American Survival Guide - August 2017 PDF

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Vol. 6 Issue 8
BE AN APEX
SURVIVOR
GRADUATE FROM SURVIVOR TO THRIVER
SALVAGING FOR
SURVIVAL
14 Essentials Found in Abandoned Vehicles
CHANNEL YOUR
INNER NINJA
Practice Covert Camping to
Increase Your Security
FLAGRANT BEARD VICIOUS

FIXED BLADES VEGETATION
Getting the Lowdown on the Avoid Plants That Can Ruin Your
ForeRunner and HAVOC Day ... or End Your Life
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FEATURES
14 94
SALVAGE SURVIVOR HAPPY CAMPER
14 useful essentials found in abandoned Protect your camp from invasive
vehicles intruders.
By Frank Philips By Mike D'Angona
30
EMBRACE THE SUCK REVIEWS
Graduate from survivor to thriver.
By Dana Benner 38
FLAGRANT BEARD FIXED
76 BLADES
VICIOUS VEGETATION The lowdown on the ForeRunner
Avoid plants that can ruin your and HAVOC
day ... or end your life. By Jerrie Barber
By Larry Schwartz
66
84 AFFORDABLE AND
PROTECTION FROM THE DEPENDABLE GEAR
SUMMER SUN Ultimate Survival Technologies field
Prevent sunburn, dehydration, test results
heatstroke and more. By Steven Paul Barlow
By Larry Schwartz
110
102 AT HOME ON ANY FRONT
NO ELECTRICITY? NO CRKT’s new Homefront takedown folder
PROBLEM! By Steven Paul Barlow
Working around the hassle of having
no electricity 84
By Christopher Nyerges
120 48 76
ESSENTIAL OILS
Replenishable additions to your
medical kit
By Dana Benner
HOW-TO
22
CHANNEL YOUR INNER
NINJA
Practice covert camping to increase
your security.
By Larry Schwartz
48
TAPPING INTO
GROUNDWATER
Secure your water supply with a
hand-dug well.
By Dane Benner
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year—January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November,
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4 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [AUGUST 2017]

8
GEAR
GUIDE
58
THIRD-QUARTER KIT
30 22 Gear for the transition to fall
By Frank Warren
14
DEPARTMENTS
6
FIRST WORDS
8
NEW PRODUCTS
130
LAST WORDS
58
102 38
Some articles in this issue might

include stock images that are the
property of Getty Images.
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 5

VOL. 6 ISSUE 08
EDITORIAL
Doug Jeffrey Editorial Director
Mike McCourt Editor
Amy Maclean Managing Editor
DESIGN
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Christopher Nyerges, Frank Philips, Larry Schwartz, Frank Warren
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T
his is the time of year when can’t imagine any inconvenience lasting for more OPERATIONS
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COMPILED BY FRANK WARREN
1 3 5
Excalibur Matrix
Briggs & Stratton Helly Hansen Bulldog 400
8,000-Watt Rigging Rain Jacket Crossbow
2100-Series This is a waterproof version of this company’s iconic
Helly Hansen windbreaker design. The Rigging The Matrix Bulldog 400 is a combination of speed,
Generator Jacket takes up classic marine design elements and power and comfort. Producing arrow speeds up to
400 feet per second, the Bulldog 400 is equipped
is made from a soft cotton fabric. It is waterproof,
The Briggs & Stratton 30664 8,000-Watt, to handle any of the largest game on the planet.
breathable and windproof, with fully sealed seams
gas-powered portable generator produces clean The Bulldog features the new Bullpup Ready Rest
and Helly Tech waterproof/breathable protection.
and instant power to keep appliances and other stock that incorporates a better-balanced platform
important electronics running during a power Features for extreme maneuverability. It comes outfitted
outage or natural disaster. This unit features a • Two-ply fabric construction with Powerload limbs, Quad-Loc riser, Guardian
2100 Series OHV 420cc engine that produces 21 • Durable Water Repellency treatment (DWR) Anti-Dry Fire System and R.E.D.S. suppressors
foot-pounds of torque and a 7.5-gallon metal fuel • Quick-dry lining
tank for an impressive nine hours of continuous • Attached hood Features
• YKK zipped hand pockets • Draw weight: 280 pounds
operation at 50 percent load on a full tank.
• Anti-chafe chin guard • Power stroke: 14.0 inches
Features • Mass weight: 6.2 pounds.
• Colors: navy, ebony, Olympian Blue
• 12-inch, never-go-flat wheels • Overall length: 35.8 inches
• Fuel gauge and hour meter for monitoring gas level MSRP • Arrow length: 18 inches
• Keyed electric start and remote choke $150 • Tact-Zone illuminated scope with 30mm rings
• Power surge alternator produces up to 25 percent • Four-arrow quiver with bracket
URL
more surge wattage • Four Diablo arrows with 150-grain field points
www.HellyHansen.com
• Includes four 120-volt outlets and one 120/240 • Rope-cocking aid
volt, 30-amp outlet • Ambidextrous cheekpiece
• Comes with engine oil, quick-start guide and • Finish: Realtree Xtra
operator's manual
MSRP
MSRP
4
$1,299.99
$1,129
URL
URL www.ExcaliburCrossbow.com
www.BriggsandStratton.com
Arc’Teryx Bora AR
50 Backpack 6
2 Designed for two- to three-day trips, the Bora AR 50
Backpack leverages hybrid materials and advanced
Böker Plus
Counter Assault hipbelt technology. The RotoGlide hip belt rotates side
to side and glides up and down for a more natural
Tomahook
Bear Spray stride that reduces chafing and improves balance.
GridLock shoulder straps adjust both in width and
The design of the "Tomahook" is influenced by the
Celts, Vikings and Native Americans. It offers a high
Protect yourself while in bear country with the height for a precision fit. The highly durable pack body degree of functionality, meaning that it can be used
hottest bear spray available on the market: Counter is made from 420D and 630D nylon fabrics and is as much more than a hatchet: The upper end of
Assault Bear Spray. This 8-ounce canister of bear capped with weatherproof fabric in areas that might the ax head is sharpened like a chisel, but it is also
deterrent has a spray distance of up to 30 feet with be exposed to rain or snow. suited for use as a shovel. In addition, the knife-like
7.2 seconds of spray. It is university tested and EPA edge can even be used to skin and dismember a
Features deer in case of emergency. The ability to engage
registered.
• Weatherproof construction
the handle directly and securely behind the cutting
Features • Kangaroo pocket
edge makes a variety of finer cutting work possible.
• Atomized spray technology • Side pockets can carry 1-liter bottles or trekking
• First EPA-registered bear spray poles Features
• Recipient of the 1998 Grizzly Bear Stewardship Award • Thermo-molded Tegris frame sheet and aluminum • Total length: 18.1 inches
• 30-feet spray distance stays • Blade thickness: 0.20 inch
• 7.2 seconds of spray duration • Mesh hipbelt pockets • Blade material: SK-5 carbon steel
• 8.1 fluid ounces • Hydration bladder-compatible • Handle material: G-10
• Dimensions: 2x2x8.5 inches • GridLock shoulder strap adjustment system • Weight: 28.4 ounces
• Weight: 12 ounces • Two ice axe loops • Designer: Colin Despins
MSRP MSRP MSRP

$44.95 $499 $169.95
URL URL URL

www.CounterAssault.com www.ArcTeryx.com www.BokerUSA.com

1
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CALL TOLL FREE THOUSANDS OF
800-441-8855 ITEMS ONLINE
YOUR SOURCE FOR SURVIVAL PRODUCTS

CONTENTS:
60 Servings 1 oz FrogLube Solvent RELIANCE 8 GALLON
25 Year Self Life 4 oz FrogLube CLP Paste HYDROLLER WHEELED
1.5 oz FrogLube CLP Squeeze WATER CONTAINER
Tube, Brush, and Towel #13-0025 | Weighs 5.72 .lbs |
Measures 21"L x 11"W x 14"H
The large Hydroller water container
(8 gal./30L) makes it easy to
transport large quantities of water
anywhere. With integrated
FROGTUBE 5 PIECE KIT wheels and a 37.95
#06-0908 | Weighs .75 .lbs | Measures 8" x 3" Dia. fold-away handle
EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY

FrogLube is a cutting edge firearm lubricant made from
USDA Certified Food-Grade materials. It is non-toxic
this unit is always $
ready to go. 29 .95
ea
#09-0034 | Weighs 9.90 .lbs | Measures 10”L x 10”W x 13”H and it dissolves all that built-up
carbon. Reduces friction, eliminates $ POTASSIUM IODIDE
Readymade meals are packed in airtight, nitrogen-
packed Mylar pouches, and then encased in durable
plastic containers. These kits carry up to a 25
fouling, and destroys rust. Safe for
plastic, urethane, nylon, and wood.
49 .95
ea #11-7597 | Weighs 0.16 .lbs |
Potassium Iodide may be used to
year shelf life, with absolutely no rotation needed. maintain beneficial and protective
Each 60 Serving Entrée Only Grab and Go Food
Kit contains 2 servings per day (entrees only) for
levels of Iodine in the
thyroid gland.
20.95
1 adult for 1 month or 4 adults for 1 week. Each 90 Capsules per $
pouch contains 4
servings. Stackable MSRP 139.95
LIFESTRAW WATER FILTER
bottle. 32.5 mg
per capsule.
19 .95
ea
buckets include
ASG
all the nutritional
information. PRICE
$
119 .95
ea
#13-0019 | Weighs .15 .lbs | Measures 8½" x 1½" Dia
Ideal for homeowners during emergencies such as local
Mudd Boots w/ Thinsulate®
#08-9901 | Weighs 6.25 .lbs | Size: 8 - 12
flooding which can contaminate drinking water
SURVIVAL FOOD TABS supplies. LifeStraw surpasses EPA 22.95 Mudd boots with gum rubber sole and
guidelines for Ecoli, Giardia, and Thinsulate insulation to keep feet
#11-0903 | Weighs 1.65 .lbs
19
Cryptosporidium oocysts, rigorous $ .95 comfortably dry in adverse weather.
Bottle contains 180 tabs and at the standards for water filtration. ea 100% waterproof
16
recommended 12 tabs per day, you bonded/heat $ .95
have a 15 day supply. Packaged in sealed seams for
added durability.
ea
a plastic bottle which can
be carried in 39.95 BLUE LIVES MATTER T-SHIRT
#01-0247 | Weighs 0.40 .lbs |
2 pairs at 14 ea
a standard Size: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
$ .00
G.I. canteen
pouch.
$
24 .95
ea Blue Lives Matter T-shirts
make a great gift item for
SPECIAL BUY police officers or to show BIO-CHEM PERSONAL
2 or more at
$
22 ea .00
your support.
100% cotton 19.95 PROTECTION SUIT
#11-5481 | Weighs 0.39 .lbs |
T-shirt
Size: M, L, XL, 2X, 3X
is printed
in the USA. 16
$ .95
ea Stay safe with our Tyvek
chemical protective suit with
elastic cuffs,
hood and
booties.
$
14 .95
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PLASTIC AMMO CAN - SMALL MACHETE MADNESS

#02-4440 | Weighs 2.15 .lbs | Measures 13¾"L x 7½"W x 6½"H
BLACK 34" ASSAULT RIFLE CASE 5 Assorted Quality Machetes
Lightweight and durable, great for storing all types of #08-0945 | Weighs 2.32 .lbs | Measures 35"L x 4"W x 14"H #03-7134 | Weighs 7 .lbs |
items including ammo, first aid or survival items, inside Mixed blade lengths and finishes,
Rifle case with heavy-duty nylon, water-resistant
dimensions are 12.25" x 6" x 4.75". The lid features a
water resistant O-ring with metal exterior. Features five outer flap-covered 19.95 mixed wood and plastic handles.
hook-n-loop mag pouches, large Sizes and
latch and locking hasp that can be
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ea
accessory zipper pocket, protective $
padding, and heavy duty zipper. 14 .95
ea
styles will
vary. Sorry,
no choices.
$
19 .95
for 5
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ORDER ONLINE
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Kit Includes:
SCOTT PRO MASK WITH FILTER (1) Hard-shell case
Approved to EN 136 Class 3
#08-3690 | (1) First aid guide
Measures 10"L x 10"W x 6"H (1) Scissors
(1) Tweezers
Made of hypo-allergenic
materials. The face shield (2) Vinyl gloves
is composed of highly impact (10) Alcohol prep pad
resistant polycarbonate. (3) Sting relief pad
Uses any (6) Antiseptic towelette
standard MSRP 279.95 (10) 3/8" X 1-1/2" bandage
40mm (10) 3/4" X 3" bandage
NATO $
79 .95
ea
(1) Knuckle bandage
12 COMPLETE filter. (1) Knee/elbow bandage

MEALS! 22" X 2" sterile gauze pad
MRE - THE BASIC Gas Masks and Gas Mask Filters are not for sale outside
of the U.S.A. Sold as a novelty item only. Gas masks,
23" X 3" sterile gauze pad
#09-9177 | Weighs 12.74 .lbs | Measures 17½"L x 10"W x 8½"H
filter and accessories are Not Returnable or Refundable. 11" Adhesive tape roll
Quality control is the highest priority!
Each Full Case contains a variety of
59.95 53 PIECE FIRST AID KIT
different entrées, crackers, snack RADIAC METER IM-179/U #10-2223 | Weighs 0.50 .lbs | Measures 6½"L x 5½"W x 2½"H
items, beverage powder,
condiments and more.
$
49 ea .95
MILITARY GAMMA DOSE
RATE METER
This 53 piece first aid kit from Lifeline is packaged in
a hard-shell Realtree Camo case for easy storage and
portability. It contains the basic
STEEL FRAME CAMO PACK SPECIAL #11-0449 | Weighs 0.60 .lbs supplies needed for minor medical
#08-0947 | Weighs 5.11 .lbs |
Measures 15"L x 8"W x 26"H.
BUY Meter reads .02 to 200 r/hr has
a green-travel / yellow –caution
emergencies at home or on the
trail. Great in the car or tent.
$
12 .95
ea
/ red-take cover scale also. The
Features a .75"tubular steel
frame welded at all
meter features a battery / circuit 3 lb. EMERGENCY
stress points. Main
test button and a read button.
Easy carry compact size 3¼" X
BLANKET
compartment has #02-0310 | 54”L x 84”W
a drawstring cover
2¼" X 1" uses 1.5 volt battery and a 6 volt
battery both are included. All meters
159.95 15.95
that snugs down the
are circuit checked but not checked
contents which are
further protected by the
elastic, adjustable lid
against a radioactive source. A list of
calibration labs is included with meter.
79
$ .95
ea
3 pound
blanket made of 50% wool. Measures
54" x 84" and individually wrapped.
$
9 ea .95
that has a rear zippered

compartment and two
top lashing straps for
HOMEOWNERS KIT
#08-0433 | Weighs 8.40 .lbs | Measures 14" x 8" Dia.
jacket or bedroll. Padded
waist belt with mesh Kit contains 2 RPD multipurpose units
measuring 8" x 98". 6 Dam-it-up bags
back, padded adjustable
MSRP 59.95 measuring 14" x 26" each. 49.95
shoulder straps with sternum strap,
Homeowners Kit is packed
29 ea
mesh back panel and top carry $ .95
handle round out the features of this
deluxe camo backpack.
$
29 ea .95 in its own carry bag.
SPECIAL BUY
COMBAT SUB COMMANDER
MINI BOOT KNIFE
3 for
$
65 .00
#03-0121 | Weighs 0.15 .lbs | Measures 5" overall

Hides discreetly within reach. An injection-
MILITARY MOSQUITO COT COVER SET
#08-8234 | Weighs 2.54 .lbs
molded sheath with nylon lanyard ensures
the knife is close at hand. Impact resistant Designed to fit over G.I. cots. Made of mildew resistant
TPR handle is strong and textured, complete polyethylene “no-see-um” mesh with satin skirt and reinforced
with a brass lanyard hole. Razor-sharp corners with ties. Complete with 4 wood cot poles. Mosquito
bar and pole set comes in their own cord-lock carry
AUS-6 stainless steel blades are double
bag. Both of these bags fit inside a larger 14.95
edged with a complete
matching storage bag. This is a complete
12
blood-groove. Can also
be worn as a neck knife.
Blade measures 2½".
$ .95
ea
set. New Unissued.
Cot not included.
$
12 .95
ea
THOUSANDS OF ITEMS ON SALE AT www.MajorSurplus.com

7 9 11
McNett Tactical Lawson Blue Ridge Blackhawk! Convoy
Ultra Compact Camping Hammock 1/4 Zip Shirt
Microfiber Towel This is a unique, hybrid tent-hammock that can be suspended
as a hammock or placed on the ground as a tent, greatly
The new BLACKHAWK! Convoy 1/4 Zip Shirt is made from
a knit fabric and stretch cover stitching to promote excel-
When you need to cut down on space and increasing camping terrain options. The spreader bar and arch lent range of motion. The two-tone mélange pattern helps
weight, you want gear that serves double pole system also keep the bed of the hammock flatter and minimize imprinting of a weapon. A Teflon Shield+ coating
duty—such as the Ultra Compact Microfiber more taut, eliminating much of the uncomfortable “cocoon” repels stains, oil and water. Chest and sleeve pockets allow
Towel by McNett Tactical. This towel also acts and “banana” effect created by most hammocks. The Blue for everyday item storage. In addition, a media cord open-
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12
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9
11
12 10
SALVAGE

SURVIVOR
14 USEFUL ESSENTIALS FOUND IN
ABANDONED VEHICLES
STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK PHILIPS

D
esolation, destruction and just simply have broken down or were parked when calamity struck. To check for fuel, give
despair met you on the open the rear of the car a push to see if you hear fluid sloshing inside. With a simple length of hose,
road too many miles from you can easily siphon out the remaining fuel and use it to maintain a fire or to gas up your own
any semblance of civilization, vehicle. Avoid puncturing the gas tank when draining the fuel. Even the smallest spark could
if it even still exists. The start an unwelcome fire.
plan for survival was to escape as quickly
as possible, and that led to where you are BATTERY
now—breakdown; alone with very few Using the battery can be a double-edged sword. For starters, it is probably dead if it has
supplies except for a backpack of food and been sitting around for any length of time, but, at about 40 pounds, it is also heavy to carry
water and the clothes on your back. Now, for any distance.
you have to walk.
That doesn’t mean you can’t take parts of

your car with you, because there is a host of
gear and equipment on your car that can,
and will, help you in a survival situation.
The optimistic outlook for “cannibalizing”
your car for useful survival essentials is that
there are millions of cars out there, so the
likelihood of coming across more abandoned
cars is great. Check as many as possible to
acquire what you need.
ASSORTED CLUTTER
Think about your own car right now. How
much stuff and junk are scattered around
your car? For some people, their car is a
rolling box of random stuff that accumulates
over the years. An especially cluttered car
might yield a wide variety of useful things
stashed away in the trunk, glove box, center
console, door pockets and under the seats.
Make sure you check thoroughly.
Trunk: If you can get into it, first check

the trunk. Inside, you might find tools,
flashlights, tire irons, jumper cables, tool
kits, flares, blankets, extra clothes—and who
knows what else. Some cars come equipped
with first aid kits and camping gear. You
might even luck out and find a car that just
came back from a Costco run.
If you plan to remain close to this car, con-

sider using the trunk as a lockable storage
unit. If you have the keys, of course, locking
up weapons, extra food and gear is a smart
idea to keep them away from other people
(or hungry animals).
Glove Box: Inside this and the center

console, you might find food, bottles of
water, lighters, flashlights, extra napkins and
papers you can use as kindling, or even a
map of the local area.
FUEL
After a disaster situation or a civilization col-
lapse scenario, most cars will be abandoned
due to lack of fuel. However, some might

MOBILE
SECURITY: THE
AUTO SHELTER
One of the best places you can find to shelter yourself against
the elements is inside a car; it beats facing Mother Nature’s wrath
any day or night of the week.
If the car in question is abandoned on the side of the road and

unlocked, it should seal up tight against the weather and preda-
tor animals. If the car is in a secure and out-of-the-way location,
it should provide an adequate shelter for many days, at least.
The rear seats (or cargo area, if it is an SUV) can be used for
bedding, while the front seats can be storage for your gear. In
addition, consider removing the front seats altogether to make
way for more people and/or more gear.
Insulation can be added to the windows to keep in the

warmth at night, while the doors can be opened to air out the
cabin and let in cooler air if needed. Pulling up carpets and
tearing down headliners to make improvised blankets and also
using the foam for comfort would make spending numerous
night inside a car hospitable.
If you can dig down to the metal floor pans and create a wide
enough location that is free of flammable materials, lighting
and maintaining a small fire will improve the warmth of the car
tremendously. Just make sure you allow for adequate ventilation.
The ultimate car shelter would be one that moves

under its own power. Most times, a car will be abandoned
because it ran out of gas. If you have some gas that you
cannibalized from another vehicle, getting this one running
and moving toward your destination will save you untold
resources and energy.
If you’re staying in one place, a working car battery is a useful tool to start a fire (create a spark
with jumper cables or arc a small wire between the posts until it glows hot) or to power a light.
A car battery is not designed to last a long time. But if you know the basics of electricity, it is
relatively easy to rig a solar panel to a battery to keep it charged. (But, no, you can’t make a
wind turbine with the alternator and fan.)
WIRING
There is a ton of wire snaking around your car. For especially long strands of it, go underneath,
especially on trucks, where long lengths run down the frame rails. Barring that, many smaller
pieces of wire can be harvested from a car and connected together.
You can use wires for electrical projects, to fashion animal snares and traps, and for tying down
gear or building a shelter. Small pieces of it can be used as fishing hooks or sewing thread.

THE MATERIAL USED TO MAKE
SEAT BELTS IS EXCEEDINGLY
STRONG AND CAN BE VERY
USEFUL FOR MAKING STRAPS
FOR AN IMPROVISED BACKPACK
OR FOR SECURING LOADS TO
A DIY SLED (MADE FROM THE
HOOD, OF COURSE).
A word of caution: Avoid scavenging anything

of an electrical nature from a hybrid or
© Getty Images
full-electric car, because the banks of batteries
in them carry a potentially deadly charge.
MIRRORS
The way car mirrors are designed for cars
makes them rather useless for starting a fire,
for which you would want a concave mirror
that directs the light to a point. On cars,
mirrors are usually convex to show as wide a
view as possible.
Nevertheless, car mirrors can be used for

signaling or for personal uses, such as
grooming. Mirrors from older cars are less
complicated and easier to remove, because
they normally don’t have dimming abilities
and wiring attached to them.
SEAT BELTS
The material used to make seat belts is
exceedingly strong and can be very useful for
making straps for an improvised backpack or
for securing loads to a DIY sled (made from
the hood, of course). Pull the seat belts out
as far as they will go and cut them at the
base. In addition, consider using them as
part of a stretcher.

Some SUVs come equipped with cargo nets to secure groceries in the rear. These offer a host
of uses, from making a backpack to using it as a fishing net if the holes are small enough.
HEADLIGHTS
Like the lenses from the taillights and the turn indicators, the headlight lenses can be used as
drinking vessels, and shards of it can be used as a knife. A clear lens can be used similarly to an
eyeglass lens or a magnifying glass to focus light onto some tinder.
Inside the light housing, the mirror-reflective portion of some headlights can be used to
start a fire and for signaling. The parabolic nature of a well-polished reflector will focus light
into a small area.
HUB CAPS AND LIGHT LENSES

Although most newer cars use plastic hubcaps that are usually bolted to the wheel, many
older cars feature removable hubcaps that can be used for cups, bowls and cooking pans.
Consider a dish-shaped hubcap from a classic Volkswagen, for example. Scrub it clean, and it
will make a reliable skillet.
TOOLS YOU’LL
NEED
You should be carrying these types of tools with you, no
matter where the apocalypse takes you. However, if you
have it in your plans to salvage items from cars as you find
them, it is a good idea to keep a variety of useful tools on
hand for when you spot a car that could be a good candi-
date for cannibalism. You don’t need too many tools, but a
small handful is essential.
Wrenches: Most cars these days—domestic and foreign—

use metric bolts, so having a set of metric wrenches will go
a long way. Barring that, an adjustable crescent wrench
will fit all bolt sizes; it just takes a little longer to
complete a task.
Tin Snips and Wire Cutters: Gathering a grip of various

copper wires for lashing loads or fashioning hunting snares
will require wire cutters. A simple pair will cut through
almost any sized wire used on a car. Consider lugging
along tin snips to be able to create tools and weapons
from sheet metal.
Screwdrivers and Pry Bars: In addition to removing

screws on things such as headlights and taillights, screw-
drivers can pry up floor mats and help take down headliners.
Pry bars can also open doors and smash windows.
Length of Hose: This can be any decent hose (a garden

hose, for instance), but make sure it is small enough to get
through the gate under the filler cap and long enough to
reach down into the cavity of a gas tank with enough left
over to touch the ground to ensure you can keep the flow
going when you siphon.

AN ESPECIALLY
CLUTTERED CAR
MIGHT YIELD A
WIDE VARIETY
OF USEFUL
THINGS STASHED
AWAY IN THE
TRUNK, GLOVE
BOX, CENTER
CONSOLE, DOOR
POCKETS AND
UNDER THE
SEATS.
Lenses from taillights or turn indicators can

also be used to transport water or as drinking
vessels. If sharp enough, they can be used
as cutting devices. If low light is needed (for
instance, an emergency red light to increase VARIOUS FLUIDS
visibility at night—similar to a submarine), At the very least, you can drain various fluids—oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and
create a shroud from a red brake light lens even wiper fluid—to use in your own vehicle. Most motor oils are not flammable, but transmis-
and fix it to your flashlight as a filter. sion fluid and brake fluid can be (but they do have a high ignition point). Transmission fluid
makes for a great DIY gun oil, as well.
UPHOLSTERY AND
FLOOR MATS If you have some potassium permanganate with you (and there are many reasons why you
A great deal of any car consists of uphol- should keep some in your survival cache), mixing it in a 50/50 combination with antifreeze
stery and, with the large bench seats of will cause a chemical reaction that will result in a fire. Proceed with caution, because this can
older cars, there can be a large piece to use be a volatile mix if used haphazardly.
for a variety of things. It can be fashioned
into leggings, shoes and backpacks to carry
gear. Rubber floor mats can also be cut into
shoe tread to make sandals.
The foam material inside the seats is

great for insulation, a pillow, pieced to-
gether for a mattress or as padding under
your DIY backpack straps.
Headliners are usually one-piece materials

with a stiff backing, but once torn out, they
can be used as a ground cover or the roof a
shelter. To a lesser degree, the same can be
said for the carpet.
TIRES
Assuming you have some serious cutting
tools, you might be able to make soles for
sandals by cutting up tire treads. Otherwise,
there isn’t much that can be done with a tire
but set fire to it and create a smoke signal.
However, the fire will belch out black smoke
that is toxic and dangerous (as well as
illegal), so only do this if it is an emergency.

The windshield wiper fluid in most cars is a mix of solvents and a detergent, which can be great for washing your hands.
Sometimes, an isopropanol is included, which gives wiper fluid anti-freezing properties.
BODY PANELS
Because of their difficulty to remove and generally heavy nature, there aren’t many uses for most of the body pan-
els on an average car. If you have means to undo the bolts or some cutting tools, the hood, trunk, roof and larger
windows can be used as a roof or wall panels in a shelter. The lighter aluminum of some modern cars (or fiberglass
aftermarket hoods, if you can find one) might make a good sled in the smooth snow or sand. Seat belts can be
used for the tow straps, and the curvature of some hoods and trunk lids lends them to this use quite nicely.
WRAPPING UP
When you approach what you think is an abandoned or derelict car, proceed with caution. It might already
be occupied by a previous scavenger, or it might not be abandoned at all. Consider the ramifications of
taking something that isn’t yours, even in a survival situation.
The items you can extract and use from an abandoned vehicle are as varied as your imagination or
level of necessity. If you have a problem—such as lack of weapons, cooking supplies, shoes or an
inadequate backpack—the more time you spend poking around a car, the more opportunity you’ll see
for fabrication and invention. ASG

CHANNEL
YOUR
INNER
NINJA
EXPAND YOUR BUG-OUT SKILL SET BY
TURNING YOUR NEXT CAMPING TRIP
INTO A GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK.
BY LARRY SCHWARTZ
Y
ou might ask me, “Why man” concepts into your daily and long-term
would you want to know preps? If so, stealth camping is something you
about stealth camping? I should be interested in.
don’t want to add stress to
my camping trip. I want it “Stealth camping” is the act of finding,
to be a relaxing experience.” occupying and then leaving a camping spot
without anyone seeing you or knowing you
Well, will you be bugging out on foot to a loca- were there. It combines normal camping
tion more than one day’s walk away? Do you methods, military tactical movement,
want to keep your bug-out retreat’s location a Leave-No-Trace philosophies and ultralight
secret? Do you want to start integrating “gray backpacking techniques.

© : Getty Images
STEALTHY MOVEMENT hAbove: If you want i Walk on hard ground to avoid leaving tracks.
to blend in and not
Let’s talk first about what to do when you look like someone
are moving from where you are to where you who will be i Take an indirect route into your camp; don’t walk straight to it, but take a few doglegs to
camping overnight,
want to be at the end of the day. The main dress in what you come into it from behind.
points to keep in mind are to pick routes that wear on a daily
basis and use a
keep you from being seen, that avoid making medium-sized pack i Don’t walk through high grasses or bushes, because they will bend or have their leaves
that doesn’t look as
noise and don’t leave signs of your having if it has everything
turned over, thereby leaving a sign of your passing.
been there. Some specific tips include: someone would
take on a weekend
camping trip. PICKING A CAMPSITE
i Be quiet when you are moving. That You should use all the basic campsite selection rules you use when normally camping: Stay
includes not talking and avoiding dry away from low areas that might flood in heavy rains; don’t pick a place that will be wind-
leaves and sticks that will snap. Staying blown; find someplace flat (if you are not using a hammock); and avoid areas that have signs
on hard surfaces will also reduce your risk of animals using it.
of leaving tracks or other signs you have
passed that way.
i Avoid walking in the bright sunlight if

you can. Try to stay in the shadows to help
hide your movement. This can be as easy as
walking along the side of the trail instead iRight: If you
need to make a
of in the middle. Or, you can take the initia- fire in your stealth
tive to step off the trail and walk in campsite, the best
type is the Dakota
the woods. Just be sure to go at least 50 fire pit. Dig a U- or
L-shaped hole
to 100 yards in so that any noise you make
that will work like
won’t be heard by anyone. a rocket stove to
create a draft that
funnels air into your
i When moving along a ridge, which is fire, where it will
help burn the fuel
where road builders often put their roads, be more efficiently.
© Wikimedia.org
sure to avoid “skylining” yourself. This hap- This, in turn, will

produce less smoke.
pens when you walk along the high ground It also keeps the fire
and its attendant
and people below you see you outlined
light below
against the sky. ground level.

STEALTH
CAMPING IS THE
ACT OF FINDING, LEGAL OR ILLEGAL;
OCCUPYING AND
THEN LEAVING
SHTF OR NOT
A CAMPING Everything discussed in this article can, and should, be done legally. So, while practicing
your stealth camping skills, make sure you know and follow any local laws and regula-
SPOT WITHOUT tions related to trespassing and private properties. That doesn’t mean you can’t look
ANYONE at private property and practice your site-selection skills. You can also use everything
else taught here when you camp on public lands or private lands on which you have
SEEING YOU OR permission to camp.
KNOWING YOU I can’t—and won’t—suggest you break the law, even if you find yourself in a SHTF situa-
WERE THERE. tion. Doing so would obviously be illegal, but it will also put you in even greater jeopardy
if you are found by the landowner or someone else who has staked a claim on the same
piece of property.
However, because you are being stealthy,

there are some more considerations to take:
i Keep your campsite as small as possible;

you only need enough space for your
sleeping bag and pack. The large, spread-out
campsite you see in pictures and guides isn’t
what you are looking for here. You also want
to keep things as low to the ground as you
can to avoid detection.
i While camping for pleasure often means

picking a site with a nice view, you should
be looking for something deep within the
woods. Take advantage of natural shelters
such as blown-down trees, brush piles and
thickets that will provide shelter from the
elements, as well as make it harder for
people to see your camp.
i Pick someplace with a natural barrier

between you and where people might be
walking or driving. This can serve as a barrier
to getting where you are—a deep gully, a
wide or deep stream, or a fence that people
would avoid crossing. Also, think about visual
barriers, such as a ridgeline, thick brush or a
stand of evergreens that will keep people
from seeing too far into the woods where
you are staying.
iBefore you
start looking for
your campsite
i Pick a spot that is easy to enter and leave
in the late
quietly—and in the dark. You might want afternoon, take
time to eat your
to be hiding behind a thicket, but you don’t evening meal
want to have to push your way through if you want
something
the thicket when you go into or out of your warm. You
campsite. Remember: A big part of stealth can always eat
something cold
is being quiet. once you get
© : Getty Images
camp set up, but

you don’t want
i Camp above roads and trails, rather than to bother with
cooking or the
below them. People are more prone to look light a fire gives
down than up. off in camp.

Photo: Larry Schwartz
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR CAN
GO A LONG WAY TOWARD MAKING
YOUR STEALTH CAMPING ACTIVITIES
© Wikimedia.org
SUCCESSFUL. YOU WANT SIMPLE,

FAST AND EASY.
i Pick your campsite in the daylight. hAbove: Avoid

walking through
Then, hide nearby and set up camp just high grasses or
before it gets dark so you won’t need a brush such as this.
If you do go through
light. Above all, don’t set up until people here, the plants will
bend and show that
are out of the area.
someone passed
through—as well as
the direction they
i Be up and packed at first light so you can were going.
be gone before others are even awake and
out of their houses. iAbove right: If
you want, or need,
to cook or heat
something, your
i The harder it is for you to get to where
best approach is to
you spend the night, the less likely it is that use a small solid
fuel or iso-butane
people will be wandering by and see you. stove such as this
ESBIT or JetBoil
stove.
i Make sure you are at least 50 to 100 yards
from the roads or trails that you used to get iRight: The
into your site. author’s standard
daypack stove is
this ESBIT stove
that fits into a small
CAMPSITE LIVING titanium cook pot
i When you set up your camp, be sure to do he bought. The fuel
is stored inside the

it so you can pack it up quickly and quietly stove, and there is
if you need to. For example, a dog might room left in the pot
for things such as
find your location, or some hunters could coffee, tea, cocoa
be moving through the woodlot you are in, or instant soup, a
butane lighter and
headed in your direction. matches.

i Keep everything in your pack if you are not using it so you can pack up quickly. After you
finish using something (your camp stove, for example), put it back into your pack. VERSATILE
i Eat before you set up camp. This will accomplish a couple of things: You won’t have to
GEAR FOR
STEALTH
worry about eating in the dark after you set up camp. You won’t have to worry about odors
associated with cooking, or the light or smoke from a fire giving away your location to people
or animals passing by. In the same way, don’t eat in camp in the morning; instead, wait until
CAMPING
you are on the road again to stop for breakfast. Also, drink and fill your water containers before
you get into camp for the same reasons as mentioned here.
i Use no-smoke or low-smoke fires, if you even need to build a fire. A solid fuel or iso-
butane stove and a small pot are all you need for cooking. These types of fuel or stoves
Most of what you normally use for camping and backpacking
won’t give off smoke or a lot of light. If you do need a fire for heat or cooking, consider using
gear can be used for stealth camping. However, if you want to
a Dakota fire pit. It works like an in-ground rocket stove, and because it is very efficient, it
keep your pack light so you can move quickly when needed,
produces very little smoke. And because it is below ground, it hides the fire’s light. (See the you might want to look into these three gear choices:
illustration on the bottom of page 24.)
Reflective gear for sleeping: There are many items
available today that use foil-coated plastic films such as
Mylar to reflect your body heat back onto you. These are
lightweight and let you use a summer sleeping bag in colder
conditions. There are also products with this reflective
capability that are breathable, so you don’t need to worry
about getting sweaty.
A camping hammock: This is a complete shelter system.

All you need to add is a sleeping system of some kind. The
hammock, itself, is a very comfortable way to sleep; and with
a reflective blanket under it, you can use it in colder weather
without problems. Because it usually comes with a bug net, it
can also be used as a bivouac sack or shelter. In addition, the
tarp that comes with it can be used with the other pieces or
by itself as a tarp shelter.
Camping hammock features:
i Use it as a whole system;

i Use it as a tarp;
i Use it as a bivouac shelter;
i Use it as a hammock in good weather;
i It is not bulky or overly heavy.
A single-compartment pack: The last piece of gear you

might want to consider adding is a large day pack—around
3,000 cubic inches—that has a single compartment instead
of two or three different compartments. The multi-com-
partment style is very popular because it lets you segregate
different kinds of gear. But, by breaking up the single large
compartment into smaller ones, you also limit what you can
put in each smaller compartment. And some things, such
as a sleeping bag, might not fit in a smaller compartment,
because they need the extra depth to fit. For these reasons,
I always suggest a single compartment you can always use
in conjunction with smaller stuff sacks to organize things the
way you want them.
hWhen you start looking for a good stealth campsite, you need to leave the beaten path
and head off-trail, away from the places people will be found.

LEAVE
NO TRACE iAlways
watch for—and
obey—“no
trespassing”
signs. In doing
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a program of so, you will
be obeying
low-impact camping intended to help the law. And
preserve the wildness so we can all enjoy in troubled
times, you will
it without running into trash and other be avoiding
signs that people have been there. It is the ire of the
© Wikimedia.org
landowner
based on the following principles:
who is dealing
with people he
sees as either
a bother … or a
› Plan ahead and prepare; threat.
› Travel and camp on durable surfaces;
› Dispose of waste properly;
› Leave what you find;
› Minimize campfire impacts;
› Respect wildlife;
› Be considerate of other visitors.
Check out the Leave No Trace website for

more details on each of these principles:
www.LNT.org.
iWhen
moving along
a ridgeline,
stay along
the flat, if it
exists, to avoid
being seen by
i If you have to answer nature’s call, make
people below.
sure to dig a hole and bury everything, If the ridge is
narrower, you
including any toilet paper you used. Do this should drop
© Pexels.com
at least 50 yards downwind from your camp down on the
slope away
and away from any water sources. from where
you expect
people to be.
i Plan on not leaving camp once it is set
up, because it might be impossible to find
it in the dark. You don’t want to have to
use a light to locate it. Additionally, in the
process, you could make noise or disturb
wildlife or nearby dogs.
GEAR SELECTION
Choosing the right gear can go a long way
toward making your stealth camping activities iA large
successful. You want simple, fast and easy. backpack
such as this—
even if it isn’t
camouflaged—
The following tips will help you achieve
definitely says
those goals: “long-term
camping” and
won’t help
i Use a large, daypack-sized backpack, and your stealth
quotient.
fill it with lightweight/low-volume gear so Something a
you don’t look like you are overnighting. little shorter
will work well
when you pare
down your
i Keep it simple. Include only the equipment
gear to the real
you really need so you can pack up and move essentials.

… PRACTICE … ALL YOUR SURVIVAL AND
PREPAREDNESS SKILLS SO YOU CAN LEARN
WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND WHAT DOESN’T.
FROM AROUND
THEN, TAKE STEPS TO MAKE IT ALL WORK.
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hThe “gray man” concept doesn’t have anything to do with dressing in gray, but it has everything to do with
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i A recent innovation in the backpacking and survival markets is the use of heat-reflective materials. These You may also call for
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A DOABLE CHALLENGE
Stealth camping, as we can see, is a challenging approach to living and moving out of doors. But, it is also a set
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EMBRACE
THE SUCK
DON’T BE A SURVIVOR; BE A THRIVER!
BY DANA BENNER
I
n his editorial in the May issue of American Survival Guide, Editor Mike
McCourt made the distinction between being a “prepper” and being a
“survivor.” While we often use these two terms interchangeably, there
is a strong difference between the two—differences I feel deserve
more discussion.
And while we’re at it, let’s throw another term into the mix: “thriver.”

© Getty Images

IF YOU’VE
DONE YOUR
HOMEWORK, YOU
TURN FROM A
“PREPPER” INTO
A “SURVIVOR.” IT
IS TIME TO USE
ALL THAT STUFF
YOU HAVE BEEN
STOCKPILING TO
KEEP YOU, YOUR
FAMILY AND YOUR
FRIENDS ALIVE.
PREPPER
As the term indicates, preppers are people
who spend a great deal of time preparing for
an event that might or might not happen.
Anyone reading this magazine is a “prepper”
to some extent.
That event we are prepping for could

be environmental (earthquake, flood,
© Getty Images
forest fire and the like), or it could be
man-made (civil unrest, warfare, political
upheaval or similar events).
Either way, most of us try to prepare for hAbove: Until

you set up, you
unforeseen events in some way. Here, in could be cooking
northern New England, we brace for yearly your meals
in temporary
snow, ice storms and floods that occur with quarters. Make
sure you have the
rapid snowmelt. We also have a couple of
gear you’ll need—
nuclear power plants we always have to and that you know
how to use it.
keep in the back of our minds. We stockpile
food, water and fuel. We gather firearms and
ammunition. Some people go as far as to dig
a hole in the ground and build a bunker of
some sort. All of this for “just in case.”
SURVIVOR
Now, the “unthinkable” happens—that
event you have been prepping for. A massive
ice storm takes the electrical grid down.
Maybe rising floodwaters have compromised
electrical, water, sewage service and also
destroyed key roads and bridges.
iRight: If you run
You are cut off from escape, and help out of food, you
can visit a center
cannot get to you. If you’ve done your where people
© Getty Images
homework, you turn from a “prepper” into gather. This might

give you the
a “survivor.” It is time to use all that stuff opportunity to
barter your skills
you have been stockpiling to keep you, your
in exchange
family and your friends alive. for food.

© Getty Images
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
You are down to bare bones. Your food hAbove: Bunkers times, stock up on all those things you might need, because tomorrow could be too late. Get
such as this old
and water will only last for so long, as will Cold War bunker together with your friends and family members, and come up with a plan. Encourage them
the fuel used to run your generators. Medical are great—except to start preparing for the worst. Be prepared to pool your resources, because there is no such
there is only one
supplies, if needed, will run out quickly. If the way in and one thing as having “too much.” Above all, think long term. Things could take awhile to get back to
situation goes on for any length of time, you way out. If it is normal … that is, if they ever do.
compromised in
could end up being just part of the roaming any way, you could
lose your stores—
masses of humanity looking to find enough or your life.
EDUCATION
food and water to stay alive. If you are one Learn all you can about everything you can (I’m not talking about higher education here,
of those people with an underground bunker although all knowledge is good knowledge). The more you know how to do, the better off
that has a large storage capacity, you might you will be.
iTop right:
last a little longer—but you will need to Severe flooding
is just one danger
come out sooner or later. You, like others, Gaining that knowledge now will pay off in the long run. Take courses in basic welding,
that could cut you
will eventually need something. Your off from regular plumbing, carpentry and mechanics. Learn gunsmithing, blacksmithing and how to brew
supplies and help.
underground shelter could become your beer—or something else that will have value in a survival environment. Even starting a worm
tomb if you are compromised and your farm is worth the effort! People will flock to you when they need bait so they can fish for food.
supplies become the desire of others. All these skills will be in high demand if an “inconvenience” turns into a new way of life.
iAbove right:
Teach your
THRIVER family the skills If the event goes on long enough, money could be worthless, so bartering these skills can
they will need
I will not settle for just surviving. Subsis- to survive. get you those things you might need, such as food, water and medical supplies. Take a basic
tence living is fine for the short term, but what first aid/CPR course and, if you can, take an advanced or wilderness first aid course, as well.
if things are really bad? Just staying alive If the system collapses, existing medical help might be overwhelmed or unavailable. This
is no way to live. Most preppers—and even knowledge could mean the difference between life and death for a family member. It can also
survivalists—are only prepared sufficiently to be turned into a source of “income,” because you might be the only medical help around.
stay alive for a short duration. There is never
enough food or water. A “thriver” is prepared MEDICAL PREPS
to go the distance; someone who can go While on the subject of medical training, it goes well beyond using traditional medical sup-
beyond the canned food and bottled water. plies. Those supplies will be in short supply after a few weeks (or even sooner). At that point,
you will need to rely upon those medical “supplies” you have around you.
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A
THRIVER Indigenous people around the world have been using natural medicines for thousands
If you are already a prepper, you are well of years; so can you. Take a course in plant identification, and collect books that will help
on your way to being a thriver. During good you identify those plants that have medicinal properties. Take a course on how to make

herbal and other plant-based remedies. ammunition goes, I try to stock up whenever I can. I buy it when it is on sale, and I buy as much as
(For instance, My friend and fellow American I can. I would much rather have too much than not enough.
Survival Guide contributor, Christopher Nyerges,
operates a wilderness school in California FOOD AND WATER
called The School of Self-Reliance.) A few Food is probably the easiest thing to stock up on when thinking long term. Despite what
classes will start you on the way. the dates say on the packaging, most canned and dried foods will last much longer than
indicated—as long as the container has not been compromised.
FIREARMS
All too often, people stock up on firearms Every time you do your grocery shopping, buy a few extra cans of food. You can also order
and ammunition at the expense of purchases canned meats from places such as Werling and Sons. No matter how you do it, always keep
of adequate food and water. Having a full your shelves fully stocked.
armory of AK-47s, RPGs and LAWs rockets
will do you no good if you are dead or too Other options are MREs (meals, ready to eat) and freeze-dried food. I keep plenty of MRE
weak to fight. Star, Mountain House and Paleo Meals To Go rations on hand. These have very long shelf lives
and are my go-to meals when there is nothing else. The key is to always have a backup plan.
With that said, weapons will always
be a necessity. After all, there will always Despite our best efforts, this pre-positioned food inventory will only last so long, so you’ll
be someone or something out there from need to devise ways to supplement it. You can barter your services to get more, but that
which your family and/or your supplies assumes your trading partners have enough food to be able to trade some of it.
will need protection.
You can also acquire food by hunting, trapping and fishing. These efforts should begin as
In the long term, you will need your firearms soon as you realize your situation might not be short term. With a few simple hand tools,
for defense and to secure food. My firearms some seeds and favorable weather, you can grow your own supply of fresh and nutritious
include a Henry .30-30, Mossberg 500 fruits and vegetables. Stick to heirloom varieties, and save the seeds from your plants,
12-gauge shotgun, Stoeger 12-gauge Coach because more seeds might not be available in the future.
gun, Marlin 60 .22 rifle and a Springfield XD-S
hThe Stoeger
.45ACP pistol. You can only shoot one at a time, Coach gun is the Do not overlook foraging. Berries, nuts and edible plants are all around us and can provide
but these firearms serve to put food on the perfect choice for much-needed nourishment if you know what to look for and where to find them. Additions to
close encounters.
table and provide a means of defense. As far as your food plan such as these can mean the difference between merely subsisting on dwindling

food supplies and having a dependable
source of nutritious food.
A word of warning here: If you discover an

animal that died of unknown causes, bury
it. Don’t eat it. You have no idea what it died
from, so you should not allow anyone or any
of your animals to eat it. Even though our
ancestors ate carrion, it is always better to
err on the side of safety.
Water is a constant necessity, and there is

never enough. Keep as much water on hand
as you can. As with food, you will probably
run out of water, which means you will need
to secure more.
All water is suspect, and you will need to

treat it as such. All water needs to be boiled
and/or filtered. There are many effective and
efficient water-filtration systems available.
(I happen to like the filters manufactured by
Sawyer Products.)
USE WHAT YOU HAVE

© Paleo Meals To Go
I know plenty of people who have stocked

up on supplies but really have no clue about
how to use those items. They have firearms
and ammo but never go to the range. Even the
hAbove: Find
shelter wherever THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OWNING
you can, in this
case, using AND USING YOUR GEAR IS A BIG PART OF
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
evergreens as a
windbreak.
SURVIVING AND THRIVING.
iRight: Freeze-
dried meals
such as Paleo
Meals To Go are
a staple in the
author’s cabinet
and pack.

highest-quality gun will do you no good if
you don’t know how to use it or can’t hit a
target with it.
Consider that nice emergency cook

stove you bought. Have you ever taken it
out of the box and cooked something on
it? What about your medical supplies? Do
your family members know how to use your
gear? What happens if you go down? Are
they able to take on your role until you get
back on your feet?
iJust feed in
The difference between owning and using sticks, pinecones
your gear is a big part of what makes the and/or leaves, and
the Solo Stove
difference between surviving and thriving. Do keeps on going.
not wait until something happens to finally
break that gear out of its packaging. A good,
and fun, way to train people is to go out on
a wilderness camping trip and use some of
the items you have. All the members of your
group need to be trained in all aspects of
your survival plan.
I KNOW PLENTY
OF PEOPLE WHO
© Christopher Nyerges
HAVE STOCKED iChristopher
UP ON SUPPLIES Nyerges
teaches a plant
BUT REALLY HAVE identification

class in an urban
environment.
NO CLUE ABOUT
HOW TO USE
THOSE ITEMS.
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
There are many schools of thought on
this subject. Some say not to trust anyone;
and there are some, like me, who believe you
need other people. While you can survive on
your own for a short time, to thrive, you will
need other people. The statement, “No man
is an island,” is very true. iSecuring
food is an
ongoing
If you band together, you can combine task. In this
situation,
resources (food, water, medical and ammo). there is no
You can divide the work and take advantage other option.
of each other’s strengths. As good as you
might be, you do not know it all. Long-term Then, there is the mental health aspect. If you find yourself in this situation, you have already
thriving requires that you work together to suffered, and your stress levels are through the roof. You need other people to talk to or you are likely
achieve your goals. to crack. Do you remember the Tom Hanks character in the movie, Cast Away? In his loneliness, he
ended up talking to a volleyball. If he had had a survival partner, they would have played with the
When it comes to defense, there is safety volleyball—emotionally much healthier.
in numbers. It is always safer to have some-
one watching your back while you are out If the “event” should ever happen, it is not enough to be surrounded by piles of stuff. You
foraging for food and other supplies. If one have to know how to use the supplies you have and how to get more. The world will keep going,
person with a gun is good, two people with and if you plan to be part of it, you need to do more than think about basic survival: You need to
guns are even better. act like a thriver. ASG

FLAGRANT
BEARD
FIXED BLADES
THE LOWDOWN ON THE
FORERUNNER AND HAVOC
BY JERRIE BARBER

FLAGRANT BEARD IS A
I
believe we can agree that at the very hWhile this
knife looks
base of a credible everyday carry load-
RELATIVELY NEW COMPANY
odd, the
out is one important tool. Flagrant Beard
ForeRunner
stays true to the
original model’s
BASED IN TENNESSEE.
Yes, you should have an illumination
tool; you need your wallet. In addition, I
three-fingered
grip design. FOUNDER DAVE RHODEN HAS
always wear a watch. Then, there are the MANY YEARS OF PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
other various EDC essentials, whatever they
might be for you.
EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING WITH
However, at the core of your EDC, there
is one thing that can make the difference
EDGED WEAPONS.
between success or failure or even life and
death. Since the first human foot was cut on
a piece of volcanic glass, we have known the
value of keeping a cutting tool close at hand. Lately, I have been on a search for something different—an EDC fixed blade. Most people
know a folder is convenient and practical, but they also know that a folder will eventually
When I was 7 years old, my grandfather fail at some point. I have only seen one that would not (but that is a different story for
gave me my first knife for my birthday. another time). Locks will fail, pressure in the wrong direction will get you hurt and deploy-
From that point on, I have always carried ment is not always a guarantee, but a fixed blade will not have any of these problems.
a knife. My grandfather did, my father did, Simply draw it and use it.
and I took it that to be a man was to have
a cutting tool of some kind on my person. I have had the good fortune to experience two fixed-blade knives from the same company
I personally love a good folder and have that are worth looking at. Both knives are solid pieces of equipment, with many excellent
collected, traded, bought and sold them qualities in their design, available options, concealability and value. Let me introduce you to
since getting my first one. them and to the company that offers them: Flagrant Beard.

FLAGRANT
BEARD
FOUNDER
DAVE RHODEN
Dave Rhoden comes from a background of producing
top-notch products for people who use them and need
them. Before launching Flagrant Beard, Rhoden was
with 5.11 Tactical for about nine years, starting soon af-
ter the company was founded. Rhoden says that during
this time, there were not many aspects of the business he
was not a part of. He says that his largest contributions
were to the bag and backpack portion of the business.
Not just a concept man, Rhoden has spent time with

military, law enforcement and public safety users,
learning their needs and preferences so he could fully
understand exactly what would work best in the field.
After leaving 5.11, Rhoden decided to start his own business.

After relocating from California to Tennessee, he established
Flagrant Beard, which offers numerous products in several
categories—and will be introducing more in the future.
FLAGRANT BEARD
Flagrant Beard is a relatively new company
hAbove: There
is just enough based in Tennessee. Founder Dave Rhoden
handle length in the
has many years of product development
reverse grip to cap
the top with your and design experience, including with edged
thumb. While this
might not always be weapons. Rhoden cut his teeth on the
the best defensive design-and-development process during his
grip, it does work
for the Flagrant years at 5.11 Tactical, including the relaunch
ForeRunner. of its fledgling knife business. There, he also
made great contributions in other areas.
Over time, his focus became development
of the company’s bags and backpacks,
working closely with military users to ensure
that what they were receiving and using
in the field was exactly what they needed.
As a result, Rhoden has developed many
relationships that have come to serve him
well in his new business.
hLeft: The Flagrant FLAGRANT FORERUNNER

ForeRunner can be
ordered in three The Flagrant ForeRunner, Rhoden’s first
configurations: contribution to the knife world under his own
plain, partially
serrated edge with brand, is a new take on an existing design.
Micarta scales or
The ForeRunner is based on Bill Coye’s design
plain edge with 550
cord handle wrap. (www.CoyeKnives.com), which has been

hAbove: Right
out of the box, THE FORERUNNER
IS AN EXCELLENT
the Flagrant
ForeRunner has
the capability to go
to work; tasks such
as feather-sticking
TOOL WITH AN
are not problems.
UNCONVENTIONAL
THREE-FINGER GRIP
hLeft: Looking HANDLE AND A 3½-
INCH BLADE.
at the spines
of the Coye
Ridgeback (left)
and the Flagrant
ForeRunner around for several years. It is a coveted model for
(right), you can see
the added blade law enforcement, collectors and those (including
width. Coye’s
design saves
me) who appreciate what a fixed blade can
weight, while bring to an EDC role.
Rhoden’s thicker
ForeRunner
provides added I spoke with Coye a few months back about
rugged versatility.
his design. He is an emergency flight nurse with
overseas private contracting experience, and
he fully understands the value of efficient tool
iOpposite page: storage and effective usage. He had already
If you are into
“putting on the made a knife or two and was getting known
Ritz,” the Flagrant locally for his products when he was approached
ForeRunner can
be purchased with by a state trooper who needed a fixed blade that
custom leather would maximize utility while saving real estate
sheaths by Robert
Ford and a custom on his person. Coye came up with the Ridgeback.
“shaving-edge”
sharpening by
Later, he agreed to let Rhoden modify his design
Brandon Peone. in order to create the Flagrant ForeRunner.

The ForeRunner is an excellent tool with an unconventional three-finger-grip handle and a
3½-inch blade. Designed to be carried in the scout configuration, it can be carried in a number
of ways: Because of its index sheath and various eyelets, carrying can go from scout style to
FLAGRANT
MOLLE in seconds and can be fitted to belts up to 1¾ inches wide. The ForeRunner’s sheath
can be set for standard conventional carry, and you can buy many other pocket and IWB clips
from various vendors to set this knife up any way you want.
The Flagrant ForeRunner has been optimized from the original to be more robust. Coye’s
original design had a false edge on the top of the blade, saving a little weight. Rhoden has
given the ForeRunner a full spine to strengthen it for more-rugged applications. Batoning this
FORERUNNER
blade through a limb is not a problem, nor is splitting a piece of firewood, thanks to this design Specifications
difference. The ForeRunner has full-tang construction so there is good balance and no weak- Overall length: 6.75 inches
ness in the overall build. You can also choose between a plain and a partially serrated edge.
Blade length: 3.5 inches
Each has its benefit, depending on your specific needs. All the blades are made of differentially
Blade thickness: 3/16 inch
heat-treated 1095 tool steel with a tumbled finish and are sealed with clear Cerakote.
Blade steel: 1095 HC; RC 56-58
The ForeRunner is available with several handle options. You can choose from a green or Blade finish: Tumbled with clear
Cerakote
black cord wrap or green, black or tan Micarta scales.
Handle options: 550 cord or canvas
Micarta
Depending on your setup for the Flagrant ForeRunner, prices with a black Kydex sheath
range between $154.99 and $189.99. Weight with sheath: 0.45 pound
Sheath: Kydex
For those who would like something a little different, there are options for customization. MSRP: Starts at $154.99
Leather sheaths can be purchased separately, or you can get a full custom Flagrant ForeRunner,
complete with leather sheath by Robert Ford and custom sharpening by Brandon Peone.
There are several colors of leather, as well as sheath designs, and I can promise you that when

FLAGRANT
HAVOC
Specifications
Overall length: 6.625 inches
Blade thickness: ¼ inch
Blade steel: 1095 HC; RC 56-58
Blade finish: Black River Wash
Handle: Skeletonized with
retention ring
Sheath: Kydex
MSRP: 139.99
Peone sharpens your knife, you will have

bragging rights in whatever company you
keep. Nevertheless, the stock Flagrant Fore-
Runner does not come shipped to you dull:
It is ready, right out of the box, for whatever
business needs to be done.
The ForeRunner is designed to be used for

more than simple tasks. Because of the gen-
erous choil behind the blade, maintaining
control and retention of the knife are simple,
even with its three-fingered handle. hTop: In a
traditional grip,
the Flagrant
FLAGRANT HAVOC HAVOC will fill the
hand. Because of
Flagrant Beard’s second offering is the its tanto-styled
blade, slashing
HAVOC. This design is from Scott Schanaker, and stabbing
who has a host of credible backgrounds, strikes are easily
accomplished and
including the Army Reserves and a 26-year can be devastating.
law enforcement background, mostly in
tactical positions.
hMiddle: The
I will be the first to admit I am not a huge Flagrant HAVOC can
fan of a single-use knife. However, I can think be quickly drawn
and brought into
of no other weapon I would rather have than action using the
reverse grip.
a knife if I were reduced to a single weapon.
This knife just screams, “Get off me!” And
that is exactly what it is designed for.
BOTH THE
FORERUNNER hBottom: While
AND HAVOC the intention of the
Flagrant HAVOC’s
FROM FLAGRANT ring was strictly
for retention, those
BEARD ARE who have practiced

martial arts or
WORTHWHILE
have had advanced
edged-weapon
training will know
INVESTMENTS how useful that
steel ring can
IN UTILITY AND be—whether for

added effect when
SECURITY.
punching or as a
compliance device.

SOURCE
FLAGRANT BEARD
(931) 994-4707
www.FlagrantBeard.com
Carried on the strong or support side, the hAbove: With

the sheath loops
Flagrant HAVOC is designed to work—and and Pull-the-Dot
fasteners, the
work quickly. Like its cousin, the ForeRunner,
Flagrant HAVOC
the HAVOC has myriad carrying options. The comes out of the
box ready for scout
HAVOC can be carried scout, conventional carry. Straps can be
or as a necker. I have personally mated mine removed for more
traditional or IWB
to a Blade-Tech magazine holster with a carry. They can also
Blade-Tech Tek-Lok. The index sheath is be affixed to MOLLE
webbing.
already drilled and tapped in a configuration
to fit the Tek-Lok; for me, the HAVOC is easily
deployed from that position.
iAbove right: The
Flagrant HAVOC
is not for opening
While not technically a karambit, the
mail. With a ring
Flagrant HAVOC draws some of its design for retention, tanto
blade and razor
features from that knife style. The HAVOC edge, this knife
has an oversized ring that lends itself to screams, “Get off
me!”
blade retention with gloved or bare hands.
The ring “nubbin,” as Schanaker calls it,
protrudes slightly from the ring and works
as an effective break when spinning the
blade. While the HAVOC would not be my
first choice as an EDC, it holds its own as
an excellent secondary knife. With the
setup on my magazine holster, the HAVOC
takes up no room, and I have confidence
that it is there if needed.
The HAVOC is delivered sharp enough to

slice fabric with little effort. Its tanto blade
design is nothing less than devastating when
slicing or stabbing. This knife is made from
iRight: Flagrant
1095 tool steel. It is light, with a skeletonized HAVOC designer
Scott Shanaker
handle and plenty of jimping in the right
wanted a sheath
places to minimize slippage while using it. that could be
incorporated
nearly anywhere.
Both the ForeRunner and HAVOC from “Marrying” the
sheath to a
Flagrant Beard are worthwhile investments magazine holster
in utility and security. These quality tools could possibly
reduce training
from knowledgeable designers are backed time in combatives
training via locating
by a new—but credible—name in the knife
the blade in a
business. ASG familiar location.

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On a 14-Day Emergency Food Supply! Emergency Food Supply Kit,
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Copyright © 2017 Mountain House, a division of
OFD Foods, LLC
TAPPING INTO
GROUNDWATER
SECURE YOUR WATER SUPPLY WITH A
HAND-DUG WELL.
BY DANA BENNER
© Getty Images

H
ere, in the United States, we
really have no clue just how
lucky we are. Most people
give no thought about
going to the kitchen faucet
and getting a glass of clean water. This is
something we take for granted.
Now, all of sudden, take that away. For

whatever reason, there is no clean water at
our fingertips. Yes, if you are prepared, you
will have a supply of water on hand … but
how long will that last?
Sooner or later, you will need to obtain

more, because there is never enough, even
with rationing. A fancy bunker and all the
weapons in the world will do you no good if
you don’t have water.
of Cultural Resources
When I was asked to write this article, I
asked myself, How hard could this be? I soon
© Getty Images
realized it was no easy task.
Photo: Tanya Krajcik, State of New Hampshire Department

I found it hard to believe that despite the
number of wells we have in my area, alone,
nobody has a clue about hand-digging a
well. There are plenty of drilling operations
that use all sorts of equipment, but in the
scenario I’m looking at, there won’t be
access to that equipment—it will be
around, but there will be no fuel available
to run it. That means picks, shovels and
muscle will be needed. This seems to be a
lost “art” in this country.
iAbove: A dug
well with a A FANCY BUNKER AND ALL THE
WEAPONS IN THE WORLD WILL
capped wall on it.
These provide a
measure of safety
for people and
animals and keep
DO YOU NO GOOD IF YOU DON’T
the water from
getting contami- HAVE WATER.
nated by surface
water runoff and
debris. With a great deal of research, I found the information I needed. I combined my knowledge
of hand-digging sump pits, the history of the people who first settled here and the work being
done by non-government organizations (NGOs) around the world. What I came up with is in
this article. So, when the SHTF, I hope this information helps keep you and your family alive.
HISTORY
People have been hand-digging wells for thousands of years. There is evidence of remains
of wells in many places in Europe dating back to the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages. It takes a
great deal of effort to find these remains, because many wells were just simple holes with no
protection from cave-ins. In the early days of American colonization, every farm had a well,
and many of them were hand dug. Thankfully, many of these were made to stand the test of
time, and they can still be found—and learned from—today.
hLeft: Accessing WHERE TO DIG

water from dug
wells is still a Just because you dig a hole doesn’t mean you will find water. You need to have a good
daily occurrence
reason to believe that water will be found where you plan to dig. The topography of the land
in many parts of
the world. will give you some useful information.

WHAT TO
LOOK FOR
• Water runs downhill, so look for the
lowest point, because this is where water
will gather.
• Search for plants that are known to

be water loving, such as willows and
Photo: Tanya Krajcik, State of New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources
cottonwoods.
• Any broad-leafed plant found in

an otherwise dry location is a good
indication that there is ground water.
• Streams that suddenly disappear or

areas that are really wet during the spring
but then dry up in the summer indicate
potential groundwater.
h This old
hand-dug
well’s
stone-lined
walls have
withstood the
test of time.
Water flows downhill, even sub-sub-

surface water. I found evidence of this while in
Arizona. I was on the Verde Canyon Railroad
traveling through Verde Canyon, which is a
land of sand and rock. While the high ground
was rocky and dry, at the bottom of the
canyon, the Verde River supported a small for-
est of willow and cottonwoods. Granted, the
water these plants need was supplied by the
river, but it got me thinking: Look for the types
of plants that need a good supply of water.
I put this approach to the test while hiking

in the canyons of Sedona, Arizona. From
the top of the canyon, I saw a small cluster
of willows and cottonwoods. There was
no visible surface water, which meant the
trees were surviving on groundwater. I had
no idea how deep the water was, but this
would have been a spot where I would try to
dig a well.
Here, in the Northeast, there are plenty of

areas that seem dry in the summer, but in
the spring, they sometimes become ponds.
This standing water is usually from rain and
© Getty Images
melting snow. There are also brooks and

h Some streams that are there one minute and then
hand-dug
seemingly disappear. That standing water is
wells can be
pretty deep. standing because the water table below it

BUILDING
A WELL— iBuilding
a shed over
a well can
PROS AND
protect it from
contamination
from the surface
CONS
... but it could
also increase
its visibility to
others.
Pros
• Can be built with easily sourced
materials
• Can be built with limited manpower
• Can provide an adequate quantity of
water
© Getty Images
Cons
• Time consuming iBelow left:
Wooden
• High safety risk factor boards are
is full or close to full. As the table drops, the surface water is sucked down to refill it. Similarly,
used as
• Limited depth bracing to that disappearing brook or stream went underground. Both of these areas would be worth
keep the well
• Risk of contamination unless properly walls stable. investigating as potential well locations.
capped
• Can quickly run dry in some Dousing is another way to locate water. Dousing is generally the use of a forked stick to
environments iBelow right: locate water. This practice has been around for ages but has its doubters. Does it really work?
Scooping
water from a
I don’t know, but if I’m in a situation in which finding a spot to dig a well is a matter of life and
community well death, I’m willing to try just about anything.
© Getty Images

DIGGING THE WELL You don’t want the soil too dry, because the YOU NEED TO HAVE A GOOD
Before you start digging, you need to check hole might collapse; too wet, and the same
out the soil. What is its composition? Is it thing can happen. Worse, it could fill with REASON TO BELIEVE THAT
mainly sand, gravel, clay or full of rocks and water while you are in the hole. WATER WILL BE FOUND
WHERE YOU PLAN TO DIG.
boulders? Hand-dug wells are restricted to
soils that can be dug by hand fairly easily. If Even in the best of conditions, cave-ins
there are a lot of large boulders, try to find are a possibility. To help prevent this from THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE
another area. While an area with boulders
can be out of the question, so, too, can be
happening, the sides of the hole need to be
reinforced in some manner. Before you start
LAND WILL GIVE YOU SOME
soils that are too sandy. These types of soils digging, gather as many boards as you can— USEFUL INFORMATION.
can lead to the well collapsing. the longer the better. In ideal conditions,
Once you’ve decided to dig for water, how

do you go about it? Remember: This is a
desperate situation. There is no way to use
drills, backhoes or anything other than hand
tools. With nothing more than shovels, picks
and other hand tools, you need to secure water
for your family. If you are successful, all is good.
If not, you just expended calories and energy
for nothing.
There are good, better and best times to dig

a well. The good time is anytime you have run
At the edge of the jungle,
out of water. The better time is when you have
time because you have water resources; and
the world feels different.
the best time is when you have water reserves. The air is dense, and anything is possible.
In other words, you have scouted and found I pause to appreciate the challenge.
the spot and can afford to wait for the best
conditions. Those conditions are usually just One decision can be the difference
before the rainy season (or spring snowmelt). between survival and failure.
My senses are heightened.
My mind is prepared.
It’s time to go big.
CONQUER YOUR WORLD.

Tested and approved by Les Stroud, the knives in this heritage series are expertly
© Getty Images
designed to survive the toughest tasks. Titanium bonded. Built to perform.

No matter the challenge, consider it conquered. camillusknives.com/ASG

© Getty Images
there are special concrete sleeves that iTop: This well
was found in
can be placed in the hole, with additional the ruins of a
city that dates
sleeves added to prevent cave-ins as you go back to the first
deeper. However, we are not dealing with century, B.C.
ideal conditions here. You need to be able to
use what you have on hand, so boards will
probably be your best bet. Another piece
of material that might be available is some
metal or plastic culvert. If you can lay your
hands on some of this, it will work much
better than the boards, and it can be left in
the hole to act as the liner of the well.
Measure off an area that is at least 5 feet

in diameter. Using your shovel and pick, start
digging, paying close attention to digging
evenly around the entire diameter. After a
couple of feet, start lining the hole with the
boards, inserting them vertically (or place
© Getty Images
the first length of culvert). Make sure that

iRight: The
the boards are close fitting. Use cross mem- use of a
bers to hold the boards tight against the pulley makes
hauling water
sides of the hole. Continuously hammer the much easier.
boards down as you dig deeper. All of this,
although very time consuming, will help pro- energy and calories you probably can’t afford to lose. You need to weigh out the risk versus reward.
tect you from cave-ins. True, this is not ideal, One option might be to gather neighbors together to share the work and the reward. This option is
but we are using what is readily available to highly dependent upon your relationship with potential partners and how you could work out the
do a job in a less-than-ideal situation. host of variables associated with shared access and usage.
Hand-dug wells tend to be shallow, Another thing that should be common sense, but deserves mentioning, is the need to have a
running from about 5 to 65 feet deep. This reliable way out of the hole. If you hit water, that hole could begin to fill up fast. Be sure to have a
will take a great deal of work, expending ladder or some other means to make sure you can get out alive.

hFar left: Some
of the tools
needed to dig a
well (left to right):
a long-handled
shovel, pick,
sledgehammer
and long crow bar
… IF YOU ARE PREPARED,

YOU WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF
© Getty Images
hLeft: Any
WATER ON HAND … BUT HOW bucket, even
an old one, can
LONG WILL THAT LAST? be used to haul

water from a well.


If you are using a metal or plastic culvert, you iAbove:
Metal culvert
already have the material to line the well hole. If material
not, use bricks or stones to line the sides of the makes for
a great well
well. This will help stabilize the well and prevent lining, but
you’ll need to
cave-ins later on. use shorter
pieces to be
able to move
Once the well is established, back-fill the gap them into
between your liner and the walls (if there is a place.
gap) using crushed stone, gravel or small rocks.

This will help keep sediment out of the well
water. Cap your well to keep things from falling
into, and contaminating, the well water.
iTop right:
In an emergency, a functioning well might be Bricks might
be a readily
your only choice for potable water. However, available
think it through before taking on this endeavor. resource that
can be used
Are you going to stay in one place, or are you to line your
going to be on the move? Water is precious, so dug well.
you need to plan on concealing and defending

this resource. Are you prepared to do this? Are
the time and effort involved worth it?
A well is just another option—not the only

option—to keep on the table. ASG
SOURCES iBottom
NH DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES right: Stones
are another
WWW.NH.GOV/NHDHR readily
available
WATER DOWSING resource
that can be
WWW.USGS.GOV used to line
your well.

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THIRD-QUARTER
KIT
GEAR THAT HELPS YOU MAKE THE TRANSITION TO FALL
BY FRANK WARREN
A
s summer winds down to a close, we start thinking about the seasons coming
up on the horizon. The weather is changing in a number of ways, the days are
getting shorter, and it’s a good time to take stock of any persistent or new
gaps in our gear or its capabilities. Maybe something was lost or broken or is
just plain worn out and needs to be replaced.
And, if we’re honest, we’re always looking at new equipment and measuring what we have
against all the “new and improved” kit that’s on the market.
This month, we’ve found a few more of these goodies for you to check out. If you’d like to
see a bigger selection, grab a copy of our ASG Gear Guide that’s on newsstands now. It is jam-
packed with hundreds of tools, gear and necessities that can make your preparedness plan a
bit more effective.

Seal Flex Rain Parka
Overview Specifications
At half the weight of traditional raincoats, this • Fold-away hood
parka is made from a polyurethane membrane • Internal waterproof pocket
that is 100 percent waterproof. It can also stretch • Adjustable waterproof cuffs
up to 150 percent and return to its original shape • Double-flap zipper storm cover
without damage. • Two external pockets
• Sizes: S–5XL
MSRP
$179.90
URL
www.SealFlexAustralia.com
Midland ER102 Emergency

Crank Weather Radio
With four power options (alkaline bat- • Flashlight
teries, AC adapter, crank or recharge- • Visual Alert is perfect for the hearing-impaired
able battery), the ER102 keeps you up • AM/FM radio keeps you informed
to date on news and weather alerts, • Alarm clock lets you wake to local weather,
even when there is no electric service. AM/FM stations or Buzz
An alert override function automati- • Thermometer with Freeze Alert
cally switches between AM and FM to • USB connector lets you charge your cell phone
warn you of hazardous conditions. in an emergency
• Size: 7.5x6.1x2.4 inches
MSRP
$59.99
URL
www.MidlandUSA.com
Motorola Talkabout MD200R

Radios
With a range of up to 20 miles, and providing the • Includes two radios
freedom to communicate wirelessly, Motorola’s • Range: 20 miles
Talkabout MD200R is for indoor and outdoor • Top/mid/base ranges: 20/5/1 miles
communication. The location and size of the big • Size: 7.8x2.3x1.3 inches
buttons make operating this radio easy, even • Weight (with battery): 0.54 pound
when wearing gloves. The sleek, rugged housing
MSRP
protects the radio—whether it's being used on the
$52
trail, in the neighborhood, at the campground or
at the mall. URL
www.MotorolaSolutions.com

X-Cords Recon 60 Survival
Bracelet Kit
Not only are paracord bracelets and associ- • All paracord is seven-strand 550 type
ated gear popular and fashionable, they are • 10 feet of each color:
useful as well, providing you with a wearable • Woodland camo
length of paracord if ever the need arises. The • Black
Recon 60 kit comes with everything you’ll • Orange
need to make six bracelets. • Desert camo
• Olive drab
• ACU digital camo
• Contoured side-release buckles
MSRP
$13.99
URL
www.SurvivalBraceletKits.com
EcoGear Hawksbill 30L

Backpack
The 30L Hawksbill Hiking Backpack • Constructed with REPREVE material
is perfect for short outings and day • Hydration ready (bladder sold separately)
hikes. The vented back system is built • Adjustable backpack strap and hip belt system
to allow ample airflow; the overall for custom fit
lightweight design provides maximum • High-density foam padded backpack straps
comfort; and the built-in rain cover and hip belt
ensures your gear will stay dry. • Dual-stretch woven side pockets
• Adjustable webbing straps
• Size: 19x9x6 inches
MSRP
$79.99
URL
www.EcoGear-Products.com
MTM Case-Gard 50 Caliber

Ammo Can
MTM ammo cans are a great way to store bulk • Hand-friendly, fold-down handle
or boxed ammo. Molded out of rugged poly- • Weight: 1.76 pounds
propylene plastic, these ammo cans will stand • Inside dimensions: 5.8x11.0x7.2 inches
up to some pretty harsh treatment. Utilizing • Outside dimensions: 7.4x13.5x8.5
MTM's tongue-and-groove O-Ring seal system inches
for a superior water-resistant seal, this 50
MSRP
caliber can is designed to fit the same amount
$9.99
of bulk ammo storage as the original military
cans. A heavy-duty dual latching system makes URL
for a better seal and is less likely to open www.MTMCase-Gard.com
accidentally.

Northern Tool & Equipment
Motion Activated LED Solar
Security Light
The Motion Activated LED Solar • 100-degree, wide-angle motion sensor range
Security Light is a super-bright, main- • Amorphous solar panel works in sunny and
tenance-free, 36 LED light powered light cloud conditions
by sunlight and triggered by motion. A • Up to two hours of run time on a full charge
passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor • Weatherproof ABS plastic construction
detects movement up to 16 feet away • 5,000–6,000K light color temperature
and triggers light activation for 30
MSRP
seconds.
$29.99
URL
www.NorthernTool.com
Texas Tool Traders Estwing

18-Inch Prybar
Sometimes, the job has to get done by brute force, • Length: 18 inches
and there is very little a quality pry bar can’t open • Weight: 22 ounces
or break through. Made with steel, the I-beam • Beveled nail slot
construction of the Estwing 18-Inch Prybar gives • Double-polished hammer face lets you
added strength and takes out unnecessary drive the bar either way
weight.
MSRP
$17.99
URL
www.TexasToolTraders.com
Campingaz Camp’Bistro 2 Stove

With its sturdy plastic carry case, this stove can • Output rating: 2,200W
be easily and safely transported and stored. Its • Run time: Up to 75 minutes
integrated piezo ignition system is simple to use • Boil time: 5.5 minutes
and extremely reliable. The stove features an • Gas consumption: 160 grams per hour
easily cleaned, fixed enameled pan support for • Operates with Campingaz CP 250
additional stability. It also features a cartridge cartridges
safety locking system for correct and safe gas • Size: 13x11x3.5 inches
cartridge insertion every time. • Weight: 3.15 pounds
MSRP
$24.99
URL
www.Campingaz.com

Montie Gear Tactical
Slingshot Kit
The Montie Gear Y-Shot slingshot is • ½-inch water jet aluminum frame
able to shoot a 3/8-inch bearing at • 16 pounds pull weight with 28-inch-draw,
speeds of up to 150 feet per second tapered Thera-Band Gold band with leather
with great accuracy. The fully configu- pouch assembly
rable fiber-optic sight comes with an • Fires up to ½-inch ball bearings
optional Picatinny rail attachment that • Rugged powdercoat finish
allows you to attach a multitude of • Stainless steel fittings
sights, scopes, lasers, flashlights and • Weight: 6 ounces
other gear. A braided paracord handle • Dimensions: 6.75x3.625x.5 inches
delivers a more comfortable grip, even
MSRP
at maximum pull weight.
$339.95
URL
www.MontieGear.com
Remington RP9
This 9mm handgun • “Fighting surface” on rear sight for one-handed slide
features a 4.5-inch barrel operation
and 18-round capacity. The • Optimized grip angle
single-action trigger is short • Undercut trigger guard
and smooth, while the poly- • Drift-adjustable sights
mer frame is ergonomic to • Easy-loading, double-stack magazines
most shooters and has an • PVD finish on slide and barrel for maximum durability
ambidextrous slide lock. • Overall length: 7.91 inches
• Overall height: 5.56 inches
• Trigger pull: 5.5–7 pounds
MSRP
$489
URL
www.Remington.com
Wolverine Felix 6-Inch

Waterproof Duck Boot
With a classic wet-weather • Full-grain waterproof leather upper and vamp
silhouette, this waterproof duck • Leather welt
boot’s entire upper and vamp are • Bonwelt construction for lightweight flexibility
crafted with the finest leather and • Classic duck rubber outsole
construction for functional style.
MSRP
The boot is built using Bonwelt
$190
stitching for a lightweight feel and
comfortable flex. The boot has a URL
rugged textile lining and footbed for www.Wolverine.com
an authentic touch.

Kelly Kettle USA Ultimate
Stainless Scout Kit
The Kelly Kettle is ideal for anyone looking for • Height: 10.2 inches (packed)
a good, hot meal in the great outdoors. It even • Diameter: 7.3 inches
works in stormy conditions, bringing water to a • Capacity: 41 fluid ounces
boil within a matter of minutes using whatever • Weight: 2.2 pounds
solid fuel is available in the area: sticks, grass, • Pot capacity: 32 ounces/4 cups
pine cones, bark, etc. No need to carry any fuel. • Weight of cups: 1.7 pounds
• Weight of plates: 0.28 pound
MSRP
$164.99
URL
www.KellyKettleUSA.com
PowerTraveller PowerMonkey
Extreme Charger 12V
The PowerMonkey Extreme Charger houses a • Milliamps hour (mAh): 9,000
9,000mAh-capacity lithium polymer battery • Voltage: USB 5V and 12V DC
and offers users real power in a compact, • Short-circuit protection
durable shell. The unit is capable of recharging • Overload protection
most 5-volt devices, (including an iPhone/smart • Reverse-discharge current protection
phones up to four times, a Garmin Edge 800 up • Low-voltage protection
to six times, standard mobile phones up to eight • Input: 5V 850mAh max
times and an iPad up to two times (depending • Output: USB port
on the model).
MSRP
$179.99
URL
www.PowerTraveller.com
Tepui Tents Tepui Expedition

Series Tool Case
All Tepui Tents Expedition Series • Four handles and exterior webbing
Gear Bags are built to stand up • Compartmentalized for easy storage of tools,
walkie-talkies, maps and more
to whatever abuse you throw at
• Made from high-strength polyester canvas coated
them. The sturdy materials used
with a synthetic resin
to construct the Expedition Series • Water and abrasion resistant
Tool Case make this bag ideal for • Easy to clean
use in the outdoors, and its vivid • Heat resistant up to approximately 158 degrees (F)
orange color makes it easy to spot • Exterior dimensions: 17x10x7 inches
when it's time to grab and go. • Available in orange or black
MSRP
$85
URL
www.TepuiTents.com Photo courtesy of Rothco

GSI Outdoors 14-Inch
Hard-Anodized Dutch Oven
This state-of-the-art, lightweight, anod- • Made of high-performance, heavy-
ized Dutch oven is one-third the weight of gauge cast aluminum
traditional cast iron Dutch ovens. The cast • Tough, hard-anodized finish
legs make these Dutch ovens stackable for • Lid lip holds coals and charcoal
multi-course meal preparation, while the • 14-inch model has the deepest design
garnet-hard surface allows for easy cleanup for extra-large foods
and never needs seasoning. • Fixed legs for stability
• Weight: 8 pounds
MSRP
$139.95
URL
www.GSIOutdoors.com
Silva Ranger CL Compass

The Silva Ranger CL compass features a large • 2-degree graduations
mirror that enhances accuracy when sighting • Sighting mirror, etched sighting line
on distant landmarks. The three scales pro- • 1/20 inch and millimeter rules
vide quick, easy plotting with any topographic • 1:24,000 map scale
map. Romer scales can be used to create • 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 Romer scales
grid references for use with ordinance maps. • Clinometer
Silicone feet provide positive grip on a map. • Map magnifier
The geared declination allows you to set and • Luminous points for night use
forget the declination for the area you are
MSRP
in, ensuring constant compensation for this
$49.99
variable when taking bearings.
URL
www.SilvaCompass.com
ESEE Knives AH-1 Arrowhead Kit

The AH-1’s arrowheads are lightweight and • Overall length: 2.5 inches
store in a small space. Lash them to a branch • Hardness: 55–57 Rc
or handle for use as a knife or a spear. The • Wallet size (closed): 1.75x4 inches
one-piece, double-edged arrowhead is made
MSRP
of 1095 carbon steel and has a black, textured
$49.95
powdercoat finish. The Izula Gear Arrowhead
Wallet snugly holds two ESEE AH-1 arrow- URL
heads in two carrying trays that slip into two www.ESEEKnives.com
pockets in the wallet. A third pocket allows the
user to include cordage or wire for fastening
the arrowheads onto a shaft.
The wallet has a 1-inch webbing strap on the

back for attaching it to other gear or a belt, as
well as a paracord lanyard.

AFFORDABLE
KIT YOU CAN
DEPEND ON

FIELD TEST RESULTS FOR A CAMPSITE FULL OF
ULTIMATE SURVIVAL TECHNOLOGIES PRODUCTS
STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

hAbove left: In
I WOULD TAKE TO THE WOODS TO
T
here is nothing like spending
spring conditions,
a night in the woods, con-
TEST THE GEAR. I WOULD SIMULATE
there are often
wide swings be-
cerned only with the basics
tween daytime
of living, to put things into and nighttime
temperatures.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I HAD TO
perspective. But this time,
I had an objective (other than relieving
The tiny compass
provides a backup SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE WOODS
UNEXPECTEDLY IF I BECAME LOST …
to the larger one.
the stresses of civilization): I was testing
survival and camping gear from Ultimate
Survival Technologies (UST).
hAbove right: The
ParaKnife FS 4.0
THE PREMISE Glo is an inexpen-
sive fixed blade
I had often seen UST products for sale in that came sharp
from the factory.
stores. I saw that the prices were affordable, The glow-in-the-
but I had no experience with the quality. I dark paracord on
the handle can
intended to find out. be removed for
cordage. A ferro
rod fire starter is
The idea was simple: I would select included.
various UST products—items I’d use to
compile a survival or ready kit—things one
might take along on a day hike. Then, I
would take to the woods to test the gear.
I would simulate what might happen if I
had to spend the night in the woods unex-
pectedly if I became lost or had misjudged
the time required to cover the terrain and
ran out of daylight.
NEVER IN DANGER
Let me emphasize that I wasn’t going to
put myself in any real danger. I would never
willingly put myself into a true life-or-death
situation with untested survival gear. You
shouldn’t either. If there were any sort of
problem or if the gear failed, I would simply iRight: All the small
survival items can
walk out. People knew where I’d be and
be stored in the Solo
how long I planned on being there. Cook Kit.

ASSEMBLING THE KIT the test. These included a two-pack of mini collapsible lanterns, an inflatable chair and a
I first chose items I’d want in any survival collapsible coffee dripper. The main things I brought that were not UST products were a
kit. I chose a ferro rod, lighter and tinder for hammock and the Voodoo Tactical Mini Tobago Cargo Pack in which I carried everything.
fire-starting; a knife; compass for navigation;
a whistle and mirror for signaling; miniature OH, WHAT A NIGHT!
flashlight; and a first aid pouch. I added a I set up my hammock with tarp overhead. Then, I gathered a good pile of firewood. I
thermometer that also featured a small com- wasn’t planning on tending a fire all night, but I learned long ago that it takes a consider-
pass. I like to include backups to fire-starting, able amount of wood to keep even a modest fire going all night, and I didn’t want to be
navigation and cutting tools as a precaution stumbling around in the dark to scrounge more wood if it got cold.
whenever assembling a kit.
At first, I was fine with just my jacket. As the temperature dropped, I felt the chill, so I
I then chose a lightweight tarp, poncho and wrapped myself in the survival blanket. That sufficed for a while. I was never shivering, but I
reusable emergency blanket. Each could be could have been more comfortable. At about 3 a.m., I checked the little UST thermometer. It
rigged as a shelter or used as a ground cloth. read about 38 degrees.
But because I was putting together a kit that hBelow: The au-
thor’s camp was
would fit into a typical daypack, I did not simple: a ham- I got up and started a fire, thankful that I had gathered the firewood before dark. I spent
include a sleeping bag. mock and tarp the rest of the night taking catnaps in the inflatable chair or lying on the emergency blanket
strung between
two saplings next to the fire. It wasn’t a restful night, but I was never cold.
For food prep, I chose a folding stove and fuel with a couple
of lanterns to
tablets, folding spork, collapsible water bottle provide light. An PERFORMANCE OBSERVATIONS
emergency blan-
and a two-piece solo cook kit. My utility items Here are the specifics about how some of the UST gear performed.
ket and SlothSak
included a folding saw and a multi-tool. chair hung from
the line. The
author’s weight ParaKnife FS 4.0 Glo. This fixed-blade knife with a partially serrated blade has a handle
A LITTLE LUXURY pulled the wrapped in glow-in-the-dark paracord that can be unraveled for many different uses. The
saplings inward,
Once I had chosen the basics, I added some so the hammock knife was sharp, and I used it to make a pile of wood shavings for fire-starting. A ferro rod
extras. These were not essential items, but I hung closer to is included, and there’s an open-topped compartment for it in the nylon sheath. I would tie
the ground when
thought it would be fun to make them part of occupied. some cord through the ferro rod’s handle for extra security if I carried the sheath on my belt.

hAbove: The
BlastMatch Fire Starter. I’ve used many author used the
TekFire Fuel-Free
ferro rods over time, but this one is spring
Lighter to light
loaded with a built-in striker so it can be the inner core of
the ParaTinder.
used one handed—a good feature if you’re Both are new UST
injured. When I started my fire in the middle products; and
both are worthy
of the night, it took only a couple of pushes of inclusion in
to generate a large shower of sparks that your kit.
ignited a piece of tissue I’d placed on the

ground. I added wood shavings and one of
the fuel tabs for the stove to keep things
iRight: The Blast-
going while I added kindling. It was one of Match Fire Starter
is different than
the easiest fires I have ever started.
most ferroceri-
um rods in that
it has a built-in
TekFire Fuel-Free Lighter. The TekFire striker to allow
fuel-free lighter is a new product for UST. It’s for one-handed
operation.
the size of a typical lighter, but instead of
fuel, it contains a battery that is recharge- iFar right: The
FlexWare Coffee
able via the standard mini USB cable
Drip provides an
that’s included. A push of a button on the easy way to brew
coffee on the trail.
lighter creates an electrical arc across two It collapses for
PHOTOS: UST
electrodes that is powerful enough to start easy storage.
a fire. It is excellent, easily lighting paper,

iBottom right:
candles, the company’s ParaTinder and The Hear-Me
wood shavings during my tests. Whistle is a
voice-saving
signal device
that adds barely
ParaTinder. This is another new
any weight to
product. It functions as regular paracord, your pack.

MY UST
READY KIT
PRODUCT MSRP
SURVIVAL
ParaKnife FS 4.0 Glo $19.99
BlastMatch Fire Starter $19.99
TekFire Fuel-Free Lighter $24.99
ParaTinder (30 feet) $5.99
FeatherLite First Aid Kit 1.0 $11.99
Hi Vis Folding Map Compass $9.99
StarFlash Multi-Tool (mirror/whistle) $14.99
Hear-Me Whistle $1.99
Learn & Live Bug Out Bag Cards $3.99
Learn & Live Outdoor Skills Cards $19.99
hThe Live & Learn Outdoor Skills Cards provide a quick reference on how to perform Compass Thermometer $2.99
important outdoor tasks. The Bug Out card set is sold separately.
TOTAL $136.89
SHELTER
All-Weather Tarp $29.99
All-Weather Poncho (adult) $6.99
Survival Blanket 2.0 $19.99
TOTAL $56.97
FOOD PREP
Solo Cook Kit $19.99
Folding Stove with Fuel $5.99
FlexWare Water Bottle (orange) $14.99
Sporktacular Folder $2.99
TOTAL $43.96
UTILITY GEAR
Field Saw 5.5 $19.99
FlashBlade Recharge Multi-Tool 2.0 $29.99
hThe UST All-Weather Tarp packs into a small package and can provide protection from the
Spright 3AAA LED Lantern 2-Pack $19.99
elements in an emergency or when traveling light.
BrightForce PICO Flashlight $7.99
TOTAL $77.96
but one of the inner strands actually performs as tinder once the outer sheath is stripped
back. It lights easily with the TekFire lighter or other fire source. I found that once lit, a LUXURY/COMFORT
2-inch section of the cord would burn for several minutes. This is one item that will be FlexWare Cup (orange) $3.99
part of my kit from now on. FlexWare Coffee Drip $4.99
SlothSak Chair $39.99
StarFlash Multi-Tool. This signal mirror encased in protective plastic has a sighting hole TOTAL $48.97
in the middle with a ring that lights when the sun hits it properly. It also includes a small ferro
rod, a compass on the back and a whistle on the lanyard. Unlike many small, inexpensive
compasses, this one worked. GRAND TOTAL $364.75
Hear-Me Whistle. Loud, lightweight and nearly indestructible, it is good for emergencies,
but I’ll use it to keep the dogs close by when I take them along.
Learn & Live Outdoor Skills Cards. These cards store in a hard-sided, waterproof
container and provide quick references on fire-starting, shelters, fishing, knots, first aid and
navigation. I added the company’s Bug Out cards to the set.
All-Weather Tarp. This tarp weighs just 14.8 ounces. I thought it was going to be too
small, but when I pulled it out of its storage bag, it spread out to an 8- by 6-foot, elongated,
kite-shaped tarp that easily covered my hammock. It is yellowish-orange for high visibility
and can be used as a ground cloth, as well. The aluminized underside provides thermal
insulation when it’s used as a blanket.

UST
THROUGH
THE YEARS
Ultimate Survival Technologies, based
in Jacksonville, Florida, is not new to
the business of outdoor survival. iThe UST Solo
Cook Kit is well
made and a
“UST was founded in 1936 by the handy place to
great-grandfather of our president, store smaller
survival items.
Andy Kaufmann,” said Executive Vice A way to cook
food and boil
President for New Business Develop- water should be
ment Jeana White. “We are the original part of every kit.
‘survival’ company. Our first product
was a bronze cannon that shot a rope UST OFFERS AFFORDABLE
from one ship to a ship in distress. That
cannon sits in our Jacksonville lobby CAMPING AND SURVIVAL GEAR.
as a reminder of our heritage.” SOME OF IT … WILL BECOME ITEMS
She explained that from that original
I’LL CARRY REGULARLY.
product, the company went on to make
other items for survival and marine safety,
including compasses and some of the
original “Mae West” life vests that were
filled with balsa wood for floatation.
“Over the years, we continued to develop

products for marine safety, manufac-
turing Coast Guard-approved PFDs and
life rafts in our facilities in New York and
Florida,” White said. “When Andy, our
current president, took leadership of the iAn open-con-
business, he had a vision to expand into cept kitchen.
Little is needed
camping and emergency preparedness for cooking out-
products. In 2011, he acquired a dozen doors. One fuel
tablet placed
Ultimate Survival Technologies products. in the stove is
all that’s neces-
In six years, we have grown the brand to
sary to prepare
[more than] 300 items, with distribution dinner.
in all major camping retailers in the U.S.”
Survival Blanket 2.0. I chose this over the smaller Mylar survival blankets, because it’s
According to White, one of the com- more durable and versatile, offering legitimate use as a shelter or ground cloth. It unfolds to
pany’s cornerstone products is the 5 by 7 feet and has grommets on the corners. It was a definite help on my night out, but it
BlastMatch Firestarter, originally isn’t a substitute for a sleeping bag on a really cold night.
developed for military aircrews.
Solo Cook Kit. I always include a way to boil water in any kit I assemble. This cook kit is
“Flailing injuries are common top notch. It includes a 16.9-ounce pot with an 8.6-ounce cup that also serves as a lid for
after emergency ejections,” she the pot. Both are aluminum coated with silicone and have folding metal handles coated
said, “and this item was developed with plastic, which eliminates the need for pot holders. I used the cook pot to store all the
for reliable one-hand operation.” smaller items in my kit.
Folding Stove with Fuel. This stove is designed to be used with fuel tablets. Eight tab-
lets are included; I found each to burn for about 11 or 12 minutes. The stove brought 2 cups
of water to a boil in about nine minutes—suitable for preparing a typical backpacking meal.
The stove is a little larger than others of this type I’ve used, making it a steady platform for
larger pots. The fuel tabs were a little hard to light, and I had to burn a bit of paper next to
them to get them going.

LEAD THE WAY
AviAtOR®
DUAL-OUTPUT MULTI-SPECTRUM LED
AVAILABLE IN:
WHITE (ALL)
AMBER
BLUE
RED
YELLOW/ GREEN
AMERICAN BUILT.
AMERICAN STRONG.
WWW.SUREFIRE.COM
AT THE END OF
MY OUTING, I
DID HAVE A NEW
PERSPECTIVE. I
LEARNED THAT
YOU CAN’T JUDGE
THE QUALITY OF
OUTDOOR GEAR
SOLELY ON PRICE.
FlexWare Water Bottle. This bottle
holds 18 ounces and collapses for easy
storage when empty. It has both small- and
wide-mouth openings. While it doesn’t hold
a lot of water, it would be a good compan-
ion to one of those water filter straws used
for water you find along your route.
Field Saw 5.5. This folding saw has a

comfortable plastic handle, and its 5.5-inch
blade is held securely when opened with a
liner lock. It easily handles sawing chores on
wood up to about 3 inches in diameter.
BrightForce PICO Flashlight. This

tiny light takes up hardly any room in the
kit, but it provides 15 hours of light at 20
lumens—enough to see into your pack or
around your camp. You screw the front of
the light in or out to turn it on or off, so
there’s no delicate switch to break.
FlashBlade Recharge Multi-Tool 2.0.

I like to include a good multi-tool in my kit.
While the various FlashBlade tools were iTop: The Folding when turned off. Each mini lantern provides essential item, but it was very comfortable.
Saw 5.5 proved
usable, I won’t be giving up my Leatherman quite capable 57 lumens of light. I hung one on each end It is a cool piece of gear that would be
Wave any time soon. One good feature of of sawing wood of my hammock, and they provided plenty handy at a base camp. It fits easily back in
up to 3 inches in
the FlashBlade, however, was the onboard diameter. of light for my campsite. its storage bag—another real plus.
rechargeable light that could be used with
the tool opened or closed. A mini USB FlexWare Coffee Drip. When I saw this TEST FOR YOURSELF
iAbove left: The
cord was included. Spright 3AAA LED on the UST website, I just had to try it. This At the end of my outing, I did have a new
Lantern collapses coffee maker collapses flat and weighs perspective. I learned that you can’t judge
for easy storage,
Spright 3AAA LED Lantern 2-Pack. glows in the dark almost nothing. You pop it open, insert a the quality of outdoor gear solely on price.
when turned
These handy mini lanterns will definitely standard #2 paper filter and your coffee Expensive gear can be faulty, and inexpensive
off and has an
become part of my regular camping equip- attachment clip grounds. Place it over your cup, and pour gear isn’t necessarily junk.
on the bottom.
ment. They run on three AAA batteries, in hot water. (While you might contend
collapse to store easily and glow in the dark this isn’t a survival essential, many coffee UST offers affordable camping and
iAbove right: addicts might disagree!) survival gear. I was pleased with most of
The FlashBlade the products I tested; some had very useful
Recharge Multi-
Tool 2.0 includes SlothSak Chair. This is basically a bean- features. Some of it, such as the TekFire
SOURCE pliers, wire cutter,
knife blade, can
bag chair without the beans. It features two lighter and ParaTinder, will become items
opener, flathead air compartments. No air pump is needed. I’ll carry regularly.
ULTIMATE SURVIVAL and Phillips
You swing the sack through the air to fill it,
TECHNOLOGIES screwdrivers, file,
saw blade, bottle close the openings and roll the end a few Keep in mind that regardless of the gear
(904) 786-0033 opener and fish
scaler. It also has turns to seal it. It stayed inflated if I just you choose for your own ready kit, make
WWW.USTBRANDS.COM a rechargeable
led light and mini
sat in it, but if I got up and plopped down sure you put it to the test before you have
USB port. repeatedly, it did lose some air. This isn’t an to rely on it in an emergency. ASG

VICIOUS
VEGETATION
HOW TO AVOID PLANTS THAT CAN RUIN
YOUR DAY ... OR END YOUR LIFE.
BY LARRY SCHWARTZ

O
ne of the most difficult and
most critical things to know
in the field is if something
you find is edible. Mammals,
fish and birds are pretty
safe, as long as you avoid their glands.
Plants are a completely different story.

There are so many varieties that the
average person doesn’t have, or know,
the keys we know for animals.
This article will help you recognize the

more common plants that can irritate your
skin, make you sick or outright kill you.
hPoison ivy has green leaves with serrated

edges that often come in different shapes: one
© Wikimedia.org
with no lobes, one with two lobes and a third

with multiple lobes.

NOXIOUS PLANTS THE OLD ADAGE, “LEAFLETS THREE, LET
These plants won’t kill you—but you might
wish they did.
IT BE; BERRIES WHITE, A POISONOUS
SIGHT,” IS STILL A USEFUL TOOL FOR
They can hurt you, even when you are IDENTIFYING POISON IVY OUT IN THE
not looking for something to eat. You
might simply be walking through the UNDERGROWTH.
woods or clearing a campsite at the
iAlthough it is
end of the day. They look like any other normally green
plants but can give you blisters, rashes or in color, poison
ivy can also be
generally irritate your skin. red at different
times of year.
POISON IVY
Appearance. Poison ivy can take the
form of a shrub or bush, or it can grow
as a vine along tree trunks or limbs. It
can be found in most of North America
in both open fields with bright light and
in shaded areas (such as wood lots) and
even in urban areas. It takes the form of
three leaflets that grow from a common
stem (although this can vary at times).
Depending on the season, the leaves can
vary from red in the spring to green as
iBelow right:
the plant matures. It has yellow or green Poison ivy, like
its oak and
flowers and berries that range from white
sumac cousins,
to green-yellow. The old adage, “Leaflets will cause a red-
dish skin rash
three, let it be; berries white, a poisonous and possibly
sight,” is still a useful tool for identifying large blisters, in
addition to pro-
poison ivy out in the undergrowth. found itching.
© Wikimedia.org
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. An
oil in the sap of the plant causes a severe
itching reaction shortly after contact. As it iBelow: In
soaks into the skin, rashes and even blisters extreme cases,
poison ivy can
can form. The rash, if it appears, can last cause swelling
of the tissue and
between one and three weeks but will go oozing in the
away on its own. affected areas.
© Wikimedia.org
© Wikimedia.org

hPoison sumac Treatment. As soon as possible,
is more tree than
bush or vine. preferably within 20 to 30 minutes, wash
It has several the skin with cool, soapy water (hot or
leaves on each
branch, similar warm water will open the pores, which
to the nonpoi- will let the oil get into your skin faster) to
sonous variety
of sumac. remove the oil. Do not scratch it, because
this will only spread the oil.
POISON SUMAC
Appearance. Poison sumac can grow
as a shrub, but it can also grow as large
as a small tree. It is found mostly in
the eastern and southeastern regions
of the United States. It prefers very
wet areas and is often found along the
banks of rivers or marshes. The stems
contain seven to 13 leaves mostly
arranged in pairs—not leaflets like its
poison ivy and poison oak cousins.
Symptoms and Adverse Effects.

As with poison ivy, the symptoms for
poison sumac can include swelling and
hBelow: The redness of the skin and small or large
tiny hairs on the
© Wikimedia.org
stems and leaves blisters. But the symptoms can be more

of the stinging severe with poison sumac.
nettle inject a
combination of
chemicals that
Treatment. Treatment is the same as
cause the sting-
ing sensation. for poison ivy or poison oak.
© Wikimedia.org

MINIMIZE
YOUR RISK
OF PLANT
POISONING iLike poison
sumac, poke-
It is probably easier to tell you what weed also has
not to eat instead of what you can eat. deep-purple
© Wikimedia.org
While these might rule out some edible stalks and
berries, but the
plants, the following characteristics leaves are much
will help you rule out plants that are broader and
most likely poisonous: don’t come off
each side of the
main stalk.
• Berries white (or orange) are
a “poisonous sight.”
• Do not eat plants with thorns.

• Do not eat plants containing beans
or plants with seeds inside a pod.
• Get rid of the plant if the sap

is milky or discolored.
• If the plant has shiny leaves, avoid it.

• “Leaflets three (like poison ivy), let it be.”
• Mushrooms are a bad choice. Even if they
look like something you found in the grocery
store, they can still be deadly look-alikes.
• If the plant tastes bitter or soapy, spit it out.
© Wikimedia.org
iPokeweed
normally grows
in large clumps
POISON OAK of many plants,
Appearance. Most often found in the as shown grow-
ing here along a
western region of the United States and field edge.
British Columbia, poison oak is similar in
appearance to poison ivy, with three leaflets,
but the leaves have rounded lobes like an Treatment. The treatment for poison oak is the same as for poison ivy and poison sumac.
oak leaf does. Poison oak grows as a bush,
not as a vine. STINGING NETTLE
Appearance. The stinging nettle is an herbaceous plant with serrated leaves, 1 to 6 inches
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. As long, that come off the main stem opposite each other. It can grow as high as 3 to 7 feet in
with poison ivy and poison sumac, the oil the summer and dies down to the ground in the winter. The leaves are soft and green but
found in the sap of the poison oak plant not shiny. The leaves and stems have tiny hairs on them. The hairs act like tiny hypodermic
is what causes the itching sensation and needles that inject histamine and other irritating chemicals into your skin. Stinging nettle is
blisters. Also, like its poisonous cousins, the found all over the world and grows in moist soil.
plant does not have to be alive to affect
you. The oil is active in dead leaves and Symptoms and Adverse Effects. The mixture of chemicals injected by the tiny hairs on
plant parts, as well as in live parts. You the plant causes a painful stinging sensation.
don’t even need to come into contact with
the actual plant, because contact with Treatment. To alleviate the stinging sensation, ointments with antihistamines or
clothing or other objects that have the oil hydrocortisone are recommended. Calamine lotion applied topically might also help. As with
on them can transfer it to your skin and other itchy reactions, avoid scratching the affected area, because this could break the skin,
have the same effect. possibly leading to infections.

POKEWEED BELLADONNA (DEADLY NIGHTSHADE)
Appearance. Although pokeweed’s purple berries look tasty, you don’t want to add these Appearance. Belladonna, also known
to your diet. Pokeweed is an herbaceous perennial plant that can grow as high as 8 feet. It as deadly nightshade, is a perennial
has simple, nonserrated green leaves that grow from green or purplish stems. The taproot is herbaceous plant that grows as a bush
white, and the flowers range in color from green to white. or a small tree that can grow to 6½ feet
high. Its leaves can grow to 7 inches in
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. A common test for edibility of wild plants is if the length and are shaped like a pointed
animals in the area are eating them. However, you don’t want to do that with pokeweed. oval with serrated edges. The dull, purple
Eating the raw fruit can cause severe stomach problems, vomiting or even convulsions. flowers are bell shaped with green tinges.
Its large taproot can kill people and livestock. Pokeweed is found in edge habitat such as Belladonna might also exude a faint
cleared fields, along the edges of forest clearings and along fencerows. scent. Its berries are initially green and
then ripen to shiny, black orbs that are
Treatment. If you ingest pokeweed, you should seek emergency medical treatment approximately ½ inch in diameter.
immediately, because these severe symptoms can take effect in just a couple of hours.
Symptoms and Adverse Effects.
TOXIC PLANTS Following closely behind hemlock,
While the plants above cause symptoms that are bothersome, sometimes in the extreme, belladonna is one of the deadliest plant-
they normally do not cause death. The ones that follow are much more toxic and cause life- based poisons known. Its symptoms
threatening symptoms that might include death. reflect the properties of two of its main
ingredients: atropine and scopolamine.
WATER HEMLOCK Symptoms include pupil dilation,
Appearance. Water hemlock grows near water sources and in moist ground. It has sensitivity to light, blurred vision,
multiple groups of small, white flowers that grow in umbrella-like clusters. Often mistaken
for Queen Anne’s Lace (also called wild carrot), water hemlock does not have the
characteristic red or purple flower in the center of each cluster of white flowers.
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. Hemlock is the deadliest plant in North America. Eating
water hemlock can cause nervousness, salivation, frothing at the mouth, muscular twitches,
dilation of pupils, rapid pulse or breathing, tremors, violent convulsions—and death.
Treatment. Treatment includes gastric lavage and the use of activated charcoal
to absorb the toxins. If convulsions or similar symptoms are present, the use of
barbiturates might be helpful. Even so, seek immediate medical assistance.
© Wikimedia.org
hAbove: Water hemlock grows like a bush and has

multiple umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers
that grow from the end of a main stalk.
hQueen Anne’s Lace, or wild carrot, is edible and looks much like
water hemlock. The most obvious difference is that Queen Anne’s Lace
has a deep-purple flower in the center of the cluster of white flowers.
Red flowers means “edible”; no red flowers means “poisonous.”
© Wikimedia.org

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND
MOST CRITICAL THINGS TO KNOW
IN THE FIELD IS IF SOMETHING YOU
FIND IS EDIBLE.
© Pexels.com
tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering,

headache, rash, flushing, severely dry mouth
and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention,
constipation, confusion, hallucinations,
delirium and convulsions.
Treatment. If belladonna poisoning

occurs, get medical help immediately. The
hAbove left:
antidote is the same as is used for atropine, Belladonna, or
deadly nightshade,
one of its active ingredients. has a purple flower © Pexels.com
and a green or
dark-blue berry.
FOXGLOVE (DIGITALIS)
Appearance. Also known as digitalis, MAY APPLE (AMERICAN MANDRAKE)
foxglove is an herbaceous perennial. Its Appearance. The May apple, also known as American mandrake (that name should make
name derives from the ease with which the you take notice), is a very common plant in the North American woodlands. It prefers moist
flower blossom can be slipped over the tip hAbove right: ground in shaded areas and is normally found in colonies, or groups, of plants that all grow
The foxglove, or
of a finger. The flowers are produced on a digitalis, plant gets from a common root. Although the average height for May apple is about 6 inches, it can
tall spike, are tubular and vary in color from its name from the grow as high as 12 to 16 inches and has between three and nine shallowly lobed leaves that
ability of the flower
purple to pink, white and yellow. Foxglove to easily slip over grow from one or two stems. The fruit grows from the space between the two stems. In May
the tip of a finger.
thrives in acidic soils, in partial sunlight to (hence the name), it grows a whitish, yellow or red flower that will, over time, turn into an
deep shade, in open woods and in woodland egg-shaped fruit that is either green, yellow or red, depending on the time of year.
clearings. It is commonly found on sites
where the ground has been disturbed (such Symptoms and Adverse Effects. All parts of the May apple—including its root—are
as recently cleared woodland) or where the poisonous and should not be eaten. If ingested, it can cause salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
vegetation has been burnt. headache, fever … and eventually, death.
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. Treatment. If May apple is ingested, seek medical help immediately. If that is not
Foxglove poisoning can cause nausea, available, you should attempt to completely empty your stomach.
vomiting, diarrhea, jaundiced or yellow
vision, the appearance of blurred outlines, DEATH CAP MUSHROOM
drooling, abnormal heart rate, cardiac Appearance. Found in North America from late August through late November, the death
arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, dilated cap looks like the large, white mushrooms you find in your local supermarket. However, you
pupils, tremors, seizures and even death. won’t want to pick these fungi and add them to your menu.
Treatment. Foxglove poisoning is a Growing approximately 6 inches tall, the adult death cap mushroom has a smooth,
medical emergency, so call your poison flattened cap that is also 6 inches wide and pale white, yellow or greenish in color. There are
control phone center immediately. Do not white gills on the underside of the cap. The stem is smooth, with a skirt-like growth called an
induce vomiting. “annulus” about two-thirds of the way up the stem. The stalk is slippery or sticky to the touch.

© Wikimedia.org
hThe death cap mushroom looks much like the white mushrooms found
in local grocery stores. That similarity is why it is also the leading cause of
mushroom-based poisoning in North America.
The immature version is about 2 or 3 inches tall and has a dome-shaped

cap (like a gnome’s hat), with a smooth stem. the cap flattens out as it
grows to maturity. Death cap’s most distinctive feature is the ball-like sac
(“volva”) found at the base of the stem, which is often hidden below the
surface of the ground.
x CNC for any
Symptoms and Adverse Effects. Eating just one death cap mushroom Size Shop,
can kill an adult person. The effects normally appear within 6 to 24 hours and
Located
include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The toxins are found in all parts of
Anywhere
the mushroom, so cooking or peeling them does not remove them. The toxins
inhibit the formation of a protein in the liver and the kidney, which can lead
to death. You might start to feel better after a day or two, but this is a false
x Machine
indication, because the toxin is already in your liver or kidney. Parts from
Aluminum
Treatment. If you are poisoned by a death cap mushroom, get emergency and Steel
medical treatment as soon as possible. Be sure to take some of the
mushrooms with you if you can. Treatment includes activated charcoal in the x Precision
stomach to absorb the poison if this is done soon enough. Manufacturing
CNC Mill
in Your Garage Starting at:
IT MIGHT NOT BE OK
Now that you know about some of the noxious and toxic plants you can run
into during a trip in the great outdoors or even in your local park or woodlot,
x 120 VAC-
I hope you have an appreciation for how important it is to only touch or use
Plug It In
plants you can identify with certainty and not go with the assumption that “it
Anywhere
should be OK” to use or eat them.
And, of course, it is always a smart idea to carry a wild plant field guide,
either as a book in your pack or in electronic form in your smartphone. ASG TORMACH.COM

SUMMER
FUN MEANS
PROBLEMS
FROM THE
SUN
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SUNBURN,
DEHYDRATION, HEATSTROKE AND OTHER THREATS.
BY LARRY SCHWARTZ

DEHYDRATION
IN HOT WEATHER
IS A LOT LIKE
HYPOTHERMIA IN
COLD WEATHER: IT
IS INSIDIOUS, AND
YOU DON’T REALIZE
YOU ARE GETTING
INTO IT UNTIL YOU
ARE ALREADY IN
TROUBLE.
I
n the winter, there is nothing nicer
than the feeling of direct sunlight
shining on your face to warm you up.
In the summer, though, that direct
sunlight and the hot temperatures
it creates can be uncomfortable—and also
dangerous. Sun-related injuries range from
dehydration to sunburn to heatstroke.
To avoid heat-related injuries, you should

focus on staying hydrated, as well as avoid-
ing long exposure to direct sunlight and high
temperatures, wearing sunscreen and a hat
to protect yourself from direct sunlight, and
keeping some lip balm with you.
Another key element of avoiding these

injuries is knowing what they are and how
they affect you. So, let’s take a look at some
of the most common summer injuries from
the simplest to the most dangerous.
DEHYDRATION
Dehydration in hot weather is a lot like
hypothermia in cold weather: It is insidi- hWhen it comes Signs that you are dehydrated—or are getting there—include being thirsty, a dry mouth or
to heat-related
ous, and you don’t realize you are getting problems, water
swollen tongue, yellow or brown urine, weakness or dizziness, confusion or sluggishness and, in
into it until you are already in trouble. In is your best extreme cases, the inability to sweat or decreased urine output.
friend. Staying
fact, I am willing to bet that many of the well hydrated is
people reading this right now are at some the best way to The treatment for dehydration is really pretty simple: Drink more water, and replace your
avoid most of the
level of dehydration. illnesses covered electrolytes. You should drink a half-quart bottle initially to jump-start your rehydration. After
in this article. that, drink small quantities of water, about a cup at a time, every 15 minutes or so.
Dehydration is the state in which your body
loses more water through sweating, breath- Prevention is also pretty simple: Drink water as a normal part of any outdoor or hot-weather
ing and urinating than it takes in by drinking activities to keep your body hydrated. This can be water or drinks with electrolytes in them.
and eating. It can occur due to excessive
exercise, being out in a hot, dry environment SUNBURN
or direct sunlight for extended periods, or One out of three of us will get sunburn this year. This is your chance to improve those odds—or
just not drinking enough water. at least make sure you are one of the two out of three who don’t get burned.

A sunburn comes from exposing your skin to
the sun for so long that the ultraviolet UVA
and UVB rays in sunlight actually penetrate
STAY SAFE: 6 TIPS
your skin and damage the tissues under the Each malady has its own unique characteristics, but the following tips will help you
skin’s surface. This causes the skin to redden, avoid heat-related issues—whatever you are doing.
at best, and age prematurely, at worst. Too
much exposure, and it can damage your i Stay hydrated by drinking small amounts of fluids throughout the day.
DNA—which can lead to skin cancer. i Avoid tight clothing that keeps in your body heat.
i Wear clothes that cover exposed skin.
Symptoms of sunburn are pretty obvious i Use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on exposed skin, along with balm on your lips.
i Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect not just your face, but also your eyes—
to those around us, but not so much to the
which can be damaged from bright sunlight and dangerous UV radiation.
person getting the sunburn. When you get
i Avoid drinks that have caffeine in them, such as coffee or energy drinks,
sunburn, your skin turns red and hurts, and
because they hasten the onset of dehydration.
the affected area will feel unusually warm
to the touch. If the burn is severe, you can
develop swelling and sunburn blisters. You
might feel feverish, along with chills, nausea,
headache and weakness. After a few days,
the dead skin on the surface might start to
peel and itch as the body tries to get rid of it. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen taken orally can also help relieve the
swelling and pain in all parts of the body. Also, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water,
The treatment for sunburn is actually because the sunburn will tend to dehydrate you. And, of course, stay out of the sun until
designed to help in two ways: relieve the hThis person’s back your sunburn heals.
pain and reduce the reddening and inflam- shows us the whole
progression of a case
mation. Cold compresses applied topically of sunburn; red skin, To avoid getting sunburn in the first place, keep an eye on the clock, and don’t stay out too long
to the sunburned areas will soothe the burn. some minor blisters, or expose the same part of your skin to the sun for too long. Apply a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF
and the peeling of
Menthol, camphor or aloe creams and gels the damaged skin as to protect your skin before you go out in the sun, and reapply it as needed. Pay special attention
the body heals itself.
can help remove the sting, especially if you to sensitive skin, such as the bridge of the nose, lips and ears. Use appropriate clothing and a
(Photo: Pavel Ševela,
refrigerate them first to help cool the skin. Wikimedia.org) broad-brimmed hat to keep the sun off exposed skin, and apply balm to your lips.

© Getty Images
HEAT CRAMPS hHeat cramps
can sneak
ALTHOUGH THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF
A heat cramp is an involuntary, painful—but
thankfully, brief—muscle spasm or jerk of
up on you
unexpectedly. HEAT CRAMPS IS UNKNOWN, IT IS
your muscles. It is the result of strenuous
Take it slow,
rehydrate, and ALMOST CERTAINLY RELATED TO
DEHYDRATION AND ELECTROLYTE
stretch out
labor in hot conditions and normally occurs the muscle or
in the shoulders, calves or thighs. massage the
area, depending
on where the
IMBALANCES.
If you do find yourself getting heat cramps, cramping occurs.
even if they occur a few hours after you have HEAT RASH AND PRICKLY HEAT
been working, you should find a cool place Often thought of as a children’s malady, heat rash can affect teens and adults, as well. Any-
to rest. Drink fluids, especially those that will one who is wearing too much clothing for the weather will sweat more than usual, and this
replace your lost salt and electrolytes. can cause the sweat ducts to become blocked and swell. This causes a red or pinkish rash of
tiny dots or pimples to form in areas covered by clothing where the heat is trapped.
Although the actual cause of heat cramps
is unknown, it is almost certainly related to Treatment includes removing excess clothing to cool the victim’s body, moving them to a cool
dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. You area and letting their skin cool and dry on its own. Do not use towels to dry the skin, because
can avoid it by drinking fluids throughout the this could irritate the rash. Also avoid using ointments, because they block the air from the
day to stay hydrated and replacing the salt skin—air is what will help the rash heal on its own.
and electrolytes you are losing through eat-
ing salted food, fruit juices or sports drinks HEAT EXHAUSTION
that have salt and electrolytes in them to It is called heat “exhaustion,” because the body is wearing itself out trying to cool down. This
address these issues. normally happens when the weather is both hot and very humid. The higher relative humidity

WHEN LOOKING FOR FOR A SUCSCREEN THAT WILL PROTECT
DIY
HYDRATION
YOU FROM UVB AND UVA RAYS, KEEP IN MIND THAT—
A “broad-spectrum SPF” protects

against UVB and UVA rays. DRINKS
“SPF only” refers to protection from
UVB rays. We have all bought and tried sports drinks such as Gatorade
or Powerade, which are designed with hydration in mind. But
UVB rays cause sunburns. how many of us have actually made our own?
UVA rays cause suntans.
All sports drink recipes have the following things in common:
BOTH cause cancer and early aging
of the skin. i Water for rehydration
i Salt to replace what you lose from sweat
i Carbohydrates in the form of sugar or fruit juice for energy
i Potassium to serve as an electrolyte
You can make your own with ingredients you might already
Hydrated: have at home or can find at a grocery store. Make your own
Clear to light yellow. recipe that works for your needs and taste buds.
Drink normally.
In high school, I was the trainer and manager for a number
of varsity sports, and I used a drink I learned to make from
the soccer coach: In a large cooler, I mixed two large cans of
Slightly Dehydrated: orange juice, two large cans of pineapple juice, a handful of
Light yellow to yellow. salt and 5 pounds of ice, filling the rest of the cooler with
Start drinking more water. water. This mix provided the water, salt, carbohydrates and
potassium the athletes’ bodies needed. And it was cheap and
easy to make.
Dehydrated: Coconut water is an excellent substitute for water, and

Yellow to light brown. it already comes with everything you need, including the
Drink to 4 to 8 ounces of water electrolytes. If you don’t have access to it, try your own combi-
immediately. nation of water, salt, sweeteners (such as sugar or fruit juices)
and something with potassium in it (pineapple or banana, for
example).
Very Dehydrated:
Light brown to brown.
Drink to 8 to 16 ounces of water
immediately. Consult a doctor if color does
not get lighter.
hThe color of your urine is the best indicator regarding your state of hydration and
dehydration. It should be light yellow, like weak lemonade. If it is clear, you might be taking
in too much water. If it is yellow or darker, you are already dehydrated and need to take
corrective actions.
FIRST- SECOND- THIRD-

DEGREE DEGREE DEGREE
BURN BURN BURN
Epidermis Epidermis Epidermis
Dermis Dermis Dermis
Subcutaneous Subcutaneous Subcutaneous

makes it difficult for the body to cool itself hHigh heat
coupled with high
THE MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL
through sweating … because the sweat will
not evaporate. From a medical perspective,
humidity is a sure
recipe for heat HEAT-RELATED INJURIES AND
ILLNESSES, HEATSTROKE OCCURS
exhaustion.
although heat exhaustion is not as serious
WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO

as heatstroke, it is not to be taken lightly. If
proper actions are not taken, heat exhaustion
can turn into heatstroke. HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR A LONG
There are two types of heat exhaustion: One
PERIOD OF TIME.
is based on water depletion, and the other is
based on salt depletion. Both are related to
the first heat-related illness mentioned in this
article—dehydration. Symptoms of
water depletion-based heat exhaustion
include excessive thirst, weakness, headaches
and loss of consciousness in severe cases.
If the cause is salt depletion, the symptoms

include nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps
and dizziness. Other symptoms common to
both types are confusion, dark-colored urine,
fatigue, cramps, pale skin, rapid heartbeat
and profuse sweating.
If you or anyone with you has these symp-

toms, it is vital to immediately get them out
of the heat and rested. If possible, get them
to air conditioning. If they are conscious,
give them plenty of cool drinks—but noth-
ing with caffeine or alcohol. Remove any
© Pexels.com
tight or unnecessary clothing to help the
body cool down.
If possible, have the victim take a cool

shower or bath or get into a swimming pool.
Applying cold compresses will also help. If
they don’t cool down and feel better within
15 minutes, seek medical help.
HEATSTROKE OR
SUNSTROKE
The most dangerous of all heat-related
injuries and illnesses, heatstroke occurs
when you have been exposed to high
temperatures for a long period of time. As
a result, your body’s internal heat-regulat-
ing mechanisms no longer work. It always
requires medical attention after first aid
is initially rendered, and it often happens
after you have gone through one or more
of the illnesses previously discussed.
The medical definition of heatstroke is a

core body temperature higher than 104
© Getty Images
degrees (F), with the attendant complica-

tions to the nervous system that
accompany exposure to high temperatures.
Some other symptoms include headache,
nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation,
rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing and
sometimes loss of consciousness. The most

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important symptom—and the one that
differentiates it from all of the others—is
that you stop sweating, either due to
severe dehydration or a failure of the
body’s cooling mechanisms.
First aid for heatstroke should be given as

soon as you realize the person has it. The key
is to cool them down as quickly as possible.
However, it is essential to first call 911 or
immediately take them to the hospital.
To cool them down you should—
• Remove any unnecessary clothing.

• Undress them down to their underwear if
you can.
• Move them to an air-conditioned or
© Wikimedia.org
shady environment.
• Fan or blow air over their body as you
wet their skin to facilitate evaporative
cooling.
• Apply ice packs to their neck, armpits, hDon’t forget about your mouth and lips: The skin there is some of the most sensitive on your body, so take care of
it. Use a lip balm with an SPF rating of at least 30; higher is even better.
groin and back to cool their blood and
circulate it through their body. Do not
use ice packs for older patients, young
people, those with chronic illness or
those who had heatstroke before, even
when they were not exercising vigorously.
• If you can, immerse them in cool—not
cold—water in a bathtub or swimming
pool.
And now that you are afraid to even set food

out of your air-conditioned home without
full-body zinc ointment and a personal
cooling system, let me calm you with this:
You now know what the symptoms are for

the most common heat-related illnesses
and injuries. Being forewarned is being fore-
armed. If you take reasonable precautions,
stay hydrated and remain aware of what
is happening to those around you (and to
yourself), you will be less likely to experience
any of these issues. ASG
TO AVOID HEAT-
RELATED INJURIES,
YOU SHOULD
FOCUS ON STAY-
© Getty Images
ING HYDRATED,
AVOIDING LONG
EXPOSURE TO
DIRECT SUNLIGHT
AND HIGH TEM-
PERATURES … hEven the best-prepared and best-conditioned athletes can fall victim to a heat cramp.

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BE A
HAPPY
CAMPER
PROTECT YOUR CAMP FROM
INVASIVE INTRUDERS.
BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA

N
o matter if you are outdoors
with the family or under sur-
vival conditions, your camp
should be a place where
you find safety and security
while recharging your mind and body to face
any challenges that might lie ahead.
However, Mother Nature could have other

plans for you. Your haven can become a bea-
con for a plethora of diverse animals, insects
and the fury of Mother Nature, herself—so
much so that your comfortable night’s sleep
can turn into an absolute nightmare … but
only if you are unprepared.
By taking some common-sense precau-

tions, knowing the general characteristics
of your surrounding area and bringing key
gear and equipment, you can protect your hAlways check
temporary base of operations and get your surround-
ings when
that great night’s sleep you desperately setting up camp.
need and deserve. Disturbing a wasp
©BIGSTOCK
or hornet nest
can cause you
CREEPY-CRAWLIES big problems and
possibly serious
Some of the smallest creatures on injury.
the planet can cause incredible pain,
irritation and, in some remote cases, ... YOUR CAMP SHOULD BE A PLACE
life-threatening illnesses. “Bugs,” as
most people generically label the diverse
WHERE YOU FIND SAFETY AND SECU-
collection of insects, spiders, scorpions RITY WHILE RECHARGING YOUR MIND
and bees, can make a night under the
stars a torturous experience.
AND BODY TO FACE ANY CHALLENGES
THAT MIGHT LIE AHEAD.
hA simple
hammock can
©BIGSTOCK
help keep land-

dwelling insects
and animals away
from you and
your supplies.

Nonstop bites from mosquitoes and flies
can wreak havoc on your ability to sleep
through the night. The constant scratching and
swatting at the continuous barrage of flying,
biting insects can literally keep you awake all
through the night. As a result, your mental and
physical faculties the next day will be severely
affected, causing you to make poor decisions,
be increasingly irritable and decrease your basic
motor skills.
Avoid these problems—and some intense

itching—by bringing with you insect repellent
and equipping your tent, hammock or sleeping
bag with mosquito netting—two simple,
common-sense solutions to get a comfortable
night’s sleep.
For those insects that choose to attack from

the ground, you have other options: If conditions
allow, mark off a square portion of land where
your camp will be and light the ground-level
leaves on fire for a controlled burn. This will
eliminate ticks, mites, spiders and other crawling
insects that are present where you choose to
pitch your tent. In fall and winter, this will also
temporarily warm up the cold ground. Be sure to
take caution before starting a fire in the woods.
©BIGSTOCK
“Controlled burn” means exactly that. Keep the

fire small and contained.
hAbove: Biting
flies can cause
as much pain
and irritability
as mosqui-
toes. Wear
repellent, as
well as netting,
to keep them
at bay.
hMosquito
netting can
help prevent
©BIGSTOCK
© Getty Images
itchy bites and

all-around
irritability
caused by
mosquito
activity.

... SOME OF
THE SMALLEST
CREATURES ON
THE PLANET
CAN CAUSE
INCREDIBLE PAIN,
IRRITATION AND,
IN SOME REMOTE
CASES, LIFE-
©TENTSILE
THREATENING
ILLNESSES.
h An elevated, covered tent provides protection from both ground-dwelling and flying insects.
Another option for avoiding ground-dwell-

ing insects is to use an elevated tent or
hammock. By keeping yourself and your
belongings far above the ground, you virtu-
ally eliminate the risk of meandering spiders
or scorpions making a bed within your
boots or clothing. This also works very well
against snakes looking for a comfortable
spot to rest within your gear. Why take
the chance of an encounter when you can
simply “rise above” the problem?
As for the threat of bees, be sure to scan

the nearby trees for nests. Rustling trees
while setting up your camp could agitate
©BIGSTOCK
the colony, creating a potentially dangerous
situation for you. If a bee swarm targets
you, seek shelter immediately. If no shelter
is nearby, use anything around you to cover h A bee sting, to those who are allergic, can spell disaster when away from medical services.
your body until the bees disperse and leave
the area. Water is not a haven, so avoid
running into lakes or rivers; bees are patient
and will often wait for you to surface to then
administer their painful stings.
NOSY NEIGHBORS
A bear’s sense of smell is so well-
developed that it can detect possible
food sources for up to 20 miles. Your
innocent dinner could turn into an invita-
tion for a bear to visit your camp, ending
in possibly disastrous results.
Extreme caution and preventative mea-

sures are necessary to greatly reduce your
chances of a hungry and inquisitive bear
from paying you a visit. First, understand
what attracts them, and then minimize
the tempting treats that encourage bears
©BIGSTOCK
to visit unsuspecting camps. Of course,

human food is top on the list, but equally
attractive are pet food, the cooking ves-
sels you used for your dinner, cosmetics, hMosquito bites can cause an uncomfortable night’s sleep—or, at their worst, a life-threatening disease.

©BIGSTOCK
hand lotions, toothpaste, bird seed and
even—believe it or not—unopened soda
or other beverages.
All items should be stored in a bear-resis-

tant storage box and elevated a minimum of
10 feet (higher is better) off the ground. Be
sure to have at least 5 feet of space between
the vertical supports. If you have your vehicle
nearby, placing food within the trunk is also
THE
an option. Tents, Styrofoam or plastic coolers,
and thin-walled campers are not bear-proof
and offer little protection from a bear’s
AFTERMATH
powerful persistency. In addition, never cook
near your sleeping area, especially when
deep in the woods. Give yourself at least 50
OF AN ATTACK
to 100 yards between your meal preparation
area and your sleeping quarters. People
often underestimate the olfactory sense of
bears, and even the most minimal of snacks
around your camp can attract bears to you.
If a bear does enter your camp, there are

ways to reduce interaction and help send it Not everyone is lucky enough to avoid a confrontation with one of nature’s residents. By picking up
running away: Bear spray, similar to pepper the wrong piece of wood and encountering a snake, shaking a tree with a large hornet nest attached or
spray used for self-defense purposes, is stumbling upon a mother bear tending her cubs, you could be injured out in the wild. You also might be
often highly effective at stopping a charging far from medical help.
or attacking bear. Always have it nearby. A
firearm, powerful flashlight and air horn can Apply these self-help first aid tips to keep yourself stable until help arrives:
all help drive away a curious bear, as well.
BEE STING surroundings. Try to bluff your way through the
Remove the stinger quickly if stung by a bee encounter. If you are attacked, curl into a ball and
… A BEAR’S SENSE (wasps, hornets and yellow jackets leave no protect your face and neck. Avoid running (a bear
OF SMELL IS SO stinger). Use an ice cube or cold pack to help

relieve the stinging sensation, and take oral
can outrun a human with little effort), and don’t
climb a tree—most bears are excellent climbers. Play
DEVELOPED THAT pain medication to help alleviate the pain. If dead until the bear loses interest and moves on.
IT CAN DETECT itchiness begins, antihistamines can be taken,

RACCOON BITE
but beware of their ability to cause drowsiness.
POSSIBLE FOOD Get to a doctor immediately if you begin to A raccoon bite, in itself, is not life-threatening,
SOURCES FOR UP have difficulty swallowing or if the sting area but the risk of possible rabies exposure is.
Scrub the bite wound immediately, vigorously
TO 20 MILES.
swells or becomes infected. Of course, if you
have a known allergy to bee stings, be sure to washing it with antiseptic soap and water. Get
carry your supply of allergy medications. to medical professionals as quickly as possible.
If the animal was rabid, the chances of survival
SNAKE BITE increase the quicker you can get medical attention.
If you are unsure if the bite is from a venomous And although capturing the animal will help
snake, err on the side of caution and remain calm, determine if rabies is an unfortunate outcome
lie down, and stay still. This slows the venom of the bite, only do so if the situation allows it.
from moving throughout the body. Remove any
tight clothing or jewelry in anticipation of possible FIRE ANT INVASION
swelling. Keep the body warm, and get medical Apply hydrocortisone cream to lessen the
help as soon as possible. Do not apply a tourniquet intense “fire” of this ant’s sting. If the victim has
or cold pack; do not suck out the venom; and an allergic reaction, antihistamines will work
definitely do not try to capture the snake. to alleviate the symptoms. Avoid scratching
the affected areas as much as possible to
BEAR ATTACK decrease the chances of opening the blisters
Make a lot of noise and stand your ground. Always and causing infection. A soothing oatmeal bath
carry bear-deterrent spray, and be aware of your can also work wonders to reduce itching.

The raccoon, another forest animal that is
attracted to camp foods, poses the possible
threat of rabies, so the farther away from
them you are, the better. They dislike the
scent of chili peppers, so sprinkling cayenne
pepper around your campsite can help keep
these critters, as well as squirrels and some
other small mammals, at bay. Reapply every
couple of days and after rain. Loud noises
can also deter small animals from your
outdoor living area. Air horns, hand claps or
a short, powerful yell can be used as a last
resort when the animals are very close by.
TWO-LEGGED PREDATORS
Not all visitors to your campsite arrive via
four (or more) legs. Unfortunately, depending
upon your particular survival situation, man
can be the greatest threat to both losing your
precious gear and possibly your life.
©BIGSTOCK
Bear in mind that the following sugges-
tions for protection are primarily necessary
in emergency situations that may be
precipitated as a result of social or economic hAbove: A snake
can find a warm,
collapse or during the aftermath of a natural comfortable home
or man-made disaster . They do not neces- within the bedding
inside your tent.
sarily apply to an everyday, run-of-the-mill Always keep the
outdoor camping trip. entrance closed
when away from
your camp.
In these survival situations, basic supplies,
food and clean drinking water are scarce,
and the desperation of people lacking these
resources will be extremely high. This is purely
human nature, as well as an innate trait of
self-preservation. Being a good or bad person
is blurred when starvation or dehydration is a
looming threat. However, even though people
have somewhat of a logical justification to
pilfer another’s camp, it doesn’t mean you
need to let it happen or be a sitting duck to
those out to take your gear.
There are definitely precautions you

can take to prevent this from happening.
Choosing the correct location of your camp is
hRight: Wild boar
your first line of defense. Don’t set up along can find their way
a much-traveled trail. Move off the preferred to your camp. If
©BIGSTOCK
threatened, they
path to “uncharted” territory. Yes, the journey can charge and
to reach your destination could be more rig- cause significant
injury with their
orous and longer, but the payoff of seclusion pointed tusks.
will be worth it.
others invade your camp. If your life or the life of a loved one is at stake, defend yourself by
Next, be sure to blend into your surrounding any means possible.
environment. If you are in the woods, use cam-
ouflage tarps or tents or a camo cover that can NATURE’S FURY
be thrown over your brightly colored tent to Nature’s wrath is also an outdoor contender you will need to face and overcome. This intru-
allow it to blend into the natural surroundings. sive invader packs a powerful punch and can, even at its weakest, make your night sleepless
and very uncomfortable; at its worst, it can destroy your entire camp. Depending upon your
Finally, arming yourself with a firearm, environment, you might face endless rain that culminates in flash floods. Also possible are
knife or blunt weapon is a necessity if/when sleet or snow, as well as intense, roaring winds.

©BIGSTOCK
hAbove: A rifle not

You need to prepare for such natural only protects your
camp from two-
threats with the proper supplies, as well legged predators,
the loud blast can
as the knowledge that nature is never to also turn a bear
be underestimated. Setting up camp too away before a
problem occurs.
close to a river’s edge can be disastrous
in areas hit with heavy rain storms. Flash
flooding can create fast-moving rivers over
areas you thought were well above the
waterline. Your miscalculation can result in
your supplies and tent being carried away,
leaving you empty-handed in the harsh
outdoors … that is, if you’re lucky enough to
have escaped the onslaught.
A SHARED WORLD
When camping, you become part of the
environment around you. Consequently, you
will encounter many of nature’s creatures
during your outdoor stay. Whether they
are driven by hunger, curiosity or other
motivations, you should always have a plan
to counter whatever interaction comes
your way. In doing so, you not only give hA bow is one
©BIGSTOCK
form of defensive
yourself peace of mind, but also the ability weapon useful to
keep others from
to survive—and successfully thrive—while in
invading your
Mother Nature’s backyard. ASG camp.

© Getty Images

NO ELECTRICITY?
NO PROBLEM!
NEARLY EVERY TASK DONE WITH ELECTRICITY
HAS A MANUAL COUNTERPART.
BY CHRISTOPHER NYERGES
M
ost of us in the United
States,—rural and urban
dwellers, alike—could
not imagine life without
electricity. And what a
wonderful invention electricity was—tapping
nature’s forces and putting them to work for
us in myriad ways.
Of course, there is a cost to pay: the money

you pay for the electricity, as well as the
fuels that power its production. There is
also another, less obvious, “cost” we have all
been paying as our dependence on electrical
power continues to increase. We pay in the
steady erosion of understanding what it
means to perform a task that would have
been routinely done by hand a century ago.
Most people have barely a clue that

nearly every task done with electricity
has a manual counterpart. Yes, this often
means more physical exertion and that
hThe Amish have built a robust, substantially self-sufficient way of life without the dependence on electricity found
the task takes longer. Nevertheless, when in most of the developed world.
everything was done by hand in the past,
there was an individual quality to, and Being self-reliant is a good thing on many levels. Aside from the benefit of being able to take care of yourself, many
satisfaction gained from, goods produced people develop skills with manual tools for the deeper intrinsic value it imparts to the user–compelling him or her to
that are virtually unknown today. slow down and attempt to find meaning, even in the mundane.

© Getty Images
IMPROVE YOUR hTraditional #3. Forego some electrical devices altogether. Because this is where your biggest impact
thick-walled adobe
ELECTRICITY USE buildings require will come from, we’ll focus on what devices you can live without while not causing too much
There are several ways you can reduce your little heating and disruption to your way of life.
cooling.
dependence on electricity and build self-
reliance into your personal life. Let’s discuss HOME
three methods to help you improve the way Lighting: Lighting really is essential. If there’s no electricity, there are several old standbys:
you use electricity: candles, battery-operated flashlights, lanterns and slush lamps, to name a few. There are also
light tubes (also known as “solar tubes”), which can be found at most building supply stores.
#1. Buy the most energy-efficient They bring light into the home through the ceiling during the day so no electric lights are
appliances you can find. If you have to needed. Don’t forget battery or solar devices for light, as backups or for use in a cabin.
use electricity to perform a task or to provide
a convenience you truly depend on, use Air conditioning: In some environments, the AC really drives up the electric bill. However,
devices that need the least amount of power using ancient building technology, homes could (and should) be built that require very little
possible. For example, while you might love power for cooling (or heating).
your old side-by-side refrigerator from 1993,
there have been great advances in efficiency
in household appliances since yours was
built. A newer model will use significantly
less electricity, and it will probably have
more convenience and performance features
than that old power glutton in your kitchen.
#2. Use your electrical appliances more

efficiently. When doing your laundry and
running your dishwasher, make sure the
appliances run with as full a load as possible.
This will also reduce your use of water and
might even extend the life of your appliances
by running them less often. Another method,
even if it provides less savings, is to use iA seamstress
works with an old
LED night lights instead of leaving lamps treadle-powered
© Getty Images
sewing machine
and other incandescent bulbs burning
at home. Besides
throughout the night. The same applies to sewing by hand, old
treadle machines
outdoor lighting, whether the fixtures are on are still used in
timers or not. parts of the world.

BECAUSE
WE ARE SO
If all walls were insulated, including a thick layer above the ceiling, the need for any cooling
could be drastically reduced. Ancient desert homes and old Spanish missions in California had
thick walls, and they remained cool in the summer. Additionally, a roof painted white reflects DEPENDENT ON
the heat of the sun, and the house is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler because of this. Houses
with large overhangs also help keep the interior cooler in summer.
ELECTRICITY FOR
EVERYTHING,
Heating: Again, a heavily insulated home requires far less heating to keep warm in winter.
(I’ve documented a lot of this in my Self-Sufficient Home book). A small wood stove might be
WE ARE ALSO
all that is needed to keep a well-insulated home warm. VULNERABLE.
There are other passive methods that could (and should) be used so that less power is BATHROOM
needed to keep a house cool or warm, such as aligning the house and its windows to take Hair dryer: Completely unnecessary.
advantage of sunlight and prevailing wind currents.
Electric toothbrush: The dentist says
hA traditional
hand-cranked these get your teeth cleaner, and they
coffee grinder used probably do, in some instances. Otherwise,
to be a standard
tool in every home. buy a manual toothbrush with the
While mostly a
appropriate bristle texture for your teeth.
novelty today, it can
still serve the same
function if the grid
goes down. Small space heater: These are energy-
gobblers that are unnecessary. Learn to let
your body adapt to various temperatures.
Add a sweater if you feel a chill.
Lighting: Again, consider light tubes. These

bring light via a tube from the outside
into a room. Some light up very well, thus
requiring no electrical usage for lighting in a
room so modified.
LAUNDRY/CLOTHES
Washing machine: There is no easy
hBelow: An
example of manual counterpart to the modern washing
a traditional machine, yet people have washed clothes by
kitchen that uses
© Getty Images
no electricity but hand in buckets and nearby bodies of water

is still an efficient
for millennia. At the very least, you should be
place to prepare
meals and warm prepared to do so if necessary.
part of the home
© Getty Images

© Getty Images
… WHEN EVERYTHING Clothes dryer: I have an inexpensive solar clothes dryer ... it’s called a “clothes line”!
WAS DONE BY HAND IN Sewing machine: I first learned to sew by hand using a needle and thread. I learned to do
THE PAST, THERE WAS AN this so I could repair my pants if I ripped them on a camping trip. Later, I learned to sew on an
INDIVIDUAL QUALITY TO, electric Singer machine, which I found difficult (especially when my mother complained that I
broke so many needles!).
AND SATISFACTION GAINED
FROM, GOODS PRODUCED Later, living on my grandfather’s farm, I would use an old treadle-powered Singer machine
whose speed I could control. The old, foot-powered sewing machine works just like the electric
THAT ARE VIRTUALLY model, except you control the power with your foot. I’ve heard that these are now collector’s
UNKNOWN TODAY. items but that some are still available. If all else fails, sew by hand.
hAbove: The Amish of

Pennsylvania, among
many others in the
United States and
around the world, dry
their clothes in the
sun on a traditional
clothes line.
hLeft: Most of these

manual tools have
been replaced by
modern electric
versions … none of
which will work when
the grid goes down.
iRight: If electric
stoves are so great,
why do professional
chefs use gas? Gas
is the better way
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
to prepare food
and can still be
depended upon to
cook and warm a
chilly kitchen when
the power is out.

KITCHEN
Coffee grinder: These are great, and I have Various “food processors”: Yes, these electrical gadgets can make life easier and make
one. But I also have an old-fashioned hand- cooking quicker. Although I possess few of them, I understand their niche. Still, most of
cranked coffee grinder, and I love it. You get a the kitchen tasks can be done well with a breadboard and a good knife. I keep a hand-
little exercise while grinding your beans. powered wheat grinder for grains, along with a hand-cranked meat grinder I use mostly
for processing acorns.
Electric orange-juicers: Wholly
unnecessary. The glass or plastic ones only WORKSHOP
take a minute to squeeze out a cup of juice. Some modern tasks can’t really be performed without electricity, because that’s part of their
intrinsic nature. Still, even when working on a car, there are so many simple tasks that do not
Electric juicers: Some fruit and vegetable require an electric device.
juicers have no manual counterpart.
However, you can buy a manual wheat grass Drill: Does anyone own a manual drill anymore? Yes, they exist, and you can get them at
juicer that separates the fiber from the juice some woodworking shops or just by shopping around. I mostly use my battery-operated drill,
as you crank it. and I could power its batteries from the sun if I had to. But if you’re doing regular woodwork—
and maybe metal work—a hand-pumped drill can do just about any job. I remember
Electric knives: Really? visiting an Amish wood shop in rural Ohio. I was amazed at the level of craftsmanship they
accomplished using only hand tools. Not only that, the shop was very quiet as everyone went
Food graters: I have a metal cheese grater about their work.
I use to manually grate cheese, cucumbers,
iThis classic
carrots and many other food items. It works manual juicer,
or something
fine. Every kitchen should have one.
similar, is all
you need for
your morning
Electric can openers: I agree these can be glass of orange
convenient, but they shouldn’t be your only or grapefruit
juice.
way to open a can. Make sure your kitchen
has a quality hand-operated can opener.
I was once visiting friends in another city,

and they experienced a blackout in the
evening. They had some candles, so there
was lighting. But they wanted to open some
cans of soup to serve everyone an evening
snack. Would you believe that the only
can opener in the house was the electric
model mounted on the wall? (My friend
and I pulled out our Swiss Army knives and
opened the cans.)
Electric stoves: Gas stoves are far more

efficient than electric stoves. Plus, if you
have a yard, consider having a backyard
stove, as well as a simple solar cooker for
daytime cooking.
Small electric ovens: These can be very

convenient, but make sure you have a backup.
Solar ovens work well in most of the country
(during the day), and there are countless
quality stoves (often sold to backpackers)
that cook well on very little fuel.
Garbage disposals: I am of the

belief that the main use for these
electrical devices is to keep plumbers
in business. I have always removed
them from every place I have lived,
© Getty Images
because they are unnecessary uses of

water and electricity, and the vegetable
scraps are best tossed into a compost
pile to make soil for your garden.

Saw: Power saws (circular saws, chain
saws, etc.) are ubiquitous at work sites.
However, a young guy would scarcely
believe you could build a house (or barn)
with just hand saws. Yet, such has been
the case since houses have been built. Just
keep these saws sharpened.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Hammer: I wasn’t much of a fan of the
electric nail-driver when it was introduced, but
in fact, it has reduced a great deal of the noise
of house-building. It used to be that when
you were near a crew working on a house or
condos, the noise was deafening, and it was
mostly hammers driving nails. In this case, the
electric nail-driver has significantly reduced
the volume level. Still, the hammer is never far
away, should it be needed.
YARD/FARM
Weed-whacker: This is an unnecessary lazy-
man’s gardening tool that should simply not
be used. Typically, it scores the base of trees
when “gardeners” try to clear out grass and
other plants around the base of the tree. This
© Getty Images
often leads to the death of the tree. Manual
hoes and rakes are a simpler and superior way
to deal with such issues.
Blowers: Eliminate them entirely. Human

civilization (and agriculture) has existed for
iTop left: A
manual typewriter … TODAY, ELECTRICITY TOUCHES
EVEN THE MOST REMOTE PARTS OF
millennia without these energy-hungry, dust- allows you to write
legibly anywhere
producing devices. They are a pox on modern without electricity.
life. Use a broom or a rake! THE GLOBE. IT CAN DO MUCH GOOD.
Cement mixers: Electric cement mixers are iTop right: Electric BUT IT CAN ALSO BE GONE IN A
MOMENT.
leaf blowers are
seen at every U.S. construction site. You’d loud and kick up
a lot of dust, as do
assume that you couldn’t mix cement without their gas-powered
one. However, I’ve worked on large porch cousins. On the GONE IN A FLASH
other hand, a good,
projects for which we’ve mixed all the cement old rake moves Obviously, not every electrical device (such as a television, telephone or computer) has a
with a shovel in a wheelbarrow and a large tub. materials with manual counterpart, although even these can be powered by batteries—which, in turn, can be
precision and
And I’ve watched multi-story building projects actually does a kept charged by the sun.
more thorough job
in Mexico that rose with no electric cement
of removing leaves
mixers. It can be done … especially if you have and other debris The use of electricity has become an intrinsic part of modern life, and some aspects of modern life
from grass.
no other choice. (such as some of the functions in hospitals) would actually be chaotic if electricity were to stop.
AT THE OFFICE iAbove: Scythes From the perspective of sustainability and of the survival of civilization, it’s good to remind
come in a variety
Typewriter: Have you already tossed away ourselves that life has gone on for a very long time without any electricity at all. Every basic
of sizes and shapes
your old manual typewriter? They weren’t and, while very function of human life has continued for millennia without electricity—growing, harvesting,
effective yard and
nearly as much trouble, nor as costly, as field maintenance cooking and preserving food, building homes and schools, having children, healing sicknesses,
computers, and if the power goes down, at tools, have been making pottery and art, making clothing, animal husbandry, monetary exchanges, etc.
all but replaced
least you have a way to type your letters, by powered weed-
articles and notes. whackers. Nevertheless, today, electricity touches even the most remote parts of the globe. It can do
much good. But it can also be gone in a moment.
Rolodex: Today, everyone keeps all their
addresses and phone numbers in an electronic For those of us who value the continuity of our lives and our families, we don’t necessarily
device. It’s wise and prudent to keep a paper forsake all uses of electricity; rather, we find manual (and battery-operated) counterparts
backup of all your important contacts. wherever possible. ASG

AT HOME ON
ANY FRONT
CRKT’S NEW HOMEFRONT TAKEDOWN FOLDER IS A
TOP CHOICE WHEN SURVIVAL GETS A LITTLE MESSY.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

… THE
I
like quality knives of all types, and my preferences seem cyclical: from large fixed blades hAbove: What
separates the
to small fixed blades to traditional folders to tactical folders and hunters. I appreciate
the benefits of each and how they fulfill their designated roles.
Homefront from
other folders HOMEFRONT
CAN EASILY BE
is the ability to
disassemble it in
the field without
DISASSEMBLED
But, with the new Homefront folder from Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), I think any tools.
I’ve found a folder that just might bump some carry time from my midsized fixed blades.
IN THE FIELD
A KNIFE APART
The Homefront folder is a knife apart, because it literally ... comes apart. Unlike other folders,
WITHOUT
the Homefront can easily be disassembled in the field without tools into three major compo- TOOLS INTO
nents—the blade and two handle scales. To accomplish this, you turn a lever that is recessed
at the front of the left grip panel. Then, you rotate the gear-like wheel to unscrew the grip
THREE MAJOR
panels at the rear. That’s all there is to it. COMPONENTS …
CRKT refers to the design as “Field Strip” technology, and it was the brainchild of renowned
knife designer Ken Onion.
hThe new Homefront from Columbia River

Knife & Tool is a general-purpose folder that
performs most cutting tasks well.

CRKT
HOMEFRONT
Specifications
Overall length: 8.313 inches
Closed length: 4.728 inches
Blade thickness: 0.133 inch
Blade steel: AUS 8 stainless
Blade finish: Brushed steel
Blade edge: Plain
Locking mechanism: Liner lock
Handle: 6061 aluminum
Weight: 4.8 ounces
MSRP: $150
The ability to disassemble the Homefront

without tools gives it a tremendous advan-
tage over other folders. Whether I’m using
a knife for cleaning a trout, field-dressing
game or gathering edible roots and tubers, a
knife can easily become clogged with gunk.
If I’m hunting or hiking the backcountry or
caught in a survival situation, the last thing I
need is a knife that is unable to open or close
completely or lock securely.
I also like to keep my knives in good shape.

The ability to disassemble one so easily
for cleaning and maintenance saves time
spent putting a drop of oil on a cotton swap
to clean out the insides, as I’d have to do
with a normal folder.
OTHER FEATURES
What’s the Homefront like? Here’s the
breakdown on this takedown:
The Homefront features a 3.5-inch, plain-

edge blade of AUS 8, a good corrosion-resis-
tant steel for a knife that’s intended for messy
work. The blade is a modified drop point in
configuration, but it’s not so down-turned as
to prevent good penetration. The brushed
finish is subdued and not too shiny.

DESIRABLE The blade also features a rounded flipper, which is much easier to use with either hand than
thumb studs for one-handed opening under stress or when things get slippery. The liner lock
FEATURES
system is simple and sure. The textured handle scales are aluminum, and there is jimping on
the back of the blade and the handle for secure control. The green handle scales and the
bronze star on the pivot give it a retro World War II/U.S. Army appearance.
OF A GOOD POCKET PREPAREDNESS

A fixed-blade knife might be inherently stronger, quicker to deploy and easier to clean than
FOLDER
a folder, but the Homefront’s blade flipper and the knife’s ability to be disassembled for
cleaning lessens some of those last two advantages.
Because I normally carry a hatchet or folding saw for chopping and larger cutting chores, I
Let’s face it: There are any number of folding knives that will
don’t need a large fixed blade most times. A good folding knife performs well for the majority
perform well for cutting rope, processing game, fashioning
of my cutting needs.
snare triggers, producing shavings for tinder, opening packages,
preparing food and other tasks. However, the CRKT Homefront
is especially good at those things. And a folder has its own advantages. The obvious one is that a folder fits handily
in a pocket. That ability goes well with my constant state of readiness that I like to
With so many capable folders on the market, the right call “pocket preparedness.”
knife for you can be a subjective matter. Here are some of
my personal preferences for the features I want to see on a Simply put, besides a handgun on my hip, my everyday carry gear includes pocketable
“perfect” folding knife: items such as a lighter or ferro rod to make fire, a flashlight, a small compass for navigation
and a knife as a tool to improvise other things I need. So, even if I’m not carrying a daypack,
> Open design: Other than the Homefront, folders can be I have these basic survival items—the essentials I need to handle
difficult to disassemble. That’s why I like a knife with an most impromptu situations.
open-frame design that uses spacers between the handle
scales. While some claim this lets more lint and debris in,
It’s not just a matter of always being prepared. Traveling light
it also allows it to fall right out again without trapping
is another plus for a folder. Many times, I travel intentionally
moisture inside that can cause corrosion.
with minimal gear when I feel that leaving behind certain
comforts is more than offset by the freedom and pleasure
> Clip blade: I never have trouble field-dressing game with
a clip blade and actually prefer using the very tip when of lugging less gear.
reaching inside up past my elbow. A well-configured clip
point—one that’s not too thin or too upswept—can be
sturdy enough. And although a drop point might be even
stronger, the clip point is generally a better penetra-
tor—better when strapped to a staff to form a lance for
defense or hunting in a survival situation.
> Tip-down carry: I don’t use a pocket clip very often.

I don’t like to advertise that I’m carrying a knife. Also,
most pocket clips are positioned for tip-up carry. I prefer hThe CRKT Homefront
tip-down carry, because I find it quicker, easier and feels good in the hand. Its
textured handle scales
more natural to draw the knife from that position with and jimping on the back
my thumb and index finger without having to reach as of the frame provide a
secure grip.
far into the pocket of my jeans. I’ve also been poked on
more than one occasion when a tip-up knife partially
opened in my pocket.
> Flipper: I’ve already mentioned I like a flipper for the

ease of one-handed opening with either hand and the
added measure of safety the flipper provides as a finger
guard when the knife is open.
> Lanyard hole: When I’m canoeing or kayaking, I like to be

able to secure my knife to a cord that’s attached to my
belt. That way, if I’m cutting fishing line, I don’t have to
worry about dropping my knife overboard.
> Locking mechanism: I don’t necessarily prefer one

locking mechanism over another for a general field
knife, as long as it locks securely and unlocks without
too much force required.

hThe Homefront proved very capable and
stayed sharp during the rather mundane tests
of slicing and penetrating cardboard—tasks that
can dull a blade in a hurry.
The only double-walled collapsible
IT ARRIVED SHARP ® container designed not to leak!
AND STAYED
SMART BOTTLE
s Tough nylon exterior layer with
THAT WAY, EVEN second inner layer prevents leaks
AFTER PUTTING IT s For liquids and pourable solids
THROUGH SOME s Collapsible, compact, lightweight
s Top and bottom handles for easy
PENETRATION carry and pouring
AND SLICING s Four grommets for hanging
TESTS ON THICK s Sizes 1/2, 1, 2 1/2 and 5 gallon
CARDBOARD … s Fast Pour or Tube Spout for
filtering applications
B O T T L E
hThe rounded flipper on the Homefront’s blade

becomes an effective finger guard when the Order at: WWW.SMARTBOTTLEINC.COM
knife is opened.
Phone: 828-658-0912 KRW1161

OTHER CRKT A folder carried in a pocket is also more
discreet. So, if my travels on any particular
HOMEFRONT MODELS
day take me in and out of both remote and
civilized surroundings, I don’t have to worry
about my knife startling any overly sensitive
passersby. Beyond that, because a knife also
The Homefront model I tested had a good, all-around blade. But CRKT does make other serves as a backup weapon, I’m not anxious
models if you want something a little different. to advertise my defensive capabilities.
> Homefront EDC. The Homefront EDC also has a drop point blade, but it’s made with PERFORMANCE
1.4116 stainless steel. This model features a glass-reinforced nylon handle and is more I enjoyed working with the Homefront.
affordable (MSRP: $99.99). The textured aluminum handle scales
provided just enough grip. I especially like
> Homefront Hunter. The Homefront Hunter also has a 1.4116 stainless steel blade and knives with a flipper, not just because
is configured with lots of belly for field-dressing and skinning game. It features a glass-
they’re easy to open with either hand, but
reinforced nylon handle in Realtree Xtra camo (MSRP: $99.99).
because the flipper acts as a finger guard
> Homefront Tactical. The Homefront Tactical model features a black EDP-coated, tanto- when the knife is open.
shaped blade of 1.4116 stainless steel and a glass-reinforced nylon handle (MSRP: $99.99).
Whether I was slicing meat or cutting
vegetables in the kitchen, producing wood
shavings or splitting sticks in the woods,
cutting cord or opening packages, the
Homefront performed well. It arrived sharp
and stayed that way, even after putting
it through some penetration and slicing
tests on thick cardboard … which can be
unforgiving on knife steel.
When the knife got messy at times, I simply

disassembled it, rinsed it off, wiped it down
with an oily cloth and put it back together.
Everyone I showed it to wanted one.
hThe Homefront EDC is a slightly more

affordable model than the one the
author tested. (Photo: CRKT)
BECAUSE OF ITS FIELD STRIP

TECHNOLOGY, THE CRKT
HOMEFRONT GIVES YOU AN
EASY-TO-CLEAN FOLDER hThe Homefront Hunter has a blade
better configured for skinning chores.
FOR THE TIMES A FOLDER IS

(Photo: CRKT)
PREFERRED OVER A FIXED

BLADE.
hThe green handle scales and bronze star on the pivot give the knife a retro World War II/U.S.
Army appearance.
hThe CRKT Homefront feels good in the hand. Its textured handle scales and jimping on the back
of the frame provide a secure grip.
hHomefront’s blade is sturdy enough for moderate splitting chores.

SOME
FAVORITES
While I might prefer the features men-
tioned in the sidebar on page 114, some of
my all-time favorite folders don’t include
many of them. I’ll always be fond of the iThis Benchmade
simple Buck 110 Folding Hunter, which was Contego features
the special blue-
my first folding hunting knife. I’m also and-black G10 grip
partial to the Benchmade Contego (810- panels offered
exclusively at
1401), with its 3.9-inch blade. When I go to
Knifeworks (www.
a smaller knife, the Benchmade Axis Flipper KnifeWorks.com)
(3.18-inch blade) is a favorite.
For simplicity and strength, the Cold Steel

Ultimate Hunter, with a 3.5-inch blade and
Tri-Ad lock, is near the top of my list. When I
need a knife with a variety of tools, I choose
the Victorinox Ranger Grip 178. It’s a Swiss
Army Knife on steroids, with a one-handed-open-
ing, 3.9-inch main blade that locks. This knife
includes a saw, screwdrivers, can opener and more. iThe Victorinox
Ranger Grip 178 fea-
tures a thumb hole
for one-handed
opening. The blade
locks open and un-
locks by depressing
the Swiss insignia.
The knife offers
a good variety of
JUST BLADES? useful tools.
I like the blade on the Homefront. But I
can’t help thinking it would be nice if, in
the future, CRKT would offer customers the
opportunity to buy just the blades in different
configurations so the user could outfit their
Homefront handle with the blade most
appropriate for the mission without the need
to buy another complete knife.
FIELD PROMOTION
Survival can be a messy business. Because
of its Field Strip technology, the CRKT
iThe Benchmade
Homefront gives you an easy-to-clean folder Axis Flipper is a
for the times a folder is preferred over a fixed smaller, but very
capable, knife that
blade. I intend to continue to put this knife to rides a bit easier in
the pocket.
the test in the coming months.
Although I am not ready to abandon some

of the other knives I’ve come to trust over the
years, I have to tell you: The CRKT Homefront
is quickly rising through the ranks of my
favorite folders. ASG
SOURCE
COLUMBIA RIVER
iThe open-frame
KNIFE & TOOL design of the
Benchmade Axis
(800) 891-3100 Flipper helps keep
www.CRKT.com moisture-laden lint
from corroding the
inside of the knife.

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ESSENTIAL
REPLENISHABLE ADDITIONS TO YOUR MEDICAL KIT
BY DANA BENNER

OILS
© Getty Images

J
ust imagine: Your worst fears
have come to pass, and life
as you know it comes to a
screeching halt. Lines of
communication and trans-
portation cease to exist. The energy grids go
down, and manufacturing stops. There is no
way for supplies—any that might still exist,
that is—to get from one place to another.
Stores are emptied in hours.
Regardless of the cause, something this pro-

found could happen in your area, and you’ll
have no idea how long the effects of the
event could last. If something serious like iIn this product,
essential oils are
this occurs in your area, to make it through, blended into a
beeswax base to
you will have to rely upon what you have on
make a salve to
hand and available. heal sore muscles
and joints.
To make matters worse, chances are that

you will never have enough of the right sup-
plies stockpiled. This is especially true when
it comes to medical supplies. Medicines will WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
run out, with little to no hope of re-supply. Like most people, I had heard of essential oils. In the Christian story about the birth of Christ,
the three wise men brought Jesus gifts of frankincense and myrrh—both of which, I learned,
What will you do when that happens? You are essential oils. My mother was a healer, using herbs and plant media to treat everything
will need to draw upon the lessons taught from colds to burns and cuts, so I have some knowledge in that aspect of plant usage. In
by our ancestors and rely on the natural today’s world, we know essential oils as ingredients in soaps, perfumes and skin care products.
medicines that can be found around us. One
of those natural medicines is a group known Now, you ask, “How can these natural elements be of use in my medical kit?” “What makes
as “essential oils.” them work?”
hPeppermint oil is a basic that hLavender is one of the top hFrankincense, although not hBlack pepper is a mainstay
should be in everyone’s medical five essential oils. one of the top five must-have in many essential oil blends.
bag. This is a bottle of pure essential oils, is great to have
peppermint oil that must be on hand.
mixed with a carrier oil.

TOP 5
ESSENTIAL
OILS
Essential Oil Medical Uses
Lavender i Skin care

i Wounds
i Sunburn
i Pain relief
i Antiseptic
i Calming effect
Tea Tree i Immune support

i Skin wounds
i Insect bites
i Fungal infections
Peppermint i Antiseptic
i Antibacterial
i Decongestant
i Antiemetic
i Digestive problems
i Headaches
© Getty Images
Eucalyptus i Antiseptic
i Antiviral
i Decongestant
i Insect repellent
Clove i Antifungal
i Antiseptic
PERHAPS THERE WILL i Antiviral
BE A TIME WHEN WHAT i Analgesic
i
WE NOW CONSIDER Sedative
“COMMON” WILL NO
LONGER BE READILY
AVAILABLE. WE MIGHT
BE FORCED TO TAKE
A STEP BACK AND
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.
ESSENTIAL OILS ARE
SOME VIABLE OPTIONS
WE SHOULD BE
INVESTIGATING.
hChamomile has been used
for centuries. It is another
good choice to keep on hand.

© Getty Images
hAbove: Essential oils,
To find the answers to these questions, along with a broad
range of natural spirits
I turned to expert sources I could trust. I and acids, are stored
contacted Dr. Joseph Alton and Amy Alton, in brown glass bottles
to lengthen their shelf
A.R.N.P., who own Doom and Bloom; Retha lives.
Nesmith, certified aromatherapist for Plant
Therapy in Idaho; Victoria DiMonda, R.N.,
owner of Green Mountain Tick Repellent in
Vermont; and Karen Girardo, owner of Just
Naturals, in Bedford, New Hampshire. All are
authorities in the use of essential oils and
provided me with a wealth of information.
Essential oils are “ … liquids comprised of

highly concentrated aromatic mixtures
of compounds obtained from plants
© Getty Images
… ,” according to The Survival Medicine

Handbook, written by Joseph and Amy
Alton. They go on to say that these oils are
called “essential,” because they are all the
good things in the plant condensed into hAbove: This is a sprig from a
just the oil. Retha Nesmith told me that eucalyptus tree.
because of their high concentrations, it

only takes a few drops of any particular oil
to do the job.

Many of the oils are extracted from some In short, distillation involves adding the
plants that have been used by healers and selected plants to water, which is then
herbologists for centuries. The difference is boiled to produce steam. The steam rises
that healers usually use certain parts of the and runs through cooling coils, which con-
plant (leaves, flowers, bark) to make teas, dense it back to a liquid. The liquid, which is
salves and poultices. While these methods a mixture of water and the plant’s oils, runs
do use some of the natural oils of the plant, into a catch basin. Oil is normally lighter
they don’t get the full effect that could be
offered by using essential oils.
than water, so the oil separates from the
water and floats on top. It’s from here that
the oil is collected. This is a very simplified
STORAGE
Essential oils are considered “volatile,” explanation, because there is a real science Essential oils are very sensitive to
meaning that they evaporate very quickly. to this process. Different oils evaporate at light and sudden temperature changes.
For this reason, it is important to dilute different temperatures, and to get it right The best way to preserve their med-
them in a neutral carrier oil. This is especially takes a great deal of hard work. ical effectiveness is to store them in
true if the oil is to be used topically. The dark-tinted glass bottles and keep them
carrier oil keeps the essential oil stabilized Can this process be done by someone at in a cool, dark place. The dark glass helps
long enough for the skin to absorb it and home or in an emergency situation? Basically, to protect these oils from ultraviolet
get the full benefits. how feasible would this be as an addition light, which will weaken the oil over time.
Dark amber is the best color for storage
to the grab bag of emergency medical
bottles. Dark shades of blue, green and
HOW ARE ESSENTIAL OILS supplies? The answers? Yes, it can be done,
violet will also work.
OBTAINED? and it is quite feasible.
The process of extracting oils from plants is a
long one, with the most widely used method We have been using the process of distilla-
being distillation. It is the same general tion for centuries, going back to the ancient
process used to make alcohol from grain or Orient, Greece and Rome, so it can be done
getting fresh drinking water from saltwater. today. A crude still can be made from many
MANY OF THE OILS ARE EXTRACTED

FROM SOME PLANTS THAT HAVE
BEEN USED BY HEALERS AND
HERBOLOGISTS FOR CENTURIES.
iTop right: Essential oils are

the main ingredient in all-
natural insect repellents.
iRight: Eucalyptus oil is

great for respiratory issues.
iBelow right: Lemon oil is the

base for many antibacterial
and antiviral cleaners.
different things. All that is needed: a fire,
a vessel in which to heat the water/plant
mixture, some metal tubing (copper is the
best) and a vessel to collect the liquid.
Caution needs to be taken here, because

any metal that contains lead, including
soldered joints, will poison you very quickly.
If possible, stick with copper. Although
everything can be done at home—and it is a
great skill to have under your belt—I would
first figure out which essential oils are the
“go-to” essential oils and buy them already
made. As long as the bottles stay sealed,
they will last a long time, and you will have
them when they are needed.
Generally, the entire plant can be used to

make essential oils. Each part of the plant has
© Getty Images
different medicinal properties, and it is the
concentration of these different properties
that makes essential oils so effective.
MEDICINAL USES
The medicinal uses of essential oils are
almost endless. They can be used to treat THE PROCESS OF EXTRACTING OILS hAbove: A clove
plant in its early
FROM PLANTS IS A LONG ONE, WITH

flowering stage.
everything from breathing problems to cuts
and burns. Some are great for the treatment
of joint and muscle pain; others can be used THE MOST WIDELY USED METHOD
as a safe insect repellent. BEING DISTILLATION.
© Getty Images
hLeft: Special
care is taken while
filling bottles with
essential oils.

CAN YOU SURVIVE:
NO FOOD? NO WATER? NO ELECTRICITY?
Do Y
You
o
ou Ha
Have
ve the K
Knowledge
nowledge tto
oSSurvive?
urvive?
!
!

!
LEARN ONLINE
CAPTIONS (clockwise from top left)
•
•
•
•
The most popular way of getting the benefits of
essential oils is either through topical application
or aromatherapy. Some people suggest ingesting
these oils. I wouldn’t—unless you are under
supervised treatment from a certified medical
professional. All the experts I consulted do not
recommend that these oils be ingested.
Old age and serious abuse have taken their toll

on my muscles and joints. While I have tried
many pharmaceuticals, I don’t like putting any
manufactured chemicals into my body that I
don’t have to.
Karen Girardo recommended two of her topical

products made from essential oils. The first is
Muscle Soother, which is a salve made from
beeswax and a blend of peppermint, ginger and
clove essential oils; the second is Pain Relief
Blend. This blend’s ingredients include calendula,
peppermint, ginger and clove oils mixed in a
coconut oil carrier. Both work great in relieving
some of my pain.
A friend of mine suffers from joint inflamma-

tion and sciatica. Retha Nesmith gave me the
© Getty Images
formula to use:
hThese are manuka flowers in bloom on a manuka tree (otherwise known as a tea tree).
SOURCES
Joseph Alton, M.D.
Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.
www.DoomandBloom.net
Victoria DiMonda, R.N.

www.GMTick.com
Karen Girardo
(603) 606-1345
www.JustNaturalProducts.com
Retha Nesmith,
Certified Aromatherapist
(800) 917-6577
www.PlantTherapy.com
© Getty Images
hA healthy peppermint plant

THE MEDICINAL USES OF

ESSENTIAL OILS ARE ALMOST T P S A R M S
ENDLESS. THEY CAN BE USED TA CTI CA L PA RTS
S U P P LY & A R M S
TO TREAT EVERYTHING FROM

BREATHING PROBLEMS TO

CUTS AND BURNS.

Designed for those who require safety and reliability of a
mil-spec trigger. The pull of the ETG is manufactured to be
sharper and the grittiness and creep of the stock trigger
pull has been removed. The pull weight is not lower than
the M4/M16 minimum weight specification of 5.5 lbs.

© Getty Images

hFlowers of a pink manuka tree—also known as a New Zealand tea tree
(Leptospermum scoparium). The flowers are approximately ¾ inch in diameter.

Our parts are
proudly made
Mix the essential oils frankincense carteri, black pepper and chamomile German
(320)358-0230 in the USA.
CO2 with coconut oil and apply to the area to be treated. While the cause of the
inflammation needs to be addressed, this mixture does seem to alleviate the pain
associated with it.
AD INDEX
As with everything else, there is a natural way to keep insects away. Victoria
DiMonda has been using the essential oils rose geranium, lemongrass and cedar-
wood in her tick repellent for years. It works, and I live by it. (I just wish she had
something that is effective against black flies and mosquitoes!) AUGUST 2017
Karen Girardo makes a natural bug spray that combines the oils from cloves, pep- ADVERTISER PAGE
permint, geraniums and cedar. This product seems to work on those flying insects.
Acme United Corporation 53
(You might have noticed that both products contain cedar oil. Cedar has been Aero Precision 109
used for years to repel moths and other insects. That is why chests and closets are Atabase 113
Battlbox LLC 7
often lined with it.) Bradford USA 117
Bravo Company 2-3
Condor Outdoor 132
Essential oils work the best via aromatherapy. Some oils are optimally effective
Doom and Bloom, LLC 55
when they are inhaled. Globalstar 57
Hogue Grips 21
Jantz Supply 29, 119
For instance, lavender and eucalyptus help with respiratory problems; and lavender,
KRW Packing Machinery 115
peppermint and chamomile relieve stress and help you focus. The ultimate tool LT Wright Handcrafted Knife Company 65
we have in a survival situation is our ability to think and react. Sound decisions are Major Surplus & Survival 10-11
Military 1st 45
made with a clear mind. These oils, in association with aromatherapy, help keep you O.F. Mossberg Firearms 91
on the right track. OFD Foods, Inc 47
Ready Made Resources 37
Surefire 73
Essential oils, although they seem to be a little complicated, are items we all need TOPS Knives 131
to have in our medical tool kits. Survival is all about living with what the world Tormach LLC 83
TPS Arms 129
gives you. Hopefully, you’ll be able to source some of these plants locally.
Vista Outdoor 93
World Gone Silent 75
Perhaps there will be a time when what we now consider “common” will no longer
be readily available. We might be forced to take a step back and make adjust- The Advertiser Index is provided as a service to American Survival Guide readers.
American Survival Guide is not responsible for omissions or typographical errors on names or page numbers..
ments. Essential oils are some viable options we should be investigating. ASG

HOW DURABLE
IS THE GRID?
E
verywhere you look at information on prepping, including in the me wonder how robust the reporting system is. Of the average 174 outages per
pages of American Survival Guide, you read about what to do year over this period, an average of almost 50 outages reported an “unknown”
“when the grid goes down.” It’s a common topic and a scenario number of customers affected and an average of 29 more outages listed
all of us can relate to, because we’ve all endured a power during which no customers lost power. That means about 45 percent of the
outage of some duration. electric emergencies that occurred reported that either zero or an unknown
number of customers were affected. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is sketchy
The “grid-down scenario” is a good reference, too, because it’s fairly easy reporting, at best, and a serious concern, at worst.
to imagine some of the impacts we’d suffer if we lost access to our normally
unlimited supply of electricity to power virtually every aspect of our lives. The Just for fun, I looked at all the outages that lasted longer than 48 hours:
truth is, the impact would be a lot worse than most people imagine. There were 16 that ranged from 48 hours to more than 33 days. Fortunately,
almost 63 percent lasted three days or less.
Many people don’t think about the electric current required to get their gas
or oil furnaces to start and then circulate warm air or water throughout their The primary reported culprit for power outages was the weather. Regardless
homes. Modern gas water heaters require an electrical connection to function, of whether the cause was ice storms, high winds or other environmental
as do most important systems and devices in our lives. issues, Mother Nature caused seven of these power interruptions. Three of the
power outages were caused by “fuel supply deficiencies” that were loosely
Because the topic of losing access to electricity comes up so much, I recently defined as “fuel supply emergencies that could impact electric power system
did a little research to see how common it is for part of the grid to go down adequacy or reliability.” Really?!
anywhere in the United States. I was surprised to learn how seemingly difficult
it is to track what one would think is a simple event to identify, assess the Two of the electric emergencies were attributed to vandalism (the news
impact of and report on. reports for which I must have missed). Another two were caused by “distribution
interruptions”; this phrase seems as nondescriptive as possible. The remaining
I’ll spare you the details of my search, but here is the net result of what I was two electric emergencies were blamed on a “transmission interruption” and a
able to find in Department of Energy records for the years 2012 through 2016: “systems operation failure.”
Over the past five years, there was an average of 174 electric emergencies I know this is fairly dry stuff, but I think it illustrates that power outages
and disturbances that resulted in power outages of any duration. The highest happen very often, for many reasons, and we discuss it because it is a credible
number of events was 214 in 2014, and 2016 had the least, with 141 power threat to our way of life.
outages. The largest number of people were affected during 2012, with almost
22.7 million customers having experienced a power loss that year. Maybe the growing pressures on America’s aging power grid have gotten to
the point at which it makes more sense for you to explore your own means of
There were a couple of frustrating pieces of the puzzle, as well, that made generating electricity. ASG
130 AMERICAN
AMERICAN SURVIVAL
SURVIVAL GUIDE
GUIDE [AUGUST
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Some articles in this issue might

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MSRP MSRP MSRP

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[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 9

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[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 15

That doesn’t mean you can’t take parts of

Trunk: If you can get into it, ﬁrst check

If you plan to remain close to this car, con-

Glove Box: Inside this and the center

16 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [AUGUST 2017]

If the car in question is abandoned on the side of the road and

Insulation can be added to the windows to keep in the

The ultimate car shelter would be one that moves

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 17

A word of caution: Avoid scavenging anything

Nevertheless, car mirrors can be used for

18 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [AUGUST 2017]

HUB CAPS AND LIGHT LENSES

Wrenches: Most cars these days—domestic and foreign—

Tin Snips and Wire Cutters: Gathering a grip of various

Screwdrivers and Pry Bars: In addition to removing

Length of Hose: This can be any decent hose (a garden

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 19

Lenses from taillights or turn indicators can

The foam material inside the seats is

Headliners are usually one-piece materials

20 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [AUGUST 2017]

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 21

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 23

i Avoid walking in the bright sunlight if

sure to avoid “skylining” yourself. This hap- This, in turn, will

24 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [AUGUST 2017]

However, because you are being stealthy,

i Keep your campsite as small as possible;

i While camping for pleasure often means

i Pick someplace with a natural barrier

camp set up, but

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