8 Survival Skills Every Father Should Know
Here are 8 survival skills that every dad should know:
Fire: Making fire in adverse conditions. You should always carry one or two forms of combustion. Fire is a fundamental skill set. It keeps us warm, lights up a long, cold night, helps us cook food and make tea and coffee. Fire is also psychologically important. It helps us feel safe and keep predators at bay. In a situation where you may be dealing with hypothermia, the ability to get a fire going could make all the difference. When your kids see you making fire like a pro, it's reassuring and helps put them at ease. I recommend having a ziplock freezer bag full of tinder in your backpack anytime you are on the trail. If conditions are wet, having that dry tinder will make all the difference. Dave Canterbury’s advice is gold here; “You are always preparing for your next fire.”
Shelter: The ability to create shelter when the unexpected happens. The number one cause of death in the outdoors is exposure. Knowing when and how to make shelter so that you can stay dry and maintain your core body temperature is absolutely an essential survival skill. Your first shelter is the clothes on your back. Be sure to dress properly for the situation and bring extra layers with you, even in warmer seasons. The weather can change quickly. The key is to stay dry and maintain your core body temperature. Consider packing a stuffable rain fly at the bottom of your pack. Tie that between two trees and stake down the corners and you have shelter from the storm.
Water: How to source and treat water in the wild. Before eating we need to stay hydrated. It’s a good idea to carry a non-insulated stainless steel water bottle with you when you’re hiking and in your vehicle. This will allow you to boil water should you need to. You can also pack small, affordable, water treatment systems in your backpack and car. The Sawyer system is a good option: Amazon.com : Sawyer Products SP129 Squeeze Water Filtration System w/ Two 32-Oz Squeeze Pouches, Straw, and Hydration Pack Adapter : Camping Water Filters : Sports & Outdoors
Food: Learn common edible and medicinal plants in your area. Most backyards are chock full of weeds that can be your ally. Dandelion Taraxacum, is a common weed that is entirely edible. Broadleaf plantain, Plantago Major, is another common weed that is edible and has medicinal properties as well. Always keep non-perishable snacks, instant coffee, tea, and hot cocoa in your pack for emergencies or a fun snack on the trail.
Knife Skills: You want to have a good fixed blade knife, and know how to use it to process wood and build things. Never bet your life on a folding knife. The Mora Garberg is one of my favorite survival knives but Mora has other options that cost less, such as the Mora Companion Spark.. Amazon.com : Garberg Survival (S) Stainless Steel : Sports & Outdoors
Situational Awareness: Get off your phone dad. Take out your AirPods. Pay attention to your surroundings. As a father our job is to be aware of what’s happening and always be ready to respond. We can’t do that if we’re not present. Being present applies on the trail and off. It's one of the most important things we can work on as men. A great book on developing nature awareness super powers is “What the Robin Knows' ' by Jon Young. What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World: Young, Jon: 9780544002302: Amazon.com: Books
WIlderness First Aid: Know basic first aid and carry a first aid kit in your vehicle and on the trail. Don’t wait until the first emergency to open up your kit and familiarize yourself with the contents.If you can, take a wilderness first aid class. We should be our kids first aid provider and as fathers we should be ready to treat them in the event of an accident until the professionals arrive. The old Boy Scout motto applies here. BE PREPARED!
Staying Fit: And finally, it’s important to know how to stay fit and build your strength without having to go to a gym. Doing push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, and squats every day is an easy way to stay conditioned without the excuse of having to go to the gym. At the end of the day, there is no substitute for physical strength.
Are you a dad who wants more of an outdoor life, to increase your physical strength, and build a stronger community with other fathers? I help domestic dads become feral fathers through the transformational journey of rewilding. Book a call with me here:
