Q&A for How to Survive in the Wild

If you can, follow a water source up toward its source. That water is going to be safer to drink because it hasn't been contaminated by as many things going downhill. Also, if you climb, you're more likely to find a lookout spot where you can see what's going on around you.

Skin it, gut it, remove the head and meat, cut the meat into strips and cook it over a fire. Boil in clean water if possible.

Try to calm your friend down as best you can. First, guide them through some breathing exercises to slow their heart rate and breathing down. Then, talk them through what's going to happen: explain how you're going to survive until help comes, what you're going to do to attract help, etc. Finally, tell them exactly what you need them to do. Someone who is experiencing a lot of anxiety can be easily overwhelmed, so if you leave them to figure it out for themselves, they may end up back in a panic attack.

If you are absolutely definitely sure you can find your way back, then try to do so. However, if you are not absolutely sure, do not go wandering in a random direction. Try finding higher ground to better see your surroundings or going downhill to look for water. If you can, it is best to stay where you are, this also makes it easier for people to rescue you.

Steer clear of things that are bright in color. Don't touch mushrooms at all unless you have prior knowledge of the area's mushrooms. Dark-colored berries and fruits are your best bet. As a general rule, don't eat the remnants of carcasses unless you saw them killed by smaller predators. Packs of wolves and bears could possibly mean to return if they left anything behind on the carcass.

You should start by skinning the animal, gutting it, removing the head and bones, and cutting the meat into chunks and strips. You can then cook it on spits over an open fire until it's completely cooked.

It depends on how bad your allergy is. If you risk death by eating something, don't do it. Try to hold out until you can find something else.

If you spot an animal, instead of killing it for food, follow it. It may lead you to water, as animals must drink to survive as well. Following animal tracks can also help.

Try to find edible plants, however you may have to put your vegetarianism aside while surviving in the wild.

Bugs are high in protein. It's always easier to gather caught insects rather than hunt them. And other things that bite are easier to manage when caught in something sticky and rolled into an edible leaf or bark. Not many insects in our parts of the world are poisonous to eat. Just be careful of bites and stingers when chewing and swallowing.

Depending on your injury, try to reach help or signal for it by building a fire. Make creating a shelter and keeping your injury stable your top priorities.

Use the same rules, but you will have to find food and water, build a shelter and take care not only of you, but for your family. If your pets are carnivore, such as dogs and cats, you will have to hunt to feed them.

Try finding insects, like crickets, that are edible. If you are in a desert, search for cacti and cut it open. You will find a lot of water inside.

Dig a hole two feet wide and two feet deep and stay in the hole. This will offer some protection from the wind and cold. If it is very hot, cover yourself in dirt to protect your skin from the sun.

It depends on the predator and how close it is. If it's far away and doesn't know about your presence then it would be best to try to hide and camouflage yourself. However if it spots you, try to fight back. Your life likely depends on it.

You should check out wikiHow's article on surviving in the desert for tips.

It depends on what type of dog it is. If it's a dog that accustomed to the outdoors and hardy enough to survive, bring it.

Build a two-layer shelter (bamboo works best) with debris between the two layers. This will serve as insulation and keep you nice and warm.

Use the already carved knife and gut/skin it from the head down to the tail. Slice the belly to take out internal organs and then cook the fish. The spine and eyes are also a source of liquid.

It depends on a number of factors, but it would probably take about 30 minutes. You would have to find a good sized stick and a rock to sharpen it with.

If you believe you have eaten something poisonous, you should try to make yourself vomit right away.

If you have a first aid kit with you, use hydrogen peroxide and bandage the wound up. Depending on where the wound is, don't apply pressure. Every once in a while, take the bandage off the wound and clean it. It will speed up the healing. If you don't have bandages, use an extra shirt or something. Wrap it around the wound.

You should look for streams and rivers that are above sea level. If you can't, use a water purification tablet, shake, and wait for 30 minutes.

You could use dry grass instead of tree limbs, however your fire will not last as long.

You could track animals to learn about them, and it could help you learn to stay quiet while hunting. If you arre not alone, you could talk about something.

You could use string to hang up sticks that have things suspended on them to make noise (like rocks or shells) if they're moved. You could set those up around your camp to alert you to any predators.

It's best to stay in one general area to make it easier to find you.

It depends on the type of predator you encounter. Before you embark into the wilderness, research the indigenous flora and fauna, and prepare yourself for whatever may be out there.

Make yourself as big as possible and back away slowly. Do not run. If the bear attacks, fight back with all your might.

All you need to do is take a sturdy stick and tie a string, piece of twine, etc. to the end of it.