Basic survival skills for difficult situations

Whenever they can, experts and government agencies specializing in natural disasters often reinforce the importance of ordinary people learning the basics of survival and first aid. After all, as bad as it is to imagine it, the truth is that catastrophes such as floods, fires and car accidents can take anyone by surprise. You may never need to use this knowledge—and we hope that, in fact, you don’t. But, as an old saying goes, insurance died of old age.

In this post, the incredible.club brings a series of tips so that you can manage in several of these situations. These are simple and efficient techniques. And, if you have the opportunity, take a first aid course like the ones offered by several companies in the so-called fire brigades.

It is important to know, in advance, the potential risks of the region where you are or a place where you are going to travel, for example. Have you ever assessed whether there is a risk of flooding on the street where you live or work? Is there a danger of landslides somewhere nearby? Does the building you live or work in have emergency exits in case of fire? If you are going on a trip or, more seriously, if you are going to travel to another country, how about assessing the possible risks? Is there a danger of a seaquake or earthquake, for example? What do the authorities in these countries recommend if such a catastrophe occurs? Have a plan, no matter how simple, for this type of situation.

Even if you are not in a natural environment (a jungle or desert, for example) know how to orientate yourself at least. In wild environments like those mentioned earlier, this type of skill is more critical, and even if you don’t use it, it’s good to know the basics. A simple tip that is always shown in survival programs is, based on the distance from the sun to the horizon, estimating how long it is until nightfall. The technique is quite simple: ‘support’ the sun on your index finger. Each finger to the horizon line corresponds to 15 minutes. It might not be extremely accurate, but it makes a huge difference from a planning point of view for the night when you’re lost in the woods.

Attitude is crucial in an emergency situation. If you usually watch programs on the subject or if you’ve been in situations of this type, you must have realized that dealing with the psychological issue can be as or more important than relying on physical abilities.

Have you heard the fable of the two mice that fell into a pot of cream? One of them gave up and soon drowned. The other squirmed so hard and so long that he turned the cream into butter and thus escaped. Be a mouse. In the good sense.

In a survival situation in remote areas — especially in drier regions, such as deserts and the caatinga — knowing how to get water can be the difference between life and death, since, after two to five days without water, a person can die of dehydration. Finding a clean, drinkable source is the dream of anyone in a desperate situation like being lost in these environments. But if that’s not possible, learn how to make a solar purifier. You might even be afraid to drink water under these circumstances, but if the other option is to die of dehydration, why not give it a try?

Faced with a situation where potential unforeseen events may occur, such as a trail in an isolated location or fishing, it is always important to carry a first aid kit with you with some goodies. If possible, non-perishables, such as cereal bars and carbohydrate gels, which generally last a long time without spoiling. If you are faced with an emergency situation and you have this kit with you, the first action is to take inventory of what you have and, in the case of food, divide everything into small portions. Then try to map the region, checking for edible or poisonous plants.

A fire makes a huge difference in an emergency situation. It provides light and heat, protects against animals and insects, and even helps purify water and cook food. To light a fire, any high school student who hasn’t skipped school knows that three components are needed: fuel, oxidizer (oxygen), and a source of ignition.

Keep in mind that many things can be combustible, such as animal poop, wood, leaves, and even clothing—if you have some left over and don’t need to dispose of what you’re using. For the source of ignition, the ideal is to carry, in the first aid kit, a small lighter well sealed. But if you weren’t that lucky, you can learn how to make a Dakota fire pit here.

If you get into a large stream of water, be it a waterfall or an underwater current, the most important thing is not to despair. Squat down floating in the water and let the current carry you to the bottom. Then try to move out of the current. Only try to reach the surface after you have been released from the force of the water. It is psychologically very difficult to do this, but believe me, it is the only way out of this kind of predicament.

Do you think we missed any important tips? Have you ever been in that kind of situation and had to put your survival skills to the test? Tell us in the comments!