The 5 Priorities of Short-Term Survival

While we all wonder how we would fare if we had to survive for months in the wild like Brian does in the book Hatchet, the reality is that most survival situations only last a day or two. You get lost or injured in the woods and have to spend a night out that you hadn't planned on. And as my guest, Dave Canterbury says, as long as you know some basic skills and pack the right gear, you can turn a potentially life-and-death situation into what's just a night of inconvenient camping.

Dave is the author of numerous books on wilderness survival, including his latest: The Bushcraft Essentials Field Guide. Today on the show, Dave unpacks the five priorities of short-term survival and what you need to pack, know, and do to deal with the risks of venturing into the wild. We discuss the biggest concern when it comes to first aid, the three elements of a proper shelter, Dave's favorite method for starting a fire, the safest bet for water purification, what to look for in a perfect survival knife, the five knife skills you should master, the essential knots every outdoorsman should know, and more.

Resources Related to the EpisodeHow to Use a Tourniquet to Control Major Bleeding6 Trees Every Survivalist Should KnowHow to Harvest and Use Nature’s AspirinHow to Keep Your Course in the WildernessSeries on land navigation6 Unconventional Outdoor SheltersHow to Build the Ultimate Survival ShelterHow to Build a Campfire That Will Last Through the NightThe Ultimate Firestarter: How to Make Char ClothHow to Choose the Perfect Survival Knife5 Critical Knife Skills for the OutdoorsmanHow to Fell a Tree With a Knife7 Basic Knots Every Man Should KnowConnect With Dave CanterburyDave on IG