As much as we all love camping and exploring the great outdoors, wilderness adventures are not without risks. Even the most well-constructed plan can be derailed due to unforeseen circumstances and unpredictable weather. It’s always best to use common sense and remain hyper-aware of your surroundings. There are also outdoor survival hacks and skills that can come in handy when you need them the most. Take the steps to educate yourself now and you’ll be ready when the time comes.
These aren’t elaborate James Bond skills or methods that require expensive gear. These tips are simple and are accomplished through commonly packed items and materials found in nature.
Top 10 Outdoor Survival Skills and Hacks
1. Learn the local plants in advance.
No matter where you are in the world, every local ecosystem has a host of plants that can cause serious harm when touched or ingested. It’s always a good idea to avoid any plant you’re unfamiliar with, because a small leaf could cause big damage. Before you head out on a camping or backpacking trip, research the regional plant life and purchase a small tri-fold plant identification guide to bring with you. Some common plants to avoid in North America include poison oak, poison sumac and poison ivy.
2. Always carry duct tape.
It’s hard to predict what will happen in the wilderness, but it’s easy to pack duct tape before you head out. Duct tape can do almost anything, from stopping a leak in a canoe to helping prevent blisters, patching ripped tent fabric and fixing a backpack strap. A new roll of duct tape is heavy, so consider bringing a used roll into the backcountry. Or to save more weight, wrap duct tape around a reusable water bottle a few times, and you can peel off pieces as needed during your adventures.
3. Line your backpack, in all weather conditions.
Even if the forecast looks dry and sunny, conditions can change faster than expected in the backcountry. The survival goods stored in your backpack could be the difference between life and death, so it’s important to keep the contents as dry as possible for the duration of the trip. While a waterproof backpack or pack cover are the most reliable options, a garbage bag is also an effective and budget-conscious approach. Empty your backpack, line your pack with garbage bag material and repack the contents inside the bag – it’s that simple.
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4. Dry your wet shoes with dirty clothes.
You can try your best to avoid puddles and streams, but wet shoes are sometimes unavoidable on the trails. And there’s nothing worse than sloshing around in wet shoes the next morning. If your shoes become saturated during a trek, worry not — just remove the insoles, stuff your shoes with dry dirty clothes and let them absorb the moisture overnight. They likely won’t be bone dry when you wake up, but damp shoes will be quicker to dry in the light of day. Newspapers can also be used to dry shoes. But if you forget to bring the paper in your backpack, you’ll always have dirty clothes on hand.
5. Carry trick birthday candles.
Reliable fire starters are worth their weight in gold in the backcountry. When you stop for a night of primitive camping, a campfire can provide comfort and security. A good hack to know is that “trick” birthday candles work about as well as any high-tech alternative. These candles are cheap to buy at a grocery store, easy to pack and easy to light in nature. Even when weather conditions go south, they stay lit and can get a fire roaring in seconds. Remember, “trick” is the key word here — they’re the ones that can be blown out on a cake and will relight time and time again.
6. Ward off mosquitos — naturally.
Mosquito bites can turn any overnight camping trip into an uncomfortable, sleep-less disaster. However, most name-brand mosquito repellents are usually full of chemicals and potentially toxic for humans. The best way to repel mosquitos without harming your body is the use of fragrant herbs, including sage, mint and thyme. Applying sage oil directly to your skin can help prevent mosquito bites, and burning sage in your campfire can help keep the mosquitos from getting too friendly. It’s simple, natural and healthier than even the most “natural” mosquito repellents on the market.
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7. Learn quicksand survival strategy.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself in quicksand. First, don’t panic or make rushed movements. Remember to take a deep breath and resist the urge to pull your feet out (this will only make it worse). Second, you need to distribute your weight on the surface. Take off your backpack and lay out your sleeping pad, sleeping bag and stuff sacks. Then slowly roll your body on top of your gear until your legs are free. Now you can slowly inch your way to safety, moving the gear as needed.
8. Line your match container with sandpaper.
There are few things as frustrating and dangerous as finding yourself alone in nature without the ability to strike a match. Even all-weather matches don’t work 100 percent of the time. To avoid encountering this problem, line your container of matches with sandpaper in advance. Simply slide a piece of sandpaper into your matchbox, or glue it to the lid of the container. This small hack will give you a dry and reliable source of fire in all weather conditions.
9. Don’t forget to pack the toothpaste.
The average camper will have toothpaste stored in the overnight backpack. Not only will the paste keep your teeth, gums and breath fresh, it can help in more ways than your mouth. Toothpaste can provide great relief for skin conditions like insect bites and mild rashes. When toothpaste is applied to the skin, it will help to reduce redness, swelling and itchiness. The minty scent will also help ward off other pests and prevent new bug bites at the campsite.
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10. Leave cotton clothing at home.
It’s undeniable that cotton clothes are soft, cozy and inexpensive. However, this type of fabric is not intended for the unpredictable backcountry. When cotton gets wet, it loses all of its insulating properties and it is nearly impossible to dry in inclement weather. You’re better off sticking with synthetic fabrics or wool garments that are warm no matter the conditions. If it’s too late and you’re only wearing cotton, there’s a natural materials hack that can help. Stuff grass, leaves and pine needles between your skin and your cotton layer to add insulation and keep the damp fabric off your body.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!