Wilderness Survival: Shelter, Fire, Water, Hypothermia. Paul Tarsitano

[MrJonkelp]

some sweet info here

[MrOutdoorEssentials]

hey guys just started my own channel come check it out!

[PaulT1960]

As I grow older I depend on my mind and will ever more as my body doesn't have the strengh as it once did

[vaneztax]

I agree, the most important resource and a great tool are your knowledge and the will to survive.

[PaulT1960]

I agree.you can also chop with a good quilty fix blade..

[PaulT1960]

yeah..the problem with folding knifes is just that..too much potential for cuts..

[TacticalGamesReviews]

@PaulT1960 not really.. i got a folding knife for 2 years now and never cut myself..

[bowdude21]

@PaulT1960 and what i like about fixed blades its just one less thing to break on the knife

[Bdoog43]

I cut my finger nail in half with my swiss army knife it bleed so bad

[PaulT1960]

Satelite phone or SPOT, PLB also..a cell phone is small, light, and cheap. Just another communication tool to add to your kit..and yeah Hams are great..can use for marine, air and as you know many other frequenzies....if you get someone on the end of the line...

[ke7uxr]

A cell phone?? Really?? I'll remember that when I'm trying to find a cell tower in the middle of the woods. That's why I got myself a ham radio license. I make my OWN signal! 2 meter band emergency freq: 146.520, monitored at the top of every hour as long as I'm awake in the woods.

[billwho62]

@ke7uxr ...... you just cant stay away from the government.

[PaulT1960]

I have never used bear grylls ultimate knife..but I did buy and use the fire starter he offers...nice sparks but poor construction...it busted on a few try's handle busted..

[Wiegieboard]

@PaulT1960 Same thing happens with the handle of the knife on the first model :(

[PaulT1960]

yes...and much stronger..I have had one for a few years and used it often...

[escapeclaus]

Great tip on the batteries and 0000 steel wool.The backed, woven, grometted reflective blankets are much better, and they are almost as light.

[seekertrth]

@escapeclaus I always carry 1 like u are talking about (yes, they are better), at least 1 + a mylar:One for shelter construction, the other inside, creates an air space that captures more warmth in winter, in summer actually creates the opposite (the shade between). 1 other thing; don't keep either / or wrapped too closely, ur body sweats slightly even iin winter + breath= condensation build up and then ur wet=cold that's pretty much impossible to get rid of in winter...Hypothermia guaranteed.

[teemcanada1]

@subcomandante77 You would use a fire-bow or a handstick which are the only two ways to make a fire with sticks which this guy paul tarsitano has a world record for quickest fire made by rubbing to sticks together faster than survivor man. Pauls record is under 6 seconds i know cause hes my uncle.

[subcomandante77]

what about no flint, matches or battery? what then?

[PaulT1960]

I like the sturdy plastic containers with a wide top for easy opening..I found the metal match containers hard to use...you can water proof your strike anywhere matches by dipping them into melted wax..this works great..just take the wax off the head before strikiing..

[SneakyGoomba]

anything a hatchet can do my 9'' home made hunting knife/machete can do better.

Water proof matches are shit, buy a magnesium striker and if you like matches buy sturdy strike anywhere ones, but invest in a water proof container.

[PaulT1960]

Yes..using a small limb as a mallet works well...have you ever used wedges made out of wood and a mallet to split logs? That works well also...the technique I was using in this dvd worked well as it was soft wood and I was mostly trimming the tree.thanks for the interesting comment.

[bleedingxhearts2]

@PaulT1960 have you ever used the bear grylls ultimate knife? attached to it/the sheath are a whistle and flint, and its a fixed blade knife by gerber. the tip of the handle is also metal and can be used as a pommel it looks like an awesome knife

[vibelake]

@bleedingxhearts2 i knoow im gonna buy it tomorrow!! :DD CAN´T WAIT!!!

[vibelake]

kinda embarrassing for that dude if he didn´t make the wood to burn XD

[seekertrth]

@bleedingxhearts2 I have looked @ the Grylls knife. It may look cool but: 1) It is a stainless steel, they don't hold an edge well enough for real survival nor (in my opinion) hold up really,really hard use. 2) It has serrations, which may be good for synthetic materials, etc, but in survival a straight edge for carving, etc is much prefered.

Personnally, I go w/ the esee rc4: carbon, straight edge, rounded or pointed pomell available...Tough as hell and proven!!

[bleedingxhearts2]

@seekertrth i dont use a knife a lot because im in school and work so i ended up getting the gerber profile blade for about 20 dollars. its probably crappy, but it beats spending 50 dollars on a bear grylls knife and it will do what i need it to you should look it up

[icedreams5]

instead of chopping with your knife

.i'd suggest using a small broken limb or small log as a mallet. (even a small rock works to). place the blade on the wood to be cut and tap the knife. not so hard to drive the blade deep into the wood like a splitting wedge. just enough to make a cut. alternate like you would with a hatchet.

[PaulT1960]

if you are going to build a house...

[POWohnomypants]

Always carry a hammer with you.

[therandomcookieshow]

Or to keep yourself warm you can put your head on the fire...wait.

[sogi5326]

@therandomcookieshow Yea, like i was doing to your mom last night. . .she is still warm and dripping.

[PaulT1960]

Yes you would...but in this case there was only 4 inches of snow at the base of the rock and I moved it away....

[Angelinasmonkey]

should you not have cleared the ground of snow prior to building your fire on it?

[PaulT1960]

Garbage bags are good items in an emergency kit, especially orange as they are much easier to spot...

[bizzarrogeorge]

"You can use an orange garbage bag as a jacket..." Really? What if I have a white one? Or a black one? Can I still use it as a jacket or does it have to be orange? ......That's why journalism is dying in our country. Have a good one!

[KarelProject]

won't the flames of your fire burn down your shelter?

[PaulT1960]

very real possiblity...but my experience is that you keep the flames low and you cat nap more than you sleep..its not your typical sleep in a warm bed without worries..you have to be careful.

[CanadianReich]

falls asleep, entire shelter busts into flames...arrh!

[PaulT1960]

Thanks for the nice words...lots to improve on and saving up for a better camera...

[cresidue]

One of the BEST videos I have seen in a long time! Excellent information and demonstrations!!

[magicjoey69]

nice video, i havent seen the tip on steel wool and a battery before, and any tip taken from a bushcraft video helps, thanks paul

[CubanRevival]

hyperthermia? i think she means hypothermia

[PaulT1960]

Good question..many factors in surviving cold temperature like clothing, age, fat, fitness, wind chill...if a person has no clothes, no foot wear in say minuse 20 o Cele generally, if the body core reaches 28 deg. cele they go uncounsious and very shortly there heart stops in a matter of hours...but we have seen young children with miniumal clothing out all night "VSA vital signs absent" brought back to life. Also Cold induced hypothermia is now used on cardiac arrest patients to reduce brain

[PaulT1960]

@PaulT1960 damage....but generally you are not going to last long if you are not prepared, death by exposure. The shelter you saw here need much more work, more materials, fire wood, and bark to make it wind proof...nylon tents get very cold..a winter tight stops the wind more so..a good sleep bag and foamy to protect you from the ground is needed...I sometimes add a tarp over my tent to help with insulation and protecting it from the wind....also nylon melts..careful with fie around it...

[Sh4d0wSUN]

surely you did choose the worst season possible ;). nice tips, you never know when you'll need this kind of knowledge. one question though. how low temperatures can human body survive for long period of time? and does small tent do any good if it would be cover it, like you did it? I guess at least you wouldnt have to vorry about wind so much. tnx again for great tips.everbody should know basics of wilderness survival.

Cheers

[RonRay]

I'm not a "survivalist" or even a practitioner bushcraftsman (I just made that term up. ;) , but I've watched hundreds of bushcraft videos here and on TV and even I know that dude is going to freeze to death!

His "shelter" allows more heat to escape and weather to enter than it's worth- ... it would serve him more to 'burn' it for heat. The shelter should be at least a solid foot thick.

He should be near the rock- NOT the fire. The fire should be at the entrance of the shelter, not inside it!

[PaulT1960]

@RonRay You would add much more material...this was done in 3 hours...also the fire against the rock reflects the heat back to you, if it rains or snows the fire in the shelter doesn't go out...I have slept in dozens of these type of shelters without a sleeping bag in Canada's winter...yes it gets cold but I never got frost bite. I was the only one building this shelter and was on a time limit...again you would add much more materials on top and build from there, thanks for the feedback.

[RonRay]

@PaulT1960 - Thanks for your reply Paul. I see your point.

As mentioned, I have never pitched much more than a 'tent' in my life. But from what I read and hear, a large rock saturated with moisture, like the one in the video can split (or even explode) in the presents of high temperature and fall on you. This could be worse than the cold.

I suppose there is an ongoing debate about where to place the fire, but thought I would mention it.

It's video like yours that teach us. Thanks for posting!

[PaulT1960]

@RonRay yes rocks can break off known as platting and fall crushing you...be careful with over hanging rocks and pick rocks without cracks...with a rock or bolder as a reflector you are protected from the front and only need to worry about the other 3 sides...you can pick a smaller rock but they are hard to find in deep snow...in 9 minutes I can't give all the information I ike to, but take a course with a experienced wilderness survival instructor if you like to continue in this area, thanks

[loboguara11]

Great and useful information. Just let me add that we are somehow relatives. My family is originally from Italy but they changed "s" by "c" in Tarsitano. Greetings from Brazil. Alexandre Tarcitano

[Spikestrip55]

@scarz1951 Actually, scarz, before attacking someone with a *very* small point, get the facts correct yourself. It's a "Ferrocerium" rod. So there... Excellent job Paul, I'm looking forward to seeing more!

[0122358]

@scarz1951 oh calm down, i know the difference between a ferro rod and flint, but i say flint just becase its easier.

[scarz1951]

@0122358 Your right. It is easier. Easier and wrong. When I tell students to bring a flint and steel kit to the courses that I teach, I don't want them showing up with a ferro rod and a broken hacksaw blade because someone told them that a ferro rod is flint and a chunk of hacksaw blade is a steel. When I tell them to bring a canteen I don't want them to bring a water bottle. There is a big difference. There now. Do you feel better since I've calmed down?

[0122358]

@scarz1951 nahh now you kinda being a hard ass what ever dude, i know the difference and would bring the requested materials. Not all people are as informed as you and me.

[PaulT1960]

@scarz1951 Stand corrected, good point. Take a look at my fire starting videos I use flint, fire by friction also. Thanks for the correction

[scarz1951]

@PaulT1960 good vids.

[MrHadage]

Isn't it a bit dangerous using these Twigs? If they start burning you feel like in hell. Also there is isn't enough Oxygen and too much carbon monoxide from the fire. Correct me if I'm wrong, but thats just my worry ;)

Greetings from Germany :)

[PaulT1960]

You must keep the fire 1/3 the height of the shelter, having the fire outside the shelter loses alot of heat, rain could but it out and lost of fire wood. As the the CM the shelter is not air tight. Hope that helpls. And yes, there is a possiblity of the shelter buring down, you must be careful.

[Liuss1337]

thats correct. but its a small chanse as this happening...Still this is not the best kind of shelter.

[mountainman1996]

not bad

[tim3jones]

TRUE, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[haha48]

can be used longer.. if you smoke you could be close to out of fuel as well so once its out its alot harder to make a fire

[PaulT1960]

Thats right, carry a fire starter that is easy to use, fast, and reliable. But, carry a fint as a spare because they are durable, easily dried, and long lasting. Lighters break easily, run out of fuel, however they are great when they work. Also, you learn how to start a fire from a spark when using a flint, when mastered using a lighter is that much easier.

[GFoladi]

lol at 5:00 it looks like he's about to set that tree in fire and start a forest fire

[PaulT1960]

Yup, there has been more than one shelter caught on fire by students with teaching this. Just remember that the fire is no more than 1/3 the height of the shelter...

[Want2burn]

if i would ever got lost then is it more important to get a fire going and then a shelter or a shelter and then make fire when the shelter is complete? srry for bad english

[PaulT1960]

Good question and often asked. Depends, if raining get a shelter going. The shelter will protect you and fire. Clear sky, prepare a fire pit, reflector and start your fire. Gather your materials and bring them close to the building spot, if it gets dark you have the materials close at hand. Also try and gather 3 days of fire wood, gather wood far away from shelter first so you don't have to go far when tired, always blaze to and from the shelter so you won't get lost again, hope that helps.

[Roboflux]

Yeah i forgot to mention i am now in the high mountains 600-800 meters over sea level, there are pine, spruce , birchtrees and Sorbus aucuparia...=) dont know the english name.

Also, does smoke from the fire act like a conserver on the materials such as the frame logs and it all?

[PaulT1960]

What I did was find a dead birch. Bark from a dead birch tree is easily removed, cut a long line say 3 feet and remove the bark. I would keep piling on materials, this adds insulation and more water proof. Be aware, the fire inside can catch the shelter on fire, no more than 1/3rd the height of the shelter.

[Roboflux]

Ok, thnks, i will put that on memory, would be a great fire though..if that was what you wanted =)

[PaulT1960]

another dvd coming soon so you can see fire pit and more details

[Roboflux]

Ok, do you sell DVDs then?

Regarding firepits, i will make me also a pipe from the outside to inside of shelter to provide oxygen with a flexible "tube" that i can mount on the outside end to control where i want to gather wind.

[PaulT1960]

don't need a pipe, the shelters are generally not air tight or you will die of carbon monoxide poisioning. Don't forget to carry a survival kit with a 10'x10' sheet of plastic. saves a lot of time.

[Roboflux]

That pipe is air to the fire, not to me =)

just to have more efficient burning you know.

[Roboflux]

I just made a shelter yesterday on a pine tree that had blown down with a diameter about 50cm.

What is the best you can use to insulate it with after you put your logs as a shell?

And in what order?

[PaulT1960]

depending on the material at hand, first for a A frame type, main frame, rib it with sticks vertically, then sticks horizontally, then at insulation like pine and or leaves, make sure there is a good pitch to the roof, then if possible bark it at the end like you are shingling a roof, add logs around the base. I will demo one soon on a video with pics, ps don't forge the bedding first, and fire pit. if raining, put up the roof first and then fire, logs to protect you from the ground.

[dude687]

lol 0:46 orange power

[superassassin47]

ooh-rah

[zachbdude]

how long does a flint last? can it be used too much and i would have to buy a new one?

[PaulT1960]

Depending on the flint, usually a thousand strikes. When using a flint it eventually wears down. Most outdoors store sell them.

[BavarianRaven]

it depends on the size of the flint and how many times u use it, but as long as u dont abuse it, it should last u years. mine has, and i use it often.

[PaulT1960]

Carry a communication device suited for your area that you will be traveling in. In addition a cell phone is cheap and light easily stored in a pocket or emergency kit.

[area51rockers]

A cell phone??? Dude i can garuntee you that most people wouldnt get reception if you get lost... Most people dont really carry cell phones around while hiking, hunting and other stuff either....

[PaulT1960]

yes a cell phone, very light, cheap, and sometimes you just may find a spot for reception. and you don't need to activate a cell phone to call 911. sure carry a sat phone, SPOT, or PLB if you have the money. Cell is a good back up.

[GuillaumeTremblay30]

if you get lost going to the corner store a cell phone will help ... but into the wild hundreds of kilometers away from home .... i doubt it

[nephildevil]

in belgium there is cell phone reception everywhere

but then again if u walk an hour or so ur out of "wilderniss" :D

[clearlyme2u]

BTW Great video.

[clearlyme2u]

As a kid growing up in the midwest...we used to build this type and variations of shelter. In the winter when lots of snow was available we would pile snow up about 4 feet high and burrow into it making a small room. In the downwind side we would poke a big hole in the roof and build our fire there. We were plenty warm. I'm not a video maker and here in the islands no snow is availbale but have you ever used that method? Note we did this usually within a few blocks of home & sometimes camp.

[PaulT1960]

I have slept in 2 types of snow shelters, Snow cave in the moutains, digging it out of deep snow, and a quinzy Sp? piling snow and digging it out. Love them but needed a sleeping bag and foamy. Also needed a change of clothing as I got pretty wet. Had a candle going and yes vent holes. Very quiet sleep and snow does make a good insulation. I should get one on tape next winter, cheers!!

[mitchio83]

That shelter looks alittle dangerous, like your climbing into a potential raging bonfire with all those pine needles hanging down.

[PaulT1960]

Yes, there is that possiblity. You keep the fire 1/3 of the height of the shelter. We have had the debate for some time, fire in or out of shelter. The fire certaintly adds to your survival in staying warm. That shelter was not totally complete, you could replace the boughs with bark over the fire and you do replace the boughs daily as they do get dry over the fire pit. I found a fire in the shelter out ways the potential hazard of the shelter buring down. BE CAREFUL, but I have kept warm in -30

[maiki60fps]

the format is strange... it should 4:3 and not widescreen

[PaulT1960]

yea, new to the video and editing plus I need a new camera. working on it!

[bikasboy]

what knife is that?

[PaulT1960]

its a 1950's Shiefield Cox sp? from England, best knife I have, keeps its edge and antler handle, good weight to it also.

[PaulT1960]

Take a look at my Fire Starting videos 1 to 3, I show fire by friction "rubbing 2 sticks together, quartz rock and steel ect. Many ways to start a fire just naming a few.

[OregonBackpacker]

or just put lots of fir branches with lots of green over the shelter

[PaulT1960]

Yes, pile on the the fir branches, what ever you can find at hand. to make a shelter rain proof takes work and patience. Thanks for the comment.

[lolmofomang]

this is a great vid. yesterday , me and a cousin made a shelter in the mountains but the roof leaks when it rains, we tried putting ferns and moss on the roof. we thought of mud but it might collapse the ceiling, any suggestions?

[PaulT1960]

Moss acts as a sponge, over time water starts dripping through. Use bark from a dead tree, birch bark works well. Place it over the moss and ferns. Also make the shelter with a good pitch. I will be making another vid on rainproofing your shelter with bark shortly.

Paul :O)

[PaulT1960]

place the bark as you would shingling a roof, adding more and more boughs, leaves Place logs at the base of the shelter and work your way up also works great. Choose a strong ridge pole so the shelter can handle the extra weight. There are many types of shelters depends on your environment.

[EarthBlue2]

Hey Paul this is hiker I just post a survival video of my own. my sight is EarthBlue2. Surviving the wilderness with hiker Lou. This video demonstrates how to build small quick fire without burning a lot of energy, and when time could be a factor in a survival situation. Enjoy.

[PaulT1960]

Just took a look and I like how fast you can build a fire and make a quick cup of tea, gave it a 5.

[EarthBlue2]

Hey brother great video love what I saw. You know your stuff. There's more than one way to skin a cat and what ever works at the time to stay alive in a survival situation works for me. keep up the great work, there's no more fun than teaching people how to survive in dealing with the harsh reality when it comes with surviving in the wilderness. your truly hiker Lou.

[PaulT1960]

Thank you for your the comment, totally agree with you with at ever works at the time. You adapt to the situation. Working on my videos as we speak. Will get a signalling video up shortly. Cheers

[PaulT1960]

I only build these shelters on Crown Land during training and hopelfully not in a real situation. Yup, chips work great all that yummy greasy oil.

Thanks for the reply, ps just added a few more videos which go more indepth.

[TJH1974]

Hey great vid! If you have anymore vidz on indepth shelter building would appreciate =) This also looks like fun to practice sometime when camping and yea Frito's are good fire starters to, or perhaps an array of junk food ..

[PaulT1960]

Just added 2 more indepth shelter vids and fire starting. Yes, potatoe chips work great with all that yummy grease.

I only build these shelters on Crown land and for teaching still bring a tent and warm sleeping bag :O)

[BabyBam88]

thank you

[PaulT1960]

thanks for watching

[sourgirl76]

Thank you, good video. I live in Canada and was looking for a video on how to start a fire in snow.

[PaulT1960]

Stay tuned, a more indepth fire starting video on fire by friction, rocks, cell phone is coming soon. If you are near Toronto come out on a course.

Paul,

thanks for your comment!!

[sourgirl76]

I would be interested, where in Toronto do you hold the course's?