Nature around us provides us with all of the resources we require to survive; the key is to understand how to use them, otherwise, you will be helpless at the mercy of the elements. Whether you are going camping, hiking or simply sightseeing, these skills will come in handy as well. Bushcrafting is a group of survival skills that can help you survive in the wilderness. Bushcrafting in the woods is a fascinating activity. Here are skills you need to know when bushcrafting in the UK.
- Basic Safety and First Aid Skills – Bushcraft can be dangerous by its very nature. Knives, axes, and saws are among the sharp objects you need to be handy with. Understanding some first aid and basic safety will help you have a safe and enjoyable day in the wilderness. To perform first aid, you must understand how to care for yourself and others in the event of an injury or illness. It is also essential to be extremely careful when using certain tools.
- Fire Building – Knowing how to build a fire is an important bushcraft skill. You practice this craft by developing your ability to start fires in the environment you are in. Fires are started in a number of ways and require various materials. It is essential to start a fire when hiking or camping in order to survive. You will stay warm if you know how to start a fire and keep it alive. Tinder selection and kindling preparation, as well as fire management, are essential parts of bushcraft for beginners.
- Shelter Building – From natural shelters and purchased shelter options, these are the two main ways to build a shelter. Natural shelters require a lean-to and an A-frame tent made of sticks and branches covered in a thick layer of leaf litter. There are options to purchase shelters as well. The shelter which is most commonly used are tarps. Tarps can also be used to keep your belongings dry or keep you safe and dry when it rains.
- Cooking Over The Fire – Being able to cook over coals and fire is essential. Rather than cooking directly over the flames, cook on top of them. A layer of hot coals is removed from the fire and placed under the cooking surface when cooking on coals.
- Purifying Water – It is quite essential to purify the water by boiling it using a large pot or kettle. Water purification tablets can also be purchased as an alternative to kettles and pots.
- General Camp Craft – It is a general term describing the skills associated with improving camp experience. Building chairs or tables out of natural materials in your area is an example of this.
- Plant and Animal ID – Plant identification is another area where practice is vastly beneficial. Knowing which plants are poisonous, edible, and medicinal might mean the difference between life and death. Another useful skill is animal identification. Knowing what animals live in your area might be beneficial in terms of food procurement. Animal identification using tracks and or recognizing audible sounds can also be beneficial in a variety of ways, including safety from predatory animals.
Whether you wish to avoid the crowds, hunt for wildlife or just enjoy the simplicity of spending some time being one with nature, being in a position where you may get lost or face danger in the outdoors requires a certain survival skills in order to enjoy and endure. Any wilderness hiker, camper or avid hunter should be able to hone these bushcrafting abilities, whether it’s scavenging for food or building a shelter out of the materials and elements available.
