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If you’re caught on the water without a barometer, look for nature’s clues to approaching weather.
 | Survival Q&AYou've got questions, our survival expert's got answers. |
 | Surviving a WildfireEscaping a forest fire demands keen awareness and quick thinking. |
 | Stranded and AloneWhat to do if you become stuck with your vehicle in the middle of nowhere. |
 | Snow and Ice SurvivalIf the winter weather has you trapped, would you be able to make it out alive? |
 | Hurricane GuideOur comprehensive guide will teach you how to stay safe when a hurricane hits. |
 | Flood SurvivalStatistically, floods are the most devastating natural disasters. |
Bamboo is just one of those things, like rope or duct tape, that can be adapted to create an infinite number of material items. From survival gear to homesteader equipment, bamboo’s uses seem to only be limited by the imagination of the user.
So what are the 10 best ways to use bamboo for survival?
1. First, you’ll want to get a survival shelter built in the event of an emergency. Bamboo poles are both strong and lightweight, which makes them a great choice for building shelter elements. [ Read Full Post ]
Rub-a-dub-dub, imagine spending 26 hours floating in the waters off Sitka, Alaska, in a 4-by-4-foot tub. That’s what Ryan Harris, 19, did late last week after the 28-foot aluminum boat he and a friend were fishing from capsized. The Coast Guard rescued Harris on Saturday, two hours after his fishing buddy Stonie “Mac” Huffman was found alive on a beach 25 miles northwest of Sitka.
The two men had been fishing for coho salmon two miles from Cape Edgecumbe when the hydraulics on their boat failed. They fixed the problem and started heading to port when a massive wave knocked the boat on its side, dumping the men into the water before they could send a mayday. “We had no radio, no cell phones,” Harris told the Daily Sitka Sentinel. [ Read Full Post ]
This snare set up is a classic. It’s just a wooden pole and a few feet of wire that gives you a reusable trap that is easily moved, requires no bait, and takes advantage of the squirrel’s natural love of short cuts.
Here’s how to make it.
Select a 4-foot to 6-foot pole that is about the diameter of your arm. It’s best if the pole has a rough, natural look to it, so don’t carve off all the bark. It’s also helpful if the pole has a fork at one end, which you can stick into the ground or pin against the tree to keep the pole from twisting out of place. [ Read Full Post ]
As Hurricane Isaac bears down on New Orleans, Gulf Coast residents are hunkering down and bracing for impact. The storm is expected to hit within miles of where Katrina made landfall seven years ago on Tuesday night, and experts say Isaac could drop up to 20 inches of rain throughout the region.
While Isaac is a Category 1 hurricane (Katrina was a Category 3), preparedness and cautiousness are still critical. If you're going to be caught in the storm, prepare yourself by reading through the hurricane survival tips listed below from The Outdoor Life Ultimate Survival Manual.
Hurricane Safety: How to Survive a Massive Hurricane
Hurricane Safety: Prepare a Checklist for Your Home
Hurricane Safety: How to Reinforce Garage Doors
Hurricane Safety: How to Rescue Someone in a Flood
Hurricane Safety: How to Build a Sandbag Dike
[ Read Full Post ]
The fast current of a flash flood is one of its biggest dangers. But if someone is trapped by a flash flood— clinging to a tree branch or perched on the roof of a car—try using that speed to your advantage.
Step One
Tie a rescue rope to a solid object (a tree, for example) to anchor it against the weight of the victim and the flowing water’s immense pressure. [ Read Full Post ]
With Hurricane Katrina bearing down on his Gautier, Mississippi, home, Armand Charest decided to ignore the weather experts advising evacuation. Instead, he and his wife prepared to ride out the storm—much as they had ridden out previous hurricanes.
As the warnings grew more urgent, the Charests decided to take shelter with neighbors whose house was at a higher elevation. They brought along emergency food and water supplies to add to the essentials already at the home, such as a generator and extra gas in jerry cans. Once the power went out, they used a battery-powered TV to keep track of the storm’s progress. [ Read Full Post ]
If floodwaters are threatening your home, use sandbags to create a dike.
Pick a Spot
Build the dike on the side of your yard from which water will be flowing. Don’t erect the dike against a wall: The weight of the sandbags might compromise the building’s structure.
Fill the Bags
Put the first scoop of sand just inside the bag’s mouth to hold it open, then fill it halfway full before tying off the top. [ Read Full Post ]
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