No one ever plans to be thrust into a situation where they must rely on their wits to survive, but it can happen whether you’re expecting it to or not. Time and time again, people are saved by their knowledge of basic survival skills and quick, level-headed thinking in the face of the unknown. Here’s a list of 10 crucial survival skills that everyone should know, so you can take the time to learn them now before you really need it.

1. Starting a Fire

This is at the top of nearly every survival how-to, and for good reason. If you are displaced in the wilderness, knowing how to build a fire for warmth, safety, and cooking is absolutely essential. There are methods for nearly every environment, from the stick rubbing method to utilizing eyeglasses. Do your homework and commit a few to memory, or even better – practice.

2. Sending SOS Signals

Chances are if you’re lost in the middle of nowhere, rescue is going to be your ultimate goal. Learning how to successfully build smoke signals can greatly improve your chances of being found, and there are other tactics involving flashlights and mirrors that are important to brush up on just in case.

3. Getting Clean Water

Learning how to locate water is a skill in and of itself, but there’s a whole other side of that – preparing water for safe drinking. There are many methods to this, including boiling and man-made filtration utilizing the nature around you. Water is life, so make sure you know where to get it and how to ready it for consumption.

4. How to Build a Shelter

It doesn’t need to be fancy, but a basic shelter can improve your survival odds more than you might expect. There are loads of how-to videos and walkthrough guides to gathering materials from the wilderness and constructing simple shelters to keep you safe from the elements and other potential threats.

5. Navigation

We live in a world of connectivity and GPS signals, but often times those aren’t available when you’re lost in the wilderness. Learning how to use the world around you to navigate, read a compass, and know just what direction you’re headed can be a true lifesaver. While you’re at it, utilize maps. Make sure you have them for the areas you’re in and that you know how to read them.

6. Basic First Aid

Knowing how to administer basic-to-moderate first aid both to others and to yourself is another crucial skill, whether you’re lost or you’re just on a routine camping trip. Brush up on how to handle cuts, fractures, burns, and more – and don’t forget to pick up some tips for what you can use in the wild for help if you don’t have a kit available.

7. How to Find Food

Establishing a shelter and finding water are imperatives, followed closely by finding food. Learn what you can forage in your area and how to identify it, and also learn how to assemble basic hunting or fishing traps if applicable. When in doubt, make sure you’re familiar with the Universal Edibility Test touted by the U.S. military.

8. Measure Remaining Daylight

When you aren’t sure where you are, one of the most important things is making sure you don’t get caught wandering after dark. There is a simple method of calculating how many daylight hours are left with only your hands. Commit this to memory to ensure you’ll always be back in moderate safety when the sun sets.

9. Tying Knots

A lot of people don’t realize just how invaluable knots can be in survival situations. Knowing how to tie effective knots can help build the best shelters, tools, and traps, as well as tie yourself to things for safety when needed. The right knot is capable of holding thousands of pounds. Researching survival knots and practicing now can save you a lot of trouble later on.

10. Remaining Calm

This may seem silly compared to the rest of the advice, but those who have had to rough the elements have listed this time and time again as imperative to their survival. The ability to calm yourself and relax your mind will help you stay level-headed and prevent dangerous panic episodes. Your greatest survival chances are when you are cool and collected, so look up easy breathing and mind-clearing practices to incorporate into your life now.