How to Survive in the Wilderness & Have a Positive Attitude

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Wilderness survival includes basic skills that everyone should know, and keeping a positive attitude is part of an overall plan. If you find yourself doubting your actions and your survival, you risk staying stuck without any chance of rescue. Surviving in the wilderness involves getting food and water and knowing how to signal for help from passing planes and search parties.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Rain poncho

Step 1

Build a shelter, but keep it as close to the path you followed as possible, even if you became lost in the woods. Look for a flat spot without puddles and a spot that's close to water. If you have a rain poncho, string that between two trees for an impromptu shelter. Otherwise use tree branches woven together to cover your head. Building a simple shelter helps keep your attitude up.

Step 2

Find water because dehydration can mean death. Look for small streams and puddles that might contain rainwater. If you have a poncho and placed it above your shelter, you can accumulate rain inside it.

Step 3

Create a fire, which is possible even if you don't have a lighter or matches. A fire not only keeps you warm and helps cook food, but it also serves as a sign to planes flying overhead that someone is there. Use tinder such as small twigs and dry leaves on top of dry branches and larger twigs. Rubbing two sticks together or even two rocks might cause a large enough spark to start your fire.

Step 4

Locate food sources in your area. Many things in the woods are edible, and you'll need those nutrients to keep your strength up and keep working. Look for edible berries, fruits and vegetation first. Then work your way up to insects for protein and eggs from bird nests. Fishing and hunting is also possible if you have the equipment.

Step 5

Watch for signs of a search party, and learn how to signal for help. Any type of reflective material works as a signaling device, including your watch, a mirror or a broken cell phone. The light on your cell phone might also work if it's dark outside.

Tips & Warnings

If you find a river or stream, follow it. At some point it empties out into larger body of water, which might lead you back to civilization.

Article Written By Jennifer Eblin

Jennifer Eblin has been a full-time freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Tool Box Tales and Zonder. Eblin received a master's degree in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

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