foraging matter you aren’t familiar with. Survival has different rules. A way to reduce your risk of poisoning is to smell the plant first. If there’s a strong odor or one that’s offputting, move on. If there’s no odor at first, crush the plant up and try again to make sure. Then you can get a little more serious and touch the plant or fungus to your lips, then tongue… finally working your way up to a bite. Tingling, bitter smells, puffiness – these are all sensations to be alert toward.
- Lookalikes: Many plants survive with a lookalike strategy. While something like a morel mushroom is delicious and edible, it’s a lookalike to a toxic mushroom known as the false morel. If you’re going to go in for a taste, be certain that you’re eating the real deal rather than an imposter plant.
- Sample: You can gather as much as you like, and store in the earth to help preserve and prevent pests. However, it’s a good idea to taste just one small bite of whatever you’ve foraged and give it at least an hour before downing the rest. If there is a negative reaction, hopefully, the small amount ingested won’t be enough to completely sideline your efforts of survival.
- Leaves of 3: You know the saying, “leaves of three, let it be.” This little quip has saved many people from annoying poison ivy reactions, and this same statement is true for edible plants.
4. Fundamental First Aid
Treating wounds is the most crucial skill for survival in the event of an injury. In such situations, it is highly probable that you will need to utilize your knowledge of first aid. While it would be ideal to possess the ability to handle any emergency in the emergency room, that is not realistic. Therefore, if there is one aspect of first aid that you should focus on mastering before venturing into remote areas, it should be wound treatment.
5. Signaling
Signaling is crucial for your survival. To be saved from the mountain, it is necessary to communicate your whereabouts to the rescuers. You can employ different methods of signaling to seek help, such as producing smoke signals, reflecting signals using a mirror, and displaying other visible signs from afar.
You don’t necessarily have to go to your yard and practice spelling SOS with pine logs, but it is important to have a plan and possess knowledge of multiple methods of communication in case of being stranded.
