A good prepper will take into account eight certain factors during any survival scenario. These factors are called the “eight pillars of the survival protocol,” and they are especially crucial for surviving out in the wild. These pillars are shelter, water, food, fire, health, communication, security and navigation. Here are the reasons why those factors are very important in the survival protocol.

Shelter

According to the survival rule of threes, you cannot survive more than three hours out in the wild without shelter. Building a wilderness shelter is complicated, but it’s necessary to learn how to do it, especially if you want to keep the elements out on cold nights. Your survival shelter doesn’t have to be complex, it just needs to keep you warm at night.

Water

The next thing on the survival rule of threes is water. The longest you can probably survive in the wild without any water is three days, as long as you’re sheltered from the harsh environment. Depending on the climate of your immediate environment, you may need to drink more than the recommended 2.7 to 3.7 liters of water a day.

Food

Depending on your current height and weight, you will need to consume anywhere from 2,000 to over 3,000 calories a day to keep your energy up, and if you’re trying to survive in an unforgiving wilderness, you’re going to need a lot of energy. You will have some more leeway when it comes to food, however, as you can survive without it – but this doesn’t mean you should ignore the survival skills necessary for acquiring food out in the wild. Foraging, tracking, fishing and creating traps are all important skills if you want to keep your belly full.

Fire

Survival experts advise people to have a lighter, a flint and steel kit or some other form of creating fire in their survival kits. Having a small fire around has several great uses. A fire is your best source for warmth, comfort and light while you’re out in the wilderness. Having a fire can also make it possible for you to cook your food and boil your unclean water. Lastly, if you’re lost in the wilderness and need a way to signal to rescuers your location, nothing better to notify them with than with a bonfire.

Communication

A means of communication is absolutely necessary for you during survival situations. A smartphone with a cell signal, a radio or even just a rudimentary piece of equipment to let other people know where you are like a whistle can save your life one day when you’re out in the wilderness. Make sure to keep a reliable means of communicating your location in your survival kit.

Security

In every survival situation, you also need to be assured of your own safety. Whether it’s other people who may be hostile to you or possibly violent encounters with animals in the wilderness, such as bears, coyotes, crocodiles or other predators, having a means of defending yourself is crucial. Make sure to have plans to bring a firearm with you when you bug-out. If you’re not trained with firearms use, consider learning it now or finding another way of defending yourself without a gun, such as with a utility knife or a different survival implement. (Related: Don’t get caught without a gun when SHTF – here are some of the best to consider.)

Navigation

A means of navigating your way out of the wilderness you’re stuck in is essential. You may be able to rely on your GPS when you have a good internet signal, but you can’t rely on that out in the wild. You need to know how to navigate without modern devices. Learn how to use a compass, a topographic map and to follow the sun and stars if you want to get out of the wild quicker.

Health

The most important thing you need to look out for is your own personal health. It is absolutely essential that you understand what your body needs in order to keep you functioning at maximum efficiency during your whole survival scenario. Knowing how to deal with the wilderness you’re stuck in will only take you so far if you don’t take care of your own health.

Surviving is a difficult process, and it takes a lot of time to learn how to do many of the skills needed to survive. Learn more about the many tips and tricks for surviving at Survival.news.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

SkilledSurvival.com

BackCountryChronicles.com

FreedomPreppers.com

Hiconsumption.com