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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.
Grand Canyon Flash Flood: What Happened and Lessons for Hikers
The August 2026 Grand Canyon flash flood exposes the limits of familiar campsites, warning systems, and last-minute escape plans. Jason Marsteiner’s original analysis is followed by verified updates, practical safety lessons, and a remembrance of John Giusti, Brent Rosenkranz, and Timothy Allen Smith.
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.
Wilderness First Aid: How to Assess Injuries in the Backcountry
This article breaks down how to assess and manage injuries when something goes wrong in the backcountry using real-world, practical methods. You will learn how to think through a situation, prioritize what matters, and take action with limited resources. Whether you are on a trail, on the road, or at home, these are skills that help you step in with confidence instead of standing by.
What to Put in a Go Bag for Evacuation
Wildfire season gets people thinking about leaving fast, but most wait until it is already unfolding to figure out what to do. When that happens, people panic, overpack the wrong things, and realize they do not have a plan. This breakdown focuses on what you are going to need when you have to leave and do not know when you are coming back.
Rattlesnake Bite: What to Do, What Not to Do, and What Actually Happens
A rattlesnake bite is not just about the moment it happens. What you do in the minutes that follow can change everything. This breakdown looks at what actually happens in the body, what helps, what makes it worse, and the real lessons behind a fatal case that didn’t have to end that way.
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.
Everyday Carry Done Right
Everyday carry is not about looking tactical or building a fantasy loadout. It is about carrying practical tools that solve ordinary problems when life throws friction your way. From a simple pocket setup to a disciplined 2 lb waist pack, this guide breaks down realistic EDC that actually works in the real world.
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.