Top 12 Survival Skills to Learn Before a Survival Situation

Survival situations can happen anytime and anywhere, whether you are hiking in the wilderness, camping in the woods, or facing a natural disaster. Knowing some basic survival skills can make the difference between life and death, and help you stay calm and confident in any emergency. Here are 12 survival skills that you should learn before a survival situation, and why they are important.

1. First Aid

First aid is the skill of providing immediate care to someone who is injured or ill, until professional medical help arrives. First aid can save lives, prevent infections, and reduce pain and suffering. You should learn how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as cuts, burns, sprains, fractures, bleeding, poisoning, snake bites, hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration, and shock. You should also have a first aid kit with you at all times, containing items such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic, painkillers, scissors, tweezers, gloves, and a CPR mask1.

2. Fire Making

Fire making is the skill of creating and maintaining a fire using natural or man-made materials. Fire can provide warmth, light, cooking, signaling, and protection from wild animals. You should learn how to find and prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel for a fire, as well as how to use different methods of ignition, such as matches, lighters, flint and steel, magnifying glass, or batteries and steel wool. You should also know how to build different types of fire structures, such as teepee, lean-to, log cabin, or star2.

3. Shelter Building

Shelter building is the skill of constructing a temporary or permanent shelter using natural or man-made materials. Shelter can protect you from the elements, such as rain, wind, sun, snow, and cold. You should learn how to choose a suitable location for your shelter, taking into account factors such as terrain, water source, exposure, and safety. You should also know how to build different types of shelters, such as lean-to, debris hut, snow cave, igloo3, or tent4.

4. Water Purification

Water purification is the skill of making water safe to drink by removing harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals, and metals. Water is essential for survival, as it regulates body temperature, transports nutrients and oxygen, removes waste products, and prevents dehydration. You should learn how to find and collect water from various sources, such as streams, lakes, rain, snow, or plants. You should also know how to purify water using different methods, such as boiling, filtering, distilling, chlorinating, or iodinating.

5. Food Foraging

Food foraging is the skill of finding and harvesting edible plants and animals from the wild. Food can provide energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for survival. You should learn how to identify and collect edible plants, such as berries, nuts, mushrooms, roots, leaves, or flowers. You should also know how to hunt and trap edible animals, such as fish, birds, rodents, insects, or reptiles. However, you should be careful not to eat anything that you are not sure about, as some plants and animals can be poisonous or cause allergic reactions.

6. Navigation

Navigation is the skill of finding your way in an unfamiliar environment using natural or man-made tools. Navigation can help you reach your destination, avoid getting lost, or find help in a survival situation. You should learn how to use different methods of navigation, such as maps[39], compass[40], GPS[41], or landmarks[42]. You should also know how to use natural indicators of direction, such as the sun[43], the stars[44], the moon[45], or the wind[46].

7. Signaling

Signaling is the skill of attracting attention and communicating with others using visual or auditory signals. Signaling can help you get rescued, coordinate with your group, or warn others of danger in a survival situation. You should learn how to use different types of signals, such as fire[47], smoke[48], mirrors[49], flashlights[50], whistles[51], or flags[52]. You should also know how to use universal distress signals, such as SOS[53], three fires[54], three gunshots[55], or three whistle blasts[56].

8. Knot Tying

Knot tying is the skill of making and using various types of knots using ropes, cords, or other materials. Knots can help you secure, join, or manipulate objects in a survival situation. You should learn how to tie different types of knots, such as loop knots[57], hitch knots[58], bend knots[59], or stopper knots[60]. You should also know how to use knots for different purposes, such as building shelters[61], making traps[62], climbing trees[63], or fishing[64].

9. Self-Defense

Self-defense is the skill of protecting yourself and others from physical harm using your body or weapons. Self-defense can help you prevent, escape, or fight back against attacks from wild animals or hostile humans in a survival situation. You should learn how to use different techniques of self-defense, such as striking[65], kicking[66], blocking[67], or grappling[68]. You should also know how to use weapons for self-defense, such as knives[69], sticks[70], rocks[71], or pepper spray[72].

10. Weather Forecasting

Weather forecasting is the skill of predicting the weather conditions using natural or man-made tools. Weather forecasting can help you plan your activities, prepare your shelter, and avoid hazards in a survival situation. You should learn how to use different methods of weather forecasting, such as thermometers[73], barometers[74], hygrometers[75], or radios[76]. You should also know how to use natural indicators of weather changes, such as clouds[77], wind[78], animals[79], or plants[80].

11. Mental Toughness

Mental toughness is the skill of maintaining a positive and resilient mindset in the face of challenges, stress, and adversity. Mental toughness can help you cope with fear, pain, loneliness, boredom, and uncertainty in a survival situation. You should learn how to develop mental toughness by practicing habits such as meditation, positive thinking, goal setting, visualization, or affirmations. You should also know how to deal with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, depression, or grief.

12. Teamwork

Teamwork is the skill of working effectively and cooperatively with others towards a common goal. Teamwork can help you share resources, skills, and responsibilities in a survival situation. You should learn how to build teamwork by practicing skills such as communication, leadership, trust, respect, or conflict resolution. You should also know how to support your team members by providing feedback, encouragement, empathy, or humor.

These are the top 12 survival skills that you should learn before a survival situation, and why they are important. By mastering these skills, you will be more prepared, confident, and capable of surviving any emergency. Remember, the most important survival skill is the will to live. Never give up hope, and always believe in yourself. You can do it!