Survival Essentials

Heading into avalanche territory? Gear up with these picks to improve your survival chances: Avalanche Beacon: This little gadget is your lifeline. Strap it on, and it’ll send out a signal so rescuers can find you if you’re buried under the snow. Just make sure it's always on and kicking. Link Here Avalanche Airbag: Think of it like a personal flotation device, but for snow. Pop it open during an avalanche, and it'll help keep you on the surface instead of being buried alive. It’s like a snow surfer’s best friend. Link Here Avalanche Probe and Shovel: Pair these two together. Once your beacon narrows down where you (or a buddy) are, use the probe to pinpoint the spot and the shovel to dig out fast. They’re the dynamic duo of avalanche rescue. Link Here PLB (Personal Locator Beacon): This is your "Help, I need somebody" button. Activate it, and it sends your GPS location directly to the rescue teams. No cell signal required. Link Here

Create an Air Pocket As the avalanche slows down and you feel yourself coming to a stop, try to push your hand or an arm up towards the surface or create space around your face and mouth. Preserve Your Breath Take slow, deep breaths to conserve oxygen. Determine Up from Down It can be disorienting under the snow, and knowing which way is up can be a lifesaver. One trick is to dribble some saliva and feel which way it moves Attempt to Dig Out If you’re not too deep and feel you can move, try to dig yourself out in the direction of the surface. Stay Still If You’re Deep If you’re deeply buried, it might be safer to conserve energy and wait for rescue rather than exhaust yourself trying to dig out. Signal for Help If you have a whistle or can make any noise without exhausting yourself, do it at regular intervals to help rescuers find you.

If You're Caught in an Avalanche Try to Move Sideways: As soon as you see the snow start to slide, move perpendicular to the avalanche's path to get out of its way as quickly as possible. Swim: If you're caught, try to "swim" to stay on top of the avalanche. It’s like swimming in water – push your way to the surface. Grab Something Sturdy: If you can, grab onto a tree, rock, or anything else that might keep you anchored. Cover Your Nose and Mouth: If you're being buried, create an air pocket around your face using your hands. This can give you more air to breathe if you’re trapped. Stay Calm: Easier said than done, right? But conserving your oxygen is key to survival if you're buried.

Firefighter shows how to carry a person with just a single piece of rope.

Before You Board Pick Your Seat Wisely: The back of the plane is statistically a tad safer. Sitting close to an exit? Even better, as you can make a quick exit. Dress Smart: Skip the flip-flops and opt for comfy clothes and closed shoes that won't melt or catch fire easily.

🛩 Surviving a plane crash involves several critical steps that can significantly increase your chances of safety during and after the incident. Here’s a practical guide on how to prepare and react: Chill and Listen: Pay attention to the safety talk and skim through the safety card. It’s better to know where the exits are and what to do in case of an emergency. Keep Calm: If things go south, staying calm is your superpower. It keeps your head clear and your actions swift. Brace Yourself: Literally. Use the brace position to protect yourself during impact. Listen to the Crew: These guys are trained for this; doing what they say can make a big difference. Get Out Fast: Leave your stuff. Yes, even your laptop. Grab yourself and move it to the nearest exit. If there’s smoke, remember smoke rises, so stay low.

🥵 Handy guide to understanding dehydration, highlighting why it's crucial to recognize its symptoms early. Catching these signs quickly is key because dehydration can significantly impair your body’s ability to function properly, affecting everything from your physical performance to your mental capacity. Additionally, the importance of salt, or electrolytes, cannot be understated. While hydration keeps your body water levels balanced, electrolytes like sodium help regulate nerve and muscle function, blood pressure, and fluid balance. When you sweat from heat or exercise, not only do you lose water, but you also lose these crucial salts. That’s why drinking fluids that contain electrolytes, or consuming salty foods in moderation, is essential for maintaining your body's balance and overall health.

This is a brilliant DIY hack for creating an off-grid water heater with just a simple handmade rocket stove, water barrel, and copper pipes! No pump! No propane!

Top Brands: Sawyer: The Sawyer Mini and Sawyer Squeeze are legends for their longevity and filter size. They can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water with proper maintenance, and they’re tiny enough to fit in any pack. Link Sawyer Filter LifeStraw: Famous for their personal water filter straws, LifeStraw makes drinking from a dubious water source as easy as sipping from a straw. Their filters protect against bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. Link Life Straw Katadyn: Known for their robust filters like the BeFree Katadyn products are a bit more rugged and are great. Link Katadyn Filter Grayl: Grayl’s water purifiers like the Geopress or Ultralight Compact Purifier Bottle are known for their ease of use—just fill, press, and drink. They offer protection against pathogens and chemicals and are super handy for international travel. Link Grayl Filter 🗣 Grayl is actually my favorite option. Although it’s on the pricier side, it's a top pick in the prepping, bushcraft, and survival worlds.

Alright, let’s talk about portable water filters, a must-have for any outdoor adventure where you might need to drink from a not-so-trustworthy water source. Here’s how they work and some top brands that are trusted in the wild: How Portable Water Filters Work: These gadgets are pretty nifty. You just scoop up water from a stream, river, or lake, and the filter does its magic. Most of these filters use a physical barrier, like a microfiltration membrane, that traps pathogens—bacteria, protozoa, and sometimes even viruses. Some filters also have activated carbon which improves taste and even snags some chemicals. Using Them: Just fill up the reservoir, attach the filter, and drink up either directly through a straw or squeeze the water through the filter into your drinking container. They’re simple to use, super efficient, and make water taste way better than those iodine tablets.

So, you want to purify water using household bleach? Pick the Right Bleach: Grab some plain, unscented household bleach. Make sure it’s the basic kind with 5.25% to 6% sodium hypochlorite and no fancy scents or added cleaners. Prep the Water: If your water looks more like milkshake than water, you’ll want to strain it through a cloth or let the gunk settle and scoop the clear stuff off the top. Dosing It Right: For clear water, about 6 drops of bleach per gallon should do the trick. If it’s cloudy, double down with 16 drops per gallon. Mix and Chill: Stir the bleach into the water and then let it sit for about 30 minutes. This gives it time to kill off any nasty bacteria and viruses hanging out in there. Check the Smell: After the wait, if it smells like a swimming pool, let it sit uncovered for a bit longer to let some of that chlorine smell evaporate. Just like that, you've got yourself some safe drinking water. Remember, bleach is great for zapping microbes but won't touch chemicals or metals.

Alright, let's break down the water purification game into some practical, no-nonsense options, from the cheap 'n easy to the more deluxe setups. Whether you're in the wild or prepping for emergencies at home, knowing how to make water safe to drink is key. Household Bleach: Yep, you heard that right. If you're in a pinch, a little unscented bleach (make sure it’s suitable for consumption) can make your water safe to drink. Just a few drops per gallon, stir, wait half an hour, and you’re good to go. Water Purification Tablets: These little tablets are a backpacker's best friend. Toss one into your water, wait a bit, and boom—safe to sip. They're cheap and lightweight, making them perfect for just-in-case scenarios. Portable Water Filters: Moving up a notch, we have gadgets like the LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini. These filters are great because you can just scoop up water from a stream and drink it through the filter. They're a bit pricier but super convenient for on-the-go hydration. UV Water Purifiers: Got a bit more to spend? Check out UV purifiers like the SteriPEN. Zap your water with UV light, and all those nasty germs are gone in seconds. It’s like having a magic wand in your pocket! Gravity Filters: For the campsite or a group hangout in the woods, gravity filters are the chill way to purify lots of water without breaking a sweat. Just fill it, hang it, and let gravity do the work while you kick back. Let's dive into the details of each.

Might be useful if you get stuck with your car.

🤓 Indigenous Australians have long utilized a unique survival resource – the water-holding frog. These frogs are remarkable for their ability to absorb and store large amounts of water in their bodies. During the arid and dry periods, Aboriginal Australians would find these frogs, which can burrow underground and survive in a state of hibernation encased in a cocoon of their own shed skin. When needed, these frogs could be gently squeezed to release the water they stored, providing essential hydration in the harsh desert environment. This practice showcases an incredible example of using native wildlife knowledgeably and sustainably. https://youtu.be/DvUFzZ70Om4

Getting water from animals Might sound a bit unconventional, but in a survival scenario, it could be a viable option. Blood: While it might not be the first choice, the blood of large animals contains a significant amount of water. However, be cautious, as blood can also contain pathogens and is high in iron, which can be harmful in large quantities. It’s generally recommended only in dire situations. Fish: Fluids from the spine and eyes of fish are relatively safe to consume. Fish eyes might not yield much, but every little bit helps in a survival situation. Raw Meat: Consuming raw meat can provide some moisture, but just like with blood, it comes with risks of pathogens, especially if the source is unknown or if the meat has been exposed to contaminants. Bone Marrow: This is a safer option. Bone marrow can be boiled to create a broth, providing not only water but also crucial nutrients. Water from the Stomach: Some animals store water in their stomachs or eat moisture-rich foods. However, care must be taken to ensure that only clear fluids, and not stomach contents, are consumed to avoid illness.

Could be useful at some point. @dogadaki_sakal

🌧 Snagging rainwater: 1️⃣ Hang It Up: Stretch a large tarp or plastic sheet across a few trees. You want it a bit slanted so the water can run off to one point. 2️⃣ Secure the Corners: Tie the corners tightly with rope or sturdy twine to keep the tarp stable and maximize the surface area for catching rain. 3️⃣ Create a Low Point: Make sure one corner of the tarp is lower than the others so that rainwater will collect there. This is your collection point. 4️⃣ Place Your Container: Set a bucket or any large container under this low point to collect the rainwater as it drips down. 5️⃣ Wait for the Rain: Now, all you need is some good old rain. The tarp will do the job of catching the rainwater, and the slant will direct it right into your container.

Super simple condensation trap. Here’s how you pull it off: 1️⃣ Grab a Plastic Bag: Find a large, clear plastic bag. The clearer, the better because you want as much sunlight hitting those leaves as possible. Find a Leafy Branch: Look for a tree or bush with a bunch of green, healthy leaves. These leaves will release moisture as they breathe, which is what you're after. 2️⃣ Bag the Branch: Carefully cover the branch with your plastic bag and tie it off tightly at the base. Make sure there are no holes; you want to trap all the moisture inside. 3️⃣ Position Your Container: Place a small container under the low point of the bag to catch the water. You can sort of shape the bag to direct the water into your container. As the sun heats up the air inside the bag, the leaves release water vapor, which then condenses into liquid water on the inside of the bag and drips into your container.

🔉 While digging into all things water, I stumbled across a book that dives into different methods for collecting and storing water. Haven't read it myself or managed to snag it from the library, but here's a link if any of you are keen to check it out. Link Here