Not all skills that can benefit you in a survival situation involve building shelter or properly identifying edible plant species. Sometimes, especially in an urban survival situation, your ability to deal with, or avoid dealing with people will be a determining factor in your ability to stay alive. Learning another language can be a valuable … Read more
Hog peanut is the common name of Amphicarpaea bracteate. It is a wild edible that grows in the forests of North America. Hog peanut produces both an edible root and edible seeds. Hog peanut is a member of the Legume family, same as beans and peas (and peanuts, which are not technically nuts). The vines … Read more
Pepper spray can be an effective tool for self-defense, but it has limitations. Not everyone is equally affected by it, your attacker could be on drugs, have a high pain tolerance, or could even have been sprayed previously and knows how to fight through its effects the way police officers do that carry it. Either … Read more
In internet can be great tool for our daily lives, providing a wealth of information never previously available with such ease, allowing people even in remote areas to purchase goods that stores in the area don’t carry, and allowing individuals to connect to people in their areas that they would otherwise not be likely … Read more
If you have a disaster survival strategy that involves getting out of your area in case of emergency, then you are going to want to plan for seasonal adjustments. Your route, destination, and the gear you will want with you will greatly change from summer to winter. Now that winter is officially here and most … Read more
I recently wrote an article about protecting your birds from infections of the avian flu from wild birds, and to a lesser extent yourself. At the time there wasn’t much need for concern about human infections in North America since none had been reported and even cases of infected birds were not widespread. However; I … Read more
It is possible to walk right past food in the forest without ever knowing it. Not every wild edible is as noticeable as a tree full of ripe apples. One such plant that might be passed by without taking note of it despite its edibility is Medeola virginiana, better known as Indian cucumber. The edible … Read more
“Jugging” is a term that seems to be mainly used in Texas for a crime that is not geographically confined. The basics of the crime involve watching a bank, or an ATM and waiting to see who makes a withdraw, then following that individual to a location that has less security so they can be … Read more
Outside of bug out scenarios or soldiers getting lost behind enemy lines, most wilderness survival situations begin by people willingly entering into the wilderness to enjoy themselves. For many, the more remote, the more enjoyable the experience. The concrete parking lot, hot shower, flush toilet, “camp” site is just not the same as a site … Read more
Broadleaf Arrowhead, or Sagittaria latifolia is a shallow wetland plant that can be found all over the globe. Broadleaf arrowhead produces green leaves which are edible, best when they are young and still curled, and more importantly an edible tuber. Even with nothing else available this plant offers enough nutrition, and can usually be found … Read more
On their online magazine ISIS has threatened terrorist attacks all over the world on Christmas. What does this mean for you and how can you protect yourself? Here are a few tips on how to stay safe tomorrow. As always, arm yourself. Recently Detroit Police Chief triggered the left when he said that citizens … Read more
This year we have seen wildfires all over the globe. Whether caused by natural factors like prolonged dry weather and lightning, accidents like fallen power lines in California, troublesome kids in Tennessee, or potential acts of terrorism in Israel, the result will always be deadly. The only good thing about wildfires is that they usually … Read more
An economic crash, or currency devaluation could cause as many deaths as any natural disaster. The irony being that all the actual resources are still there, but without currency to lubricate the flow of goods and services those resources will be largely unavailable. But like all disasters, even economic ones can be prepared for so … Read more
This is the fastest I have ever seen anyone construct a snow cave. There is some editing in the video so I’m sure it took longer than the run time of the video, but it gives you a good idea of the speed that this tool makes constructing a snow shelter possible. I’m not getting … Read more
The bird flu is back in the news again, spreading and mutating. Most of the cases are in Asia which might make those outside the region feel that there is no need to be concerned. But there are also cases in Africa and Europe, and if wild birds are infected it could be spread virtually … Read more
In a post-disaster scenario when resources and not being resupplied and there is an interruption or full breakdown in law and order, your biggest threat will come from other people. People who have not properly prepared themselves will want to take what you have, those that have not developed their skills will rely solely upon … Read more
This brave guy was kind enough to demonstrate how to survive falling through the ice of a frozen lake. In the video below he outlines 3 different methods to get out alive. Although, the last one requires the assistance of the local fire department and won’t be of much help in the wild. A few … Read more
This is a video of an armed robbery from Russia where a man with a blunt force weapon (hard to tell what it is, it looks like a slap stapler) walks into a check cashing office and brutally attacks a female employee. The video is a graphic departure from the Hollywood depiction of self-defense … Read more
It’s always nice in survival when you can get more than one use out of material you gather or from one plant or animal. Black walnut is a perfect example of this. It can be used medicinally, as well as provide food, and in long term survival it can even be used to help tan … Read more
Tornadoes cause devastation across Midwestern states each year. Unfortunately, people die in these storms, so it makes sense for you and your family to be as prepared as possible if you live in or are visiting states that are in the path of tornadoes. Although you might not have too much warning before the storm … Read more
Shotguns are some of the most versatile weapons, but eventually, you will run out of ammunition. This video demonstrates an easy method of using a spent shell, primer, black powder, and bb’s to reload in the field. The technique does not require much to be carried with you in the way of specified tools or … Read more
This guy’s videos have been making the rounds on the internet lately. For some reason, he has chosen to spend his time seeking out the most painful insect stings the world has to offer, for the purpose of youtube notoriety. That said, this video does illustrate why insects and pests should always be respected. He … Read more
When most people think of bugging out they think of making their way out of a heavily populated area by foot, or even by vehicle. But these are not the only methods of bugging out one should consider, for many there is the possibility of bugging out on the water. Here are some of the … Read more
Japanese Knotweed, or Fallopia japonica, is now an invasive weed that grows all over the earth. It’s stems and new shoots look similar to bamboo, though it is not related, while its leaves are much larger than bamboo leaves and are oval with truncated base. The new shoots can be harvested as a spring vegetable … Read more
There are aspects of survival that seem to work in your favor, for instance, if there is a poisonous plant, insect, or snake in the area, there tends to be a treatment available from a plant that also grows in that area. But there are other times when it seems that nature is conspiring … Read more
Human rights organizations inevitably report higher instances of sexual assault and attacks on women after disasters. With the interruption of law and order, predators will be emboldened. If you are a woman, or if you have women with you, especially younger women, steps will need to be taken to protect them from the elevated threat … Read more
One of the biggest mistakes that some of the survivalists out there make is with their bug out vehicle. They go overboard and buy something ostentatious like a Hummer decked out with “survival accessories”. Some even advertise that they are preppers right on the vehicle. These tend to be the same preppers who go overboard … Read more
When you are new to prepping, it is quite easy to be overwhelmed by all the things you need to do. It can be difficult to know where to begin and what you should be doing to increase your readiness for whatever comes your way. The following are some simple tips you can use to … Read more
When you are trying to survive in the wild, one of the most important skills you need to have is the ability to collect water. Just because you might find a stream or a lake doesn’t mean you can just drink the water, as it could be contaminated and need to be boiled first. In … Read more
Learning from your mistakes is a good thing, but learning from the mistakes of others so that you never make that mistake in the first place is much better. This is especially true for life and death situations that you might not get a second chance to learn from. The internet is full of … Read more
If you are in a snow covered landscape survival will be difficult enough while you are operating at your best, it will be nearly impossible if you lose your sight. Snow blindness is a preventable injury that happens in snow covered terrain or during a daytime blizzard, the sun’s light is reflected off of … Read more
If you are in a wilderness survival scenario and you come across a nest full of eggs your moral is bound to improve, but if you don’t have a pan to fry them in or a pot and water to boil them in your moral might start to slip back down with the prospect of … Read more
Most knots, for survival purposes or otherwise are about securing, but here is a knot with the unique purpose of making the rope easy to throw. This knot is useful when you need to get your rope over a branch, as when securing your gear from bears, or even when throwing a rope to … Read more
This time of year protection from the cold is your utmost concern in a wilderness survival scenario. Even if you are dressed for the elements it is not likely to be enough to keep you warm all night long when temperatures drop. These are a few materials that are widely available in the wilderness … Read more
If you are in an area that has been hit by any sort of disaster that cut off the resupply or resources then it won’t be long before scavenging takes place, or even looting. People who are ill prepared will be frantic to acquire the resources that they should have been storing and didn’t like … Read more
If you have an affinity for the great outdoors, chances are you get out and go camping and hiking at every opportunity. Whether you are new to hiking or you’ve been doing it since you could barely walk, it’s important to keep a few basic tips in mind that can help keep you safer out … Read more
Do you have people in your life who you want to be safe in the event of a disaster? Maybe you have some survivalist family members or friends you are going to be buying for this holiday season or perhaps for their birthday. Of course, you might simply be looking for something interesting that you … Read more
Even though you might have everything you need as a prepper and survivalist, that doesn’t mean you are prepared to survive. That’s why it is so important to practice bugging out and moving from one place to another with a full pack. It needs to be as realistic as possible, so this means no stopping … Read more
If you think that you need a sick day from an 8-hour job, then how do you think you are going to feel when you are struggling to survive in the wilderness and you begin to get sick? As you know, a simple cold can make everyday simple activities into agonizing tasks. And it will … Read more
If you are surviving in the wilderness protein from small game is going to be invaluable to you. The last thing you need after trapping or hunting an animal successfully, which won’t be easy, is to waste your kill and end up with less food than you could have had. Here are some tips … Read more