Survival skills are not inherent; they take time, practice, and patience to master. While many survivalists television programs will have you believe that possessing such skills requires immediate urgency, you have time to hone your abilities.
Additionally, you do not need to practice in life-threatening situations. Do not, for example, go out to the middle of nowhere on a cold evening to practice fire starting. Without adequate experience with the skill, you will most likely end up in trouble.
It is best to practice survival skills in a controlled environment with no real threat. Most people find their backyard is the best place to practice. There are at least five skills you can practice in your backyard.
1. BUILDING A SHELTER
One of the most essential survival skills is building a shelter from minimal materials. Before heading out to your yard, consider the materials you might bring on a trip, such as a tarp, poncho, Mylar blanket, etc. Using twine or rope, you can string a line between two trees and, tossing the blanket or other material over it, create a simple pup tent — don’t forget to stake down the edges. Once you get comfortable with basic structures, you can look to more advanced options like using saplings to construct teepee structures.
2. FORAGING FOR FOOD
Depending on your lawn care practices, you can locate edibles in your yard throughout the year. Most of what you find in your yard will also exist in the woods and wilderness around you. While the types of edible weeds and plants will vary by location, some of the most popular edibles include:
- Dandelion
- Miners lettuce
- Stinging nettles
- Cattails
- Daylilies
- Burdock
- Primrose
- Lamb’s-quarters or wild spinach
Before trying your luck foraging your yard, check out references for edible weeds and plants. Some species can be deceiving, meaning they might appear palatable but are poisonous.
3. HUNTING SKILLS
While you do not want to use some weapons in your backyard, you can practice with primitive weaponry like spears, slingshot, and a bow. However, before you begin, ensure the yard is clear of any people or pets. Additionally, ensure you have a backstop sufficient for the tool you are using.
It is possible to make weapons from sticks and other natural elements, but the most effective tools are professionally made. While there might be situations where your only recourse is to make a weapon, it is best to practice with well-made and balanced devices.
4. STARTING A FIRE
Aside from finding a water source and preparing a shelter, fire starting is the most critical skill to learn. Thankfully, you can practice in your yard without any threat to your life.
The key to practicing fire starting at home is to practice in a variety of weather conditions: rain, wind, snow, sleet, etc. You also want to test your skills with starting a fire without matches or a lighter. You should have a Ferro rod or a magnesium stick and basic supplies. Practice various methods and figure out which works best for you.
5. COOKING OUTDOORS
Outdoor cooking is not the same as cooking in a microwave. When using an open flame, you need to learn how to tell when food is actually cooked, and you need to learn different cooking skills, including:
- Using flat heated rocks for frying
- Making cooking grates using saplings
- Crafting a rotisserie from your surroundings