Whether or not you consider yourself a survivalist, knowing how to cope in a hostile environment is essential. Situations that force us to fight for our survival may be more common than we think. Even in a modern society, earthquakes, floods, accidents, and other dangers can arise without warning. In such situations, people with survival skills have a better chance of getting through them. The following advice is not an exhaustive list of the best survival responses, but it offers a starting point for surviving in a hostile environment.
Priorities for surviving in the wilderness
Wherever you are, you will need food and, above all, enough water. You will also need shelter from the weather and from dangers you may encounter in the wild.
The order of these three priorities depends on your situation. You might have water but face cold, snow, or wind. In that case, finding or building shelter comes first. In a very hot environment, by contrast, finding water takes priority over securing shelter for the night.
In any case, you will need to eat. Depending on the supplies you have, you may need to find food around you, gather edible fruit, fish, or hunt game.
Build yourself a shelter
Returning to shelter-building, a shelter protects you not only from cold and rain but also from predators in your surroundings. You can put up a temporary emergency shelter with paracord, but eventually you will need something sturdy enough to last as long as the situation requires.
Whatever the situation, consider your shelter’s location carefully. Place it close enough to a water source to make collecting water easier, while choosing a spot that will stay dry.
For example, you might find yourself dealing with a flood. You will then need to know how to make a fire. It can help dry the ground where you plan to build your shelter, deter insects, and warm the shelter when temperatures drop.
When choosing a location, orient your shelter so it is protected from the wind. That will help it last longer and retain warmth in winter. If you have few supplies with you, you might build it from wooden supports, wood, plants, and moss, or use a natural hollow in the rock.
Find water
Water is vital to survival. Do not waste time looking for a source. You may be able to use rainwater, water collected from leaves, or other nearby sources. Water from natural sources should be filtered or boiled to make it safe to drink.
This can help you avoid illnesses, since even a relatively minor illness can become life-threatening in a hostile environment.
Find food
Finally, when it comes to food, you will have to rely on what your surroundings provide. Be careful to identify edible plants correctly, and learn how to fish and hunt with suitable equipment.
Again, you will hope to have at least some basic equipment; otherwise, making a fire will be harder. A fire is also necessary if you do not want to eat your meat raw. When it comes to survival, it is better to prepare, even if the chance of a disaster forcing you into the wilderness is small.
There is no substitute for learning from experts in the field to build your knowledge and a solid foundation in survival skills.
Essential survival equipment
You cannot survive in a hostile environment without at least the basic equipment to defend yourself and meet your essential needs. Remember that your survival depends heavily on your ability to respond and anticipate what may happen.
A capable survivor stays alert and keeps the equipment needed to cope with changing conditions. That includes a bladed tool, which can be an important piece of survival gear.
Knives are useful because they can meet many different needs. A knife can cut, deliver a blunt blow, or pierce—functions that may help with hunting, fishing, building, repairs, and self-defense.
It also has the advantage of being offered without legal restrictions. You can buy bladed weapons without authorization.
Survival knife and dagger
The survival knife is a prime example and an essential piece of equipment for any survival specialist. Both a multipurpose tool and a defensive weapon, it can help you survive in a hostile environment. Choose a model that is durable as well as sharp: your survival knife needs to last as long as you are in that situation.
A knife can help you in many situations. Fortunately, there are many models to choose from, so you can find one suited to your needs. Alongside a fixed-blade or folding survival knife, you might consider a dagger, such as one of those offered by Wildsteer.
A dagger remains an important tool in a hostile environment, particularly for processing meat after a hunt. Because its blade is so sharp, keep it in a sheath to protect yourself and preserve the edge of this outdoor tool.
A dagger can be useful enough to help you survive even in dangerous environments. If you want to keep it close, wear it on your belt; you may well need it. It can serve for a range of tasks, including defending yourself from attackers or predators, hunting, cutting firewood, sharpening other blades, and preparing arrows.
Axe and machete
No discussion of essential survival equipment would be complete without axes and machetes. Whether you have a full-size axe or a hatchet, it can make tasks such as cutting wood and felling trees easier. Those tasks may be necessary for making a fire, keeping warm, cooking, or building a shelter.
A machete can help you clear a path through even the most difficult forests. You can also use it to open coconuts or cut through branches. The secret to getting the most out of tools such as survival knives, daggers, and machetes is maintaining them properly.
You will be fortunate to have a sharpener with you. It is another useful survival tool.
Crossbow
The crossbow is another weapon of interest in a survival situation. Like a bow, it is highly accurate and can help you take prey quietly. In the most hostile environments, it may help you hunt tough-skinned animals such as crocodiles, or larger animals such as bears, for food.
That means it can take on tougher prey. Your crossbow can also be used for self-defense. Imagine a snake moving around your shelter: a crossbow lets you deal with it from a distance.
Imagine a lion or tiger pursuing you across the savanna. With a crossbow, you could aim at it before it reaches you. A well-equipped crossbow gives you a weapon that is easy to use while offering a basic level of safety.
Many survivalists value the crossbow because it is quiet and offers accurate shooting. Its bolts, the equivalent of a bow’s arrows, can also be reused to conserve ammunition. Crossbows are available with a range of options.
Over time, more complex technology has made the crossbow more practical while giving users a stylish piece of equipment. As with bows, however, crossbows require at least some training. Prepare before you face a survival situation, and you will have an effective weapon at your disposal.
