LATEST OUTDOOR GUIDES
Keep up to date with the latest guides, activities and resources from Survival Guides UK. Explore new articles covering outdoor skills, survival, Scout activities, camping, navigation, knots, fire safety and practical skills.
Our latest posts are designed to help Scouts, youth groups, leaders and anyone interested in outdoor learning develop practical knowledge and confidence. From new activity ideas and survival skills to useful how-to guides, check back regularly for the latest resources.
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How to Carry and Transport Water Outdoors
Finding and treating water is only part of staying hydrated outdoors. You also need to be able to carry, transport and protect your water supply. The way you carry water affects how much you can take, how easily you can access it and how much effort you need to use while travelling. More importantly, poor…
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How to Make Water Safe to Drink Outdoors
Finding water outdoors does not automatically mean you have found drinking water. Natural water can contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, sediment and other contaminants that are not always visible. Even clear, cold, fast-flowing water can carry microorganisms that could make you ill. The skill is not simply finding water. It is knowing how to assess it,…
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Water Purification Methods Explained
Knowing that you should purify outdoor water is important. Knowing how different purification methods work is even more useful. There is no single method that deals with every type of contamination. Boiling, filtration and chemical disinfection each work in different ways, and the most suitable option depends on the water source, the equipment available and…
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How to Purify Water Outdoors
Finding water outdoors is only part of the challenge. Water that looks clean can still contain microorganisms that can make you ill, so knowing how to purify it is an essential outdoor skill. The safest approach is to treat collected water before drinking it. Depending on the situation, this can involve filtering the water, boiling…
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How to Tie a Prusik Knot | Step-by-Step Guide
The Prusik knot is a friction hitch that allows a loop of cord to grip a larger rope when loaded and slide along it when the load is released. It is an important ropework knot because it demonstrates how friction can be used to create a movable attachment point. The knot is made using a…
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How to Tie a Double Fisherman’s Knot | Step-by-Step Guide
The double fisherman’s knot is a compact knot used to join two ends of rope or cord. It is particularly useful with cord of similar diameter and is commonly used when a secure, relatively compact join is required. The knot consists of two identical stopper knots that are tied around the opposite rope. When the…
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How to Tie a Figure Eight on a Bight | Step-by-Step Guide
The figure eight on a bight is a useful way to create a fixed loop in the middle or at the end of a rope. Unlike a basic figure eight stopper knot, this version creates a loop that can be used for attaching or connecting rope. A bight is a section of rope folded back…
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How to Tie a Rolling Hitch | Step-by-Step Guide
The rolling hitch is a useful knot for attaching one rope to another rope, pole or similar object. Its main advantage is that it can grip against a lengthwise pull, making it useful when you need to take tension from one line with another. It is closely related to the clove hitch but has an…
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How to Tie a Trucker’s Hitch | Step-by-Step Guide
The trucker’s hitch is a useful rope system for creating adjustable tension. It is commonly used when securing loads, tightening guy lines and tensioning ropes where a firm pull is needed. Unlike a simple hitch, the trucker’s hitch uses a loop in the rope to create mechanical advantage. This allows you to pull the rope…
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How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch | Step-by-Step Guide
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable knot that allows you to change the tension in a rope without completely untying it. It is particularly useful for guy lines, such as those used with tents and shelters, because the rope can be moved to increase or decrease tension. The knot grips the standing part of the…
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