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81 Basic Survival Tips That You Should Know
Practical Wilderness Survival Skills for the Outdoors
A delayed hike, a sudden storm, or an injury can leave you outside longer than you planned. What you do next depends on the conditions, the equipment you have, and the skills you can actually use. These 81 survival tips cover preparation, shelter, water, fire, food, navigation, and decision making. Use them as reminders to guide your training and help you recognize problems early. Your priorities should follow the situation in front of you.
Mindset and Awareness
1. Give yourself a moment to think.
Once you are out of immediate danger, pause and take a few slow breaths. Assess what is happening and identify the next useful action before rushing into it.
2. Stop, think, observe, plan.
Check your surroundings, injuries, exposure, equipment, and available daylight. Decide which problem needs attention first, then make a plan you can carry out with the resources you have.
3. Recognize when the situation has changed.
Admit when you are lost, the weather has deteriorated, or someone needs help. Adjusting early gives you more options than continuing as though the original plan still fits.
4. Match your decisions to practiced skills.
Choose tasks and routes you have the knowledge, equipment, and ability to manage. Be honest about what you have practiced and where you need assistance or another approach.
5. Take hesitation seriously.
If a crossing, slope, or unfamiliar route makes you uneasy, stop and assess the risk. Identify what concerns you and give yourself permission to choose a safer option.
6. Leave a trip plan with someone.
Tell a trusted person your route, destination, expected return, and what to do if you are overdue. Update them when plans change, and let them know when you return.
7. Think through the task before starting.
Mentally walk through the steps, tools, and likely problems before committing limited time or supplies. Check that you have what you need to finish the task safely.
8. Handle small problems early.
Adjust clothing before you become chilled, protect a sore spot before it becomes a blister, and repair loose or damaged equipment before it fails. Small corrections are easier while you still have time and energy.
9. Leave room for setbacks.
Allow extra daylight, energy, water, and supplies for unexpected problems. A plan that uses everything you have leaves little room for a wrong turn, damaged equipment, or a slower return.
10. Notice useful progress.
A dry layer, a completed shelter, or a working signal is concrete progress. Recognize what has improved, then choose the next manageable task instead of dwelling on everything still unfinished.
Shelter and Warmth
11. Address exposure before searching for food.
If wind, rain, heat, or cold is threatening you, get protection before spending energy looking for something to eat. Let the immediate conditions determine which need comes first.
12. Check natural shelter before using it.
A stable natural windbreak can reduce the work needed to protect yourself. Check for loose rock, dead limbs, runoff, and anything that could shift before settling beside or beneath it.
13. Include insulation in your shelter plan.
A roof that sheds rain still needs suitable clothing and bedding beneath it. Use the insulation you carry, and supplement it with appropriate dry materials when necessary.
14. Insulate yourself from cold ground.
Place a sleeping pad beneath your body. If you must improvise, use enough dry insulating material to maintain a substantial layer beneath you after your weight compresses it.
15. Make your shelter easier to find.
Place bright equipment or a contrasting signal where rescuers can see it. Choose a safe shelter location first, then improve its visibility without exposing yourself to dangerous weather or terrain.
16. Set up while you still have daylight and energy.
Stop early enough to establish shelter before you are exhausted, soaked, or struggling with cold hands. Allow time to secure it and correct problems before conditions get worse.
17. Allow moisture to escape.
Keep ventilation openings clear while blocking direct wind and rain. Keep bedding away from wet shelter walls, and adjust ventilation when condensation begins collecting inside.
18. Prepare for times when a fire is unavailable.
Carry clothing and shelter suited to the conditions. Wet fuel, strong wind, a lack of wood, or fire restrictions can prevent you from having a fire when you want one.
19. Carry a backup ignition method.
Pack a working lighter and another method you have practiced using, such as waterproof matches or a ferro rod. Protect your ignition tools and tinder from moisture.
20. Prepare your fuel before lighting.
Gather tinder, kindling, and larger fuel before striking a match. Keep a dry supply within reach so you can feed the developing fire without leaving it to search for wood.
Water and Hydration
21. Plan your water supply around the trip.
Account for weather, effort, distance, and possible delays. Start with drinkable water and carry enough to reach the next reliable supply, including a reserve for unexpected problems.
22. Stay hydrated without forcing water.
Keep drinking water accessible and respond to thirst. Your needs change with heat and effort, and drinking excessive amounts can also make you seriously ill.
23. Check water sources before relying on them.
Use maps and recent local information to identify possible refills. A marked spring, green vegetation, or animal tracks can guide your search, but none guarantees that usable water is present.
24. Treat natural water before drinking.
Use a treatment method suited to the source and follow its instructions. When boiling to kill germs, maintain a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet.
25. Reduce unnecessary water loss.
Slow your pace, rest in shade, and schedule hard work for cooler conditions when possible. Managing heat and exertion helps reduce the water you lose through sweating.
26. Refill while you have the opportunity.
Before leaving a usable water source, collect and treat enough for the next stretch, with a reserve for delays. Carry enough container capacity to make that possible.
27. Prepare for treatment equipment to fail.
Know which organisms your filter removes. Carry another effective treatment option, such as suitable disinfectant tablets or equipment for boiling, and understand the limitations and requirements of each method.
28. Account for the water your food requires.
Meals that need rehydrating use part of your water supply. Carry some food that requires no added water, and include cooking needs when planning your refills.
29. Keep treated water clean.
Use clean containers with secure lids. Keep untreated water, dirty hands, and collection equipment away from bottle openings and the clean side of your treatment system.
30. Record water sources as you travel.
Mark sources on your map or GPS and note how you reached them. Record when you found water there, because availability can change between seasons and trips.
Fire and Light
31. Match the fire to the task.
Build a manageable fire for the warmth, cooking, or water heating you need. Consider the available fuel and how you will maintain, monitor, and extinguish it.
32. Practice with the fire kit you carry.
Learn how your ignition tools and tinder work together. Practice under increasingly challenging conditions where fires are permitted and you have the means to control and extinguish them.
33. Baby fire loves baby food.
Start with fine, dry tinder and small kindling. Increase fuel size as the flame grows and produces enough heat to ignite larger pieces. Leave room for air as you add wood.
34. Carry tinder that works with your ignition tools.
Test your tinder before relying on it and keep it in waterproof packaging. Material that lights easily with a lighter may behave differently when you try to ignite it with sparks.
35. Shield the flame while preserving airflow.
Protect the ignition point from gusts without crowding the tinder and kindling. Keep sleeves, loose clothing, and equipment clear while you work close to the developing fire.
36. Learn the limits of friction fire.
Bow drills and other friction methods require practice, suitable materials, and preparation. Carry reliable ignition tools so a cold emergency does not become your first serious attempt at making a friction fire.
37. Check the site before you light.
Follow current fire restrictions and use an appropriate fire site. Keep flames away from dry vegetation and overhanging branches, and have water available before ignition.
38. Dry clothing carefully around fire.
Keep damp gear away from flames and drifting sparks, and check it frequently. Excessive heat can melt synthetic fabrics or damage footwear before the item has finished drying.
39. Carry a headlamp and spare power.
A headlamp leaves your hands free for shelter repairs, first aid, and other tasks after dark. Check it before leaving and carry spare batteries or another suitable backup.
40. Extinguish your fire before sleeping or leaving.
Soak and stir the ashes, then repeat until the entire fire is cold. A fire with no visible flame can still contain hot embers capable of starting a wildfire.
Food and Foraging
41. Use food to support the work ahead.
Food supplies energy for movement, warmth, and other necessary tasks. Address immediate threats first, then eat the safe food you have rather than treating hunger as a test of toughness.
42. Carry food for an unexpected delay.
Pack extra familiar foods that are easy to eat and require little preparation. An unplanned night becomes easier to manage when you already have something safe to eat.
43. Learn a few local edible plants thoroughly.
Know their identifying features, poisonous lookalikes, edible parts, seasons, and required preparation. Recognizing a leaf is only part of knowing whether you can safely use the plant.
44. Leave unidentified plants and mushrooms alone.
Eat only what you can positively identify and prepare safely. A familiar appearance, pleasant smell, or an animal eating it does not establish that it is safe for you.
45. Identify insects before treating them as food.
Only collect species you know are edible and can prepare safely. Avoid contaminated collection areas, cook them properly, and remember that people with shellfish allergies may also react to insects.
46. Be realistic about trapping.
Trapping requires knowledge of the animal, suitable placement, and regular checks. Set a limit on the time and energy you invest, and practice only where the method is legal.
47. Fish from a safe position.
Use tackle and methods you understand, and follow local regulations. Reconsider the attempt if reaching the fish requires entering fast water, climbing onto an unstable bank, or taking another serious risk.
48. Count the full effort required to gather food.
Include searching, collecting, processing, and cooking when judging a food source. Set a time limit so gathering food does not consume the daylight or strength needed for other tasks.
49. Handle and preserve wild food carefully.
Keep raw meat and fish away from prepared food and drinking water. Cook them properly, and use a proven preservation process before keeping them for later. Simply exposing meat to smoke does not establish safe storage.
50. Practice food skills before depending on them.
Learn identification, collection, and preparation with experienced instruction and a backup meal available. Practice the whole process so you know what equipment, time, and effort it requires.
Navigation and Movement
51. Check your position before continuing.
When the terrain stops matching your expectations, stop and check your location. Retrace only a route you can identify and safely follow. If you cannot establish a safe way back, seek help.
52. Use landmarks to confirm your route.
Match several identifiable features to the map. Evaluate the ground between them before moving, because a destination you can see may still be difficult or dangerous to reach.
53. Carry navigation tools you know how to use.
Bring an appropriate paper map and compass, and practice establishing your position. Download offline maps before leaving reliable service and carry enough power for the electronic tools you intend to use.
54. Read the terrain before choosing a route.
Use contour lines to identify steep slopes, ridges, and drainages. Consider the climbing, descending, and obstacles involved as well as the distance between your location and destination.
55. Record your route without altering the trail.
Note junctions, take reference photos looking back along your route, and save waypoints when available. Avoid making cairns or breaking branches as routine trail markers.
56. Understand the limits of sky navigation.
Polaris indicates approximate true north in the Northern Hemisphere. Sunrise and sunset directions change with the season, so they do not consistently mark exact east and west.
57. Move at a pace your group can maintain.
Keep everyone together and allow time for footing, navigation, and rest. Slow down when fatigue or difficult terrain begins affecting anyone’s ability to move safely.
58. Plan for darkness before it arrives.
Leave time to reach a known destination or establish shelter. If darkness catches you, assess your lighting, the route, and whether stopping somewhere safe is the better choice.
59. Assess the route before following water.
A stream can lead into cliffs, thick brush, or dangerous crossings. Follow it only when you can identify a safe, achievable route to a known destination. Read our guide to whether you should follow a river if you get lost hiking before choosing a downstream route.
60. Practice navigation where mistakes are manageable.
Use a familiar route to practice map reading, compass bearings, and recognizing terrain. Check your conclusions as you go and work out why any errors occurred.
Mindset, Fear, and Adaptability
61. Protect your ability to make decisions.
If you are exhausted or overwhelmed, pause somewhere safe and address immediate needs. Talk through consequential decisions with a companion when one is available, and seek help before your options narrow.
62. Let the plan change with the facts.
If your route, campsite, or approach has become unsafe, reassess it. Time and effort already spent should not commit you to continuing with a plan that no longer works.
63. Separate what you know from what you assume.
Name the concern, identify the evidence, and be honest about what remains uncertain. Gather useful information before committing to a decision that will be difficult to reverse.
64. Break difficult jobs into smaller tasks.
For a shelter, begin by choosing a safe location, then establish cover and insulation. Work through a clear sequence so each completed step supports the next.
65. Change an approach that is failing.
Before repeating an unsuccessful attempt, identify what needs to change. Check the materials, method, location, or goal so the next effort has a better chance of improving your situation.
66. Build resilience through controlled practice.
Practice increasingly difficult skills with suitable instruction, backup equipment, and a way to stop. Choose conditions that allow you to learn from mistakes and recover safely.
67. Use a simple routine.
Regularly check your warmth, water, equipment, surroundings, and companions. Include rest and reassessment so routine tasks do not consume all your energy or distract you from changing conditions.
68. Invite concerns before making a group decision.
Ask each person what they have noticed and whether they can manage the proposed next step. Make it easy to speak up about fatigue, uncertainty, or a developing problem.
69. Investigate pain and discomfort.
Assess new or worsening pain and adjust what you are doing. Change your pace, equipment, route, or plan when needed, and get appropriate help for signs of injury or illness.
70. Turn experience into a specific improvement.
After a trip or training session, identify what worked, what failed, and why. Practice the correction so the next outing benefits from what you learned.
Water and Shelter
71. Check everyone’s water supply.
During breaks and before entering a dry stretch, find out how much water each person has. Make the group’s next decision using everyone’s needs and the actual supply remaining.
72. Evaluate the source before collecting water.
Flowing water can still be contaminated. Avoid suspected chemical pollution and algal blooms. Boiling and ordinary backpacking filters cannot be relied on to make chemically contaminated water safe.
73. Give water treatment enough time to work.
Follow the product’s exact dose and waiting time, including instructions for cold or cloudy water. Plan ahead so treated water is ready before your current supply runs out.
74. Collect water from secure footing.
Choose a stable bank or another safe collection point. Use a suitable scoop or container when access is awkward, and avoid entering dangerous water just to fill a bottle.
75. Collect rain while it is available.
Catch rain directly in a clean container, or use clean material suitable for collecting drinking water. Keep dirty runoff out and treat the collected water before drinking.
76. Carry emergency shelter on day hikes.
A tarp or emergency bivy can provide cover when a short trip becomes an unexpected night outside. Keep it accessible and know how to deploy it before you need it.
77. Choose the location before building.
Avoid drainage channels, unstable slopes, exposed ridges, and trees with dead or damaged limbs. Check where water could flow and what could fall into your shelter.
78. Build a shelter you can finish.
Choose a design you can complete with the time, materials, and energy available. Leave enough room for dry bedding, ventilation, and a clear exit.
79. Keep ground moisture out of your bedding.
Place a waterproof barrier against damp ground, with insulation above it. A thin tarp can block moisture, but it provides little insulation by itself.
80. Keep flames out of enclosed shelters.
Use camping stoves and open flames outside tents and enclosed improvised shelters. They can ignite shelter materials and produce dangerous carbon monoxide, even when a door or vent is open.
The Human Element
81. Remember your reason for getting home.
Keep the people, responsibilities, or future experiences you care about in mind. Let that purpose support practical decisions, including resting, turning around, or asking for help.
Put These Tips Into Practice
Choose a few skills and practice them before your next trip. Set up your shelter, use your water treatment equipment, build a fire where permitted, and follow a familiar route with a map and compass. Find out what takes longer than expected and which parts need more work. Each practice session should leave you with a clearer understanding of your equipment, your abilities, and the decisions you may need to make when conditions become difficult.
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Thank you for the information! Great points!
Really solid advice. Tip #2 Stop, think, observe, plan is such a game-changer. Easy to forget in the moment, but so important. Appreciate the breakdown!
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