Questions relating to staying alive
33
votes
5answers
677 views
What are essential items in an emergency kit?
What are must-have items in an emergency kit for a multi-day hiking trip?
27
votes
11answers
931 views
How can you navigate without a compass or GPS
What are the ways you can navigate when you don't have a compass or a GPS? For example how can you tell which way is north.
21
votes
3answers
356 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?
14
votes
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 ...
12
votes
3answers
177 views
What steps should I take if someone starts sinking?
What are the steps that should be taken if someone you're hiking with starts to sink uncontrollably into say a marsh? What are some good techniques and points that should be used to get them out ...
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?
24
votes
3answers
14k 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 ...
25
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I identify edible berries/fruit from poisonous?
How can I identify edible berries/fruit in the wide and avoid the poisonous varieties? Is there a general guideline that can be followed or is each plant specific?
12
votes
3answers
170 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 ...
24
votes
3answers
8k views
Is drinking urine safe?
We've all heard stories about how people saved their lives by drinking their urine. Is drinking urine safe when there are no other water sources available? Can I filter it with a water purifier?
19
votes
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 ...
15
votes
4answers
296 views
What should I do when I'm lost?
What should I do when I get disoriented or lost? How can I find help or make myself easier to find?
This is a general question to do when lost in the wilderness, whether it is a meadow or mountain. ...
14
votes
5answers
180 views
Keeping warm in an emergency
When roaming the outdoors, it might happen that one finds oneself in a situation that is much, much colder than one planned for.
What can one do in such an emergency, especially when it's so cold ...
13
votes
3answers
7k views
How can I start a fire by rubbing two sticks together?
When trying to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, what does one need to consider? I am assuming I can't just grab any two sticks and start rubbing...
Should they be dead or green?
Hard ...
11
votes
4answers
252 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 ...
11
votes
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?
7
votes
1answer
297 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
438 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
315 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?
