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.
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.
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.
"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".
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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!
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!
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..
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
I have never heard of anyone who has eaten a rodent! Good information on the cactus buds for survival tips! I liked the basket weaving. I have never done that before but I would like to learn how to do it. You found a nice cave to sleep in and your fire building technique worked really well. Great job on finding a water source and making the clay desk for holding water into the big hole you dig. I guess maybe you could have used a flat rock to help you dig out the water holes or let's say that's what I would have tried to do it with but your hands must be tuffer than mine! Thank you for sharing these tips on how to survive in the desert.👍
Excellent video. Thanks a bundle for uploading this. Really, really interesting. You get a snapshot of human civilization development by watching this, in essence: all the skills needed, weaving, pottery, fire lighting, digging wells, hunting, foraging. Wow. And, to compare this to the reality t.v. shows with so-called survival experts, who basically rush through everything and don't take time to do things which take much time to get ahead, nor know enough about local plants and their uses. It goes to show that a calm, calculated approach works best.
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.
About half the time I've had the same problem starting friction fires. Really depends on how dry your tinder is and the size of kindling, and humidity has an effect.
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...
Excellent video, I have watched quite a few survival shows and videos. I have been shown so much in this one video. I'm sure if I became lost in the desert and all I had was a knife. I would be able to survive until I was rescued. Thanks for your knowledge and sharing it with us. I will be waiting and watching for more information from you. Thanks again...
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.
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!
I watch, and value, survival seminars/videos. Yours was enjoyable to the point I want to go out and not only practice, but have fun, fellowship and prayer, Jon
Love the reality of this video blog; meat is meat once you get over the fact of what you eating (a desert rat!!) in any case this shows that there is a way to not die in the desert if one is prepared. I would personally like to be armed with few more utensils than just a knife but I was amazed watching you craft everything out of nothing! I got a collection of some Morav Knives and have always wondering if you can survive in an environment like this with just one. Doubts are answered here. Thank you for this valuable lesson! at the time I watched this, 343 people know apparently a better way to survive without nothing in the desert! - I subscribed!
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.
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🙃
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.
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.
I like how you show how you do everything and don’t add unnecessary drama
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.
I can't believe how easy you made that fire! Great job!
Anybody else try pinching themselves after he said it was a good way to check for dehydration?
yeah
yup lol
"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".
This is amazing. It makes me want to put down my iPad, drive until there are no lights, and become a human.
DUDE....ARE YOU JOKING WITH NO SHOES?
This man has 99s in all of his real life runescape skills
on god
7:40 how to die of smoke inhalation alone in the desert.
I'm kidding. You're a badass.
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!
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.
1:54 "This isn't rocket science.."
No. It is rock it science.
Survival skill #1
Always carry a small Bic lighter.
"Meat's meat"
Famous cannibal words
I like how this guy gives the basics for anyone not skilled to make discussions that could save their life..
This is the realist survivalist video I've seen on youtube. Well done man, keep it up.
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.
What does he do when he wants a woman
I can't survive even with an automatic gun so im dead surviving
Rickarama Trama Was
Rickarama Trama agreed. He wasnt messing around. Good stuff to know..
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.
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.
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.
dylan fortini I discovered this in 2017
same. RUclips has some great material barboach
😏I totally agree with you..
Dice
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...
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!
This was so interesting. I can't believe how knowledgeable he is.
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!
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
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..
Dude I was going to change channel 27 times but I just had to see the end. Awesome, I learned a lot. Thank you.
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
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.
Too much hype and you'll scare even the cactus away :P
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
Just discovered your channel.
Love this! You're an extremely intelligent guy and very informative. Best survival channel by far!
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.
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
I can't believe that mouse trap worked, not even les stroud or bear grills was ever able to get one of those traps to work far as I know, well done
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.
wow, I live in the Sonoran desert (phoenix).Thanks for the tips. Your amazing
22:40 the best thing in the desert is observing the stars in the middle of the night.
while trippen
flat earth...and the dome spinning around...the pole star staying exactly 100% fixed...never moving...
... and don't forget about *counting clouds*, one of the most important activities when you're lost in the desert...
Just kidding Lol... ♥❀(~‿~)❀♥
🌟 🌟 🌙
lol, he took that from an Avicii video
guy i so appreciate your skills. it's great how you just make factual statements, no bs just straight talk
always magical watching survival guys making fire
Never forget how your ancestors lived
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.
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!
This dude has definitely gone his own way. Have to admire him.
If I were stuck in the AZ desert, which is a possibility for me, without shoes, my first task would be making sandals.
Sounds easy
pansy
Freakazoid yucca sandals are the way to go.
You need to toughen up those lady feet bro
thats a ton of wasted calories and time wasted finding things more important, like water.
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.
That fire pit will keep scorpions 🦂 away, too
This is one of the best videos ive seen. Your straight out there with a small knife making things happen. Great knowledge. Thanks !!!!
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!
4:20, so many huge holes in that thing that snakes and scorpions can get into!
When your wife kicks you out
Lmao
LOL xD
lolol
This joke has so many possibilities. Somebody please make a parody video.
Sashbro better a cave then a palace with a contentious wife.- proverbs
We all need to learn stuff like this for survival. The way the world is going.
Finally dude! I've been eagerly waiting your next upload
yeah me to
Love your content TA =))
My life is so sheltered. I could never survive like this. The insects will freak me out.
TA I watch your videos.
Anthony Abelardo insects are tasty. fry em and the crunchy feeling you get is awesome. Try it all your fear will disappear
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.
Not only does he do all the survival stuff, but also get some great, well composed shots as well. Well done!
Prickly pear fruit is pretty good too, if you are in the right season. They look (inside) and taste kinda like pomegranate
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
Never before has basket weaving been so badass. Congrats.
This dude is my favorite informative survival teacher, I love the way he does these videos
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.
I love how didactic you are when teaching how to make a basket. Will show my kids!
I have never heard of anyone who has eaten a rodent! Good information on the cactus buds for survival tips! I liked the basket weaving. I have never done that before but I would like to learn how to do it. You found a nice cave to sleep in and your fire building technique worked really well. Great job on finding a water source and making the clay desk for holding water into the big hole you dig. I guess maybe you could have used a flat rock to help you dig out the water holes or let's say that's what I would have tried to do it with but your hands must be tuffer than mine! Thank you for sharing these tips on how to survive in the desert.👍
I really like how much you explain everything as you do it.
You would do great on the Alone series! What patience & great attitude you have!
Impressive fire building in a real situation! Love it!
Excellent video. Thanks a bundle for uploading this. Really, really interesting. You get a snapshot of human civilization development by watching this, in essence: all the skills needed, weaving, pottery, fire lighting, digging wells, hunting, foraging. Wow.
And, to compare this to the reality t.v. shows with so-called survival experts, who basically rush through everything and don't take time to do things which take much time to get ahead, nor know enough about local plants and their uses. It goes to show that a calm, calculated approach works best.
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
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.
When you were getting the flames going, I kept expecting your bangs to catch on fire.
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
Can I substitute crying with sobbing?
Lie down
Try not to cry
Cry alot
You may not get water to replace those tears, not a good idea either...smh
10 out of 10 would recommend 👍🏻
And another weak link in the gene pool would be gone. No big deal
Glad you're back man, I subbed a couple months ago when I saw your island survival video and am excited for new content :)
I've been watching a few of your videos, and i really appreciate it, thanks
I just found this treasure, sir, you're amazing
quality content on point
About half the time I've had the same problem starting friction fires. Really depends on how dry your tinder is and the size of kindling, and humidity has an effect.
No shoes, no canteen. You are more badass than Bear Grylls.
Bear Grylls is a p%^^& compared to this guy. This guy doesn't have a crew and catered meals nearby.
That's because he's not faking it.
Bear Gylls is a phony
Bear Grylls is a phony.
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...
Excellent video,
I have watched quite a few survival shows and videos. I have been shown so much in this one video. I'm sure if I became lost in the desert and all I had was a knife. I would be able to survive until I was rescued. Thanks for your knowledge and sharing it with us. I will be waiting and watching for more information from you. Thanks again...
Yes youre finally back
This is so tranquil and inspiring. I could watch this whole damn day.
This needs to be on tv :o This is amazing
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.
14:28 Little bits of *_oil_* ?
The US is now invading the barrel cactus.
this deserves more credit
Mei Grafd Vodder underrated comment
That was honestly funny as hell
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!
If I was ever in a apocalypse I would want him by my side
I know
why he would eventually eat you once he can't find anyhing edible
Same I would want him to
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..." :)
Jack Watson lol
Just found your RUclips videos. Awe-some!!!
Pat from southern Indiana.
Nice work on this Tom.
Wow! Congratulations on your skills! The way you present are also very motivational and pedagogical. Thanks for the video. 👏👍
There are tons of abandoned mines out in the desert. I would just go to an abandoned mine and take it from there.
I watch, and value, survival seminars/videos. Yours was enjoyable to the point I want to go out and not only practice, but have fun, fellowship and prayer, Jon
Great video! Also, I LOVE you for your Standing Rock t-shirt!
Amazing, great to know about all the edible cacti here in the Sonoran desert.
This man can hand start a fire faster than I can try and get a light with my lighter
Great tips and advice. Not sure I could eat the rat, but ya never know what you'll eat in survival mode. At least I know what to do. Thank you!
Why not get extra sleep during the hot parts of the day when no fire is needed?
that is the smartest thing to do to get rest while avoiding heat stroke. Did you even see him sweat? hmm, interesting.
sticking with finishing your video was great. u sort of droned on at the first. ur the real deal
Fascinating!! You are a master. Love watching you. Would have loved to see more footage of you finishing your meal.
Love the reality of this video blog; meat is meat once you get over the fact of what you eating (a desert rat!!) in any case this shows that there is a way to not die in the desert if one is prepared. I would personally like to be armed with few more utensils than just a knife but I was amazed watching you craft everything out of nothing! I got a collection of some Morav Knives and have always wondering if you can survive in an environment like this with just one. Doubts are answered here. Thank you for this valuable lesson! at the time I watched this, 343 people know apparently a better way to survive without nothing in the desert! - I subscribed!
I can't believe how easily you got that fire burning. Well done, mate!
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.
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🙃
7:50 now that's what I like to call primitive hot boxing lol
thanks so much, wow i love your video!!! this is fascinating!! i love learning survival stuff
i always wondered if primitive traps actually worked and now i know. great videos keep up the good work.
most under rated channel. keep it up and you'll be up there with primitive technology in no time