Tips on Survival in the Wilderness

Food, Water and Fire

• The most important skill you need in the wilderness is to come prepared. Although you can gather much of what you need in the wild if it's absolutely necessary, there are a few things you should always have with you. The most important thing you need to survive is water: people can only survive an average of three days without drinking water. You should always carry drinking water with you in the wilderness. In most wilderness situations, you should be able to find a source of fresh water, but you need to purify it before drinking it. You can purify water with iodine or water purification tablets if you have those available. You can also purify water by boiling it; one minute at a rolling boil will purify water at sea level. You should add an additional minute for every 300 meters above sea level.

  In order to boil water, however, you have to have a fire. Although fire is not essential for survival, it is extremely useful in wilderness situations. You can use fire to boil water, to cook food, to stay warm and to keep animals away. Ideally, you should carry matches or a lighter so you can light a fire. If you don't have matches, you can use flint and steel. Any sharp-edged rock (not necessarily flint) will make a spark if you strike it against a piece of steel. However, if you don't have those available, you can also use a fire-plow. By rubbing a hardwood stick against a softwood base, you can create friction that will eventually make a spark.

  Other than water, the most important thing you need to survive is food. Ideally, you should bring food with you in the wilderness. However, there are many ways to find food in the wilderness. Small animals are easier to catch than large ones, and insects are the easiest sources of protein in the wilderness. Although some insects are poisonous, most ants, grubs, worms and beetles are edible. Mollusks, fish and reptiles are also good sources of protein that are often easier to catch than mammals. And, of course, birds and small mammals are edible when cooked. Birds are easiest to catch while nesting, and traps are the easiest way to catch small mammals. Plants are also an important source of food, but since many plants are poisonous, it is essential that you learn about edible plants in your region and don't eat anything unless you're certain you've identified it correctly. Many poisonous plants look similar to edible plants.

Shelter

• After food and water, the next most important requirement for survival is shelter. Sometimes you can find natural formations, such as caves, that will protect you from the elements. However, caves are often used as shelters by animals. You can build a shelter out of just a few materials. If you have a poncho or a tarp and some rope, you can tie the tarp to trees to make a lean-to or a tent. It's best to keep your shelter small so your body heat can fill it and keep you warm. The purpose of your tent in a survival situation is not to have space to move around but to keep warm and protected from the elements. If you do not have a tarp but there are natural materials available, you can build a shelter out of wood and tie it with rope or with vines if no rope is available. You can also build shelters below ground. In snow or sand, the best shelter may be to dig a hole and support it with wooden rods or an existing tree trunk. Since the underground temperature stays relatively constant year-round, a below-ground shelter will effectively protect you from extreme temperatures.