Table Of ContentSURVIVAL WISDOM & KNOWHOW
SURVIVAL WISDOM & KNOWHOW
Everything You Need to Know to Subsist in the
Wilderness
From the Editors of Stackpole Books
Compiled by Amy Rost
Copyright © 2007 Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book, either text or illustration, may be
used or reproduced in any form without the prior written permission from the
publisher.
Portions of the material contained in this work are originally published and
copyrighted by
Stackpole Books and used by permission of the publisher.
Published by
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
151 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
Distributed by
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Cover and interior design by Ohioboy Design
Cover illustration: clipart.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-57912-753-4
EISBN: 978-1-60376-273-1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available on file
The publisher disclaims any responsibility for any loss, injury or damages
caused as a result of any of the activities or the use of the survival techniques
described in this book. Readers are advised to read and follow usage instructions
included with camping and survival products that they buy. A First Aid course is
essential for a well-rounded knowledge and safe use of the outdoors and this
book is not intended as a substitute for techniques taught in a First Aid course.
Many of the activities discuss in this book are dangerous or even lifethreatening
Contents
* 1. Animals and Insects
The Basics of Tracking Animals
Common North American Mammals: Tracks, Behavior, and Ranges
Calls of the Wild: Sounds of Common Mammals
Mammals to Avoid
Bats
Birds
Frogs
Turtles
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Lizards
Dangerous Fish and Mollsks
Dangerous Insects and Arachnids
Sounds of Common Night Insects
* 2. Flowers, Trees, Other Plants, and Mushrooms
Getting Acquainted with Flowers
Identifying Wildflowers
Why Plants Have Scientific Names
The Study of Trees
Identifying Trees in Winter: A Brief Guide
Ferns: An Introduction
Plants as Food
A Selection of Edible Plants
Plants for Medicine
A Selection of Medicinal Plants
Poisonous Plants
Mushrooms
Edible Fungi
* 3. Food: Packing, Cooking, and Finding It
Ration Planning
Sample Shopping List
Packaging Food
Equipment and Stoves
Cooking on Fires
Winter Food, Nutrition, and Cooking
Favorite Outdoor Recipes from NOLS
Home-Dried One-Pot Meals
More Recipes from the Backpack Gourmet – No Dehydration
Required
Outdoor Kitchen Cleanup
Food Storage on the Trail
Animals as Potential Food Sources
Animal Food Sources: Arctic and Subarctic Regions
Animal Food Sources: The Seashore
Food at Sea
Cooking and Preserving Wild Meat
Cooking Fish
Improvised Cooking and Eating Utensils
* 4. Drinking Water
The Importance of Water
Finding Water in the Wild
Water Sources and Procurement
Is Wild Water Safe?
Treating Water: Comparing Methods
Drinking Water at Sea
Water Needs in High-Temperature Areas
Desert Water Sources
Water in the Jungle
Mountain Water Supply
Water Sources in Arctic and Subarctic Regions
Water in Cold Weather and Cold Regions
Winter Water Sources
Water Storage and Conservation
Finding Water and Making It Potable
* 5. Hunting and Fishing
Trapping and Snaring Animals for Food
Types of Traps and Snares
Hand-Crafting Hunting Tools
Hand-Crafting Handheld Weapons
Hunting Basics
Indian Hunting Secrets
Trailing Wounded Animals
Methods for Preparing Game
Improvised Fishing Devices
When to Fish
Where to Fish
How to Rig Live Bait
Fishing from a Life Raft
Landing Your Catch
Cleaning Fish: Step by Step
* 6. Fire
The Essentials of Fire
Firecraft
Cutting Firewood
“Leave No Trace” Campfires
The Campfire
Lamps, Stoves, and Torches
* 7. Shelter
Shelter Site Selection
Building Natural Shelters
Wickiups and Wigwams
Shelter Construction Tips
Other Shelter Types
Desert Shelters
Expedient Cold-Weather Shelters
Snow Walls and Snow Holes
Emergency Winter Shelters
Digloos and Quinzhees
Guidelines for Winter Shelters
Choosing a Campsite
Tents and Bivouac Bags
Other Shelter Gear
Winter Tent Camping
“Leave No Trace” Campsite Selection
Log Cabins and Sod Shelters
* 8. Travel on Land
Desert Climates
Desert Terrains, Environment, and Hazards
Desert Travel
Dressing for the Desert
Rain Forest Climate
Travel in Tropical and Jungle Areas
Mountain Terrain and Hazards
Mountain Walking Techniques
Climbing
Basic Bouldering Moves
Snow and Ice Climates
A Snow Primer
Snow and Terrain
Cold-Weather Gear
Dressing for Cold Weather
Basic Snow and Ice Travel
Movement Over Snow and Ice
Using an Ice Ax
Use of Ice Ax and Crampons
Ice-Climbing Ratings
Movement on Glaciers
Snowshoe Travel
Choosing CrossCountry Skis
Waxing and Caring for Skis
CrossCountry Ski Travel
Basic Principles of Cold-Weather Survival
Avalanches
Water Crossings
“Leave No Trace” BackCountry Travel
Knives, Packs, and Other BackCountry Travel Gear
* 9. Travel on the Water
Entering, Exiting, and Carrying Kayaks
Kayak River Launch
Sea Kayak Travel
Posture and Body Movement in Kayaks
Basic Kayak Strokes and Maneuvers
The Verring Problem
When the Kayak Capsizes
Rolls
Kayak Safety Equipment
Launching, Landing, and Trimming a Canoe
Basic Canoe Strokes
Tandem Canoe Maneuvering
Brace Strokes: Keep Your Canoe Upright
Portaging and Lining
Canoe Safety Equipment
Reading a River
The International Scale of Whitewater Difficulty
Eddy Turns, Peel-Outs, and Ferries for Kayaks
Ferries and Eddies for Canoes
Tackling Other River Hazards: Kayaks and Canoes
River Safety and Rescue
Life Jackets/PFDs
Clothing at Sea
Sea Gear
Tides
Sea Safety Markers
Man Overboard Procedures
Abandon Ship Procedures
Abandoning Ship in Cold Water
Sea Survival
Travel in a Life Raft
Finding Land and Coming Ashore
Rescue at Sea
* 10. Weather and Climate
Clouds
