Survivalist Answers Survival Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

Survivalist Support (0s)

• Donnie Dust, a survivalist and primitive skills expert, answers survival questions from the internet.

Drinking Urine (13s)

• Drinking urine is not recommended as it is a waste output and can be harmful.

No Compass (32s)

• Natural navigation techniques to find cardinal directions without a compass or GPS:
  • Crescent moon: in the Northern Hemisphere, follow the tip of the crescent to the horizon for South.
  • Puddles: typically dry from a southern edge to a northern edge due to the sun's movement.
  • Snow: lasts longer on a northern side of mountains compared to a southern side.
  • Moss: dry moss typically faces the sun, while wet moss faces away from it.
  • Tree branches: bend towards the sun.
• Combining multiple natural signs can provide a general sense of direction.

Die By Exposure (1m45s)

• Dying by exposure means succumbing to the elements without proper shelter or clothing.
• Exposure can be caused by sun, cold weather, rain, or any natural weather condition.

How to Make a Knife (2m12s)

• It is possible to make a knife from wilderness materials using a process called flint knapping or lithic reduction.
• Suitable stones have a high silicate rate and break with a waxy, glassy interior.
• Striking the stone with a suitable cobble creates razor-sharp flakes that can be used as knives.
• The process allows for controlled creation of blades by varying the force of the strike.
• Smaller flakes can be turned into projectile points for hunting, while larger flakes can be used as stone knives for various tasks.

Dental Hygiene (3m49s)

• Willow can be used to maintain dental hygiene in survival situations.
• Peel the bark off a section of Willow and chew it to create a toothbrush-like brush.
• The fibers of the bark can be used to scrub teeth.
• The bark can also be used as aspirin if needed.

No Matches, No Lighter (4m41s)

• A ferum rod, a synthetic rod that can reach high temperatures, can be used to start a fire without matches or a lighter.
• Friction methods, such as a bow drill or hand drill, can also be used to create enough heat and dust to start a fire.
• Create a bird's nest-like structure with fibrous bark to increase surface area and aid in catching sparks.
• Place the ferum rod in the Tinder bundle and strike it with the striker to create sparks and ignite the Tinder.
• A bow drill can also be used to create fire by rapidly rotating a spindle against a hearth board, generating heat and dust that can be used to start a fire.

Beaver Fever (7m7s)

• Beaver fever is a real term used to describe infections caused by waterborne pathogens such as giardia, cryptosporidium, and hepatitis.
• These pathogens can be found in natural waters.
• If attacked by a grizzly bear, curl up into a ball to protect the back of your head and neck.
• Avoid sudden movements and loud noises.
• Play dead if the bear continues to attack.

Grizzly Attack (7m36s)

• The kill spot for a grizzly bear is the neck.
• To prevent a grizzly bear attack, understand the natural environment and factors that could contribute to it, such as hunting season or the time before bears hibernate.
• If a bear is running at you, it's likely a bluff charge to scare you off.
• Make noise and be visible to let bears know you're in the area.
• Bear spray, bells, and making noise can help deter bears.

4 Types of Knots (8m53s)

• There are four main categories of knots: end of the rope knot, middle of the rope knot, anchor knot, and knot to join two ropes.
• An end of the rope knot can also serve as an anchor knot, such as a bowline.
• A middle of the rope knot is used to put a knot in the middle of the rope, such as a butterfly or Alpine hitch.
• A knot to connect two pieces of cordage together, such as a square knot, allows you to secure and extend the length of the rope.

Most Nutritious Insect (10m18s)

• The most nutritious insect is the one that can catch a fish or lead to a bigger meal.
• If you have to eat insects, grasshoppers or crickets are relatively easy to catch, good to eat, and can be roasted over a fire.

Sharpening Machetes (11m0s)

• There are different ways to sharpen a machete, similar to sharpening a knife.
• In the jungles of Central America and the Amazon, a rotten log with sand can be used to create a new edge on the machete.

Core Four (11m25s)

• The 'core four' essential survivalist tools are:
  • A blade (stone, steel, or axe) for processing materials.
  • A barrier (tarp, blanket, or sleeping bag) for protection from the environment.
  • A bottle (single-walled steel water bottle) for boiling and carrying water.
  • A burn or fire-making tool (ferro rod, tinder bundle, lighter, or matches) for starting fires.

Lake Water (12m43s)

• Water in lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds is drinkable, but it needs to be purified.
• Purifying water involves killing bacteria and other harmful organisms.
• Boiling water is the easiest way to purify it.
• If boiling is not possible, use a commercial-grade filter that removes bacteria, such as giardia and cryptosporidium.

Cleaning Clothes (13m35s)

• To wash clothes in the wild:
  • Find a stream and strip down.
  • Use sand or a coarse rock to exfoliate and scrub the clothes.
  • Rinse and repeat the process two or three times.
  • Air dry the clothes.
• For a more thorough clean, use plants like yucca or sage, which have antibacterial properties.
  • Smash yucca root to release saponin, which creates a sudsy material.
  • Wash the clothes with sand or a coarse rock in a stream along with the yucca or sage.

Treating Injuries (14m41s)

• Common injuries or illnesses in the wild can be treated with weeds and plants found in your backyard.
• Stinging nettle can be used to relieve the pain of its own sting by rolling the leaf in your fingers, spitting on it, and scrubbing the needles out of your hand.
• Dandelion root and Yaro can kill infections and bacteria.
• Medicinal plants require years of knowledge and experience to use effectively.

Hunting Rabbit (15m30s)

• Primitive trapping is illegal in the United States unless in a no survival situation.
• Snares are the best option for trapping rabbits.
• Snares are small nooses hung off of a stick or tree that tighten around the animal's head when it walks through.
• Trappers must be the first to reach the trapped animal before scavengers or predators.

LifeStraws (17m0s)

• LifeStraws are effective at filtering dirty water and making it safe to drink.
• LifeStraws have built-in filtering and purification mechanisms.

Fish Trap (17m29s)

• Primitive fish traps are a passive means of acquiring food.
• Fish traps allow you to do other things while they work.
• Different types of fish traps include basket traps, fish wears, and spring pole snares.
• Fish wears can catch 20-30 fish, while basket traps can catch 2-4 fish, and spring pole snares can catch 1 fish.

Falling Through Ice (18m28s)

• Hold your breath and come back up.
• Grab onto the edge and spread your body weight.
• Crawl across the ice until you reach solid ground.
• Strip off all your clothes and try to create a fire.
• Exercise to keep your body core temperature high.

Igloos (19m34s)

• Igloos are made of compacted snow, which acts as a thermal layer.
• Body heat warms up the igloo.
• Authentic igloos are lined with animal skins and heated by seal oil lamps.

Natural Shelters (20m35s)

• Caves, rock overhangs, and large boulder fields can provide natural shelter from the elements.
• These shelters do not require any crafting or cutting down of materials.

Combatting Loneliness (21m8s)

• Stay active and busy to combat loneliness.
• Think about how to improve your current situation.
• Keeping your mind occupied will help battle loneliness.

Vegetarian Survivalist (21m47s)

• Plants, berries, and roots can provide food for vegetarian survivalists.
• Plant-based foods are not as calorically dense as meat, but they can keep you alive.

Safest Game (22m34s)

• Squirrels, rabbits, possum, elk, deer, and moose are safe to eat in the wild with no parasites.
• Scavengers or animals that eat dead things are more likely to have parasites and bacteria.

Only One Item? (23m6s)

• If limited to one item, an axe would be the most essential tool for building shelter, cutting firewood, and making spears.

Lost on a Hike (23m33s)

• If lost while hiking, prioritize getting to a safe location with shelter.
• Signal for help using contrasting colors, movement, and loud sounds such as a whistle or waving a jacket.