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Winter Survival Kit: The Prepper’s Guide To Winter Survival

admin — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 21:20:03 +0000

Survive the harsh winter with our comprehensive list of winter survival tips to thrive in the cold.

In this article:

Why do many people fail with winter survival skills? When we think of “survival,” we immediately imagine activities perfect for warm weather.

These can include camping, fishing, hiking — the list goes on because most of us are more comfortable in warmer weather, of course. So, it’s not surprising we tend to practice or hone our survival skills during the summer.

This practice can be a dangerous and even deadly mistake when emergencies happen during winter. You may not have the right winter survival techniques and proper winter camping gear.

Want to learn more? Click here to download our complete guide to winter survival.

We cannot overstate the importance of winter camping kit and survival tips. Even the most basic of survival tasks can be more challenging when there’s cold temperature, snow, ice, and strong winds.

For this reason, we’ve put together your ultimate winter survival kit. It can help prepare yourself during the harsh, cold months.

Winter Survival Kit | Emergency Kit List

Since your survival needs will change depending on the season, it’s a good idea to pack a separate bug out bag for winter. This bag includes the essentials fit for the cold:

Modern fire starters Folding saw Reflector blankets Hand and body warmers Metal cups Ice fishing supplies Wool socks Long underwear Ski mask and goggles Insulated water bottle Shovel Cold weather sleeping bag

Click here for more winter bug out essentials.

Priorities for Your Winter Survival Kit

In any survival situation — no matter the season — the most crucial step is to stay calm. This will enable you to think clearly.

You can make rational decisions to keep you alive. No matter how grim the outlook may be, try your best not to panic.

Once you have the time to organize your thoughts, here are the winter survival priorities:

1. Warmth

| Despite popular belief, your first priority in a stressful situation is not food or water. It should be the best survival tent or shelter.

This is especially true in the winter months. Exposure to the elements even for a few minutes can be dangerous.

You can develop hypothermia. Before you do anything else, make sure you have adequate winter survival tents and shelters.

You should also have a fire to maintain your body’s much-needed warmth. After these, you can start looking for food, water, and other survival essentials.

2. Water

After shelter, water is the most pressing need. A person can survive a month or more without food. You can only go for three days without water (remember the survival rule of threes).

Keep in mind, drinking cold water or eating snow in winter will cause your body to burn a lot of calories, which your body desperately needs to stay alive. In a winter survival situation, always heat up the water before drinking it.

3. Signaling for Help

It is important to exert all efforts to get the attention of your rescuers, especially in the first three days. You can learn how to signal for help in the wilderness.

Know, too, the different emergency communications using light, fire, and smoke.

4. Food

Of course, your bug out bag should have MREs (meals, ready to eat) and other winter survival food items. Even so, make an effort to get food from other means.

Familiarize yourself with edible plants in the area. Learn to make traps and snares to obtain animals for food.

5. Tools and Weapons

Again, your bug out bag must come with a few basic survival tools. In addition, you should know how to make your own tools from the materials readily available to you.

Stocking Your Winter Survival Kit or Bug Out Bag

| Having a well-stocked bug out bag is crucial, especially in the winter. The harsh elements can make it even harder to survive, let alone stay comfortable.

Your winter bug out bag should contain plenty of food, water, and matches. It must also have at least two high-quality knives and tools.

You may also need materials to build survival shelters, such as cordage. It should also have some tool for purifying water and warm winter survival gear.

The bag must include items you can use to signal for help. Your bug out bag should also include a first aid kit with all the necessary supplies to treat common ailments or preexisting illness or injury you may have.

Include a Fire-Building Kit in Your Winter Survival Kit

| Building a fire is the single most important winter survival skill you can possess. Without it, you are unlikely to thrive longer than a few hours.

Here are the basic steps for building a fire in the winter:

1. Find Wood

Remember that wet wood won’t burn. It’s a waste of time to dig in the snow for wood buried underneath. Instead, look for fallen and downed branches and twigs on top of the snow.

2. Make Kindling

Carve dry the wood by breaking it apart and gathering the inner splinters. Use these small pieces as kindling for your fire.

3. Fuel the Fire

Once you have a flame, feed it with fuelwood. Dead limbs off standing trees work best, especially if they come from broad-leaf hardwood trees such as birch, dogwood, or maple.

Winter Survival Kit Tool for Building a Shelter

| The type of winter survival shelter you need will depend on your situation. If you find yourself inside a vehicle, it is almost always preferable to stay put in your vehicle until help arrives.

Hopefully, you also have a car winter survival kit. If you’re not in a vehicle, use whatever materials you can find to construct a winter survival tent to protect yourself from the elements.

Keep an eye out for caves or rock overhangs. These can make for great survival shelters.

You can also dig into a snowdrift to create a makeshift “snow cave.” These are a few ways to find or create shelter in the winter.

Staying Hydrated

| Aside from shelter, water is the most crucial thing to focus on in a survival situation. Fortunately, winter often means there is water readily available in the form of snow and ice.

After melting the snow or ice into water, heat it up before you drink it. Drinking cold water in the winter will make you colder.

It will cause your body to expend more calories. This is where a metal pot or cup comes in handy. You can heat it on an open flame safely.

You should also carry a water purification system. It can be LifeStraw or iodine tablets. They can help ensure your water is pure and free of bacteria.

Signaling for Help

| The difficulty of finding a lost or stranded hiker can become even greater in the winter. The glare off the snow can cause decreased visibility.

The elements can make it challenging for others to get to you. If you plan on venturing out in the winter, always leave a detailed itinerary behind.

This way, rescuers will know where to look for you. It’s also important you stay put.

It may be tempting to strike out in search of help. Rescuers, though, are more likely to find you fast if you stay near your camp.

Use fire, smoke, reflective blankets, signal flares, and other methods to call attention to yourself.

Finding Food

Aside from the winter survival food in your bug out bag, your main source of food will be edible plants and animals. Learn more about the local plants.

Know the difference between edible and poisonous ones. In winter, look out for plants like aspen, birch, cattails, maple, pine, rose, and willows.

They have a variety of survival uses. In addition, develop your skills on how to hunt, build snare traps, and ice fish. These will help you acquire your much-needed animal protein.

Building Traps and Snares

A snare trap is the simplest, most effective way to hunt game in the winter. This loop of wire or cordage suspends an animal into the air or restrains it from movement.

Using a snare trap will save you time and energy that you would have spent hunting. Click here for our list of snare traps and how to make them.

Tools and Weapons to Pack in Your Winter Survival Kit

Tools and weapons will be lifesavers in a winter survival situation. They will help you hunt, prepare food, and build a shelter.

You can craft them from natural materials such as wood and flint. You can also modify your already-existing weapons.

Consider Safety When Prepping Your Winter Survival Kit

One of the best tips for winter survival is to always be aware of their surroundings. This season poses several unique threats. Here are a few things to consider when packing your winter survival gear:

1. Cotton Kills

Once you get cotton wet, it’s no longer able to keep you warm. Opt for a warmer fabric such as wool.

2. Prevent Hypothermia

Wear proper clothing, stay dry, and wear a hat. Also, stay out of the wind, build a fire, stay active, and eat energy-rich food.

These are only a few ways you can do to prevent hypothermia.

3. Identify and Treat Frostbite

Frostbite symptoms include cold and “tingly” ears, nose, fingers, and toes. You may also have numbness in the extremities.

The skin may be waxy or stiff and it can limit joint movement. For mild frostbite, warm the area with skin-to-skin contact for 15 minutes.

For superficial frostbite, splint and cover the affected area. You can then loosen clothing and seek medical attention.

In the case of deep frostbite, rescue and evacuation are the only cure.

Check out these simple winter survival tips from RoastedEngineers:

Winter survival needs a unique set of skills, situational awareness, and preparedness. These winter weather tips are only scratching the surface.

This article, though, can provide you with a good foundation to thrive during colder days.

Do you have cold weather survival tips? Share them in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Lost In The Woods 101: What To Do When Lost In The Woods Beyond The Freezing Point | Cold Weather Survival Tips Winter Survival | What To Do When The Heat Goes Out

Go to our Survival Life Store to shop some of our favorites self-defense tools and gear!

***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.*** Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on December 2, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Read more: survivallife.com

The post Winter Survival Kit: The Prepper’s Guide To Winter Survival appeared first on American Survival Gear.

How to Survive Without Water

admin — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 21:35:05 +0000

Surviving without water is do-able, but only for a few days before massive dehydration side effects start kicking in. If you find yourself in a situation where water is not available try not to panic, but take the situation seriously. There are certainly signs to watch for when your water intake is very low.

Some side effects and risks of dehydration include:

Low energy Exhaustion Heat-related illnesses Brain swelling Seizures Hypovolemic shock Organ failure Death

But again, panic will not get you hydrated so try to stay calm and remember these few things. Study these tips to help get you through those initial days to help preserve your health and hydration.

Don’t SWEAT the Small Stuff

It might be a saying you hear but in this case, take it pretty literal. Think about it for a moment. When we have no fluid to take in, we want to do our best to keep as much in our bodies as we can. So do not overexert yourself to the point of sweating. Try to reserve your energy. If you are in the heat, stay as cool as possible and keep mandatory physical activity to the coolest times of the day. Sweating is the top way to get dehydrated quickly when you have nothing to replenish your body.

Collect Water ASAP

You might not have your own water stash to work with but use mother nature to help you out. Set up anything you can to collect possible rain water or morning dew. Think gravity. You will want to hoist up tarps at an angle in collection cups to allow drops to flow downward and collect. Even collecting a few sips is better than nothing at all. In the morning, take a cloth and soak up the morning dew on the grass/plants and then wring out to get a few sips. Be very conservative if you collect some and use it sparingly to stretch it over time, just in case.

Follow the Tracks

Take some time to learn about following animals tracks and practice whenever you have the opportunity. It could very well save your life if you end up in a survival situation. When in the wilderness and without water, follow the tracks of animals. Typically in the morning time and again around sunset, animals will seek out fresh water sources and you might be fortunate enough to be lead directly to some fresh water. Just be mindful of the tracks and types of animals you are following as you don’t want to end up in danger!

Knowing how to purify water is an essential skill for survival. Check out another article about this HERE and keep your water sanitary and safe for drinking as you collect. Hydration is absolutely necessary for survival above all things. When in a possible survival scenario, it is wise to look for water sources even before these become a true problem. Being prepared is the key to surviving.

Read more: survivallife.com

The post How to Survive Without Water appeared first on American Survival Gear.

Native American Survival Tips | What You Can Learn From These Experts

admin — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 21:05:03 +0000

Learn Native American survival tips and techniques on how they effectively live off the land using only primitive tools and equipment here!

In this article:

Learn Native American Survival Tips from the Experts Shared Knowledge Learn to Be Stealthy Learning Native American Survival Tips and Skills Nearly Forgotten Be Resourceful Fearless Fighters Learn to Read Animal Tracks Native American Survival Tips: Facing Every Challenge 1. Learn Native American Survival Tips from the Experts

| How did Native Americans survive in the past? For centuries, the Native American proved how invaluable it was to live off the land.

Their way of life was with a passion, and they survived the wild in flying colors. They were able to stand the test of time for thousands of years.

This was because they practiced 25 of these essential survival skills. These skills helped them face whatever challenges nature threw at them.

2. Shared Knowledge

| It is truly fascinating how the native learned without the tools we deem necessary today. The skills and knowledge of these fearless hunters and survival experts survived many centuries.

Native American skills and crafts endured by passing down what they learned from one generation to the other through storytelling. For those who want to learn more today, you can do so by browsing the web at the comfort of your home.

So start knowing these survival hacks and skills.

3. Learn to Be Stealthy

| The Native American stealth techniques are as remarkable as the legendary Ninja techniques. Only more practical and applicable in today’s survival training.

Practice the art of walking barefoot or with moccasins. Land on your heel first, then slowly roll the outside of your foot followed by the balls of your feet.

That is the Native American walking style which lessens the footprint noise Native Americans make. It is also one of the must-learn Native American hunting techniques.

When they go hunting, even wildlife have difficulty hearing their footsteps.

4. Learning Native American Survival Tips and Skills Nearly Forgotten

Our way of life has improved in leaps and bounds because of what modern technology has to offer. Yet, learning these Native American survival skills can mean your survival.

Once you master these skills, it can help you survive a disaster or emergency situation.

5. Be Resourceful

| Invaders considered the self-sufficient living techniques of the Native Americans primitive. Yet, survivalists, these days, try to emulate these skills and practice them on a regular basis.

The ability of the Native Americans in coming up with ideas using only what was available around is impressive. Whatever the challenge they faced and seasons they were going through they continued to thrive.

Learn how to build a shelter by just using natural resources.

6. Fearless Fighters

One reason why they were such fearless fighters was their mastery of the weapons they used. From the stone club, bow and arrow, to the atlatl, they just had so much in them including various striking techniques which go along with it.

What Is Atlatl? Also known as a spear thrower, it is a tool with a socket or handles at the end to throw a dart or pointed object.

Learn how to shoot the bow and arrow right here and learn how to hunt like a Native American.

7. Learn to Read Animal Tracks

| Learning some Native American tracking techniques will help you not only hunt for food but avoid dangerous wild animals, too. Having the ability to identify animal tracks will help you hunt down your next meal.

Even so in the shortest time possible instead of waiting for the game to come to you. It can also increase your chances of survival in the wild by being able to avoid dangerous animals.

Watch this Native American Scout Training posted by TheRoughTV:

Having the skill sets practiced by the Native Americans will prove to be an invaluable tool to survive any emergency or disaster.

Like them, you will be self-reliant and innovative enough to withstand any force of nature or man-made disaster which will come your way.

What do you think are the most essential set of Native American survival skills a modern survivalist need to master? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Primitive Skills | How To Sight In A Slingshot And Score An Easy Meal 145 Self-Sufficiency Skills Every Prepper Should Learn 31 Survival Skills For The True Outdoorsman

For more awesome SHTF survival items, you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 10, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevance.

Read more: survivallife.com

The post Native American Survival Tips | What You Can Learn From These Experts appeared first on American Survival Gear.

Family Preparedness: What Are Your Survival Principles?

admin — Sun, 26 May 2019 19:56:03 +0000

Love ’em or hate ’em, without family, we break down, so consider family preparedness now and learn how-to, here!

A Survivalists Insight Into Family Preparedness Introduction to Family Preparedness

Last week, James “Dr. Prepper” Stevens shared with us his thoughts on creating a spiritual foundation for family preparedness. (Check out that article here.)

This week, he’s back to give us some tips on forming the founding principles of your family preparedness plan. Read on to learn more.

You may also wish to consider creating a family paradigm – a written belief statement that unites your family in your effort.

Let me share my family’s model as an example. This helps our family to share a common perspective and thus know our objectives in terms of our preparedness efforts:

We hope for the best; We fear for the worst; and We prepare to deal with what happens!

Building a Family Preparedness Lifestyle

There are three important reasons to start working toward an immersive family preparedness lifestyle:

We have been advised to be prepared… (Remember the story of Noah, Joseph in Egypt, and the parable of the Ten Virgins?) You would be prudent and wise to be prepared – providential things happen as a result of being prepared. As the head of your family (patriarchal or matriarchal) responsibility, all reason demands you protect your family.

It’s unfortunate that food storage gets such a bad rap in this Nation. When I lived out of the U.S., I was able to see that whoever controlled the food supply controlled the people

We’ve been advised to save for the future––so many times for so long…

What if you shift your thinking to another level, away from the mentally and physically tiring activity of food storage?

What you achieve bit-by-bit is to comprehend the concept of accumulating a supply of food, clothing, and shelter as a way of everyday life––a preparedness lifestyle––and suddenly it’s neither so daunting nor so burdensome.

You’ll actually get the attitude it doesn’t matter what others say or do!

What is a preparedness lifestyle? To become self-reliant––to be able to live providently regardless of external conditions!

May I suggest serious consideration that you make some Paradigm Shifts about your family preparedness responsibilities?

My Three Family Preparedness Principles

We spent many years in the activity of trying to stay prepared as we raised our six children. Here are the guiding principles that ultimately govern our family preparedness activities:

1. We’ll Bloom Where We’re Planted

We made a conscious decision to live on a rocky hilltop. When those below us may need to evacuate due to flooding, we plan to stay in our home.

We have reduced and continue to reduce our belongings so as not to be owned by allegiance to our material things. If moving in the future seems important, fewer possessions will make it easier for us to move on.

Planning Action Item: We chose to build our house on the rock! 2. Our Home Will Be Our Personal Convenience Store

We’ve created and continue to maintain a very selective mini-grocery store––an in-home convenience store––stocked with the things we like to eat and know we can enjoy during a crisis situation––no matter how long it lasts!

We set it up where we have unique access to it and can utilize it as our family needs it!

Faith Action Item: As others may do without, we can continue to eat––and be able to give help to others in their afflictions!

3. Our Family Will Be Able to Camp Out Within the Walls of Our Home

In case of a disaster or emergency situation, our family will be able to maintain an acceptable level of comfort within our house and on our property. We’re prepared now to be able to live within our comfort zone in the future when others can’t live in theirs. We have equipment that will allow us to continue to function regardless of the status of the normal utilities that we depend on normally.

Works Action Item: We got the gear and lost the fear! 4. Get Out of Debt

The only allowable debts are for purposes of education, our home, or a sound business venture to produce income for the family. My father was very wise about most things––he often told me: “Jimmy, there are only two kinds of people, those who earn interest, and those who pay it!” Grow your savings, not your stuff!

Paradigm Action Item: We can sustain our lifestyle without too much further reduction of “creature comforts.”

There’s a popular national talk radio show host, Dave Ramsey, who proclaims with vigor:

“Live now like no one else, and in the future, you can live like no one else!”

Spot on, Dave!

If you fail to prepare adequately now for the unknown future, you will eventually pay the price for your disobedience! Benjamin Franklin (and a lot of others, also) said, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”

5. Go on a Survival Shopping Now

Remember: you can’t buy insurance on a wrecked car, a burning barn, or a sinking ship.

We are so fortunate to have the capability to buy any products we want in this great country! There is no excuse for not being or becoming a self-reliant family.

There is no shortage of products and services to aid us in becoming self-reliant. Truly, in this country, “…there is plenty, and to spare…”

There are no emergencies for those who are truly self-reliant! If you are truly self-reliant, you have no need to fear!

This video from City Prepping will show you how to build Bug out Bags for the family:

Disaster preparedness kit for the family? Check! Emergency communication plan for families? Check! Disaster recovery plan? Check!

These are your checklist to family preparedness. From the material, physical, emotional, and spiritual preparedness, all these factors will all play into yours and your family’s survival.

How are you going about with your family preparedness plans? Tell us about it as well as your thoughts on this article in the comments section below!

Up Next:

Prepping Your Spouse for a Preparedness Lifestyle Preparedness Tips: A Mother’s Wisdom Proven DIY Home Security Tips To Protect Your Family

**Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here**

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 18, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Read more: survivallife.com

The post Family Preparedness: What Are Your Survival Principles? appeared first on American Survival Gear.

How To Create A Dug Out Survival Shelter

admin — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 00:00:06 +0000

A dugout shelter safeguards you from the cold and the animals of the night. Discover how to make one in case you’re stuck in the wild.

In this post:

Emergency Dugout Shelter Scan for the Perfect Spot Look for Materials Digging Bedding Roofing Dugout Survival Shelter|A Survival Life Guide Emergency Dugout Shelter.

Dugout homes make you unnoticeable to difficulty such as wild animals , and they likewise naturally support heat, working as your defense. Different stories will inform us about how individuals endured by residing in pit-houses.

Even soldiers who were away on war resided in a dugout for a long time. This survival shelter is versatile for any type of scenario.

With the appropriate style and structure, it will assist you make it through. In order for you to develop a dugout location in case SHTF, we share a practical survival life guide.

.Scan for the Perfect Spot.

You’’ re going to be digging a lot so make certain the soil is not too sandy since it might disintegrate quickly. Search for a ground where the soil holds together strongly.

Avoid structure around bodies of water. You may mistakenly produce a hole permitting the water to stream in your dugout home.

.Try To Find Materials View this post on Instagram

A post shared by survivalist1o1 (@survivalist1o1) on Jun 1, 2018 at 6:17 am PDT

.Aside from your survival package , you require something sharp and strong to break a shovel and the ground —– or you can make usage of your hands for digging.

Make sure you have a sharp product for cutting branches or scout for readily available ones spread in the location. Gather leaves or particles as your roof product.

.Digging View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Colorado Mountain Man Survival (@cmmsurvival) on Feb 13, 2018 at 6:39 pm PST

.You’’ re going to dig a lot so anticipate to get all developed. Dig a furrow about 8 to 10 feet deep or up until area is huge enough for you and your business to suit.

Make sure to leave a slope or area as your entryway and exit path.

.Bed linen View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Conrad Aguirre (@knifecrazzzy) on Dec 20, 2017 at 7:05 pm PST

.Include particles and leaves inside your shelter so you won’’ t sleep on the cold difficult flooring (err, dirt). Produce a nest-like baby crib (a dugout bed mattress!) that fits your convenience level.

This will likewise amount to the heat requirement your body needs.

.Roof View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Prepper_Sh * t (@prepper_shit) on May 31, 2018 at 8:09 am PDT

.Put in logs or branches over the furrow you made. Include enough leaves and particles to cover it all up.

This will act as a camouflage for your dugout shelter, keeping you safe from the aspects. Your entryway and exit path should stay exposed for a fast escape in times of threat and even work as an area for your bonfire.

Watch this video by Chandan Lahiri and find out to make a sand dugout in case a sandstorm strikes your place:

During a pushing scenario, a dugout shelter can be your best choice for survival. This short-lived real estate is rather simple to construct while you’re out in the wilderness.

Sure, you’ll get developed as you dig for your short-lived house however a dugout shelter can be an excellent choice to safeguard you from all the components outdoors.

Have you attempted constructing a dugout shelter prior to? How was your experience? Let us understand in the remarks area listed below!

UP NEXT:

10 Critical Points You Need To Know About Building Any Natural Shelter 29 YouTube Survival Skills Videos You Can Learn At Home Paracord: Everything You’’ ll Ever Need To Know

Editor’’ s Note: This post was initially released on May 10, 2017, and has actually been upgraded for quality and significance.

Read more: survivallife.com

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