Tips to Make Your Own Compass


You can find your location with the help of compass; therefore, it will be good to carry a compass with you. If you have resources, you can make your own compass with the help of given tutorial.

The magnetic compass is important for the survival walking stick because it will help you to walk in four directions, such as east, west, north and south. It contains a magnetized needle that has the ability to align itself along with the magnetic field of the earth. To make a compass, you will need:

• A paperclip
• A razor blade
• A hair pin
• One safety pin

Choose a Magnetizer

You should select a magnet to magnetize your needles, such as rub your needle against magnet or any other magnetized item that is magnetized with the static electricity. You can tap it along the piece of iron or steel. The refrigerator magnet can be a good choice for you, but you can also buy plain magnets from the craft stores. A steel or iron nail, crowbar, horseshoe or any other household item will be a good choice. The silk of fur can be used to magnetize the needle, or you can use your own hair.

Get All Important Material

You can get a bowl or jar, water and a section of cork to design a compass. Now make the compass by inserting the needle in the cork after magnetizing it. Make sure to maintain an equal balance on the both ends of the cork to handle the razor blade. You can use a small item that can float instead of the cork as well, such as a leaf.

Floating Compass

Fill the jar with water and keep the compass on the top. The needle will align itself along the magnetic fields of the earth. If you are in an area with the heavy breeze, then the needle may find it difficult to align along north to south. Make sure to use a deeper jar or a bowl to offer protection to needle against the wind.

Learn to Read Compass

The needle will spin slowly either clockwise or anticlockwise in the direction from north to south. If the needle is unable to move, you can rub the needle again to increase its magnetic power. The needle will be settled against north to south. You have to find out the north direction by reading the stars. You can draw an imaginary line on the ground to mark the north. If the stars are unavailable, then you can use shadow method. Pick up a stick and fix it in the ground in an upright direction.

Mark the shadow and wait for fifteen minutes. It is time to mark the shadow once again. The line between the marks will be east-west. If you are standing with the first rock on your left and the second on your right, then you are facing north direction.







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GETTING TO KNOW THE WILDERNESS


In order for one to successfully immerse in the natural environment, there must be a complete understanding of what is to be faced. Things like weather conditions, the danger zone, and the like should be determined. These are essential in deciding the next course of action.

Predicting the Weather

Clouds determine the mood of the sky – each class relates to a certain weather condition. There are three main types: stratus, cirrus and cumulus. In certain cases, clouds may manifest two classes at one time.

Cirrus clouds appear striated and are typically 6,000 m high. Cirrostratus clouds are darker and more uniform in appearance. Cirrocumulus clouds are small, spherical, ivory-tinted clouds present at high altitudes. In normal conditions, these are signs of fair weather. However, in more arctic regions, ever accumulating cirrus clouds joined with moderate to strong winds may indicate that a blizzard is approaching.

Cumulus clouds are white and look like flat-bottomed clumps of cotton balls. They are slightly closer to the earth than cirrus clouds and often emerge during noontime when it’s sunny. They also indicate fair weather. But as they grow bigger and move higher up, they may transform into cumulonimbus clouds, which usually come in the shape of an anvil. This can point out an oncoming thunderstorm.

Stratus clouds are relatively close to the ground. They appear gray and can mean that it’s about to rain. Nimbus clouds also indicate rain.

They have an even gray color and spread throughout the sky.

Scuds are loose, hazy, and featherlike in appearance. They usually appear on a windy day and can indicate continuing bad weather.

Practicing bushcraft is not easy, especially for those living in the suburbs. It requires proper mental conditioning and a physically fit body. Without these, there would be culture shock and, consequently, unnecessary stress.

In bushcraft, the most important piece of equipment one must bring is knowledge. Material things are only props and can be totally crafted from nature. As a matter of fact, it is possible to live in the wilderness with no premade tools or paraphernalia whatsoever, but this is not recommended. The difficulty level for this scenario would certainly be high and it is only accomplishable by masters of bushcraft.

The Red Zone

The red zone refers to unsafe areas which are to be avoided at all costs. In determining such, look out for caves or holes or any type of habitat of large and burly animals. When an area is filled with bones and carcasses, there is bound to be a carnivorous animal nearby. Also, stay away from wide, open areas as they do not provide good camouflage and may make the group vulnerable to predators.

It also helps to be aware of different animal habitats. Sometimes, it is inevitable to settle down in areas where some predators reside. But knowing which type of animal resides in the area aids in developing precautionary measures.

Bears usually reside in forested areas with abundant understory vegetation that is surrounded by nut and fruit bearing plants.

Snakes can live in just about any area, be it a dessert, marshland or in the ocean. However, they prefer to stay in warm places as they cannot produce their own body heat. They usually hide in tall blades of grass or in trees.

Alligators and crocodiles live in wetlands such as marshes or swamps. Some stay in holes by these areas to conceal themselves.

Wolves move in packs and usually live in large areas such as mountains, forests, and even arctic areas. Look for possible areas of denning such as caves.

Survival Kit


The contents of the survival kits depend on the type of terrain to be explored. As a general rule, keep the kit layered. This means that the most important items are placed at the most convenient area, preferably in the pocket or attached to the belt. Less important and more bulky items can be placed in the knapsack.

Since it is important for one to travel light, it would be best to select multipurpose items. If two objects serve the same function, choose the one which could be of more use. All of which should be stored in a single container. It can either be a band aid box, an ammunition pouch or whatnot. The most important thing to ensure is that it is waterproof, portable, easy to carry and durable.

For navigation, prepare a compass and, if available, a map of the vicinity.

First aid materials include antiseptics (e.g. isopropyl alcohol or betadine), a tourniquet, clean bandages, surgical blades, an elastic bandage, hypoallergenic medical tape, butterfly sutures, and a needle and thread.

Do include some OTC meds: paracetamol (for fever), antacid (for indigestion or hyperacidity), mefenamic acid (for pain), decongestant (for colds), antitussive (for dry cough), expectorant (for productive cough), and antidiarrheals (for anupset stomach).

Do not forget to bring the most important tool: the knife. Also include snare wire, an axe, fish hooks, and a snare line.

Some shelter essentials include blankets, a canopy or a poncho, insect repellent, waterproof matches or a lighter, and a candle.
To purify water, be sure to bring small bottles of iodine or chlorine and a dropper.

Include some toiletries such as soap, shampoo, a change of clothes, and female essentials (e.g. tampons or sanitary napkins).

• Food 

A normal, healthy person can last an average of three days without water and about three weeks (21 days) without food. In bushcraft, bringing ready-to-eat food is not essential as most resources will be derived from the environment. Some dry crackers or hard candy could be brought to prevent hypoglycemia (abnormally low levels of sugar) whilst searching for possible sources of food.

• Water 

The body loses water through various mediums, such as sweat, urine, and stool.

On a typical day with moderate levels of physical activity and temperatures of about 20 ° C, the average adult loses about 2,000 to 3,000 mL (2-3 L) of water. With more extreme conditions wherein the temperature is higher, there is intense activity, in high altitudes or when one is sick, man is bound to lose larger volumes of water from the body.

It is advisable to bring at least a canteen full of water (about 500 mL) during the beginning of the journey, since one needs to constantly take small sips of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. However, if one is experiencing increased stress or is exposed to extreme conditions, do increase liquid intake. More water can be found later on from natural sources.