Post your ONE survival hint here....

To paraphrase advice from Mors Kochanski when in cold lacking snow...

Carry whatever YOU need to make yourself comfortable for eight hours of sleep AND to have and/or provide yourself enough water to drink. Do those two things and you got it made.
 
My suggestion is a little broad, but a great starting point is to decide what are the most important basic items, and to then learn to use them to their fullest extent. A good example set would be a good knife, compass, cordage set and a firesteel. Learn how to use these perfectly and to find as many uses for them as possible. Always have them with you. Then, learn how to make things happen without these. Learn how to knap a knife, or navigate without a compass, or make cordage.

Having the basics, and knowing that you know how to use them properly, can go a long way towards keeping you calm and keeping you busy if you actually end up in a bad situation. And obviously, they help you make it out of that situation!
 
for those who are fans of bleach, remember it has a short shelf life especially outside 50-70 degree temperature range
 
Remember your mind is your primary weapon and it needs to be filled with knowledge and conditioned to survive without luxury.
 
Cotton Kills.

One of the best lessons I learned through scouting is to never wear cotton products while camping. It has horrible qualities when it gets wet, because it's impossible to dry and no longer keeps you warm. Wearing synthetic materials like Underarmour will dry very quickly and also keep you warm.

Also, wear good socks that will keep you both comfortable, dry, and warm. Remember that without your feet, you ain't going nowhere.
 
I had a hard time thinking of one when this thread originated but now I got one.

Practice

Practice is making your learning part of your natural behavior.

I am not trying to one up the guys who posted learning. I agree with them and I think my point reinforces theirs. It is a two way process. you have to learn before you can practice. maybe to some practice and learning are essentially the same.

If you get into a situation you jst start doing what you do. So a survival situation is just what you do.

In fact, I was reading today that the kind of people who do act in emergencies are ones who have training. For most people don't act there is a diffusion of responsibility. They think either someone else will do it or they are afraid to publically admit there is an emergency.
 
One thing to keep in your PSK...CIGARETTES! Eating one to one and a half cigarettes every 48 hours will flush intenstinal parasites. Tobacco is an antiseptic with mild pain relieving properties. It can be used to pack toothaches and minor wounds. Not to mention you can smoke them.
 
Don't hike/backpack/hunt with people who are unprepared. The survival kit that you put together to take care of one person may not adequately handle several. Their unprepared condition can endanger you.

As observed above, it is worthwhile helping outdoor companions to become prepared. But if they fail to practice what you taught them, consider other companions.

DancesWithKnives
 
have someone expecting you to arrive

here the most problems happen enroute to somewhere or from somewhere it seems to me ...

usually you can survive without a lot of hassle for a few days

having someone to raise the alarm when you dont show up means you got better chance of having rescuers actually bother come looking .
 
Brian is the expert on this but, situational awareness will help you avoid or facilitate the way out of many potential survival situations. Learn/practice to really apply your senses to your surroundings. That makes the difference between hearing and listening, seen and observing, thinking and thinking it through.
 
Here's one I've used since military service. Relacing boots and shoes with black parachute cord. And lacing a Hotspark Boy Scout Firesteel and striker in the lacing.

Steve
 
Small basic first aid kit
bic lighter
Good fixed blade/multi-tool combo :D
water (army canteen w/metal cup)
Good hat ( I like Boonie style hats )
 
Along the same lines of the OP, a visine bottle filled with alcahol, for cleaning cuts and as a firestarter.
Also, redundancy is pretty important, like stjohn45 said above with the firesteel in the boot, I like that. Never keep all your eggs in one basket.
Learn how to use a compass.
 
Quiet Bear said:
To paraphrase advice from Mors Kochanski when in cold lacking snow...

Carry whatever YOU need to make yourself comfortable for eight hours of sleep AND to have and/or provide yourself enough water to drink. Do those two things and you got it made.
Click to expand...

Kochanski's tip really says it all. Don't forget to carry along any prescription medications you may be taking when you set out for the woods. You'll hike with more confidence and sleep more soundly if you know you won't have to do without your meds. This is a tip that has more relevance for the older hiker and for younger hikers who may have specific health issues. Whatever you do, don't let your age or health issues keep you away from the great outdoors. Nature is healing.
 
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