A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

If you ever go camping in the mountains and are caught in a snowstorm or you go snowshoeing in the hills and run into a blizzard, you will probably need to spend the night on the mountain and wait out the bad weather. In order to do this and be safe you will need to build a snow cave. It is a simple, ingenious structure that provides warmth, security from the elements and other predators, and re-energizes your spirit so that you don’t give up. Here’s how to do it:

Let nature work to your advantage. Find a large tree and look at the base of the trunk to see if enough snow has accumulated to make a slope down to the bare ground. Snow often gathers in a “bowl” shape around any large tree so choose a side of this “bowl”, essentially a wall, in which to start digging your snow cave. Begin by cutting a doorway into the snow with what tools you have. Chances are you probably do not have a spade or small shovel with you, but if you do, it will be invaluable to you. If not, your gloved hands are the next best tool. If that does not work, trying using the bowl from your mess kit. Remember, you are in a dangerous situation and every tool must be used to its fullest extent.

Make sure to begin digging the doorway of the cave from the ground up. Begin cutting a hole that is about 24 inches around, big enough so that you and your friends can to get inside. As you dig, place the unwanted snow away from the cave. You do not want to place it on top of the cave. Make sure the roof of the structure is thick and sound. Try not to cut into the roof too much lest you weaken the cave. As the cave becomes larger, take a minute to measure how deep you will need it to be. If there are three of you, make sure that you are digging and carving in such a way as to create enough room for everyone to lie down.

Next, it is very important that you provide air for yourself. It is possible to suffocate inside a snow cave. To prevent this, carve a hole in the ceiling of the cave using a strong stick or other sharp object. A hole that is two inches in diameter is all you will need, but it is very important to have. Also, be sure to not carve the hole out from the top down. Once the cave has been dug out sufficiently and there is enough room for everyone, carve a hole for air upward from inside the cave. Use something long enough to make sure the air can pass all the way through. You can now pack your sleeping bags and backpacks inside and have enough room to sleep for the night, away from the weather.

A flashlight, lanterns or candles are good for lighting a cave really well. Use a backpack to block the opening so that snow does not refill your dwelling. Your body heat will quickly warm the cave, but it will not be enough to melt the snow inside. Hopefully, the next morning the storm will have stopped and you will be able to leave. Before you do, be sure to collapse your snow cave. Take all your belongings out and stamp the roof down until it collapses. This will insure that no other hiker comes along later in the year and is injured by falling through what they might think is solid ground.

These tips can save your life, if you are ever caught in blizzard in the mountains. Remember to work as quickly as you can and be prudent about what you are doing and how you are doing it. Survival skills are necessary in many situations, especially in the wilderness and you can save yourself from frostbite and other dangers by building a snow cave when needed.

GLOBAL WARMING IS GOING TO KILL YOU. Well….your government is going to use this myth to kill you.

Hunting and fishing is the way many people survive in this world. Rather than going to the local supermarket, many people rely on hunting and fishing to supply them with meat and other nutrients for their bodies.

While some people grew up in families where hunting and fishing was used to supply food for the table, others have found it to be a rewarding experience later in life. Hunting and fishing are also activities that many people choose for recreational purposes.

Deer hunting is the most popular type of hunting in North America. The white tail deer continues to be a great catch, but its challenges often make it nearly impossible to capture. Its wilderness survival far surpasses other deer species because of its extra keen sense of smell as well as sight and sound.

A white tail deer can detect a variety of scents and it also has stronger olfactory senses than many breeds of dogs. Their skittishness also makes them an elusive figure in the woods.

Hunting and fishing is not only a challenge for many people, it gives them a chance to relax and something to focus on besides the usual grind of work and everyday life. Hunting and fishing can be like a vacation in the middle of a weekend or for a few hours after work. It can also give you a chance to be with friends and family who are just as busy as you are.

One challenge that hunting and fishing also provides is the quest for a trophy sized animal or fish. This is one goal that any sportsman secretly, or not so secretly, longs for. Most beginners are glad to catch or take fish or game of any size, but as experience kicks in, the desire to catch something worthy of hanging on the wall intensifies.

Many hunters will begin to pass on animals they could take, in hope that a big one will soon appear. Veteran anglers may begin to get out fished by novices because they refuse to put on the lure that their companions are using to catch anything that will bite. They use big lures designed to catch the attention of big fish that got big by passing on those other lures that the little fish go nuts over.

Hunting and fishing is a pastime for many people in much the same way that baseball is a pastime. As such, outlawing hunting and fishing would only lead to many people changing their way of life.

Whether they go hunting and fishing to supply food for their family or simply as a means of relaxation, it is enjoyed by people who truly understand the importance of it.

Bear survival safety: In the spring as the nice, warm, and fuzzy bears come out of their winter dens, keep in mind that they will be hanging around until the fall time. This is something that should not be forgotten when going into the woods for a little stroll with a bag of freshly baked cookies or heading out for a picnic lunch.

Sleeping outdoors – Many enjoy sleeping under the stars during the warm summer months, but a tent will not keep you safe from bears unless the tent is made out of iron ore. So I suggest that you sleep in your truck or truck’s camper which is much safer than a tent, unless you let the bear in when he comes knocking on your door, looking for cookies after his meaty meal.

Speed – Bears are very fast runners. They are made for speed, so this is not the time to work on your weight-loss program when a 1500 lb grizzly bear is slobbering down the back of your neck. The grizzly that did her best to eat me a few years back, was only about 300- 400 lbs and that was big enough for me. It took sometime for my psyche to heal, eh. Out-running a bear is not much of an option, unless you are running to get into the cab of the pickup truck or car that is only two feet away. A motorbike is no good unless it is running already and you can get it up to 50 km per hour in a hurry, all while looking over your shoulder.  Forget trying to escape on the mountain bike if you rode into the wilds on one, a bear of this size will use the bicycle to pick your hiking boots and clothing out of his teeth afterwards. Remember to keep your head up and your eyes open when you venture into the Canadian wilderness this summer, and avoid tenting overnight in areas that are known as bear country.

With all my helpful tips I am going to have to read a bear safety manual just to go tenting in my big-city backyard. O well, until next time; camp safely, eh.

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How to survive after the oil runs out and there is no more “grid”

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Peak Oil Survival: Preparation for Life After Gridcrash

Whether you are robbed of your life and property by a thug, or a mob of people, or by a government. It’s still a theft. Once a ‘people” have forgotten the meaning of “Thou shalt not steal”, your freedom is lost.

As far as African safaris go, Zambia is the one that keeps its secret for many years and still keeps some though it is already beginning to take its crown for African safaris top destinations.

Zambia wilderness safari is absolutely an unknown realm when compared with more traditional national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves. But this still does not negate the fact that at some rate, the wilderness safaris that Zambia posses can be rated as top caliber and may even equal the qualities of other more visited hot African safari picks.

To save you from scouring over magazines, books and online, we have already collected information on some of the premium wilderness safaris, game reserves and national parks in the country. Please read on!

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

In spite of its difficult-to-pronounce name, Mosi-oa-Tunya still has something exceptional to scream for, the mighty Victoria Falls. This sight is probably the reason why the park is named as such, which if literally translated we may arrive at the meaning of “the smoke that thunders”.

And the name really says the truth. It thunders roughly that the sound along is enough to make you stand awestruck and if you get nearer, you might feel the violent rushing of water.

The park also harbors some of the remaining rhinos that luckily escaped extinction. And if wilderness becomes favorable to you, you may also catch some glimpses of the baboon, impala, giraffe, eland and sables.

Lochinvar National Park

The bird paradise of Zambia. The credit of being a bird’s paradise is given to Lochinvar since some 400 plus species of birds live in here. The big games though are scarce which is only limited to some herds of buffalo, hippos, spotted hyena, leopard, zebras and wildebeests.

Kafue National Park

The largest of all wilderness parks in Zambia, Kafue nurses the densest population of wildlife in all Zambia. Thousands of red lechwe, endless hoard of antelopes, sable, waterbuck, puka, roan, oribi, hartebeest, and vast number of predators to name a few. In fact, the only animal that you wont see in her are the zebras.

South and North Luangwa National Park

How would one describe Luangwa Park? It is simply the greatest wildlife sanctuary in the world since it harbors a biodiversity that is second to none with a touch of isolation and unadulterated wilderness, which makes it almost without compare. Being unspoilt by travelers except only for the locals and some fortunate foreign travelers, this park is truly a sight for creation in the making.

Its beauty is unrivalled, its resources vast. Tanzania is simply a place of great marvel. Its wildlife sanctuaries are fresh and unspoilt. Wildlife roam in its area as it was intended after the creation. They are free; they flourish at their own rate at their own fashion.

It is no wonder why Tanzania safari is placed among the world’s finest in game viewing.

Aside from the games, Tanzania safari is also well known for its enormous gatherings of wildlife habitats and ecosystems. The Northern Circuit is the most popular entry route towards Tanzania safari which covers the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, places that appeal most to nature and wildlife lovers. Nonetheless, sanctuaries like Tarangire, Arusha and the Lake Manyara are no less dazzling than the two. All these combined makes Tanzania Safari an unimaginable haven for the congregation of animals.

On top of the wonders are the world-known big five, which covers buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard. Complemented by endless array of plain animals such as the zebra, Thompson gazelle, eland, wildebeest, oryx and others that are included in the same genre. Add to the count the merciless predators that help balance nature like the cheetah, vultures, jackal, wild dog and hyena. Not only does Northern Circuit collects its fame from these animals, it is also recognized for its over 500 bird species which turns it into an ornithologist’s paradise.

As we have earlier noted, the Arusha town is the starting point for northern adventure. It sits nearest to Mount Meru and only distant enough so travelers will get to see the mighty and awesome Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain found in all Africa.

Arusha, aside from the wild animals that it nurses, is also a refuge for rich tapestry of ecosystems that thrive on grassland, heath, montane forest, alpine desert and soda and fresh water lakes.

All these aside, Tanzania is made more distinguished by the largest caldera there is in the world- the Ngorongoro Crater. A natural world wonder itself, Ngorongoro Crater gives refuge to some 30,000 wild animals.

Truly, the Tanzanian safaris will let you witness how nature works, how the dance of life interplay with the death and survival of animals that it constitutes and how the balance of nature is maintained.

Surviving in the wilderness can be a life changing experience. If you have planned well with a survival kit, you should be able to sustain your basic needs until help finds you. However, if you don’t have water you won’t be able to last too long out there. Adults can’t go more than a few days without water, though one can go for several days without food. Therefore, of all your survival skills, knowing how to find water should be the top priority. How do you find water in the wilderness that is safe to drink?

While it sounds difficult, you should be able to find water in most any type of environment, you just have to know where to find it. There are several indicators out that regarding the location of water. The most obvious is look for surface water, generally it will be a small stream or lake. This type of running water is generally safe to drink. Look at water stains on the rocks, as it may indicate that water once ran through there. The water supply may still be there, just not as abundant as before. If you follow the trail of the water stains on rocks, you may find a water source. Melting water from ice generally has a lot of bacteria in it. If you have the supplies, it is recommended that you boil all water first incase it does have contaminants in it.

If no surface water is found, dig a hole in damp soil. The water will settle and become clear. You can filter the water as much as possible. Start by punching small holes in the bottom of a container. As you pour the collected water in it, the large pieces of particles will stay in the container. While drinking such water is not recommended, it may be your only water source available.

You must find water, so look in possible areas including low valleys, crevices where rain water may have collected, damp ground, areas of green indicate a water source is getting there, birds because they circle water holes, and trees where condensation might accumulate. It is always recommended that you carry water and water purification tablets with you on any such outing.

Before venturing into the wilderness get prepared for the unexpected.

* Get avalanche certified and carry an avalanche shovel, beacon and probe if you are a winter backcountry enthusiast!

* Take a first aid course since accidents do occur.

* Always carry a survival kit.

For the general nature enthusiast, basic survival skills are included here to initiate an understanding of what needs to occur in a wilderness emergency. Keep in mind that YOU MUST REMAIN CALM when implementing these survival skills. A clear head will allow you to implement and plan for survival and rescue.

1. FIRE. It can provide warmth, keep predators away, purify water, cook food and signal rescuers. The best source for a fire is: a flint metal match with a wooden handle and a scraper; for tinder use cotton balls soaked in petroleum and stored in waterproof containers. Sort your firewood in a tepee form and place your emergency blanket behind you to reflect the heat.

2. SHELTER – a commercial trash bag with a hole cut out for your head is useful in protecting you from the elements. Always keep the closest layer to your body dry to insulate you from the elements. If you are stranded, find a quick natural shelter and wrap yourself in an emergency blanket.

3. SIGNALING with a whistle and a mirror. A whistle can carry further than a yell and a mirror can reflect up to 20 miles. A triangle of fires is a distress signal. Create smoke during the day to show distress. Spell out S.O.S. with organic materials.

4. FOOD/WATER. A person can survive up to three days without water and without food up to three weeks, although donâ??t plan for this. Always pack extra food bars high in carbs. Drink water in the cool of the evening. Collect water from rain in your emergency blanket. Never drink your urine. Boil water minimally for 10 minutes, if you can. Seek water out at all times.

5. FIRST AID KIT. Always carry a basic one.

NOTE: as an essential survival skill, see understanding a topographical map

Survival Skills Hot Tips

Survival Skill #1: Backcountry thunderstorm

Get out of your tent. It is safer to be crouched down on your sleeping pad then in your tent which can expose you to electrical ground currents. Also keep yourself distanced from other members in the group.

Survival Skill #2: Grizzly Bear Attack

No pepper spray? If a grizzly bear is attacking do not RUN. Immediately lay down on the ground face down, spread eagle and protect your neck and heart.

Survival Skill #3 Mountain Lion Attack

If the mountain lion has not attacked look tall and yell. DO NOT RUN. If it attacks, fight for your life using pepper spray, knife or anything you can find to gouge its eyes. Never hike alone.

Survival Skill #4 Caught in an avalanche?

Try to keep an arm above the snow level to show visibility. If not possible, keep your hands near your mouth to create an air pocket. Spit outside of your mouth to tell which direction you are facing.

Survival Skill #5 Lost

Stay put. Despite popular beliefs do not follow streams. They usually lead to waterfalls, not civilization.

Survival skills combined with survival gear can ensure a safe enjoyable wilderness experience.