Resources

______________________________________________________

The following represents some of the survival related websites that feature different aspects of outdoor, wilderness, and urban survival. Enjoy!

Boulder Outdoor Survival School. Since 1968, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School -- known to most simply as BOSS - has delivered life-changing, wilderness-based experiences to adventurous people all over the world. "Know more, carry less" is one of our core philosophies and at BOSS, students are taught how indigenous cultures around the world could often survive and even thrive without all the modern equipment people today feel is necessary. As a result of their time on the trail with us, people gain competency in the wilderness and confidence in themselves.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disasters strike anytime, anywhere. They take many forms -- hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, fires or hazardous spills, acts of nature or acts of terrorism. Disasters build over days or weeks, or hit suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face various disasters, and their terrifying consequences. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) is a private, non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to promote excellence in Washington local government through professional consultation, research and information services.

Ready America. Ready America is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation.

Survival Essentials. If you want only the survival essentials then you need to have the following: First, a good sleeping bag for every member of your family and a quality tent in case you and your family need to live in the "wild." Your tent will serve as your shelter. Second, an "emergency survival kit" that contains the following items: rope and string (at least 25 to 50 feet of each), a map and a compass, aluminum foil (heavy duty for boiling water), a flashlight (with extra batteries, a mirror used for signaling others, a fire extinguisher, extra clothing, traveler's checks or cash and change, toiletry items, duct tape, matches, rain gear (ponchos or large plastic garbage bags), a pencil and paper, a metal container for boiling water and for cooking, pepper spray, a whistle, a snake bite kit, and some basic tools such as a multi tool with a saw, pliers, a hammer, a multi-purpose knife, a manual can opener, and a screw driver. Third, knowing how to shoot and repair your own gun, how to fish and hunt and trap animals, and how to build a campfire. Fourth, one gallon of drinking water per person per day. Fifth, non-perishable foods such as dry cereals, canned goods, dried meats, bottles or cans of fruit juice, granola bars, dried fruits, crackers, electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, nuts, pastas, military ready to eat meals (MREs), and energy bars. And sixth, a basic first aid kit along with a first aid guide.

Your Outdoor Survival. When going into the outdoors or into the wilderness for any length of time, a person needs to be prepared for a number of unforeseen circumstances that could lead to a crisis or to an emergency. Examples include the following: wild animal attacks, accidents or injuries, poisonous insect or animal bites, medical emergencies caused by a lack of water and/or food, emergencies caused by the weather such as ice and snow storms, mud slides, floods, sand storms, hurricanes, tornados, and natural or man-made disasters. Dealing effectively to any of these emergencies will ultimately affect your outdoor survival.

Your Survival Gear. There are many outdoor lovers who look forward to going into the "wild" for some excitement and adventure as well as for some relaxation and rest. Indeed, getting away from the "rat race" can be an exhilarating experience. In some instances, however, this enjoyable outdoor experience can turn into a nightmare due to an unforeseen emergency or crisis. Illustrations include the following: a sand storm, a natural or man-made disaster, an earthquake, running out of water and/or food, a flood, an attack by a wild animal, an injury or an accident, a hurricane, a poisonous insect or snake bite, a snow or an ice storm, a tornado, getting lost, or a mud slide. For these reasons, an outdoors enthusiast should always be prepared for emergencies that may arise by packing the following basic survival gear: tools such as a pair of pliers, a multi-purpose knife, and a multi-tool with a saw, aluminum foil or a metal container to boil water, duct tape, toiletries, a rope (at least 25 feet), manual can opener, a mirror for signaling others for help and/or for rescue, water, matches, water purification drops or tablets, a compass and a map, a survival guide or manual, non-perishable food, a well-stocked first aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries.

Your Survival Shelter. When going into the "wild," keep the "rule of threes" in mind: a person can survive three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Obviously, having a shelter in the outdoors is essential. Why is this? Basically because a quality shelter will not only keep a person warm and dry, but it will also protect him or her from bugs, pests, wild animals, and from extreme weather conditions. Perhaps the easiest way to make sure that a person has adequate shelter when venturing into the "wild," is to bring a good tent. If, however, a tent was not packed, outdoor enthusiasts will have to look for a "natural" shelter once they arrive at their destination. Good natural shelters include a cave, trees with lots of low hanging branches, a large boulder, or a rock formation. If a natural shelter cannot be found, it is time to build a shelter using dead trees, branches, leaves, bushes, and logs.

Your Survival Skills. When deciding to go bird watching, hiking, backpacking, hunting, sight seeing, fishing, or camping in the great outdoors there are a lot of things that outdoor enthusiasts need to be prepared for in case they encounter a disaster or an emergency. For instance, it's important for people who love the outdoors to have the proper "survival attitude" and the outdoor survival skills they need in order to successfully manage various crisis situations. The following is a list of ten survival skills that are needed when going into the wild: using aluminum foil or a metal container to boil water, knowing what clothing to bring, using a compass and reading a map, fishing and hunting, signaling others for help and/or for rescue, knowing basic first aid, treating water with purification drops or tablets so that it is drinkable, using tools such as a pair of pliers, a multi-tool with a saw, and a multi-purpose knife, locating or building a shelter, and making a fire.

Your Ultimate Survival. Ultimate survival skills include the following eight elements. First, storing at least a six-month supply of drinkable water (one gallon per person per day). Second, storing at least six months of non-perishable foods such as dry cereals, military ready to eat meals (MREs), nuts, electrolyte drinks (such as Gatorade and Powerade), energy bars, canned goods, dried meats, pastas, granola bars, crackers, cans or bottles of juice, and dried fruits. Third, owning a good sleeping bag for each person in your household and a quality tent just in case you and your family have to leave your condo, apartment, or house and perhaps live outdoors. Fourth, reinforcing and securing one's apartment, house, or condo for added safety and security. Fifth, having a well-stocked "outdoors" first aid kit that includes a first aid manual. Learning basic first aid skills is critically important. Sixth, learning basic carpentry skills and learning how to hunt, fish, and trap animals, how to make a campfire, how to shoot and repair your own gun, how to operate a ham radio, and how to defend yourself. Seventh, learning how to do preventative maintenance and properly care for tools, gear, and the equipment that you possess. And eighth, having an "emergency survival kit" that contains supplies, tools, and equipment for staying in your house, condo, or apartment and also for easy and quick access in case you and your family have to leave your residence for shelter elsewhere. This kit should be extensive, but for starters make sure that you have a flashlight (with extra batteries), toiletry items, pepper spray, extra clothing, a whistle, matches, cash or traveler’s checks and change, and some basic tools such as a multi-tool with a saw, screw driver, manual can opener, hammer, a multi-purpose knife (a Swiss Army knife would be perfect), and pliers.

Your Urban Survival. When discussing urban survival, it's always advisable to start with an urban survival plan. When developing such a plan, be sure to plan for a number of eventualities. As an illustration, construct a plan in case you are forced to evacuate your condo, apartment, house, or even the city. Evacuation plans should be of two types. One should center on an evacuation by choice and the other should focus on a government enforced evacuation. If leaving your dwelling is not doable, you will need to "hunker down" and ensure that your house, condo, or apartment can be defended against criminals, fire, looting, or most other threats that are possible. After you have finalized your urban survival plan, you need to gather essential equipment, tools, and supplies. A good start would be making sure that you have more than enough non-perishable foods on hand (such as energy bars, granola bars, canned good, and military ready to eat meals) long with an ample supply of water in plastic jugs (one gallon of water per person per day). If you must leave your residence, make sure to take a good tent and a quality sleeping bag for each person in your household in case you have to live outdoors. Moreover, make sure that you have extra clothing, a flashlight (with extra batteries), a whistle, matches, toiletry items, pepper spray, cash or traveler’s checks and change, and some basic tools such as manual can opener, a multi-tool with a saw, pliers, and a multi-purpose knife (a Swiss Army knife would be perfect). And finally, it's always a good idea to have a well stocked first aid kit, no matter what the circumstances.

Your Wilderness Survival. An important part of your wilderness survival plan is to make sure a family member or a friend you can trust knows where you are going and when you plan on returning. This is a good "survival communication" that needs to be an essential part of your emergency planning. Common sense is important for wilderness survival but professional survival training might be just what the doctor ordered. Indeed, you need to learn how to handle yourself and provide for yourself in an emergency situation. Making sure to have the right tools, water, food, and other essentials in an emergency survival kit is important and knowing how to build a safe, solid shelter and a fire are also essential skills needed for effective wilderness survival.

Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!

_____________________________________________