Important Survival Skills That All Families Should Have

Emergency situations and disasters can arise at any given time, even if your life seems perfect or carefree. Your survival depends on how well you’re able to respond to emergency situations. Most families respond to survival situations poorly as they’re simply ill equipped with the necessary knowledge of learning what to do when something goes wrong. The more dependent we become on technology, the less we seem to know about surviving in the wilderness or living through a storm without electricity.

The difference between life and death could be as simple as just knowing how to grow your own food or cooking something without an electric stove. Fortunately, there are plenty of survival guides out there that families can and should read. However, in the same vein, here are a few simple yet effective survival skills that all families should have:

1. No one can survive without water, but the fact is that if you’re in the wilderness, most water sources are either dirty or salted. It’s important that you know how to find water, harness it, and purify it in the process. We don’t have enough time to discuss how to purify water, but there are plenty of Internet guides that give you the necessary steps.

2. When you’re in a dire situation, your clothing can protect and shelter you from the elements. It’s important that if your clothing is in disrepair, you learn how to mend it properly with basic supplies. Additionally, it also makes sense to learn how to make your own clothing from found scraps, fabric, or even leather. Keep in mind, you don’t have to become a clothing designer in order to create clothing that’s able to keep you safe and warm in your time of need.

3. Food is just as important as finding water. Of course, if you’re stuck indoors with basic food, you can still get by. On the other hand, if you’re stuck in the wilderness or on the side of the road, it’s important that you know how to find food. The forest is filled with food sources, but you need to know which plants are safe and edible, and which ones are poisonous when consumed.

Additionally, even if you’re not planning on living off-grid anytime soon, it can be helpful to learn how to grow your own food. Herbs and vegetables are among some of the easiest food sources that even the novice gardener can grow with little help or assistance.

4. A first aid kit and manual are a must-have in any household. Should something happen that requires medical attention, it’s important that you know how to take care of each other. A doctor is not always going to be available to help you in a life and death situation, so it’s important to learn what you can.

5. Basic grooming skills are a necessity in the wild, and though you probably won’t be able to shave, staying safe and dry is important. When you’re near a water source, it’s wise to give yourself a quick bath as it can help remove some of the dirt, grime, and bacteria. You won’t be as clean as bathing in your own bathtub, but it can help prevent you from getting sick.

6. Fire can literally be the determining factor whether you’ll live or die in a situation. A fire can be used to cook or purify water, and this is true regardless of whether you’re stuck indoors or outdoors. There are a number of ways you can make and maintain a fire, so it’s wise to read up on it in case you should ever need to reach back for this skill.

7. Your number one goal should be to defend you and your family. Owning a firearm is one of the few yet effective ways that you can ensure your family stays safe in an emergency situation. Most criminals will not think twice about harming your family members if they want to take your shelter or supplies away from you. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so always have a weapon on hand that you can defend yourself with.

8. Strange, weird, and violent things can happen in unexpected situations, and it’s best if you prepare for them ahead of time. Your mind can get a mental block when you’re confronted with something completely unexpected, but it’s important that you keep your survival at the forefront of your mind. Prepare different worst case scenario drills that you and your family can practice.

9. Stay on top of potential threats that may impact the area you’re living in. Knowing that a storm is coming allows you to prepare for it much better than if it were to catch you off guard, leaving you only a few minutes of preparation. The world changes every second, and there are so many things that can go wrong. In fact, oftentimes, the disasters that we prepare for aren’t the ones that claim the most lives!

The last tip we’ll leave you with is that you need to have the right frame of mind if you’re going to survive. You need to be strong and willing to make sacrifices when you’re in survival mode. There may be tough decisions that you need to make, and sometimes, they can alter the way you think and feel, but every survivor knows it’s important to hone your mental skills…