The knife has come to symbolize to the modern men the essence of survival and the ability to provide all that is needed for survival with one simple and lethal tool. A good knife is indeed better than most material things, it can provide protection and the ability to hunt and prepare food, it can also help in building a shelter and creating small objects that are vital for survival.
A few generations ago, maybe even less than a hundred years ago, men would not leave their house without a proper knife, it was only common sense to take a knife with you wherever you went, you never knew into what situations you will run into, if you will get lost and will need to survive for a couple of days in the wild or if you will be surprised by some enemy or thief and will need to protect yourself.
For those of us that know knives it is a simple fact that no one knife can have all the features in it, every knife has its advantages and anyone using a knife will have to make his own decision as to what kind of things are important for him to have on his knife. It is not only the extra features of the knife that matter, it is also the way the knife itself is crafted and what it is made off.
Today most people are looking for a knife to serve them when they are away in natural for a few days, or sometimes a few weeks, they need something that is very basic and that will provide them with the safety that it could potentially help them in case something goes wrong.
Not long ago I read in the paper that a diver had to use his knife to protect himself against a shark, he did not stab the shark as it was trying to attack him, but simply hit the shark on his nose with the blunt side of the knife, this did the job and the shark run away, even though he didn’t use his knife as it was planned to be used, this diver had the right instinct, and he went for his knife.
In any case, when you are out camping, hiking, fishing or diving you will probably consider buying yourself a knife, and you should think about what you need before you even set foot in the shop. Try and think of the environments you are going to be in, and your needs, sometimes someone does need to hunt with his knife, but does not need to prepared the food from the hunted animal, in some cases you will be walking through a jungle and you might want to use the knife to carve your way out of some thick bushes.
If you do your research and spend some time thinking of what you need you will have a better starting point, try and use the internet for information about different kinds of knives, I am sure you will be surprised from the wide verity of products out on the market. Happy hunting.
Being in the great outdoors enjoying nature is a great way to spend your free time. The wilderness is very exciting, but it can also be very dangerous when things don’t go as you planned. The very best action plan is to always be prepared for such a scenario to take place. You never know when you may get lost, injured, or have to stay longer than planned due to the weather. Keep children close to you at all times so they don’t get lost or attacked by animals.
Even if you plan to only be in the wilderness for a short period of time make sure others know where you went and when you should arrive back. This way if you don’t return they know where to start rescue efforts and when. Always dress in layers so that you can add or remove clothing as needed. It can get very hot or very cool in just a few hours out there so be ready for it.
You should always carry a survival pack with necessities. Your supplies should include plenty of water or water purification tablets, dry food, a first aid kit, a cell phone, emergency flares, and a flashlight. It is very important that you stay hydrated and alert if you become lost in the wilderness. If you are with other people make sure everyone stays together and talk yourselves through the situation. Make sure you secure a safe place to sleep should it appear you may be there throughout the night.
The wilderness is a great place to explore and get back to nature. It offers a relaxing break from our hectic lives. However, people do get lost in the wilderness and things don’t always go according to plan. By always being prepared for such an event, you have the very best chance of remaining calm and having your basic needs met until help arrives.
Survival skills just for backpacking? Why not? For ultralight backpackers like myself, skills replace gear, and therefore weight. If you spend any time in the wilderness, it also just feels good to know you can deal with whatever comes up.
Survival means staying warm and dry, hydrated, uninjured, and finding your way out of the wilderness. Of course, eating is nice too, but not crucial if the situation is just for a few days. Here are some survival skills you can learn easily.
Easy Survival Skills
1. Put dried moss or milkweed fuzz in your pocket as you walk, so you’ll have dry tinder to start a fire, just in case it’s raining later. Cattail fuzz works well too, and you can experiment with different materials.
2. If it looks and tastes like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry – it is. There is no berry in North America that looks like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry, and can hurt you from one taste. Take a taste, and just spit it out completely if it doesn’t taste right.
3. Make a pile of dry leaves and dead grass to keep warm in an emergency. I have slept warmly without a blanket, in below-freezing weather, in a pile of dry grass.
4. Put a stick upright in the ground, and mark the tip of the shadow. Mark it again fifteen minutes later. Scratch a line between the first and second marks, and it will be pointing east. Techniques like this can save you when your compass is lost.
5. Clouds form in the Rocky Mountains just before the afternoon storms in summer. Hikers are regularly killed by lightning in Colorado. Birds often fly lower before storms. Learning to read the sky and the behavior of animals can keep you out of trouble.
6. The biggest wilderness killer is hypothermia, and getting wet is the biggest cause. Get in the habit of watching for ledges or large fir trees to stand under when you think that rain may be coming. Learning to stay dry is one of the more important survival skills.
7. To stay warmer, sleep with your head slightly downhill. It takes some getting used to, but it works.
8. Get in the habit of filling water bottles every chance you get, and you won’t have such a hard time with any long dry stretches of trail. Drink up the last of your water right before you fill the bottles too.
9. Break a “blister” on the trunk of a small spruce or fir tree, and you can use the sap that oozes out as an good antiseptic dressing for small cuts. It also can be used to start a fire, and will burn when wet.
10. Bark from a white birch tree will usually light even when wet. In a jam, you can also use it as a paper substitute if you need to leave a note in an emergency.
The above are just a few tips and techniques you can easily learn. There are many more, and they can make backpacking not only safer, but more interesting. Why not practice one or two of these survival skills?