Log Splitting With A Small Bushcraft Axe

Splittting a recently felled ash log with a gransfors brucks wildlife hatchet.

A Mental Wilderness Survival Kit

A survival kit should be carried by anyone who goes deep into the wilderness. What should be in it? Matches, a blade of some sort, and first aid supplies are among the usual recommendations.

When you read the true stories of survival, though, you start to see that it is what's in a persons head that often determines if they survive or not. What, then, should be in this mental survival kit?

A Survival Kit In Your Mind

1. Willingness to learn. Even those who know nothing about survival until lost in the wilderness can still learn as they go - if they are willing to. If you're cold, watch that squirrel dive under a pile of leaves, and try that to stay warm (it works). Notice what's working and what isn't, and keep trying new things.

2. Willingness to do what's necessary. This is one of the most important items in your mental survival kit. Hey, they can eat hissing cockroaches just for the chance to win some money on "Fear Factor," so you can do it to save your life, right? Spoon with your buddy to stay warm, break open logs to find grubs to eat - do whatever it takes.

3. Positive attitude. This is an essential. In many stories of survival it is clear that those who expected to survive did. Even if you're not sure you can survive, encourage this attitude by acting as if you expect to.

4. Inspirational thoughts. This is how to have that positive attitude. An easy and enjoyable way to get this inspiration is to read true stories of wilderness survival. Some of the stories are about situations far worse than anything you are ever likely to encounter. Remembering them at the appropriate time is a sure way to see that you can survive. tell them to others too, if you are in a group.

5. Wilderness survival knowledge. You don't have to go to a survival training school to read and remember that you can safely eat all North American mammals, or that you can stuff your jacket with cattail fluff to create a winter coat. Any little bit helps, so learn a new trick or two each season, or take an edible plant guide on your next hike.

6. Reasons to survive. We all have reasons to want to live, but we need to remember to pull out those reasons when the time comes. Many people have attributed their survival to the constant thought of a loved one waiting for them, or something they want in the future.

Maybe you've already done this mental preparation, but it can't hurt to look over the list above again. Is there anything you need to work on in your mental survival kit?

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations and new Wilderness Survival Guide can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com/wilderness-survival-guide.html

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Please Remember What's First - Wilderness Survival Tip

When in a survival situation, there are a lot of things that rush through your head. However, it is very important that you Please Remember What's First. That's P. R. W. F. for Protection, Rescue, Water, and Food.

Protection

Your first goal should always to ensure adequate protection. Even in 50 degree weather you can get hypothermia, especially if wet and in wind. Shelter from the sun is essential in warmer climates as well. Using paracord that you should have in your survival kit and whatever you can find in your immediate vicinity, construct some form of shelter and protection from the elements.
When building shelter to stay warm, remember one layer of insulation on bottom is as good as two on top. Much of your body heat seeps into the ground during the night. Also, keep your head covered as the majority of your body heat is dissipated through your head. If possible, build on ground that is dry, well drained, and flat. Choose location that is close to water and firewood. Build shelter on a site that is easy to be seen and spotted.

Clean and bandage wounds with alcohol prep pads and bandages, another key item you should have in your survival kit. Infections can present serious danger in survival situations. Use safety pins to secure bandages in place.

Rescue

After you have established protection, your next job is to attract attention to yourself for rescue. Use a whistle, a piece of tinfoil as a signaling mirror, or a flashlight to signal any search parties. A whistle's blast can carry for 1-2 miles in the wilderness, and requires very little energy to use. A human voice can only carry 100-200 meters at best. A smokey fire is also a good method of drawing attention to yourself from afar.

3 of any kind of signal is the international sign of distress. 3 flashes of a flashlight, 3 blasts of a whistle, 3 sticks or even 3 fires in a triangle will signal any search party that you are in distress.
If you must travel, leave obvious markers along your path for rescuers to follow, and also to prevent you from doubling back on yourself. Three stones stacked on top of each other is an excellent method of leaving markers when nothing else is available.

Water

Water is the next most essential element in surviving. Conserve your water by not breathing hard, avoid sweating, stay out of direct sunlight. The best place to store water is in your stomach. Drink as much as you need, and as often as you can. Store extra water in a ziploc bag, or a canteen or water bottle. If fire is not readily available, you may drink from streams that are flowing and clear. Never drink stagnant water! If possible purify your water by boiling. A piece of tightly folded tinfoil makes a good cup for boiling water (yet another helpful survival kit item). Do not place tinfoil directly in fire, but near the heat on a hot rock. Place a small bit of bullion cube in water to replace lost electrolytes and improve flavor.

Trees and vegetation contain great amounts of moisture and water. A clear plastic bag or bottle may be wrapped around a leafy branch, or filled with leafy material, sealed with a rubber band or string, and placed in the sun. Over time direct sunlight will evaporate liquid in vegetation and reconstitute it into drinkable water.

Food

Food is your last concern after protection, rescue, and water. Eating a piece of glucose candy can temporarily raise your blood sugar and give you much needed energy to complete a task. If a stream is nearby, a small fishing line and a hook or safety pin with a bit of bait attached to the end can work. Snares can be set using paracord. A rubber band can be used to improvise a harpoon or slingshot to catch other kinds of small animals. Knife or razor blade that should also be in your survival kit can be used to prepare meat for cooking.

If you remember these steps in this order, you will have a much higher chance of surviving your emergency situation. So always: Please Remember What's First.

A survival kit is an essential item to have with you at all times when in the great outdoors. Don't ever leave home without one! There are many very cool knife based survival kits on the market that have everything you might need in one very handy package. Check out our reviews of some of the top knife based survival kits available!

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