Perhaps you are looking to get off the grid. Or maybe, you find yourself in a situation where you need to survive in the wild. Either way, it is important to know how to survive in the forest, whether you plan for it or not. The basics of how to survive in the forest are essential as they are literally the skills that will keep you alive in an emergency situation.
In our ultimate guide for survival, we are going to dive deep into the details of surviving in the wild. We will go over the basics, including how to build a shelter, how to find clean water, and how to build a fire. Having these fundamental skills in mind will allow you to be successful in conquering the land.
Have a General Understanding of Where You Are Located
The first step for surviving in the forest is knowing what forest you are in. The brush in Australia has a very different ecosystem than the rain forests of the south or the North American forests would. By having a basic understanding of where you are, you will be better equipped to survive. Generally speaking, there are three different types of forests.
Tropical Forests
A tropical or rain forest is a naturally wet and humid environment. Tropical forests are found between the latitudes of 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Because of their proximity to the equator, extreme humidity, heat, and rain is their primary climate.
Additionally, you can expect to find dangerous prey both on land and in the water that you would not find anywhere else in the world. Reptiles, mammals, and insects that pose a risk to you in the rain forest include the following:
- Red Bellied Piranhas
- Electric Eels
- Jaguars
- Anacondas
- Brazillian Wandering Spider
- Bullet Ants
- Poison Dart Frogs
Because of the hot and humid temperatures, the risk of infection to a cut or injury does go up when you are in this climate too.
A benefit of a tropical forest, however, is the fact that the broad leaves and durable plants that grow here allow you to have plenty of options for building a sustainable shelter. Additionally, tropical forests are home to a variety of tropical fruits that can tend to your nutritional needs.
Temperate Forests
When you look at the more temperate regions of the world, including North America, you will find the temperate forests. These forests experience all four seasons.
Depending on the season you are in, the climate can be warm and comfortable or dry and cold. The changing seasons also means you will run into a wide variety of forest animals. You can expect to find the following:
- Bears
- Deer
- Cougars
- Porcupines
- Mountain Lions
- Hawks
While temperate forests are home to some dangerous prey, the climate, especially during the warmer months, makes it an ideal location to set up camp and survive in the wilderness.
Boreal Forests
Boreal forests are located close to the arctic. Boreal forests litter Mongolia, Scotland, the Northern United States, Canada, Japan, and Sweden. Because of their location, you will typically find a colder climate than temperate forests.
With boreal forests, The winters are long, and the climate is typically cold. Because the environment is cooler, you will find some specific breeds of wildlife that are simply beautiful yet dangerous at the same time. The animals that live here include the following:
- Reindeer
- Lynxes
- Boreal Woodland Caribou
- Wood Bison
- Wood Frog
- Grizzly Bears
- Black Bears
You will need shelter and warm clothing to survive in a boreal forest as the temperature usually hovers around 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Build a Shelter
When you are out in the wilderness, one of the main things you need to figure out right away is shelter. If you do not have shelter, you will be exposed to the elements. Harsh weather and deadly animals can wreak havoc on your survival chances in the forest if you are exposed.
If you did not come to the forest with a ready-made tent, you can use the forest to build a dependable shelter. The great thing with building a shelter is that you have several options depending on what type of forest you are in. Let’s go over some of the most common types of shelters you can build in the forest. You will also find that we have noted what type of forest works each shelter works best in.
A-Frame Shelter
The A-frame shelter gets its name from its shape once it’s built. It can be built with a tarp if you have one, or with sticks and leaves from the environment. There are several components of an A-frame that will determine its sturdiness. To build an A-frame, the steps are rather simple, but here are the basics:
Ridgepole: This is a support stick that runs along the top of your shelter.
Opening support sticks: You will also need two support sticks that indicate the opening of your shelter. The sticks will stand up to form the shape of the letter A.
Rib sticks: Rib sticks get their name from the fact that these support sticks act as the “ribs” of the shelter. You will need to lean the rib sticks against the ground and the ridgepole in order to create an enclosure. To further insulate the shelter, you can use shrubbery, leaves, and brush to fill in the gaps between the rib sticks. Be sure to insulate the top of the ridgepole to keep out any rain as well.
Best forest type to build in: Temperate, tropical, and boreal forests.
Lean-To Shelter
A lean-to is one of the easiest shelters you can build. For the most part, a lean-to is easy to build and is a quick fix if you need shelter but don’t have enough time to build one.
You can use the support of a large tree trunk or stone to build one, or you can build one from a fallen tree that already provides a sort of shelter. Both are easy to construct and will provide you with some protection from the elements.
Use nature: You can build your lean-to along a large tree trunk or a large stone that offers a sort of overhang. First, make sure that the overhang is sturdy so that it does not collapse on top of you. Next, begin to lean large sticks against the overhang at an angle. The large sticks will create a barrier between you and the outside. You only need to do this on one side because the exposed side will be how you enter and exit your lean-to.
Best forest type to build in: Temperate and tropical forests
Wickiup Shelter
Another one of the best shelter options to create out in the forest is a wickiup. A wickiup resembles a tee-pee in the fact that the bones of the shelter are shaped like a cone that attach at the top. Building one is rather easy but it does take a bit of work. Also, if it is correctly built, it can provide you with an adequate amount of protection from the elements for an extended period of time. Here are the basics of building a wickiup shelter:
Use strong support beams: The first step is finding three strong support beams that will help keep the wickiup standing. You want to arrange the support beams so that they are in a tripod fashion and are securely attached together at the top using a strong vine or chord. You also want to make sure that support sticks are securely dug into the ground too. This will keep the structure of your wickiup strong for a long period of time.
Build the walls: Once you have the strong support beams in place, your next step is to add additional sticks that will keep you protected from the elements. Arrange the sticks so that they lean against the top of the cone and cover the walls of the shelter. Attach these sticks to the top of the wickiup as you work and hold together with a vine or twine.
Insulate: Once all your beams are in place and the framework of your walls are secure, you are ready to begin insulating your wickiup. Dry brush and dry, brittle leaves work as excellent insulation. You may have to rotate the insulation (roughly every five days) so that the warmth gets kept in.
Best forest type to build in: Temperate and boreal forests
Build Your Shelter in a Cave
The best type of shelters to build are the ones that require the least amount of effort. That is why using natural structures can be a great way to go. One of the best types of natural shelters is a cave. The best part is, it is already built for you! Follow these simple steps to make sure it can work for you.
Make sure it is empty: You might not be the only one wanting to sleep in a cave at night. Many animals make caves their home too. Before you set up a shelter in a cave, you want to make sure it is empty first. The last thing any survivalist needs is stepping over another animal’s territory. Make sure your cave is empty by looking for any animal tracks that go in and out of it. If the cave is too deep, then you may want to avoid it because you don’t know what could be living deep inside.
Smoke it out: Once you have established the cave as a potential shelter, your next step is to smoke it out. By creating a contained fire inside the cave, the smoke will help to get rid of any creepy crawlers or venomous animals like snakes and spiders that could be living in it. Once you have your fire established, you want to make sure to keep it running day and night so that no animals can get too comfortable.
Our Pick: The Marmot Limestone Camping Tent
If you are going to go with a premade shelter, then our top pick is the Marmot Limestone Camping Tent. This tent is durable, dependable, comfortable, and it will keep you protected from the elements. You can expect to find the following features with this tent:
- It comfortably accommodates up to four people.
- Keep the elements out with the seam tape, full coverage, weatherproof rain fly protection.
- The poles are easy to use, and set up is simple and straightforward.
- The unique Catenary rain fly, and the overall body of the tent allows air to circulate freely so that you stay comfortable.
- There is an easy entryway, thanks to the D shaped door.
Find a Water Source
The next step in surviving in the wilderness is finding a proper water source. Water is critical to survival. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average human needs about three liters of water a day.
Not having an adequate supply of water can cause complications, including dehydration and, in extreme cases, organ failure. But if you are out in the wilderness, how do you go about finding a proper water source? Here are the essential tips that you need to know:
Look for Running Water
Moving bodies of water are the first thing that you will want to look for when you are trying to find a drinkable water source. The movement of your water source keeps bacteria from festering and growing. Moving water sources include streams and flowing rivers.
Scout out Clear Water
Obviously, you want to look for water that is clear and flowing. The clearer the water, the higher the chance that it is safe to drink. If the water is brown and murky, then this can be an indication that you will want to steer clear of it.
Look for Smaller Water Sources
Typically speaking, the smaller the water source, the better. Small flowing streams are ideally what you will want to look for first. Small streams are often cleaner than lakes and ponds. This is because lakes and ponds may likely be polluted due to the upstream.
Look for Animal Tracks
When you are searching for a proper water source, sometimes animal tracks can help you find the way. Animal tracks can lead you to moving streams of water because animals need to drink too. While animal tracks may lead you to a water source, you want to be sure that the water source is clean and not contaminated by animal feces or other residues.
Collect Rainwater
If you are in an environment where rainwater is abundant, then you will want to take advantage of it. Rainwater can provide you with purified water that is safe to drink. If you can collect rainwater and store it, then you will make your survival a lot easier.
Some forests will allow you to collect rainwater easier than other forests will. For example, the rain forest will be able to provide you with an abundance of rain water. In the rain forest, you can use leaves and bamboo poles to collect and store the rainwater.
Filter the Water Source
Once you have found your water source, you will want to filter it. Ideally, having a water filter with you can make a difference in helping eliminate harmful toxins and bacteria that may be in your water. If you do not have access to a water filter, then you can make your own out in the wilderness. Here’s how:
Make the Water Filter
Find a bottle: It is preferable that you use a two-liter bottle. Cut the bottom of the bottle open (this will serve as the top). The bottleneck, where the cap is will serve as the bottom of your water filter.
Collect the following items: Large rocks, pebbles, fine sand, charcoal, and fabric.
In order to get the charcoal, you can use the leftover residue from a fire.
Assemble your water filter: Place the fabric at the bottom of your bottle (the bottleneck, where the cap is). Then layer in the following, in this exact order, on top of your fabric: Charcoal, fine sand, pebbles, then the large rocks. Make sure every layer is compact and that there are no air pockets.
Pour in the water: Once you have your layers snug in the 2-liter bottle, you are ready to filter your water. Once you have collected water from your water source, pour the water through your filter so that the water runs through the large rocks first. As the water filters through your makeshift water purifier, any large sediments will get trapped. Once the water passes through the charcoal, any additional impurities will adhere to the charcoal.
Boil the Water
Another option when it comes to purifying and your drinking water is boiling it, then letting it cool before drinking it. When you boil water, the high temperatures can kill off any bacteria or microorganisms that can cause harm. If you do not have access to a water filter, boiling your water before drinking it is the most effective method to purify your water.
Our Pick: The LifeStraw Water Filter
If you plan on heading out into the wilderness but want to bring along your own water filtration system, then our top pick is easily the LifeStraw water filter. LifeStraw has been a game-changer in the world of filtration. This Compact and portable straw only weighs 20 oz and is as big as a large pen. You can pop it into your pocket and travel with ease.
Using your LifeStraw is straightforward and easy. You simply place one end of the straw into a water source, and you drink out from the other end. You don’t have to worry about harmful bacteria or microbes because the filtration system works overtime in helping to purify your water. Here are some additional features you can look forward to with the LifeStraw:
- The filter removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria.
- The filter removes 99.90% of waterborne protozoan parasites.
- 2 microns are filtered during each use.
- It is incredibly compact at 9 x 1 x 1 inches.
Make a Fire
Once you have your shelter and your water in place, your next essential element for survival is fire. Without fire, you risk losing your body heat and entering into a hypothermic state. In addition to having a fire being a lifeline for your body’s well-being, a fire will allow you to purify water, keep safe from animals that might want to harm you, and prepare safe food for you to drink.
If you are out in the wilderness, you can use the elements to create a makeshift fire. Let’s go over some of the best natural tools that will allow you to create fire.
The Hand Drill
The hand drill is one of the most popular methods of making fire in the wilderness. The hand drill consists of three components. There is the horizontal board that you lay down and work on, there is the vertical shaft, sometimes called the spindle, that you spin in order to create fiction, and then there is your own energy that requires you to rotate the spindle in a fast enough motion that a fire ignites.
You can create a hand drill from elements found in nature, but there are some downsides to this makeshift fire starter. The first is the fact that the hand drill is incredibly time-consuming. Even the most seasoned outdoor experts have difficulty starting a fire with a hand drill on their first try. This difficulty can lead to frustration, and frustration leads to carelessness, which results in blisters in your palms from not working as effectively as you can.
A Fire Plow
A fire plow is very similar to a hand drill in the sense that you will need just as much patience and energy to start a fire with it. In order to create a fire plow, you will need a soft piece of wood that will serve as your baseboard. Next, find some kindling like tree bark, wood shavings, or brush. You want your kindling to be super dry so that the fire can ignite.
Next, you will need to find a hard stick. You will want the stick to be harder than the soft baseboard because if it is not, not enough friction will be created. In very quick motions, you will rub the stick against the baseboard at about a 45-degree angle.
Rub in a linear motion so that a groove gets created in the baseboard. The more friction that is created, the higher the chance a spark will ignite in your kindling. Once a spark lights, voila, you have got fire.
A Bow Drill
A bow drill is very similar to a hand drill in the fact that you will need a baseboard, a spindle with a pointed tip, and your energy to create fiction. In addition to these components, you will need a rock and a sort of twine that will be attached to another hard curved stick that will come together to form a bow.
Start by winding your spindle around the bow so that your spindle is perpendicular to your bow. Then, gather some kindling and place it on your baseboard. Stand your spindle on your baseboard by holding a rock against the other end so that you are pushing down on it.
When you have a secure grip of the spindle, use your bow to rotate the spindle back and forth to create friction until you are able to ignite a spark. Be sure to carefully blow on the kindling until you can ignite your fire.
A Magnifying Lens
Using a magnifying glass is one of the coolest ways to start a fire. You will need some tinder, a magnifying glass, (or any lens with a convex surface), and lots of sun.
Start by focusing your magnifying glass on your tinder so that the sun shines directly through it. You will want to look for a small white dot. The dot is the concentration of the sun’s heat. Slowly move your magnifying glass up and down so that the dot gets smaller and bigger and smaller and bigger. Once you do this for several minutes, you should see smoke starting to appear on your tinder. Blowing on the smoke will encourage a fire to start.
Our Pick: Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter
If you don’t want to rough it out, your next best option is using a fire starter. The Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter is easy to use and dependable. It will get a fire going for you in no time. Here are some of the features you can look forward to:
- It is compact with a lanyard that keeps it safe and secure.
- A built-in whistle keeps you safe in the event of an emergency.
- The waterproof storage container keeps tinder dry.
- Instructions for land to air rescue and SOS included.
Final Thoughts on How to Survive in the Forest
Surviving in the wilderness is not an easy task. But with the right skills set, you can be adequately prepared to not only survive in the forest but thrive as well. What skill do you think is the most essential when it comes to survival outdoors? Let us know in the comment section below!