Send Us Your Survival Topic

Your information is very informative. The only thing i wish to add is the time to learn survival skills is before you need them.

I LOVE your site and have subscribed. I look forward to new topics and as any one that's serious about survival techniques should do, I look forward to trying/testing the techniques in the field.

Now for my concerns, you mention the becker line of survival knives/tools. Becker no longer makes these items so they are no longer on the market.

Next, regarding the survival food bannock, how does one keep butter & milk from going bad while out in the woods? These are necessary ingredients for the bannock.

Survival Topics:  Thank you August.  People like you who visit the site make the work all worthwhile.

Although Berker does not make knives now, there are still many on the market.  I highly recommend Becker knives as being some of the best survival knives ever made.

Powdered milk can be used as an ingredient for making bannock and will last for months if stored in a cool, dry container.  Butter will last at least a few days without refridgeration.  I have also had success using alternatives like olive oil.

All the wilderness survival information is very helpful and the firesteels are awesome, and cheap! I wish you had a place to add question's, so I'll take chances here. is Polyester the same as fleece?

I would like to see you do a discussion of the survival knife vs the survival saw. It it worth it to take both or will a "chopper" knife do it. How about throwing axes/hatchets into the mix. Then a specific piece of gear that I'm interested in as far as utility is concerned are the hand held chain saws.

I'm not exactly sure how to survive in the wilderness with a baby. Any tips?

Just a note on navigation. Most of the time when people get lost or need to improvise navigation (e.g., lost map and compass in accident), they are in surroundings they know something about or darn well should! Preparedness in advance for getting lost will make solving the "where am I problem" a lot easier. Even where I live, in northern Canada where there is no-one for 10's or 100's of miles, there are roads and trails in various types of condition. For example, if you know that there is a north-south road west of you somewhere, you will eventually find your way out if you head toward it. There are often logging and mining operations, either ongoing or defunct, there are traplines, there are hunting and fishing camps. Is vital to know where these are and how much use is being made of them, Committing some simple factual information about your location before you head out and your "safety direction" is a simple bit of homework done in advance will go along way to getting out in good condition.

Tom of NW Florida asked about hand held chain saws. I use one all the time. They cut fast, and can cut large limbs or small trees. They are lightweight and come wound up in a small metal can. Wouldn't go into the wild without one and use it plenty at home. And Shellie of Utah asked how to surive in the wilderness with a baby. Babies have the same needs as adults. The difference is that babies need to have diapers, and require a lot of formula. A little dark Karo Syrup added to the formula would give the babe a little extra nutrient. Also baby cereals are lightweight to carry. She should think of getting some cotton fabric diapers and nursing is a way to feed an infant that is not yet on solid food. If she pack some cotton diapers it would be easy to wash and reuse them if water is available. Indians used a kind of diaper that they stuffed with cotton off cattails into, disposing of stuffing as necessary. If she doesn't nurse she should consider carrying lightweight powdered milk. If the baby is on solid food everything should be fine as long as you take the tips from this site on finding food for survival along with all of the other info that is offered here. Shellie keep studying and learning, praactice makes perfect. Good luck.

I forgot to pack extra batteries for the torch and sods law, the torch paked up.  I remembered I had some small snap lights, the ones you put on the end of your fishing rod at night. I took the bulb out of the torch and poked the lights through in its place. It made a great alternative light source. I Always carry ten with me now and they take up no extra space.

Survival Topics - very cleaver.  The best survivors are experts at innovation and repurposing the materials at hand.

I was wondering about how to keep clean in the wilderness. Like bathing and germ killing techniques when out in the the wilderness. If you could write something about that, it would be great. Thanks!

I was reading Brians comment about bathing and sanitation in the wilderness and I am also concerned about this issue. You'd probably be the first to write on the topic. I did a little searching around and couldn't find anything on the topic. I guess what I would like to know is what conditions, techniques, and natural materials are best for sanitation and bathing. Thanks a lot and awesome site.

Hi. I am not sure if this is the correct place for this comment. I am planning on buying about 10 or so of the larger firesteels. But I had couple of questions:

1) How sturdy are the BUNKER and the Armageddon? Like if it was dropped from 5 ft to a concrete floor, will I end up with useless pices or are they strong enough to survive the drop?

2) What is the weight of the BUNKER in ounces?

Thanks! And your's is the best survival site out there. Hands down.

Survival Topics - These firesteels are quite sturdy.  Like any piece of metal should they fall a distance onto a hard floor they may chip - but will still spark well.  Even if they break in half they will function as firestarters.

The large 1/2 inch by 4 inch Bunker firesteel wieghs about 2.8 ounces.

I must say I really like all the shelter building info on your site. Here in Alabama I am mostly deep in the swamps. There is no way to get out fast and safe. Snakes the occasional gator and other pitfalls make it slow go. In my case I Carry a small tent with no poles on every trip along with the necessary items to make it a few days if i get stuck. Out of all my trips I only needed my tent and supplies one time but I am sure glad I had them. I know you can not do this for everything but if you are going places where there is a chance of getting stuck. I think it is better to be a little over prepared to start with (Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it). I did find out that i need to pack extra batteries for my light on that stay so I have upgraded my pack.

I have a question concerning Calcium Hypochlorite. When adding 1 teaspoon of Cal hypo to 2 gallons of water, does the 2 gallons of water have to be "clean"?

SurvivalTopics - it would be OK to use water that is potentially contaminated with disease causing organisms for the initial mixture, since this batch would be super chlorinated.

I would like to buy one of your sweedish fire steels. I need to know if you will accept money orders, and what address to mail it to. Thank you. -Jason

Survival Topics - yes, I accept money orders.  You can send yours to:

Ron Fontaine
SurvivalTopics.com
52 Pine Street
Littleton, NH 03561

and I will send out your firesteel within one to two business days.

I'm thinking about building a root cellar /survival storm pit and would like some help or ideas.  When things go bad im going to stay were im familiar with every thing.

I'm developing an interest in the topic of survival and your site is a big help.  But one thing I'm not sure I've seen yet is advice on gear in terms of high quality bags, backpacks, clothing, accessories, boots/shoes and that sort of thing. Basically anyting made of cloth that has stitching or zippers that are prone to breaking or coming apart over long or tough use.

Are there any extra well-made and durable brands or materials of these types of items that you could reccomend?

I took a small fire steel and epoxy glued into a groove on camp hatchet near end of the handle.  it does not interfere with use and will always be close at camp.

I want to know how to survive from the event of earthquake, flood, landslide and volcanic eruption.

Dry Dog Food for Emergency Eating. I have been wondering if it is a good idea to keep in the back of my mind when "throwing together" a backpack. It may be all that is available. I might need to eat it.