LATEST OUTDOOR GUIDES
Keep up to date with the latest guides, activities and resources from Pure Bushcraft. 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 You Are Swept Into Fast-Moving Water
Being swept into fast-moving water is a serious emergency. The current can move you much faster than you can swim, and obstacles beneath or above the surface may be difficult to see. Trying to fight directly against the current can quickly lead to exhaustion. The most important thing is to stay calm, protect your airway…
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Advanced Stream Crossing Techniques
Crossing a stream can look simple until the water becomes deeper, faster or more unpredictable. A shallow stream in calm conditions may present little difficulty, while the same watercourse after heavy rainfall can become a serious hazard. Advanced stream crossing is therefore not about finding a clever way to get across. It is about assessing…
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How to Deal With Waterborne Contamination
Water can become contaminated in many different ways. Animals, people, sewage, flooding, agricultural activity and pollution can all affect a water source. Some contamination is obvious, while some cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. For anyone spending significant time outdoors, understanding waterborne contamination means knowing how to reduce the chance of contamination in the first…
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How to Judge Whether a Water Source Is Safe
Finding water outdoors does not automatically mean finding safe drinking water. A stream can look clean but still contain harmful microorganisms. A lake can appear inviting while being affected by contamination that cannot be seen. Even a water source that you have used before can change after heavy rain, flooding, animal activity or human use.…
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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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