Many of us can be going about our daily lives or enjoying a vacation with family and then an emergency happens. That's why we need to make sure we would know what to do. These seven skills will help you to survive off the land. They just might be the most important skills you will have!

Seven Survival Skills Everyone Should Know Include:

Making Fire

Knowing how to build a fire that burns through the night is crucial. Fire provides  heat, light  smoke keeps you warm and comforts you during the night. You can use it to cook food, purify water, as a signal for help, as a source of light, make tools and also for keeping critters away.

When traveling in the wilderness, it is always better to carry a few fire-starting tools like lighter, matches, firesteel, etc. You could also light a fire with the help of eyeglasses, water bottles, and cell phone batteries. In case you do not have any of these available then fire by friction is the most effective technique.

It is important to keep the wind direction and the surrounding area in mind when trying to start a fire.

 

Finding and Purifying Water

The best sources for drinking water in a wilderness are springs, headwater streams, and morning dew. You can find water by following the sound of a flowing river or grazing animals.

Large plastic bags can draw water from tree leaves; you can tap a tree to get some water. Dew on the grass is another brilliant source of water; you can collect water by running a piece of cloth through the grass.

If you have a fire then boiling is the best way to purify water. Even if you don’t have a container to put water in, you can heat up some rocks, drop them into the water and let it boil for 2-3 minutes.

For filtering, allow water to stand till the mud settles to the bottom, you can use any cloth to strain out remaining silt.

 

Building Shelter

In case you lose your bag, you can build your shelter as long as you can collect materials that could be put together as a rough shelter to help you get through until help reaches you.

You need to consider the location before planning to build a shelter. A good survival shelter must block all the outside elements and protect you from the ground, freezing temperatures, heat, winds that insulate cold or heat, snow, driving sleet and rains.

There are various kinds of natural shelters to consider such as caves, hollow stumps, and logs.

 

Finding Food

Fishes, small animals, plants, and berries are some options that you can look for in the wilderness.

Most of the natural environments are filled with all these and various other foods. If you are around a lake or a river, fishing could be the best option in any survival situation. Hunting small animals with snare traps could also be considered if placed at the right spot.

Plants are another natural and best options that can satisfy your hunger during survival. But it is very important to identify any plant you plan to consume. Do not eat unless you are sure about the plant as many plants can be poisonous.

 

Paracord Use and Paracord Knots

It is made of nylon, and it gives incredible strength and durability that can accomplish a variety of tasks. It is made in a braided form and can hold up to 550 pounds of weight.

There are extensive uses of this survival tool like building shelter, making fire bow, snares, fishing lines, and stringer, securing an animal, building raft, ladder, etc.

Paracord Knot tying is another essential skill in survival techniques. It is a fast & easy way to make a quick safety harness. There are numerous ways of tying paracord knots but taut-line hitch, figure eight knot, square knot, clove hitch and bowline are the most important.

 

Self Defense

It is always recommended to carry a few tools or some weapon with you like a knife or pocket saw or any other sharp object that you can protect yourself with. If you do not have any of these, you can find many potential weapons in the wilderness.

Self-defense weapons could be anything like a sharpened stick, branch, or a club or bow and arrow or an axe or simply a piece of rock.

If you are at risk from any animal, do not panic or run away from it. It is better to face the animal and get away from it slowly.

 

Learn to Communicate
The rescuer must be able to recognize your signals.

Construct unnatural objects that do not sync with the surrounding area and are easily noticeable. Use colors, materials, and shapes that can draw the rescuer’s attention.
A mirror can be used to reflect during the day. Aluminum foil, watches, silver parts on credit cards can also be used.
At night flares, torch and flashlights work best.
You can build a signal fire at a certain height in an open space and keep it ready to be lit instantly as you notice any plane or a helicopter.
Radio is surest and fastest way of communication.
Whistles are another sure communicating tool that can be heard from far away.

 

You should never be without these skills in any situation. You need to know the different things you can use to make a fire including the items you may have with you or items that are around you. You also need to know how to build an adequate shelter using the materials you can find such as logs, caves, branches, and leaves. It is also important to know how to find food including fish, small animals, and edible plants. You should also know about tying knots that could help you build things, what to use to defend yourself, how to find water and finally how to communicate effectively so you can get help. You never know when these skills could just be what saves your life.

To learn more about these seven survival skills, you can go to:

The Prepper Journal