12 Life-Saving Wilderness Survival Hacks You Should Know (Don’t Get Caught Unprepared!)

Things might not always go as expected when you’re out in the wilderness. 

A wrong turn or sudden change in weather can quickly turn a routine hike into a dangerous situation. 

In those moments, survival depends on your ability to stay calm and use what’s available to you (which will definitely test your resourcefulness and ability to adapt).

To help you with that, I have compiled over 12 survival hacks you can use in the wild (hacks that could be what keeps you alive if you ever find yourself in an emergency).

For more tips on preparing for emergencies and surviving unexpected situations, check out our guide on survival emergency preparedness.

Feel free to take notes on these hacks—and enjoy reading!

1. Use a Plastic Bottle to Start a Fire

If you don’t have matches or a lighter, don’t worry. Just look for a clear plastic bottle and sunlight.

Fill the bottle with water and use it to focus sunlight on your tinder, such as dry leaves, pine needles, or small twigs.

The water inside the bottle acts like a magnifying glass, concentrating the sun’s rays onto the tinder and heating it enough to start a fire.

It’s not the quickest way to start a fire, but it’s a valuable backup when you’re out of options.

You can even use a plastic water bottle from your backpack or one you find while hiking. It’s an effective emergency technique if you don’t have fire-starting tools.

Just remember, the water must be clear—dirty or cloudy water won’t work as well.

2. Make a Simple Water Filter

Finding clean water is definitely one of the most important things you need to do in the wilderness.

If you have the right materials, you can make a basic water filter.

What you can do is first gather some sand, charcoal, and gravel (or small rocks).

You can put these in a cloth, like a t-shirt, or even a hollow log if you can find one. Layer the materials in the cloth or log, then pour the dirty water through it.

The sand and charcoal will catch the larger pieces of dirt and debris, leaving you with cleaner water.

But remember, this filter only gets rid of the visible stuff (like dirt and leaves). It won’t kill harmful germs or bacteria.

So, after filtering, boil the water if you can (boiling it for at least 5 minutes will make it much safer to drink). If you don’t have the means to boil it, try to find a better water source as soon as possible.

To give you a clearer idea of that, I shared a YouTube video (perhaps another method to consider). Feel free to watch and learn from it.

To expand your knowledge and connect with others who can help, check out the prepper survival network.

3. Use a Bandana for Multiple Purposes

A bandana is one of the most useful items you can carry in the wilderness, and it’s not just for keeping sweat out of your eyes.

It has a wide range of practical uses that can make your time in the wild much easier.

If you’re caught in a dust storm or need to block out the sun, you can tie the bandana around your face to protect your lungs or skin.

If you need to filter water, a bandana can be used to strain out debris like dirt or leaves (just ensure it’s clean enough for the task).

Another handy use is as a bandage. If you get a cut or scrape, a bandana can be folded and tied around the wound to help stop the bleeding (or even used as a tourniquet in an emergency).

Make sure you’re prepared with the right gear by checking out our survival gear essentials.

4. Make a Natural Mosquito Repellent

No doubt one of the biggest annoyances you’ll face in the wilderness is mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Not only do they make life uncomfortable, but they can also carry diseases. Luckily, nature has natural solutions to keep those pests away.

If you’ve got mint leaves nearby, crush a few and rub them on your skin. The strong scent of mint will act as a natural repellent that mosquitoes can’t stand.

If you can find cedarwood or juniper leaves, you can do the same (just rub them on your exposed skin to keep the bugs from bothering you).

In case you don’t have anything on hand to rub on your skin, you can always burn sage or juniper leaves around your shelter.

The smoke will help create a kind of natural bug repellent that keeps those mosquitoes at a distance.

These are all simple survival hacks you can do with what’s around you.

5. Using Wild Plants for Medicine

If you find yourself in the wild with a cut or injury, don’t panic. There are wild plants around you that can help.

For instance, if you’ve got a headache or are feeling sore, you can try chewing on willow bark (it works like aspirin).

If you’re bleeding from a cut, look around for yarrow.

You'll want to crush the leaves and press them on the wound to help stop the bleeding.

If you’ve got bug bites or small cuts that need healing, find some plantain leaves, crush them, and apply them to the affected area.

It’s important to know what to look for in the wild, but if you're already out there, trust your instincts.

Start by checking your surroundings for plants that resemble willow, yarrow, or plantain. If you find any, give them a try (just make sure you’re certain it’s the right plant).

6. Make a Fishing Line from Paracord (Bracelet)

A paracord from your survival kit can be used for fishing (and maybe even the bracelet you're wearing!).

You can easily turn it into a fishing line by unraveling the cord and using the individual strands. These thin, strong strands work perfectly as a fishing line.

Once you have your line, you can fashion a hook from small, sharp objects like rocks, bones, or metal.

With a bit of patience and the right bait (like insects, worms, or even small pieces of plants), you can catch fish to provide the food and protein you need to survive.

7. Use a Tree Branch as a Makeshift Bow and Arrow

So, I embedded again a short instructional video on how to build a bow by just using tree branches. Watch and learn how to create a basic tool for survival in the wild!

I’d say again, a bow and arrow is very helpful, especially when you need to hunt for food but don’t have a weapon.

It won’t be as accurate or powerful as a real one, but it’s a practical way to hunt when you’re in a survival situation.

The great thing is that all the materials you need (a branch, cord, and some sharp sticks) are natural resources that you can easily find around you.

8. Tie a Simple Knot for Survival (Bowline)

It’s a good idea to practice the bowline knot before heading into the wild so that it becomes second nature.

In a stressful situation, you don’t want to waste time trying to figure it out.

This knot creates a fixed loop that won’t slip, loosen, or come undone, even under tension.

You can use it to rescue someone (by making a loop to pull them up), secure your shelter (tie your tarp or rope to a tree), or fasten gear to prevent it from falling.

The bowline is easy to learn, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find it useful in almost any survival situation.

9. Make a Temporary Shelter with Leaves and Branches

Stuck in the wilderness without a tarp or any other shelter materials?

Don’t panic.

You can create a temporary shelter using natural resources around you by gathering large, broad leaves or sturdy branches.

Start by building a basic roof structure to shield you from rain or wind.

Lay the thickest leaves facing outward (this helps block the elements from getting through) and use smaller branches or sticks to support the shelter.

It might not be a perfect shelter, but it can protect you from the worst of the weather, especially for a night or two.

10. Make a Chair from a Blanket

I just watched a short YouTube video showing how to make a comfortable chair using just a blanket and tree branches, and I wanted to share it here.

It’s a simple survival hack to create a quick seat when you’re out in the wilderness and need a break.

It’s very straightforward, yet it provides a spot to rest when you don’t have anything else to sit on.

11. Use Rocks to Cook Food

Did you know that you can cook your food with hot rocks?

You read that right.

First, clean the rocks thoroughly (make sure to remove any dirt or debris).

Next, heat the rocks in the fire until they’re really hot. Once heated, place the rocks in a hollow log or stone bowl (something that won’t catch fire) and put your food on top.

The heat from the rocks will cook the food, so you don’t need a pot. This method works well for cooking fish, meat, or root vegetables (anything that can cook with direct heat) when you don’t have cookware.

12. Use Tree Sap as Glue

You can actually use tree sap (especially from pine trees) as a natural glue if your gear gets damaged or you need to fix something.

Simply collect the sap and heat it slightly to make it sticky. Then use it to seal holes, stick broken items back together, or even waterproof your gear.

Tree sap is a strong, natural adhesive that works in many situations. It’s one of the most helpful hacks when you're out in the wild.

If you need to quickly fix something, tree sap can be a lifesaver.

Just make sure the sap is fresh and sticky—use it right away before it hardens.

The Best Thing You Can Do

Always stay calm, think resourcefully, and use your surroundings to your advantage.

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