Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Step 5How to use?
The ability to start a fire is the number one survival skill you can have, without which you will likely be in serious trouble during an emergency survival or disaster situation.
But there is a problem; those butane lighters and supposedly “waterproof” matches you use in civilization may very well fail you in an emergency when you need them most.
There is a solution to this problem, one that I stake my life on for always being able to start a fire any time I need. This incredible product has never failed me, even under the most adverse outdoor conditions.
The best fire starter ever invented is the Survival Topics firesteel.
Common Fire Starters and How they Fail
Before we explore why Firesteels are the most reliable way to start fires, let’s cover several of the more common means people use:
As a survival expert I have constantly been seeking the perfect fire starter that:
The Best Survival Fire Starter Ever Invented
After years of searching I have found the best fire starter ever invented. Firesteels. I carry FireSteel.com firesteels wherever I go and they have never failed me even under the most adverse conditions.
FireSteel.com firesteels are:
I sell FireSteel.com firesteel because these firesteels always work, no if ands or buts. Survival Topics firesteels are of the highest quality - I stake my life on it!
My first and foremost goal is to help you survive come what may so I want every one of you to carry a firesteel with you at all times. Then you will be prepared to start as many survival fires you need whenever you need them.
FireSteel.com firesteels are offered to my readers for the best prices hands down. Group buys and volume discounts are available.
The best wilderness survivalists utilize all resources at their disposal. This includes the variety of human castoffs you are likely to find just about anywhere in the world.
In populated areas there are plenty of man-made materials you can repurpose in your quest for survival. But even in the most remote corners of the earth you are likely to encounter human trash that you can use.
This morning while exploring a stream that has been dammed by beavers I came upon a mass of flotsam and jetsam that had been washed downstream during times of high water and caught among the alders and shrubs. Included in the debris were a number of man-made items useful for wilderness survival, a couple of which immediately caught my eye and are the main subject of this Survival Topic.
One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
An unfortunate fact of life in the modern age is the virtual plasticification of the world. There is no place on earth immune from plastic trash disposed of improperly. It has been found that parts of the ocean contain thousands of pieces of plastic for every square mile and I suspect the same holds true for land.
Our streams and lakes, roadsides, even deep forest and desert contain an absurd amount of plastic trash that speaks poorly of mankind’s treatment of the very earth we all need in order to survive. Plastic
cut plastic bottles
Cut Off Ends
Cut the bottom from one bottle several inches from its base.
Cut the top off the second bottle several inches below the cap.
like this does not readily decompose and causes enormous environmental damage the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this Survival Topic.
But for the knowledgeable wilderness survivor plastic trash has a wide variety of uses that could very well save your life.
As you can see in the picture, I found two empty two-liter soda bottles that had floated downstream and become entangled among the alders of the stream. If I were trying to survive in the wilderness these plastic bottles would be worth far more than their weight in gold!
But what to do with them?
Best Use in Wilderness Survival Situations
If you have been reading Survival Topics you know that water is one of the most important wilderness survival needs. You can live without food for several weeks or more, but try to survive without water for even just one day and you may be in very great danger. Knowing this, the wisest use of these 2-liter bottles may be to simply store drinking water.
Should my encampment be a distance from a potable water supply or I am traveling through areas where regular water resupply is not guaranteed, then the ability to store and carry an extra four liters (one gallon) of water could trump any other use for these plastic bottles.
punch holes
Punch Holes
Insert the bottle top that you cut off into the main body of the other plastic bottle.
Using an awl I am punching holes at about 1-inch intervals through both pieces of plastic.
In fact, especially in more southern latitudes, plastic PET bottles can be used in the SODIS method for destroying pathogens, making the water safe to drink. This has some advantages over boiling water to make it safe to drink as you would not need to expend energy and time in harvesting firewood for this purpose.
However, in this case I plan on staying put for awhile. Here there is plenty of fresh water to be had from the stream and beaver swamps like this are excellent areas from which to obtain a wide variety of nutritious natural survival foods.
Because my fire, shelter, and water needs are taken care of I can concentrate my efforts on obtaining nutrition in the form of local plants and wildlife; these plastic bottles can be of great help in accomplishing this goal of finding food in the wilderness.
Fish Traps Save Time and Energy
If you read the Survival Topic on Passive Wilderness Survival Food Acquisition then you understand the value of setting traps. The beauty of traps over actively hunting and fishing is that once your traps are in place they will hunt and fish for you twenty-four hours a day seven days a week; even while you sleep. This savings in time and energy has definite wilderness survival advantages and may lead to fewer days of going hungry than can easily happen when relying completely on hunting and fishing to fill the cooking pot.
Making proper traps can be a somewhat time and energy consuming process. For example, to make one type of fish trap using only natural materials requires the gathering of sticks or reeds, the making of cordage, and skill and time to repurpose these into a useable fish trap.
remove strand from paracord
Remove a Strand from 550 Paracord
To remove a strand from 550 paracord, simply tie one strand to the branch of a tree and pull on the sheath.
With these plastic bottles most of the work in making a fish trap has already been done for you. From a wilderness survival standpoint utilizing this resource in this way makes good sense.
How to Make a Fish Trap from Plastic Bottles
Although I am using both plastic bottles to make the fish trap you can make a workable trap using just one. Two bottles allows the addition of a handy means of removing the trapped fish as you will soon see.
First, cut the top from one of the bottles several inches below the cap. Here I am using the scissors on a Leatherman Wave multi-tool as a cutter; use whatever tool you have at hand including your survival knife, a sharp rock, or what have you. Likewise, cut off the bottom of the other plastic bottle a few inches from the base.
Next, invert the section you cut off that has the cap into the other plastic bottle. Using an awl punch holes at about one-inch intervals through both pieces of plastic along the outer edge as shown. Lacking an awl you make use of a hardened sharp stick or piece of metal heated in a fire to melt a hole through both pieces of plastic.
Now you will need a means of securely joining the two parts together. Here I have chosen to use a strand from the 550 paracord I always keep in my survival kit. In lieu of that you may be able to use natural fibers, fish line, boot laces, or parts from your clothing.
punch holes
Completed Minnow Trap
Fish will swim in through the green funnel and will not be able to find their way back out.
To remove your fish simply unscrew the red cap.
550 paracord consists of 7 strong strands contained within an outer sheath. 550 paracord is so versatile that I highly recommend you carry at least a 50-foot hank wherever you go.
To easily remove a single strand from a length of paracord, simply tie the strand to the branch of a tree and pull, as shown in the picture.
Loop the paracord strand through the holes you made in the plastic so that both parts of the bottles are securely tied in place. Leave enough length of 550 paracord strand so that you can tie your trap to a bush or rock along the stream edge to prevent it from being washed downstream.
With a little work you will have a compact minnow trap made of plastic that is efficient for catching fish up to several inches in length. Simply place the fish trap in areas you see plenty of small fish swimming about. Try to position the trap in narrow sections of water that force the fish to swim into the trap as they travel. You can help the fish find the hole by the strategic placement of rocks, sand, and other debris.
Here you can see a couple of sad looking fish that were caught in this trap after being in the water for only a few hours. If you extrapolate for a full day it is evident that this fish trap is working quite well even in this small stream. Several such traps could supply you with enough protein to maintain health and vigor for an extended period of time.
To remove the fish, simply unscrew the cap at the base of the fish trap, the fish will fall out, replace the cap and the trap is ready to be set once again.
You can also use these small fish as bait in the hopes of catching larger fish, scavengers such as raccoon, or simply add them to the cooking pot as is. My feeling is a fish in hand is worth two in the stream, so that until my basic survival food needs are met I am usually better off consuming these small fish before attempting to acquire larger game.
Be a Wise Steward of the Earth You Need to Survive
The best wilderness survivors understand that all things are interelated and necessary for our own survival; wise men take only what they need and leave the rest.
Be sure to check your traps at least once every 24-hours and remove them when no longer needed so that living creatures are not needlessly harmed. If you are only practicing your survival skills, release any trapped fish back into the stream so that they can fulfill their purpose in the world.
So there you have it, a simple fish trap anyone can make from plastic bottles. Practice your survival skills and try making a few of these for yourself. It's easy, fun, and may even save your life.
minnow trap
Minnow Trap in Action
Set your minnow trap in an advantageous spot.
In this narrow backwater off from the main stream channel the small minnows congregate while searching for food and avoiding the larger fish that patrol in the deeper areas.
Note the school of minnows in the upper right corner of the picture.
trapped minnows
Trapped Minnows
A sad looking fish peers from inside the minnow trap.
Although small, a number of such fish make an excellent high protein meal or used as bait.
Placed in the right areas of a body of water, several minnow traps can go a long way toward providing you will all the food needed to survive in the wilderness.
Imagine suddenly finding yourself stranded in the wilderness. Perhaps your plane has crashed or you have become lost. Darkness is falling and you are on your own. Self extraction is out of the question.
Your next course of action could mean the difference between a miserable life threatening experience and reasonably comfortable survival.
In this Survival Topic we assume you are not grievously injured; that you can still function well enough to take care of yourself but need a survival guide outlining the essential steps you must take to survive in the wilderness.
Do the Most Important Survival Tasks First
Flailing around in the wilderness without a well thought out plan isn’t going to increase your chances for survival - but it could reduce them. Proper actions taken in proper sequence will enhance your ability to survive.
The first question you should ask yourself in this situation is “what are the most important survival tasks to be accomplished”?
Many survival guides provide some information about wilderness survival skills but dwell on excessive material devoted to finding food in survival situations. Often there is little consideration given to the important component of timing.
This one-dimensional approach to wilderness survival instruction gives many survival students the mistaken impression that finding food is the most important wilderness survival task. In reality, food acquisition is at the bottom of the list for things that need doing in most wilderness survival emergencies.
The proper order of tasks will take into account that which is most important to your immediate survival. You need a list of things to do; as each task is completed to satisfaction move on to the next in line of importance. In this way you will secure your survival in the environment you find yourself.
The remainder of this Survival Topic will provide step by step a list of the main survival skills you should apply in order to increase your chances of surviving in the wilderness.
First Survival Things First
Should you find yourself in a wilderness survival situation you have your work cut out for you. The first twenty-four hours are the most critical. Within this time frame you must satisfy your basic survival needs; only then is your survival usually assured.
Upon the often startling realization your survival is at stake, and assuming your current state of health is not life threatening, the first thing you need to do is do nothing.
That’s right, do “nothing”.
In spite of the often overwhelming urge to take immediate action in the early stages of a survival situation, usually the best thing you can do is take it easy. Have a seat and relax for a few moments. Lay down if that makes you more comfortable. If there is food and water available, have something to eat and drink. Make especially sure you are fully hydrated.
Take it easy. Quell any fears that may be welling up from within to pollute your mind. Remain calm and collected because you will only have yourself and your survival skills to rely upon until rescue arrives.
Take stock of your situation. You’ve been reading Survival Topics so you’ve got a good survival kit, you know what to do, and you and how to do it. Everything will be fine and soon enough you will be home telling all your friends about this great wilderness adventure.
Inventory Survival Supplies
Once you have complete charge of your thoughts, quickly inventory your situation. Consider the environment you find yourself in and the materials such as clothing, water, survival kit, and other survival gear you have available.
Every situation is different, but try to look about you with the eye of a MacGyver. Take stock of other items you can repurpose for survival. Depending upon the situation you may have parts available from your vehicle or aircraft such as mirrors (signaling), foam insulation from seat covers, wires (cordage), gasoline (fire), batteries (starting a fire) and other man-made materials.
Observe the natural resources you can utilize to help you survive. Sources of fuel for fire, water, and survival shelter are especially important. Try to locate yourself in an area where these survival resources are close at hand so that you expend a minimum amount of time and energy in gathering them.
Build a Survival Fire
Now that you have your head on straight, I suggest you build a fire. Fire has many uses beyond warmth, light, and signaling. Just the act of making a good campfire has a calming, morale boosting effect that will psychologically save you from yourself. This is very important; in any wilderness survival situation your mind is both your best asset and your worst stumbling block.
Once you make and maintain a good survival fire, you are assured of ample warmth, light, and an increased ability to signal for help. The boost to your morale that a camp fire causes will immediately be felt. With a good fire going, you can safely tackle the next important survival tasks.
However in many survival situations successfully making a fire can be problematic even if you have proper fire starting materials. Fuel is often wet or of poor quality. It may be raining or snowing and there may be high winds. Only through the experience of making many fires in a variety of situations will you master this most essential survival skill.
When you need it most, as in this situation, you will be glad you have honed your fire making skills by repeated practice. Survival Topics recommends your survival kit contains at least three methods of lighting a fire. For example waterproof matches, firesteels and butane lighters, so that if one method fails you still have two backups. Fire is so important to wilderness survival this redundancy in fire making gear could very well save your life.
I also recommend your survival kit contains a fire starting aid. Petroleum jelly firestarters or wax firesticks will be of great help in making a survival fire if the wood is green or damp.
A survival fire is relatively small; gathering fuel is time consuming and energy intensive. You do not want to unecessarily burn though material faster than you can gather it. Keep your smalll fire going while you move on to the next tasks.
Make a Survival Shelter
The next wilderness survival priority is shelter from the elements. Without a proper survival shelter you may be exposed to a variety of threats including heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and pesky insects.
Do not make the mistake of relying upon current conditions to persist throughout your entire survival situation. It may be warm, sunny, and comfortable now, but in the middle of the night you do not want to be awakened by a raging storm totally unprepared.
If possible you have advantageously selected an area for your fire where shelter is already fully or partially integrated, and where there are plenty of building materials nearby. For example a rock overhang may make an excellent shelter and by making a fire a few yards away you may have a very comfortable setup.
If you have your survival kit, you can use your tarp to construct a protected area or even as the basis for a debris hut or snow trench shelter. The type of shelter you construct will depend upon climate, available materials, and your abilities. Once again, the wilderness survival skills you practiced before an actual survival emergency will serve you well.
Obtain Water
Many people do not fully understand the importance of adequate water intake. You can survive for weeks or even months with little or no food, but go without water for even just one day and your ability to carry out the tasks necessary for wilderness survival is greatly compromised. For more information, see the Survival Topics on How Long Can You Survive Without Water?
When you become dehydrated your efficiency is reduced in many ways. You will tire more easily. You will become susceptible to injury and the effects of cold or heat. Morale will drop and a host of other problems ensue.
Try to locate your shelter and fire near a good source of water. This will save you having to travel far to replenish your water supply. Areas near streams, lakes, and ponds are also likely places search and rescue is likely to look for you. In thick forests these areas are often more open than the surrounding countryside, which improves your ability to signal and to be seen.
Always consider water as suspect in quality. Survival Topics has a number of articles on how to make water safe to drink. Although many people now carry water filters, I teach that boiling water is by far the best method to destroy disease causing organisms in drinking water.
Survival Topics has dispelled the boiling-water-till-you-drop myth. Do not boil your water for ten minutes or longer as many misinformed sources erroneously expound. The myth of boiling water for inordinate lengths of time is stubbornly cherished and recirculated for years.
Boiling your water for any length of time merely wastes fuel and evaporates water. Simply bring your water to a boil; this is more than enough to destroy any pathogens that might do you harm. For more information see the highly acclaimed Survival Topic on How Long Do You Need to Boil Water?.
Signaling
With your immediate physical needs taken care of you can turn your attention to signaling for rescue.
There are many ways to signal for help. Your Survival Topics survival kit should contain several items that will come in handy for this purpose.
A signal mirror can be used to flash aircraft and ground personnel from surprisingly great distances. Often a survival signal mirror can be fashioned from a piece of shiny metal or plastic. Some compasses have a mirror as part of the compass casing.
Every survival kit should contain a shrill survival whistle. The blast of a whistle can be heard further than the shout of a human voice. And importantly, you can blow a whistle at regular intervals all day but you cannot do the same with shouting; in very little time your voice will become strained and you will be unable to maintain the effort.
A smoky fire makes an excellent survival signaling device that can be seen and often smelled for miles in all directions. Keep a ready pile of green vegetation next to your campfire and throw it on should you hear the drone of an aircraft.
Extended Wilderness Survival
Now that you have fire, shelter, and plenty of drinkable water you know you can survive in the wilderness for many days if necessary. You have your signaling methods in place and you are safely awaiting rescue.
You can survive for many weeks just as you are but keep in mind that 95% of all wilderness survival emergencies are resolved within just 72-hours. The fact is you’ve got it made. You are now actually on a sort of adventure vacation.
Continue to keep your spirits up by taking action. While awaiting rescue keep yourself busy by improving your campsite. It will help your morale and increase your level of comfort. Improve your shelter and bedding, gather water and firewood, and keep vigilant for the opportunity to signal would-be rescuers.
Survival Food
You will become hungry going without food for more than several hours, but as long as you are properly sheltered, warm, and have enough to drink you will come out of this fine.
There are number of ways to obtain wild survival foods in nearly any wilderness situation. The Survival Topic Survival Foraging on the Move is an excellent example of the abundance of natural foods you can harvest in many wilderness areas. If you can drop your preconceived food prejudices you are often well on your way to having plenty to eat.
As with all the basic survival skills, the ability to find wild foods during a survival situation depends upon previous study and practice. Learn how to identify, harvest, and use the most important edible plants in the area you are traveling in. Think about the various methods you can use to harvest local wildlife. Be sure to cook anything that may contain parasites or disease causing organisms.
Your survival kit should contain the means to fish, trap and snare, cook, and create various tools and hunting gear. A good survival knife, 550 paracord, fishhooks and line will go far in helping you procure wild edible foods.
The skills and experience you have accumulated through practice will serve you well when it comes to finding survival food. Even without a survival kit you can usually figure out ways to utilize the materials you have available to aid in this effort.
It is important to note that plants and insects are often the easiest and most abundant foods to acquire. Fish are also often relatively easy to catch. But depending upon animals for food may be unreliable; hunting and trapping is not always an assured way of obtaining food on a day to day basis even by those with experience. The pursuit of animals can also be time and energy consuming and may even cause you to become separated from your campsite.
Recap of Wilderness Survival Steps
95% of wilderness survival situations are resolved within 72-hours either by outside rescue or self-extraction. What you do during the first 24-hours will largely determine your chances of survival. After the first day work on improving your situation:
o Build a fire
o Make a shelter
o Obtain water
o Set up signaling
o Find food
Wilderness survival above all is using your best asset to full advantage: your mind. Stay calm and take positive action step by step one survival priority at a time and you will survive to see another day.
550 Paracord is a parachute cord used by the military that is strong, lightweight, and invaluable in any survival kit. One of the survivors 15-essentials, 550 paracord is so versatile it can be put to an incredible variety of uses.
From seting up a tarp to paracord braiding, no survival kit is complete without a long hank of paracord. This strong cordage is the survival experts friend.
Military grade 550 paracord is a Kernmantle rope known as Mil-C-5040 Type 3. It is made of nylon so that is dries quickly and is mildew resistant. It is 1/8 inch in diameter and is rated for 550 lbs.
Real Parachute Cord
550 paracord
550 Paracord
Don’t be fooled by cheap parachute cord knockoffs. Real parachute cordage has a tensile strength of 550 pounds. As a Kerrnmantle rope type, its interior core (the kern) protected with a woven exterior sheath or mantle that optimizes strength, durability, and flexibility.
Many sources claim the number of strands in 550 paracord is 7, however closer inspection will reveal there are actually 14. The strands are twisted in groups of two to form the 7 strands commonly cited. A braided nylon outer sheath contains and protects the cordage inside.
As I mentioned, 550 paracord is rated to hold 550 pounds. Taken individually, the components of this parachute cord consist of
Because individual strands of 550 paracord can be easily removed and combined into your own configurations, this small rope can be put to a wide variety of survival uses. As a general purpose utility cord 550 can be used for:
Ridgelines for Tarps
Securing Equipment
Shoelaces
Hanging Food from Bears
Vehicle Tie Downs
Sewing Fabric
Repairing Equipment
Making a Fire Bow
Fishing Line
Paracord String for a Bow
Making a Shelter
Fish Gill Nets
Fishing Line
Animal Snares
Clothes Lines
Paracord Lanyards
Anchor Line
Binding
Twine
Animal Restraints
Tooth Floss
Splints
Tourniquet
Paracord Braiding
Other Paracord Crafts
Paracord Colors and Lengths
550 Paracord comes in variety of colors and lengths. Typical lengths of real 550 para cord available are 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1200 feet. Available paracord colors are white, black, olive drab, and red.
A hank of 100 feet will typically cost about ten dollars though you are likely to find good deals on the internet, especially if you purchase in paracord spools. A 1200 foot spool of paracord can often be purchased for under $50.
Paracord Braiding
There is also a 4-strand 450 paracord that comes in 32 colors. Of less direct use to the survivalist, 450 paracord has a following for those who enjoy paracord braiding.
Paracord braiding is a craft where paracord is braided into decorative items of often functional value to outdoors enthusiasts. Paracord bracelets and lanyards made of paracord are common examples of paracord braiding.
As useful 450 paracord is, I recommend survivalists carry the original military spec 550 paracord as it is stronger and more versatile. Although 550 paracord does not have the same color selection as its 450 counterpart, that will not seem to matter so much as you unravel the braids for use in an actual survival situation.
How Much 550 Paracord Should You Have?
Actually, the more paracord the better. In a long term survival situation 550 paracord is an excellent barter item. I recommend having at least several hundred feet on hand at home as it will come in handy for a variety of purposes.
When traveling on foot, weight and bulk are of prime consideration. I suggest having 50 foot hank of 550 parcord in your survival kit. This is generally enough cordage to rig a survival shelter with enough remaining for other useful purposes.
Caring for Your 550 Parachute Cord
In order to prevent paracord from fraying, you can melt each end of the cord by holding it up against a small flame for a few seconds. Before each use be sure to inspect your parachute cordage for nicks, frays and other potential weak spots.
Always have a full length of 550 paracord in your survival kit. As you cut pieces from it, be sure to replace the used portion with a full 50-foot length. In a survival situation you do not want to be caught having to splice sections of rope together in order to obtain a longer piece.
Simple observation and awareness of surroundings is a large part of wilderness survival. Mix in the natural human urge to tinker and play and you have a powerful combination for discovery. Today was “making a bow and arrow” day.
There is always some kind of adventure to be had in all wilderness travel, even if by wilderness we mean just a few hundred yards from “civilization”. All that is needed is to get out there and mix things up a bit. Walk, wander, and observe. It is amazing what you can find and do.
Fun Wilderness Survival Training
I have always maintained that many if not most of the major discoveries people have made over the millennia have been in a large part due to simple observation and play. The combination of these two great activities leads to the discovery and creation of stuff that has changed the course of human history.
Improvised Bow and Arrow
Improvised Bow and Arrow
A case in point is the bow and arrow. My guess is the discovery of how to make a bow and arrow was made through play.
Bow Staves
Bow Staves
This maple stump shattered as the tree fell during a storm, creating a number of long flat slabs of wood
Making a bow and arrow does not always have to be in the realm of those who practice hard core primitive tool making. Although the primitive tool making experts have the knowledge and experience necessary to make far better bows and arrows than the neophyte, with a little effort anyone can make a toy bow and arrow that is serviceable as a prototype and perhaps good enough for target practice or hunting small game.
Once you know how to make a toy bow and arrow you can move on to making more serious models that require expertise in the selection and processing of woods.
My Discovery of the Bow and Arrow
Last night a foot of fresh snow fell in the northern mountains where I live. And that makes for some excellent snowshoeing in the forest where few other people go, especially this time of year.
Somewhere along today’s hike I came upon the shattered trunk of an eight inch maple tree that had fallen over by the wind. As you can see in the picture the trunk broke so that long flat shards of wood were produced. Bending these shards of wood stored energy within them, so that when let go they would bounce back to their original shape. I immediately thought “bow and arrow”; a ready-made bow stave.
With my tomahawk I cut out three foot length from the most promising piece. Its width tapered from about ½ inch on each end to a maximum width of about 2-1/2 inches and its thickness was an even 1/3 inches.
I then simply cut notches at either end of the wood strip to hold a 550 paracord bow string.
Tying the paracord to one end of the bow stave, I then placed this end on the ground and bent the wood in the opposite direction to its natural curve by using my body weight for leverage. I could feel the force of the wood pushing upward against me as I tied the other end of the 550 paracord to complete the bowstring.
Springy Bow Stave
Springy Bow Stave
The naturally formed bow stave is springy and seems perfect for making an improvised survival bow and arrow
For arrows I cut off another sliver of wood from the shattered trunk, as well as some straight saplings that approximated the dimensions of what I thought an arrow should be. These arrows needed fletching made of feathers or some other material in order to fly straight but that could be done at a later time once I perfected my toy bow and arrow.
Homemade Bow and Arrow
Making the improvised bow and arrow was a learning experience that took all of three or four minutes to complete.
I have plans to make the bow more powerful by adding a second layer of wood to the bow stave, tying the two peices together with more 550 paracord. I could fletch the arrows with feathers or bits of thin material such as plastic or even aluminum foil. Fletching the arrows would improve the accuracy of arrow flight
But there is a problem; those butane lighters and supposedly “waterproof” matches you use in civilization may very well fail you in an emergency when you need them most.
There is a solution to this problem, one that I stake my life on for always being able to start a fire any time I need. This incredible product has never failed me, even under the most adverse outdoor conditions.
The best fire starter ever invented is the Survival Topics firesteel.
Common Fire Starters and How they Fail
Before we explore why Firesteels are the most reliable way to start fires, let’s cover several of the more common means people use:
- Matches – few people realize that matches have a shelf life, which is often listed as only several years. Old matches, especially if exposed to dampness, may not light when you need them to. Even “waterproof” matches will often not hold up under extended wet conditions. This means that you cannot safely store thousands of matches with the idea you will be able to use them to start fires in a future emergency. Should your matches become damp or a long term disaster emergency occur your matches will be unreliable.
- Lighters – butane lighters are problematic for use in starting fires; they run of fuel (which also has a shelf life) that may not be available during a survival emergency, wear out flints or even break. It has been my experience that anything with working parts is subject to failure and is never totally reliable. These problems limit their use of lighters to only a short term solution for starting fires.
- FireSteel otherwise known as Flint and Steel – closer being the perfect fire starter is flint and steel. You can dunk this firesteel in water, pull it out and still produce sparks. You can make untold thousands of fires with just a single piece of flint and steel. What’s more, this firesteel has no shelf life – twenty years from now it will still have the ability to start a fire.
As a survival expert I have constantly been seeking the perfect fire starter that:
- Will function reliably in all conditions no matter how wet, windy, or cold.
- Has a minimum of working parts that can fail.
- Requires no fuel that can run out or become unavailable.
- Can start thousands of fires
- While being compact enough to fit into a small survival kit.
- And be stored for many years and still start fires whenever needed
The Best Survival Fire Starter Ever Invented
After years of searching I have found the best fire starter ever invented. Firesteels. I carry FireSteel.com firesteels wherever I go and they have never failed me even under the most adverse conditions.
FireSteel.com firesteels are:
- Simple to use even with no experience.
- No working parts that can break down.
- Will store for decades and still function perfectly
- Made of special material that will still light a fire even after being dunked in water.
- Never fails to spark at 3000 degrees C (5,000 degrees F)!
- Capable of lighting thousands of fires yet small enough to fit in a mini survival kit.
I sell FireSteel.com firesteel because these firesteels always work, no if ands or buts. Survival Topics firesteels are of the highest quality - I stake my life on it!
My first and foremost goal is to help you survive come what may so I want every one of you to carry a firesteel with you at all times. Then you will be prepared to start as many survival fires you need whenever you need them.
FireSteel.com firesteels are offered to my readers for the best prices hands down. Group buys and volume discounts are available.
The best wilderness survivalists utilize all resources at their disposal. This includes the variety of human castoffs you are likely to find just about anywhere in the world.
In populated areas there are plenty of man-made materials you can repurpose in your quest for survival. But even in the most remote corners of the earth you are likely to encounter human trash that you can use.
This morning while exploring a stream that has been dammed by beavers I came upon a mass of flotsam and jetsam that had been washed downstream during times of high water and caught among the alders and shrubs. Included in the debris were a number of man-made items useful for wilderness survival, a couple of which immediately caught my eye and are the main subject of this Survival Topic.
One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
An unfortunate fact of life in the modern age is the virtual plasticification of the world. There is no place on earth immune from plastic trash disposed of improperly. It has been found that parts of the ocean contain thousands of pieces of plastic for every square mile and I suspect the same holds true for land.
Our streams and lakes, roadsides, even deep forest and desert contain an absurd amount of plastic trash that speaks poorly of mankind’s treatment of the very earth we all need in order to survive. Plastic
cut plastic bottles
Cut Off Ends
Cut the bottom from one bottle several inches from its base.
Cut the top off the second bottle several inches below the cap.
like this does not readily decompose and causes enormous environmental damage the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this Survival Topic.
But for the knowledgeable wilderness survivor plastic trash has a wide variety of uses that could very well save your life.
As you can see in the picture, I found two empty two-liter soda bottles that had floated downstream and become entangled among the alders of the stream. If I were trying to survive in the wilderness these plastic bottles would be worth far more than their weight in gold!
But what to do with them?
Best Use in Wilderness Survival Situations
If you have been reading Survival Topics you know that water is one of the most important wilderness survival needs. You can live without food for several weeks or more, but try to survive without water for even just one day and you may be in very great danger. Knowing this, the wisest use of these 2-liter bottles may be to simply store drinking water.
Should my encampment be a distance from a potable water supply or I am traveling through areas where regular water resupply is not guaranteed, then the ability to store and carry an extra four liters (one gallon) of water could trump any other use for these plastic bottles.
punch holes
Punch Holes
Insert the bottle top that you cut off into the main body of the other plastic bottle.
Using an awl I am punching holes at about 1-inch intervals through both pieces of plastic.
In fact, especially in more southern latitudes, plastic PET bottles can be used in the SODIS method for destroying pathogens, making the water safe to drink. This has some advantages over boiling water to make it safe to drink as you would not need to expend energy and time in harvesting firewood for this purpose.
However, in this case I plan on staying put for awhile. Here there is plenty of fresh water to be had from the stream and beaver swamps like this are excellent areas from which to obtain a wide variety of nutritious natural survival foods.
Because my fire, shelter, and water needs are taken care of I can concentrate my efforts on obtaining nutrition in the form of local plants and wildlife; these plastic bottles can be of great help in accomplishing this goal of finding food in the wilderness.
Fish Traps Save Time and Energy
If you read the Survival Topic on Passive Wilderness Survival Food Acquisition then you understand the value of setting traps. The beauty of traps over actively hunting and fishing is that once your traps are in place they will hunt and fish for you twenty-four hours a day seven days a week; even while you sleep. This savings in time and energy has definite wilderness survival advantages and may lead to fewer days of going hungry than can easily happen when relying completely on hunting and fishing to fill the cooking pot.
Making proper traps can be a somewhat time and energy consuming process. For example, to make one type of fish trap using only natural materials requires the gathering of sticks or reeds, the making of cordage, and skill and time to repurpose these into a useable fish trap.
remove strand from paracord
Remove a Strand from 550 Paracord
To remove a strand from 550 paracord, simply tie one strand to the branch of a tree and pull on the sheath.
With these plastic bottles most of the work in making a fish trap has already been done for you. From a wilderness survival standpoint utilizing this resource in this way makes good sense.
How to Make a Fish Trap from Plastic Bottles
Although I am using both plastic bottles to make the fish trap you can make a workable trap using just one. Two bottles allows the addition of a handy means of removing the trapped fish as you will soon see.
First, cut the top from one of the bottles several inches below the cap. Here I am using the scissors on a Leatherman Wave multi-tool as a cutter; use whatever tool you have at hand including your survival knife, a sharp rock, or what have you. Likewise, cut off the bottom of the other plastic bottle a few inches from the base.
Next, invert the section you cut off that has the cap into the other plastic bottle. Using an awl punch holes at about one-inch intervals through both pieces of plastic along the outer edge as shown. Lacking an awl you make use of a hardened sharp stick or piece of metal heated in a fire to melt a hole through both pieces of plastic.
Now you will need a means of securely joining the two parts together. Here I have chosen to use a strand from the 550 paracord I always keep in my survival kit. In lieu of that you may be able to use natural fibers, fish line, boot laces, or parts from your clothing.
punch holes
Completed Minnow Trap
Fish will swim in through the green funnel and will not be able to find their way back out.
To remove your fish simply unscrew the red cap.
550 paracord consists of 7 strong strands contained within an outer sheath. 550 paracord is so versatile that I highly recommend you carry at least a 50-foot hank wherever you go.
To easily remove a single strand from a length of paracord, simply tie the strand to the branch of a tree and pull, as shown in the picture.
Loop the paracord strand through the holes you made in the plastic so that both parts of the bottles are securely tied in place. Leave enough length of 550 paracord strand so that you can tie your trap to a bush or rock along the stream edge to prevent it from being washed downstream.
With a little work you will have a compact minnow trap made of plastic that is efficient for catching fish up to several inches in length. Simply place the fish trap in areas you see plenty of small fish swimming about. Try to position the trap in narrow sections of water that force the fish to swim into the trap as they travel. You can help the fish find the hole by the strategic placement of rocks, sand, and other debris.
Here you can see a couple of sad looking fish that were caught in this trap after being in the water for only a few hours. If you extrapolate for a full day it is evident that this fish trap is working quite well even in this small stream. Several such traps could supply you with enough protein to maintain health and vigor for an extended period of time.
To remove the fish, simply unscrew the cap at the base of the fish trap, the fish will fall out, replace the cap and the trap is ready to be set once again.
You can also use these small fish as bait in the hopes of catching larger fish, scavengers such as raccoon, or simply add them to the cooking pot as is. My feeling is a fish in hand is worth two in the stream, so that until my basic survival food needs are met I am usually better off consuming these small fish before attempting to acquire larger game.
Be a Wise Steward of the Earth You Need to Survive
The best wilderness survivors understand that all things are interelated and necessary for our own survival; wise men take only what they need and leave the rest.
Be sure to check your traps at least once every 24-hours and remove them when no longer needed so that living creatures are not needlessly harmed. If you are only practicing your survival skills, release any trapped fish back into the stream so that they can fulfill their purpose in the world.
So there you have it, a simple fish trap anyone can make from plastic bottles. Practice your survival skills and try making a few of these for yourself. It's easy, fun, and may even save your life.
minnow trap
Minnow Trap in Action
Set your minnow trap in an advantageous spot.
In this narrow backwater off from the main stream channel the small minnows congregate while searching for food and avoiding the larger fish that patrol in the deeper areas.
Note the school of minnows in the upper right corner of the picture.
trapped minnows
Trapped Minnows
A sad looking fish peers from inside the minnow trap.
Although small, a number of such fish make an excellent high protein meal or used as bait.
Placed in the right areas of a body of water, several minnow traps can go a long way toward providing you will all the food needed to survive in the wilderness.
Imagine suddenly finding yourself stranded in the wilderness. Perhaps your plane has crashed or you have become lost. Darkness is falling and you are on your own. Self extraction is out of the question.
Your next course of action could mean the difference between a miserable life threatening experience and reasonably comfortable survival.
In this Survival Topic we assume you are not grievously injured; that you can still function well enough to take care of yourself but need a survival guide outlining the essential steps you must take to survive in the wilderness.
Do the Most Important Survival Tasks First
Flailing around in the wilderness without a well thought out plan isn’t going to increase your chances for survival - but it could reduce them. Proper actions taken in proper sequence will enhance your ability to survive.
The first question you should ask yourself in this situation is “what are the most important survival tasks to be accomplished”?
Many survival guides provide some information about wilderness survival skills but dwell on excessive material devoted to finding food in survival situations. Often there is little consideration given to the important component of timing.
This one-dimensional approach to wilderness survival instruction gives many survival students the mistaken impression that finding food is the most important wilderness survival task. In reality, food acquisition is at the bottom of the list for things that need doing in most wilderness survival emergencies.
The proper order of tasks will take into account that which is most important to your immediate survival. You need a list of things to do; as each task is completed to satisfaction move on to the next in line of importance. In this way you will secure your survival in the environment you find yourself.
The remainder of this Survival Topic will provide step by step a list of the main survival skills you should apply in order to increase your chances of surviving in the wilderness.
First Survival Things First
Should you find yourself in a wilderness survival situation you have your work cut out for you. The first twenty-four hours are the most critical. Within this time frame you must satisfy your basic survival needs; only then is your survival usually assured.
Upon the often startling realization your survival is at stake, and assuming your current state of health is not life threatening, the first thing you need to do is do nothing.
That’s right, do “nothing”.
In spite of the often overwhelming urge to take immediate action in the early stages of a survival situation, usually the best thing you can do is take it easy. Have a seat and relax for a few moments. Lay down if that makes you more comfortable. If there is food and water available, have something to eat and drink. Make especially sure you are fully hydrated.
Take it easy. Quell any fears that may be welling up from within to pollute your mind. Remain calm and collected because you will only have yourself and your survival skills to rely upon until rescue arrives.
Take stock of your situation. You’ve been reading Survival Topics so you’ve got a good survival kit, you know what to do, and you and how to do it. Everything will be fine and soon enough you will be home telling all your friends about this great wilderness adventure.
Inventory Survival Supplies
Once you have complete charge of your thoughts, quickly inventory your situation. Consider the environment you find yourself in and the materials such as clothing, water, survival kit, and other survival gear you have available.
Every situation is different, but try to look about you with the eye of a MacGyver. Take stock of other items you can repurpose for survival. Depending upon the situation you may have parts available from your vehicle or aircraft such as mirrors (signaling), foam insulation from seat covers, wires (cordage), gasoline (fire), batteries (starting a fire) and other man-made materials.
Observe the natural resources you can utilize to help you survive. Sources of fuel for fire, water, and survival shelter are especially important. Try to locate yourself in an area where these survival resources are close at hand so that you expend a minimum amount of time and energy in gathering them.
Build a Survival Fire
Now that you have your head on straight, I suggest you build a fire. Fire has many uses beyond warmth, light, and signaling. Just the act of making a good campfire has a calming, morale boosting effect that will psychologically save you from yourself. This is very important; in any wilderness survival situation your mind is both your best asset and your worst stumbling block.
Once you make and maintain a good survival fire, you are assured of ample warmth, light, and an increased ability to signal for help. The boost to your morale that a camp fire causes will immediately be felt. With a good fire going, you can safely tackle the next important survival tasks.
However in many survival situations successfully making a fire can be problematic even if you have proper fire starting materials. Fuel is often wet or of poor quality. It may be raining or snowing and there may be high winds. Only through the experience of making many fires in a variety of situations will you master this most essential survival skill.
When you need it most, as in this situation, you will be glad you have honed your fire making skills by repeated practice. Survival Topics recommends your survival kit contains at least three methods of lighting a fire. For example waterproof matches, firesteels and butane lighters, so that if one method fails you still have two backups. Fire is so important to wilderness survival this redundancy in fire making gear could very well save your life.
I also recommend your survival kit contains a fire starting aid. Petroleum jelly firestarters or wax firesticks will be of great help in making a survival fire if the wood is green or damp.
A survival fire is relatively small; gathering fuel is time consuming and energy intensive. You do not want to unecessarily burn though material faster than you can gather it. Keep your smalll fire going while you move on to the next tasks.
Make a Survival Shelter
The next wilderness survival priority is shelter from the elements. Without a proper survival shelter you may be exposed to a variety of threats including heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and pesky insects.
Do not make the mistake of relying upon current conditions to persist throughout your entire survival situation. It may be warm, sunny, and comfortable now, but in the middle of the night you do not want to be awakened by a raging storm totally unprepared.
If possible you have advantageously selected an area for your fire where shelter is already fully or partially integrated, and where there are plenty of building materials nearby. For example a rock overhang may make an excellent shelter and by making a fire a few yards away you may have a very comfortable setup.
If you have your survival kit, you can use your tarp to construct a protected area or even as the basis for a debris hut or snow trench shelter. The type of shelter you construct will depend upon climate, available materials, and your abilities. Once again, the wilderness survival skills you practiced before an actual survival emergency will serve you well.
Obtain Water
Many people do not fully understand the importance of adequate water intake. You can survive for weeks or even months with little or no food, but go without water for even just one day and your ability to carry out the tasks necessary for wilderness survival is greatly compromised. For more information, see the Survival Topics on How Long Can You Survive Without Water?
When you become dehydrated your efficiency is reduced in many ways. You will tire more easily. You will become susceptible to injury and the effects of cold or heat. Morale will drop and a host of other problems ensue.
Try to locate your shelter and fire near a good source of water. This will save you having to travel far to replenish your water supply. Areas near streams, lakes, and ponds are also likely places search and rescue is likely to look for you. In thick forests these areas are often more open than the surrounding countryside, which improves your ability to signal and to be seen.
Always consider water as suspect in quality. Survival Topics has a number of articles on how to make water safe to drink. Although many people now carry water filters, I teach that boiling water is by far the best method to destroy disease causing organisms in drinking water.
Survival Topics has dispelled the boiling-water-till-you-drop myth. Do not boil your water for ten minutes or longer as many misinformed sources erroneously expound. The myth of boiling water for inordinate lengths of time is stubbornly cherished and recirculated for years.
Boiling your water for any length of time merely wastes fuel and evaporates water. Simply bring your water to a boil; this is more than enough to destroy any pathogens that might do you harm. For more information see the highly acclaimed Survival Topic on How Long Do You Need to Boil Water?.
Signaling
With your immediate physical needs taken care of you can turn your attention to signaling for rescue.
There are many ways to signal for help. Your Survival Topics survival kit should contain several items that will come in handy for this purpose.
A signal mirror can be used to flash aircraft and ground personnel from surprisingly great distances. Often a survival signal mirror can be fashioned from a piece of shiny metal or plastic. Some compasses have a mirror as part of the compass casing.
Every survival kit should contain a shrill survival whistle. The blast of a whistle can be heard further than the shout of a human voice. And importantly, you can blow a whistle at regular intervals all day but you cannot do the same with shouting; in very little time your voice will become strained and you will be unable to maintain the effort.
A smoky fire makes an excellent survival signaling device that can be seen and often smelled for miles in all directions. Keep a ready pile of green vegetation next to your campfire and throw it on should you hear the drone of an aircraft.
Extended Wilderness Survival
Now that you have fire, shelter, and plenty of drinkable water you know you can survive in the wilderness for many days if necessary. You have your signaling methods in place and you are safely awaiting rescue.
You can survive for many weeks just as you are but keep in mind that 95% of all wilderness survival emergencies are resolved within just 72-hours. The fact is you’ve got it made. You are now actually on a sort of adventure vacation.
Continue to keep your spirits up by taking action. While awaiting rescue keep yourself busy by improving your campsite. It will help your morale and increase your level of comfort. Improve your shelter and bedding, gather water and firewood, and keep vigilant for the opportunity to signal would-be rescuers.
Survival Food
You will become hungry going without food for more than several hours, but as long as you are properly sheltered, warm, and have enough to drink you will come out of this fine.
There are number of ways to obtain wild survival foods in nearly any wilderness situation. The Survival Topic Survival Foraging on the Move is an excellent example of the abundance of natural foods you can harvest in many wilderness areas. If you can drop your preconceived food prejudices you are often well on your way to having plenty to eat.
As with all the basic survival skills, the ability to find wild foods during a survival situation depends upon previous study and practice. Learn how to identify, harvest, and use the most important edible plants in the area you are traveling in. Think about the various methods you can use to harvest local wildlife. Be sure to cook anything that may contain parasites or disease causing organisms.
Your survival kit should contain the means to fish, trap and snare, cook, and create various tools and hunting gear. A good survival knife, 550 paracord, fishhooks and line will go far in helping you procure wild edible foods.
The skills and experience you have accumulated through practice will serve you well when it comes to finding survival food. Even without a survival kit you can usually figure out ways to utilize the materials you have available to aid in this effort.
It is important to note that plants and insects are often the easiest and most abundant foods to acquire. Fish are also often relatively easy to catch. But depending upon animals for food may be unreliable; hunting and trapping is not always an assured way of obtaining food on a day to day basis even by those with experience. The pursuit of animals can also be time and energy consuming and may even cause you to become separated from your campsite.
Recap of Wilderness Survival Steps
95% of wilderness survival situations are resolved within 72-hours either by outside rescue or self-extraction. What you do during the first 24-hours will largely determine your chances of survival. After the first day work on improving your situation:
- First 24-hours
o Build a fire
o Make a shelter
o Obtain water
o Set up signaling
- Thereafter
o Find food
Wilderness survival above all is using your best asset to full advantage: your mind. Stay calm and take positive action step by step one survival priority at a time and you will survive to see another day.
550 Paracord is a parachute cord used by the military that is strong, lightweight, and invaluable in any survival kit. One of the survivors 15-essentials, 550 paracord is so versatile it can be put to an incredible variety of uses.
From seting up a tarp to paracord braiding, no survival kit is complete without a long hank of paracord. This strong cordage is the survival experts friend.
Military grade 550 paracord is a Kernmantle rope known as Mil-C-5040 Type 3. It is made of nylon so that is dries quickly and is mildew resistant. It is 1/8 inch in diameter and is rated for 550 lbs.
Real Parachute Cord
550 paracord
550 Paracord
Don’t be fooled by cheap parachute cord knockoffs. Real parachute cordage has a tensile strength of 550 pounds. As a Kerrnmantle rope type, its interior core (the kern) protected with a woven exterior sheath or mantle that optimizes strength, durability, and flexibility.
Many sources claim the number of strands in 550 paracord is 7, however closer inspection will reveal there are actually 14. The strands are twisted in groups of two to form the 7 strands commonly cited. A braided nylon outer sheath contains and protects the cordage inside.
As I mentioned, 550 paracord is rated to hold 550 pounds. Taken individually, the components of this parachute cord consist of
- The paracord sheath is rated at about 300-pounds
- 14 inner strings, each of which have a rating of about 17.5 pounds
- 7 strands made up on two strings each for a rating of 35 pounds.
Because individual strands of 550 paracord can be easily removed and combined into your own configurations, this small rope can be put to a wide variety of survival uses. As a general purpose utility cord 550 can be used for:
Ridgelines for Tarps
Securing Equipment
Shoelaces
Hanging Food from Bears
Vehicle Tie Downs
Sewing Fabric
Repairing Equipment
Making a Fire Bow
Fishing Line
Paracord String for a Bow
Making a Shelter
Fish Gill Nets
Fishing Line
Animal Snares
Clothes Lines
Paracord Lanyards
Anchor Line
Binding
Twine
Animal Restraints
Tooth Floss
Splints
Tourniquet
Paracord Braiding
Other Paracord Crafts
Paracord Colors and Lengths
550 Paracord comes in variety of colors and lengths. Typical lengths of real 550 para cord available are 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1200 feet. Available paracord colors are white, black, olive drab, and red.
A hank of 100 feet will typically cost about ten dollars though you are likely to find good deals on the internet, especially if you purchase in paracord spools. A 1200 foot spool of paracord can often be purchased for under $50.
Paracord Braiding
There is also a 4-strand 450 paracord that comes in 32 colors. Of less direct use to the survivalist, 450 paracord has a following for those who enjoy paracord braiding.
Paracord braiding is a craft where paracord is braided into decorative items of often functional value to outdoors enthusiasts. Paracord bracelets and lanyards made of paracord are common examples of paracord braiding.
As useful 450 paracord is, I recommend survivalists carry the original military spec 550 paracord as it is stronger and more versatile. Although 550 paracord does not have the same color selection as its 450 counterpart, that will not seem to matter so much as you unravel the braids for use in an actual survival situation.
How Much 550 Paracord Should You Have?
Actually, the more paracord the better. In a long term survival situation 550 paracord is an excellent barter item. I recommend having at least several hundred feet on hand at home as it will come in handy for a variety of purposes.
When traveling on foot, weight and bulk are of prime consideration. I suggest having 50 foot hank of 550 parcord in your survival kit. This is generally enough cordage to rig a survival shelter with enough remaining for other useful purposes.
Caring for Your 550 Parachute Cord
In order to prevent paracord from fraying, you can melt each end of the cord by holding it up against a small flame for a few seconds. Before each use be sure to inspect your parachute cordage for nicks, frays and other potential weak spots.
Always have a full length of 550 paracord in your survival kit. As you cut pieces from it, be sure to replace the used portion with a full 50-foot length. In a survival situation you do not want to be caught having to splice sections of rope together in order to obtain a longer piece.
Simple observation and awareness of surroundings is a large part of wilderness survival. Mix in the natural human urge to tinker and play and you have a powerful combination for discovery. Today was “making a bow and arrow” day.
There is always some kind of adventure to be had in all wilderness travel, even if by wilderness we mean just a few hundred yards from “civilization”. All that is needed is to get out there and mix things up a bit. Walk, wander, and observe. It is amazing what you can find and do.
Fun Wilderness Survival Training
I have always maintained that many if not most of the major discoveries people have made over the millennia have been in a large part due to simple observation and play. The combination of these two great activities leads to the discovery and creation of stuff that has changed the course of human history.
Improvised Bow and Arrow
Improvised Bow and Arrow
A case in point is the bow and arrow. My guess is the discovery of how to make a bow and arrow was made through play.
Bow Staves
Bow Staves
This maple stump shattered as the tree fell during a storm, creating a number of long flat slabs of wood
Making a bow and arrow does not always have to be in the realm of those who practice hard core primitive tool making. Although the primitive tool making experts have the knowledge and experience necessary to make far better bows and arrows than the neophyte, with a little effort anyone can make a toy bow and arrow that is serviceable as a prototype and perhaps good enough for target practice or hunting small game.
Once you know how to make a toy bow and arrow you can move on to making more serious models that require expertise in the selection and processing of woods.
My Discovery of the Bow and Arrow
Last night a foot of fresh snow fell in the northern mountains where I live. And that makes for some excellent snowshoeing in the forest where few other people go, especially this time of year.
Somewhere along today’s hike I came upon the shattered trunk of an eight inch maple tree that had fallen over by the wind. As you can see in the picture the trunk broke so that long flat shards of wood were produced. Bending these shards of wood stored energy within them, so that when let go they would bounce back to their original shape. I immediately thought “bow and arrow”; a ready-made bow stave.
With my tomahawk I cut out three foot length from the most promising piece. Its width tapered from about ½ inch on each end to a maximum width of about 2-1/2 inches and its thickness was an even 1/3 inches.
I then simply cut notches at either end of the wood strip to hold a 550 paracord bow string.
Tying the paracord to one end of the bow stave, I then placed this end on the ground and bent the wood in the opposite direction to its natural curve by using my body weight for leverage. I could feel the force of the wood pushing upward against me as I tied the other end of the 550 paracord to complete the bowstring.
Springy Bow Stave
Springy Bow Stave
The naturally formed bow stave is springy and seems perfect for making an improvised survival bow and arrow
For arrows I cut off another sliver of wood from the shattered trunk, as well as some straight saplings that approximated the dimensions of what I thought an arrow should be. These arrows needed fletching made of feathers or some other material in order to fly straight but that could be done at a later time once I perfected my toy bow and arrow.
Homemade Bow and Arrow
Making the improvised bow and arrow was a learning experience that took all of three or four minutes to complete.
I have plans to make the bow more powerful by adding a second layer of wood to the bow stave, tying the two peices together with more 550 paracord. I could fletch the arrows with feathers or bits of thin material such as plastic or even aluminum foil. Fletching the arrows would improve the accuracy of arrow flight
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
in my survival kit i have:
+small but extremely sharp knife for skinning and/or small medical use.
+My Big knife - sog seal pup. never breaks, does everything.
-about 15 meters of paracord wrapped around the handle and 15 more on the sheath.
+firesteel with tampon taped to the cord.
+my ex mil poncho for walking and sleeping.
and thats the basics. carry it around when of climbing/hiking. so light i never bother to leave it at home.