To survive in the woods, rely on the 5Cs: Cutting tool, combustion, cordage, container and cover. “And if you can only bring one C, make it the cutting tool,” advises outdoorswoman Nasya Nani. With just a cutting tool, you can slice vines or strip the bark from trees to create cordage, cut bamboo to fashion containers for water or cooking, or chop palm fronds to build a shelter.
“A parang is ideal but for hikers needing to travel light, it might be too heavy. At the very least, carry a sturdy knife,” she explains. For combustion, Nasya recommends a ferrocerium rod, which you scrape with a metal tool to produce large sparks burning at over 3,000°C.
This tool enables you to ignite a fire with nearly any tinder. Her preferred cordage is paracord, originally designed for parachutes, which typically boasts a test strength of 250 kg. “Paracord consists of a sheath containing at least six inner strands.
Getting a fire going for cooking by blowing through a hollow reed. “So, even with just 1m of paracord, you can create a line up to 7m long,” she said. Having a container for collecting water or cooking significantly enhances your survival chances.
As for the final C – cover – Nasya favours a high-quality, large black plastic bag. “It can be easily folded into a compact size and won’t take up much space in your backpack. “You can use it to build a makeshift shelter or even fashion a buoy to float on water.
“It serves many purposes, such as holding items and .
