Whether you are here because you know completely nothing about survival in the wild, are an Eagle Scout or perhaps anticipating the zombie apocalypse, I welcome you and I am glad you are here. The main rule of survival is simple: don't die. Beyond that there are sets of rules that will help us to prioritize and focus our actions in a given survival situation that can ultimately impact rule #1.
The rule of three has been a longstanding foundation in the effort to generate a systematic plan for survival. The info-graphic above illustrates this rule of three. One can go three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in extreme conditions, three days without water and thirty days without food. Unless you are underwater or trapped in a smoke-filled building, the focus will be primarily on shelter, water and food (in that order).
Given these considerations, the tools needed for all three should be included on your person while spending time in the wild, or in an emergency pack in your vehicle. There are a host of items that can help towards these three goals, but there are two items that I carry on my person at all times: paracord and a knife. Cordage may seem like such a simple item, but it has a vast amount of uses that can save your ass in a pinch.
The knife is probably the most useful item in a survival situation as you need it to build a fire, create a shelter, construct traps, make weapons/hunting tools and much more. Besides these two items, I would recommend carrying a fire-starting tool with you as well. My favorite go-to is a magnesium bar with a ferro rod and striker. These can be picked up for around $8 and are effective in most conditions. The magnesium burns very hot when scraped off into tinder and can help overcome the problem of excess moisture that is combating a fire start.
Starting a fire is considered part of all three elements as it helps to keep you safe from the cold, boils your water for safe drinking and cooks your food. Another lightweight item that can be carried to help with shelter is an emergency blanket. By running a paracord between two trees, one can create an A frame pup tent or lean-to (as pictured in the above info graphic) that will reflect the heat of the fire and keep you warm. It also can be used to signal for help by reflecting the sun towards planes or helicopters travelling overhead.
A metal container for water is a practical tool for survival as it can be placed in the fire to boil before drinking. Never assume that any water you find is safe to drink. You can find a big river and think you have it made, then later that night stomach cramps and diarrhea set in from the giardia you just contracted. Animals poop and die in the water create harmful bacteria. While stomach cramps and diarrhea may not sound that bad, the resulting dehydration can kill you.
If you do not have a container to boil water in, the best thing to do is to use your fire to burn out a section of log and hollow the remainder of it out with a knife to form a bowl shape. Place rocks in your fire to heat up (use hard, dry, un-layered rocks so they don't explode in the fire). Pour you water in the wood basin you created and make a large pair of chopsticks out of small branches to grab the hot rocks out of the fire and place them into the water. The water should begin to boil. Let the water boil for about twenty minutes (add more hot rocks if needed). The water should be safe to drink after that, perhaps a little charcoal tasting, but it will keep you alive.
As for food, unless you are experienced in trapping or foraging for wild edibles, your best bet would be to roll over some logs and collect insects. They offer a high amount of protein and will give you the energy needed to continue. Grubs are perhaps the most beneficial and it has been said that when placed on a stick and roasted, the flavor is comparable to bacon or pork cracklings. There are some rules to abide by when collecting insects for eating. There are a few guidelines to follow when eating insects. Avoid eating any brightly colored insects which are a natural warning, choose insects with natural earth tones. Avoid hairy insects that can irritate your throat. Avoid pungent or smelly insects, also another natural warning indicator. Make sure to avoid insects that feed off of poisonous plants, this should be self-explanatory. Survival expert Creek Stewart states "The solution is to starve them for a day or so or purge them on other edible plants. Don’t take any chances. The calorie reward isn’t worth the risk." Lastly, make sure to cook all insects to help safeguard against parasites.
Of course other opportunities for food may present themselves such as coming across a snake, finding a source of water with abundant fish or perhaps an injured animal. /Pro tip: If you do find a snake, assume that it is poisonous and proceed with extreme caution. When preparing a venomous snake for eating, chop about six inches behind the head to ensure the venom glands have not been pierced or included with the meat for cooking.
It does not take a whole lot to be able to survive in the wild. Mostly ingenuity coupled with local resources will carry most of the weight. The ultimate factor in any given survival situation is your mindset and determination to survive. Those who panic makes rash decisions that can lead to their undoing. Remember to stop and breathe, think calmly and carefully before you take action and apply the prioritizing of the rule of three.
