DAY 5
SURVIVAL MINDSET
Day 5 — Fire & Water Safety
Fire and water are two of the most important resources in an outdoor survival situation, but both can become dangerous very quickly. Understanding how to use them safely is an essential part of developing practical survival skills.
In this challenge, you’ll learn the basic safety principles for managing fire and finding water outdoors. You’ll consider common hazards, make sensible decisions and learn why safe practices are essential when dealing with fire or water in an outdoor environment.
The aim isn’t simply to find or use these resources. It’s to understand the risks involved and know how to make safer decisions when faced with an unexpected outdoor situation.
📖 Learn the Skill
Safe fire use starts before a fire is ever lit. You need to consider the location, weather, surroundings and whether fires are permitted.
When thinking about water, you also need to consider where it comes from, whether it may be contaminated and how it could be made safe before drinking.
Learn more about fire safety and finding water before completing today’s challenge.
🎯 Today’s Challenge
Fire safety: Read the fire-safety guide and write down five checks you should make before lighting a campfire.
Water safety: Imagine you are outdoors and need to find a water source. List three things you would check before considering the water suitable for use.
For each answer, explain why it matters.
Bonus challenge: Identify two reasons why drinking untreated water could be dangerous.
Safety note: This is a planning and knowledge exercise. Do not light a fire or drink untreated water as part of the challenge. Follow local laws, landowner requirements and site-specific fire restrictions.
✅ Complete Day 5
Once you’ve completed today’s challenge, click the button below to record your progress.
Reward: +10 Survival Skills Points
Your points contribute towards the final 7-Day Survival Skills Challenge achievement.