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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Camping Mistakes Beginners Make
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Camping involves sleeping outdoors, cooking, handling equipment and dealing with changing weather. Always follow campsite rules, fire-safety guidance and the instructions of your activity leader. Check the weather before setting out and make sure your equipment is suitable for the conditions you’re likely to encounter. Your first camping trip can be exciting.…
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First Aid Myths That Could Make Things Worse
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST First aid is about keeping someone safe until they can receive appropriate medical care. If someone is seriously injured, unconscious, having difficulty breathing, experiencing severe bleeding or otherwise seriously unwell, call 999 or 112 and follow the emergency operator’s instructions. First aid guidance can change, so learn practical skills from a recognised…
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How to Stay Safe in UK Woodlands
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Woodlands can look peaceful and familiar, but they are still natural environments with hazards that can change with the weather and season. Before heading out, consider the forecast, your route, daylight hours and the equipment you need. If you’re part of a Scout group or organised activity, follow your leader’s instructions and…
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What to Do If You Get Lost in a Forest
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST If you realise you’re lost, stop and tell someone if you can. Continuing to walk without knowing where you are can make the situation much worse. If you’re in immediate danger, injured, lost after dark or unable to find your way to safety, call 999 or 112 and ask for the appropriate…
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UK Weather Hazards You Should Know
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Weather can change quickly in the UK, particularly when you’re outdoors. Before heading out, check the forecast and any weather warnings for your area. The Met Office issues warnings for rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog. (Met Office) If severe weather is forecast, be prepared to change or…
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What to Do If Your Tent Leaks
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST A leaking tent is inconvenient, but severe weather can become a genuine safety issue. If conditions include strong winds, flooding, lightning or other dangerous weather, don’t stay in an unsafe location simply because you want to keep the tent dry. Follow your group’s emergency procedures and move to a safer shelter if…
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What to Do If Your Campfire Goes Out
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never assume a campfire is completely extinguished just because you can’t see flames. Hot embers can remain hidden underneath ash and can sometimes reignite. If you’re finished with the fire, extinguish it properly rather than simply leaving it to go out. Only relight a fire if fires are permitted and conditions remain…
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What to Do If You Can’t Light a Fire
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never compromise fire safety just because you are struggling to light a fire. Only light fires where they are permitted, use an appropriate fire area, keep water or another suitable means of extinguishing the fire nearby, and follow local rules and landowner requirements. If conditions are unsafe — particularly during very dry,…
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What to Do If You Run Out of Water
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Running out of water can become a medical emergency, particularly in hot weather or during strenuous activity. If you have no safe drinking water, don’t keep pushing on as though nothing has happened. Stop, reduce exertion, protect yourself from heat and get help or move towards a known safe water source if…
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What to Do If Someone Gets Hypothermia
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you think someone has hypothermia, call 999 or 112 for emergency help and begin appropriate first aid while you wait. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 35°C and can become life-threatening. What Should You Do If Someone Gets Hypothermia? Hypothermia is one of…
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