How-to Skills

Shelter Building

Knowing how to build an emergency shelter is an essential bushcraft skill to have. Exposure to the elements can quickly lead to illness or even death, far faster than starvation or a lack of water can. A good shelter will protect you from wildlife, keep you warm, insulate you from the weather, and provide a sense of comfort.

Some common survival shelters include:

Lean-to shelters
A-Frame shelters
Teepee shelters

Learn about more survival shelters and how to build them

Wilderness First Aid

Knowing how to treat and stabilize injuries in the wilderness is a must have skill for any bushcrafter. Make sure you know the basics of wilderness first aid.

Of course, knowing how to treat someone is only half the battle. You need to have a properly equipped first aid kit with you to provide the best first aid treatment possible.

Fire Starting

Knowing how to start a fire is one of the most essential survival skills a person can have in the wilderness. Fire provides warmth in cold conditions, allows you to purify water, cook food, signal for help, and keep predators at bay. Beyond its practical uses, fire also offers a powerful psychological boost, creating a sense of safety and comfort in remote and challenging environments. Whether you’re camping for fun or facing a true survival situation, the ability to reliably start a fire can be the difference between comfort and crisis—or even life and death.

Knowing the basics of how to start a fire is an essential bushcraft and outdoor skill.

You may not always have everything you would normally want to start a fire, so make sure to learn and practice other methods and skills for starting a fire.

Knot Tying

Knot tying is an essential survival skill that can significantly improve your chances of staying safe and secure in the wild. Whether you’re building a shelter, securing gear, setting traps, or performing first aid, the right knot can make the task faster, more effective, and more reliable. In survival situations where resources and time are limited, knowing how to tie strong, functional knots can prevent injuries, protect your supplies, and even save your life. Mastering a few key knots equips you with the versatility and confidence needed to adapt and overcome unpredictable challenges in the outdoors.