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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What to Do If Someone Gets Heatstroke
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. If you think someone has heatstroke, call 999 or 112 immediately and start cooling them while you wait for help. Don’t wait to see if they get better. (nhs.uk) What Should You Do If Someone Gets Heatstroke? Spending time outdoors in hot weather…
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What to Do If You Lose Your Compass
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST If you lose your compass, don’t panic and don’t immediately try to navigate using guesses. If you aren’t certain of your location or direction, stop and reassess rather than continuing deeper into unfamiliar terrain. If you’re with a Scout group, tell your leader. If you’re alone and the situation is becoming unsafe,…
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What to Do If You Lose Your Map
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST If you lose your map, don’t simply carry on and hope you recognise the route. Stop and work out what you know before moving. If you don’t know where you are, don’t take unnecessary risks trying to find your way. Stay safe, contact your group or get appropriate help if necessary. What…
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What to Do If You Get Separated From Your Group
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST If you become separated from your group outdoors, your first priority is to stay safe — not to find everyone as quickly as possible. In many situations, stopping where you are is safer than wandering around looking for the group. If you’re in immediate danger, injured, lost in hazardous terrain or unable…
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What to Do If Someone Panics Outdoors
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Panic can look frightening, but staying calm and creating a safe environment can make a big difference. Don’t assume that every episode of distress is a panic attack. Chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion or other unusual or severe symptoms may have another cause and can require urgent medical attention. If…
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How to Run a Water Purification Activity for Scouts
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST This activity is for learning purposes. Water that has been filtered during the activity must not be assumed to be safe to drink. If you demonstrate boiling or another purification method, explain that different treatment methods deal with different hazards. Filtering through cloth, sand or gravel does not make water safe to…
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How to Recognise Dehydration Outdoors
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Dehydration can become serious if it isn’t recognised and treated. If someone is severely unwell, confused, very drowsy, unable to drink, has collapsed, or isn’t improving, seek urgent medical help. In hot conditions, dehydration can occur alongside heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can be medical emergencies. How to Recognise Dehydration Dehydration happens…
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How to Boil Water Safely Outdoors
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Boiling water can cause serious burns and scalds. Use stable equipment, keep people away from the cooking area and take particular care around children. Never leave boiling water unattended. If you’re using a fire or camping stove, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you have a safe way to extinguish the…
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10 Knots Every Scout Should Know
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Knots are useful outdoor skills, but a knot should never be used beyond what it is designed for. Always use appropriate equipment and follow manufacturer guidance when ropes are being used for climbing, lifting, rescue or supporting a person’s weight. The knots below are intended for general Scout activities, camping and campcraft…
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Burns: What to Do Outdoors
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST A burn can be more serious than it initially appears. If someone has been badly burned, is having difficulty breathing, has extensive or deep burns, or the burn involves the face, hands, genitals or major joints, seek urgent medical help. For a fresh burn, the priority is generally to remove the person…
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