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…
All about knots – their use and how to tie them.
Knots The basic knots, uses, and methods of tying them that you should know for your survival are discussed below. For additional types of knots, such as hitches and lashings, use the links below. Additional types of knots Bend- joins two ropes together. Hitch – ties rope to a post, stake etc.…
Survival sewing – complete guide to sewing and repair in the wilderness.
Survival Sewing Possessing the knowledge and ability to sew is an essential toolset if you are to survive in the wild for any extended period of time. Clothing, shelter, shoes, and tools may need to be repaired and often those repairs require basic sewing technique. Starting and Ending a Stitch…
The ultimate guide to splices and whippings (used to splice ropes together).
Splices It is not uncommon, especially in a wilderness survival situation where you possess limited supplies, to encounter situations where a longer length of rope is needed. Rope splices are used to splice shorter lengths of rope together to form a single, larger length of rope. Good rope splices hold…
All about hitches (used to tie rope to another object).
Hitches Hitches are used to tie a rope to another object such as a barrel, pole, post, stake, or bundled cloth ( tarp). A hitch holds well due to the friction set up between the two surfaces of the rope being pressed together. Barrel Hitch Provides a lifting sling for…
Construction lashings and their use when building structures.
Construction Lashings and Structures Lashings are used to firmly hold together two or more spars (poles, masts, scaffolding, legs, trestles, etc.) There are numerous survival construction projects that require lashings for construction. Here is an example of lashings used to hold two posts together (details on how to create lashings…
Weaving can be used to create mats, tarps, blankest, and more. All about weaving, mats, and looms.
All elements of rope work incorporates weaving or interlocking of strands by passing over and under each other. At a smaller scale, weaving can be used in the wild to create mats, tarps, blankets, and more. The process of weaving is fairly simple. Sword Mat and Homemade Loom Step 1:…
Stop ending your rope with a knot. how to create fancy but functional endpoints (plaits) for ropes.
Sennits Most ropes are braided by twisting the strands but strands can be plaited (called a sennit) to create a “fancier” looking rope. Similarly, rather than ending a rope by tying it off in a knot or by whipping the end, you can terminate the rope end with plaits. This…
There are various environment injuries you can face in a survival situation – here’s the proper way to treat environmental injuries.
Introduction to Environment Type Injuries Heatstroke, hypothermia, diarrhea, and intestinal parasites are environmental injuries you could face in a survival situation. Read and follow the guidance provided below. Heatstroke The breakdown of the body's heat regulatory system (body temperature more than degrees C ) causes a heatstroke. Other heat injuries,…
Treating skin diseases and burns (wit antiseptics you can find in the wild).
Introduction Boils, fungal infections, and rashes typically do not pose serious health problems unless poor hygiene results in a secondary infection. They cause discomfort though and may be treated to reduce discomfort and accelerate healing time. Boils A boil is a localized infection in the skin. Over time, it will…
How to treat open wounds to stop infection in the wild.
Introduction Open wounds are serious in a survival situation, not only because of tissue damage and blood loss, but also because they may become infected. Bacteria on the object that made the wound, on the individual's skin and clothing, or on other foreign material or dirt that touches the wound…
Snake bites – how to treat snake bites in a survival situation.
Snake Bite Concerns The chance of a snakebite in a survival situation is rather small, if you are familiar with the various types of snakes and their habitats. However, it could happen and you should know how to treat a snakebite. Deaths from snakebites are rare. More than one-half of…
How to treat spider and scorpion stings.
Treatment for Black Widow spider bite The black widow spider is identified by a red hourglass on its abdomen. They grow to about 1/2 inch long and have a shiny, black, globular shaped abdomen. Only the female bites, and it has a neurotoxic venom. The initial pain is not severe,…
How to treat bee and wasp stings in the wild.
If stung by a bee, immediately remove the stinger and venom sac, if attached, by scraping with a fingernail or a knife blade (yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets do not leave the stinger). Do not squeeze or grasp the stinger or venom sac, as squeezing will force more venom into…
Insects are hazards in a survival situation – how to treat bites and insect stings.
Insect Hazards Insects and related pests are hazards in a survival situation. Insects bite as a defensive mechanism or to feed off of the host. They not only cause irritations, but they are often carriers of diseases that cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. In many parts of the…
How to treat sprains and damage to tendons and ligaments.
The accidental tearing or stretching of a tendon or ligament (tissues that connect bones at the joint) causes sprains. The signs and symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, and discoloration (black and blue). You may feel a pop or tear when a sprain occurs. When treating sprains, you should follow…
Treating dislocated bones and joints (with little or no medical devices available).
Signs and Symptoms of a Dislocated Bone Dislocations are the separations of bone joints causing the bones to go out of proper alignment. These misalignments can be extremely painful and can cause an impairment of nerve or circulatory function below the area affected. You must place these joints back into…
Treating broken bone fractures in a survival situation (with little or no medical devices available).
Types of Fractures and Broken Bones There are basically two types of fractures: open and closed. With an open (or compound) fracture, the bone protrudes through the skin and complicates the actual fracture with an open wound. Any bone protruding from the wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic and…
How to prevent and treat shock in an injured person.
Shock progresses through three stages. It begins in stage one: "compensated shock". During this stage the brain is realizing that something is wrong with the body and begins to route blood to the body’s vital organs. The second stage of shock is “decompensated shock” where the body has lost too…
Bleeding – how to control bleeding in the wild.
Introduction Serious bleeding must be controlled immediately or the victim may die within minutes. External bleeding falls into the following classifications: Arterial Arteries carry blood from the heart throughout the body. A cut to an artery will result in bright red blood which spurts of pulses each time the heart…
Survival basics – emergency treatment of breathing problems.
Breathing problems can be caused by foreign matter in the throat that obstructs the windpipe, by face or neck injuries, by inflammation or swelling in the mouth or throat, or by a swallowed tongue. If a person is having trouble breathing, you must open the airway using these steps: Check…
In the wilderness, poor hygiene can kill you – the importance of personal hygiene in a survival situation.
Introduction to Personal Hygiene in the Wilderness One of the leading causes of death in long-term survival situations is infections and disease. Both leading causes are directly related to personal hygiene. Cleanliness is extremely important to your survival. Of course, a hot shower with soap is ideal but in a…
The most important survival lesson of all – all about water and dehydration in a survival situation.
Introduction Your body loses water through normal bodily processes such as sweating and urination. A person loses and therefore requires an average of 2 to 3 liters of water daily. Environmental factors such as heat, cold, and altitude as well as your level of activity can cause your body to…
