Basic Wilderness Survival Methods

Though you can find a wealth of information on wilderness survival, experience is the best teacher. Practicing these skills before you need them may help ensure your survival. Fear is a normal reaction to emergency situations, but knowing what to do and having experience with survival tactics can help you keep the fear from developing into panic.

  1. Finding Natural Shelter

    • Your first priority in a survival situation is finding adequate shelter. Natural shelters such as caves and overhanging cliffs can help save you the energy of building a shelter. Be careful when exploring a cave; tie a string near the cave's mouth to prevent getting lost. Remember, caves also attract animals looking for den sites, some of which may be dangerous if disturbed. If you are unable to locate a cave or cliff overhang, look for natural hollows under fallen trees; lining these pits with bark or tree limbs can also make an adequate shelter.

    Building Shelter

    • In the absence of natural cover, you will need to build a shelter. A small structure, insulated from the bottom and protected from wind and snow, will keep you safe from the elements. Build your shelter near a good source of firewood and water, and in an area sheltered from the wind. A simple shelter consisting of a lean-to made of poles or fallen trees and covered with plastic, tree limbs or bark may be enough.

    Finding Water

    • Unless you are lucky enough to be stranded near a water source such as a lake or stream, your next priority will be locating water. Look for damp or muddy ground or patches of green vegetation for possible underground water. Birds sometimes circle water sources, so following them may lead you to water. Boil your water to purify it before drinking.

    Finding Food

    • Some plants are toxic, causing mild to severe illness or even death if you eat them. If you have any doubt about a plant, don't eat it. Insects, while distasteful, tend to be high in protein and can help you survive until you can find a better meal. Learning to how to make simple traps and snares before you find yourself in a survival situation can mean the difference between a meal and an empty stomach.

    Signaling for Help

    • While a cell phone or two-way communication radio is the best way to signal for help, these items may not be available or in working condition in an emergency survival situation. In this case, you will need to use visual signals such as fire and smoke, a flashlight, flares, or a mirror. Choose a signaling area close to your shelter with good visibility such as a clearing or hill top. If you plan to use signal fires, build three fires in a triangle or straight line, leaving about 100 feet between fires; three fires are an internationally recognized distress signal.