Depending on the age of your child, you might not want to worry him or her about the possibility that they’ll need to survive on their own. However, as they learn these skills, they’ll realize how self-sufficient they can become. You’ll also sleep better at night (both at your house and in the wild) knowing that your child knows what to do in the event of an emergency.

Core Skill #1: Build a Microclimate

Clothing: The most important piece of the survival puzzle is having the ability to build a microclimate for core temperature control. The first layer of shelter is the clothing your child wears. Dress appropriately for the weather and location. Cotton is a killer in cold weather survival due to its ability to hold moisture against the body. However, it can be a lifesaver in hot weather.

Tarp/Cover: A reusable mylar space blanket is my #1 option to build an emergency microclimate. Add a clear 9 x 12 inch plastic painter’s tarp and you have a lightweight, effective cold weather microclimate called the Kochanski Super Shelter. You’ll need to teach your child to collect enough wood to build a fire in front of this shelter for it to be effective through the night.

Insulation Layer: A closed-cell foam ground pad is what I carry. This insulation layer is essential to creating a microclimate.

Without a commercial ground pad, two contractor trash bags can be used as an insulation layer. Fill both bags with leaves so that, when compressed, you have a 4 to 6 inch barrier of insulation.

Fire: The main reason I teach fire craft to my 9 year-old grandson is to reinforce its forgiving nature as a survival tool. Yes, even with no other shelter options, fire can keep you alive.

• Clothing
• Reusable Emergency Space Blanket/Tarp
• Clear Painter’s Tarp
• Two Contractor Trash Bags

Core Skill #2: Hydration

Find and drink enough water to cause urine to be clear. Remember, even if you don’t have a way to disinfect your water, drink it anyway.

Food should not be a concern for short-term survival. If you have enough calories to consume daily, eat up. Otherwise, fasting is your best choice.

Be prepared with water disinfection equipment. My preferred method of water disinfection is boiling. Without a suitable metal container, use your garbage bag to boil water using the stone boil method. Practice fire craft! I also like the lightweight Sawyer Mini filters.

Plants and trees are also a source of water and need no filtration. Cut a wild grapevine and water will drip into a container. A clear plastic trash bag can be used to get water from leafy, low-hanging tree branches through transpiration.

• Metal Container
• Water Filter
• Water Purification Tablets
• Trash Bag and Hot Stones
• Transpiration Bag

Core Skill #3: Sleep

When camping, I call sleep the number one skill of a good woodsman. But in a true wilderness survival situation, restorative sleep is key to staying alive. Sleeping 8 hours is his next survival skill.

A fire offers psychological comfort. It not only keeps the boogieman at bay, but gives some peace of mind concerning predators.

Your child should sleep at opportune times. Not all eight hours have to be consecutive like we stress when home.

With sufficient sleep, your child will be better prepared to deal with the stress of survival. Our physiological body needs sleep for rational thought and decision-making.

• Fire
• Practice in the backyard with minimal gear

Have you been able to teach our child any of these survival skills?

Article Source: Survival Sherpa