Questions relating to staying alive
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0answers
50 views
Primitive fire starting in northeastern Brazil
I live on the coast of the northeastern part of Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte). As you go inland, the terrain becomes very arid. There are cactus and a lot of xerophilic plants that remind me a lot of ...
6
votes
2answers
422 views
How much heat can a candle lantern provide while winter camping?
In answering this question I tossed out that a candle lantern can add as much as 10 degrees (F) of heat while winter camping. I've heard this tossed about before, but is it true? I assume there are ...
9
votes
2answers
173 views
Moose: How to decrease the risk of being injured?
Based on Wikipedia:
Moose injure more people than any other wild mammal and, worldwide,
only hippopotamuses injure more.
In this case, what should I do to decrease the risk of being injured ?
...
8
votes
1answer
81 views
Are there significant behaviour differences among bear species to adopt different safety rules?
Living the north-east part of America, my chances of encountering a grizzly bear is very low. I have greater chances of meeting a black bear. If I got the chance of meeting a grizzly, should I change ...
5
votes
1answer
157 views
How can I build a safe, effective igloo?
If I want to build an igloo to keep me warm in a snowy climate, how can I go about this?
What size blocks should I cut?
How big should the entrance be?
How can I mitigate the risk of the igloo ...
5
votes
2answers
159 views
What backwoods trick to get pure water produces the most safe water?
So I read this answer and I was wondering what contraption produce the most water when you don't have a water source? So what water trap produces the most water? Specifically, what should I do with my ...
7
votes
3answers
375 views
Can I heat a shelter with fire?
So I built my survival shelter and I decide a nice fire would really warm things up. Is there a way I can build a fire that would heat the shelter without too much smoke? I know I could make the ...
9
votes
1answer
193 views
What should I do if caught in a sand storm?
If I find myself caught in a sand storm, what should I do? Should I sit it out, or try to keep moving somehow? Can this depend on the severity of the sand storm?
5
votes
1answer
39 views
How to choose a safe cliff path
When walking alongside eroding cliffs in more built up / touristy areas, there's usually big warning signs or closed paths if the cliff is unsafe to walk on. Sometimes it's obvious why, if the path is ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
How do you fashion a spear with a fixed blade
What is the proper way to make a spear with a fixed blade to prevent breaking as described by Vorac in his comment here?
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Does anyone have an account of someone using a survival tin in a survival situation
I have read several books about survival and outdoor field craft skills. Many of these books suggest building a survival kit out of an Altoids tin or something similar. These kits include very basic ...
7
votes
2answers
132 views
How to maximise the chances of survival when stranded in open sea?
I read with interest about news of a scuba diver being stranded in the open sea when the diving operator failed to account for all members of a group. Mishaps like this and accidents such as boat ...
5
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1answer
171 views
Calculating time until sunset
Is there a relatively reliable way of calculating the time until sunset, without any specialist equipment, when I'm in the wilderness?
16
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3answers
1k views
Can I eat rotten meat and carcass providing enough cooking?
I've met often with the concept, that rotten meat and carcass is inedible because of bacteria and toxins. The most harmful of it the botulinum toxin.
However, in the question Can any waterborne ...
8
votes
2answers
212 views
Will boiling be enough to decontaminate standing water from pathogens and toxins?
Will the boiling of the water itself be enough to decontaminate water taken from such standing water reservoir as that:
This water looks horrible, and probably drinking it raw would cause serial ...
8
votes
3answers
274 views
Would a tampon be a good addition to a survival kit
Jezebel magazine suggests a tampon for your survival kit.
I don't question that, if you just happen to have a tampon, you can use it. But at the end of the article they suggest even guys carry one ...
5
votes
1answer
81 views
Finding water in the dry wilderness
If I'm in the wilderness in a dry, hot climate without much vegetation and I'm running low on water, what land features and other potential signs can I look for to guide me to a drinkable water ...
10
votes
2answers
197 views
Surviving a forest fire
Awhile back I heard on CBC radio about a man who got trapped in a forest fire (surrounded on all sides) and survived. The way he survived was so ridiculous he was brought to court and almost fined/put ...
11
votes
4answers
247 views
What to look for when purchasing a fixed blade knife
I'm planning on doing some back country canoe camping this summer. I would like to avoid bringing a hatchet if possible. I also find my folding knifes get full of gunk and I am a little bit afraid I ...
13
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5answers
196 views
Good books to learn survival?
Does anybody have a recommendation to a good book about how to survive in the Norwegian woods and similar?
9
votes
1answer
361 views
Are barberries edible?
Barberries are so common around here that there would be enough for a fruit serving a day for quite a while. But there is a problem: I do not know whether or not they are edible. Are they edible in ...
12
votes
3answers
169 views
Falling into an ice cold body of water
I've never been hiking in such extreme situations, but if in the situation in the question, i.e. you're hiking in very cold weather and someone falls in (let's say so pretty much their whole body is ...
7
votes
1answer
133 views
Is it possible to improvise a knife sharpener in the wild?
Assuming I am lost with minimal tools, but have my knife, is there any way to improvise a knife sharpener in the woods?
8
votes
2answers
86 views
Is it necessary to carry a knife sharpener?
Under the assumption that an emergency kit like the ones listed here are for the emergency of getting lost and being stranded for days, how necessary is a knife sharpener?
24
votes
3answers
13k views
How long does water need to be boiled for to kill all bacteria / viruses?
This has come up a few times in a few other questions, but I've heard varying opinions from different people in a number of answers and comments on here - some saying that just boiling for a moment is ...
8
votes
2answers
95 views
Are there any specific techniques that should be used when starting a fire in the rain?
Starting a fire can sometimes be hard enough when it's dry, let alone when it's tipping it down. But when it is, what steps should you follow to try to ensure the fire gets going successfully?
I'm ...
11
votes
3answers
526 views
How can I tell what time it is without a watch?
Assuming I don't have a watch or other time-telling device with me in the wilderness, is there a way to know what time it is? I don't necessarily want to know the exact minute of the day, but a ...
10
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2answers
222 views
Are carabiners useful tools to have in the wilderness? If so, what would they be used for?
Carabiners are obviously essential in certain circumstances, such as with any type of climbing / rappelling. But are they a good tool to have generally as well, and if so what might be some example ...
7
votes
3answers
357 views
Is the “Rule of 3” proven for food?
The proverbial "Rule of 3" says you can live three weeks without food. Are there any documented cases of people actually living three weeks with no food in the wilderness and surviving?
For those ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Can you eat pine needles in an emergency?
If you are in a survival situation in the woods and REALLY hungry, and you are unsure about which plants are edible, can you eat pine needles?
14
votes
2answers
188 views
Where are good places to look for water sources when I have run out on a multi-day hike?
Luckily this has never happened to me, but even the most prepared hiker can often get themselves into difficulties if they run out of water. My question here is in your experience in remote arid ...
11
votes
2answers
166 views
How to make a signal fire that can be seen miles away
If I were lost in the North American woods, how could I make a signal fire that would attract attention many miles away ?
6
votes
1answer
185 views
What should I look for when buying a Lensatic Compass
Lensatic Compasses seem to be priced from $5 to $100 USD. What features should I look for when buying one?
11
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2answers
1k views
Can I shoot a bear in self-defense?
Can I shoot a bear in self-defense? Will I face fines and jail time if I do?
15
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2answers
217 views
If I cross paths with a bear, what should I do?
If I'm out hiking, and I come around a corner and stumble upon a bear, what's the best course of action to take to minimize the chance the bear will act aggressively?
Do different types of bear ...
2
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1answer
259 views
What is the most important survival tool I should have when in the wilderness? [closed]
When venturing out into the wilderness, what is the most important thing I should bring?
12
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5answers
493 views
If lost in the wilderness, what is the first thing I should do?
If I get lost in the wilderness, what is the very first thing I should do?
21
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3answers
354 views
If I have to cross an icy, flowing river, what are some ways I can cross safely?
If I'm alone in a survival situation and I have to cross a very cold river that's still flowing, how should I accomplish this safely?
6
votes
2answers
387 views
What is the best rope to have in a survival situation?
What rope would be most helpful/versatile in a survival situation?
19
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3answers
272 views
What pattern for casual planes should a castaway create on a desert island?
This answer has inspired me to a question: say you are a castaway on a desert island. There might be a plane flying casualy but you can miss it. So you want to create some pattern (e.g. put some ...
14
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5answers
2k views
What essential items should go in a small first aid kit?
Another question asked what survival equipment should be carried in an emergency kit. But very little was about medical or first aid supplies (band-aids, gauze, tylenol, moleskin, etc).
What items ...
16
votes
4answers
280 views
What are the rules for eating raw, wild meat?
Can you always eat raw meat (wild) as long as it is fresh?
10
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2answers
93 views
Are there any specific guidelines for edible plants in North America?
I know there are dangerous plants and fruits to eat, but are there any basic rules one can use when in an emergency situation that apply to all safe foods? The 'rules' don't necessarily have to apply ...
22
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8answers
7k views
Does eating snow help dehydration?
I have heard many people say that eating snow actually can increase dehydration since the energy required for the body to heat up and melt the snow is greater than the benefits received from the ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
If I lose my compass, what is the easiest way to identify and follow a heading? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can you navigate without a compass or GPS
Obviously we all carry a compass and a map when we go trekking, but if I lose them but know I need to get back to my car ...
8
votes
3answers
410 views
How do I catch fish with fish hooks but no bait?
As most survival kits come with fish hooks, I am wondering how do I catch fish without any bait?
5
votes
4answers
264 views
What is a good knife for survival in a forested environment?
What style/size of knife would be most useful in a survival scenario in the forest?
4
votes
1answer
314 views
What is the best material to make an outdoor shelter roof out of?
Say you are caught out without a tent in mild temperature conditions, e.g. moorland/woods. What material would you look for to make a good shelter roof out of?
10
votes
1answer
276 views
Techniques for building a raft from wood
What are some good techniques to use (materials, knots, etc.) for building a raft by gathering wood in the local area? I'm talking about something to sail on still or slow moving bodies of water, not ...
7
votes
1answer
293 views
What to do if you're bitten by an adder?
I've heard that while adder bites are poisonous the number of people who have died from them are extremely low. If you're on a trek and you're bitten is it safe to continue for a couple more days ...
