The Outdoor Survival Book: A Bushcraft 101 Field Guide and Handbook for Surviving in the Wilderness - is a survival guide to prepare yourself to be your very best, even if you experience the very worst, which is to be lost in the wilderness with no other resources to rely on except for what you may have in your pockets or backpack. Aside from “always being prepared”, this tactical guide also tutors you in how to overcome the panic and anxiety that affects most people when they discover they are lost, and how to tell yourself “I got this!” even when your situation seems hopeless. Expert survivalist Mark Drake covers the basics of surviving in the wild including how to prepare a minimal survivalist backpack for a day trip (just in case you lose your way) to preparing a more elaborate, complete pack if you know you are going hiking or camping in area without marked trails or where you cannot access satellite signals, electricity or cell phone coverage. The basics of survival are covered in a “To Do or Die” list including building a shelter, building a fire, finding and purifying water, searching for food, sending signals for help, retracing your steps, watching the weather, navigating by the stars and practicing emotional self-rescue techniques. This factual, resourceful guide is a must-have resource for any hiker that is thinking of venturing out into the wild, but also emergency workers, military personnel, campers, hunters, scouts and survivalists it emphasizes crafting something from nothing by utilizing the wealth of resources offered by your natural surroundings and also your most valuable resource – your mind!
Author(s): Drake, Mark
Publisher: Independently published
Year: 2020
Language: English
Commentary: 101 Field Guide and Handbook for Surviving in the Wilderness
Pages: 207
Tags: 101 Field Guide and Handbook for Surviving in the Wilderness
INTRODUCTION __________________________________________________9
PART 1. THE SURVIVALIST MENTALITY: IT’S DO OR DIE TIME______________11
THINGS TO DO OR DIE LIST __________________________________________12
STEP #1 – BUILD A SHELTER __________________________13
CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR SHELTER ________________________15
BUILDING A SIMPLE L EAN-TO SHELTER ____________________________16
BUILDING A SIMPLE TIPI SHELTER ______________________________________19
MAKE SURE THESE ITEMS ARE IN YOUR BACKPACK ___________________________20
WHAT IF YOU HAVE NO WAY OF BUILDING A SHELTER? _______________________22
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #1 – BUILD A SHELTER_________________23
STEP #2 – START A FIRE ___________________________________________25
LOCATING AND BUILDING YOUR FIRE PIT__________________________________27
THE 4 MOST IMPORTANT FIRE ELEMENTS _________________________________30
CHOOSING YOUR FIRE LAY___________________________________________32
THREE WAYS TO START A FIRE WITHOUT A MATCH OR A LIGHTER _________________38
The Ferrosium rod and striker __________________________________39
The Bow Drill Method ________________________________________40
The Fire Plow Method ________________________________________42
The Lens Method ____________________________________________43
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #2 – BUILD A FIRE ___________________44
STEP #3 – SEARCH FOR AND PURIFY WATER___________________________45
WHAT IF YOU CAN’T BOIL WATER OR USE PURIFICATION TABLETS? ________________47
HOW TO FIND A WATER SOURCE ______________________________________48
HOW TO PURIFY WATER ____________________________________________49
Method #1 – Boiling Water ____________________________________50
Method #2 – Purification Drops or Tablets ________________________52
HALOZONE (CHLORINE) TABLETS ______________________________________53
WATER PURIFICATION TIPS AND TRICKS __________________________________54
METHOD #3 – FILTERING WATER ______________________________________54
METHOD #4 – DISTILLED WATER ______________________________________56
METHOD #4 – ULTRAVIOLET PENS _____________________________________57
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #3 – SEARCH FOR AND SANITIZE WATER _____58
STEP #4 – SEARCH FOR FOOD_______________________________________59
A SHORTLIST OF 30 COMMON EDIBLE PLANTS FOUND IN THE WILD ________________61
A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP 15 _________________________________________77
EDIBLE TREES AND SHRUBS __________________________________________77
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A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP 15 EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS_______________________87
A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP EDIBLE INSECTS ________________________________108
A SHORTLIST OF THE TOP EDIBLE WILD EGGS______________________________113
How to Roast an Egg Over an Open Fire _________________________116
FISHING______________________________________________________117
How to Catch A Fish_________________________________________117
Cleaning Fish ______________________________________________118
Cooking Fish_______________________________________________118
HUNTING &TRAPPING ANIMALS______________________________________122
FIGURE 4 DEADFALL ______________________________________________126
FISHING TWITCH UP SNARE _________________________________________129
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #4 – SEARCH FOR FOOD_______________134
STEP #5 –SENDING SIGNALS FOR HELP ______________________________135
KNOW THE S.O.S. SIGNAL__________________________________________136
SMOKE SIGNALING_______________________________________________137
MIRROR SIGNALING ______________________________________________139
FLASHLIGHT SIGNALING____________________________________________139
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #5 – SENDING SIGNALS FOR HELP ________141
STEP #6 – NAVIGATE THE AREA ____________________________________143
ALWAYS BRING A MAP! ___________________________________________144
HOW TO CHOOSE A MAP __________________________________________145
UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A MAP ________________________146
NAVIGATING USING A MAP _________________________________________148
Retrace Your Steps! _________________________________________149
Take Real or Mental Pictures of Your Location ____________________150
Using Rocks, Flags & Animal Tracks ____________________________150
Using the Sun and Moon for Navigation _________________________151
Using the Prevailing Winds to Find Your Bearings__________________151
Using Plants to Determine Your Direction ________________________152
HOW TO NAVIGATE USING THE STARS __________________________________153
Finding the North Star _______________________________________154
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #6 –NAVIGATE THE AREA _____________155
STEP #7 – WATCH THE WEATHER___________________________________157
Watching the Clouds ________________________________________158
Using Smoke to Check Air pressure _____________________________158
Pay attention to wind direction________________________________159
Watch the insects __________________________________________159
Remember these classic proverbs ______________________________160
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #7 – WATCH THE WEATHER____________161
STEP #8 – PRACTICE THE “S.T.O.P.” SELF-RESCUE TECHNIQUE ____________163
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TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT STEP #8 – SELF RESCUE___________________166
PART 2. HOW TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG_________________167
THE MINIMALIST SURVIVAL BAG ______________________________________168
How to Choose a Survival Bag_________________________________170
M.O.L.L.E. Bags ____________________________________________170
THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG_____________________________________172
CLOTHES _____________________________________________________172
FOOD _______________________________________________________174
Instant, Dehydrated and Freeze Dried Foods______________________175
WATER ______________________________________________________176
SHELTER AND BEDDING ____________________________________________177
About Survival Blankets______________________________________178
A BRIEFING ABOUT WILDERNESS FIRST AID _______________________________180
Burns ____________________________________________________181
Breathing Issues ___________________________________________181
Bleeding__________________________________________________187
Hypothermia ______________________________________________191
Frostbite _________________________________________________192
Snakebites ________________________________________________193
Spinal or Head Injuries_______________________________________193
Fractures _________________________________________________194
A WILDERNESS FIRST AID KIT________________________________________195
HEAT SOURCE__________________________________________________196
Carry Primer With You_______________________________________197
LIGHTING _____________________________________________________197
TOOLS_______________________________________________________197
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS__________________________________________198
COMMUNICATIONS ______________________________________________198
TRAVEL AIDS __________________________________________________198
OTHER USEFUL ITEMS_____________________________________________199
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL BAG _________________200
PART 3. CONCLUSION – STAYING IN YOUR PERSONAL SURVIVAL ZONE ____203
HOW STRESS CAN HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE ________________________________204
FROM PANIC TO POSITIVITY – THE POWER OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. ______________206
