20 Wilderness Survival Tips and Bushcraft Skills – Off-Grid Info

Living off the grid and mastering wilderness survival skills has never been more relevant than it is today. Whether you’re planning extended backcountry adventures, preparing for emergency situations, or simply wanting to reconnect with traditional outdoor skills, having a solid foundation in bushcraft and survival techniques can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving in the wilderness. Here’s a top video with 20 wilderness survival tips by Mike Pullen from TA Outdoors.

The comprehensive video tutorial by TA Outdoors presents twenty practical wilderness survival tips and bushcraft skills that range from basic fire-starting techniques to advanced natural resource utilization. What makes this collection particularly valuable is its focus on using readily available natural materials and common items that might be found in survival situations. The presenter demonstrates each technique clearly, making these skills accessible to both beginners and experienced outdoor enthusiasts.

The video covers everything from creating primitive tools and fire-starting methods to water filtration and natural cordage making. Each skill is demonstrated with clear explanations of why the technique works and when it might be most useful in a survival scenario.

Fire Making and Heat Sources

The Cramp Ball Fungus Method

One of the most reliable natural fire-starting materials is the cramp ball fungus (Daldinia concentrica), also known as coal fungus. This remarkable fungus grows on dead or decomposing ash trees and, when dry, can take a spark from a ferrocerium rod and burn for many hours. The fungus appears as dark, charcoal-like growths on tree bark and is easily recognizable once you know what to look for.

Key identification points:
– Found specifically on ash trees
– Dark, rounded, coal-like appearance
– Hard exterior when dry
– Interior shows concentric rings when cut

Alternative Fire Starting Methods

The video demonstrates several innovative fire-starting techniques using modern materials:

Hand Sanitizer Fire: Alcohol-based sanitizers containing 60-95% ethanol create an invisible blue flame that’s perfect for getting kindling started. Simply apply the gel to dry wood and ignite with a match or lighter.

Duct Tape Fire: Tear duct tape into thin strips and bundle them together. These strips will ignite easily from ferro rod sparks and burn for an extended period, giving you plenty of time to build up your fire.

Birch Bark Fire: Even when the tree is dead and decomposing, birch bark remains one of nature’s best fire-starting materials. Scrape away the outer layer to reveal the resin-rich orange inner bark, which ignites quickly even in wet conditions.

Water Procurement and Purification

Bottle Filter System

Creating a multi-stage water filter using a plastic bottle is a crucial survival skill. The layered approach helps remove various contaminants:

Filter Construction Steps:
1. Cut bottle in half, keeping the cap on the top portion
2. Layer materials from bottom to top: moss (compressed), grass, small stones, larger stones
3. Pour dirty water slowly through the system
4. Important: Always boil filtered water before drinking

Additional Filtration Materials:
– Wood ash and charcoal from fires
– Sand (fine to coarse layers)
– Cloth or bandana for pre-filtering

Natural Water Sources

When searching for water in the wilderness, prioritize these sources:
– Fast-moving streams and rivers
– Natural springs
– Rainwater collection
– Morning dew collection using absorbent cloth

Shelter Construction Techniques

Essential Shelter Principles

Effective wilderness shelters must provide protection from wind, rain, and temperature extremes. The key principles include:

Insulation: Your shelter should trap warm air while allowing moisture to escape. Natural materials like leaves, pine needles, and grass work well when layered properly.

Wind Protection: Position your shelter to block prevailing winds, using natural windbreaks like large rocks or dense vegetation.

Drainage: Always build on slightly elevated ground to prevent water accumulation during rain.

Cedar Bark Applications

Cedar trees provide exceptional building materials for wilderness shelters. The inner bark can be processed into:
– Roof tiles/shingles: Large pieces of bark can overlap like traditional shingles
– Insulation material: Shredded bark creates excellent insulating layers
– Cordage: Processed bark fibers can be twisted into strong rope

Processing Tip: Keep cedar bark wet during construction as it shrinks significantly when dried, potentially creating gaps in your shelter.

Tool Making and Maintenance

Improvised Cutting Tools

Tin Can Fish Hook: Transform a simple pull-tab into a functional fishing hook by breaking one end and sharpening the tip against a rough stone. This technique can be invaluable when conventional fishing gear isn’t available.

Bow Saw Construction: Using a flexible sapling and a saw blade (or improvised cutting edge), you can create an effective bow saw for processing larger pieces of wood. The natural tension of the bent wood keeps the blade taut and functional.

Knife Skills and Maintenance

A quality knife is perhaps the most important survival tool. Essential knife techniques include:

Featherstick Creation: Carve thin wood shavings while keeping them attached to the stick. This creates excellent tinder that ignites easily from ferro rod sparks.

Batoning: Use your knife to split wood by placing the blade on the wood and striking the spine with another piece of wood. This technique allows you to access dry wood inside wet logs.

Food Procurement Strategies

Foraging Fundamentals

Edible Inner Bark: Many trees have nutritious inner bark (cambium layer) that can provide emergency calories. Pine, birch, and aspen are common examples, though the taste is often unpalatable.

Nut Trees: Acorns, walnuts, and other nuts provide high-calorie nutrition. Learn to identify nut-bearing trees in your area and understand seasonal availability.

Berry Identification: While berries can provide quick energy, proper identification is crucial. Focus on learning a few common, easily identified species rather than trying to memorize every variety.

Fishing and Trapping Basics

Improvised Fishing: Beyond the tin can hook method, consider these techniques:
– Gorge hooks made from bone or wood
– Fish traps using woven branches
– Spear fishing in shallow, clear water

Navigation and Signaling

Natural Navigation Methods

Sun Position: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, with south being the direction of the sun at midday in the Northern Hemisphere.

Star Navigation: The North Star (Polaris) remains stationary and indicates true north. Find it using the Big Dipper constellation.

Natural Indicators: Moss growth patterns, tree lean, and snow accumulation can provide directional clues, though these methods are less reliable than celestial navigation.

Emergency Signaling Techniques

Signal Fires: Create thick, dark smoke using green vegetation or damp materials. Three fires in a triangle pattern is an internationally recognized distress signal.

Ground Signals: Arrange rocks, logs, or other materials into large symbols visible from aircraft. The letters “SOS” or a large “X” are universally understood distress signals.

Reflective Signaling: Any reflective surface can be used to signal aircraft during daylight hours. Practice aiming reflected light accurately.

Cordage and Binding Materials

Natural Cordage Sources

Tree Root Cordage: Conifer tree roots, particularly from spruce and fir, make excellent natural rope. Process by removing the outer bark and splitting the inner fibers. Soaking in water increases flexibility.

Plant Fiber Cordage: Many plants provide strong fibers:
– Nettle stems (process carefully to avoid stings)
– Milkweed fibers
– Inner bark from various trees
– Yucca plant fibers (in appropriate climates)

Cordage Management

Hanking Technique: Properly coiling cordage prevents tangles and allows for quick deployment. Use a figure-eight pattern around your thumb and little finger, securing with a few wraps around the bundle.

Mental Preparedness and Safety

Psychological Aspects of Survival

Mental Resilience: Perhaps the most critical survival skill is maintaining a positive mental attitude. Panic and despair can lead to poor decision-making and wasted energy.

Prioritization: Follow the survival priorities: shelter, water, fire, food, signaling. Don’t waste energy on less critical tasks when basic needs aren’t met.

Risk Assessment

Know Your Limits: Understanding your skill level and physical capabilities prevents dangerous overextension in survival situations.

Environmental Awareness: Stay alert to changing weather conditions, potential hazards, and available resources in your immediate area.

Conclusion

These twenty wilderness survival skills represent fundamental knowledge that every outdoor enthusiast should develop through practice and experience. While watching instructional videos provides valuable theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice in controlled environments is essential for building confidence and competence. Start with basic skills like fire-making and shelter construction, gradually expanding your abilities as you gain experience.

Remember that survival situations are best avoided through proper planning, appropriate gear, and sound judgment. However, when the unexpected occurs, these traditional skills can mean the difference between a challenging experience and a life-threatening emergency. Regular practice of these techniques, combined with modern safety equipment and communication devices, provides the best foundation for safe wilderness adventures.

The key to mastering these skills lies in consistent practice and understanding the principles behind each technique. Whether you’re planning your next backcountry expedition or simply want to be better prepared for unexpected situations, investing time in developing these fundamental wilderness skills will serve you well in any outdoor environment.