The Wilderness Survival subreddit

Thank you for being apart of the r/Survival community. We appreciate everyone who has contributed to the overall discussion about Wilderness Survival. Please remember to review the rules of our sub before posting any content or comments.

This is a community to discuss wilderness survival and bushcraft topics.

The moderators have noticed an increase in off topic conversations which violate several of the subreddits rules. The largest being rule number 10 regarding posts that are more catered to bugging out, prepping, SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, and combat related content. While we appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm to grow this community and have conversations about these topics, they are not appropriate for r/Survival and belong in other subreddits dedicated to them.

The moderators will be keeping an eye out for posts involving these topics and will remove them without warning if they are posted. If you post again, then you will incur a temporary ban. A third strike will lead to a permanent ban. If you aren’t sure if your post will violate a rule, then reach out to the moderators and we will be happy to let you know.

We hope that the community will continue to grow and be a place where like minded individuals can come together and discuss their love for survival in the wilderness.

I was in a survival training course and the instructor talked about filters that used NASA technology to both filter and purify water. Anyone had experiences with this brand ? It looks like they only sell in Europe tho

Looking for books to educate myself in general botany knowledge and the uses of certain plants in bushcraft. I have no clue where to start. I would be very interested in a book that tied in some history of the region and what invasive species have come into play through colonization. Currently living in western Rocky Mountain region, spending a lot of time in Utah, Wyoming and Montana.

Any suggestions welcomed

Ever wondered what cicadas taste like?

With cicadas in abundance, why not turn them into a gourmet adventure? 🍽️

In my latest video, I show you how to sterilize cicadas and transform them into 5 unique and delicious dishes! Intrigued? Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCeTQE4Z1vo&ab_channel=PlantDaddy

*These cicadas were collected in St. Louis, MO

Wondering if it's worth hunting down a used copy of Wildwood wisdom by Ellsworth Jaeger or if there are better books out there.

Hi everyone! I was wondering what could be the best hatchet to bring with me during hikes/camps, that could help me easily with all the activities that needs to be done in a mountain scenario (chopping fire wood, create tools, build structures...) and that could also be brought around attached to my belt without being too much of a trouble to carry. I bumped in the hultafors brand and I'm impressed by the manifacture's quality, as well as I am about the looks of those tools... What do you think can be the best option between these two models? One is about 44 cm and the other around 37.5 cm, the main difference is the head.

Just starting to collect gear… What’s your go to? Stone? Knife sharpener? Brand recommendations?

Hello I wanted to find a firestarter that I can wear around my neck. I have a necklace which I'm keeping a mini survival kit. Wanted to know what would be historically explainable and wouldn't need any modern fixings. It has to be able to be waterproof and nothing to refill.

I am planning to surrvive for a little bit in quonnie pond RI and I just want to check if I how to cook/prepare these.

Periwinkles

silversides

possibly barnacles

quahogs

seaweed

rose hips

fiddler crabs

green crabs

also I havent ever done somthing like this so I would like some advice

map of the coast

Which one would you recommend ?

Based on my search results, I’m guessing a lot of people here have very strong opinions on slingshots for survival use. I was looking into getting one to get used to, use for target practice, have one as something rather than nothing in the case of self defense or for hunting purposes. I’m not actually thinking it would be the most ideal tool to be proficient in, just one worth having as a backup. But I think I might want to rephrase my question now… I do not have a bow yet, I have looked around a little, but can’t decide what I want to go with, so this question is completely aside from that, as I’m still planning on getting one.

Is there a small weapon other than a slingshot that would be more useful to be proficient at using?

Not as a primary survival weapon, more as a backup or “surprise element”.

Something small enough to carry in your pocket, quiet, easy to find or make ammunition for, something that could be recreated or handmade with limited resources for materials, etc?

The only options I’ve been able to come up with are throwing darts, a blow dart gun or a slingshot. Just wondering if anyone has any other ideas or experience?

Edit: Yes, there is probably a better forum to have asked this question in, or I should have worded it differently. I’m not generally in a situation that could possibly end up with being stranded in the wilderness, but just as likely and probably preferable to being stranded otherwise (depending on the circumstances). I have kids, so I’m not going to run off into the wilderness with my kids and my inexperience, at the first sign of I.e. “zombies”…. But most of what I consider to be worthy of preparation, is not having your usual resources. Either short term or long term. If I have the option to bring a firearm for food, or self defense, that would be my first option. If I have a limited supply of ammunition, or don’t have access to my firearm for whatever reason, I would want a backup. Originally my thought was I would want it to be useful pretty much anywhere, and as small or packable as possible. Given the responses so far, knowing how to trap or having the materials to be able to do so seems like it would be a better option than a slingshot or anything else?

I think my fear is being caught anywhere with no chance to prepare, so having only what I had on me or in my car, maybe. So looking for a weapon, or tool, that can fit in a pocket, I can get used to carrying all the time, and packs the most punch

Has anyone used an improvised rocket stove made from bricks/concrete/rocks and If so how long did the bricks retain heat?

I am looking for a way to heat a tarp/raised bed, idea being use the stove to cook/heat and before bed breaking down the stove, slide bricks under bed so they radiate heat to keep the bed warm without needing lit fire through the night.

If the bricks will loose the heat too quickly are there any modifications I could make or any cheap, easily sourced alternatives that would improve the set up?

Belt, pocket, bag? I’ve usually kept it attached to my backpack strap but then I’m always concerned that I might get separated from my pack.

Can I get some suggestions?

should i add bleach to the rainwater, filter it then boil the rainwater OR filter the rainwater, boil it then wait for it to cooldown and then add bleach? Which is the best method?

I need something that does not contain wheat, soy or dairy. Ideally it would also have no weird chemicals (including "natural flavor") but still have a long self life. Am I seeking something that doesn't exist?

Thoughts on the Rhino Rescue kits on Amazon? Good? Bad?. They’re priced decently but how good are the essentials such as the tourniquet?

Looking at getting a silky big boy outback edition and for 100 bucks, I want to make sure it won’t rust in the 10-15 years I plan on using it. Has a silky outback edition ever rusted on you?

I want to make up a few little survival tins rather than just buying a pre-made kit.

My first one is a fire starter kit. In this kit - Kindle, lighter, matches, fire starter, flint rod, petroleum jelly.. Should I add anything else?

Next is cordage & Random things. In this kit - Cordage, fishing wire, hooks, tape. Should I add anything else?

Finally what other tins/bags should I create? What type of small resealable & usable bags are best? For any bigger items.

So The Outdoor Gear Review posted a new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf060t2itWI

In it, he simulates a "lost in the woods" survival scenario. He's brought an overnight kit as a survival item on a day trip. OK, he explains that this is 'the middle of nowhere' so that makes sense I guess. The shelter kit consists of a tarp, ground cloth and water resistant bivy.

I'm puzzled at this because the setup is bulky, heavy, complicated, and quite open to the elements (even with the bivy). Wouldn't a lightweight tent like the Lanshan 1 be a more sensible choice for a survival item?

Just binged a whole bunch of seasons of Alone and am now interested in getting a couple essential items. Partly just to pretend that I could survive... a bit of fake-it-till-you-make-it larping. you gotta start somewhere, right? :)

I'm a sucker for pretty toys, and I'm wondering if exotac gear actually is good quality, or whether it's more sharper image style shiny objects.

would uberleben gear be a better bet than exotac?

thx for all advice!

Not instructionals, actual stories. Bonus points for wilderness survival. Just finished “The 29th Day” and I highly recommend if someone is looking for one.

I’m currently binging “I shouldn't be alive” which is about people who get themselves trapped in the wilderness one way or another and need to survive. Usually their first concern is about finding water because a human can survive only 3 days without water. However, I know that almost all foods contain a lot of water too. So I was wondering, in case you do have food but no water, can you survive for longer than 3 days?

Trying to build my own kits for EDC and the truck. Where are you guys getting bags for your med kits for EDC and something larger?

Hello survivalists of reddit.

I am preparing for the High Lonesome 100, a big mountain ultra trail race in late July here in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. Part of the required kit is an emergency bivvy.

I have to carry this during the crux of the race: Climbing Mt Shavano (14,231 ft) in the middle of the night, after having already run 60 miles, so weight is a huge consideration.

The race director has recommended the SOL Emergency Bivvy which comes in at 3.8 oz

I have been looking around for something even a tad bit lighter, even if only getting down to 3.7 or 3.5 oz.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

Tomorrow I’m going to get paid to help a relative of mine with yard work and I live in south Texas and he said he found a coral snake a while back when doing his yard work. I’m terrified of snakes and I hate the idea of potentially dying in a stupid way like a snake bite. I was wondering, is it easy to spot snakes or at least avoid them if possible? Also if I were to get bit by a venomous snake what should I do? This is a serious question, I didn’t know where else to post this.