learn survival skills

Not an expert, but I’ve been out in the bush quite a lot. I know enough to keep me alive, but I’m always looking for different views and ideas. I’m always learning…

I’m trying different ways to get water, how to purify it, where to look for it, etc. I learned about water procurement, and now I’m trying it. So far, I just tried digging a hole and letting it fill up. I was excited because I got 2 litres, and didn’t have to dig very far.
I tried making a water filter, but it didn’t really work. The water came out just as brown as when it went in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awUoe5pjgsQ&eurl=http://youtube.com/my_videos_edit2?ns=1&video_id=awUoe5pjgsQ&next=%2Fmy_videos2%3Fpi%3D0%26ps%3D20%26s

I’ve watched every Ray Mears there is and have gotten book’s on this. I’ve loads of ebooks email me il send them to you guitaristicvoice@hotmail.com

I had intended for this goal to mean outdoor survival skills, but it seems life had other plans. The survival skills I’m learning are how to survive life when you think you have happiness and you find out it was all a lie. I am proud that I am strong enough in myself to keep the ability to think logically through extremely intense emotions and that I can handle the everyday stress on top of this madness.

I am strong in and of myself. This life will test me, and I will thrive.

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nuclear panic

Me and my best friend (from the military—we were also both in a Search & Rescue (SAR) squadron) went “naked into the wilderness” for a few weeks to test our survival skills. Okay, so we weren’t really naked…we allowed ourselves limited gear, and progressively disallowed ourselves the use of different technology and supplies.

We attempted all sorts of snares, traps, and did a good deal of fishing (using only line and a hook from my survival kit) and hunting (using bow, machete and homemade spear). Sadly, we were mostly unsuccessful in the killing department, but did manage a great many other feats, such as fire without flint, rendering acorn meat edible, erecting a most impressive shelter, selecting and cooking edible plant life, identifying and harvesting edible fruits (such as small berries, wild grapes) and preparing the prickly pear from prickly pear cactus for consumption.

Overall, we considered it a great success, as one of the most important steps towards attaining survivalist status is making the first move; getting yourself out in the wild and trying things out.

Still looking for more.

I’m in a Search and Rescue unit. It’s my job now :). My best advice for survival from the perspective of someone who looks for lost people?

-Know your limitations: Are you really going to be able to improvise that snare? Do snares even work? Carry three days worth of food (I carry 2 MREs, Trail Mix, and a couple power bars). How do I get three days worth of energy out of that? The best thing to do in the woods when lost is make yourself visible and stay put, unless you can hear the interstate nearby…Carry a whistle and some orange.

-Navigation Skills are your friend: GPS doesn’t always cut it in the woods. Learn to use a compass the correct way. Have an extra compass. Have a map. People get disoriented very easily.

-Water and Shelter: Carry some bottled water with you, and keeps some purifying tablets. 8×10 tarps are your friend. Try to get something bright colored for your tarp (eg. don’t buy a camo / black tarp). Get some 550 cord or a clothesline to string up your tarp. If it’s going to be cold, carry cold weather gear. Bring waterproof matches, and an alternate fire starting method. Do not rely on your improvised bow to make fire.

-It is a good idea to have basic first aid available, a flashlight, a multitool, some 550 cord, etc.

-On the subject of fire arms: Fire arms are good noise makers. If you have predators where you live they make good protection. They will get you dinner. Make sure you learn to use a weapon. It’s amazing how versatile a .22 is, and how lightweight the ammo is.

-If you are learning to survive for the end of the world: Don’t plan on living off the land. Have a cache somewhere if you are into that sort of thing. When the day may or may not come, have a place to go and get there. I am a CBRNE specialist in the Air National Guard, and so I have a somewhat different view on what to do when the stuff hits the fan.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS…Do not hesitate to ask me. This is one of the subjects where I feel I can give real good advice. Look around on the internet, find things out by all means. As a disclaimer, the above is just a quick guide. But really the most important advice I have is STAY PUT, BE VISIBLE. http://www.sarbc.org/litw3.html And finally, feel free to email me at gking86 AT gmail DOT com. Try to put Survival in the subject somewhere. I will answer, but it may be a couple days.

=D