Hot Survival Training How-Tos
How To: Make a solar charging bag
Sometimes it's more than just inconvenient when your electronics lose power. Sometimes, losing power could be dangerous. Never worry about a dead cell phone again! Charge your portable electronics by harnessing the power of the sun.
How To: Survive a school or office shooting
Despite all the tragic stories you hear on the news, you'll probably never be involved in a shooting. But you never know. Nobody thinks it’s going to happen to them – until it does. Be prepared to survive a shooting rampage, just in case.
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.
How To: Tie a pitzen knot
The pitzen knot has various uses, but it's ideal for securing a hook to a fishing line. It's relatively easy to learn and quick to do once you know how. In this video the folks at ITS Tactical teach you how to tie a pitzen knot.
How To: Tie a trucker's hitch
The trucker's hitch is a good, strong knot with many uses. It's ideal for securing a load in a vehicle, and was used that way dating back to the days of wagons hauled by horses. In this video the folks at ITS Tactical teach you how to tie a trucker's hitch, quick and easy.
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.
How To: Tie a Swiss seat knot
If you want to rappel down walls like a Navy SEAL, the Swiss seat knot is an essential skill to learn. With it, you can quickly create a modified rappelling harness. The guys at ITS Tactical have got you covered in this video showing how to tie a Swiss seat knot.
How To: Slipping out of zip ties
You're a prisoner of some dangerous people, and they tell you to hold out your wrists so they can bind them together using zip ties. What you do next could mean the difference between life and death. This tutorial from the folks at ITS Tactical will teach you how to strategically get your wrists tied in a way that's easy to escape from.
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: Escape from zip ties using shims
The odds are that you'll never find yourself being held prisoner with your hands bound together with zip ties. But if you ever are, you'll be very grateful for the info you learned from this video. In this tutorial from the folks at ITS Tactical, you'll learn how to escape from zip ties using shims. You can use all sorts of things for shimming, from professional equipment to your own fingernails.
How To: Escape from zip ties
Zip ties are stronger than they look, and escaping from them is tricky. In this tutorial from the folks at ITS Tactical, you'll learn how to quickly escape from zip ties. If you should ever find yourself kidnapped by terrorists, held for ransom or kept prisoner in a serial killer's basement, you'll be very glad you watched this video!
How To: Tie a right angle knot like Navy SEALS
You're underwater, and you need to tie a knot. (Hey, it could happen!) What do you do? In this tutorial from the folks at ITS Tactical, you'll learn how to tie a right angle knot. This is a knot used by navy SEALs, and if you ever end up needing to tie a knot underwater, you'll be very glad you watched this video.
How To: Tie useful knots in a survival situation
If you somehow find yourself stranded in the woods, you'll need to know how to tie strong knots. But it's actually just as important to know how to untie knots. You probably have limited rope, after all, and you'll need to re-use it. In this video Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School shows us how to tie and untie knots.
How To: Determine whether wild plants are edible or poisonous
In this video Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School teaches us a lot about finding edible plants in the wild. If you find yourself forced to survive in the woods, picking the wrong berry to eat could be deadly. Bennett goes over common misconceptions about foraging for food, and shows us the right way to do it.
How To: Create an A-frame shelter
If you were lost in the forest, how would you shelter yourself from the elements? In this video, Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School teaches us how to build an A-frame structure in the woods, even if you don't have standing trees or cord available. You never know, this info might just save your life someday!
How To: Survive in the woods
If you were lost in the woods tomorrow, would you know how to survive? In this video, Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School teaches us the skills for surviving in the wild. From how to start a fire to knowing which kinds of berries are safe to eat, this is the sort of info that it's vital to know in case of emergencies.
How To: Build a basic shelter out of plastic and cord
In this informative video, Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School shows you how to make a basic shelter in the woods. It's simpler than you'd think. Whether you're planning a campy trip or you're trying to prepare for any potential disasters, it's important to know to build shelter in a hurry.
How To: Build a lean-to
Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School demonstrates how to build a lean-to in the woods. One of the chief advantages of a lean-to structure is that one side remains open, so you can warm yourself by a fire. Knowing how to build a lean-to is a skill you'll be glad to have.
How To: Build a tepee
In this tutorial, Reggie Bennett from the Mountain Shepherd Survival School teaches us how to build a tepee. First used by American Indians, the tepee remains a useful way of providing shelter in a hurry. Whether you're lost in the woods or just spending a few days camping for fun, building a tepee is a good skill to know.
How To: World's Best Survivalism HowTo's
You're alone in the wilderness. Stranded. Hungry. Cold. What do you do? Naivety could be your downfall, but you don't need to be an Army Ranger to survive.
How To: Tie a slip knot
The slip knot, also called a running knot, is a very diverse knot. It's practical application ranges wildly from crochet and knitting to building a noose. The basic function of a slip knot is to create a flexible knot, with one end tied to the middle for greater mobility. Check out this how to video and learn how to tie a slip knot, because you never know when you might need it.
How To: Get rescued from a deserted island
Whether your plane made a crash landing or your ship got lost on a three-hour tour, now you're stranded on a remote island. Here's how to get help.
How To: Build a shelter in the forest
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a shelter in the forest. If you get stuck in the woods, you'll need to know how to protect yourself from the elements.
How To: Build an emergency igloo with snow
Temperatures plummet... a shelter, an igloo, can be built out of nothing but snow. It has to be the right kind of snow, cut from a well packed snow drift. The best snow is laid down in one single storm, it's hard and compact.
How To: Make fire with just steel wool and a battery
This video tutorial will show you a detailed way to make fire with steel wool and a battery. This is a great way to start fires on camping trips or for emergency situations. Just makes sure you carry some steel wool and a 9V battery on you at all times, or maybe just in your rucksack or glove compartment box in your vehicle, just in case. You never know when you're going to have to start an emergency fire with steel wool and a 9-volt battery!
How To: Make a bottle cap burner for cooking
It's amazing how simple a stove can be, using simple things that you already have, but in this case, using a surprising fuel...
How To: Tie a useful square knot
The granddaddy of all knots... the square knot. Watch this ViewDo video tutorial to learn how to tie a square knot. This is a very useful knot. It's strong, sturdy, and ideal for joining ends of rope together.
How To: Convert any pack into an avalung avalanche safety pack
Before this ski season, I decided to add one more avalanche mitigation tool to my arsenal: the Avalung. This breathing device has been proven for several years to increase chances of survival if buried in an avalanche. To be effective, the Avalung must be worn over all clothing so that the intake and exhale portions are in contact with the snow. For most backcountry skiers, this can be a true pain. I already have a beacon strapped to my chest along with a pack, and if I'm patrolling, a radio ...
How To: Build an igloo by digging out snow shelters
Igloos and snow caves are two common types of snow shelters that provide an excellent blockade from harsh elements but are typically cramped. A digloo is the combination of the two that creates a large, comfortable refuge. Find out how to build one. Build an igloo by digging out snow shelters.
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: 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 fires in the snow to survive
This five-part series of videos chronicles firemaking in cold and snowy conditions using backpacking equipment only. The series shows the scenery, adventure, survival philosophy, and gear observations.
How To: Build a self feeding fire for wilderness survival
This instructional video demonstrates a technique for building a fire structure that will burn continuously and does not require ANY managing. This is a great method to know if you need the heat from a fire while you are sleeping, but do not want to wake up repeatedly during the night to add more wood.
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: Make an cord eye splice for wilderness survival uses
Here is the technique for creating a strong sleek loop in a natural length of cordage... perfect for many wilderness survival applications. 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...
How To: Make a figure four deadfall trap for wilderness skills
Learn how to make a Figure Four Deadfall trap- Wilderness Survival Skills, demonstrated by Paul Scheiter of Hedgehog Leatheworks. 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: Uncoil a rope
How to properly uncoil a rope without having a tangled mess.
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: Make a cordage basket when out in the wild
Learn how to make a primitive basket for wilderness survival using natural cordage. 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 skills, and more. For the outdoor enthusiasts...
How To: Make wilderness survival cordage
How to make rope, cordage, and twine from natural materials found in the wilderness. 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 skills, and more. For the outdoor enthusiast...