We live in a world that’s based on convenience and consistency. Every morning, we wake up assuming that basic necessities such as electricity, water, and shelter are always available. But what if the power went out for days? What if your tap water suddenly became undrinkable? What if you had to sleep outside with no tent? The best way to prepare is by practicing real survival drills and the best place to start is right outside your door.
Your backyard is the perfect training ground because it’s a safe and controlled space that lets you test your abilities. This summer, challenge yourself with five hands-on backyard survival drills that can sharpen your instincts and give you the confidence to handle real emergencies.
Fire-Starting Races: Build a Fire in Minutes
Fire is essential for boiling water, cooking food, and staying warm. The challenge is developing the ability to start one anytime, anywhere. While having the right equipment can help, damp conditions or high winds can turn fire-starting into a frustrating challenge. Practicing this skill now will make it second nature by the time you truly need to practice it.
Materials
Dry tinder (shredded bark, cotton balls, dryer lint, or dry grass)
Small kindling (pencil-sized twigs or wood shavings)
Fuel wood (sticks and logs)
Fire-starting tools: waterproof matches, ferro rod, flint and steel, or a lighter
Fire-safe area (fire pit or cleared ground)
Stopwatch or timer
How to Do It:
- Gather dry tinder, small kindling, and larger sticks for fuel.
- Choose a fire-starting method using any of the following equipment: waterproof matches, a ferro rod, or flint and steel.
- Set a three-minute timer and try to ignite a steady flame before time runs out.
- If competing with others, the first person to maintain a consistent flame for at least 30 seconds wins.
Why This Drill Matters:
Practicing fire-starting within a time limit builds muscle memory and reveals which method works best for you.
Water Purification Test: Turn Dirty Water Into Safe Drinking Water
Drinking untreated water can lead to severe illness caused by bacteria, parasites, or dirt. Knowing how to purify a contaminated water supply can keep you and your family safely hydrated. This water filtration drill helps you compare different purification methods to find the best one for your situation.
Materials
Bucket of dirty or murky water
Clean cloth or coffee filter (for pre-filtering debris)
Portable water filter (Sawyer Mini, LifeStraw, or Berkey filter)
Water purification tablets (Aquamira, Potable Aqua, or Katadyn)
Unscented household bleach
medicine dropper
Metal or heat-resistant pot for boiling
Camp stove or fire for boiling water
How to Do It:
- Fill a bucket with murky or debris-filled water to simulate a contaminated water source.
- Use a clean cloth or coffee filter to remove visible dirt and sediment.
- Test different purification methods separately:
- Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute.
- Filtration: Use a portable water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw, to remove bacteria and protozoa.
- Chemical Treatment: Add water purification tablets and wait 30 minutes before drinking. If using unscented household bleach, add two drops per quart, four drops per half-gallon, or eight drops per gallon of clear water. Stir well and let sit for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, double the bleach amount and wait one hour.
- Compare the water’s taste, clarity, and smell after each method.
Why This Drill Matters:
During hurricanes, floods, and blackouts, municipal water systems will often stop working. Knowing multiple ways to purify water ensures you have something safe to drink during emergencies.
Shelter-Building Drill: Construct a Shelter That Holds Up in Bad Weather
Extended exposure to rain, wind, or cold can cause hypothermia. A well-built shelter blocks the elements and helps you conserve precious body heat. This shelter-building drill teaches you how to construct a sturdy, weather-resistant hut using as few materials as possible.
Materials
Tarp or large piece of plastic (for a tarp tent)
Paracord or strong rope (to secure the tarp)
Sturdy branches and sticks (to create a lean-to or an A-frame shelter)
Leaves, grass, or pine needles (for insulation and windproofing)
Small shovel or trowel (for leveling the ground or digging wind barriers)
Timer or stopwatch
How to Do It:
- Choose a sheltered location in your yard away from standing water and strong winds.
- Gather materials based on your chosen shelter type:
- Lean-to: Prop a sturdy branch against a tree and stack sticks and leaves against one side to block wind.
- A-frame: Arrange long sticks in a triangular shape and cover them with grass, leaves, or a tarp for insulation.
- Tarp Tent: Tie a tarp between two trees using paracord and anchor the sides with rocks or stakes.
- Set a 15-minute timer and attempt to complete any type of shelter before time runs out.
- Sit inside and check for weaknesses.
Why This Drill Matters:
A reliable shelter keeps you dry, warm, and protected from insects. Practicing now ensures that if you ever need to build one in the wild, you can do it efficiently.
Without electricity powering streetlights and homes, familiar surroundings can become disorienting. Practicing nighttime navigation helps you move safely and quietly without relying on artificial light.
Materials
Compass (for practicing direction-finding)
Flashlight or headlamp (for practicing low-light navigation)
Glow sticks (for marking obstacles or checkpoints)
Small obstacles (branches, buckets, or rocks for terrain practice)
Stopwatch or timer
Notebook or journal (to record navigation attempts and improve skills)
How to Do It:
- Wait until it’s completely dark, then turn off all outdoor lights.
- Allow your eyes to adjust for at least 15 minutes.
- Walk from one side of the yard to the other using only moonlight or starlight. If available, use a compass to maintain direction.
- If using a flashlight, practice directing the beam downward or shielding part of it with your hand to avoid detection.
- Set up small obstacles, like branches or objects, to simulate rough terrain and practice moving without making noise.
Why This Drill Matters:
Practicing navigating at night without a flashlight helps you avoid obstacles and stay undetected during actual survival situations.
Power-Outage Cooking Drill: Cook a Full Meal Without Electricity
If the power goes out, your stove and microwave won’t be cooking options. Without an alternative method, you’ll have to make do with eating cold canned food. This power outage cooking drill teaches you how to prepare hot meals without relying on electricity.
Materials
Non-perishable food (canned meats, rice, beans, dehydrated vegetables)
Camp stove with fuel (propane or butane)
Fire pit with grill grate or cast-iron pan (for cooking over an open fire)
Solar oven (if using the sun for cooking)
Cooking utensils (spoon, spatula, tongs)
Heatproof pot or pan
Timer (for tracking cooking efficiency)
How to Do It:
- Select non-perishable ingredients such as canned meats, rice, beans, or dehydrated vegetables.
- Choose a cooking method:
- Camp Stove: Use a propane or butane stove for quick, controlled cooking.
- Fire Pit: Build a small fire and cook with a cast-iron skillet or grill grate.
- Solar Oven: Use a solar cooker to slowly heat food using only sunlight.
- Set a 30-minute timer and prepare a full meal using your chosen method.
- Taste the food and evaluate whether this method is practical during extended outages.
Why This Drill Matters:
Testing different cooking methods helps you determine which works best for your setup and the situation.
Survival Drills: Preparedness Starts with Practice
Repetition turns hesitation into instinct, and the instincts can save lives. The more you test your fire-starting, shelter-building, and water-purification skills, the faster you’ll respond in a crisis. When the time comes, the survival drills you run today can become the actions that protect you and your family.
Which drill will you try first? Let me know in the comments!
FAQs: Survival Drills For Summer
- What is the easiest survival skill to learn at home?
Fire-starting is a great skill to start with. It is simple, fun, and essential in many survival situations. - Do I need special equipment for these survival drills?
No. Many survival drills use basic household items and natural materials found in your yard. - Can kids participate in these drills?
Yes! Just supervise them, especially when handling fire or sharp tools. - How often should I practice these skills?
At least once a month to stay familiar with the techniques. - What is the hardest drill?
Nighttime navigation can be challenging if you are not used to moving in the dark.
