[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by LegatoRedrivers

You can easily make a wooden bowl in the wild by cutting a thick tree root to the desired size and placing hot coals or embers on top of it. Give it a while, then simply dig out the charred bits of wood. Tip # 40.

You can make a more effective smoke signal by adding grass, green leaves, or moss. This should create a highly visible white smoke. Tip # 41.

If you by some chance happen into some quicksand, don't struggle. Simply spread your arms and legs and slowly roll onto your back. Salt water has a higher specific gravity than water, which is why it's easier to float on it. Quicksand is even denser; so if you relax, you should float right to the top.
If you know you're heading into an area with quicksand, carry a long pole. This can be used for testing the ground ahead of you, as well as an impromptu flotation device. Position the pole under your hips at a right angle to your spine. Tip # 42.

If there is a chemical spill in your area, the best thing to do (unless otherwise advised by authorities) is to stay indoors. Close all doors and windows, place moist towels around the windows and doors to act as an air seal, and fill all your sinks and your bathtub with water. (If you have a gas mask or two in your SHTF bag, all the better ) Tip # 43.

You can administer the Heimlich maneuver on yourself if needed. Throw yourself against whatever's available (I.E. a table edge, counter, log, etc.) Target the area of the abdomen just below your ribs.

Perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself
Tip # 44.

Aspirin is a derivative of willow bark; you can treat a headache in the wild by boiling a concoction with willow leaves and bark. Tip # 45.

If, for whatever reason, you have to jump a long distance into a body of water, take a deep breath and jump feet first. Point your toes, place your hands to your sides (or around your head for protection if you're going over a waterfall or the like), and clench your buttocks. The sudden inrush of water from such a fall can rupture your colon. Tip # 46.

And finally, a survival tip for everyone's bed friend should the collapse of society make it difficult to find a vet: You can treat chocolate poisoning in dogs by orally administering a hydrogen peroxide and water solution.

How to Detect and Treat Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs | eHow.com

(I suggest always take your friends to a vet when possible...I don't want to be responsible should anyone on the forum try to use this tip and lose a family member) Tip # 47.

Oh, and car bombs are generally placed under the hood, inside hubcaps, or behind wheels. If you ever feel like you need to check... Tip # 48, I guess .

Must we have to leave it at fifty? I've got more, I just don't want to hog the thread.

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[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by Justen.223

If you find yourself in a situation where you must travel at night, navigation is key. Without a sense of north/south orientation you can become lost quickly. Especially when you get cocky and you just know where you are going. But knowing how to find the north star will always tell you which direction is which. To find the north star you need to be able to find the big dipper. Every one knows what the big dipper looks and if make a line from the two end stars(of the "cup") of the dipper (from bottom to top) it will point to the north star.

Tip # 49...........

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by Chad

As seen on survivor man... fire pistons work great, I made one out of a mini-maglite. Once the fuel runs out of your lighter, the sun goes down (magnifying glass technique) or you run out of your magnesium fire starter, a fire piston is invaluable. As long as you can find some tinder it will always work, in any weather condition. HERE is a great site for step by step instructions.

Also, a good signal mirror , whistle , and a DECENT (100+ Lumens) LED flashlight are essential. A LED light can be seen for miles when used as a signaling device.

A nice reliable .22 rifle will be great for hunting small game (most survival situations) and with proper shot placement can also be used as personal defense.

And the one we've been looking for.....Tada # 50!!!!

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by CommandoJoe

Here's a few more firestarting tips:

cotton ball(s) impregnated with Vaseline, keep in a film canister (Does anyone use film anymore?) or ziplock bag. pull off a piece of the cotton and hit it with a spark.

Cheetos or Pringles - try lighting one...

Pinecones make a good firestarter - their dry and the pitch in them burns hot.

Purell or other hand sanitizer because of high alcohol content...

And an addendum to the previously suggested birthday candles - trick candles will be more rain and wind resistant.

Make your own firestarter in advance:
Put some wood chips in a paper cup, melt some wax (boil some water in a pan, put wax in another smaller pan and place that into the boiling water), pour into the cup.
You can use pine guinea pig litter for the wood chips.

Start a fire with water Link

Start a fire with ice Link

Ok, We'll include the couple of extras since I was slacking and not around to start the vote.
This is Tip # 51.

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by LegatoRedrivers

Weeks since Jesse's last activity, it has been. Died this threat has. Unfortunate, for much potential it had. :-(

For cryin' out loud, I've been gone for two months and you people are still using Yoda talk? Why do you think I left...ha..ha..ha Just kiddin'!

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

In warm climates, nothing can be more bothersome than those pesky mosquitos! You'll also have problems with flies, gnats, and other little pesky bugs.

The trick is to each a match! Chew the head off of one match per day. Sulfur is toxic to the human body, so it gets sweated out all over your skin. Skeeters and other pesky bugs don't like sulfur! Eating one a day will cause you to sweat out enough sulfur to act as an insect repellant.

Tip # 52........

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by jng2985

keep you're feet dry..

Tip # 53...........

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by rambo

Lots of great info here. I don't have much but I can contribute at least something....

This would only work if you had a battle buddy with you: When in an environment of prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures, use your buddies armpits and/or abdominal area (bare skin to skin) to slowly warm up hands and feet that have developed chill blain and/or frost bite. Avoid warming effected hands/feet over a fire or any other heating device. This will cause them to heat up too fast and could do more damage to the tissue.

Tip # 54.....

[Jesse17]

OK, We made it to 50...ehh..54 I mean!

Now how should we do the voting? If we vote on all fifty at once, we might just end up with a tie of 1 vote for every post.

Any suggestions?

[LegatoRedrivers]

Originally Posted by Jesse17

OK, We made it to 50...ehh..54 I mean!

Now how should we do the voting? If we vote on all fifty at once, we might just end up with a tie of 1 vote for every post.

Any suggestions?

Hate to suggest more work for our esteemed moderators, but we should probably thin the herd a bit before we put it to the public vote. I.E. each Moderator nominates a Survival Tip, leading to a list of maybe 10 for forum members to vote on. Don't know, how many mods does this forum actually have?