45 Survival Tips / SHTF Tips [Video]

45 survival tips

We recently came across this survival tips video on Youtube. By the sounds of his accent from a U.K. resident for a change – since most survival videos seem to be from Americans.

It’s not too long at just 11 minutes and packs a fair bit into it.

Some points are only northern hemisphere related like navigation by the North Star etc. However most are pretty universal worldwide and apply to New Zealand as much as anywhere else.  While some are pretty basic, there are some nifty survival tip nuggets contained in this video. And a couple we’ve not heard of before – like his blister treatment option.

Also below the video we’ve transcribed most of the survival tips if you prefer to read rather than watch and listen…

Note: If your kids are watching he does drop the “F Bomb” at about 6 minutes! So skip ahead when he starts talking about how to pack a rucksack, if bad language is of concern.

 

45 Survival / SHTF Tips

  • If your zippo lighter is out of fuel, use the cotton inside it and then ignite it with the lighter flint to start a fire
  • Carry some tinfoil in your bug out bag to have a dry platform to start a fire on if it’s been wet
  • Masking tape over your torch dims the light but still gives you enough to work with
  • Using a guitar case as a bug out bag means you can fit a lot in it, but you won’t attract any unwanted attention
  • Use 2 drops of bleach to 1 litre of water to purify it. Important – only use unscented bleach not like the “lemon” flavour he shows in the video.
  • Tooth paste can be used to treat insect bites and stings – plus you’ll want to stay feeling fresh!
  • Lay tent pegs across 2 logs and you have a makeshift grill.

45_Survival_SHTF_Tips__Tent_pegs_across_2_logs_for_a_makeshift_grill

 

  • A tin can, thorn and some string gives you a fishing kit.
  • When it’s wet you can get tinder by shaving off the inner bark of twigs and logs.
  • Large rocks around a campfire will absorb heat and keep you warm even after the fire has gone out. Plus if you drop one in a mug of water it will begin to heat and purify the water.
  • Charcoal will remove the smell and slightly improve the flavour from swampy water you are purifying
  • You can use the inner strands of 550 paracord to attach equipment to your bag and make shelter without using up much of your paracord.
  • Duct tape a thermal blanket to the inside of a shelter to massively increase the heat retention of your shelter.

45_Survival_SHTF_Tips__Thermal_blanket_to_insulate_your_shelter

  • Always carry glowsticks. You can attach one to a few feet of paracord or string and swirl it around to attract attention.
  • A Poncho has multiple uses – as a raincoat, a makeshift shelter, a solar still to gather water from seawater, or to collect rainwater.
  • Don’t just rely on boiling water alone in case you don’t have the luxury of a fire. Carry water purification tablets as well.
  • Use barbwire to make a fishing hook with paracord.
  • Never use untreated water to clean wounds (like straight from a river).
  • Keep animal entrails as bait for fishing, traps and snares.
  • To treat stinging nettles spit on the area and scrub hard with a piece of clothing, as the sting is caused by the acid in the nettle “needles”.
  • Don’t waste time and energy by cutting up logs with an axe or machete. Just lean one end up against a log and snap them with a swift kick down.
  • Always carry a first aid kit.
  • Pack important docs in your bug out bag like birth certificates, insurance documents
  • Also include some cash as it will come in handy when ATMs are down.
  • Never sleep directly on the ground or just on a ground sheet as you’ll lose heat. Make a platform out of logs and/or leaves weeds to sleep on to provide some insulation.

45_Survival_SHTF_Tips__keep_off_the_ground

  • When packing a backpack always have the heaviest items on top to maintain your centre of gravity and set it up so it sits as high on your back as possible.
  • If you’re moving around a lot when outdoors, wear less clothing than you think you need. Avoid sweating in cold weather as you clothes will get damp and lose their insulating qualities and you’ll be at risk of hypothermia. Just keep your hands, head and feet covered and dry and you can drop most of your extra layers.
  • Carry a pack of cigarettes even if you don’t smoke. Good way to meet people and keep people calm.
  • Smoke is a natural insect repellant. Wave your jacket, pants or sleeping bag around in the smoke to keep the mosquitos and ants from eating you alive in the night.
  • Carry extra socks at least 2 pairs. They can filter dirt from water as well as obviously stopping trench foot and blisters.
  • To treat a blister thread a needle with some string or an inner strand of paracord. Drain the blister with the needle and thread through the blister. The 2 holes allow it to drain and the thread keeps it open and sucks up any excess moisture. It will heal faster.
  • If you feel a blister coming on, cover the whole area with duct tape to eliminate the friction and stop it forming.
  • Don’t drink too much water on an empty stomach. And don’t eat food if you’re dehydrated as it will suck up any moisture in your system.
  • Learn how to signal SOS with morse code via light or sound. 3 short signals, 3 long and 3 more short.

45_Survival_SHTF_Tips__-_Morse_Code_SOS

  • Even though it might be tempting, never set you camp up right next to a body of water as you’ll get eaten alive by insects.
  • Be sure to know the international distress signal – raising both hand up in the “Y” position and then moving them up and down.
  • Don’t smoke – it has all sort of negative effects in a survival situation, limiting stamina, slows healing, ups the odds of catching frost bite, reduces night vision and diminishes marksmanship
  • Just because you see an animal drinking from a lake doesn’t mean it’s safe for humans
  • Only drink the milk from a green coconut, as a ripe one contains an oil that acts like a laxative.
  • Carry some tinfoil. If you lose your canteen you can shape it into a bowl or cup to lay beside the fire to boil it or drop some water purification tablets into it.

45_Survival_SHTF_Tips__-_tinfoil_to_make_a_cup

Via AlfieAesthetics

Got any other survival tips to share? Leave a comment below and let us and everyone else know too!

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