Active Survival Training Posts
How To: Construct a survival shelter in the desert
If you're lost in the desert, this video will teach you the skills to make a survival shelter that will protect you from heat stroke during the day and freezing at night. Dig a trench with a shovel so you can stay safe in the great outdoors.
How To: Make a figure four deadfall trap
See how to make a figure four deadfall trap. This is a great survival trap that can be easily constructed (with practice) out of very basic materials that in most environments can be easily found. The trap can also be made with very limited, or primative tools.
How To: Make an arrow and tent pole bow
There's nothing like the great outdoors. The fresh air, the seperation from today's society, and being in a quiet relaxing environment. So in this two part tutorial, for all you nature lovers, find out what it takes to make an arrow and a tent pole bow. Enjoy!
How To: Tie a single-strand ringbolt hitch
JD of Tying it all together, is the instructor. He has many instructional knot tying videos. This particular video is focused on tying a single strand ringbolt hitch, A.K.A. Coxcombing. This was a common knot used by sailors to decorate items and parts of their ship. However, actually creating this tie is much easier said than done.
Kill This (and Other Prey): Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, shares a military-grade formula for avoiding starvation in the wild. There are several deadfall trap tutorials on the web, but this HowTo is particularly unique because of its context.
News: Identify Edible Plants in the Wild: Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, demonstrates the universal edibility test using vegetation of the Iraq desert as an example:
News: Build & Hide a Campfire from Your Enemies: Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, shares another military-grade HowTo. Yesterday's deadfall trap tutorial laid out how to catch and kill common Iraq rodents. Today's lesson demonstrates how to make a fire in the wild, and most importantly, how to conceal it behind enemy lines.
How To: Tie a paracord storage sinnet
In this video, we learn how to tie a paracord storage sinnet. First, coil up the paracord and then form a bight with the working part at the top of the coils. Next, create a loop from the bight and pull the loose part underneath this and pull it underneath the loop you created. Now, tighten the new loop up and then take the loose part and place it underneath to create a new loop. Push this through the other loop, then tighten with the loose end. This is a very difficult knot to do and is not ...
How To: Tie the longhorn knot
In this video, we learn how to tie the longhorn knot. First, make a spike with your rope, then push the rope around it and through it, making a circle. Then, push the loops on the bottom down and make a pretzel shape with it. Bring the left hand side string down and pull it through the loop, then do the same with the other side. Next, pull the strings on the top up to make larger loops, then pull the string through the left loop. Now, do this to the other side of the rope as well. To finish t...
How To: Easily survive in the woods
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to survive in the woods. When camping in the woods, users should always think about bring the essentials: water, food and clothing. It is recommended that users have a water bag store a large amount of water. Bring one or more coolers to preserve food and/or keep drink cool. Make sure to plan the foods that you will eat for the day. Bring a small portable grill to cook food. Dress in layers of clothing to endure hot or cold weather. This video will be...
How To: Make a neck knife survival kit
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a neck knife survival kit. This is good to have so you can use it for eating and making shelter as well as protect against wild animals. The neck knife should be a small kit and able to hide underneath a shirt. It should be adjustable with a paracord knot so you can make sure it doesn't snag against something. The knife should be a simple one that has a decent point on it. Make sure the pouch that the knife is in is thick enough not to let the knife poin...
How To: Tie the basket weave knot
In this video, we learn how to tie the basket weave knot. First, place the string on a hook, then cross the two sides and make a loop. Next, make the loop wider and take the right and left strings up, then pull the loops down to make a pretzel shape. Now, twist the bottom loops around and place one on top of the other. After this, push them on either side of each other, then bring the right string around and loop it through the left loop, then bring the left string into the right bottom loop....
How To: Tie a square knot the right way
The square knot is also known as the reef knot. In this video, you'll learn the right and proper way to tie a square knot. Knowing how to tie a square know will be useful in many situations, especially in practical and emergency situations.
How To: Do useful survival knots
In this tutorial, we learn how to do useful survival knots. To make the sheet bend knot, you will join two different ropes together. First, make two loops, one on each end of the separate ropes. Next, take one of the ends and insert it into the other. After this, take the loose end and push it through the loops. After this, pull it tight and you have your sheet bend knot! The next knot is the bowline knot, which is a secure loop knot. First, make a loop in the rope, then take the smaller end ...
How To: Make a banded solomon bar fob
The Solomon Bar is one of the most popular ways to incorporate paracord into a tie. The following video shows how to generate the banded bar, a dual-colored Solomon bar design. This video will show you how it's done! It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in about 5 minutes' time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Perform an easy mod when setting up a hammock
If you find yourself out in the wild and need to find a way to keep yourself free of any moisture or animals, installing a hammock is s good idea. Not only does it give you a place to lay, but it can keep you safe from small critters and any kind of moisture from the ground.
How To: Build a quick shelter when out in the wilderness
If you find yourself out in the wilderness and it's getting dark, you're going to need some shelter. This is important if you hope to keep yourself safe from the cold and other animals.
How To: Tie a Swiss seat rope harness
If you want to go down the sides of mountains or walls like the military does, then check out this next tutorial! In this video, you'll find out how to tie a Swiss seat rope harness. This easy to follow video talks about what you need to do in order to tie this harness and how you can use it when climbing up or down things.
How To: Tie a one handed bowline with ITS tactical
In this video, you'll learn to tie a knot that could save your life in the wilderness. You can tie this knot one-handed, especially useful if your other hand isn't free, and use it to pull yourself to safety in an emergency situation. You can find the complete directions for tying this one-handed bowline here.
News: Afrigadget
Yankee ingenuity is a trait we hold in the highest regard here at Wonderhowto. So imagine our delight in sharing Afrigadget, whose tagline is: "solving everyday problems with African ingenuity".
How To: Keep your tinder dry & make a tinder carrier
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a tinder carrier that will keep the tinder dry. To make a tinder carrier, users can simply by a small cheap tin can. Then cut an X-shape in the side of the can to allow you to burn and blow on the winder. Now place the tinder in the can. The tin can can be used to store the tinder for dryness, and conduct fire with the tinder. This video will benefit those viewers who are planning to camp, and would like to learn how to make a tinder carrier t...
How To: Make fire with a bow drill
Do you consider yourself a survivalist? Well, you can't be a survival expert if you don't know how to start a fire without a match or lighter. The bow drill is an ancient tool for making fire. The bow rotates the drill, and the friction produces enough heat to start a fire.
How To: Building and setting an arapuca live bird trap
Need to catch a bird? Only have sticks? This is an intricate method of trapping birds using stick weaving arrangements. This trap is common in Brazil and can be made quickly without tools and only using material on hand. It will result in the live capture of a bird.
How To: Tie a 7x5 Turks Head knot
In order to tie a 7 x 5 Turks Head Knot, you will need to begin by draping the rope or twine over the fingers of your outstretched hand. Fold your pink down, leaving your three fingers outstretched. Catch the string in front and hold it with your pinky.
How To: Tie the lizard tail sinnet
In this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to tie the lizard tail sinnet. It's basically
How To: Harvest and then store trombone zucchini
Storing food by dehydrating, is a smart way to help prepare yourself, and others, for anything bad that may happen to the world. Many things can be dehyrdated and eaten years ahead into the future. Fruits, veggies, meat all can be stored for years. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to harvest and then store trombone zucchini. It's an interesting looking veggie and is great with meals. Enjoy!
How To: Easily tie paracord prayer beads
Although this may not directly help anyone when out in the wilderness, it's still something that many people rely on. This tutorial will show you how to easily tie a paracord prayer beads. It can be used to make a great looking necklace and/or bracelet. It's may seem very difficult to do, but this can be done with the right supplies. So pay attention, good luck, and enjoy!
How To: Make a double spring snare trap
Making traps is a lost art. Landmines are facing international condemnation, hunting is barely allowed anywhere. There just aren't that many reason to make them anymore. But don't let that stop you! This video will teach you how to make a double spring snare trap using only basic wilderness materials. Hopefully you'll catch more rabbits this way than Elmer Fudd did.
How To: Use a Swedish firesteel and char cloth to make a fire
Knowing how to make your own fire when you're at in the wild is important. It keeps your body nice and warm and will give you a heat source to cook food. But sometimes, starting a fire is no easy task. In this video, you'll find out how to use a Swedish firesteel and char cloth to help start a fire. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Tie the artillery hitch in the wild
Tying knots and hitches can be an important survival technique. Having the right kind of knots made can make sure you're able to hold on to whatever it is you need. An artillery hitch or loop, is something that is used because it does not bind under tension and can be removed easily afterwards. This is a very complicated knot to perform so pay attention to this tutorial above and good luck!
How To: Develop a perfect pull-up so you can save yourself
Many, many Americans cannot do a single pull-up. That is just the state of our society. And it means that these people, if faced with a survival situation where they are dangling for a ledge or need to scale a building, are less likely to survive than they could be. This video will teach you how to develop your pull-up motion and techniques to improve your strength and survival ability.
How To: Make an Ojibwa Deadfall trap
Deafall traps are the type of trap most familiar to the American public, largely due to the efforts of Elmer Fudd to catch Bugs Bunny on Looney Tunes. In real life, they tend to work quite a bit better than they did on the show. In this video, Wilderness Outfitters presenter Crier demonstrates how to construct one type of deadfall trap, the Ojibwa Deadfall. Knowing how to make traps like this will make you much are able to survive if you are stranded in the wilderness with no food.
How To: Tie a two-color switchback strap
Switchback straps are an easy, efficient way to carry around a lot of cord, rope, or string. They also look cool, especially the two-color version demonstrated in this video. They may look simple to tie, but as you know if you've tried to tie one without instructions before, they certainly aren't!
How To: Set up a hammock in the bush
There are nearly as many ways to set up a hammock in the bush as there are to skin a cat, to use the old cliche. This video demonstrates one simple way to set up a hammock in the bush. As the presenter explains, this simplicity is a blessing when you are out in the bush and need something to sleep in as quickly as possible. If you don't have a tent and there are trees around, hammocks are the superior choice for your survival and comfort because spiders and other pests that live on the ground...
How To: Tie a Button Knot lanyard
Think you're a knot master? Have you mastered the Button Knot? Simple and elegant, the Button Knot makes for more than just a decorative button; It makes for a wonderful lanyard leash. From Tying It All Together, learn how to tie a Button Knot lanyard in a just a few steps.
How To: Build and understand a rocket stove
Thinking about building a rocket stove? A rocket stove is simply made and accepts small-diameter fuel such as twigs or small branches, yielding high combustion efficiency and directing the resultant heat onto a small area. In this video learn how to make a rocket stove with the help of a few friends and items you can find in your own barn!
How To: Make a Royal Crown Sinnet
A Royal Crown Sinnet is a sinnet created by alternating wall knots and crown knots stacked on top of one another. This creates pretty, thick sinnet that anyone would be thrilled to have adorn their keychain, especially if you use alternating colored chords like they do in this video to create a very cool effect.
How To: Tie a taut line knot
With this free video tutorial, you'll learn how to tie a taut line knot. The taut line is an essential camping knot. Use it to tie your guyline to your rain or dinner fly. The knot is easy to tie provided, of course, you know how to go about making it. For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step overview of how to tie this useful camper's knot in a minute's time or less, watch this free video knot tyer's guide.
How To: Utilize evaporative cooling while camping
Keeping things like food and water refrigerated while you're camping in the bush is nearly impossible. Unless of course you've chosen to camp somewhere freezing cold. But if you haven't, evaporative cooling can be an effective technique to utilize for keeping water cool and food from spoiling as quickly. Obviously this can be crucial in a wilderness survival situation when your food supplies may be limited. This video outlines two ways to utilize evaporative cooling, first to cool a water bot...
How To: Give your knife skills a tune-up
The fine folks at The Pathfinder School present what they call a spring tune-up for for you knife techniques, which have presumable deteriorated during the winter. The host is trying out a new knife he has been asked to test, and uses it to make a trap knotch and drill into a log, among other things.