Survival Gear

[308 at my gate]

Originally Posted by 45nut

I still highly recommend the pocket survival kit. My 3 kits are used for different situations.

Good suggestions all. As to training being key, the time to practice survival skills is when you are in your own backyard. You need to practice with your flint & steel, magnesium lighter, with anything you plan on using in a survival situation. Make sure your kit has something to make a bowl out of and some basic first aid materials. My large BPS first aid kit has everything but splints and only weighs 1.2 lbs. I added Pepto Bismal tablets and two ace bandages and some forceps plus more advil & tylenol.

That is a good idea worth considering. I may look into having more than one survival kit. My main kit might be to big to carry all the time and a smaller one would be more convienant.

[38 special]

Originally Posted by TranterUK

Never been to London then?

No always wanted to go over and see Great Britain. One of my Aunts is from England but I never got a chance to go over.My mother is of Welsh descent but I've never been to Wales either. You're right you can always get lost in a city. Survival gear in the city is more important than in the Big Woods. There are some real nasty predators in the city.

[delta13soultaker]

Originally Posted by carver

Here again I think we have a situation that is really, really, broad. As delta13, and 308 state, you probably won't be out there long enough to set up a trap line, dig a well, or build permanant shelter (just being facetious). However, how prepaired are we? What if we have all the things we have mentioned up to this point, and we through in something that occures all the time. We hear stories about this all the time. What if we are injured, broke bones, bitten, clawed, to the point that we can not move to a better place than where we are at that time? Now do we add something to our little survival pack that we haven't thought of yet?

I like your logic.

Once again, it goes back to planning.

Your primary and alternate plan are choices A & B to do what you're doing. Your contingency plan means primary/alternate is really gone wrong; should be a 5-point contingency plan covering GOTWA (where you're Going, including routes; Others going with you; Times you'll be where and time of return; What to do if you don't return, Actions you'll be anticipating and acting accordingly based on W). A contingency plan is what brings rescue so it should be scratched down somewhere and left with someone who'll raise a red flag. By the time you've planned primary, alternate, and a 5 point contingency plan, your escape/emergency is 90% completed for you. PACE

In the case of "injured, broke bones, bitten, clawed", that is where shock comes in like the hand of death. A minor injury can cause shock and shock alone kills way faster than exposure or dehydration. Blood loss makes it way more rapid, while exposure or dehydration do also to an extent.

Here's the thing: No matter what you carry...even an IV, space blanket, and epinephrine auto-injector...if you never learned what shock is you won't even treat it.

I'll get off that and hit this other piece.

Primitive survival techniques are cool and good. I'm not saying you'll never use them. But they are primitive. They became primitive because more reliable and effective techniques or technology replaced them.

The "primitive technique" logic doesn't pass the common sense test in emergency survival. Look at CCW. When we pick a sidearm we want 100% reliability and as effective as possible. Because if it ain't, it could get us killed. Why would we want old, obsolete, unreliable, primitive fire techniques to survive if new kit is cheap and available? Magnesium starters, w/w matches, and such are pretty friggin reliable. The logic is weird. We would talk to a guy about carrying a flintlock for CCW, but don't raise an eyebrow at a dude saying he'll start a fire with in a blizzard with caveman techniques.

True there are lots of cool ways to start fires. Ammo, 9-volts, cell phones batteries, bow-drills, magnifying glasses. But will they work in a downpour, ice storm, or blizzard at night? Do you want to chase a shotgun wad or cut open bullets while you're exhausted?

Just thinking out loud.

[Appliancedude]

We used to make buddy burners in scouts. We never used them to cook with, just to put under damp wood. Regular road flares will also start wet wood relativly quickly.

[kutaho]

Just wanted to add snare wire, and a block of magnesium.

[Maximilian II]

One thing to remember: do NOT rely on your cell phone AT ALL! If you're really out in the woods, you probably won't get a signal. I can't even get one at my dad's farm 5 miles from town.
Plus, they break really easily.
Space blankets have been mentioned, I just want to emphasize that they are also good to keep rain off, and are quite visible and shiny if rescuers are looking for you.
Ziplock bags and rubber gloves were mentioned, too. Both can hold water and thus are expedient canteens if yours goes south.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have at least one good knife. Leatherman type tools are great.
Items with many uses are a good idea. You're limited on the equipment you'll be toting, right? A good puzzle is to think about alternative uses for what's in your kit ahead of time. When you're lost, you'll be mostly thinking about how to get home, not "I can use this for what I need."

Most important is to keep a positive mindset. People who feel like they're defeated usually are. Soon.

[308 at my gate]

Originally Posted by Maximilian II

One thing to remember: do NOT rely on your cell phone AT ALL! If you're really out in the woods, you probably won't get a signal. I can't even get one at my dad's farm 5 miles from town.
Plus, they break really easily.
Space blankets have been mentioned, I just want to emphasize that they are also good to keep rain off, and are quite visible and shiny if rescuers are looking for you.
Ziplock bags and rubber gloves were mentioned, too. Both can hold water and thus are expedient canteens if yours goes south.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have at least one good knife. Leatherman type tools are great.
Items with many uses are a good idea. You're limited on the equipment you'll be toting, right? A good puzzle is to think about alternative uses for what's in your kit ahead of time. When you're lost, you'll be mostly thinking about how to get home, not "I can use this for what I need."

Most important is to keep a positive mindset. People who feel like they're defeated usually are. Soon.

Good advice thanks alot.

[swanshot]

I have a haversack that I grab whenever I leave camp.
Always, always, always in that bag are; Plastic disposable cigarette lighters (at least two of).
Compass.
Water in addition to whatever I'm carrin in a canteen.
tea bags or coffee.
Stainless steel cup. You can boil in it.
A leatherman tool.
Dried meat (Jerky)
Half a pound of dried fruit and nut mix, or som musli bars.
Atiseptic and a bandage.
Boiled sweets.
Asprin. This is harder on the body than something like paracetamol, but is also more brutally effective.

I once wrote the rules out for my Grandson. They went something like this:
IF you know they are gonna come looking for you, and will probably find you. STAY PUT. Light a nice big fire and make yourself comfortable, and let them find you.
Throw green foliage on the fire to make smoke and smell.

If you must get youself out, then:
If you are scared, and paicky STOP. Make a cup of coffee and relax. and think it out.
If you just plain don't know where the camp is, figure out where the nearest road is and walk to cut that.
Stop and check that you are not walking in a circle. Sight on a landmark, and walk to it.
NEVER, NEVER try to walk in the dark.
If you are not going to make it before dark, don't try.
Find a camp site well before dark and make it as comfortable as you can.
Move carefully. Don't take any risks you don't have to.
DO NOT HURRY.

[Maximilian II]

Swan, I like your approach. You did mention gear, which is important. You also re-emphasized the proper mental approach.
If you're left naked in the wilderness, thinking toward your goals will be worth more than any equipment. Period. And, all the gear you need will be useless if you don't have the right mindset. You MUST live. You MUST eat. You MUST excrete waste. You MUST drink enough water. You MUST keep your body the right temperature.
All else is superfluous.

[swanshot]

Originally Posted by Maximilian II

Swan, I like your approach. You did mention gear, which is important. You also re-emphasized the proper mental approach.
If you're left naked in the wilderness, thinking toward your goals will be worth more than any equipment. Period. And, all the gear you need will be useless if you don't have the right mindset. You MUST live. You MUST eat. You MUST excrete waste. You MUST drink enough water. You MUST keep your body the right temperature.
All else is superfluous.

Hey max. I actually had occasion to use it once when I made a classic reciprocal error (180 degrees in the wrong direction) Spent a night out.
As the sun set I realized where I'd gone wrong, but I still had to suppress the urge to panic. I did it according to my own rules and was fine, if very footsore the following day when I finally got back to camp.
I learned the value of a fire. There is just something so primal, so comforting about a fire, even if (as in my case) it wasn't needed for warmth, and the psychological comfort to be had from being able to have a cup of tea and suck a lollie (sweet) was imeasurable.
Now the tough guys who think it's cool to beat the crap outta themseves to prove how tough they are can have it. (and stick it where the sun don't shine). Me? I got back, sore and sorry for myself, but undamaged by my little adventure.

[Maximilian II]

Fire is definitely a key human friend. I camp out a lot every year, and even in the summer, surrounded by other campers, a fire feels good to have. It is a visible,tangible force that says this is my/our spot.Glad you made it out, Swan. Most "lost" I ever got was waking up in the wrong camp, in somebody else's tent. And I couldn't find my kilt...
I'm told I had fun. Can't remember somehow.

[308 at my gate]

Hey guys I like the survival stories. If anyone else has any post them.

[plowhorse]

hey guys, most people are mentioning space blankets to use for warmth/shelter, but what if it is raining/snowing. I have recently started hammock camping. whole sleep shelter weighs around 2.5 lbs, andvery easily fits into my large mad dog fanny pack. this in addition to my lightweight alky stove fits easily into my pack and gives me that ability to comfortably stay out if forced to.

[Big ugly]

that might work too. Never thought of the hammock, course I dont get lost very much either. The back kinda keeps me from wonderin too far.

[plowhorse]

sleep in the hammock, the back shouldn't bother you as much. I have never slept so well in the mountains.

[ski9393]

Common sense is a good one to take along with you anywere. I didn't see any on the trader forum, I could use a little more. I try to pack light seeing as how I only hunt our family farm wich is a little under 500 acres and the house isn't that bad of a walk from the farthest corner of the farm. Any way I own a camelbak mule with 2.5liter water bladder, I fill it. I carry 5 rounds of extra ammunition. I generally don't need it but I carry my milspec compass with me, a Ka-Bar, which fits perfectly next to the water bladder (in it's sheath), a bic, copenhagen snuff, small bottle of tylenol with a paper towel stuffed in it to keep the pills from rattling. Some sort of food, wheter it be a can of beans or trailmix or both, my leatherman, a waterproof container with strike anywere matches, my rifle of course, I also have this little survival kit in a can that was a stocking stuffer, it has a variety of usless stuff in it, but it may come in handy. Compared to alot of people I suppose I'm about unprepared. But my hunting turf is a little different. I can say that I agree with delta13soultaker about the cotton clothing, it does not insulate at all when wet. I learned that from whitewater kayaking. Synthetics are good insulators but you want a better shell, like goretex or something along those lines.

[swanshot]

Originally Posted by 308 at my gate

Hey guys I like the survival stories. If anyone else has any post them.

How about 9 years married to my first wife

[delta13soultaker]

Originally Posted by Maximilian II

One thing to remember: do NOT rely on your cell phone AT ALL! If you're really out in the woods, you probably won't get a signal. I can't even get one at my dad's farm 5 miles from town.

Yeah...I can't even get a signal in a store.

[TranterUK]

Well, I got lost in the desert one time, sort of. Among the first things you learn is that everything gets hot. Your first drink of hot water, to the first time you go to pick up something metal thats been in the sun. Another thing is much of it looks the same, which is how I came to get lost. I was in a jeep, and had a compass, and still managed it. Oh yes, and met a ghost at the same time. Go figure!

[USMC-03]

Originally Posted by TranterUK

Oh yes, and met a ghost at the same time. Go figure!

Hey Tranter, did the ghost look like a Danish king and say something like this?

"But know thou Noble youth, The Serpent that did sting thy Fathers life, Now weares his Crowne."

[kutaho]

Tragedy of a young danish prince?

O, am i drifting

[TranterUK]

Originally Posted by USMC-03

Hey Tranter, did the ghost look like a Danish king and say something like this?

Well I will tell you, as I am driving, alone in a jeep, lots of sand and rock and a little scrub I hear three loud raps on the vehicle, bang, bang bang, like someone hitting the body with a spanner. This happened a few times, no one else around, then the compass started to misbehave. It kept reversing, one minute I was going south, then a few minuets later, north. I turned around a couple of times trying to figure out what was going on, and had quite the conversation with the ghost, who I figured had come from an abandoned Roman town I had just passed.. Of course, there were simple explanations for both weird occurrences.