Table of Contents
Basic Survival Skills
What basic survival skills will you need in order to survive in the event of an emergency or natural disaster? You’ll see that this list isn’t only made up of survival skills that will help you physically–think fire-starting and self-defense–but also basic survival skills that will allow you to mentally be prepared for the present and future.
We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge: so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness. – Petra Nemcova
Community
We know exactly how deep some injuries can go. But vulnerability isn’t the opposite of strength, it is a necessary part. We have to force ourselves to open up, to expose ourselves. To offer up everything we have. Otherwise, we’ll never succeed. – Grey’s Anatomy S11: E3
We were not meant to survive in isolation forever. No man is an island. Whichever way you look at it, nothing will help people survive more than a tight-knit community that cares for its members.
In this community, there are many skills we can learn from one another. Within the members of the community, you will find others who possess different skills, access to different resources, and a sense of connection we as humans need, psychologically.
Finding others with the same mindset and similar goals will help you survive long-term. Turns out we don’t need to brave dark times alone
These skills will help you whether you’re in the city (and not relying on your smartphone for map directions), out camping or hiking, or if there is an emergency situation that would otherwise leave you feeling disoriented. Basic compass and map-reading skills are a good place to start. Can you pick out landmarks on a map? You will likely not have any GPS system to guide you and will need to rely on paper maps.
Other skills which may be useful to acquire: nature signs and the position of the stars. These will help you to navigate through the wilderness and allow you to know the best routes and times to travel.
Building Shelter
In an emergency situation, you may need to use what materials you can find around you to put together shelter from the elements. Knowing how to use power tools or some beginner woodworking skills will help you put together a basic shelter. This is one of those pre-homesteading skills that is good to know before you actually need to build anything.
Starting a Fire without Matches
Being able to start a fire and learn how to keep the fire going will be useful in an emergency situation. This is one of those skills that you can practice while camping.
Maintaining Proper Hygiene
You can take care of everything else – food, shelter, and clothing – but if you don’t take care to clean wounds and maintain proper hygiene, disease and infection could be the thing to stop you in your tracks.
Unlike when you’re camping and you get a bit dirty and then come home to a long shower, if there is a disaster or emergency situation, you may not be able to take a hot shower to clean off. What plans do you have in place for how you’ll clean wounds and keep your skin and hair clean?
Stealth
Think of this as a basic “leave no trace” way of being out in nature: don’t leave your trash behind, don’t leave your food around for animals to pick up the scent of, and tread lightly.
Just as we don’t want to interfere as little as possible when we go camping, so it is when we are thinking about stealth. You may need to protect yourself from animals and potentially other people, too.
First-Aid
Medical professionals are going to be few and far between, you may be out in the woods too far away from immediate help, or you may opt to treat yourself when the injury or illness is minor.
A good first aid book along with a first aid kit is something every household should have before, during, and after a disaster. A first aid kit and book should also be in your go bags and vehicle, too.
Food Preparation
This is a skill that will help you in many survival situations from job
Food preparation is something you can practice while camping or picnicking.
The Will to Live
Having a will to live will give you a goal beyond the next moment. Her situation allows her to use every one of her survival skills to their fullest potential with that goal in mind.
Applying this to the real world, it is the most important decision to make in any survival situation.You must first decide to survive, and only then can one do the things that must be done to succeed.
Where to learn Basic Survival Skills
Many community
What basic survival skills do you currently possess
and which ones will you work on next?
I’m a 40-something writer who enjoys cooking, being outside, travelling, participating in community and cultural events, and learning new things. This website is my journey of discovery – to allow me to learn how to be more self-sufficient in order to be better prepared for the present and the future.