7 Basic Survival Skills You Need To Know

It’s time to face the facts: if a major disaster hits, society could crumble. That means that being self-reliant is more important than ever. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry, we’ve put together a list of 7 basic survival skills that every prepper should know.

What Are Survival Skills?

Most people think of survival skills as something only military personnel or Boy Scouts need to know. But basic survival skills are actually something everyone should know. After all, you never know when you might find yourself in a situation where you need to fend for yourself.

So what exactly are basic survival skills? They’re essentially any skill or technique that can help you stay alive in a hostile environment. That could mean anything from building a shelter to finding food and water. Of course, the specific skills you need will vary depending on the situation you find yourself in. But there are some basic skills that everyone should know.

7 Basic Survival Skills

No one knows when disaster will strike, but being prepared is the key to survival. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper, or just starting out, these basic survival skills are essential for getting through any emergency situation. 

1. Finding and Purifying Water

When you find yourself in a survival situation, one of the most important things to remember is that access to clean water is essential. While it may seem like finding water would be the easy part, in many cases, water can be quite difficult to come by. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a source of water, it’s likely that the water will be contaminated and not safe to drink. That’s why it’s important to know how to purify water, even if you’re not an experienced survivalist.

There are a few different ways that you can purify water, but one of the most effective is boiling. Boiling water for at least one minute will kill most bacteria and viruses, making it safe to drink. If you don’t have access to a fire or stove, you can also purify water using household bleach. Simply add eight drops of bleach per gallon of water and allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the water should be safe to drink.

Being able to filter the water is also an option I strongly consider you plan for. The are a number of options and products offered like the Big Berkey and the PortaWell. Do some research after you’ve read the posts listed below, and then make your decision based on how you picture yourself using a filtering system, the volume of water you’d like to filter, the time you’re willing to spend, and the amount of money you have set aside.

Here’s some helpful information:

• The Best Portable Water Filtration Unit
• How to Make water Safe in an Emergency
• Some of The Best Ways to Purify Water
• How to Find Other Water Sources in an Emergency

2. Building A Fire

The second most important basic survival skill is knowing how to build a fire. Not only can a fire keep you warm on a cold night, but you can use it to purify water, cook your food, ward off predators, cauterize wounds, and signal for help.  In short, fire is an essential tool for survival.

There are many different ways to build a fire, but the most important thing is to make sure that you have the proper materials. You’ll need tinder (something that will catch fire easily), kindling (smaller pieces of wood that will help the fire grow), and fuel (larger pieces of wood or coal that will keep the fire burning). Once you have your materials, you can build a fire using one of several methods, including the friction method, the bow drill method, or the flint and steel method.

3. Building A Shelter

If you find yourself in a survival situation, chances are you’re going to need shelter. Whether you’re dealing with extreme cold or heat, heavy winds, or rain, a shelter will protect you from the elements and help you stay alive.

There are many different types of shelters that you can build, but the most important thing is to make sure that your shelter is sturdy and will protect you from the elements. If you’re in a wooded area, you can build a shelter using logs, branches, and leaves. If you’re in a desert area, you can build a shelter using rocks, sand, and cactus. No matter what type of environment you’re in, there’s a way to build a shelter that will help keep you safe.

Once you’ve built your shelter, it’s important to make sure that it’s comfortable. Insulate your shelter using leaves, branches, or anything else you can find. And if you have a fire, make sure that the smoke has a way to escape through some vents and isn’t held in your shelter, as this can be a major health hazard. Check out my post 7 Ways to Build a Survival Shelter for more information. 

4. Hunting and Foraging For Food

If you’re in a survival situation, you will need food to survive. While it’s possible to survive without food for several days, it’s important to remember that your body will start to break down after just a few days without nourishment. That’s why it’s important to know how to hunt and forage for food, even if you’re not an experienced survivalist.

There are many different ways to find food in the wild, but one of the most effective is to set traps. You can use a variety of materials to build your trap, including sticks, rocks, and leaves. Once you’ve built your trap, bait it with something that will attract the animal you’re trying to catch. Once the animal is caught, you can either eat it raw, not preferred due to disease or contamination, or cook it over a fire.

If you have a weapon, like a pistol, rifle, or bow and arrow, or sports gear like a fishing pole, you can hunt birds or animals or catch a wide variety of fish, depending on where you live.

In addition to setting traps, you can also forage for food. Edible plants that you can find in the wild are more plentiful than you may think. However, it’s important to remember that not all plants are safe to eat. Before you eat anything, make sure that you know what it is and that it’s safe to eat. Do some research about plants in your local area, and consider eating them now, before an emergency hits.

5. Reading a Compass

We are all spoiled by the handy use of our cell phones to get directions. It’s amazing how the GPS features on your phone can be used, no matter where you are. But, there are locations you may visit where cell service doesn’t exist, or is very spotty. That’s why learning to read a map and having a compass as a tool is so important.

A compass is a handheld device that helps you find your way by showing you North and then determining which direction you’re facing or walking If you find yourself in a survival situation, a compass can be an invaluable tool.

There are two types of compasses: magnetic and gyroscopic. Magnetic compasses use the Earth’s magnetic field to determine which direction you’re facing since it always points to North, while gyroscopic compasses use the Earth’s rotation to determine which direction you’re facing.

To use a compass, simply hold it in your hand and point it in the direction you want to go. The needle will point in the direction of North and then you determine if you need to go East (on your right), West (on your left), or South (the opposite direction of North. The degree markings on the compass will tell you how in one direction you are relative to North. The combination of a compass and a map of the area really can’t be beat.

It’s important to remember that a compass is only as accurate as the user. If you’re not familiar with how to use a compass, it’s best to practice in your neighborhood before you find yourself in a survival situation.

6. Basic First Aid

If you find yourself in a survival situation, there is a good chance you’re at a higher risk of getting hurt. That’s why it’s important to know some basic first aid.

There are many different types of injuries that you can sustain in a survival situation, but the most common are cuts, scrapes, broken bones, and burns. To treat a cut or scrape, clean the wound with clean water and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. To treat a burn, run cool water over the wound and then cover it with a sterile bandage. A broken bone may require a splint.

In addition to treating wounds, it’s also important to know how to prevent them. That means wearing appropriate clothing for the environment you’re in and being careful when you’re handling fire and sharp objects.

Basic first aid is an essential skill for anyone who wants to be prepared for a survival situation.

7. Tying Knots

In a survival situation, knots can be used for a variety of purposes, including building shelter, making a fire, and fishing. That’s why it’s important to know how to tie a few basic knots.

Some of the most common knots that you should know how to tie are the square knot, the bowline knot, and the clove hitch. These knots can be used for a variety of purposes, so it’s important to know how to tie them correctly. Mark tells me he knew all those knots, and others, when he was in the Boy Scouts. He’s forgotten some, so he tends to use the square knot in most situations now.

Do You Have the Right Gear?

We’ve talked about skills that can make all the difference when it comes to survival. I’d like to discuss the importance of having the right equipment or gear.

If your emergency situation happens at or close to home, you should have available to you the tools you use all the time. If you are in a remote location when things become a real challenge, then having the right gear is critical. Some items to consider having with you when you’re in the wild are listed below:

• Backpack: you can carry a bunch of stuff in a backpack. Buy a quality backpack that is sturdy, light in weight, maybe waterproof, and has sections or pockets to organize and sort things.
• Ax: this tool can be used to chop wood, possibly dig small holes, protect yourself, some are also designed with a hammer end.
• Tarp: this can be used to build a shelter, mat to sleep on, or as a wind break.
• Sleeping Bag: keeps you warm and dry at night.
• Extra Clothes: you may get wet, muddy, or very dirty. Having a change of clothes is a protection and makes you feel more comfortable and confident.

Final Word

Survival skills are essential for anyone who wants to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. While it’s impossible to learn everything there is to know about survival, these 7 basic skills will give you a good foundation to work from. May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Building a BonFire AdobeStock_515853883 by Santiago, Toddlers Holding a Compass AdobeStock_364819706 by Tgordievskaya