There are more than 5 important outdoor survival skills to know and apply. That goes without saying considering the many outdoor-related shows on TV and the selection of videos available through You Tube to help people in surviving the wilderness.

While all of these presentations help, it is in answering these specific 5 questions that will make or break your preparation and prevention for your next adventure.

Therefore, can you answer yes to each of these questions? And is your answer a resounding yes! More important, can you prove you know and can apply the answers.

Remember it is one thing to learn about wilderness and outdoor survival skills; it is yet another to be conversant and practiced in the skills.

1) Can you construct a shelter in less than 60 minutes with minimum effort to converse energy “for your seasonal activity?” It is a question of balancing shelter versus effort needed. Then consider the equipment you have available linked with the surroundings from which you can draw additional resources.

2) How do you stay found along your trip if assistance is needed? Unless it is dangerous where you are, stay put, stay found! When you read the stories of people who are lost and they keep moving only to experience worse conditions, it makes sense to learn the importance of staying found. Then build a base of operations around you, knowing help will arrive because your family and friends will start a call out when you don’t report in.

3) What is the best signalling device for the location in which you are travelling should you need help immediately? The old stand by is blowing your whistle. However, what if you need to signal an aircraft? Of the various devices available take some time to learn which one or two would work best for your next adventure. Remember not all days are sunny, and help can arrive at night.

4) Can you start a fire in 30 minutes or less for the conditions you will encounter along your trip? It seems, quickly lightening a fire is a rare skill. It is amusing what people will try, when around them is everything they need to start a fire. And there are some neat and nifty supplies available in your home that can be packaged and brought along like cotton balls, petroleum jelly and lint.

5) In what ways can you obtain clean water along your trip? Read survival books and copy examples of collection techniques matched by your upcoming locations. And don’t underestimate the critical contribution of water to your well-being on the trip. You will need to replenish your water loss to keep your body and mind alert to what is happening in you and around you.

If you are about to leave on your next adventure trip, and you hesitated in answering these questions; then get yourself to the next outdoor survival course and learn, practice and practice some more.

Prevention is Queen; Preparation is King

Footwear has evolved just like everything else since the beginning of time. One can imagine how the cavemen must have developed ways of protecting their bare feet from the elements. Today, the same principle applies to shoes, except that we can pick and choose according to our needs.

These days we have made other advancements that make the need for foot protection less important, but we still need a fair degree of it. Bare feet are still bothered by sun, rain and dirt. Shoes have become both functional and fashionable and for a variety of reasons.

Our more pressing needs for footwear now concern having the right type of shoes for the right occasions. We need shoes for work and formal events, shoes for casual days out like sneakers, flip-flops for summer days and lazing about, and then of course there are shoes for sports. We are more wary of shoe types as they are used in different environments.

Remember to keep two things in mind when buying shoes. Function is number one. Your shoes need to be appropriate for whatever the occasion requires. Style is number two. Always let your shoes compliment an outfit and never stand out on its own or detract from the outfit. You’ll never regret a shoe purchase if you combine these two considerations successfully.

Your footwear needs to be adapted to perform in the surroundings they are placed in. If you’re an outdoor person who loves to go hiking, for example, you’ll definitely need a pair of specialized hiking boots to help you along your way. Nature can be unforgivable at times, so if the technology is there, you should use it.

There are three reasons why you need a quality pair of hiking boots for mountain trips. The first is that hiking boots will prevent sand, stones or anything else from hurting your feet or getting inside your boot. The second is that your body will be better supported by thick soles and extra ankle support. The third is that because hiking boots are usually waterproof, you will be prepared for unexpected rain or mountain streams.

Don’t make the mistake of hiking in old worn out boots because you are putting your body at risk by not having the right equipment. Gore-Tex hiking boots are a good investment to make as they come with state of the art footwear technology. The membrane is both breathable and waterproof and will prepare you for any conditions while keeping your feet dry and healthy.

Frequent travelers or walkers should also take note that hiking boots also make the perfect walking shoes for occasions when you know you’ll be doing a lot on foot. If you plan on going sightseeing in a big city while you’re on vacation, a pair of hiking boots can save your legs, joints and feet a lot of trouble. Take those boots along because, as the saying goes, they were made for walking.