Prepping tips from a SpecOps sergeant: How to build a shelter, start a fire and find water

As a prepper, you’ve most likely read a lot of tips and tricks online about surviving in the wild. However, many of these techniques take a lot of work. They’re not wrong, but in a survival scenario, you need to save all the energy and time that you can.

A former member of the U.S. Special Forces shares some of the things he’s learned on the job, specifically about securing three important things: shelter, fire, and water. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Building a shelter

When you’re out in the wild, a shelter is your top priority. If you don’t have a tent, use items from Mother Nature as your building tools. Here are some things that you can do:

• Make the most of your surroundings.

Choose areas that offer cover. You are more vulnerable in open areas, so it’s best to set up a shelter in a place that already has a lot of foliage and trees.

Keep a look out for anything that can be used as a wall. For example, a fallen tree is an excellent spot to set up a shelter because it already offers a degree of protection. If you find a cave, you can use a poncho or garbage bags as a sheet to cover the entrance.

• The base log needs to be four feet longer.

There are many different types of shelters, but all of them generally follow the same structure. The base log refers to the longest stick at the top, where the rest of the sticks lean on. By rule of thumb, the base log must be four feet longer than you. This ensures that you are completely covered and protected. The longer the log, the more space you will have inside your shelter.

• Use moss and smaller branches for cover.

After setting up the main frame of your shelter, gather lots of moss and small branches to create a make-shift roof. Moss is sticky enough that it won’t fall from your frame easily. Moreover, it makes your shelter blend in with its surroundings, a natural camouflage.

Starting a fire

The next order of business is to set up a fire. You need fire to keep warm at night, cook food, and boil water for drinking. There are convenient methods, such as using a lighter or matches. If you don’t have these, start a fire by quickly spinning a small stick to create enough friction. However, if you find yourself without those, here’s a neat trick you can do in five minutes. All you need is your pee and a bag.

1. Pee in a Ziploc bag.
2. Look for a tree-line with constant direct sunlight.
3. Tighten the Ziploc bag so it condenses into a little liquid pouch.
4. Hold the bag up between the sunlight and the bark.
5. The liquid pouch acts as a magnifying glass to create embers.
6. Add a layer of grass and leaves as firewood.
7. Keep holding the pouch until smoke appears.
8. Breathe gently into the pile until a spark appears.

Finding water

There are numerous ways to gather water in the wild. You can bring or make your own filter. Other ways include making an evaporation trap or a solar still. However, all of these take some time and specific materials to set up. Here’s an effortless way to make water gather itself:

1. Always pack fresh, clean rags in your backpack.
2. Place the rags on top of the moss and leaves of your shelter.
3. Wait until the morning. The rags would have absorbed the dew that condensed on the moss and leaves.
4. Wring the rags dry; the water should be ready to drink.

Take these tips along with you the next time you go camping. Find out more tricks for surviving in the wild at Survival.news.

 Sources include: 

Survivopedia.com

Prepper.com