Bad survival advice will get you killed. A lot of so-called “tips” sound good in theory, but out in the wild, they’ll do more harm than good. I’ve heard people say you can eat anything animals eat, that moss always grows on the north side of trees, or that a big fire will keep you warm all night. Trusting the wrong one at the wrong time can put you in real danger.
When you’re in a survival situation, there’s no room for myths. You need to know what actually works and what’s just something people keep repeating because it sounds right. The wild doesn’t care what you heard in a movie—it only cares whether or not you’re prepared.
Follow Flying Birds to Find Water
Counting on birds to lead you to water is a good way to wander aimlessly. Some birds stick close to water, but plenty of them roam far from it looking for food. Geese might head toward a pond at dusk, or they might just be flying to a clearing to sleep. You have no way of knowing. If you need water, look for signs like lush vegetation, animal tracks, or low-lying areas where rain collects. Birds aren’t your shortcut to survival.
Build a Fire in a Cave for Warmth
Lighting a fire in a cave might sound like a cozy idea, but it can turn deadly fast. Heat causes rocks to expand, and when that happens, they can crack or break loose—right on top of you. A small fire might not cause a full cave-in, but even a falling rock can do serious damage. If you need shelter, stick to the entrance of a cave, build your fire outside, and make sure you’re not setting yourself up for a disaster.
Wet Matches Work When Dried
Once matches get soaked, they’re usually useless. The chemicals in the match head don’t just get wet—they break down, making them nearly impossible to light. Drying them out might seem like it helps, but the strike-anywhere effect is already ruined. If you’re heading into the wild, pack waterproof matches or store regular ones in a sealed container. A fire is too important to leave up to chance.
Suck the Poison Out of a Wound
If you get poisoned, sucking out the toxin isn’t going to save you. Whether it’s snake venom or a toxic plant, trying to draw it out with your mouth does more harm than good. You won’t remove enough poison to make a difference, and you’re just introducing bacteria into the wound. The right move is to stay calm, keep the affected area still, and get medical help as soon as possible. Your body has a better shot at handling poison than you do.
Any Base Layer Will Work
If you’re throwing on cotton as your base layer in the cold, you’re setting yourself up for a miserable time. Cotton holds onto moisture like a sponge, and once it’s wet, it stops keeping you warm. Sweat, snow, or even damp air will soak into it, and before you know it, you’re freezing. Wool and synthetic fabrics are the way to go—they wick moisture away and still insulate even when damp. If it’s cold enough to need layers, it’s too cold for cotton.
You Can Eat Anything Animals Eat
Watching what animals eat won’t keep you from poisoning yourself. Just because a bird or a squirrel can snack on something doesn’t mean you can. Birds eat all kinds of berries, some of which will make you sick or worse. Squirrels have no problem with nuts and mushrooms that could kill a person. If you don’t know for sure it’s safe, don’t eat it. Survival is about making smart choices, and gambling on mystery plants isn’t one of them.
A Big Fire Beats a Shelter
A roaring fire might seem like all you need to stay warm, but it’s no substitute for a proper shelter. Fires can burn out fast in wind or rain, leaving you completely exposed. Even if it keeps burning, a fire only heats one side of your body at a time. A shelter, even a simple one, traps body heat and protects you from wind and moisture. If you’re stuck outside overnight, always build a shelter first—your fire is just a backup, not your main defense against the cold.
Lost Outdoors? Find Food First
Food might seem like the top priority when you’re stranded, but it’s actually one of the least urgent. Your body can survive weeks without food, but only days without water—and in extreme conditions, just hours without shelter. If you’re lost, focus on finding or making a dry, insulated place to stay, then locate a water source. A growling stomach is manageable, but dehydration or exposure can take you out fast. Worry about food last.
Eating Snow Will Keep You Hydrated
Snow is mostly air, so eating it straight isn’t a good way to hydrate. You’d have to eat a ridiculous amount just to get a little water, and in the process, your body wastes heat trying to melt it. That can drop your core temperature and put you at risk for hypothermia. If you need water from snow, melt it first—use a fire, a water bottle inside your jacket, or even the sun. Staying hydrated is important, but not at the cost of your body heat.
Drinking Liquor to Warm Up
A sip of liquor might feel like it’s warming you up, but it’s actually doing the opposite. Alcohol makes your blood vessels expand, which pulls heat away from your core and makes you lose body heat faster. That’s the last thing you want in freezing conditions. Instead of reaching for a flask, drink something warm like tea or even hot water. The real way to stay warm is layering up, keeping dry, and staying active—not knocking back whiskey.
Moss Always Grows on the North Side of Trees
If you’re relying on moss to find your way, you’re going to end up walking in circles. Moss doesn’t care about the compass—it grows wherever it gets the right mix of moisture and shade. In some places, that’s the north side of trees, but in others, it’s the south, the east, or all the way around. If you’re lost, use the sun, a compass, or anything else besides moss to get your bearings. Your survival shouldn’t depend on a plant.
*This article was created with the help of AI.
