Surviving in the wild takes a lot of skills and let’s face it; a whole lot of luck doesn’t hurt either. But unexpected things will happen in the wilderness no matter how prepared we think we are. However, an experienced camper should have no problem passing this survival quiz quick and easy.
Surviving in the wild takes a lot of skills and let’s face it; a whole lot of luck doesn’t hurt either. But unexpected things will happen in the wilderness no matter how prepared we think we are. However, an experienced camper should have no problem passing this survival quiz quick and easy.
Soak some cotton balls with Vaseline. This will cause a fire to spark almost right away. And it sure beats trying to rub two sticks together all night in the slim chance of starting a fire.
Most people don’t know what Poison Ivy looks like until it’s too late. But one can easily identify it by counting how many leaves are on each stem. If they have three, then steer clear of this plant.
Deserts can get very hot during the day, and there aren’t any trees that can provide a significant amount of shelter from the sun. So, consider traveling at night where the desert is a whole lot cooler.
Moisture is a pack of provisions’ worst enemy because it has the power to cause food to spoil. So, make sure to always store anything perishable in waterproof containers to avoid running out of provisions.
It’s very important for travelers to let friends and loved ones know where they're going and when they plan to be back. That way, if they don’t come home, people know they're missing and can send someone to find them.
If a traveler has tapped out all of their bottled water, they can use dew on leaves, tree sap and even rainwater to stay hydrated. While rainwater isn’t 100% safe because it contains atmospheric pollutants, it’s better than passing out from thirst.
The safest course of action in this case is to avoid eating mushrooms no matter how tasty they might look. Don’t rely on books or images on websites alone to identify which mushroom is safe to eat either.
The wilderness is a dangerous place full of predatory animals. It can also leave one exposed to the elements like thunderstorms and extreme heat from the sun, which is why building a tent or finding shelter by some trees or the mouth of a cave is so important.
If the water from a river is higher than a person's knees, then there’s a risk that the currents can sweep them away. It will also be very difficult to see where a person is stepping because river water isn’t always clear.
According to The National Park Service, if a camper encounters a grizzly bear, they should play dead until it leaves. But they also warn that this tactic won’t work on a black bear, so beware!
It’ll taste absolutely disgusting, but it’s okay to drink one’s own urine. In fact, it might help people stay alive in dire situations.
Preventing further blood loss is a top priority when one is injured and the best way to do that is by applying pressure. Once the bleeding has stopped, proceed to disinfect the area and bandage it up.
Even Bug Off can’t guarantee campers won’t get bit. But once they do, all they need to do is apply some toothpaste to the bite. The menthol in the toothpaste will relive the uncontrollable urge to scratch those itches.
Although elevation does have an effect on fire, it’s certainly not a requirement when starting a fire. However, oxygen, heat, and fuel are essential components to get one going.
Polaris, a.k.a. the North Star, is found at the Little Dipper’s end handle and for thousands of years, travelers have used constellations like this one to navigate on land and at sea.
Moss is found on the northern side of trees and it can be placed over a sleeping bag or tent to keep campers warm or cool. So, keep that in mind for the next camping trip.
Socks can do more than keep feet warm while camping. They can also be used as makeshift filtration systems to strain dirt and other debris from water.
Food waste tends to attract very hungry wild animals, so it’s always best to take any residual food as far away from camp as possible to ensure our survival.
If a camper can’t find a cell phone signal, they should try the time-honored, old school method of using smoke signals to send help. To create extra smoke, throw some spruce and pine leaves into the fire. This will make the smoke more visible.
Set up a hammock between two trees and make sure it’s secured. This will keep anyone safe from running into critters like snakes and it’s not so high off the ground that a person could risk breaking their neck if they fall.
Snow is still water so it does have the power to rehydrate, but it’s important to melt it first so that it doesn’t cause one's body temperature to drop so low that someone could go into hypothermic shock.
A single mirror won’t reflect enough light to catch anyone’s attention, especially if it’s very cloudy. But it’s a lot easier to cause a brighter reflection light with two mirrors.
Find a needle and sterilize it with some rubbing alcohol. Then jab the blister but avoid removing the skin if possible. Once the excess liquid is drained, whoever got a blister will experience some relief.
Need some light to light the way when the sun goes down? Create a torch by sticking birch bark into the end of a split branch. This will ensure that the torch burns bright for a long time.
Knowing what kind of snake bit someone will help first responders know how long the person has to live and what type of anti-venom to administer.
Carrying any more gear than necessary on a hiking trip can not only slow you down due to the excess weight, it can also put strain on your back and cause you to lose your balance if you find yourself on uneven ground during your hike.
Cotton is comfortable and light weight when it’s dry, but it can absorb a lot of moisture. So, if you get caught in the rain while decked out in cotton, you’ll soon be weighed down by your cold and wet clothes.
Glowsticks last for a long time, much longer than anything that can be set on fire. And they’re perfect for lighting one’s way in the dark. Plus, they’re easy to pack in even the smallest of knapsacks.
These clear plastic ponchos can be used as rain traps to catch drinkable rainwater. Just arrange the poncho into a funnel-shaped receptacle while it’s raining and you’ll soon be able to collect the water.
This term for a mix of pre-prepared dried fruits and nuts originated in Australia and New Zealand, so you might not hear it much in other parts of the world!
Water may be contaminated with bacteria even if it looks clear and there is vegetation living in it. It is always safer to filter your water with purifying tablets than risk a nasty infection.
Aluminum foil is light, so it won’t weigh down your bag, and you can mold it into shapes to mimic other utensils like a spoon or spatula. Its reflective surface can also reflect heat and be used near fires.
Obviously, no one wants to sit (or sleep) downwind of a burning fire, so always make sure that your fire is far enough away from your camp so it won’t be filled with smoke if you happen to be in the line of fire.
Aggressive and timid animals are more likely to avoid groups of people, so always remember that there’s safety in numbers. If you’re traveling alone make sure to keep some deterrents on you to keep the animals away.
Every second of your phone’s battery life is precious when you’re lost in the woods, so don’t waste any of it while you don’t have cell signal. Wait until you’re sure that you can call for help before you start using it.
Slugs are known to eat poisonous plants and some of them can carry parasites, so eating a slug while you’re on the go could make you very sick or send you to a hospital.
If green plants are able to grow in an area, there is ample water flow here, so if you dig low enough you should be able to find water. But the water source may be very deep in the ground.
To avoid panic in a scary situation the best course of action is to stop moving and come up with a plan. From there you can decide whether to keep traveling or stay put and wait for help.
To create a fire using this method, polish the bottom of the metal can with chocolate until it becomes a shiny mirror that is then capable of igniting a flame.
Spitting will create a pocket of air around your mouth and it will also follow gravity and let you know which way is up after you have been thrown around by the snow.
Living around lots of land will give you the ability to grow your own food and keep safe from potential zombie invaders. It would also be safer than being around the crumbling infrastructure of a city after a disaster.
Wounds should be sealed immediately when you’re outdoors and strong glue can be used in a pinch to close a cut, as long as you get the cut cleaned first.
It might not be the first use on your mind for this item, but a condom can be used for all of those things in an emergency because it is made of very strong latex.
If you’re not using a traditional fishing rod, a gorge hook should be reeled in slowly so the hook can actually get lodged in the fish that you’re trying to catch.
The cheesy powder coating on Doritos has a high fat content, so they are very flammable. The chips themselves will also keep burning instead of extinguishing the flame, making Doritos good fire starters.
Another name for a totally packed sack is an INCH bag, which stands for “I’m never coming home.” Of course, you’ll need to get back to civilization once your supplies run out.
This set-up is a basic sundial, which can be used as a way to estimate the time. It works by casting a shadow on the ground, which has been prepared to look like a clock, effectively telling the time.
At noon, the sun is directly overhead, so it won’t cast much of a shadow on you or anything around you. As it gets later in the day, you shadow will become longer.
By putting your hand on the horizon between the sun and land, you can determine how much time is left before it will get dark by counting how many fingers are between the sun and land.
Beans can withstand a variety of preservation methods including canning and dry storage. Beans are also nutrient rich and filling foods, so they can last longer than other foods.