How to stay clean (and healthy) in the wilderness – even if no water is available.
Hygiene is a typical routine for most people but cleanliness in the wilderness is sometimes ignored by even the most devout germaphobe. In a wilderness survival setting, we tend to focus on food and water and forget that poor hygiene can lead to infestations, infections, and skin disease. Even eating…
How to identify Mountain Lion tracks and signs.
About Mountain Lions Mountain lions, also called cougars, may be found from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America. They possess the largest territory of any wild mammal. Mountain lions are mostly solitary animals, preferring to hunt and sleep alone. A single male may require up to…
How to break your fall in combat situations to minimize injury and quickly maintain fighting advantage.
It is quite common to fall or be thrown during a combat situation. To minimize the chance of injury, and ensure you can bounce back to your feet quickly, you must use falling techniques to absorb the impact of the fall and allow use of your body’s momentum to…
A study of assassination- purported CIA guidebook to assassinations provides self-defense lessons for survivalists.
The 19-page document below is a transcript of a file title "A Study of Assassination". It is believed to have been published by the CIA in 1953 and as the title suggests, acts as a rudimentary guide to assassinations. For survivalists, it serves as a useful countermeasure and tactical…
How to identify Black Bear tracks and signs.
About Black Bear Black bears, a medium-sized bear, are omnivores with diets that vary greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but will leave forests in search of food. Sometimes black bears are attracted to human communities because of the immediate availability of food. The American black…
How to identify Gray Wolf tracks and signs.
About Gray Wolves The gray wolf (aka timber wolf or western wolf) is native to the wilderness areas of North America, Eurasia, and many parts of Africa. The male wolf weighs just under 100 lbs. while the female wolf weighs between 79 and 85 lbs. Its winter fur is long…
How to track a person in the wilderness – and avoid being tracked by a human being yourself.
To track a human being, make sure you first understand how to track an animal. The concepts involved are similar except of course, you are dealing with a person which is a much smarter target and thus, will attempt to use deception to throw you off the trail. Preparing to…
Animal tracking and signs guide – how to track any animal (even people).
Tracks and signs (collectively termed “spoor” by trackers) include any kind of mark or disturbance left by the passing or activity of an animal or person. Because anything that touches an object leaves a trace, tracks and signs can be found everywhere. With knowledge and practice (tracking animals is both…
How to identify mule deer tracks and signs.
About Mule deer Mule deer are indigenous to western North America and are named for their large ears. Unlike the related White-tailed deer, mule deer are generally more association with land west of the Missouri River, more specifically with the Rocky Mountain region of North America. The most noticeable…
How to identify white-tailed deer tracks and signs.
About White-tailed deer White-tailed deer are native to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. White-tail deer have also been introduced to New Zealand, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Lesser Antilles, and some countries in Europe, such as Finland, the Czech Republic, and Serbia. …
Parts of the body that can be used as weapons, target areas, and immobilizing pressure points.
Weapons of the Body In a close combat situation, many people consider the fists as the only weapon of the body. Fists are important in close combat, but in fact, there are many other body parts that can be used as an effective weapon in a combat situation. Hands and…
The five tactical rules to follow in a close combat situation.
The following are key tactical concepts that should be followed in a close combat situation. Each rule by itself is not a standalone idea but rather is intended to be combined with the other rules to achieve an effect that is greater than their separate sum. Achieving a Decision Achieving…
Making homemade deodorant in a survival situation.
How to make deodorant We've frequently mentioned on Wilderness Arena, two important aspects of survival that many may find surprising – cleanliness and state of mind. Cleanliness is important because in a primitive survival situation, something as small as a minor injury or unsanitary condition can be deadly. State…
The importance of soap and how to make it in a survival situation.
When you find yourself in a wilderness survival situation, cleanliness and hygiene are often not at the top of your list of priorities – but they should be. Maintaining proper hygiene in a survival situation is much more than just a mental or emotional boost. While you’re battling elements you…
How to open a metal can without using a can opener.
It happens to the best of us. You have the food but forgot the eating utensils or plates. When it comes to canned food, failing to bring the can opener may seem like an end-of-the-world disaster – unless you know these simple methods for opening a metal can without using…
How to make glue in the wild (pine pitch glue).
Glue in a survival situation can be invaluable. Glue can be used to repair tents, tarps, and to form tools ( fletching on an arrow). It can be used as a sealant for containers (or canoes) or to waterproof coverings. Ancient Egyptians used pitch glue to coat sticks that they…
Arc welding using car batteries and quarters.
Imagine the apocalypse has struck, zombies are running wild, and civilization as we know it has ceased to exist– no phone service, no Internet, no electricity. Still, you must repair (or better yet, improve!) a metal tool (or better yet, a weapon!) but there are no welding machines available for…
Convenient method of storing and carrying paracord rope – the “paracord grenade”.
Interesting idea – a paracord “grenade”. The cable ties, which allow you to hang the cord from jackets, belts, and backpacks, are the releasable type – press the end and it releases. When the cable tie is removed, the rope releases in 10 foot sections making it convenient to…
How to make cement and mortar in the wild (aka survival cement).
In a survival situation, a mixture of mud and grasses can be used to create a substance known as “survival cement”. Survival cement can be used to construct shelters, create cookware, kilns, and to wrap foods for “clay baking”. It takes two ingredients to make cement in the wild –…
How to make rope from plants – fiber extraction and natural cordage construction.
You can make rope or natural cordage (rope and string) from many different fibers including (Bast) Dogbane, Milkweed, Nettles, Hemp, Flax; (Leaves) Cattail, Yucca, Agave, Douglas Iris; (Bark) Willow, Maple, Basswood, Cedar; (Root) Leather Root, Beach Lupine; (Whole stem) Tule, Juncus, and straw. Each type of material has specific requirements…
Rappelling with a carabiner brake.
Carabiner Brake Introduction Rappelling typically makes use of specialized equipment, such as brake racks and other lowering devices, but in an emergency situation, you can make a rappelling rig using carabiners and rope. Called a “carabiner brake”, it offers the benefits of not twisting the rope and providing more even…
All about belaying – how to apply friction to a rope to arrest a stranded climber.
What is Belaying? Belaying is a method of applying friction to the rope to control the amount of rope that is paid out or taken in. It is also used to arrest a climber that has fallen or to control the rate of descent of a load from a higher…
Bowline on a Coil – how to secure a climber to a rope.
Bowline on a coil The bowline on a coil is utilized to secure a climber to the end of the climbing rope. Utilize a minimum of three wraps parallel to each other and laying between the hip bone and lower set of ribs. All coils touch and are tight enough…
Rappel Seat – how to create a rappel seat out of rope.
Rappel seat left hand brake The rappel seat is utilized to form a rope harness for rappelling and can be tied for use with the left or right hand. Leg straps do not cross, and are centered on buttocks and tight. Leg straps form locking half-hitches on rope around waist. …
Everything you need to know about rope, cordage, and lashings.
Terminology To be able to construct shelters, traps and snares, weapons and tools, and other devices; you should have a basic knowledge of ropes and knots and some of the terminology used with them. The terms are as follows: Bight. A simple bend of rope in which the rope does…
