Wilderness Skills

As rule of thumb in a survival situation, the body can go without food for up to three weeks, but only three days without water. Identifying and locating water features is essential for survival...

Freeze-dried food can be essential for survival as it is an easy and manageable provision for any camping or backpacking expedition. Freeze-dried food comes in a wide variety, from snacks to full...

When engaging in outdoor pursuits, accidents and injuries can occur. Wilderness First Responders must possess a calm reassuring manner, positive attitude and the proper equipment if they are to be...

Anyone who has ever hiked to a campsite carrying everything they need on their back quickly learns that economy is key. The problem when heading into the backcountry is the conflict between weight...

Hiking, backpacking and other wilderness recreation creates lasting memories for individuals and families alike. Getting lost in the forest is a memory no one wants, though. When trekking through...

A tide watch is a relatively new kind of wristwatch that uses pre-programmed information to advise you on the status of tides in your area. These data are usually pre-stored into the watch's...

An igloo is an ancient form of shelter associated with Inuit natives. The shelter can serve as a means of vital protection and survival in a critical situation, or more simply, as a fun snow-day...

Navigation through unfamiliar terrain can be difficult without the appropriate tools and skills. Knowing how to orient a map using a compass is essential for wilderness navigation. With a few...

Primitive cultures developed a highly efficient method for crafting hunting supplies out of natural materials. Primitive bows and arrows were a staple of survival throughout North America for...

Blowguns have been an effective hunting tool for hundreds of years, and some are still used in their traditional form today by many tribes across the rain forest regions of South America. Blowgun...

Flint knapping is an ancient way many hunters and gatherers formed arrowhead and spear points. These artifacts have been found in the American Southwest, particularly around the Colorado plateau...

Eskimo snow goggles, also sometimes referred to as Inuit snow goggles or Yupik snow goggles, are an important part of wilderness survival in the far north. Snow blindness from reflecting sunlight...

While it's always best to pack your sleeping bag in the bottom of your backpack to keep it protected from moisture and wear, a full pack can sometimes necessitate storage outside of the backpack....

The Boy Scout Motto is "Be Prepared;" for camping, hiking, boating and a host of other outdoor activities One of the best ways to prepare for any emergency is to pack a portable first aid kit.

The extreme cold temperatures of winter add a new element of challenge when things go wrong and you need to survive. If you are in an emergency situation in winter, either stranded in your house...

A rivet on a canoe is a bolt used to join two pieces of metal together. This is done by pushing the shank (or straight) part of the rivet through a hole in each piece of the metal, and then...

Building your own mountain bike trail is a very rewarding process. Not only will you enjoy the satisfaction of working with your hands, you will have created a quick getaway to pursue your true...

Seasoning firewood is another term for removing all moisture from the firewood. When moisture is removed from firewood, the heating efficiency of the wood increases. Also, seasoned firewood is not...

In its most basic form, orienteering is the art of reading a map and using a compass. Commonly, orienteering involves hiking over varying terrain to a predetermined destination without the aid of...

Although slightly less powerful than a traditional longbow, a flat bow is smaller and easier to build. The ease with which such a bow can be constructed, in addition to its smaller size, makes a...

Few items from medieval history have captured the public's imagination quite like the English longbow. From its pivotal role in the Battle of Crecy to its status as Robin Hood's weapon of choice,...

Military issue lensatic compasses continue to be an important part of a soldier's kit. The deep well dial design remains accurate in both hemispheres of the world. Designs have improved many times...

Whether it be walking, biking, driving or running, off roading in the wilderness can have a negative effect on the well-being of the wildlife. The negative effects can include killing animals,...

Nalgene bottles are odor free, durable and reusable water containers. These three features make them just as popular for home life as they are in the outdoors. Unfortunately, unless you own a...

This article will tell you how to keep dry when hiking on your next vacation outdoors.

While those shiny silver survival blankets look like nothing more than huge sheets of aluminum foil, they are actually made of a metalized plastic film called Mylar. The material was originally...

The modern muzzleloader is the product of trial and error over the centuries. It resembles its forebears in loading and basic firing characteristics, but is very different from the first matchlock...

Pigeons are nuisances in suburban areas. If you find yourself with limited financial resources or are simply interested in being handy, you can create your own pigeon trap with some household...

An old adage " a dull knife is dangerous" can remedied a lot easier than you might think.

Want to get that jacket or pant ready for rain or snow? Here's how to use Nikwax to waterproof fabrics for outdoor activities.

Homesteading is attractive because it represents a self-sufficient, agrarian lifestyle. Many of us dream of a place in the country that is off the grid--and where we don't rely on the county to...

There are three basic techniques of tree climbing. There is free climbing, which involves climbing without any safety equipment or gear. Experts advise against this method. Then there are two...

This is a great way to recycle things you would other wise throw into the trash to create something useful and effective. These fire starters really work.

This article is a how to on the materials of the hand drill. After you have read this article you should be able to select suitable hand drill materials and prepare them for use.

This survival guide will give you valuable tips to use when you have a car break down, get lost while hiking, have a power outage, are caught in a natural disaster, or even during times of civil...

Not only are ASP batons made to serve and protect law enforcement personnel, but they are also offered to protect you. According the Tactical Batons website, the ASP baton has been tested and...

How to Make Fatwood. Making fatwood is an easy yet long process. Some commercial producer will wait a decade or more to harvest the mood. Look for areas where old stumps of pine trees are and see...

The trick to survivalist planning is considering ahead of time how to sustain life on a day-to-day basis and in an emergency. Stockpiling plays a major part in being prepared for whatever...

Have you ever been lost in the woods or on a hike with only a compass and a map? Whether you answered yes or no to the above question—you will certainly agree it’s best to know how to use a...

Following the tracks left by animals can be an enjoyable pastime, especially if an individual becomes proficient at it. Being able to follow an animal's trail can allow a person to "see the world"...

There are many edible plants in the wild, but identifying them can be tricky. Research and identify non-toxic plants and berries found in the wild with life-saving tips from an experienced...

A survival kit should include essential items, such as a knife, matches or fire starters, a flashlight, a compass, a whistle, rain gear, high-protein food, water and means to sanitize water. Find...

Using a compass involves holding it as level as possible, finding the desired direction or bearing and using the magnetic north needle as reference. Use a compass to navigate through the...

Wilderness survival has as much to do with psychology as physical survival, so getting into the right mindset is the first step in planning a survival tactic. Learn a few acronyms to live by with...

Making a compass in the wild can be done using a sewing needle, a magnet and some stagnant water, or it can be done using the shadows of the sun to find east and west. Get your bearings in the...

Making a fire without matches is possible by using magnesium flint steel or by using friction to create an ember. Always have tinder ready to ignite with life-saving tips from an experienced...

In the wilderness, healthy people can survive without food for as long as eight weeks, assuming they have plenty of drinkable water at hand. Understand what the body goes through during starvation...

Techniques for surviving in the wilderness rely heavily on practice, preparation and common sense, as there are many useful items that can help boil water, prepare food or hold together a shelter....

Building a shelter in the wilderness is key to survival, especially in harsh conditions, so consider using rain gear, sticks and debris to create a lean-to or tent for protection. Create some...

Making a fire involves starting with the material that is easiest to ignite, such as dried bark strips, and building up to longer-lasting woods, such as maple or pine pieces. Find out how to build...