12 survival tricks from the Eagle Scouts you'd need to master if you're stranded and have to fend for yourself

If you're worried about the apocalypse destroying your home or an airplane leaving you stranded on an island , keep an Eagle Scout in your company.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is the highest honor a member of the Boy Scouts of America can attain (the Scouts BSA began accepting girls in their program last year ).

To earn the title of Eagle Scout, Scouts must learn practical and leadership skills before applying for the title in a lengthy review process.

Some skills include survival hacks that can come in handy on camping trips or if you ever get lost in the wilderness. We put together the 12 most useful tips that everyone should know.

Keep scrolling to learn everything from tying a bowline knot to inflating your pants so it becomes a flotation device.

Talia Avakian contributed to a previous version of this story.

Eagle Scouts can start a fire anywhere even in the rain.

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The trick to this is to look for a piece of wood that is standing upright (as it will be the least wet) and split it with a sharp knife. Next, put the wood against your cheek to see if its center feels dry.

If the center is dry, start shaving wafer-thin sections of the wood. You'll use this as tinder for the fire.Meanwhile, cut foot-long pieces of the wood, which you'll use as a base for your tinder. Set the sticks across the base, spacing them about half an inch apart.

Assemble the shavings on top. Light a match directly underneath the tinder, using a piece of cotton to accelerate the process. When you see the first flame, continue hand-feeding it shavings.

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Source: Scouting Magazine

If theyre stuck without a compass, Eagle Scouts can figure out which direction is north with only a stick.

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To do this, first place a stick or branch into the ground in a straight position so that it casts a shadow. Mark the shadow with a stone or a twig. This will become the west point.

Wait about 10 to 15 minutes and the shadow tip will have moved. Mark the new position of the shadow tip with another stone or branch.

Draw a straight line through or use another piece of wood to connect the two marks together and form an east-west line. Stand with the first mark (the west point) to your left and the second mark (the east point) to your right, and you'll be facing north.

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Source: Boy Scouts Of America Troop 780

Eagle Scouts know how to make a bowline knot, a non-slip loop that can be used for rescue work.

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To make a bowline, start by first forming a loop on the top of the line.Next, pass the free end of the rope thorough the loop. Then bring it back around the standing end again.

Continue around the stand end and then bring it back through the small loop.

Finally, pull the rope to tighten the knot, and you'll have a loop that will maintain its size and structure.

Heres also an easy way to turn your pants into a flotation device.

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Tie the bottom of the pant legs into a square knot, and then take the waist of the pants and swing it over your head to capture air.

Once you bring them down, you'll see the pants have become inflated thanks to the air flow. Just make sure to keep them wet or you'll find yourself sinking.

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Eagle Scouts can also make a shelter, just in case they encounter a disastrous situation.

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One way to make a shelter is by starting with two large pieces of wood and lashing them together.

Next add in a third piece of wood and secure the pieces together. Continue adding pieces of wood to the open sides.

Cover the entire shelter with brush and evergreen for a secure place to stay.

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See more: 7 of the most important survival skills you should know

By using a reflective surface like a mirror, a CD, or a DVD, Eagle Scouts can alert that they are in danger.

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You can use any flat and shiny surface for this.

Simply make a V shape with your hand and when the sunshine reflects off the surface, it will create a signal that others can spot.

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Source: Scouting Magazine

Eagle Scouts can build a makeshift stretcher by using two logs and placing them between a blanket.

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Fold the blanket over one of the logs and under the other, and the stretcher can be used to carry someone.

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Source: Scouting Magazine

A Swedish torch is a good option for cooking in the wilderness.

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This version of it is made by using three saw- or axe-cut logs. Next, chop the insides to expose the dry inner parts of the wood.

It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to reach a full flame, but it can last for hours.

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If a severe injury were to happen while in the wilderness, Eagle Scouts can create a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

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This is done by taking a cloth, wrapping it around the person's body, and tying a knot. Take a stick and tie it to the knot you just made. Continue twisting until it tightens.

Eagle Scouts know how to collect rainwater in case other drinking water supplies run out.

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Eagle Scouts collect rainwater by stretching out a shirt and using it to gather drops of rain.

Eagle Scouts can out-maneuver forest fires.

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If you ever find yourself camping and look over to see a fire in the distance, the first thing you need to do is move against the direction of the wind. You can figure out the wind direction by viewing which way smoke is moving.

Search for areas without combustible material, such as roads or a body of water. You should also move downhill, as hot air masses created by fire tend to move up. Avoid areas without small, dry scrub brush, as these are the most dangerous during a forest fire.

If you can't find good shelter, look for a trench or a deep gully and dig yourself into the side, covering the opening with a tarp or blanket.

Source: Scouting Magazine

If you feel yourself overheating, use these tips to prevent heat exhaustion.

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Heat exhaustion is the body's way of telling you when it's water- and salt-depleted. The condition causes profuse sweating, dizziness, very dark yellow urine, and usually a rapid heart rate.

To combat heat exhaustion, sit in shade and remove tight-fitting clothing. Rehydrate a mouthful at a time with water or a sports drink.

If you have water to spare, a damp T-shirt can be used to cool victims, as can fanning using a map or a hat.

Source: Scouting Magazine

12 survival tricks from the Eagle Scouts you'd need to master if you're stranded and have to fend for yourself

Eagle Scouts can start a fire anywhere even in the rain.

If theyre stuck without a compass, Eagle Scouts can figure out which direction is north with only a stick.

Eagle Scouts know how to make a bowline knot, a non-slip loop that can be used for rescue work.

Heres also an easy way to turn your pants into a flotation device.

Eagle Scouts can also make a shelter, just in case they encounter a disastrous situation.

By using a reflective surface like a mirror, a CD, or a DVD, Eagle Scouts can alert that they are in danger.

Eagle Scouts can build a makeshift stretcher by using two logs and placing them between a blanket.

A Swedish torch is a good option for cooking in the wilderness.

If a severe injury were to happen while in the wilderness, Eagle Scouts can create a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Eagle Scouts know how to collect rainwater in case other drinking water supplies run out.

Eagle Scouts can out-maneuver forest fires.

If you feel yourself overheating, use these tips to prevent heat exhaustion.

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