SURVIVAL 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