Essential Survival Skills You Need

Finding Food and Water

Finding Food

1. Scavenge: Raid abandoned homes, businesses, and vehicles for non-perishable food items such as canned goods, energy bars, and dried fruits.
2. Forage: Look for edible plants, fruits, and berries in forests, fields, and gardens. Make sure you can positively identify any plant before consuming it.
3. Hunt: If possible, try to hunt small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, or waterfowl. Use traps, snares, or a bow and arrow for hunting.
4. Fish: Create makeshift fishing poles and bait from natural materials and try to catch fish in lakes, rivers, or streams.

Finding Water

• Collect rainwater: Use containers like backpacks or tarps to catch rainwater from downpours or condensation.
• Look for natural sources: Check for springs, streams, and rivers. Purify water by boiling, filtering, or using chemical tablets.
• Dig a well: If there are no visible water sources, dig a well in a low-lying area with loose soil.

Building Shelter

Types of Shelters

• Lean-to: A simple shelter made by leaning a tarp or branches against a tree or rock.
• A-frame: A V-shaped shelter constructed from A-frame poles or branches covered with a tarp or leaves.
• Debris hut: A shelter made by piling up debris such as leaves, sticks, or trash.

Building Techniques

• Choose a sheltered location: Look for areas protected from wind, rain, and sun.
• Secure the base: Dig a trench around the perimeter of your shelter to prevent water from pooling underneath.
• Build a solid framework: Use sturdy branches or poles to create the structure of your shelter.
• Cover the roof and walls: Use natural materials such as leaves, branches, or animal skins to cover the shelter and provide insulation.

Providing First Aid

Basic First Aid Procedures

• Stop bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the wound and elevate the injured limb if possible.
• Treat burns: Run burned areas under cool water and apply a sterile dressing.
• Set broken bones: Immobilize the broken limb with a splint or sling.
• Splinter removal: Carefully remove splinters with sterile tweezers.
• CPR: Perform CPR if the person is not breathing and has no pulse.

Natural Remedies

• Aloe vera: Apply aloe vera gel to burns and insect bites for cooling relief.
• Plantain leaves: Crush plantain leaves and apply them to wounds to help stop bleeding.
• Willow bark: Boil willow bark in water to make a tea that can relieve pain and reduce fever.

Additional Tips for Survival

• Stay positive: Maintaining a positive attitude and a belief in your ability to survive can make all the difference in an emergency situation.
• Stay informed: Listen to weather forecasts and emergency alerts to stay aware of potential risks.
• Be prepared: Assemble an emergency preparedness kit that includes essential supplies such as food, water, first aid items, and a flashlight.
• Practice your skills: Regularly practice survival skills such as building shelter and finding food to enhance your abilities.
• Seek help if needed: Don't hesitate to reach out for help if necessary. Signal for assistance using mirrors, whistles, or smoke.