The Outdoor Survival Book: A Bushcraft 101 Field Guide and Handbook for Surviving in the Wilderness

Description

The Outdoor Survival Book: A Bushcraft 101 Field Guide and Handbook for Surviving in the Wilderness - is a survival guide to prepare yourself to be your very best, even if you experience the very worst, which is to be lost in the wilderness with no other resources to rely on except for what you may have in your pockets or backpack. Aside from “always being prepared”, this tactical guide also tutors you in how to overcome the panic and anxiety that affects most people when they discover they are lost, and how to tell yourself “I got this!” even when your situation seems hopeless. Expert survivalist Mark Drake covers the basics of surviving in the wild including how to prepare a minimal survivalist backpack for a day trip (just in case you lose your way) to preparing a more elaborate, complete pack if you know you are going hiking or camping in area without marked trails or where you cannot access satellite signals, electricity or cell phone coverage. The basics of survival are covered in a “To Do or Die” list including building a shelter, building a fire, finding and purifying water, searching for food, sending signals for help, retracing your steps, watching the weather, navigating by the stars and practicing emotional self-rescue techniques. This factual, resourceful guide is a must-have resource for any hiker that is thinking of venturing out into the wild, but also emergency workers, military personnel, campers, hunters, scouts and survivalists it emphasizes crafting something from nothing by utilizing the wealth of resources offered by your natural surroundings and also your most valuable resource – your mind! INTRODUCTION __________________________________________________9 PART 1. THE SURVIVALIST MENTALITY: IT’S DO OR DIE TIME______________11 THINGS TO DO OR DIE LIST __________________________________________12 STEP #1 – BUILD A SHELTER __________________________13 CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR SHELTER ________________________15 BUILDING A SIMPLE L EAN-TO SHELTER ____________________________16 BUILDING A SIMPLE TIPI SHELTER ______________________________________19 MAKE SURE THESE ITEMS ARE IN YOUR BACKPACK ___________________________20 WHAT IF YOU HAVE NO WAY OF BUILDING A SHELTER? _______________________22 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #1 – BUILD A SHELTER_________________23 STEP #2 – START A FIRE ___________________________________________25 LOCATING AND BUILDING YOUR FIRE PIT__________________________________27 THE 4 MOST IMPORTANT FIRE ELEMENTS _________________________________30 CHOOSING YOUR FIRE LAY___________________________________________32 THREE WAYS TO START A FIRE WITHOUT A MATCH OR A LIGHTER _________________38 The Ferrosium rod and striker __________________________________39 The Bow Drill Method ________________________________________40 The Fire Plow Method ________________________________________42 The Lens Method ____________________________________________43 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #2 – BUILD A FIRE ___________________44 STEP #3 – SEARCH FOR AND PURIFY WATER___________________________45 WHAT IF YOU CAN’T BOIL WATER OR USE PURIFICATION TABLETS? ________________47 HOW TO FIND A WATER SOURCE ______________________________________48 HOW TO PURIFY WATER ____________________________________________49 Method #1 – Boiling Water ____________________________________50 Method #2 – Purification Drops or Tablets ________________________52 HALOZONE (CHLORINE) TABLETS ______________________________________53 WATER PURIFICATION TIPS AND TRICKS __________________________________54 METHOD #3 – FILTERING WATER ______________________________________54 METHOD #4 – DISTILLED WATER ______________________________________56 METHOD #4 – ULTRAVIOLET PENS _____________________________________57 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #3 – SEARCH FOR AND SANITIZE WATER _____58 STEP #4 – SEARCH FOR FOOD_______________________________________59 A SHORTLIST OF 30 COMMON EDIBLE PLANTS FOUND IN THE WILD ________________61 A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP 15 _________________________________________77 EDIBLE TREES AND SHRUBS __________________________________________77 6 A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP 15 EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS_______________________87 A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP EDIBLE INSECTS ________________________________108 A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP EDIBLE WILD EGGS______________________________113 How to Roast an Egg Over an Open Fire _________________________116 FISHING______________________________________________________117 How to Catch A Fish_________________________________________117 Cleaning Fish ______________________________________________118 Cooking Fish_______________________________________________118 HUNTING &TRAPPING ANIMALS______________________________________122 FIGURE 4 DEADFALL ______________________________________________126 FISHING TWITCH UP SNARE _________________________________________129 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #4 – SEARCH FOR FOOD_______________134 STEP #5 –SENDING SIGNALS FOR HELP ______________________________135 KNOW THE S.O.S. SIGNAL__________________________________________136 SMOKE SIGNALING_______________________________________________137 MIRROR SIGNALING ______________________________________________139 FLASHLIGHT SIGNALING____________________________________________139 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #5 – SENDING SIGNALS FOR HELP ________141 STEP #6 – NAVIGATE THE AREA ____________________________________143 ALWAYS BRING A MAP! ___________________________________________144 HOW TO CHOOSE A MAP __________________________________________145 UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A MAP ________________________146 NAVIGATING USING A MAP _________________________________________148 Retrace Your Steps! _________________________________________149 Take Real or Mental Pictures of Your Location ____________________150 Using Rocks, Flags & Animal Tracks ____________________________150 Using the Sun and Moon for Navigation _________________________151 Using the Prevailing Winds to Find Your Bearings__________________151 Using Plants to Determine Your Direction ________________________152 HOW TO NAVIGATE USING THE STARS __________________________________153 Finding the North Star _______________________________________154 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #6 –NAVIGATE THE AREA _____________155 STEP #7 – WATCH THE WEATHER___________________________________157 Watching the Clouds ________________________________________158 Using Smoke to Check Air pressure _____________________________158 Pay attention to wind direction________________________________159 Watch the insects __________________________________________159 Remember these classic proverbs ______________________________160 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #7 – WATCH THE WEATHER____________161 STEP #8 – PRACTICE THE “S.T.O.P.” SELF-RESCUE TECHNIQUE ____________163 7 TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #8 – SELF RESCUE___________________166 PART 2. HOW TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG_________________167 THE MINIMALIST SURVIVAL BAG ______________________________________168 How to Choose a Survival Bag_________________________________170 M.O.L.L.E. Bags ____________________________________________170 THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG_____________________________________172 CLOTHES _____________________________________________________172 FOOD _______________________________________________________174 Instant, Dehydrated and Freeze Dried Foods______________________175 WATER ______________________________________________________176 SHELTER AND BEDDING ____________________________________________177 About Survival Blankets______________________________________178 A BRIEFING ABOUT WILDERNESS FIRST AID _______________________________180 Burns ____________________________________________________181 Breathing Issues ___________________________________________181 Bleeding__________________________________________________187 Hypothermia ______________________________________________191 Frostbite _________________________________________________192 Snakebites ________________________________________________193 Spinal or Head Injuries_______________________________________193 Fractures _________________________________________________194 A WILDERNESS FIRST AID KIT________________________________________195 HEAT SOURCE__________________________________________________196 Carry Primer With You_______________________________________197 LIGHTING _____________________________________________________197 TOOLS_______________________________________________________197 PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS__________________________________________198 COMMUNICATIONS ______________________________________________198 TRAVEL AIDS __________________________________________________198 OTHER USEFUL ITEMS_____________________________________________199 OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG _________________200 PART 3. CONCLUSION – STAYING IN YOUR PERSONAL SURVIVAL ZONE ____203 HOW STRESS CAN HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE ________________________________204 FROM PANIC TO POSITIVITY – THE POWER OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. ______________206