The 10 Best Apps for Survival Situations

Picture this: you’re hiking in the woods, enjoying the scenery and fresh air when suddenly you realize you’re lost. Or maybe you’re in the middle of a natural disaster and need to find shelter and supplies to survive. In these situations, having the right tools can make all the difference. And in today’s world, some of the most important tools can be found right on your smartphone.

That’s right, there are apps out there specifically designed to help you navigate, communicate, and survive in emergencies. From navigation tools to first aid guides, these are the apps that could save your life.

1. FEMA

Developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FEMA app will help you respond to emergencies by providing real-time alerts and emergency information, along with a variety of useful features, such as emergency kit checklists, disaster survival tips, and a map with shelter locations.

The app also provides you with real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service and can help you find a nearby shelter if you need to evacuate to a safe space.

This is an essential app for anyone looking to stay informed and prepared in the face of disaster.

Download: FEMA for iOS | Android (Free)

2. Offline Survival Manual

While it is possible to make emergency calls even without a signal, you may not be able to access the Internet. The Offline Survival Manual app features detailed guides on topics such as first aid, shelter building, navigation, and food and water procurement. It also includes a section on emergency signaling and communication methods.

The app’s information is available offline, making it useful in situations where internet access is unavailable. With Offline Survival Manual, you can have access to vital survival knowledge right at your fingertips, increasing your chances of staying safe and secure in an emergency.

Download: Offline Survival Manual for Android (Free)

3. First Aid: American Red Cross

First Aid: American Red Cross gives you essential first aid knowledge and guidance. The app features easy-to-follow instructions and videos on how to respond to common emergencies such as burns, bleeding, and choking. It also includes safety tips, emergency contact lists, and a hospital locator. Then, you can test your knowledge through interactive quizzes and earn badges for your achievements.

Download: First Aid: American Red Cross for iOS | Android (Free)

4. GPS Essentials

There are many free offline GPS navigation apps, but GPS Essentials is one of the best. It helps you navigate with a variety of useful tools, such as a compass, map, and GPS tracker. It also includes features like waypoint management, trip recording, and route planning.

You can view your location in multiple formats, including street maps, satellite imagery, and topographical maps. Additionally, GPS Essentials can help you measure distances and elevations and share your location with others.

Download: GPS Essentials for Android (Free)

5. MyRadar

It’s good to know that you can get instant emergency alerts on your phone. MyRadar Weather Radar provides features real-time weather forecasts including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation levels. You can view animated radar maps and receive alerts for severe weather events, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

MyRadar also includes a hurricane tracker and a storm tracking feature, allowing you to monitor storms in real time.

Download: MyRadar for iOS | Android (Free, premium version available)

6. SAS Survival Guide – Lite

Based on the bestselling book by former British Special Air Service soldier, John “Lofty” Wiseman, the app includes detailed guides on topics such as building a survival kit, choosing a knife, and finding water, among other topics.

The paid version ups the amount of information available and includes details on how to build a camp, how to survive in extreme climates, and how to build traps and weapons. However, even with the SAS Survival Guide Lite, you can access essential survival knowledge offline, making it a useful tool for outdoor adventures and emergencies.

Download: SAS Survival Guide – Lite for iOS | Android (Free, premium version available)

7. PictureThis Plant Identifier

PictureThis Plant Identifier helps you identify plants quickly and accurately. Using advanced image recognition technology, the app can identify over 10,000 plant species from around the world. You simply take a photo of the plant you want to identify and PictureThis will provide you with detailed information about the plant’s name including if it’s poisonous.

With PictureThis, you can discover new plant species and learn which ones are edible and which ones might be harmful—an essential for any survival situation!

Download: PictureThis Plant Identifier for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

8. Knots 3D – How To Tie Knots

Knots 3D – How to Tie Knots features step-by-step instructions on how to tie every knot imaginable including fishing knots, camping knots, and boating knots. You can rotate and zoom in on the animations to see each knot from multiple angles, making it easier to learn and understand.

Knots 3D also includes a search function, allowing you to find knots based on their intended use or name.

Download: Knots 3D – How To Tie Knots for iOS ($0.99) | Android (Free)

9. FishAngler

If you find yourself near any body of water during a disaster, Fish Angler may help you secure food. It features real-time weather and water conditions, helping you to identify the best times and locations to catch fish. Fish Angler also provides a fishing forecast, based on factors such as moon phase, barometric pressure, and water temperature, to help you plan and anticipate when the fish might be most active.

Download: FishAngler for iOS | Android (Free)

10. iTrack Wildlife – Lite

When times get tough and you’re desperate for food, iTrack Wildlife Lite will help you track animals in the wild. The app features a selection of animal tracks and scat, with detailed information on each species’ habits and behavior.

You can browse the database to identify animal tracks and learn about the animals that made them. iTrack Wildlife Lite also includes a measurement feature, allowing you to measure the length and width of animal tracks. While the app’s database is smaller than the full version, iTrack Wildlife Lite is still a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their tracking abilities.

Download: iTrack Wildlife – Lite for iOS | Android (Free)

Using Technology to Stay Safe in an Emergency

From identifying plants and animals in the wild to learning how to tie knots and surviving emergencies, these apps offer practical advice and guidance that can help you survive in an emergency.

But don’t rely on these apps alone. Be sure to have an emergency kit handy with essentials like a flashlight, light, food rations, rope, and other essential pieces of gear. And if you plan on using your smartphone, a solar panel or battery pack might be something you want to include in your bug-out bag!