As I said in the WSS forum, survival isn't necessarily as much a skill or gear as it is a mindset, the will to survive. Skills knowledge and practice are moreso a necessity than gear. It would definately help to have someone in your area who is into survival and bushcraft as well, so they can show you the ropes and get feed off of each others' ideas. Get a good survival manual, such as the Air Force SERE guide. I also like reading books about people in crazy survival situations, it helps fuel my resolve-if other people could have survived those situations, I can too. 'Alive' is an excellent example.
Some important skills are:
Firecraft. Knowing good fuel sources, IE wood types, natural kindling etc, and being able to start a fire with a flame source such as a match or a lighter. Then, move on to using a fire steel, and then finally making your own bow or hand drill kit and get proficient at using it.
Woodcraft and whittling. Learn the characteristics of woody plants in your area and how you can use them for shelter building, tools, trap making, etc. Learn how to use simple tools such as a knife, machete, axe etc to manipulate wood proficiently and safely.
Linework. Learn your knots! there are a plethora of good knots guides out there and most are inexpensive. Learn them so well you can do them with your eyes closed, so that you won't have to even think about which knot to use or how to do it when you're in the bush. 10 minutes a night in front of youtube watching demonstrations with two small pieces of rope will go a LONG way. This also includes sewing. Sewing is a very basic exercise that is good for just about everything-repairing your clothes, pack, shelter, etc, and even stitching up a laceration. There are a few simple stitches you should learn that you'll find in most survival manuals.
Traps and Snares. Learn how to manipulate steel or copper wire, or even small line, to build effective snares for small animals in your environment. Learn how to build simple traps such as deadfalls/figure 4's/baiting holes etc.
Shelter building. Learn various simple shelter designs and how you can make them from naturally occuring materials in your area. Any good survival manual should have a very detailed and comprehensive guide to constructing different shelter types.
First aid and hygeine. Learn how far you can push your body, and what the limits of human endurance are. Learn the dangers of exposure to the elements in your area-IE, dehydration, sunburn, frostbite, hypothermia, etc, and how to treat them. Also learn what can help prevent them-clothes design, materials etc, shelter insulation, naturally occuring remedies,
Vegitation. Plants are good for alot of things, such as weaving natural fibers into useable cordage, nutrition, medicating, etc. Become proficient at identifying useable plant life in your area.
Skinning and food prep. Learn how to proficiently skin large and small game so as to preserve its useable parts- the hide, the meat, the bones, etc. Animal bone can make very useful tools if you know how to work it, anything from a bow drill to a fish hook.
Navigation. Knowing where you are, where you are going, how to use a map, GPS, compass and improvised forms of navigation such as the stick-and-line technique.
Mobility. Walking is the simplest and most basic motion we as humans can perform, yet it boggles my mind how people do not know how to simply walk. They tire easily, complain of blisters and hot spots and callouses, do not know how to maintain their feet, do not know correct foot placement on various types of terrain. Their idea of practicing survival is pitching a tent out of the back of their pickup truck. If a natural disaster occurs, gas, vehicle maintenance, navigating jammed roads, etc will be simply impossible. A car isn't going to get you anywhere. Even bicycles, four wheelers and snowmobiles break down and run out of gas. There is one form of transportation you have to be able to rely on, and that is your legs. Put miles on-find a good trail system near you and become proficient at crossing various types of terrain expeditiously. Learn what footwear works best for you. I often go barefoot or wear no more than a pair of softsoled mocs, while others prefer heavy waterproof boots. Find yourself a decent pack that fits you well, distributes weight evenly over your shoulders, back and hips, and is organized well. There are alot of great packs out there ranging from 30 bucks to 1000. Learn how to treat and prevent blisters, and how to apply moleskin.
Tracking. Tracking is considered a more advanced survival skill but it has MANY uses. The funny part is it requires simple knowledge and basic logic and reasoning skills. It boggles my mind how people can't put 1 and 1 together sometimes. Tracking both animals and humans can help you cover your tracks, avoid observation, avoid capture, and vice versa help you find and capture. It's a very handy skill when it comes to placing traps and snares, and hunting.
These are some techniques I'd learn. There are many others, based on your environment and physical ability there are endless amounts of skills that can be applied to survival. It takes time-everything does. It's definately a commitment to pack all this stuff into your brain and get it down to muscle memory. But it's one hell of a past time that I find very rewarding, and will one day I guarantee you will find a practical necessary use for these skills that may save not only your life, but the lives of other people as well.
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