We All Need Some Survival Tips: Insights from Bear Grylls

Have you ever wondered how you’d survive in the wilderness? It goes beyond drinking your own pee, believe me. Let’s dive into these 10 survival tips, straight from the adventurer extraordinaire, Bear Grylls.

Sure, Bear Grylls is known for jumping off dangerous cliffs, crossing wild rivers, and even drinking his own urine. But did you know he has other interests too? One of them is sharing his survival wisdom with the world. I was fortunate enough to join the launch of the very first Bear Grylls Survival Academy in Africa, thanks to the incredible collaboration between the Mantis Collection and British Airways. Now, I’m back from the jungles of Vic Falls, feeling like a muddied and untamed Moses, ready to share 10 incredibly valuable wilderness survival tips with you.

1. Get a Fire Started with a Lithium Cellphone Battery and a Knife

As someone who’s always curious about the world, I’ve discovered some intriguing ways to start fires. Now, I’m not suggesting you try any of these dangerous experiments at home, but let me tell you what happens when you mix certain things together.

Take a lithium cellphone battery, for example. If you were to stab it with a knife, oh boy, you’d be in for a show! Sparks would fly in all directions, creating a magnificent spectacle. It’s important to note, though, that this is definitely not something you should try on your own. Safety first, my friend!

But let’s say you’re not in the mood for explosions and potential danger. Well, fear not, because I’ve got another trick up my sleeve. All you need is some wire wool and a 9V battery. Simply touch the wool to both terminals of the battery, and voila! It may not be as exciting as the battery explosion, but it’ll definitely get the job done.

Now, let’s move on to the topic of starting fires. It can be a real challenge, especially when you’re out in nature and everything is damp. Trust me, I’ve been there. But here’s a little secret: a teased-out tampon is actually highly flammable. And if you give it a little spritz of bug spray, well, you’ve got yourself a fire starter right there.

But wait, there’s more! If you find yourself struggling to get a fire going, try this nifty trick: gather some twigs and keep them in your pocket. Yes, you heard me right – your pocket. The warmth of your body will help dry out the twigs, making them much more flammable. It’s like having your own personal fire-starter kit on the go!

2. Life begins and ends with duct tape

Have you ever been so excited to drink something hot from a metal mug that you ended up burning your mouth? If not, congrats! You must be the kind of person who patiently waits for a cake to cool down before cutting into it. I gotta admit, I don’t get you at all. But hey, there’s an easy solution for avoiding burnt mouths – just stick a piece of duct tape on the lip of your dry mug. And you know what? It’s not just great for preventing burns, it can even save your life if you ever find yourself in a crazy situation like being attacked by a hippo and getting a punctured lung. Duct tape is seriously versatile, and that’s why it’s so valuable. It’s like a superhero when you don’t have access to tools like staple-guns, superglue, or lots of rope. Trust me, this stuff is worth its weight in frustration.

3. Any water is better than no water

Now, I know this might sound a little counterintuitive, but when you’re in a survival situation, any water you come across is better than no water at all. Forget about those typical travel rules for a moment. Dehydration is a real threat, and it’s one of the first things that can kill you in a tough situation. So, when you see water, drink it! Don’t overthink things or worry about where it came from. Your body needs hydration, and in a survival scenario, you have to prioritize staying alive above everything else.

Now, let’s talk about something really important, but it does depend on how close you are to civilization. If there are people living nearby, chances are that the water you find might be polluted. On the bright side, being closer to rescue means you have more time before dehydration becomes a serious problem. So, you could take a risk.

If you can’t find any water, don’t worry! There’s always a backup plan – your own urine! Some survivors believe that drinking pee is the secret to staying alive. Well, Bear Grylls does, at least.

Rock climbing is not as easy as it looks! It requires skill and determination. Photo by Nigel Kuhn.

4. The Basics of Rock Climbing

Hey there! If you want to rock climb like a pro, I’ve got some awesome tips for you. Trust me, I’ve been there too, and these tricks really work.

First things first, let’s talk about your arms. You don’t want to tire them out too quickly, so try not to rely on them too much. Instead, focus on using your legs. Keep your hips as close as you can to the rockface, that way you’ll have more power in your legs. And hey, give yourself a solid foundation by positioning your feet wider than your hips. Picture yourself as a mountain goat, and let your inner animal guide you!

5. Discover which way is north with your trusty watch

Now, let’s move on to a cool trick. Did you know you can find out which way is north using just a regular watch? It’s true! Here’s how it works:

This survival tip is a bit tricky to remember, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. You’ll be kicking yourself if you find yourself in a survival situation without knowing which way is south. Luckily, I’ve got a handy trick for you! If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, there are plenty of online tutorials to help you navigate. But if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, here’s what you do:

First, hold your watch flat and horizontal. Point the 12 o’clock mark towards the sun. Take a look at where the hour hand is pointing. Now imagine a line connecting the 12 o’clock mark and the direction the hour hand is pointing. For example, if the hour hand is pointing at 2 o’clock, draw an imaginary line from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock. Congratulations! In this example, north is at 1 o’clock. Good job!

6. Foraging for Food

Now let’s talk about finding food in the wild. It’s important to be able to determine if a fruit is safe to eat or not. One way to assess this is by using your sense of smell. Yes, that’s right! Smelling the fruit can give you clues about its edibility. Trust your nose, and if a fruit has a strong, unpleasant odor, it’s a sign that it might be poisonous. On the other hand, if it smells sweet and inviting, it’s more likely to be safe to eat. Always use caution and remember this handy tip when foraging for food in the wilderness.

So, here’s what I learned on this course: Did you know that the leaves from the nettle plant you find near the Zambezi river are actually good to eat? Yeah, just be careful not to touch the stingy parts. And guess what? The leaves of the Zambezi wine cup are edible too. They kind of taste like garlic and look a bit like maple leaves.

Now, when it comes to fruit, here’s a nifty survival tip for you: keep an eye on what the other animals are munching on. Birds aren’t the best source for us humans, as a lot of what they eat is toxic to us. But mammals, like primates, are a safer bet. And if you’re ever in doubt, remember that earthworms are totally edible. Yup, live ones too. Whether or not you care about it, I gotta say, raw impala testicle isn’t half bad.

7. Snares

If you’re stuck in a place where people live, don’t go crazy setting up snares. Hunting is tricky, and you should focus on finding help instead. But if you’re stranded and starving, the most important survival tip is to make snares that match the behavior of the animal you’re after. If you’re targeting an animal with sharp hearing and quick reflexes, don’t waste time building something that drops from above. And remember to camouflage your snares and spread them out. You’ve got plenty of time on your hands, after all. Don’t forget to check your traps regularly. No need to keep an animal suffering any longer than necessary.

8. Please Remember What’s First (PRWF)

Alright, listen up! If you can barely remember anything else from this survival guide, make sure you remember this: Protection comes first, followed by Rescue, Water, and Food. We’ll use the acronym PRWF, so it’s easy to keep it in mind.

Protection is all about what’s happening right around you. It’s the hungry animals, the rain pouring down, or the scorching heat that you need to take into account. Oh, and let’s not forget about those angry hornets on a mission to find anything that moves. Your job is to figure out how to protect yourself from these threats. Once that’s sorted, start thinking about how to get rescued. Next, make sure you find some water along the way and only after that, start hunting for food like a pro.

9. Sense of Humor

You know what? Life can throw some pretty tough situations at you. You might end up wet, cold, hungry, or just downright stressed out. And I’m not just talking about in the wilderness. It happens in everyday life, too. But here’s the thing – keeping a sense of humor can actually help you survive. Seriously, it’s like a secret weapon. And the best part is, you can start practicing right now. Trust me, if you can laugh off being cut off in traffic, you’ll be able to handle anything.

10. Being rescued by a helicopter is amazing

Okay, get ready for some serious excitement. Imagine this: you’re stuck in a tough spot, and all of a sudden, a helicopter swoops in to save the day. I mean, come on! How cool is that? It’s like something out of a movie. And let me tell you, seeing the Victoria Falls in the background while you’re being airlifted to safety is absolutely breathtaking. It’s like a whole new perspective on the world. I know, it sounds incredible, right? Well, trust me, it’s even better than it sounds.

Finally, after going on an adventurous white-water rafting trip down the raging Zambezi River (watch this thrilling video of surviving the Zambezi rapids in a kayak), bravely leaping off towering cliffs, and scaling the incredibly long and steep gorge, my team and I finally made it to the top. We were able to light a fire to signal our rescuers and, to our amazement, they sent a helicopter to save us. As we soared through the gorge, witnessing the wildlife scattering beneath us, and flying over the magnificent Victoria Falls (check out these breathtaking aerial views from around the world), I couldn’t help but feel that this was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

If you believe you possess the strength and determination, you can sign up for the next course at the incredible Bear Grylls Survival Academy.

This incredible adventure was made possible by the generous support of British Airways.