What are the top survival skills everyone should know?

The five most important survival skills are water procurement, shelter building, fire-starting, food sourcing, and first aid. These fundamentals apply whether you are in wilderness or urban environments.

How do I create an emergency preparedness plan for my family?

Start with a 72-hour emergency kit, establish meeting points, and create a communication plan. Effective family preparedness covers three tiers: immediate (24-hour), short-term (72-hour), and extended (30-day) scenarios.

What should I pack in a bug out bag?

A bug out bag should sustain you for 72 hours with water filtration, food, shelter, first aid, fire-starting tools, navigation, and documents. Prioritize versatile items over specialized ones.

What is the difference between wilderness and urban survival?

Wilderness survival focuses on procurement from nature; urban survival focuses on resource improvisation and human-made infrastructure.

How do I prepare for a grid-down scenario?

Grid-down preparation requires alternative communication, independent energy, stored water, and preserved food. Focus on redundancy across systems.

What gear do I need for survival?

Essential survival gear includes a quality knife, water filter, fire starter, first aid kit, cordage, and navigation tools.

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Natural Navigation Techniques

By Randy Salars·Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Navigating without a map or compass is a vital wilderness skill. By reading the landscape, sky, and natural signs, you can find your way and stay oriented in the wild.

What Are the Key Techniques?

Sun Position: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Its position at noon is generally south in the Northern Hemisphere and north in the Southern Hemisphere.

Shadow Stick Method: Place a stick upright in the ground; mark the tip of the shadow every 15-30 minutes. The line from the first to last mark runs west to east.

Star Navigation: At night, use the North Star (Polaris) in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Cross in the Southern Hemisphere to find direction.

Landmarks: Use prominent features like mountains, rivers, or valleys to orient yourself and track your movement.

Moss & Vegetation: Moss often grows on the north side of trees in the Northern Hemisphere, but this is not always reliable—use as a secondary clue.

What Are Some Tips for Staying Oriented?

Regularly check your direction and surroundings as you travel.

Mark your path with natural objects or note distinctive features.

Stay calm and avoid wandering aimlessly if lost—stop, observe, and plan.

Further Learning

REI – Navigation Basics

The Natural Navigator – Nature Navigation

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