Survival Blog

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The Survival University offers our community of outdoor adventurers a robust library of training material through our Survival Blog. We believe in passing on our knowledge to empower students with a wealth of information that we find relevant to learning.

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A kneeling man works on a piece of wood beside a horizontal log in a forest clearing.

Traps and Snares

This was the very first video I ever filmed when I started The Survival University. Hard to believe it’s been 12 years. The video quality’s rough, the editing’s basic, and I had no idea what I was doing  but it’s where it all started.

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Small flames rise through stacked kindling and curled wood shavings on the forest floor.

Fire and Campfire Stories

Many stories start around a good campfire. Other than a good place to tell stories, fire brings warmth, food, water, moral boosts, entertainment, light, protection, the ability to signal rescuers and more. Being able to start a fire expediently and proficiently is a valuable skill to have.

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Jason Marsteiner holds a penny and a separate piece of steel snare wire during a wilderness survival trapping demonstration.

How to Make a Penny Snare Lock for Survival Trapping

Can an ordinary penny become a useful survival tool? Learn how a penny snare lock works in this classic TSU fieldcraft demonstration.

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Jason Marsteiner holds a penny and a separate piece of steel snare wire during a wilderness survival trapping demonstration.

Spring Pole Snare Traps: How They Work and Why Setup Matters

How does a spring pole snare work? Learn the basic mechanics of spring pole trapping, what makes a good spring pole, and common mistakes to avoid in this classic TSU survival video.

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Hands adjust a thick wool liner inside a tan lace-up boot with a dark rubber toe.

Survival Tip – Wool Inserts

A great “in between adventures” project is to make some wool insoles for your boots. You can use scraps from our other projects or swing by the Goodwill and find an expensive wool blanket for a few dollars.

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Map and compass setup during a land navigation class at The Survival University, demonstrating reliable backup navigation methods.

Land Navigation: Can You Find Your Way Without GPS?

Could you find your way back if your GPS stopped working? Learn why map reading, compass skills, and terrain awareness are essential for backcountry navigation.

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A young person studies a small plant held between their hands while a bearded man sits behind them.

Survival Psychology and Creating a Survivalist Mindset

Survival is not just about wilderness skills, it is also about a strong mindset. Understand Survival psychology to increase your survival chances.

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A black backpack with multiple zippered compartments and rows of webbing stands against white.

Bug out bag essentials

I was asked by Peter Betts of The Survival Hacks, to contribute my opinion of the top 3 items to put in a bug out bag.

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Wilderness First Aid instructor treating a student's bandaged hand during hands-on outdoor medical training in Colorado.

What is your preferred classroom setting?

Are you required to have a WFR Certification for your job? Or do you want to learn medical skills for when you are venturing out into […]

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Hiker pausing at high elevation in the Colorado mountains, showing signs of fatigue and possible altitude illness.

Medic Minute # 3 – Illness at altitude

Illness at altitude Acute Mountain Sickness / High Altitude Pulmonary Edema / High Altitude Cerebral Edema Click HERE to read the article on our web page. Early August, […]

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A close-up of a hand shows darkened fingertips against a blurred background.

Medic Minute #2 – Cold Injuries

Medic Minute #2 – Cold Injuries (Frostbite, frostnip, immersion foot, hypothermia) People involved in wilderness recreation are susceptible to cold injuries and the ones least aware […]

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