Hot Survival Training Posts
How To: Tie a perfect "good luck" knot
In this knot-tying tutorial, we learn how to fasten a perfect "good luck" knot—a knot so named because it is said one requires quite a lot of luck to tie it properly. Not so, says video creator TyingItAllTogether. For all of the relevant details, and to get started tying this knot yourself, take a look.
How To: How to tie an eye splice with rope
The eye splice might sound like some horrible procedure from the lab of Dr. Frankenstein, but it's actually a very useful skill to learn for camping or disaster preparation. Eye splicing is a way to secure different strands of rope together so they're stronger than a knot. In this tutorial, the guys at ITS Tactical show us how to do an eye splice.
News: AA battery + staple = fire
Creator Funditor claims right off the bat that this survival tip could save your life. We think that's slightly dramatic, but it shouldn't take away from his video's utility.
How To: Tie a tensioning knot
The tensioning knot, demonstrated in this how-to video, is a useful way to tie the strands of my whips to the rope machine. It is also useful anytime that quick tension is needed and a truckers hitch is too much or the distance is too short. Tie a noose in the line and snug it up then a slippery half hitch locks it in place. Watch this video knot-tying tutorial and learn how to tie a tensioning knot.
How To: Use the Universal Edibility Test to Identify Safe Plants to Eat Anywhere
You're lost. You're cold, thirsty— you're hungry. What if you're not much of a hunter? Maybe you're a gatherer. So, then you'll eat plants. But what if you eat something poisonous? What if you're allergic to it?
How To: Keep warm sleeping in the forest
You know your going to have to sleep outside and you don’t know how to stave off the chill of the night. With the right equipment, some layering techniques and a full belly you be sure to get a good nights sleep even if it’s cold out.
How To: Make a paracord using a knitting spool
This short video shows how to get started with 550 paracord and a 3 peg/nail knitting spool made from a wooden napkin ring and 3 nails. This just show you how to start. Follow these steps: After the initial wrapping of the nails with the paracord at the bottom of the nail, you take the working end to the next nail above the cord that's wrapped around it, use a hook of some type to lift the lower cord up and over the top cord and the nail. Continue from one nail to the next, up and over with t...
How To: Tie the Celtic heart knot
In this video, we learn how to tie the Celtic heart knot. Start off with your rope and make a loop in the middle of it. Now, bring the working en on the right side into the loop so you have a circle. Now, bring that end back into the knot and braid it through the other loop. Next, push this through the bottom loop, then braid it through the lines that are on the shape. After this, you will see a heart shape start to form. Pull gently on the heart with both sides of the rope and shape the midd...
How To: Use dandelion tinder to make a fire
Need to make a survival fire, but don't have any matches and your lighter is out of fluid. Fear not, this how-to video can help. An empty flintwheel lighter can save the day when you need a fire. Dandelion seed puffs can be the perfect tinder for your spark. Watch this video tutorial to see how it works & learn a great survival tip.
How To: Build a shelter in the Savannah
Check out this instructional safety video that demonstrates how to build a shelter in the Savannah. Rock walls, leaf roofs, and elephant dung mattresses might not make for the most ideal lodging, but they will protect you from the elements, and that is what really matters in the African Savannah. Check out this safety tutorial video and learn how to build a shelter in the Savannah. Build a shelter in the Savannah.
How To: Build an emergency portable car heater for emergency situations
If you've ever gotten your car stuck in a blizzard or been lost on a wilderness drive in winter, you know that keeping that car warm is vital to your comfort and even survival. Using the heater means keeping the car on though, and that means consuming precious fuel. And what if the car breaks down? Watch this video for instructions on how to make a portable emergency heater for your car that will keep it between 60-70 degrees for about 24 hours burning only rubbing alcohol. It could save your...
How To: Rescue someone in the water as a Boy Scout
Second Class Boy Scouts work on building their outdoor survival and camping skills. Compass work, nature observation, camp tools, and swimming are areas where new skills are mastered and demonstrated. A second class scout, having completed all the requirements, should be able to lead a hike, care for his own equipment, set up a campsite, and perform basic first aid.
How To: Join parallel sticks with shear lashing
Join parallel sticks with shear lashing. Potentially--if you did this to enough sticks--you could build a house this way. It might take one hundred years but, let's face it, you probably have time if you are on this site.
How To: Do a line rescue in the water as a Boy Scout
As a Boy Scout, when the First Class rank is attained, a scout has learned all the basic camping and outdoors skills of a scout. He can fend for himself in the wild, lead others on a hike or campout, set up a camp site, plan and properly prepare meals, and provide first aid for most situations he may encounter. A First Class scout is prepared.
How To: Tie an eye splice loop into the end of a rope
An eye splice is the best way to create a permanent loop on the end of a multi-strand rope. Whether you need an eye splice loop to hold a hammock up in your backyard or need one for your nautical voyages, this survival training video will teach you step by step how to tie one.
How To: Boil water without pots or pans
This video illustrate how to boil water without pots or pans. Here are the following steps:Step 1: You need fire, water and any plastic container with lid.Step 2: Now take water and fill it in the bottle so that there is no air present in the bottle.Step 3: Now put on the fire and put the seal bottle on fire with a distance of around 12 inch.Step 4: Now let the heat warm up the bottle and be careful while handling the bottle.Step 5: After the water has heated up, bubbles will appear in the bo...
How To: Tie the Chain Sinnet, Chain Stitch, or Monkey Braid
Learn how to tie the Chain Sinnet Knot. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the Chain Sinnet, Chain Stitch, or Monkey Braid Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie the Chain Sinnet, Chain Stitch, or Monkey Braid.
How To: Tie the adjustable bend knot
The Adjustable Bend, demonstrated in this how-to video, was invented by the Canadian climber Robert Chisnall sometime before 1982. More accurately a coupling of two identical knots, the bend is a great way of lengthening or shortening two rope ends tied together. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie the adjustable bend knot.
How To: Light a fire with a piece of quartz and steel
Come on baby light my fire! If you're going to be a survivalist, the first thing you'll need to know is how to start a fire. This simply video shows how to use a piece of quartz and a piece of steel to build yourself a fire and stay alive! In addition, the video shows how to pack it all together in a nifty little Altoids tin.
How To: Tie a Slip Clove Hitch Knot
The slip clove hitch is very similar to the clove hitch knot, except that it's easier to untie. This is the knot used by cowboys to tie up their horses. Follow along with this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a slip clove hitch knot.
How To: Make and set an Asian bird trap snare
All North American birds are edible and therefore a good source of meat if you're trying to survive in the wild. This detailed video shows how to construct and bait an Asian bird trap snare. You'll need some 150lb test bankline, some twigs, an available young sapling and something to bait your trap, such as wild berries.
How To: Tie a paracord bundle
The method of rope handling demonstrated in this how-to video came from the Japanese. Pirates during the warring states period used such bundles to secure prisoners among other shipboard duties and the bundle stays alive today in hojujitsu. A few fathoms of paracord in a pocket and a handier tool aboard a boat would be hard to find. Watch this video knot-tying tutorial and learn how to tie a paracord bundle.
How To: Make a round sinnet paracord fob
You'll need two pieces of gutted paracord, one 30 inches the other 25 inches. This will make a finished fob with a 3-inch loop and a 2-inch body. You'll also need scissors and a lighter.
How To: Cook under a tarp in rain
This is a video about shelter cooking. We are shown how people who are hammock camping in the rain are able to cook under their tarp. This is important because you have to have some way to cook under your shelter when it rains, and there's no way you can have a fire under there without getting smoked out. It makes life easier if you can set up a stove inside your shelter to cook on. We are shown two ways to do this, and both systems work well. One way is to use an alcohol stove. You can make ...
How To: Use water vines to get water in the wild
This video tutorial will show you how to use water vines to get water in the wild, if you fancy yourself the next Bear Grylls. There are different kinds of vines and not all vines are made equally. If you open them up they all contain water. Some vines produce bitter water and some are sweet.
How To: Make an outdoors survival shelter out of mud, soil and clay
Oh no! You're lost in the wilderness without an adequate survival shelter! Protect yourself from inclement weather by using soil, clay, mud and other materials found in nature to build your own mud hut for protection from the elements.
How To: Make a primitive fishing hook from wood or thorn
Learn how to make a primitive fishing hook / fishing gouge from completely natural materials in a wilderness survival situation. Learn how to survive in the wild. You never know when you'll be stranded on a desert island, lost in the deep woods, or be a contender for Survival, the TV show. This series of videos, by Hedgehog Leatherworks, brings you the basics in outdoor survival. Wilderness survival skills include fire starting, deadfall traps, primitive fishing, making jerky, rope & cordage ...
How To: Prepare and cook a meal as a Boy Scout
As a Boy Scout, when the First Class rank is attained, a scout has learned all the basic camping and outdoors skills of a scout. He can fend for himself in the wild, lead others on a hike or campout, set up a camp site, plan and properly prepare meals, and provide first aid for most situations he may encounter. A First Class scout is prepared.
How To: Tie knots to hang an easy hammock
This how-to video demonstrates the easiest way to make a hammock. Simple, easy and safe, with no sewing required, make a hammock anytime in a pinch. All you need is fabric, rope, and the knot-tying skills from this instructional video. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make an easy hammock.
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: Escape from zip ties using the friction saw method
You've been captured, and your wrists are bound together with zip ties. Fortunately you prepared for this situation, and you have a bit of 550 cord in your shoe. Using the cord, you can escape the zip ties using the friction saw method. This tutorial from the folks at ITS Tactical will teach you how.
How To: Tie a Turk's Head (Woggle) decorative knot
Learn how to tie the Turk's Head Woggle Knot. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can tie the Turk's Head Woggle Knot fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Learn to tie knots for your next outdoor trip. Tie a Turk's Head (Woggle) decorative knot.
How To: Insulate your feet from the cold
Going hiking in the rough cold? You might want to watch this video first. Your toes are the most vulnerable part of your body when it comes to the cold. Keep them – and the rest of your feet – toasty with these steps.
How To: Tie a snake knot
The snake knot is mostly decorative, not ideal for situations requiring a really strong knot. You can use it to make keychains and do all sorts of other things. In this video the folks at ITS Tactical teach you how to tie a snake knot quickly and easily.
News: Make fire with a condom
Condom + Water = Fire Kinda. This is a quick 'survivalist' technique for makeshift solar fire-starting. Harness the power of sun. And at the same time you can make use of all those condoms* laying around.
How To: Build a fire in wet conditions when in the wilderness
Learn how to find dry materials in wet conditions and successfully build a fire in a wilderness survival situation. This is a Two part video, be sure to click on Chapter Two for the entire wilderness tutorial.
How To: Tie a hangman's noose looped knot out of rope
Learn how to tie the hangman's noose, it has more purposes than you may think, it is great to bundle items together, especially when you need to loosen and re-tighten the rope without having to re-tie the whole thing. Be responsible with any kind of noose. This video is for information only, and is not responsible for any kind of misuse. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a hangman's noose.
How To: Make a compass with household items
This video illustrates us how to make a compass with household items. This process is done by following steps,Step 1Take a needle and rub it to a magnet at least 10 times.Step 2Take a cup and pour water in it.Step 3Now attach the rubbed needle with a paper with the help of a tape.Step 4Put the needle in the cup and place a cellophane paper on the cup and tape it.step 5See the direction to which the needle is pointing and mark it north.Step 6Mark the opposite direction South.Step 7Mark the Eas...
How To: Pitch a tent in the wild
From BackpackerMagazine comes a video tutorial about an essential skill: how to pitch a tent in the wild. The video takes us from scouting out an appropriate location for the tent, to actually erecting the structure. This is an invaluable skill while camping alone, but is also useful when with a group of fellow campers. The video also shows you how to properly anchor the tent to the ground, which is essential in a windy environment. Everyone should learn how to pitch a tent.
How To: Tie the bowline Boy Scouts knot
Learn how to tie the Boy Scouts knot the bowline. The bowline knot is used to make a non-slip loop in the end of a rope. While it is used for climbing and rescues, a Figure-8 Loop Knot often is best in those situations. Remember to end the knot with the tag end of the rope inside the loop. And thanks to those scouters and boaters who helped remind me of this point. Tie the bowline Boy Scouts knot.