6 Things to Know About Bushcraft and the Art of Survival
Made popular by shows such as Man vs Wild, In the wild or through the stories of Mike Horn, survivalism has been on the rise in recent years. Among the various "activities" related to the world of survival, we find the Bushcraft (or woodcraft) which has the principle of living in the middle of the forest while disturbing it as little as possible. For fans of Bivouac, these techniques are also very valuable. But, behind the fashion phenomenon, these practices require real know-how and real knowledge. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced adventurer, here is 6 things to know about Bushcraft.
Fire, fire, fire!!!
Warming up, eating, lighting, drying off… So many essential elements for the forest survival and that only fire can provide. Once night falls, the absence of fire can be catastrophic in certain situations. There are several techniques for obtaining the precious little flame (friction, percussion, etc.). Even if it is possible to start it without equipment, it is always wise to have a flint at your fingertips. This item is the number 1 essential tool to have with your survival equipment.
Warning: Remember to secure the fire within the camp! (place it correctly in relation to yourself and your camp).
Rule #2
Water, another essential!
When preparing your survival equipment It is essential to anticipate your drinking water management at all times on the bivouac. Everyone knows that you only live a few days without water and one of the golden rules of bushcraft it is: having drinking water.
There SOL brand specialized insurvival equipment offers a whole range of products that will allow you to access drinking water, whatever your constraints.
Of course, there are several ways to obtain drinking water, the simplest being to carry a water tank or a insulated bottle. But in some cases, you have to stock up on water and make do with what you find on site. For this scenario, there are a variety of survival accessories such as filter straws or the filter bottles. These tools help remove sediment and microorganisms from the rivers and streams you encounter along your way.
Rule #3
Take good shelter
There are many ways to shelter when you are in the wilderness. Whatever the technique used, you should never neglect the importance of your shelter. The most comfortable when you bivouac, it is of course the tent! It protects from water, mosquitoes, sun and many other things. If you opt for the tent option, we can only recommend the MSR bivouac tents which is a reference brand for bivouacs and outdoor activities. The Hubba Hubba Nx, Hubba nx solo, Elixir 4, Habit 6 are flagship models of the brand. Do not hesitate to consult our offers of bivouac tent rentals And customizable packs to learn more.
For minimalists, there are lighter alternatives. For those who do not want to be encumbered by a tent, there are Tarps which are ultra-resistant canvases that will protect you from bad weather and the sun. We recommend the Tarp Sea to Summit which is an excellent product.
Finally, for the more adventurous among you, the forest is full of resources to build a quality shelter (wood, foliage, moss, etc.). Be careful, however, to make sure you bring the right tools to exploit them (survival knife, multi-function shovel, multi-function hatchet, etc.)
Rule #4
Knowing how to orient yourself
It's obvious that when you're in the middle of vast natural spaces, you need to be able to orient yourself. For that, there's nothing more effective than a good compass. It will be your best friend when it comes to orienting yourself correctly. Among the wide choice of compasses available on the market, we fell in love with The Sol Map Compass which has the advantage of having a very useful little mirror.
In addition to this wonderful tool, nature offers many ways to find one's way in space. The stars, the moon, rivers, and relief are all elements that it is useful to learn to use to find one's way.
Rule #5
A good diet
THE bushcraft and survivalism are activities that require a lot of energy. It is therefore essential to eat properly. During his expedition to the North Pole Mike Horn consumed almost 12,000 calories per day. Of course, we are not all at this level of adventure, but nevertheless, we need calories!
Here again, there are several schools of thought. Purists will opt for fishing, hunting and gathering when others will take a little food with them. Whatever its origin, it must be able to be prepared. And for that, the stove and the cooking pot will be your best allies!
At O'rentees, our choice has once again fallen on the cooking pots of the brand MSR, they are ultra-compact and include everything you need to prepare meals in any circumstance.
Rule #6
Being able to take care of yourself
You can never be too careful and it is not uncommon to get hurt when speaking. bushcraft, hiking and bivouac. This is why having a first aid kit with all the first aid essentials is a must-have to add to your survival equipment.
There ARVA First Aid kit is a very good choice for going on an adventure.
In conclusion...
Whether it is for a simple hiking, A weekend bivouac or a survival course, we do not improvise. Nature, as wonderful as it is, is also the source of many dangers.
So educate yourself, learn weather conditions before leaving and equip yourself properly.
For some Bushcraft and bivouac equipment quality, do not hesitate to discover our offer of outdoor equipment rentalOur experts have selected a whole range of products from major brands for you.
We also invite you to consult other articles on our blog that may interest you:
And to go further, here is a video of the legend Mike Horn who introduces us 12 survival techniques easy and essential https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjgNi66o2KE
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