Survival Odds

Start A Fire With Your Cell Phone

2009-11-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

Stuck out in the wilderness you might not get a signal on your cellphone but you can start a fire with it. Great video with a little humor at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAxCFZw_A3I

Using Tree Bark For Survival

2009-09-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

In the wilderness you have to make do with what nature gives you and one thing that come in abundance is tree bark.
Tree bark can be used in many ways you can:
1Good kindling to start a fire.
2.Use as a base for fire.
3.Even use as eating utensils.

Survival Cache

2009-09-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

A survival cache is something that will hold things you might need in emergency situations. Not in small emergencies, but major ones like a serious catastrophe or a war on our soil. You bury a survival cache somewhere near home so that you can get it when you need it.

First get 4" pvc pipe about 4 feet long, pvc cap, pvc female end cap, and all purpose cement glue(pvc glue).

Following the directions on the glue put both caps on leaving it unscrewed.

Now you want to fill it with food, medical supplies, knife, flashlight, fire making supplies, and whatever else you think you might need.

Before you fill it and bury it I recommend you line it with a plastic garbage bag for extra protection from wetness.

Screw the cap on and bury it, you never know when you might need it.

The Tin Can Survival Cook Stove

2009-08-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a good thing to know how to make the tin can suvival cook stove. You need a 7 inch tin can, can opener, knife, and a pen. Could come in handy in a survival odd situation. So watch this ten minute You Tube video from antagonizerr.

Storing food for winter

2009-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

If something happens more long term its probably a good to store food for the winter. One way to do this is to pickle fruits and vegetables. For starters you might want to just try regular pickles and work your way up to other things. Here is a pickle recipe you could try from ehow .

Things You'll Need:

* Pickling jars
* 6 cups distilled water
* 3 cups white vinegar
* 1/2 cup pickling salt
* Large pot
* Selection of vegetables
* Crushed red pepper (optional)
* Vegetable oil

Step 1

Use the right jar designated for pickling. Choose a size that meets your needs from 1 oz. to 32 oz. sizes. Make sure you sterilize them before use.
Step 2

Use the brine as a base for all pickling. Mix 6 cups distilled water, 3 cups white vinegar and 1/2 cup pickling salt in a large pot. Boil gently.
Step 3

Choose to pickle your favorite vegetables. For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper in each jar. Fill each jar with the vegetables you desire and add the boiling brine to the jar. Leave about 1/2 inch at the top and add 1/4 inch vegetable oil, then seal tightly.
Step 4

Label and date each item. This step can also help remind you if you added any extra ingredients such as a spicy addition.
Step 5

Store in a cool, dry place and soak at least 2 weeks before opening to allow the food to absorb the flavors. Refrigerate after opening.

How To Start A Fire With A Battery

2009-01-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

Well this next trick might make you think about adding a battery and a couple staples to your survival kit. Watch as this gentlemen explains how to create fire just by using a knife, AA Battery and a staple. Pretty amazing stuff...

For more survival tips check out Life Without The Weather Channel or These Bear Attack Tips!

Don't Burn Anything From The Cashew Family It Can Kill You!

2008-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

One of the first things you need to think of before you ever start a fire is what exactly you are planning on burning. As you may know White Birch Bark and other dry hard woods are great for starting a fire. Other plants though, like the Cashew Plants or Anacardium occidentale give off toxic gases when set ablaze. There have been numerous reports of throat irritation, naseau, vomiting, unusual fatigue, blindness and even death. Never under any circumstances burn cashew plants or any type of plant from the Anacardium family which is the same family that has poison ivy and poison oak in it!
Cashew plants aren't all bad though, not only do they make a tasty treat when processed correctly, but their seeds can be ground up into a powder and used for snake bites! The nature oils in the nuts can also be used to heal cracked heels.

Identifying Poison Ivy And Poison Oak

2008-06-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Poison Ivy or toxicodendron quercifolium and Poison Oak can be found in many woodsy areas throughout The United States. If you come in contact with one of these plants the symptoms will appear within 3-24 hours, but can show up even days later. It varies by person, the size of the plant and the season of the year. Spring and summer are the times of greatest potential for poisoning. Symptoms are itchiness, skin inflammation, swelling and the formation of blisters. Avoid this plant at all costs...

Poison Oak or toxicodendron quercifolium is very similar to Poison Ivy but looks a bit different and frequently climbs up trees or walls. Poison Oak is a perennial shrub like Poison Ivy, so it needs to be completely removed from the ground to keep it from coming back every year. Here are a couple pictures of the plant and it's damaging effects...

Also beware of the deadliest fish in the world, to find out click here.

SURVIVAL

2008-05-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Episode 1 Five Points Survival

Episode 2 Starvation

Episode 3 Quest for The Stone

Episode 4 In The Cold of The Night

Life Without The Weather Channel

2008-03-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

If you are stuck in the woods a very important thing to notice is the signs of weather changes. The last thing you want to have happen is to be caught in a sudden rain storm without having any form of shelter. If it is cold soaking your clothes only makes things that much worse especially if you don't have a fire already started.

First thing you need pay attention to is the force and directions of the winds. If it is windy and dry, most likely it will continue to be so until the wind losses force or changing directions. These are the times when you could receive a bit of rain.

Remember, if you are stuck in the woods it is also just as important to trap rainwater to drink if you do not know of any clean water sources around you. You can use plants or even your clothing to collect water. Just ring the water out of your clothes once they are soaked. You can also use this trick in the mornings. Simply tie your shirt around your ankles and walk through dewy plants and ring out the trapped water.

If is is foggy this doesn't necessarily mean it is going to rain. A lot of times only once the wind picks up it will begin to rain. You can also watch the clouds for a cue on which way the weather may turn. Generally, the higher the clouds the better the weather, but you can also learn the different types of clouds to predict even more accurately.

The wildlife around you can also tell you a bit about what type of weather is headed your way. Squirrels and rabbits will be very active right before a storm. Birds will also feed in lower locations then normal when a storm is approaching.

Yet another indicator is your fire smoke. If it is going straight up the weather should be fine, but if the smoke is swirling or pushing downward, most likely a storm is near. Of course, if all else fails try and remember the old saying, "Red Sky At Night, Sailors Delight, Red Sky In The Morning, Sailors Take Warning..."

Hiking Survival Tips & Techniques : How to Build a Camp Fire

2008-01-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

Learn how to build a good camp fire, in this free hiking video lesson.

How To Catch An Animal In The Wild

2007-12-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

When you are stuck in the woods one of the most important things is finding a food source. While roots, berries, and insect work sometimes, a good animal catch can mean the difference between life and death.

The first thing you need to realize is that (like some humans) animals are creatures of habit, and they usually can be found in one of these three places. The food source were animals eat, the water source were they quench their thirst, or their home were they rest. Always look for tracks, droppings or beaten down paths that would indicate that an animal has been through the area. These are the places were you want to set your traps.

Remember, always try and be down wind from any of your prey as your scent can give away your presence. Also, make sure you tread lightly, don't scare away a potential meal. This will not be an easy task, but in the wild nothing is easy. You can check out more in the videos below...

Once you are successful, and manage to trap a creature make sure to cook it throughly if at all possible. Another tip is to not waste your cooking fire, always be boiling some water for your next day of survival.

Don't forget man did once have to hunt for it's food...

Dangers to Avoid in the Desert

2007-12-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

Heres some helpful hints for surviving if your ever in the desert.

Click here for more on "Dangers to Avoid in the Desert"

Making traps for small animals

2007-12-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

How to catch rabbits and other animals in a survival situation. No animals were harmed in the making of this instructional video.

Survival Kit

2007-12-05T02:35:00.000-08:00

It's great to go outdoors and get away from it all. I do it every chance I get, both in Missouri and on vacation outside the state. No one ever expects trouble on an outdoor outing...and hopefully it won=t ever happen. But even on a day trip, a sudden storm or unexpected injury in your group can leave you a long way from help. A survival kit can mean the difference between trouble you can manage, and disaster. Here's what you'll need: A first aid kit...a pocketknife or quality hunting knife with a sharpening stone...a compass and map of the area you're traveling... varnish-coated strike-anywhere stick matches in a screw top plastic waterproof container...a candle that's at least 6" tall and 3/4 of an inch wide...fire start tablets...a collapsible soft plastic water bottle...20-feet of nylon cord...a small bottle of water purification tablets...an air-force-type signal mirror...a plastic police-type whistle...one millimeter thick clear plastic sheeting...a space blanket...a penlight flashlight with spare batteries...and finally, something for energy: like jerky, hard candy or granola bars. The entire pack only adds about two pounds to your pack or canoe, without lightening your wallet much. A survival kit is like car insurance. Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but in an emergency, you'll be glad it's there.

Survival: How To Start A Fire With A Lighter That Doesnt Work

2007-12-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

Don't throw away that busted lighter ,as long as it can give you a spark ,you'll have fire..check this out very easy also.
Survival: How To Start A Fire With A Lighter That Doesnt Work - These bloopers are hilarious

How to make a den in the wild

2007-11-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

Natural shelter in the wild is a potential life saver. If you do not have a tent or bivouac with you, knowing how to make a lean-to shelter is one of the most important bushcraft survival skills.

Bear Attack Tips

2007-11-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

What do you do if a bear attacks you? This is a must watch video.

FIRES FOR WARMTH

2007-11-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

If enough fuel is available two fires on ether side is preferred but if fuel is less available try to make reflectors on fare side of fire.A good reflector could be stones,rocks,and dirt.Reflectors all so helps with smoke rising instead of blowing into your eyes and air.

ANACONDAS

2007-11-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

Plants You Don't Want To Eat In The Wild

2007-11-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

Try to avoid plants that are red, fruit that is divided into five parts, old or wilted leaves, and any plant that releases a milky sap. These types of plants can be harmful and should be avoided in the wild.

Picture By: Nature's Wallpaper

When you can find fruits that are edible, and you can identify like the blue berries above, choose the more mature larger plants that have ripe colored berries, not green ones. Be sure to gather as many as you can, but try not to gorge yourself right away if you haven't eaten in a while, this can cause stomach problems.

More edible plants include clovers, violets, hops, and currants.

Stay tuned to Survival Odds for more tips...

2007-10-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

Daily survival tips calander

2007-10-08T03:42:00.000-07:00

Most flamable wood excelent for starting fires is white birch bark.

2007-10-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

found in colder climate areas