Bunbury survival trainer Keaton Widmer launches 'Survive it South West'

But Bunbury's very own survival trainer Keaton Widmer, who is frequently asked if this is a way to survive dehydration, wants the community to know that it's not.

"Just don't do it," Mr Widmer laughed.

"In my experience, a lot of survival advice out there can sometimes be hazardous and the last thing you want to do is further hurt yourself while in a survival situation.

"Drinking your own urine will dehydrate you quicker because it's already full of salt and toxins - meaning your body has to pull in more water to filter out what has already been filtered out.

"It's a huge misconception that a lot of people think is true - but please don't do it."

To further educate the community on tips and tricks on how to look after yourself in a survival situation, Mr Widmer has recently launched 'Survive It South West', a survival how-to guide that can be found on both YouTube and Facebook.

Mr Widmer said the idea, which he had been "toying with" for the last five years, came about during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When COVID hit, no one in WA could travel, so everyone started buying four-wheel drives, caravans and camper trailers and heading out bush," Mr Widmer said.

"I was also inspired by the Zavros family in South Australia who got trapped by flood waters late last year who didn't have enough gear to survive - relying solely on supply drops.

"So I thought it was a good enough time to teach people how to survive as long as they can in the bush will waiting for rescue - because you just don't know when help is going to come."

Following in his parents footsteps, Mr Widmer has been a volunteer with the Bunbury State Emergency Service in search and rescue for over 19 years.

He expressed the importance of preparing for a survival situation every time anyone heads out bush.

"One fundamental mistake that a lot of people make which is critical to survival is letting people know where you are going," Mr Widmer said.

"Before I go out anywhere, I always let my wife and my parents know where I'm going and if I can be contacted - and I never rely on my phone.

"When it comes to a conducting a search for someone and the last place they have been is their home, then you may as well just throw darts at a map and say lets search there.

"No one ever plans to be in a survival situation - but it can be one of those things that just happens."

So far, Mr Widmer's videos as part of Survive It South West have covered how to navigate using a compass and map, creating an emergency lean to shelter as well as different ways of collecting and filtering water.

He offered the following tips for those in the South West who may find themselves in a survival situation in the future:

Through the creation of Survive It South West, Mr Widmer hopes to both educate and share what he knows "with people who need it".

He thanked his parents, his wife and two sons for their continued support and guidance.

"I urge the community to do their research, but also to practice what they see - don't just wait until you're in a survival situation because you won't remember.

"And remember that hope is a big thing - if you give up hope, then your chances of survival drop dramatically.

"One day if someone messages me and says Keaton, I used what you taught me and survived - then that's my ultimate goal."

Mr Widmer will next film a 'survival weekend' where he will head out bush and survive with only what he has in his backpack.

When his newborn son Odie is older, he also hopes to apply for 'Alone', a documentary series on SBS where survivalists test out their survival skills in the wilderness.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/surviveitsouthwest or 'Survival How To' on YouTube.