Hot Disaster Preparation Posts
How To: Make an emergency fire with bamboo friction
In this video, you'll learn about friction fire lighting using wild bamboo sticks. So, if you're ever stuck out in Thailand on a cold and damp night, cut down some bamboo and light your own campfire to stay warm! This video shows you this very common technique in Southeast Asia, but takes a little work… and a sharp knife!
How To: Survive on a cold and snowy mountain with a storm shelter
If you can't find your way back from your hike up the snow covered mountain, and there's a winter storm brewing, you better hope you have your storm shelter in your sack! This video will show you what a storm shelter can do for you when stuck up high on a mountaintop with a windy snowstorm coming in. There's not much to it. Just have one on you, any size, rip it out of the bag and cover yourself up.
How To: Find wild food and wood in a city setting for urban survival
Forget surviving the wilderness— surviving the city is hard enough! This video talks about herbs, bushes, plants and trees that you can use in a survival situation in an urban environment. If you're down on your luck, forget about coins on the street corner and survive off your natural environment.
How To: Build a lean-to if stranded in bad weather while hiking
The lean-to is one of the most basic shelters imaginable, but if you're out in the wilderness and bad weather strikes unexpectedly one can save your life. This video will teach you how to use supplies you have in your backpack to build a lean-to shelter.
How To: Stay safe in your home during a winter storm or blizzard
If you live somewhere where winter storms and blizzards are a threat, watch this video. It will give you several great tips for riding out a winter storm or blizzard safely inside your house. These include running water continuously so your pipes don't freeze and wearing layers of clothing to adjust to changing temperatures.
How To: Get a pattern for a wool blanket shirt
In order to pattern a wool blanket shirt, you'll need a blanket, scissors, a needle, and thread.
How To: Tie cylinder, mat and ball Turk's head knots
In this Disaster Preparation video tutorial you will learn how to tie cylinder, mat and ball Turk's head knots. To tie the cylinder, first tie the double coin knot as shown in the video. Then put it around a staff and make the 3-lead 4-bight Turk's Head. After you finish with this, tighten and trim the rope. To tie the 3L4B Turk's Head as a mat, remove the Turk's Head from the staff and follow the steps as shown in the video to make the mat. You can watch the video and learn how to tie the ball.
How To: Make a shirt out of a wool blanket
In this video, we learn how to make a shirt out of a wool blanket. This is great if you need something really warm to sleep in or wear out around. First, design the shirt so it's longer on the back than it is in the front. That way, when you sit down you will have extra wool to help keep you warm. You don't need to sew a collar on it,, because it will just take too much work. Make the arms extra long, depending on how large your blanket is. If it's too long, you can fold the ends over, or cov...
How To: Prepare yourself for a major disaster
In this video, we learn how to prepare yourself for a major disaster. If you haven't planned ahead for storing water, you are going to be in big trouble. Your first option is to go purchase liters of water from the grocery store. The recommended quantity to store is 1 gallon per person per day. If you don't want to spend money at the store, you just need to fill up empty bottles with water from the tap and store these after cleaning. You can also fill the water in a large jug, just make sure ...
How To: Build a wooden house with a concrete wall that is safe from hurricanes
Hurricanes are a constant threat to many Americans, and many homes are not constructed properly to be safe from hurricanes. In other countries with less money, these problems are even worse. This video from the International French Red Cross will show you how you can construct a cheap, effective shelter against hurricanes out of concrete and wood. If your home is unsafe and you don't want to retrofit, you might want to consider one of these.
How To: Prepare a financial first aid kit for a natural disaster
In case of a natural disaster, computer networks are often disabled, rendering the record keeping at most institutions useless. It's important that you make a financial first aid kit to ensure that you are able to get by and keep track of your personal information after a hurricane or fire. This video will show you what you should put in your financial first aid kit, which you should go make right now.
How To: Make a cheap billy can out of an empty paint can
A billycan can be used as either a water tight container, or as a pot for cooking food or boiling water. You can make a billy can for less than three dollars using an empty and clean paint can, a drill and a few small pieces of hardware.
How To: Make an outdoors survival shelter out of mud, soil and clay
Oh no! You're lost in the wilderness without an adequate survival shelter! Protect yourself from inclement weather by using soil, clay, mud and other materials found in nature to build your own mud hut for protection from the elements.
How To: Save someone trapped in a burning car
Finding someone in a burning car is a scary emergency. Learn how to safely extract a person from a car fire after an accident. You'll need to be able to pull them through the windows, and if an ABC extinguisher is nearby, you can use that to help fight the flames.
How To: Be prepared for outdoor disaster
Whether it's a political or economic collapse, a natural disaster or even the zombie apocalypse, follow these outdoor survival tips to make sure you are prepared! Learn how to make a shelter in the wildnerness, proper preparation techniques for supplies, and become a better survivalist!
How To: Construct a survival shelter in the desert
If you're lost in the desert, this video will teach you the skills to make a survival shelter that will protect you from heat stroke during the day and freezing at night. Dig a trench with a shovel so you can stay safe in the great outdoors.
How To: Put together a fire extinguisher using household items
Want to build a fire extinguisher using things you can find around the house? Science shows you how to properly apply technology to kitchen safety! Your main supplies for this project are a mayonnaise jar, some vinegar and baking soda.
HowTo: Drink Your Own Pee (Safely)
For my sake, for your sake, for everyone's sake: I hope it never comes to this, but you never know. Dire times call for dire measures.
How To: Create a fixed loop using a locked brummel splice
This video tutorial will show you how to create a fixed loop knot using a piece of amsteel, and the locked brummel splice. This type of knot comes in very useful, especially when you're camping. You've got to be prepared for anything and everything! Just follow along, and you'll be making fixed loops like nobody's business.
News: Identify Edible Plants in the Wild: Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, demonstrates the universal edibility test using vegetation of the Iraq desert as an example:
News: Build & Hide a Campfire from Your Enemies: Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, shares another military-grade HowTo. Yesterday's deadfall trap tutorial laid out how to catch and kill common Iraq rodents. Today's lesson demonstrates how to make a fire in the wild, and most importantly, how to conceal it behind enemy lines.
Kill This (and Other Prey): Tips from an Iraq War Veteran
Robert Xyster, submitter to Love.Earn, shares a military-grade formula for avoiding starvation in the wild. There are several deadfall trap tutorials on the web, but this HowTo is particularly unique because of its context.
How To: Tie a paracord storage sinnet
In this video, we learn how to tie a paracord storage sinnet. First, coil up the paracord and then form a bight with the working part at the top of the coils. Next, create a loop from the bight and pull the loose part underneath this and pull it underneath the loop you created. Now, tighten the new loop up and then take the loose part and place it underneath to create a new loop. Push this through the other loop, then tighten with the loose end. This is a very difficult knot to do and is not ...
How To: Tie the longhorn knot
In this video, we learn how to tie the longhorn knot. First, make a spike with your rope, then push the rope around it and through it, making a circle. Then, push the loops on the bottom down and make a pretzel shape with it. Bring the left hand side string down and pull it through the loop, then do the same with the other side. Next, pull the strings on the top up to make larger loops, then pull the string through the left loop. Now, do this to the other side of the rope as well. To finish t...
How To: Easily survive in the woods
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to survive in the woods. When camping in the woods, users should always think about bring the essentials: water, food and clothing. It is recommended that users have a water bag store a large amount of water. Bring one or more coolers to preserve food and/or keep drink cool. Make sure to plan the foods that you will eat for the day. Bring a small portable grill to cook food. Dress in layers of clothing to endure hot or cold weather. This video will be...
How To: Make a neck knife survival kit
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a neck knife survival kit. This is good to have so you can use it for eating and making shelter as well as protect against wild animals. The neck knife should be a small kit and able to hide underneath a shirt. It should be adjustable with a paracord knot so you can make sure it doesn't snag against something. The knife should be a simple one that has a decent point on it. Make sure the pouch that the knife is in is thick enough not to let the knife poin...
How To: Tie the Celtic heart knot
In this video, we learn how to tie the Celtic heart knot. Start off with your rope and make a loop in the middle of it. Now, bring the working en on the right side into the loop so you have a circle. Now, bring that end back into the knot and braid it through the other loop. Next, push this through the bottom loop, then braid it through the lines that are on the shape. After this, you will see a heart shape start to form. Pull gently on the heart with both sides of the rope and shape the midd...
How To: Tie a square knot the right way
The square knot is also known as the reef knot. In this video, you'll learn the right and proper way to tie a square knot. Knowing how to tie a square know will be useful in many situations, especially in practical and emergency situations.
How To: Do useful survival knots
In this tutorial, we learn how to do useful survival knots. To make the sheet bend knot, you will join two different ropes together. First, make two loops, one on each end of the separate ropes. Next, take one of the ends and insert it into the other. After this, take the loose end and push it through the loops. After this, pull it tight and you have your sheet bend knot! The next knot is the bowline knot, which is a secure loop knot. First, make a loop in the rope, then take the smaller end ...
How To: Make a banded solomon bar fob
The Solomon Bar is one of the most popular ways to incorporate paracord into a tie. The following video shows how to generate the banded bar, a dual-colored Solomon bar design. This video will show you how it's done! It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in about 5 minutes' time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use a compass and map
This video tutorial is in the Disaster Preparation category which will show you how to use a map style compass. The first thing is to get your bearings by sight without a map. The arrow on the compass represents the direction of travel, the N on the compass dial is the compass North and the red needle points to the magnetic North. First align the compass N with the magnetic North. Now say you want to go 90 degrees East. Next you align 90 degrees with your direction of travel arrow. Rotate the...
How To: Perform an easy mod when setting up a hammock
If you find yourself out in the wild and need to find a way to keep yourself free of any moisture or animals, installing a hammock is s good idea. Not only does it give you a place to lay, but it can keep you safe from small critters and any kind of moisture from the ground.
How To: Build a quick shelter when out in the wilderness
If you find yourself out in the wilderness and it's getting dark, you're going to need some shelter. This is important if you hope to keep yourself safe from the cold and other animals.
How To: Tie a Swiss seat rope harness
If you want to go down the sides of mountains or walls like the military does, then check out this next tutorial! In this video, you'll find out how to tie a Swiss seat rope harness. This easy to follow video talks about what you need to do in order to tie this harness and how you can use it when climbing up or down things.
How To: Tie a one handed bowline with ITS tactical
In this video, you'll learn to tie a knot that could save your life in the wilderness. You can tie this knot one-handed, especially useful if your other hand isn't free, and use it to pull yourself to safety in an emergency situation. You can find the complete directions for tying this one-handed bowline here.
How To: Survive a shark attack
Sharks. The first thing that comes to mind is "Jaws", Steven Spielberg's horrifying shark film that scared generations of young adults from entering the ocean waters. But not all sharks are as violent (and hungry) as "Jaws", so jump in the water and know a few guidelines to stay safe. Escape a shark’s jaws of death with these lifesaving strategies.
How To: Keep your tinder dry & make a tinder carrier
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a tinder carrier that will keep the tinder dry. To make a tinder carrier, users can simply by a small cheap tin can. Then cut an X-shape in the side of the can to allow you to burn and blow on the winder. Now place the tinder in the can. The tin can can be used to store the tinder for dryness, and conduct fire with the tinder. This video will benefit those viewers who are planning to camp, and would like to learn how to make a tinder carrier t...
How To: Wear a ghillie suit
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to wear a gillie suit. Start out by wearing the suit and looking at yourself in front of a mirror. Take a friend with you to the field and have them take multiple pictures of you at various scenes. Have them make notes about what's good and bad about your efforts in the suit. Place some vegetation around the head and shoulder area and position yourself to be unseen. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy hunting, and would like to learn how t...
How To: Make a trapeze spring snare to catch small game
Ryan teaches us how to make a trapeze spring snare to catch small game in this video. You will need: finishing line, a knife, paracord, and natural living wood. the trap will have two snares built into one mechanism. Start off by gathering all your wood and then place a stake down into the ground. Make a notch in your anchor to place a stick through it, then tie paracord down into a "y" shape tied down onto the stick. When you pull the string, there will be a lot of tension. Tie the center so...
News: Afrigadget
Yankee ingenuity is a trait we hold in the highest regard here at Wonderhowto. So imagine our delight in sharing Afrigadget, whose tagline is: "solving everyday problems with African ingenuity".