<strong>UN has recognised these 5 survival skills, necessary for youngsters </strong> <br><strong></strong>
With the turn of the century, in the year 2000, the United Nations, during one of its quarterly meets had declared 20 important survival skills that everyone, including youngsters should try and master. Their goal was to raise awareness and prepare the global population for any and all kind of emergencies and to enhance their chances of survival on the face of adversity. We are here with a list of 5 survival skills which continue to be at the top of United Nations’ survival plan.
Building a fire
As per the United Nations in partnership with Alderleaf Wilderness College (a wilderness survival training school and outdoor education centre), knowing how to build a fire is by far the most quintessential survival skill. Be it on the mountain side, or in the woods or on a deserted beach, a fire, as we all know has the power to provide lifesaving heat, light, resource to cook food, ability to repel harmful animals and insects and above all help rescuers locate the stranded people easily.
Building a shelter
Under rare circumstances, if one gets stuck outdoors overnight, according to the United Nations and several famous survivalists, the biggest priority should be to build a shelter for oneself to protect from the outdoor challenges. In fact, there are many techniques and materials to choose from. However, the two most popular and easy-to-build shelters are debris hut and a lean-to (a shelter with a sloped roof).
Navigation using compass and maps
In the modern world governed by technology, GPS is the ultimate way out when one gets lost outdoors. However, technology is not always available in stranded locations. This is why one needs to learn how to properly use a compass and carry around maps and use them as alternative navigational tools.
Locating a source of water
Just like fire, water too is the ultimate life source, which is why it is important to find a source of water as early as possible while stuck outdoors. According to scientists, a person can typically survive without water for about three days. Thus, to avoid dehydration, learning how to locate a nearby water body (such as springs and small creeks) and using them for drinking and other purposes count as one of the major and primitive survival skills. However, water found outdoors can often be impure, which is why one should also try and carry disinfectant tablets, tiny and portable water filters or simply use fire to boil the water to kill all pathogens.
Searching for food
Scientifically speaking, a person is able to survive much longer without food than without water. However, foraging is still important as going without eating for several days can lead to debilitating side-effects like fatigue, confusion, stomach problems and even poor decision-making, thus affecting the chances of survival.