Stay Calm: Panic can cloud judgment and hinder decision-making in survival situations. Keep a clear mind to assess the situation and devise a plan.

Prioritize Needs: Focus on fulfilling basic needs first: shelter, water, fire, and food.

Know Basic First Aid: Learn basic first aid skills to treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.

Stay Oriented: Maintain a sense of direction by familiarizing yourself with landmarks and using navigational tools like a map, compass or GPS device.

Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset to boost morale and resilience during challenging times. Focus on small victories and keep hope alive.

Know Your Surroundings: Familiarize yourself with the terrain, weather patterns, and potential hazards of your environment before setting out.

Stay Fit: Maintain physical fitness to increase endurance and resilience in survival situations. Regular exercise builds strength, stamina, and agility.

Stay Resourceful: Use your surroundings to your advantage. Learn to improvise tools and equipment from natural materials to meet your needs.

  • If you’re lost in the wilderness, following downhill streams can lead you to civilization.
  • If you’re stranded in the ocean, floating seaweed can indicate the presence of nearby land.
  • Pine trees can be a valuable source of food; you can eat the inner bark or pine nuts.
  • Cattail plants are edible and have numerous uses in survival situations, including food and shelter construction.
  • You can use charcoal from a fire to create a makeshift water filter by layering it with sand and gravel.
  • You can determine directions using an analog watch by aligning the hour hand with the sun and bisecting the angle between the hour hand and 12 o’clock to find south.
  • To avoid dehydration in hot climates, consume salty snacks to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating.
  • To deter mosquitoes, burn sage or other aromatic plants in your campfire.
  • To determine if a plant is safe to eat, you can perform the Universal Edibility Test, which involves testing the plant’s parts sequentially against your lips, skin, and finally consuming small amounts to check for adverse reactions over time.
  • A crayon can serve as a makeshift candle, burning for about 30 minutes.
  • Honey is a natural antiseptic and can be used to treat wounds and prevent infection.
  • A tampon can be used as a makeshift wound dressing or tinder for starting a fire.

  • Building a signal fire with green vegetation can create a thick smoke that’s more visible to rescuers.

  • Venomous snakes can often be identified by their triangular-shaped heads and slit-like pupils.

  • You can make a fish hook out of soda can tab.

  • The sap from certain trees, like maple or birch, can be tapped and boiled down to make syrup, providing a concentrated source of energy in survival situations.

  • Honey never spoils, making it an excellent long-term food source.
  • In an emergency, you can start a fire using a AA battery and a gum wrapper or steel wool.
  • You can use duct tape to seal wounds in a pinch.
  • You can use a condom to hold water or create a makeshift slingshot for hunting small game.
  • The juice from prickly pear cactus can be consumed safely and provides hydration in desert environments.
  • Insects such as ants, grasshoppers, and beetles are excellent sources of protein in survival situations.
  • Dandelion roots can be roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute.
  • Pine needles can be steeped in hot water to make a vitamin-rich tea.
  • Fish eyes are edible and provide a good source of nutrition.
  • The smoke from burning Doritos can be used as a mosquito repellent in a survival situation due to the citronella oil used in their flavoring.
  • If you’re stranded without a compass, you can determine direction using an analog watch. Hold the watch flat and point the hour hand towards the sun. The point halfway between the hour hand and 12 o’clock indicates south.
  • If you’re lost in the wilderness, following a stream downhill can often lead to civilization, as streams usually flow towards larger bodies of water.
  • The liquid inside coconuts can be used as a sterile intravenous fluid in emergencies, although it lacks some essential electrolytes found in medical IV solutions.
  • Petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) mixed with cotton balls makes an excellent fire starter.
  • Honey is an excellent wound dressing due to its antibacterial properties.
  • Chia seeds can absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, making them a portable source of hydration.
  • Banana peels can be rubbed on mosquito bites to alleviate itching.
  • Whistles are more effective than shouting for attracting attention in the wilderness.
  • To prevent blisters when hiking or walking long distances, applying duct tape to problem areas on your feet can provide relief.
  • To remove a tick safely, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure.

  • Wool retains its insulating properties even when wet, making it an excellent choice for cold weather clothing.

  • Create a Survival Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan for different emergency scenarios, including natural disasters, social unrest, or economic crises. This plan should include evacuation routes, communication strategies, and designated meeting points for your family or group.
  • Stockpile Essentials: Accumulate a stockpile of essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, medications, first aid supplies, and hygiene products. Aim to have enough to sustain yourself and your family for at least a few weeks.
  • Water Purification: Have multiple methods for purifying water, such as water filtration systems, purification tablets, or boiling. Water is crucial for survival, and having access to clean water is paramount.
  • Learn Basic Survival Skills: Acquire knowledge of basic survival skills like building a shelter, starting a fire without matches, finding food in the wild, and administering first aid. Practice these skills regularly to maintain proficiency.
  • Emergency Communication: Establish reliable communication channels with your family, friends, or survival group. This can include designated meeting points, emergency contact numbers, and alternative communication methods like two-way radios.
  • Stay Informed: Stay informed about potential threats or emergencies in your area through reliable sources such as local news outlets, weather forecasts, and government alerts. Being aware of potential risks allows you to take proactive measures.
  • Invest in Tools and Equipment: Equip yourself with essential tools and equipment for survival, including a multi-tool, flashlight, fire starter, knife, and portable stove. These tools can help you perform various tasks and solve problems in emergency situations.
  • Physical Fitness: Maintain good physical fitness to increase your stamina, strength, and agility. Regular exercise improves your overall health and enhances your ability to cope with physical demands during emergencies.
  • Financial Preparedness: Build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses or financial hardships during a crisis. Having financial reserves can help you navigate through challenging times without relying solely on external assistance.
  • Practice OPSEC (Operational Security): Be cautious about sharing sensitive information regarding your prepping activities with others. Practice discretion to protect yourself and your supplies from potential threats or adversaries.
  • Rotate Supplies: Regularly rotate and replenish your stockpile of food, water, and other supplies to ensure freshness and effectiveness. Use the “first in, first out” principle to avoid waste and maintain a reliable inventory.
  • Community Engagement: Connect with like-minded individuals or communities who share your interest in preparedness. Collaborating with others can provide additional resources, support, and knowledge exchange.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Be adaptable and flexible in your approach to survival. Conditions may change rapidly during emergencies, requiring you to adjust your plans and strategies accordingly.
  • Mental Preparedness: Foster a resilient mindset and mental preparedness to cope with stress, uncertainty, and adversity. Stay calm, focused, and resourceful in challenging situations to make sound decisions and overcome obstacles.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice: Regularly practice your survival skills and emergency protocols to ensure readiness and confidence in your abilities. Conduct drills, simulations, or mock scenarios to assess your preparedness and identify areas for improvement.