Gunderson - Wilderness Survival Essentials: Handbook for Finding Shelter, Water and Food

Basic instincts play a role in every single decision humans make, whether consciously or subconsciously. They are programmed into our internal makeup, almost as if on autopilot, to activate whenever we need them. All living things have two basic instincts in common: reproduction and survival. However, humans may address these two instincts differently than other living beings because of our ability to make maximum use of the resources available.

Surviving in the wilderness may not be something people think about every day, but it is the function of our survival instincts that would have us give the consideration its due. Popular television shows like AMC's The Walking Dead and CBS's Survivor entertain millions of people with story plots about surviving in unknown terrains and conditions, but watching them won't teach viewers about survival. To survive in the wilderness, you need to understand the essentials needed and know what to expect in a survival situation. You never know when one of these survival hacks may come in handy.

Let's take the Survival Rule of 3s, for instance. It is a great basic rule of thumb for outdoor survival that stipulates, on average, a human can live:

The great thing about the Rule of 3s is that it clarifies the maximum time frame humans can go without basic essentials in an easy-to-remember way. It also alerts us to what essentials we should prioritize in survival situations.

You'll know to pack plenty of food, a tent, appropriate clothing, and a couple of lighters and flint to prevent cold conditions and provide a heating source for cooking. Additionally, you're likely to bring your mobile phone along just in case an emergency arises that requires medical or official attention. But what happens if it rains? Or snows? Or even worseyou encounter an unexpected predator like a venomous spider, venomous snake, or hungry bear? That's where Wilderness Survival Essentials comes in handy.

This book will not only expound on the Survival Rule of 3s, but it will also walk you through the essentials needed to survive the most relevant wild terrain that you may find yourself subjected to. We'll cover:

• Survival essentials for extreme environments and conditions, like hypothermia and heatstroke.
• Preparing and building shelter, including sleeping bags, tents, camps, and natural shelters.
• Essential fire-making techniques, such as sparks, light/lens, friction, and chemical techniques to build your fire.
• The essentials of finding and storing a water supply, such as allowing birds to lead the way to water sources and preparing natural containers for storing water.
• Essential tools for surviving the wilderness, like flashlights, knives, saws, and spears.
• Survival essentials for your roping needs, including making natural cords by using resources like grass and plant fibers, knot basics, and hitching.
• Duress techniques for signaling for help with mirrors, flashlights, fire, and rocks.
• Finding food in the wilderness, including plants to avoid and baiting and catching techniques for fish and game.

Knowing the essentials to survive in the wilderness can be the difference between experiencing extreme panic when faced with elements in the wild versus being able to calmly and effectively handle whatever challenges come your way. The wilderness doesn't have to be a scary place that only the fittest are capable of surviving. This book will explain how anyone with a willingness to learn wilderness survival essentials can make it in the wild.