Survival skills are incredibly important to have in an emergency. Not only do they provide you with a way to live without help, but they are also invaluable for everyday life. Among the essentials for any survival kit are first aid, navigation, foraging for food, and a safe water source.

First aid

Practicing basic first aid can save lives and prevent serious injuries. Common injuries include cuts and scrapes. In case of a wound, a bandage, gauze, and materials to stop bleeding are included in first aid kits. However, many kits lack proper instructions about how to use the materials. Basic first aid training can teach you how to properly apply the materials and ensure that the wound is properly covered.

While performing basic first aid, remember to stay calm and do not move the patient until you know the extent of the wound. Also, keep an eye on the victim and be alert for signs of shock. It is also important to prepare an area where you can perform emergency care and keep warm.

Navigation

Navigation is an essential skill for survival in the wilderness. It is important to know where you are, how to use a compass, and what natural landmarks you can find. It is also essential to be familiar with the movement of the sun and the stars. If you do not have a compass, you will have to rely on other resources, such as your map.

One of the most common causes for a Search and Rescue call-out is someone getting lost. Even with the availability of GPS, it is important to develop a back-up navigation plan. Learn to use a map, compass, celestial navigation, and how to navigate along hills, valleys, and rivers.

Foraging

If you are interested in preparing yourself for an emergency, foraging is an important skill to learn. It can save you a lot of money and time. You should learn what edible plants are growing in your area, as well as how to gather them. This knowledge will make you less reliant on modern transportation infrastructure and industrialized agriculture. Moreover, foraging can be fun and give you and your family something to do while waiting for help.

Learning to identify edible plants and their parts is also one of the essential survival skills for children. It will also help them learn to forage independently, individually, and in teams of two. This will teach them to pick, prepare, and carry wild foods for a predetermined time.

Water source

One of the basic survival skills that everyone should learn is how to locate a clean water source. There are a number of ways to do this, and the simplest is to catch rainwater. This is the easiest outdoor source of clean water and has the lowest risk of contamination from bacteria. In addition, collecting rainwater can be done using a variety of containers, but in case of contaminated rainwater, boiling is always recommended.

A clean water source is essential to survive, especially if you are in the wilderness. It is possible to survive for weeks without food, but you will most definitely die of dehydration if you're left without fresh water for more than three days. If you cannot find a clean water source, you can gather dew on clean cloth and use it to make a water container. This method requires a little bit of preparation, but is a very convenient option in areas that don't get much rainfall.