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The Ultimate Wilderness Survival Guide

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When you are out in the wild you are at the mercy of the elements and natural environment and without some preparation you may find yourself in danger. It is important whenever you are going out in the wild to try and ensure you have a basic wilderness survival kit with you if possible as you never know if you may get stranded out there for any length of time.

Should you find yourself in wilderness suddenly and without anything with you, knowing some basic wilderness survival skills can save your life. There are always possibilities for you to find and use in your environment for you to survive. You just need to have the foresight and understanding of the types of things that can realistically work.

We will look at both options for wilderness survival in the form of a basic wilderness survival kit item and as well as wilderness survival tips and skills that can serve you should you be stuck without much in the wild.

Ultimate Wilderness Survival Kit Items

Wilderness Survival Kit

The basic things you would need to survive in the wild would include a safe water source, some form of shelter, a heat or cooking source, food options, something for light / power source if possible. A general small and portable all in one survival kit is always helpful and a good option to include in your kit.

You should try to always have a basic wilderness survival kit with you whenever you go into the wild whether it is for a short hike or a longer camping trip to make sure you will be able to survive if you get stranded.

Survival Water Options

Having some emergency water packets on hand will enable you to stay hydrated until you are able to find another water source or until you are back in civilization. Having a personal water filter straw is also a useful portable backup solution in order to filter any water found in the wild or once your emergency water packets run out. Water is key to survival as dehydration can kill you a lot quicker than for example starving.

Survival Shelter

FosPower Emergency Sleeping Bag, Tough and Durable Mylar Thermal Sack with Survival Whistle for Survival Kits, Camping Accessories, Outdoors, Hiking (2 Pack)
358 Reviews
FosPower Emergency Sleeping Bag, Tough and Durable Mylar Thermal Sack with Survival Whistle for Survival Kits, Camping Accessories, Outdoors, Hiking (2 Pack)
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Using a waterproof portable survival shelter / sleeping bag can keep you protected from the elements. This particular option is lightweight and compact so it won’t take up much space in your kit but should you need a shelter in a hurry it sets up in seconds. You can use this bag as an emergency sleeping bag, bivy sack, blanket, survival shelter, ground shelter, shade, rain poncho, distress signal, and many more options. Its versatility is an added plus.

Heat Or Cooking Source

AOFAR Magnesium Fire Starter AF-374 (2-Pack) Waterproof Fire Steel Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Backpacking,Outdoor Survival fire Striker kit
4,103 Reviews
AOFAR Magnesium Fire Starter AF-374 (2-Pack) Waterproof Fire Steel Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Backpacking,Outdoor Survival fire Striker kit
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Magnesium rod is easily scraped off with a striker,and is ignited by sparks from the flint,starting fires in any weather conditions. Being able to make a fire in all conditions will enable you to always have a heat source and be able to cook items that you may have with you or find or boil water for safe consumption. Fire in the wilderness equals life.

Food Options

72HRS Food Ration Bar Emergency Rations (1 PACK), 3600 Calories for 72 Hours, 5 Year Shelf Life Emergency Kit for Bug Out Bag Backpack for Survival Kits Supplies and Emergency Food Supply
501 Reviews
72HRS Food Ration Bar Emergency Rations (1 PACK), 3600 Calories for 72 Hours, 5 Year Shelf Life Emergency Kit for Bug Out Bag Backpack for Survival Kits Supplies and Emergency Food Supply
  • ✅ 【EMERGENCY FOOD RATIONS – 1 PACK (9 Bars)】: This...
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Having some food in your emergency survival kit will enable you to stay nourished until you can get help or until you can find an alternate food source. This pack contains 3600 Calorie or  72 hours Emergency Food Ration.

Each bar contains 400 calories each and is vacuum-sealed inside the pouch to ensure that it will have 5 years shelf life. This will allow you to maintain enough calories to keep you going for 72 hours which can be the difference between life and death.

Light And Power Source

Solar Charger - 30000mAh Solar Power Bank Wireless Portable Charger Quick Charge 3.0 Type C Input Port with 6 Outputs, Dual Flashlight External Battery Portable Charger Power Bank for iOS and Android
8,520 Reviews
Solar Charger - 30000mAh Solar Power Bank Wireless Portable Charger Quick Charge 3.0 Type C Input Port with 6 Outputs, Dual Flashlight External Battery Portable Charger Power Bank for iOS and Android
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  • 6 Outputs & Wireless Charging: The portable charger power...
  • Dual Multifunctional Flashlight: Built-in 1.8W flashlight...

Combining items into one saves space and means you carry less items with you. This is a solar power bank which can be charged via the sun or regular electrical power source. This power bank also comes with a built-in torch so you could use it as a light source too at night. This item in the wild could keep your phone charged and provide you with light. Its versatility adds to its advantages.

All In One Survival Kit

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Survival Kit and First Aid Kit, 142Pcs Professional Survival Gear and Equipment with Molle Pouch, for Men Dad Husband Who Likes Camping Outdoor Adventure (Black)
3,989 Reviews
Survival Kit and First Aid Kit, 142Pcs Professional Survival Gear and Equipment with Molle Pouch, for Men Dad Husband Who Likes Camping Outdoor Adventure (Black)
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Having a small portable all in one emergency survival kit like this one will enable you to have all the essentials you may need on hand in one place. This specific kit includes 21 pieces multi purpose survival tools, but it also offers 106 pieces first aid kit, and a fishing tools set.

If you have all these items it will make survival that much easier.

Ultimate Wilderness Survival Skills And Tips

Wilderness Survival Skills

If you are short of having any sort of survival kit with you then you need to adapt and improvise with what you find in the wild. Below are some of the wilderness survival skills that may assist you:

  • Making fire without traditional fire starting equipment
  • Building various shelter designs with items found in the wild
  • Expanding your knowledge of what is safe to eat in the wild and what to avoid
  • How to find water sources in the wild
  • How to filter water sources in the wild
  • Basic first aid skills
  • Signaling in the wild for help
  • Hunting or fishing skills without regular equipment
  • Learn how to make a variety of knots
  • Learn how to make weapons out of natural items

Below are some wilderness survival tips that could help you in the wild:

  • Make a survival shelter that can shield you from elements. It is important to shade you from the heat if you are in a hot environment and if you are in a cold environment an insulated shelter is key for survival. Look around your environment and find a good and safe location for your shelter to be set up. Use basic items that are sturdy and will fit the purpose to build your shelter. 
  • Find clean water and other water sources. If you find water that is literally life. Clean water is always first prize but not always possible. Any form of water is important as you can always find a way to filter it. Learning how to make filters from natural items is a useful thing to have to give your skillset to be able to make almost any water source you find usable. 
  • Starting and building a fire in the wild is life saving. Fire can be used as a heat and light source, an option for water purification in the form of boiling, the ability to cook on and also as protection against wild animals.

Final Thoughts

Survival in the wilderness can seem impossible at first but if you keep a positive attitude and are able to improvise with what you have in your environment you will be able to make it through. If you have a basic wilderness survival kit you will be able to have all you need in one place to survive the wilderness.

Even without your survival kit there are wilderness survival skills and tips that can give you the edge in the wild to come out the other side. With all this in mind wilderness survival does not have to be as difficult as you think.

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