Hot Survival Training How-Tos

How To: Tie hammock hanging knots

The knots demonstrated in this how-to video are a good way to hang a hammock, because it makes it so easy to adjust your hanging height. The whipping knot around the tree will not slip if tied correctly. Make sure to tie the second half hitch or the knot may slip and come loose. As with all knots, use your own discretion and be safe. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie some sturdy knots useful for hammock-hanging.

How To: Sleep comfrotably in a hammock

Can you sleep in a hammock every night instead of a bed? Millions of people around the world do. It is so much cheaper than a traditional bed/box-spring setup. Lighter too! Would you rather move a bed, box-spring, frame etc, or just a sheet with 2 carabiners, 2 Eye Bolts (Lag Threaded), and 2 bits of rope? Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to sleep comfortably in a hammock.

How To: Tie a pole hitch

This high load pole hitch, as demonstrated in this how-to video, is useful when a skyhook is needed. Very useful when lifting an outboard motor over the transom. Tying this same knot in the bight is a useful option since it gives a tensioning loop. Watch this video knot-tying tutorial and learn how to tie a pole hitch.

How To: Tie a clove hitch knot

The clove hitch knot is not a particularly good knot for binding, but can be quite useful as a crossing knot, or a knot at the intersection of topes where both ends of the active rope are loaded. The clove hitch works best in situations where the knot needs a little bit of give and is adjustable. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a clove hitch knot.

How To: Tie a bowline backup knot

The bowline knot can be furthered strengthened by tying an additional backup knot. As knot-tying reduces the strength of the line, it's advisable to back up knots if the rope will be enduring some weight. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline backup knot.

How To: Tie an Albright knot variation

The Albright Knot, demonstrated in this how-to video, was developed for fishing, but as it was created to tie together to diameters of rope or line, can be useful for many different reasons to tie knots. The Albright knot is relatively strong, so it's good to be able to tie this knot in various emergency situations. Check out this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie an Albright knot variation.

How To: Tie a Bowline Knot

The bowline knot has a long history in sailing. The bowline, or bow line, knot was used to secure the sail in position toward the back of the ship, allowing the sail to capture the wind. Contemporarily, the bowline knot is used anytime a strong, looped knot is required. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline knot.

How To: Make a hammock without sewing

No place to sleep tonight? In a pinch, a little bit of rope and some fabric can be transformed into a hammock bed. This is a great skill for camping, emergency situations, or even communal living. Make sure to use a sturdy enough cloth, and replicate these same knots so that the hammock will support the weight. Check out this video survival training tutorial and learn how to make an emergency hammock without sewing.

How To: Tie a bowline knot

This how-two knot-tying video has been created by Paul Collingridge of Guildford College. It is used as an instructional video for tree surgery students. Bowline knots are useful for boating, rock-climbing, and any time a relatively strong looped end is needed. Check out this video survival-training tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline knot.

How To: Tie a bowline knot

The bowline knot is called the king of knots, and is perhaps one of the most important knots you could learn how to tie. It's used for making a loop at the end of a line. It's very strong, and doesn't diminish the strength of the line much, but is still easy to untie. Watch this video survival training tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline knot.

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: Use lint and wax to make fuel for a fire

No need to spend money on fire starter logs and such items, with free lint from your dryer and some wax from a candle you can create a great item to start fires while camping, hiking and so on. Dryer lint and wax are both small and lightweight so they're easy to pack and carry around. Watch this video training tutorial and learn how to make flame fuel from dryer lint and wax.

How To: Survive driving into water

If your car goes careening into the water there are but a few ways to make it out alive and survive. Submerged vehicle crashes have a higher mortality rate than head on collisions. Don't die of drowning while trapped in a sinking vehicle. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to survive driving into water.

How To: Start a survival garden in preparation for emergencies

This series of survival training videos discusses and shows methods of gardening "when it counts." Some of the pitfalls and perils to the common survival/preparedness thinking of "when my storage food runs out I'll just grow a garden." Intermixed throughout are also invaluable tips on gardening and food production for the homestead, survival retreat or backyard in suburbia. The first step in planning to truly grow food is to recognize the factors working against you, so you can plan according...

How To: Store food to prepare for a disaster

This short three-part video tutorial series shows how to store food in buckets for long term storage. From peak oil to survival and basic disaster preparation, this is the way to do it. Watch these survival training videos and learn how to store up and save a food reserve for an emergency or disaster situation.

How To: Make an emergency magnifier

Forgot your glasses? Can't read the print? You can use a technology that has been studied for over a millennium! By making pinholes in a piece of tape, make an emergency magnifier. Watch this video survival training and learn how to make a simple magnifying glass.

How To: Make a tactical ninja matchbook igniter

This video tutorial will have you making your very own ninja tactical matchbook igniter. With this video, you will be able to make this cool, helpful matchbook ignitor for whatever you can dream of. Use a book of matches to make a couple of variable ignitors for fireworks, tripwires, smoke grenades, or whatever! If you need to survive in the wilderness, this is how you do it. Just matches and a few other things, that's it.

How To: Make your own fire piston

Watch this how-to video and make a lighter that never runs out of fuel and that's so simple, it can't break. It works just like a Diesel engine - as air is rapidly compressed it heats to over 800 degrees. You can make one for just a couple dollars. This video tutorial will show you how to be prepared in the wilderness, or the apocalypse. Just make your own fire piston.

How To: Build a rocket stove

The rocket stove, invented by Dr. Larry Winiarski, was developed to require much less cooking fuel than a traditional stove. The rocket stove also emits less dangerously, as most of the energy burned turns into heat. To build this rocket stove, you will need sheet metal or a 5 litre metal can, clay, water, sawdust, a wooden mold, a clay brick, vermiculite or perlite, and cement. Learn how to build a rocket stove by watching this video tutorial.

How To: Make a fork and spoon in the bush

In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to make utensils in the wilderness. You'll see how to make a wooden fork, spoon, pot hanger and support when out in the woods. Also, learn how to clean your knife using moss. A nice piece of hazel wood is what you'll want for this survival bushcraft technique.

How To: Identify trees and their uses

Ever wonder what tree is which in the bush, or what each tree is useful for? This video tutorial will show you how to identify the various trees that are useful in Bushcraft. Andrew Price explains the difference between the trees, like Ash, Beech, Holly, and Elder trees, and their uses. If you need to survive in the wilderness, this is a great way to do it.

How To: Start a fire with firesteel and petroleum jelly balls

Learn to survive in the outdoors or in case of a disaster by watching this how-to video. This disaster prep video shows you how to use the firesteel and petroleum jelly cotton balls to start a fire. All you have to do is pull apart a pj ball, take the firesteel and scrape your knife along the steel to throw sparks into the fire ball. Follow along with these easy steps and start a simple survival fire.

How To: Make a survival fire from a battery and staple

Check out this how-to video to start a fire using an AA battery and a staple. You can do this while listening to the classical guitar piece, "Malaguena" if you feel like it. It could save your life! With your battery: start by cutting the plastic away from the negative terminal. Watch the video survival training tutorial for more tips on starting an emergency fire!