SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR KIDS

This information is taken from the site OutsideMom.com that is no longer published.

Every outdoor child should be equipped with a few basic outdoor skills along with a little "survival kit" to keep in their backpacks.

A survival kit is something that can be built upon over time. As you get older you can add more and more items (like fire starting supplies) if you how to use them safely and correctly.

Here is a sample of a minimal survival kit:
Extra food
Water
Knife
Flashlight and batteries
Water purification tablets
Small signaling mirror
Whistle
Toilet Paper
Bandaids

Assuming you have these few basic tools, below are some good beginner skills to go over. The S.T.O.P. acronym (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) is a great place to start, and is a helpful tool for kids when it comes time to remembering what they should do.

Stop

Stay where you are. The second you realize you are lost you should stop immediately and wait. Attach a whistle to your backpack; as soon as you realize you have become separated from the group start blowing that whistle like crazy.

Think

Don't freak out. This is perhaps the hardest and most important wilderness survival skill to develop, especially if you're a kid. You will be less likely to freak out if you know what

to do. You will probably have a meltdown when you realize you are lost. But then, understand how important it is to stay calm or become calm. It’s hard to think and plan unless you’re able to be rational. Recall everything you have been taught  and go from there.

Observe

Look through your backpack. What do you have with you that can be of use? Whistle? Use it often. Food? Save it until you’re really hungry. Water? Save it until you’re really thirsty. Rope? That could be used for making a shelter. Knife? That might come in handy.

Also observe your surroundings. Does the place look at all familiar? Is there a good place for a shelter? Water nearby? A place where you can safely get up for a better view?

Plan

Now what? Take time to think about what you need to do first. Ok, You’ve blown your whistle for the last 20 minutes. Now what. It’s getting late, maybe you should think about a shelter.

Drink water

Water is the most important survival item you can have; it’s also a hard one for little kids, which is why kids' packs should have plenty of water and you should understand  the need to ration it if you become lost. Your body can still function with little or no food for weeks, but it can only last a few days without water.

The problem is, unless you find yourself lost next to a water source you shouldn’t exactly wander off looking for water and get even more lost. However, if it has been a day or two and you’re still lost and out of water, it’s going to be worth it to wander off and try to find some.

The easiest thing for little kids to use and carry is water purification tablets. If you're going to be hiking, make sure you have some in your pack and know how to use them. Also make sure you know when to start venturing out to find water.

Find shelter

Next to having enough water, finding a shelter to protect you from the elements (either cold or hot weather) should be top priority. Take advantage of your surroundings. Rock overhangs would be ideal, but if you don’t have that, find some limbs, leaves and/or pine boughs to make a shelter. A lean-to is probably the easiest for kids. It might be fun to practice out on the trail or in your backyard. Even a find a rock or a tree that you can sit next too can help keep you out out of the sun or rain.

Prepare a signal

If you’re lost in the wild, surviving is, of course, your first priority. Your second should be getting yourself out of there! There are several safe and easy ways you  can make a signal.

1. Use a mirror (If you have one) or some other shiny or metallic object to signal either a helicopter, plane or other hikers.
   
2. Create a signal with rocks (that contrast with the ground color). Spell out “HELP” or “SOS,” or even a big smiley face our of rocks or brush will get noticed! Make sure to make the letters big.
   
3. If you hear a plane or helicopter get into an opening and run around and yell like a crazy person.