If there are mountains nearby, look for water collected at the foot of the cliffs. The presence of insects like mosquitoes and flies means that water is nearby. Water from heavily oxygenated water (such as from a big waterfall or rapids) typically is safer than that from a slow or still water source. Freshwater springs are typically safer water sources, although these can be contaminated by mineral or bacteria as well. Remember that all untreated water must be considered risky unless treated. Even crystal clear water can harbor diseases and be dangerous if consumed.
Don’t let the water sit in a container or a tarp for too long or it can stagnate and bacteria can contaminate it. If possible, purify any water that you collect.
You can collect the most dew just before sunrise. Be careful not to collect dew from poisonous plants. Grasses are your safest bet.
Wait until the mud settles down at the bottom of the hole and the water clears before you scoop it out.
Melting snow is an inefficient way to obtain water. Although it is a relatively safe and easily identifiable source of water, it is not a lot of water by volume. Melting a pot of snow will yield only about a third of a pot of water. A lot of fuel and effort may be wasted if there is a better source available. Collect snow or ice that has a bluish tint to it. Frozen water that is gray or opaque will have a high concentration of salt, which can dehydrate you even more if you drink it.
If you don’t have a container to boil water in, you can fill a clear plastic bottle with water, seal the lid, and place the bottle on its side in direct sunlight for 6 hours to purify it. In the event that you have no containers and no way to purify water, you can dig a deep hole, let it fill with groundwater, and wait for the particles to settle at the bottom and the water is clear before you drink it. You should only do this if you have no other option. [8] X Research source
If you can’t find a tree with a split in its trunk, look for a strong branch or log that has a “Y” shape to serve as the support for your shelter. Clear the area between the trees of rocks and debris so it will be more comfortable to lie on.
Clear off any critters or spiders that may be on the branch.
If you have rope or twine, lash the branch to the tree to secure it even more.
Try to use dry or fresh branches rather than damp or rotting ones.
Add layers of insulation until you can’t find any holes in it and add as many layers as you can to help keep the shelter warm. If you have a tarp, drape it over the frame of your shelter.
Check under stones, boards, and other materials for insects. Only eat insects that you have killed. Insects with hard outer shells like beetles and grasshoppers should be cooked for 5 minutes before you eat them to remove any parasites. Push a stick through the insect and hold it over a fire to cook it.
Always avoid white berries, as most are generally toxic to humans.
Morel mushrooms have a spongy cap that resembles a honeycomb and can be found near the bottoms of trees. Chanterelles mushrooms have a bright yellow-orange color and can be found near conifers and hardwood trees. Oyster mushrooms grow in clusters and resemble an oyster or scallop. They can be found on dying hardwood trees. Mushrooms do not offer many calories and no protein - the effort made in wandering around the woods searching for a mushroom may expend more energy than replaced by eating edible fungi. You are probably better off looking for other wild food. Unless you are trained as a mushroom expert, generally avoid collecting mushrooms. It is easy to misidentify a fungus and the risks of ingesting a dangerous substance generally outweigh the rewards.
Wash off any edible plants that you find.
Make a horizontal bar over the ground with a branch to hang your snare. Set up as many snares as you can in the area and check them every 24 hours to see if you’ve caught anything.
Small wounds can quickly become infected and life-threatening in a survival situation.
If you find trash or paper in the area, that can make for great tinder as well.
You can break larger branches into smaller pieces to use for kindling as well.
Hardwoods like oak and maple will burn for a long period of time. Dry tree stumps work great as fuel for a fire.
Leave a small opening so you can light the tinder.
Use a dry piece of wood to make your fire plough. Anchor the fire plough by kneeling on it to keep it still.
Once you get your fire started, try to keep it from going out. When you go to sleep, place a large log on it so the coals will last until morning.
Focus on one task at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed. Have hope that you’re going to get out of the woods.
If you aren’t safe where you are, find a safe location nearby. When lost, humans have a tendency to walk in wide circles, often coming back to the same locations time and time again. In the process, a lot of time, energy, and emotional focus is lost. If you don’t know where you are, you could walk in the wrong direction and make it much more difficult for people to find you.
The puffs of smoke will tell people looking for you that the fire is manmade and that you’re signaling your location.
