Solo Survival- How to Survive Alone in the Desert (Sonoran Desert)- Part One

In This video, I will be spending a week in the Sonoran Desert with only a knife. I'll be showing the critical steps I take in order to survive. I make a shelter, create friction fire, find and purify water, trap animals, weave baskets, gather edible plants, shape and fire pottery and many other skills. **Part Two is up on my KZbin page!!
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After a few decades of being obsessed with collecting survival and primitive skills techniques, I am putting out these videos to demonstrate the skills and excursions found at my school, Wild Survival (wildsurvivalskills.com). Videos are focused on primitive skills, primitive technology, rewilding, nature awareness, living off the land, off grid living, indigenous skills, shelter building, primitive fire, water purification, trapping, hunting, bow making, flint knapping, primitive pottery, basketry, edible and medicinal plant preparation and numerous indigenous skills. I began studying wilderness survival when I was 17 in order to have the ability to spend extensive periods of time in nature, seeking out empowerment and without the need for external sources. I began studying in 1993 under Tom Brown Jr eventually teaching for Tracker Inc. I sought-out every old Native American teacher I could and eventually traveled the world living in very remote indigenous villages in the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Peru. My school teaches survival and primitive skills, nature awareness, how to live off the land, re-wilding, prepare for disasters. I strongly believe that experiencing survival living changes the way people approach their entire lives.

[@michaelcollins237]

In my life,I spent years hiking and appreciating The Sonoran and every desert with beauty,I am 74 and live in a cloudy,rainy part of USA.My health has trapped me. Pay attention to this kid......he is living a dream.Wish I could go there NOW.

[@CatAtomic99]

"My first step is to get out of this area. I need to find someplace out of the sun, with access to water, like a Holiday Inn or, in a worst case scenario, a Best Western".

[@andrew_owens7680]

Day 17: I've built a bessemer furnace and I'm manufacturing steel i-beams. That along with my plate glass made from local sand and I can complete my Mies van der Rohe style home. This clock tower provides some shade from the elements and I can sit out the hottest part of the day in this home theater. Day 20: The raised floor in my server room is complete. The racks are made of coyote bones and I made silicone for the solid state components from river sand. The hardest part was making insulation from gila monster skin. Day 25: Now my maglev train is almost complete. I'll be able to travel back and forth to the watering hold at speeds of over 180 mph.

[@darrel4727]

Anybody else try pinching themselves after he said it was a good way to check for dehydration?

[@raycheng2602]

yeah

[@Lyrix33]

yup lol

[@Yosef9438]

7:40 how to die of smoke inhalation alone in the desert. I'm kidding. You're a badass.

[@kingtaj]

This is amazing. It makes me want to put down my iPad, drive until there are no lights, and become a human.

[@briansmobile1]

1:54 "This isn't rocket science.." No. It is rock it science.

[@AlexIr99]

"Meat's meat" Famous cannibal words

[@derekwilliams1066]

I used to live in Tucson. NO WAY I would go out into the desert without shoes on. Too many scorpions, jumping cholla, prickly pear, etc. Nearly every plant there has spines on it. You made this look easy. Thank you for your risks and knowledge in putting together this video.

[@jonasoesterle2639]

I like how you show how you do everything and don’t add unnecessary drama

[@ProdiJoee]

This man has 99s in all of his real life runescape skills

[@fridderscapepkz]

on god

[@maxlife9721]

DUDE....ARE YOU JOKING WITH NO SHOES?

[@sashbro9118]

When your wife kicks you out

[@darkgreninja8349]

Lmao

[@user356x84c]

LOL xD

[@samantasmith1762]

lolol

[@TheOne-ec9ku]

This joke has so many possibilities. Somebody please make a parody video.

[@jquest43]

Sashbro better a cave then a palace with a contentious wife.- proverbs

[@delano62]

Survival skill #1 Always carry a small Bic lighter.

[@Rattlerjake1]

Just ran across this video, brought back memories of my time in Special Forces (SF). I was a desert survival and mounted ops instructor in SF and spent countless hours in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts (in the '80s and '90s), as well as the Middle East, Africa, and South America. I have eaten many pack rats, mesquite beans, mormon tea, and lizards and snakes. The only time I ever eat prickly pear pads is when they are young (before the thorns) and can be boiled -- they taste similar to green beans.

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

step ONE... leave desert.. step 2.. dont end up in the desert step 3.. dont get drunk with a bunch of old high school buddies who love pranks within 100 miles of a desert

[@carpespasm]

Came across this video more or less at random. I expected it to be some loudmouth "HAY YOU GUYS I'M DUDEMAN FYCKYEAHGUY" survival school thing. Instead it's a calmly spoken unembellished walkthrough of what you're doing with as muc explanation as possible. Good on ya.

[@EvilNeonETC]

Too much hype and you'll scare even the cactus away :P

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I can't believe how easy you made that fire! Great job!

[@dudester873]

This is one of the best basic survival videos I have seen on youtube ... ... from starting a fire in a rock shelter to trapping a rodent -- all while barefoot. Hats off to Tom McElroy!

[@24barron]

This is the realist survivalist video I've seen on youtube. Well done man, keep it up.

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

You have made all these other survivalists look like they were camping at the Mall downtown. I have lived in the desert areas of Arizona most of my life and I am very impressed with what you have done and bare footed on top of everything else. I can't imagine how you can do these things and just not having a hat scares me to death and I wouldn't consider going out in the desert without proper boots and clothing. I can't tell you how impressed I am and thanks for all your hard work and putting your life on the line for this great video.

[@beiceth]

What does he do when he wants a woman

[@thisisameme686]

I can't survive even with an automatic gun so im dead surviving

[@jamesmarriott1130]

Rickarama Trama Was

[@mon573r6]

Rickarama Trama agreed. He wasnt messing around. Good stuff to know..

[@Yosef9438]

So, it all looked great, but there's literally no evidence that this is any more real than any of the television shows out there. He could be driving around in a Land Rover out there for all we know.

[@FishHeadBiologist]

I like how this guy gives the basics for anyone not skilled to make discussions that could save their life..

[@elisamilan]

This is so crazy cool! I have lived in the Sonoran desert my entire life and have always wondered how in the world people lives out here earlier on. Now I see how things started out! Thank you for making this video! You're doing some amazing stuff!

[@callahancovington4278]

4:20, so many huge holes in that thing that snakes and scorpions can get into!

[@JasperLeroux]

If I were stuck in the AZ desert, which is a possibility for me, without shoes, my first task would be making sandals.

[@johnkeatts9074]

Sounds easy

[@rattrapsupervisor4886]

pansy

[@blairbushproject]

Freakazoid yucca sandals are the way to go.

[@rsmith155]

You need to toughen up those lady feet bro

[@TheTimRizzle]

thats a ton of wasted calories and time wasted finding things more important, like water.

[@charlieredeemed]

That fire pit will keep scorpions 🦂 away, too

[@naturesfriend812]

Rattlers? Slithering into the rocks to your cave entrance. I have lived in desert for 50 years. Mojave rattlers and diamond backs and scorpions, etc. have been constantly around me and I tend to walk with boots and snake guards. Thanks for you video. Gives us something to talk about..

[@simzocker]

Here is my guide guys: Step 1: Lay down Step 2: Assume fetal position Step 3: Regret the choices that led you here Step 4: Cry deeply

[@grahamlopez6202]

Can I substitute crying with sobbing?

[@alvinwe8396]

Lie down Try not to cry Cry alot

[@AlfredD8]

You may not get water to replace those tears, not a good idea either...smh

[@babybeenboi702]

10 out of 10 would recommend 👍🏻

[@aaqilian5.085]

And another weak link in the gene pool would be gone. No big deal

[@americanoutcast9716]

using the raw clay as a container to boil water was badass. I discovered this channel an hour ago and Its certainly binge watch material.

[@jermeyjordan6918]

dylan fortini I discovered this in 2017

[@Pokemon4WoT]

same. KZbin has some great material barboach

[@blackbutterflybreezy7083]

😏I totally agree with you..

[@marcustremper131]

Dice

[@fullmoon7192]

Thanks Goodness for people such as yourself who don't believe that carrot, lettuce, potatoes, and all kind of other food (chicken, roast beef, pork chops etc...) come from grocery store Lol...

[@barbaramorton-winters9462]

This was so interesting. I can't believe how knowledgeable he is.

[@dhh488]

I remember starting a fire this way as a kid, you get a kind of rush from this. There's something about it that is deeply satisfying and comforting, even in the safety of your backyard in a medium sized town in the midwest where I grew up. I'm sure many people can relate. Thanks for the video.

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

I've lived in the Sonoran Desert for 35 years. I thought I had decent skills if I need them, but you came up with some great ideas. Great video about one of the most beautiful places in the world!

[@mmuussee100]

always magical watching survival guys making fire

[@eliezercohengoldberg1381]

Never forget how your ancestors lived

[@smeatknight]

Dude that fire building was weird. After having blown a thousand fires myself you can tell when that flame is about to burst. It kept faking you out and I've never seen that happen. Awesome job though! I was impressed with how quick you had that coal going with the hand drill.

[@joycegavord6853]

We all need to learn stuff like this for survival. The way the world is going.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

This dude has definitely gone his own way. Have to admire him.

[@iMiddNight]

22:40 the best thing in the desert is observing the stars in the middle of the night.

[@Indra.artist]

while trippen

[@tiarnan76]

flat earth...and the dome spinning around...the pole star staying exactly 100% fixed...never moving...

[@fullmoon7192]

... and don't forget about *counting clouds*, one of the most important activities when you're lost in the desert... Just kidding Lol... ♥❀(~‿~)❀♥

[@faithingod9554]

🌟 🌟 🌙

[@dwaynepresley6778]

lol, he took that from an Avicii video

[@arizonafishing9140]

wow, I live in the Sonoran desert (phoenix).Thanks for the tips. Your amazing

[@rich3371]

At first I thought there's no way you're going to able to stay in that cave with that fire & all that smoke, but it worked out just fine

[@TurboWilhelm]

when and where ever you re in a situation like this , you will be thanksful to yourself to show that toturial and remember the most of it

[@danpt2000]

No shoes, no canteen. You are more badass than Bear Grylls.

[@thormatt2963]

Bear Grylls is a p%^^& compared to this guy. This guy doesn't have a crew and catered meals nearby.

[@SantaClaus-kk8zr]

That's because he's not faking it.

[@NANAbingbangboom]

Bear Gylls is a phony

[@audible67]

Bear Grylls is a phony.

[@fullmoon7192]

Re: "No shoes, no canteen". You forgot to mention: "No toilet and that flash lever thing on the side of the water tank. Lol..." How could you take a shit without those handy - dandy devices ??? Come on people... Get your shit together and go back to the basics... Will ya... Lol... Good Luck in surviving the next *mega earthquake* on the West Coast of North American Continent. P.S. Come and see me if you need any help or just common sense simple piece of advice Lol...

[@maraanthoniesse]

1:54 nobody : Me outloud, in the middle of the night, in my bed : Hahah 'ROCK'et science!

[@crocheting1]

I live in biking distance from there. I'm originally from FL so this environment is still strange to me. I have done SAR all my life and love learning the secrets of the desert. Thank you!

[@y33t23]

14:28 Little bits of *_oil_* ? The US is now invading the barrel cactus.

[@fridderscapepkz]

this deserves more credit

[@vanzz4763]

Mei Grafd Vodder underrated comment

[@busybythecreek701]

That was honestly funny as hell

[@TheOtherSteel]

When you were getting the flames going, I kept expecting your bangs to catch on fire.

[@Defensor_Libertatis]

Awesome video, informative. That said you couldn't pay me enough to walk barefoot in the Sonoran desert. Hot sand, sharp rocks, fallen cactus needles, bark scorpions, etc... even the Hohokum made themselves sandles when possible 🌵🦂

[@madeinjapanoverland1843]

Impressive fire building in a real situation! Love it!

[@johngaljaardt]

Dude I was going to change channel 27 times but I just had to see the end. Awesome, I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@MilkQuackBaby]

7:50 now that's what I like to call primitive hot boxing lol

[@alanfranklin8301]

Just discovered your channel. Love this! You're an extremely intelligent guy and very informative. Best survival channel by far!

[@emelody7849]

This man can hand start a fire faster than I can try and get a light with my lighter

[@foreignuser_]

i've seen a lot of firemaking in videos like this and you had one of the best most down to earth universal advice and footage i have seen

[@survivalbeast97]

This dude is my favorite informative survival teacher, I love the way he does these videos

[@HammerofThor00]

Of all of the survival shows including Bear Grylls and Survivorman, your show really seems the most sensible and real. Also some really great skills Ive never seen done! Thanks for posting!

[@brianfuller5868]

1)mental attitude 2) shelter 3) water 4)first aid 5) signalling 6) fire. Good video. It is necessary to have at least I gallon of water daily simply to survive.

[@Phoenix-jg9ty]

Never before has basket weaving been so badass. Congrats.

[@JT-wb6fr]

I really like how much you explain everything as you do it.

[@toddleroux4745]

Absolutely amazing. I was so stressed just watching the poor bastard. What an education: this video. In fact, that is what it taught me if I were stranded in the desert: I'm dead.

[@Seandoggx811]

This is one of the best videos ive seen. Your straight out there with a small knife making things happen. Great knowledge. Thanks !!!!

[@aaglad8604]

I like the fact of u dont do the : this is the best and only way / my way attitude. As there is many ways to do something or more than one way. U supply the basics and thats the right way. Thank u for ur videos.

[@MetaHootOriginals]

Yes youre finally back

[@Jackydubs]

If I was ever in a apocalypse I would want him by my side

[@packwarden]

I know

[@brownhippy]

why he would eventually eat you once he can't find anyhing edible

[@gamersdream8445]

Same I would want him to

[@dzmitrydubinin5888]

Yeah, this is what he says at 36:11 : "Once you get over the fact of what you are eating - meat's meat, all tastes the same..." :)

[@Funny_Bone37]

Jack Watson lol

[@JackSquat1]

I was actually in a very similar situation in Arizona... I found a small cave and sealed it up with rocks... When the first night came, I still had many mice make their way in through the small gaps of the rocks. Thankfully I had a very small tent that I put inside the small cave the next night, and that helped tremendously. But there were still mice all around inside the cave and could hear trying to eat their way into the tent at night. So I went into town and got about 12 mouse traps that I scattered all around the vicinity of the cave up to 50 feet away, and this worked wonders. I ended up catching about 24 of them, and each time promptly burned the carcasses so there wouldn't be dead animal smell near where I was.

[@stevenrogers7917]

Your videos are the most enjoyable that I have seen I believe it's better than any survivor man or solo show On any channel. There is just something about the way you communicate That makes it easy to learn from your experiences Thank you and I look forward to each and every one of your new shows

[@TAOutdoors]

Finally dude! I've been eagerly waiting your next upload

[@calebbrown9171]

yeah me to

[@danielbarrow99]

Love your content TA =))

[@antdx316]

My life is so sheltered. I could never survive like this. The insects will freak me out.

[@electricimpact9322]

TA I watch your videos.

[@squaretrianglez]

Anthony Abelardo insects are tasty. fry em and the crunchy feeling you get is awesome. Try it all your fear will disappear

[@w4do]

I love how didactic you are when teaching how to make a basket. Will show my kids!

[@pauldacus4590]

Pretty sure if I was left there with a knife, barefoot, I'd be dead in 5 minutes.

[@myfrequencies1912]

Never really been bitten by the bushcrafting bug even though I do live in a self built off grid hideout in the local forest - But I can totally see the appeal of this kind of stuff. Humanity is missing so much connection to the planet & to our true nature. Doing this type of stuff must feel amazing, even watching it on youtube from the comfort of a house is pretty therapeutic. Amazing that this guy has no shoes & no canteen & is just hanging out in the desert for several days like that!

[@jsavellano2]

Fascinating!! You are a master. Love watching you. Would have loved to see more footage of you finishing your meal.

[@r3dfella]

Not only does he do all the survival stuff, but also get some great, well composed shots as well. Well done!

[@richardtallent8175]

Great video, much appreciated! I grew up in Tucson Arizona. I remember my late grandmother used to make jam out of the fruits from prickly pear cactus. Thank you.

[@henryssurfshowcase]

I've been watching a few of your videos, and i really appreciate it, thanks

[@markbir7979]

You would do great on the Alone series! What patience & great attitude you have!

[@WinslowSmith96]

I can't believe how easily you got that fire burning. Well done, mate!

[@ulalaFrugilega]

I came here from a vid with a dude showing 14 ways to make fires without matches or lighter, and he had this to say on the spindle-method: if you get everything just right - the plank, its hole, the spindle and the material to start the spark in, it goes surprisingly fast. If you don't, it just won't. Said he spent two whole weeks trying, and in the end it went on so fast and well, he burned a hole in the carpet. Still I was absolutely amazed by this here guy.

[@jansveen]

thanks for making your films. really nice. and you are the only true survivalist I have seen on youtube. to survive in the desert takes great skills, and it seems like you got what it takes.

[@creamlord8257]

I'm watching this and your part 2 guide for a school project, love how concise yet informative these videos are. Major help! Great knowledge I hope I'll never have to use🙃

[@98AoNeko]

I just found this treasure, sir, you're amazing quality content on point

[@TheWoodedBeardsman]

Nice work on this Tom.

[@neoforager6945]

thank you for your humble style presebting the video. Awesone Tom!

[@rezaamanat3259]

Man! You're so good at this it seems like the real challenge is to make surviving in the desert look hard. Hats off to you. Keep up the good work

[@austinb9460]

Glad you're back man, I subbed a couple months ago when I saw your island survival video and am excited for new content :)

[@Areya-Sunshine]

Great video! Also, I LOVE you for your Standing Rock t-shirt!

[@davidsalcedo2291]

guy i so appreciate your skills. it's great how you just make factual statements, no bs just straight talk

[@pajaizjasenova7276]

This is so tranquil and inspiring. I could watch this whole damn day.

[@Mrfiufaufou]

Why I'm here, I live in nordic countries. I still love these though, "if" scenarios are cool :)

[@KazBlaze]

thanks for the basket tips ^^

[@elizabethbennet4791]

thanks so much, wow i love your video!!! this is fascinating!! i love learning survival stuff

[@bikereduardherak8590]

Praktické video rád sleduju videa o tom jak přežít v přírodě díky Tome za praktické rady které jse můžou někdy hodit 👍👍👍🍀🍀🍀😀hodně štěstí přeje eda🇨🇿👍

[@josephallan8791]

Ive never been a fan of the barefoot survive off the land thing although the outdoors in the forest or woods with minimal survival tools has been my thing. But bro ive watched some of your vids and you rock bud. If a survival emergency were to arise in the bush and i couldnt grab my bag, gear, and gun im on your team bro but ill keep my boots. Awsome vids im subscribing.

[@bennyhath1789]

How is "barefoot survive off the land" and "outdoors in the forest or woods with minimal survival tools" any different

[@tommyboybr]

Wow, that was good skills, and very well explained. Well done! :)

[@gabrielcabralparentebezerr5650]

Wow! Congratulations on your skills! The way you present are also very motivational and pedagogical. Thanks for the video. 👏👍

[@midoribishithegamer]

I just discovered your channel today on my phone as my main internet was down due to an outage. Glad I found this. Quite informative and fun to watch. Dude you rock.

[@BelsPlays]

i always wondered if primitive traps actually worked and now i know. great videos keep up the good work.

[@Techn0forlife]

This needs to be on tv :o This is amazing

[@tripperdonnie]

Amazing, great to know about all the edible cacti here in the Sonoran desert.

[@kevtownoutdoors]

Really interesting and informative! Thanks for sharing.

[@jakew2192]

Heck yeah! I've been waiting for years. So glad you're back.

[@caelanbeyer3695]

imagine how pissed hed be if he lifted up the rock and the animal ran off

[@benknowles3760]

Well done! Informative and helpful advice! Fun too!

[@panahim]

Awesome tutorials. Thank you