Comments on: Boost Your Survival Smarts http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/ Gear Articles for Gearheads Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:48:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Q http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Q Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:27:34 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-294 Small road flares (available at autoparts stores) are "small" and a great waterproof source of fire, light and signal. Not a bad idea for an emergency kit in true backcountry terrain. Also not bad to have in your car on the way to/from trailheads! Small road flares (available at autoparts stores) are “small” and a great waterproof source of fire, light and signal. Not a bad idea for an emergency kit in true backcountry terrain. Also not bad to have in your car on the way to/from trailheads!

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]]> By: Scott Harrison http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Scott Harrison Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:14:35 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-32 Great job, your information is there to make you think, and isn't that what survival techniques are all about. thanks P.S. Hey dan, hiking alone seems to be for you, you'll be the most knowledgeable guy in your crew. Great job, your information is there to make you think, and isn’t that what survival techniques are all about. thanks
P.S. Hey dan, hiking alone seems to be for you, you’ll be the most knowledgeable guy in your crew.

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]]> By: Pedro de la Ortiz http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Pedro de la Ortiz Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:55:23 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-29 Not a bad article for the medium. I think about this stuff all the time and do my best to not be the next victim. The most common error I make is thinking that its only a short outing into my own neck of the woods so I wont take a pack or I wont move my survival gear from day pack to the hydration system. Wouldn't you know it but that is always the time when I need it. The freak hail storm, the broken hand hold and resulting tumble, the low blood sugar, or the storm that sets in just at night fall but miles from home. I never seem to use the stuff when I have it but always miss it when I dont. The morale of the story is to pack light and always carry it with you. No excuses! Not a bad article for the medium. I think about this stuff all the time and do my best to not be the next victim. The most common error I make is thinking that its only a short outing into my own neck of the woods so I wont take a pack or I wont move my survival gear from day pack to the hydration system. Wouldn’t you know it but that is always the time when I need it. The freak hail storm, the broken hand hold and resulting tumble, the low blood sugar, or the storm that sets in just at night fall but miles from home. I never seem to use the stuff when I have it but always miss it when I dont. The morale of the story is to pack light and always carry it with you. No excuses!

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]]> By: John Trask http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-27 John Trask Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:19:46 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-27 Always consider what might happen should you run into trouble, be it a local day hike or an extended backpacking trip. 10 Essentials for every outing 1. Topographic map of the area 2. Compass 3. Candle or fire starter. 4. Matches in a waterproof container 5. Knife 6. First-aid kit (containing at minimum roll 1" adhesive tape, 6 - 4" gauze pads, 1 1" gauze rolled bandage, 6 band-aids, small bottle of antiseptic, 1 single razor blade, 6 safety pins, and a small hemostat) 7. Sunglasses, and Sunscreen 8.Flashlight with extra batteries 9.Adequate water and extra food 10.Extra clothing appropriate for deteriorating conditions. (11.) Toilet paper The first eight items take up a minimum of room, and except for the map can all be stored in one small bag. To the list I would recommend adding a loud whistle (wear it around your neck), and a military surplus survival signal mirror (learn how to aim it, it's easy once you know how) Also it's not a good idea to travel alone, although many people do. Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared [for the worst, but expect to have a great time] Never under estimate how easy it is to become injured or lost or both. Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. Always consider what might happen should you run into trouble, be it a local day hike or an extended backpacking trip.

10 Essentials for every outing
1. Topographic map of the area
2. Compass
3. Candle or fire starter.
4. Matches in a waterproof container
5. Knife
6. First-aid kit (containing at minimum roll 1″ adhesive tape, 6 – 4″ gauze pads, 1 1″ gauze rolled bandage, 6 band-aids, small bottle of antiseptic, 1 single razor blade, 6 safety pins, and a small hemostat)
7. Sunglasses, and Sunscreen
8.Flashlight with extra batteries
9.Adequate water and extra food
10.Extra clothing appropriate for deteriorating conditions.
(11.) Toilet paper

The first eight items take up a minimum of room, and except for the map can all be stored in one small bag.
To the list I would recommend adding a loud whistle (wear it around your neck), and a military surplus survival signal mirror (learn how to aim it, it’s easy once you know how)

Also it’s not a good idea to travel alone, although many people do.

Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared [for the worst, but expect to have a great time]

Never under estimate how easy it is to become injured or lost or both.
Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared.

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]]> By: Jason http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Jason Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:27:19 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-25 Occasionally, I filter liquid through my underwear, but it doesn't taste good. OK, I would make the "comments" section text just as dark as the article. Perhaps a place for a jaunty little personal avatar. Then I would add the part where you can eat your shoe leather, unless you're a vegan. Then, I would tell jokes to boost morale. Then, I would make my girlfriend wash my feet with her hair. Mostly, make the comments section text just as dark as the rest of the article. That would make it better. Bathing is good, too. But, if it's survival bathing, I would do it in the nude. 'cause is someone saw me, I would not be embarrassed, I would be saved. Unless they were lost also. Then, damn. Occasionally, I filter liquid through my underwear, but it doesn’t taste good. OK, I would make the “comments” section text just as dark as the article. Perhaps a place for a jaunty little personal avatar. Then I would add the part where you can eat your shoe leather, unless you’re a vegan. Then, I would tell jokes to boost morale. Then, I would make my girlfriend wash my feet with her hair. Mostly, make the comments section text just as dark as the rest of the article. That would make it better. Bathing is good, too. But, if it’s survival bathing, I would do it in the nude. ’cause is someone saw me, I would not be embarrassed, I would be saved. Unless they were lost also. Then, damn.

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]]> By: Ann http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Ann Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:36:46 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-23 I always carry iodine and would not drink most backcountry water without it. Filter the water with your socks and underwear, then add iodine to the filtered water and let it sit for 30 minutes before drinking. I always carry iodine and would not drink most backcountry water without it. Filter the water with your socks and underwear, then add iodine to the filtered water and let it sit for 30 minutes before drinking.

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]]> By: har http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-20 har Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:28:29 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-20 Haha Dan sucks! Haha Dan sucks!

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]]> By: John Williams http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-19 John Williams Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:26:22 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-19 Any idea that keeps you up and alive is good. And yes, before saying anything won't work, tell me what will. If I might add something from my AF days ( their survival training as well) the lip balm idea or vasoline rub and any gauze. We took the gauze, two fingered a square of it, into the vasoline. Store it in a plastic bag or..(insert your container here).. when needed, simply tug a small corner off. You still have more to use later. And it burns well for a while. Kinda like a small sterno. Also, ever see those so-called burn bandages? The ones that the "first aid gurus" say never to use on a burn because of the petroleum jelly in the gauze........? Same deal...:) Good article, good info, stay close to your ex marine friend...:) Any idea that keeps you up and alive is good. And yes, before saying anything won’t work, tell me what will. If I might add something from my AF days ( their survival training as well) the lip balm idea or vasoline rub and any gauze. We took the gauze, two fingered a square of it, into the vasoline.
Store it in a plastic bag or..(insert your container here).. when needed, simply tug a small corner off. You still have more to use later. And it burns well for a while. Kinda like a small sterno. Also, ever see those so-called burn bandages? The ones that the “first aid gurus” say never to use on a burn because of the petroleum jelly in the gauze……..? Same deal…:)
Good article, good info, stay close to your ex marine friend…:)

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]]> By: Matt G http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Matt G Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:07:26 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-18 Drinking out of an old sock filled with sand doesn't partly purify water. You'll be drinking unpure water plus sock funk. Drinking out of an old sock filled with sand doesn’t partly purify water. You’ll be drinking unpure water plus sock funk.

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]]> By: Laura Alvarey http://backcountrybeacon.com/2009/07/boost-your-survival-smarts/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Laura Alvarey Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:40:27 +0000 http://backcountrybeacon.com/?p=509#comment-17 Awesome article, Genevieve. I liked the lip-balm tip. Awesome article, Genevieve. I liked the lip-balm tip.

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