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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.
Check out the drop-down menu above to find your particular area of interest.
What’s Growing Out There – Dandelion
The flower your HOA wants gone might belong on your plate. Learn to identify and harvest dandelions, cook tender greens and campfire fritters, and brew flowers, leaves, and roasted roots, with practical safety advice and a little time left for blowing wishes into the breeze.
Survival vs. Bushcraft: Same Woods, Different Mission
A carved stake and a broken stick can hold up the same tarp. Jason Marsteiner explains how survival and bushcraft share a toolbox, why urgency changes the job, and how practicing both builds practical outdoor capability.
Why People Struggle to Start a Survival Fire
A lighter and a pile of sticks do not guarantee a survival fire. Jason Marsteiner explains the mistakes he sees in class, from skipping tiny fuel to smothering baby flames, and how preparation and practice build a fire that stays lit.
Should You Follow a River If You Get Lost Hiking?
Following a river can feel like a way out when you are lost, but downstream does not guarantee a safe route or nearby help. Learn how to assess terrain, crossings, weather, daylight and your remaining energy, and when a mapped waterway can actually help you navigate.
Black Bears, Brown Bears, and the Problem With “Rules” in Bear Country
Bear advice is often reduced to simple rules, but real encounters are rarely that clean. This article breaks down the difference between black bears and grizzlies, how defensive and predatory behavior change the response, and why tools like bear spray only help when they are carried, practiced, and understood. It also covers cubs, seasonal behavior, wind, terrain, bear sign, dogs, and the common mistakes people make when fear takes over.
What To Do If You Get Lost While Hiking: The First 10 Minutes That Matter Most
Many wilderness situations begin quietly, with a small moment when something about the terrain no longer feels right. This article explains what to do during the first 10 minutes after realizing you might be lost and how simple decisions during that moment can prevent a small navigation mistake from becoming a much bigger problem. By slowing down, observing the terrain, and making deliberate choices, hikers can often regain control of the situation quickly.
Why Most Internet Survival Hacks Don’t Work
Internet survival hacks are everywhere online, promising clever tricks that supposedly make wilderness living easier. The problem is that many of these ideas are designed for attention, not real world conditions. In this article we take a closer look at several popular hacks and explain why simple, well tested methods almost always work better.
How Survival Skills Build Leadership and Real World Decision Making
Survival skills are not just about building fire or navigating terrain. They reveal how you respond under pressure, how you make decisions when conditions shift, and how you correct mistakes before they compound. In the woods, leadership is tested quietly and honestly.
Why Hiking Groups Fail Long Before Something Goes Wrong
Most group failures in the backcountry do not start with a single bad decision. They begin much earlier, when communication, alignment, and shared responsibility quietly break down. This piece examines why hiking groups fail long before something goes wrong, and how those patterns can be prevented.
The Myth of the “Avid Outdoorsman”
When something goes wrong outdoors, the phrase “avid outdoorsman” is often used as reassurance. But time spent recreating in wild places does not automatically prepare someone to respond when conditions change and plans fail. This piece breaks down the difference between familiarity, confidence, and real readiness under stress.
Clothing Layer Basics for Being Outdoors
Clothing is your first line of defense outdoors, not a fashion choice. This guide breaks down how layering actually works, why materials and fit matter, and how to stay warm, dry, and functional in real conditions. If you spend time outside, this is a system you need to understand.
Solo Adventuring: It Concentrates the Responsibility
Solo adventuring concentrates responsibility onto the individual. This long form piece looks at what the data actually shows about risk, why fear often misses the mark, and how mindset, planning, and experience shape outcomes, with specific guidance for older solo hikers and women.