Today, very few people can survive in the wild for even a few days without modern conveniences such as electricity and electronic gadgets. Nevertheless, learning a few survival skills can make the difference between life and death in the event you are lost/injured while hiking or camping outdoors. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to survive in the wild:

The Importance of Wilderness Survival Skills….

Navigation

To survive in the wild, you must be able to move from one point to another with or without a compass. In other words, you should be able to use the navigation tools readily available in the wild. To start with, the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, meaning you can use it as a navigation reference point if you do not have a compass or map. You can also use the moon to navigate at night. For instance, the illuminated side of the moon will roughly face the west if it rises before the sun sets. Another handy night navigation trick is to locate the North Star if you are in the northern hemisphere. This star is usually sandwiched between the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. If you are in the southern hemisphere, the Southern Cross is a reliable night navigation aid. This constellation consists of five stars arranged in two almost perpendicular lines. The top line has two stars while the bottom line has two bright stars at both ends and a dimmer star in the middle. Draw an imaginary line connecting the rightmost star on the top line of stars with the leftmost one on the bottom line of stars. The bottom part of this line will roughly point to the south.

Shelter

Good shelter is vital because it would protect you from wild animals as well as weather elements. When choosing a location to build your shelter, select a dry area that is not near waterways or water accumulation points because wild animals tend to visit such locations to drink water. If in a forest, locate two small trees about two to three feet apart. Cut a tree branch and secure it at about hip-height between the trunks of the two trees you have chosen. If you have a waterproof tarp, secure two ends to the tree branch you have tied between the tree trunks. Stretch the other end of the tarp and secure it onto the ground to form a sloping roof. Cover the sides with branches and logs until you have a secure place to sleep or hide.

Survival Shelters – What Works?

Food and Water

To survive in the wild, you must be able to find adequate food and clean water. More importantly, you must be able to process various foods for consumption. For instance, you must be able to trap/kill, slaughter and roast a bird, rodent, snake or any other edible creature. Additionally, you must be able to identify edible plants and insects. These are vital skills for any outdoor survivalist because you are unlikely to last long in the wild without food and water.

Conclusion

To become the ultimate outdoor survivalist, you must learn how to navigate using the navigation tools offered by nature including celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars. Additionally, you must know how to build shelter and find edible food in the wild. For more information, visit how to survive in the wild today.

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