Nothing could be worse when SHTF than deciding to bug out but not really knowing what to do.
As survivalists, we know to always be prepared. Finding a bug out location is only the first step. Outdoor survival skills are crucial if you want to not just bug out for a while, but have a chance of surviving in the wild no matter how long you're out there.
Bug Out the Right Way: Avoid These Deadly Wilderness Survival Mistakes
If you already know your basic wilderness survival skills, you should practice them by scheduling a camping trip once in a while. Think of these camping trips as a refresher course.
For those who are new to the idea of preparedness and survival, welcome to the Outdoor Survival Skills 101 crash course.
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Surviving in the Wild: 8 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid When You Bug Out
In the time before a crisis, bug out plans must be tested and retested to ensure they meet all of the wilderness group’s needs. This is the time to replace leaders or fix major problems in the basic plan. After each change in the plan, the group needs to practice the new plan and evaluate the results to insure the plan is the best that it can be.
A proper step when making those plans is to identify your weaknesses and learn how to work around them. For that reason, see what are the usual mistakes and learn how to avoid them when surviving in the wilderness or camping in order to stay safe.
A Bad State of Mind
Whether you are surviving in the wilderness or just camping out with friends it is very important to take the situation seriously. One little mistake or an accident can be a life threatening event.
If you are too cocky or a know it all, your manner will portray you as a person that does not really care about what they are doing or what is going on. This can turn out to be a morale breaker and bring out the worst in people that have to work closely together.
Laziness or Stuck in a Rut
Being lazy or stuck in a rut is not a good state of mind in any wilderness camping trip. These individuals will slow down anything that they are assigned to do.
Most individuals that are affected with this problem usually spend more time trying to get out of work than it would have taken them to just do the job in the first place. Lazy individuals can endanger the whole camping group with their short cuts and not sticking to prepared set of procedures.
via Surviving in the Wild: 8 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid | Survival skills, survival guns, survival guide.
First you have to learn how to look for a good place to bug out.
You cannot keep running trying to escape the events in the city or somewhere else. The operative words are high and dry. Choose a location high enough to avoid being hit by a flood and one that will provide some form of shelter like a wall or rock formation. Stay away from loose tree limbs.
You should also know how to set up a tent if you brought one, or another way to build a decent bug out shelter. Resourcefulness is a vital trait in a bug out situation.
Starting a fire is also an essential survival skill since you need to keep warm and cook your food. If you don't have a firestarter, try a battery. Knowing how to gather firewood is also important.
Ideally you should bug out in a place close to a water source because water is even more important than food.
Speaking of food, you must know how to find food like fruits, and if you're lucky, vegetables. Hunting, trapping and fishing should also be in your arsenal of survival skills.
You need navigation skills, too, so you can find your way back to your bug out location or avoid going in circles, which is very dangerous. Sending signals is also an essential skill, whether it is using smoke or mirrors; this is the best way to get help.
There are many other important skills that could save you out in the wild. What do you have to add? Let us know in the comments.
