An Australian hunter survived the scorching Outback desert for six days by eating ants. Reginald Foggerdy, 62, was on a hunting trip in the Great Victoria Desert in mid-October when he went missing wearing only a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops. He had gone on a hunting trip with his brother.

Foggerdy got stranded about 9 miles from where he went missing after he trekked to the area to hunt animals. He wound up being in the Australian Outback for a whole week until someone found him.

He was seen in photos under a tree talking to rescuers before he was put in a helicopter. The hunter was alert and sitting up when he was found.

The Australian hunter obviously put his survival skills to the test  while he was away from home for those six days. As the report states, ants and other insects are considered “possible sources of nutrients” by survival experts. What’s more, is it’s a miracle that Foggerdy was able to stay alive that long in a region where temperatures typically escalate well above 90-degrees. It’s especially shocking given the fact that the hunter survived so long without water.

This is a true tale of survival in the harshest of elements. Australian authorities add that the Great Australia Desert is the largest desert in the country. It has “red sand dunes, stony plains and dry salt lakes” but permanent surface water is non-existent.

You don’t have to be out in the deep woods to learn basic skills. Now even residents of the Big Apple can get training.

One organization in Rochester, New York is designed to arm people with the survival skill they need to make it in the wilderness. EarthWorks Institute has programs that place residents in situations for hours or days to help them better understand nature and learn basic survival skills. These training sessions take place in various New York parks settings since they have the right elements.

Lindsay Cray, executive director and educator of EarthWorks, conducts survival training in area parks several times per week. The concept was implemented last fall in an effort to help residents gain “primitive life skills, social responsibility and how to interact with nature.” The Rochester-based school targets people of all ages —  preschoolers to senior citizens.

“Our connection with nature is critical, as is understanding that you are as much a part of the world and nature as it is a part of you,” Cray said.

The local parks provide the perfect place for residents to learn important survival skills. Cray said a lot of what people can learn from are in their very own backyard. She says what people can learn from these lessons is how to feel good about themselves and feel “self-sufficient” while in the woods.

Lessons in the EarthWork’s program consist of how to make a shelter, build a fire, and how to safely prepare water and food for storage. It also helps prepare people for how to keep warm during the winter, where to search for food, and how to find their way back home.

Participants in this survival skills program also learn from Cray how to spot poisonous vegetation, such as poison ivy.

“You are your number one enemy in the woods. If you are lost and panicking, you won’t make wise decisions,” Cray told one recent group.

No matter where you live, get outside and practice the skills you’ll need to survive. Backyards or city parks are great resources.

A Washington wildfire nearly claimed the life of Mark Desdier in mid-August.

The 62-year-old was in his Okanogan County cabin near Omak when things got dangerous fast. The Washington native was in the midst of trying to save neighbors in nearby cabins around 4 p.m. on Aug. 21 during the natural disaster before his own life was in peril.

A large gust of wind up to 50 miles per hour pushed a nearby wildfire down Cave Mountain, leaving Mark with a limited escape plan.

Thinking fast on his feet, Mark sped on his four-wheeler to the nearest way out. He hit a bank in the overwhelming heat and blinding debris. His ATV flipped, but luckily landed back on its wheels. At that moment in the Washington wildfire, Mark was able to use the lake as a means to survive the disaster. He later encountered a nearby dock that helped him stay afloat … shielding himself from hazardous debris.

While the resourceful man made it out of the water, he spent seven hours sheltered in an alfalfa hay farm building that was owned by some people he’d met earlier that night. After waiting a while longer, Mark was rescued by firefighters who then transferred him to Omak Hospital since he sustained several injuries and burns.

As the wildfire played out during Mark’s ordeal, his wife, Janet, thought he’d died.

Janet is amazed at the skills her husband used in order to survive the harrowing natural disaster. Mark says that is ability to stay calm and focused in the potentially fatal situation is what helped him. He learned the value of these skills when he attended fire academies while working with the Washington State Ferries for 30 years.

Wildfires over the summer had claimed the lives of three U.S. Forest Service firefighters, injured four, and destroyed 200 homes in the process.

Guard dogs are a particularly useful deterrent for robbers and home intruders, but there are instances when a criminal might get the upper hand. There are measures to safeguard from these types of situations.

1. When to Train a Guard Dog
First of all, a dog that’s 6-16-months-old is the most important time to start training. Younger dogs are far more easy to train than older ones.

At this age, dogs know how to keep their guard up. They understand what territory that they’re suppose to protect, which is your home and front and backyard.

2. Train Dogs for Specific Situations
What about those treats burglars may use to sneak past your protection dog? Part of this is included in the dog’s training so that they understand they must be weary of food from strangers. They’re given treats ONLY when performing specific instructions. If robbers and burglars encounter a well-trained dog, they won’t have a chance at sneaking past the dog.

A huge tip in preventing an intruder from getting past your dog is to reward the animal repeatedly for responding to an alarm. They associate this reward with knowing this is the behavior of theirs you want from them.

Be sure the dog is trained to bark at any suspicious noise, activity, or people. You’re home is far less likely to be the target of a robber.

A burglar should be turned off by a watchdog being on the property. Have “Beware of Dogs” signs posted around the yard or fence line.

3. How Does Your Dog Interact with Strangers?
The key factor here lies with having a dog to not be easily swayed by strangers. Be sure they’re safe around people in general, but are on their guard enough to know that they shouldn’t be targets for intruders themselves.

Start training your dog to guard in certain situations. Start early and stay consistent. A great dog not only makes a great companion, it can protect your property like nothing else.

You don’t have to be a victim of a home invasion. Here are 5 quick, no nonsense rules to protect your property.

Know Who’s on the Other Side of the Door
If someone knocks on your door and they say that they’re a repairman, maintenance worker, delivery driver, or anyone arriving for business purposes, be sure you have a procedure that you follow. Expect other household members to do the same thing.

Also, let companies that these visitors are from know that unless prior arrangements have been made, that person will not have access to getting inside. On a side note, when interacting with the individuals, don’t hesitate to ask for the identification and keep enough space between you and that person so they cannot reach or grab you.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings
In some cases, shoppers with lots of bags have been followed home. Ensure before you’re entering your house that no one has followed you. Keep an eye on things going on around you, noting any loitering persons near your home.

Be Aware of the Spare
Thinks of other areas to keep a spare home key. Don’t place it under a mat or under a potted plant. Be creative. Try placing it under one of the gutters with a rock shielding it.

Perhaps you can place a spare key near an outdoor shed or by a water faucet. Just find a random designated spot for it other than the ordinary places robbers or intruders often look at first if they’re going to commit a home invasion.

Form an Alliance with the Neighbors
Inform neighbors you trust when you’ll be away for a certain amount of time. Let them know that you’d appreciate them helping watch your home property while you’re gone.

Leave No Trace of Luxury
Any luxury goods you buy that arrive in boxes, cut them up and throw into tied black bags. Branded boxes give away the fact to burglars that some valuable items are within the home, making it a more desirable target.

Follow these basic rules and you’ll take a huge step in protecting yourself, your family, and your property.