What Do I Need To Survive in the Wild?

[Soicanlive]

MUCH NEEDED THREAD. Wish I could favorite it for future reading.

[gryffynklm]

Go to Tread tools in the green stripe above your post. Click it and select subscribe to this thread. Every time someone posts you will be alerted. You can also print from the tools.

[Rick]

It's also a sticky so it will always be at the top of the General Survival Discussion sub forum.

[senna]

for 2 days, you should not need anything, unless it is cold. then you need adequate clothing, and perhaps shelter, depending upon temp, rain, and wind. Fire is often not much help at keeping you warm, if you lack shielding for it (and you) from the rain and wind, or lack walls to reflect the fire's heat, and so on.

[Rick]

Yeah, well, better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it. I just made that up.

[welderguy]

Yeah, well, better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it. I just made that up.

WOW thats a great saying mind if I borrow that!

[Rick]

Yeah, sure. I've got lots.

[welderguy]

for 2 days, you should not need anything, unless it is cold. then you need adequate clothing, and perhaps shelter, depending upon temp, rain, and wind. Fire is often not much help at keeping you warm, if you lack shielding for it (and you) from the rain and wind, or lack walls to reflect the fire's heat, and so on.

actually if your skills are up to par you wouldn't need anything for any length of time. the show naked and afraid is 21 days with NOTHING at all.

[Rick]

Foul!! Not true. He gets a naked woman. I wouldn't last 20 minutes. But, hey, that's just me.

[welderguy]

foul!! Not true. He gets a naked woman. I wouldn't last 20 minutes. But, hey, that's just me.

hahahahaha!!!

[senna]

not true. They each get to bring one item. I've watched 4 of those shows. One couple failed utterly. 2 of the other three required medical intervention to prevent death, within 2 weeks of their start. One time, the foolish man didn't make sandals right away, in a place full of thorns. In the next one, the woman foolishly ate inadequatly cooked turtle flesh. If you "think" that that show or the people chosen for it are good guides to action, you are badly deluded. And NONE of them have been dropped off anyplace where it was cold. It it was sub freezing, not 1 of the 4 couples would have survived 2 days, and they'd have been hurting badly in just a very few hours.

[welderguy]

not true. They each get to bring one item. I've watched 4 of those shows. One couple failed utterly. 2 of the other three required medical intervention to prevent death, within 2 weeks of their start. One time, the foolish man didn't make sandals right away, in a place full of thorns. In the next one, the woman foolishly ate inadequatly cooked turtle flesh. If you "think" that that show or the people chosen for it are good guides to action, you are badly deluded. And NONE of them have been dropped off anyplace where it was cold. It it was sub freezing, not 1 of the 4 couples would have survived 2 days, and they'd have been hurting badly in just a very few hours.

You are correct, they do get one item. And I agree that some of there actions are foolish. and in any freezing temps you wouldn't last but hours with no clothing , shelter or fire .

[Kat]

So the foothills of a mountain's rain forest wouldn't be suitable in a national park with no individuals for miles around, but plenty of game since it's a national park?

[Kat]

that would be harsh,those conditions would require a differnt approach. you said right.that would make burning oil important. and i would also use heated stones to extend the oil. those places would be tough to survive

Would burning oil and heating stones to extend oil not cause smoke?

[Kat]

i have found rocks in boston that originated at yellowstone. i guess they got hurled by the supermassive volcano eruption about 6000,000 years ago.

And when that occurs, and it will, kiss our collective bums bah-bye. It'll wipe out the majority of the U.S. Then the rest of the U.S. by the clouds making their rounds, revolving Earth. Probably an ELE.

[Rick]

Actually, the fallout would not wipe out the majority of the U.S. It might or might not be and end of life experience based on the amount of ejecta and it's effect on the atmosphere. Certainly wouldn't be a good day for a walk through Yellowstone, that's for sure. Here's a map of ash fall from previous eruptions.

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As well as a list of previous super volcano events.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supervolcano

[Lil K]

I'm bumping an old post, but it's certainly a Sticky for a reason. Excellent post Rick, this was the post I anticipated for when I first saw it.

[swenlet]

Notice that they never leave them anywhere COLD? :-) notice that most of them FAIL the test (or get real bad sick after "succeeding"? And they get to bring one item each. Which is 2 things, not "nothing".

[swenlet]

Just cause you start with no clothing or shelter, does not mean that you can't have some, really quickly. They get to bring a machete and a lighter, if they have sense enough to choose such items. So they could have a fire in a matter of a very few minutes, then several fires, keeping them warm all around, while they venture outside of the fire ring often, to gather grasses, etc, to make clothing, or other items to make shelter.

[MItygrr]

Excellently put! I have practically lived in the forests of Northern Michigan since, well let's just say a few decades and leave it at that. I've changed, the landscapes changed, the micro climates changed. Things I used back then, although they are still staples for me, are sometimes not enough. For example, I am diabetic now, so insulin is a necessity, even without food, execise, stressors and fatigue can raise or lower my glucose levels and kill me any where from a few hours to a few months. So I take a pen, my micro tester and a spare needle. Never know. So, first aide is in the top of my list. I've learned lots of ways to gather water, believe it or not, gardening. Just recently, however, learned a neat little trick about making several types of filters. Although I've always headed out with basics; baggies, lighter/matches, first aide, and usually a reference guide (morale and reference), I have discovered what was "good enough" yesterday may not be enough today. Yea I can survive a few nights with a good knife and an altoids kit, but with a belt and a few more items, I can feel safer. Knowledge is the best thing ever! Taking game in a snare, although rewarding, can be a bit tricky if you want eat it afterward without knowing how to clean it or prepare it. I've eaten things I thought were pretty tasty, but wouldn't have if I had a choice (skunk). Most recently I took up deer hunting again, after a few years of idiots shooting at me (sound hunters are a menace!). Area is new to me, so I take a few more supplies. I occasionally get teased, but I always walk out! I get turned around on occasion, but when I do, I stop, take seat, see what I have, and breathe. PANIC kills! I then get my bearings, proceed as if it didn't happen. Thankfully, I've never gotten "truly" lost. But, I know what I have with me, where I want to be, find where I am, and continue on my "adventure". Knowledge, and remaining calm is the best thing. Basic equipment with practical use, can in most instances get you through. Don't take chances! Take precautions! Ask questions, learn, study, and practice.