Basic Outdoor Survival Skills

I have picked out a few concepts that would beneficial in outdoor survival. I wanted to touch on three points that I consider to be extremely important. Each point is touched on briefly, but enough information is given to help the reader. We will be using a ‘Stranded in the wilderness” Scenario. Also remember, there are many more crucial points to outdoor survival.

Point 1. Using the sun as a compass.

Being stuck in the middle of nowhere is not fun, especially without a compass. Let’s use a simple tactic that has been taught since the beginning of time. First lets grab a stick about 2 ½ - 3 feet long. Next place it in the ground so that it is straight up. There should be a shadow cast by the sun hitting the stick. At the end of the shadow, mark the spot with a rock or dig out a marker. Wait about 30 – 45 minutes and then see where the shadow of the stick is now. Mark the end of the shadow like we did before. Draw a line from one mark to the other.  The stick will automatically be in the south position, the opposite side of the line you drew is North. The first mark is West and the second would obviously be East.

Here’s a bonus, using a watch as a compass. Hold a watch horizontal with the hour hand pointing directly at the sun. A line between the hour hand pointing at the sun and the 12 on the watch points from North to South.

Point 2. Shelter

You haven’t been rescued yet and Gilligan and the skipper are to busy playing with Tom Hanks and Wilson. We need to find shelter for the night so we at least know we will stay dry in case of rain, stay warm in case of snow or any other natural wonders that happen at the worst moments. Let’s find a place that won’t hold water or collect to much moisture. We’ll use a cold environment for this article. A cave would be great but we don’t have one for this exercise. First thing we need to do is get a fire going, it’s easier to work when we have some warmth around us. Don’t over exhort yourself to the point that you are sweating, that’s not good in cold weather, remember you need to keep dry. Branches are a great building foundation, if we have a tarp that just made things much easier. But you guessed it, for this exercise we don’t have one. Stacking branches across and over each other will make a big difference in cutting down some of that cold. Another good idea is to start the fire close to a large rock or have plenty of small ones around. Building your shelter between you and the large rock gives the heat something to bounce between. Warming up smaller rocks in a fire is great for sleeping. Dig 3 holes, one where your feet would be, next where our head is and third where you’re lower back is. Put the hot rocks in the holes and cover them with dirt. You just created a heating pad to go with your one star hotel.

Point 3. Keeping your cool

Here is the toughest part of survival, not freaking out! Treat and injury you may have right away. Healing makes living so much easier. Find shelter and a water source right away. Now your healing and have a makeshift home. Next thing, DON’T PANIC! You need to keep your wits about you. Find a large open area where a signal can be placed. It could be a fire or sticks spelling SOS, you need something to let search teams find you. Get plenty of rest and keep your ears open for human sounds, that might be your rescue team.

I always recommend a good survival course and first aid training to anyone. You never know what may happen and when you need it.