'Net Loss

In the news today, there was an article about some 20 year old dying from a blood clot that formed after he had been sitting in the same position playing X-box for hours on end. I thought it was an interesting way to die, if really pathetic. I immediately leapt onto my Facebook page to make sure all my friends knew about it. Ditto for MySpace and LiveJournal….

Except that I didn’t, because I don’t belong to those social networking sites. Aside from the blogging I do here, and a presence on a few discussion boards, I don’t use social media. I don’t have a YouTube channel, and I don’t want one. Personally, I think they are detrimental to being properly prepared.

Overall, I think that many aspects of social media and the internet as a whole are negatives when it comes to preparedness. I agree that the net is an excellent way to meet other preppers and share ideas, but at some point it becomes too much of a good thing. If you wanted to, you could spend your entire day surfing survival sites. A dozen different web pages will teach you how to make fire, the best B.O.B. to build, and a thousand other things.

Unfortunately, you’re sitting there reading about it and not doing it. For far too many people, reading and talking takes the place of actually getting things done toward achieving a certain level of preparedness. Worse yet, while they might well read articles about how important it is to be physically prepared, they are sitting in front of a computer screen instead of being active and getting fit.

We’ve become a culture of observers and not doers. We have come to believe that answering our e-mail is equivalent to accomplishing a task like growing a garden or building a shed. Reading about gardening or woodworking is as far away from actually practicing those skills as you can get.

It is likely that you have all the info you need, and that more surfing, discussion boards, and downloading will just get you more of what you’ve already got. Now you need to take that information and put it too use: grow a garden, build a chair, learn to weld, or whatever else makes your socks roll up and down. Turn your damned computer off and get out there. The more time you waste here means less time to practice and prepare.

The other aspect of social media and the web is illustrated by the picture that heads this article. While it’s great to find others into survivalism and prepping, it’s unlikely that they live next door or even in your town. In a major crisis, it is the people living across the alley, next door, or down the block that you really need to know, not some faceless net friend. Contacts and your social network in real life are the ones that will be there to see you through, not all the people you ‘friended’ on Facebook.


It’s just common sense

A Matter of Degree

Another African nation is in the news lately. Somalia is enduring what has been called the worst famine in a generation, and millions are at risk. Drought is the primary cause, although there are contributing factors. There is little likelihood that sufficient aid will reach those in need quickly enough and in sufficient quantity to save many.

What relevance is this to us in affluent North America, you may ask. After all, what do we have in common with a war torn impoverished country in perpetually crisis ridden Africa? As it turns out, we have plenty. We just aren’t seeing the extremes….yet.

First up is climate change. I really don’t care if you think it is anthropogenic or a natural turn of earth’s climate. Perhaps it is both. The undeniable fact is that unless you are deliberately obtuse, we are facing changes in climate. A quick example is the fact that previously, you might see two or three +20C nights on the prairies, now there are roughly 20 per year, which means there is that much more energy for violent thunderstorms and other extreme weather events.

We have seen two very difficult, wet spring planting seasons on the prairies, and now we are gripped in a heat wave. Much of the southern USA is in a long and extreme drought. While we haven’t seen extreme crop failures as yet, growing conditions are changing, which bring new challenges to farmers.

Somalis are without significant government aid on any level. Here in North America, we have seen the inadequacy of resources available to deal with Katrina, and elsewhere with New Zealand and Japan. Compounding that, we are seeing governments at many levels trimming services to balance budgets which may leave what services there are stretched too thin too be of any real use.

So far, we don’t have the civil wars that plague Somalia. That could change if and when conditions worsen, either here or in the US. There is already a de facto movement to create a group of US states that would be a ‘redoubt’ against hard times, and a half serious idea has been floated to have counties of California secede and create a new state (one that incidentally would vote overwhelmingly Republican, but I digress). I doubt any American government will allow the first, and the second civil war would be on. Note also that warfare doesn’t need to involve governments. The escalation of gang warfare in many large cities can be as dangerous as any regular war.

Inflation is a problem in Somalia. Food prices have risen 270 percent in a short time. Worldwide, food prices have already been on the rise, and if we have a financial event of the right magnitude, it might well spark an inflationary spiral in the more developed nations.

Not that I’m saying that we have the trials that the Somalis are facing, far from it. I just want to point out that what they have in the extreme, we already possess the seeds of in some small way, and while things are pretty dang good over all, things can go from good to bad in a short period of time.

Take a minute to be thankful we live in a rich country that provides us the opportunity to put back supplies and equipment for hard times. Then get busy doing it.

We aren’t immune.

Originally posted July 24, 2011 @ CPN

Review: Dual Survival Season 2

The bloom is off of the rose. Season 2 of Dual Survival has run its course, and I have to say, while I sort of liked the first season for various reasons, the second leaves me wondering if I can somehow get the time back I have spent watching it.

The disillusionment started right off of the bat in the first episode. For some reason, they decided it was a good idea to demonstrate how to cauterize a wound using black powder. So Dave Canterbury slashed his own arm, and Cody Lundin dumped on the powder and lit it off. It did cauterize the wound, although I wonder if the procedure caused more additional trauma from burning than it was worth.

Furthermore, the slash was not of a severity that couldn’t be treated with direct pressure and an improvised wound dressing. Not that I am advocating Canterbury maim himself for television, but I am concerned that they may leave the impression that cauterization is the treatment of choice for a wound of such limited severity. On top of which, it ticks me off that in none of their scenarios (in which they play the part of the typical persons) does anyone ever carry a first aid kit. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some CELOX coagulant in a first aid kit? On the off chance you don’t happen to be a black powder hunter with powder horn at the ready?

Overall, the series continues the well-worn format of hypothetical situations used by almost every survival show out there. The pair proceeds through a variety of situations, but there is little of novelty or interest in them. What originally promised to be differing viewpoints of how to tackle a survival problem seems to have degenerated by the last episode of the season to two cranky old men bickering. The differences that arise seem to have little to do with their varying styles and more to do with the personalities involved.

Canterbury is very much the push-on, hard charger type of personality whereas Lundin is innately cautious. I believe that over two seasons, the difference in personalities is causing friction, and indeed, some of the talk-to-camera asides are far less respectful and civil than in the first season.

The difference in style is wearing to the viewer as well. Watching Canterbury make a high risk descent down a steep valley had me half cringing and half hoping he would fall a punishment for his bull-headedness. Frankly, I can do with a little less testosterone and a little more common sense and information.

Lundin’s insistence on bare feet and shorts is becoming similarly annoying. He might get away with this behavior in his home turf in the American southwest, but it strikes the viewer as pig-headed stupidity as he gets his legs and feet damaged in multiple shows in varying terrains. If bare footedness was such an advantage, shoes would not have been invented over 5,000 years ago.

There isn’t a lot of new information in the second season. Follow rivers downstream to find civilization, stay dry, and stay hydrated and so on. Lots of the basics any show of this type has presented, and very few new concepts or ideas.

While I felt the show was, overall, worth watching in the first season, I can’t make the same recommendation for the second season. I really feel that if you took the twelve hours watching this show a would take and instead spent twelve hours practicing any survival skill at all, or even spent it organizing your preps, it would be time far better utilized.

Unfortunately, the show seems to have been renewed for a third season, so I’ll be watching at least twelve more hours of it.

Originally posted July 24. 2011 @ MPN

Packing

“I know how good a gun feels. It makes you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, three meters tall and covered with hair. You’re ready for anything and kind of hoping you’ll find it. Which is exactly what is dangerous about it – because you aren’t anything of the sort. You are a feeble, hairless embryo, remarkably easy to kill.
- Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A Heinlein

The protagonist in Heinlein’s novel is wondering about what sort of gun would be best for a survival test, and his advisor convinces him not take one. I’m not going to say you shouldn’t carry a weapon, but I do want to talk about the role firearms should play in your preparations.

First, let’s be honest. Guns are cool. Carrying a gun makes you feel cool. Further, it makes you feel powerful and in control, whereas in reality you are not. It does have its uses, and to be without a firearm in a major crisis that involves a serious breakdown of civic authority will likely make you a victim.

Unfortunately, a disproportionately large amount of writing, money and effort have gone into the firearms aspect of prepping. What gun to buy, how many, marksmanship, small unit tactics and endless thinking about scenarios (or fantasies) of how they might be used take up far too much time and effort. Far too little time is spent on how and when not to use them and what might be the disadvantages of using firearms.

The first disadvantage is illustrated by the quote at the start of the article. Guns make you feel confident, safe and secure, when in reality you are nothing of the sort. It doesn’t matter if you are carrying the ultimate battle rifle and plenty of ammunition if someone shoots you between the eyes with a single shot bolt action .22 as you saunter down a trail armed to the teeth. A rifle won’t save you if you step in someone’s well made punji pit, or take cover behind a rock that has a black powder nail bomb waiting for you.

The second disadvantage is that once you pull the trigger, you have announced your presence to anyone within a mile or two at the very least. In my opinion, one of the highest priorities after a major collapse would be keeping a low profile and that includes strict noise discipline. The report of a rifle is pretty much unmistakable for what it is, and is going to give anyone that wants it a rough bearing to your location.

Some might argue that a firearm is necessary for gathering food. In response, I’d argue that hunting with a rifle is a remarkably inefficient way to harvest wild game. You are far better off using traps and snares which multiply your effort for little expenditure of energy, and will not startle other game in the area. Even larger game such as deer can be taken with appropriate traps.

If you must hunt, consider using a bow. Although some types of bows require a fairly large investment of time to master, crossbows are easy to use and configured much like a rifle. All bows are almost silent in use (compared to a gun), and often as deadly in hunting.

Let’s look at some of the things that go along with guns and prepping. One is marksmanship, which I have no argument with, other than you also need to practice with things like bows and slingshots, in my opinion.

Another thing is the heavy emphasis put on small unit tactics and training. I;ve lost count of the videos I’ve seen with camo-clad guys sneaking about the bush in the best imitation infantry style. While training to work and fight as a team is good, too much time and effort go into it, and very little on camouflage, evasion, noise discipline and so on. You know, the things that keep you from being noticed and keep you out of the firefight rather than being in the position of having to win one.

Again, I’m not saying guns are bad. I believe that they are essential tools to have in the event of a major collapse. I just believe they should be the last option you go to, rather than the first. Once you start shooting, someone is going to get hurt, and that someone might be you, or someone close to you. So avoiding confrontation through other methods is far preferable than a shootout at the O.K. Corral.

It’s just common sense.

Review: World Made by Hand

James Howard Kunstler’s World Made by Hand has been around a couple of years now, but I’ve just read it, and frankly, I’m underwhelmed. I previously read his non-fiction work The Long Emergency, and was quite impressed by that, and had high hopes for his novel. Alas, disappointment ensues.

The book takes place after a collapse of society precipitated by the confluence of peak oil, financial collapse and climate change. The resulting society is functioning at an 1800s, largely agrarian level of society, and where it is not, it is scavenging old technology and materials. The viewpoint character is the local carpenter and handyman, formerly in the computer and software business prior to the collapse.

The story is fairly slow to develop, and the pace of the book is almost languid in places. While the prose is well written, I found the plotting to be slow enough that I had to force myself not to skip ahead. The ‘exciting’ parts of the book are barely that, in my opinion, and the novel is unlikely to keep you on the edge of your seat.


The main problem I have with the book is that it almost completely glosses over how the characters in the book evolved the current society, and doesn’t really show anything of the devolution and collapse that preceded it. If you’re looking for a book from which you can draw a lot of lessons in survival, this isn’t it.

As entertainment, it is okay, a decent enough read, as far as it goes. I would recommend borrowing it from your local library rather than laying out hard earned cash.

I just looked at how short the review of this book is, and maybe that’s the telling point: There just isn’t much to say about this book, good or bad. It just misses the mark completely, and falls somewhere in the middle.

Originally posted July 10, 2011 @ MPN

Review: Doomsday Preppers

Doomsday Preppers is a show that recently aired on the National Geographic Channel. It examines the preparations of four families for disaster, and assesses their readiness. Whether it is any use as a ‘how-to’ guide is highly debatable, although some excellent and even ingenious ideas are shown.

The first family shown is a suburban couple in Phoenix, Arizona. The husband (pictured above) is certain that there is going to be a coronal mass ejection in 2012 0r 2013, and is preparing for that. Unfortunately, he comes off as a bit of the stereotypical obsessed prepper, and has a tendency to throw around the usual catchphrases like ‘grid down situation’.

Their focus is self sufficiency in food, and he has converted a backyard swimming pool into a greenhouse/ aquaculture facility, and is raising everything from fish to chickens and goats at his suburban home. His setup is kind of interesting, although it is never explained where he plans to get his water if the grid goes down. The main problem I see with his situation is that his operational security is pathetic, and while he might have a plan for defending himself, his wife and their two small children, it is never shown.

The second family is that of a family also in Phoenix, and the emphasis is surviving economic collapse/hyperinflation. The family shown is pretty reasonable in their preparations, although again the operational security is pretty funny. They are shown getting a pallet of food delivered at night to preserve the anonymity of their food stores, from prying eyes, although I believe a semi offloading pallets in the middle of the night is going to be a bit noticeable no matter what. On the plus side, the family is armed, and practices with the weapons, even the kids, and they also seem to make an effort to acquire other skills.

The third group is a group of up to four families preparing for the collapse of society, although only two are shown. They live the retreater’s life on about 50 or 60 acres of woodland and pasture. They store food, power at least one vehicle by gasifying wood, and seem well prepared defensively. Again, the main problem seems to be their high profile in the area and questionable security. One of the men of the group is ex-military and seems to me at least a little overconfident in their ability to keep themselves safe.

The last family depicted is preparing for a nuclear war. They have built and stocked a fairly elaborate underground shelter and seem well prepared for immediate survival. The fault I find is that while the shelter seems well thought out, he seems to have no infrastructure or plans for the long term. There appears to be nothing but the shelter where he is, and he doesn’t elaborate on any plans for after he and his family leave the shelter.

On the whole, the program is an interesting glimpse at part of the prepper/survivalist movement, although some of the people come off as a little strange, especially the first family. This program really won’t do anything to enhance the image of preppers, and might actually reinforce some stereotypes.

It’s worth a watch for the few interesting ideas presented, such as the use of the empty swimming pool, but if you don’t get to see this, it won’t hurt your chances of surviving any.

Originally posted July 03, 2011 @ MPN

Storm Clouds

There is an ugly feeling in the air, at least in financial circles. There is growing, if anecdotal evidence that we might be headed for some unsettling times. If so, there are things you need to be doing, but first let’s look at what’s going on in the world that has brought us (or at least me) to this gloomy prognostication.

First, there is the ongoing situation in Europe. Greece and its financial woes are hardly, if at all resolved, and several other of the weaker economies in the EU are desperately trying to avoid Greece’s situation. Should Greece or one of the other countries default, it will send major ripples through the world’s financial structure.

On this side of the pond, the USA is currently struggling to resolve its debt cieling and deficit problems, and as of this writing, have only three weeks to do so. If an agreement between the parties is not reached, the US will be in default of its debt by early August, and the shockwaves that will occur in the markets don’t bear thinking about.

Even if that is resolved (and political games of chicken aside, it likely will be), the US economy is still faltering, and the world’s largest economic engine is at risk of stalling out, with consequences for almost everyone else in the world. The underlying causes of the 2008 crisis still exist. All that was done in the last few years was just treating symptoms, not curing the disease.

If you’re wondering where that leaves you, Joe or Jill Average, the answer is: Not in a good place. You might see goods scarcities, price inflation and possibly hyperinflation, large interest rate rises, more unemployment. I don’t think the possibility of another major depression is at all out of the question, with all the consequences that involves.

It is time to batten down the hatches and prepare to ride out the storm, economically speaking. If you have major debt, get rid of it. If you have a mortgage, even though the short term rates are really good, I’d think about locking in for up to five years to protect yourself. Consider looking at whatever investments you have and how you may be able to shift those to safer areas.

Look at you’re spending as well. Do you really need the bigger car, the 200 channel satellite package, or to eat out as much as you do? Cut your living expenses to the bone and start setting money aside. You need to have a reserve fund of at least three months expenses, but six would be far better.

And for me, here’s some extreme advice: I’ve never been big on buying physical gold and silver (can’t eat it or wear it), but I’d take at least 10% of the money you save and invest in some precious metals. Silver is (relatively) cheap compared to gold.

If there is overtime available, take it, it won’t last. If you can get a second job, think about doing it, at least for long enough to get better set financially.

I am not usually a doom and gloom guy. In fact, prepping makes me relaxed and happy. But right now I’m very pessimistic about the overall economic picture, and I am taking steps I never would have considered to ensure my economic preparedness in case of an ‘event’.

You might want to do so as well.

Originally posted July 10, 2011 @ CPN

Speaking in Tongues

A different language is a different vision of life. ~Federico Fellini

Here’s a little scenario for you. After the collapse, you are walking along the road toward safety. Ahead of you, there are two wrecked cars on the road, one to each side. As you walk towards them, a man stands up. He has a weapon, but it’s not pointed at you, not yet. He holds his hand out in a gesture to stop, which you do. Then he asks you a question. The problem is that you don’t understand a word of what he says. Now what will you do?

Is it an unlikely situation? Perhaps it is, if you stay glued to your home turf. In that case you might be the guy behind the car asking the question. How that incident might play out I leave to your imagination.

Obviously, this post is about the need to speak a foreign language. While many of the survival gurus are advising you to learn to blacksmithing or carpentry or brain surgery, I’d like you to consider learning a second language. There are several good reasons to do this and some surprising benefits as well.

The first reason to learn is presented by the little scenario I presented at the start of the article. While it may be your plan to be at home in the event of a crisis, there might be a reason you’re not, such as visiting family, business travel or vacationing. You just can’t say with absolute certainty where you will be if a crisis arises.

The second reason is also presented by the scenario. In the event of a large enough calamity, large numbers of people will be on the move, and some may not speak your mother tongue. It might well save lives if you can communicate with some of those on the road.

There are a number of other reasons. Studies show that learning a language is a great way to keep your mind sharp, and may enhance your career, or just give you some enjoyment in learning about another culture.

What language you should learn depends on a number of factors. The first is where you live. For North Americans, there are perhaps three logical choices of language. In Eastern Ontario, the American Northeast and the Maritimes, the rational choice is French.

If you can speak French, you’re ok in the large area of Quebec, the Acadian part of the Maritimes, and parts of Louisiana. Of course, the language will be useful in Europe, not only in France, but in several other countries where it has status as a second language. Given that French was a colonial power for centuries, you’ll also find it spoken in parts of the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. It is the second most studied language (after English) and it is estimated that it will have roughly 500 million speakers worldwide by 2025.

For the American Southwest and Florida, the first choice would be Spanish. With Spanish as a second language, you are set up for almost all of Central and South America, parts of Europe, and places like the Philippines. Spanish is the mother tongue of 400 million people, and there may be as many as another 100 million that speak it as a second language.

The third language I might consider is German. On this side of the Atlantic, there are isolated pockets of German speakers in Canada, the United States, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela.

Overseas, German is the most spoken language in the European Union, and there are approximately 100 million native German speakers. Due to the longstanding economic strength of Germany, it is widely spoken in Europe, and might be especially useful in Eastern Europe. There are another 80 million speakers of German as a second language.

There are of course other languages you could learn, but unless you are a frequent traveler to the country or countries that use the language, there isn’t much point. Why master Swedish if you never go to Sweden? On the other hand, if you are looking to retreat or retire to foreign climes, make it a high priority to learn the local language fluently. Without a fluency in the local speech, you will be forever completely on the outside and a target in bad times.

It’s cheap to learn a language. There are tons of internet sites and language programs available, both free and for a price. Likely there are language courses available from your local college or university. Alternatively, you may be able to advertise for private lessons from a native speaker in your area.

Let’s go back to that roadblock. This time it is you behind the barrier asking the questions. When you realize he doesn’t understand English, you switch to your second language, and it turns out that the traveler is a doctor, and just what is desperately needed in your group. After going through the usual precautions, you’ll invite him to join and add his skills to your group.


C’est juste bon sens.

Es apenas sentido común

Es ist gerade gesunder Menschenverstand

It’s just common sense

Girl Power

Survivalism and preparedness needs to get in touch with its feminine side. The vast majority of writing and other media on preparedness is almost always male oriented. Certainly, there are lots of female preppers out there, but they seem to have little voice. I am of course excepting our own Sue, who writes from a unique viewpoint, and has and is making a valuable contribution to this forum.

Unfortunately, she is in the minority. Where there are women‘s voices in the prepping world, they tend to fall into one of two broad categories: Either they tend to emulate the viewpoint and attitudes of their male colleagues, or they restrict themselves to traditional areas of female endeavour. The first might be from a desire to please a largely male readership, or it may be an attempt to fit in. The latter seems to largely grow out of the high proportion of conservative Christians in the prepping movement.

Not that there is anything wrong with writing from those viewpoints, except that it doesn’t really serve the needs of a large portion of women involved in preparedness. We need to see more women writing for women in this field. Then maybe we’ll hear fewer tales of hard to convince spouses, especially if prepping stops looking like another boys club.

So what areas are being missed? Here are just a few things I’ve noticed little or no attention being paid to over the years.

Load bearing Equipment - As some of you guys might have noticed, females are proportioned in delightfully different ways, which means for the most efficiency, safety, and weight capacity, packs designed specifically for women.

Weapons - Everything from knives and bows to assault rifles. The weapons themselves are not only not sized to a woman’s smaller frame and lesser physical strength, the available training rarely takes into account either the physicality or psychology of women.

Fitness and Health - Lots of emphasis on fitness in prepping, little of it directed at helping women. This is an especially important subject, given that women can be at a disadvantage in the strength department. The thing is, they don’t have to be.

There is a little discussion of women’s health issues, but what there is cursory, mostly confined to stocking up on tampons. Contraception, pregnancy, and a whole host of other subjects just don’t get mentioned much.

Martial Arts - In many scenarios, there is much discussion of civil disorder and the possibility of endemic crime, including assaults sexual and otherwise. Yet there is little space devoted to women being able to defend themselves physically. The assumption seems to be that some one with a Y chromosome will always be there to save them.

Those are just a few of the areas that need to be written about, but almost every area of prepping is involved. Even food can be an issue for women. For example, Canadian IMPs are fine in the short term, but are deficient in calcium and folic acid over the long term, two nutrients especially necessary in pregnancy, and folic acid is also necessary to prevent anemia, a problem for some women.

More than half the population is female. Perhaps more writing should address their concerns?

Originally posted July 03, 2011 @CPN

Essential Tools: Around the Retreat

Today we’re going to look at what a basic end of the world toolkit looks like. This is by no means an absolute list, but rather a starter kit you should have at your home or retreat. You can add to it as money and skill allows. None of these tools are particularly expensive, and most could even be picked up at yard sales if you are careful about checking for wear and quality. If you can afford the cost and storage for multiple tools, double up (or more) whenever possible. Tools do get lost or break sometimes, and they are nifty barter items.

Hammers – There are a lot of specialized hammers, but you need a minimum of two types: a claw hammer for hitting nails, and a ball peen hammer used for striking metal.

Saws – Handsaws are cheap and easy to use. For the long term, think about learning to sharpen them by hand.

Hacksaw – buy plenty of blades, they wear out. For cutting metal objects such as pipes.

Screwdrivers – A complete range of slotted, Phillips and Robertson screwdrivers would be the minimum for me. There are other specialist types such as Torx, but if you’ve got the big three, you’ll be okay in most situations.

Allen wrenches – Also known as hex keys, these are used for the recessed hexagonal headed screws/bolts seen in many applications. A good quality set with a range of sizes.

Measuring tape – at least one of 25’ or so. If you can afford a large reel tape of the sort you see surveyors use, that’s nice to have, as well.

Squares – Two types here, roofing or framing square, and a smaller combination square.

Levels – Two again, short one and at least a four footer.

Bit and Brace – what you’ll use after your electric drill doesn’t run. You might need a little practice using it, and make sure you know how to keep the bits sharp. Try to have a nice variety of lengths and sizes of bits.

Hand drill – NOT a bit and brace, but similar in use. Generally a hand cranked, geared drill, you can use it for lighter, tighter, and finer work than the bit and brace.

Socket set – ½ “ size, with a good variety of sizes and some extras like extensions and maybe a breaker bar.

Combination wrenches – A wrench with an open jaw one end and a box end on the other, in a variety of sizes.

Adjustable wrenches – At least two, and more in a variety of sizes if you can afford it. There’s always an off size bolt you’ll need these for.

Pipe wrenches – Always in pairs, and two pairs if affordable in larger and smaller sizes.

Vise grips – There probably isn’t a more abused tool out there, but it is invaluable for many jobs. Multiple sizes and styles if possible.

Pliers – The traditional style to start, then add needle nose and other types as you see fit. There are dozens of types, but have found lineman’s pliers and fencing pliers very useful. Your mileage may vary.

Pump pliers – in two sizes. These are adjustable long handled pliers that come in handy in a variety of situations.

Files – A variety of sizes and types, used for metal work/ sharpening.

Tin snips – For cutting sheet metal.

Cold chisel – Used to cut heavier metal.

Wire stripper – Self explanatory, I would think.

Side cutter pliers – Used to cut wire, you’ll find other uses the manufacturer never intended.

Wood chisels – A moderate range of sizes will keep you going in most circumstances.

Wood plane - a general purpose plane such as a jack plane. Learn how to use it.

Bolt cutter – Also known as a chain cutter, this is a specialized tool, but one I think necessary for certain uses. Buy a large one.

Crow bar – used in demolition mostly, but pretty handy to have around.

Nail puller – You can use the claw on your hammer, but the specialized tool is easier on wrists and hands if you’re salvaging a lot of lumber.

Box cutter and blades – multiple uses.

Stapler – I mean the construction type here. Great for tacking up almost everything. Buy lots of staples.

Clamps- If you have room and money, clamps make building anything easier, especially when you haven’t got someone around to ‘just hold this here’.

Bench vise – and some bolts to mount it. Even if you screw this to a log, you’ll find doing a lot of things easier when they are held securely. It is nearly indispensible when sharpening a variety of tools.

There you go, a list of the basics. You can of course add to it, but when acquiring tools keep in mind the likelihood of needing the tool (You need a six foot long pipe wrench? Really?) and your ability to use the tool.

Some tools come in a variety of weights (hammers, for example) or sizes (saws). Make sure the tools you have are tools you can use safely and without undue fatigue. If you’re not a person handy with tools, start learning now. There are lots of how-to guides out there for almost every task and project imaginable. Start simple and build your skill, confidence and toolkit. It’ll save you money, and maybe even your life someday.

Originally posted June 28,2011 @MPN

Reel Life Survival

I will admit it right up front: I am a survival show junkie. I love programs that demonstrate survival skills. I love learning from them and matching my knowledge against the people on the program. On the other hand, I’m not blind to the faults of these shows, however much I enjoy them.

I’m not talking about misinformation, although I have seen ‘experts’ make errors, and occasionally make beginner mistakes (one expert and his spouse contracting giardia leaps to mind) that make you cringe. Generally, the information that gets presented on these shows is fairly accurate, since no one wants to get sued.

The problem with many of these shows is that almost all of the situations are hopelessly unrealistic. For one reason or another, these programs present a best case scenario of someone’s ability to survive in a variety of wilderness situations, and are often misleading. Let’s look at a few of the unpublicized facts about these shows that make them less than ‘real life’ situations.

The first of these is the pick of season in which the show is filmed. Often our professional survivor is shown harvesting local plants as food sources. This is okay if you are there at the right time to harvest that resource. But if you are too early or too late, the ample harvest they demonstrate may have not appeared or already vanished. Seasonal availability also applies to animals. Hibernation or migration of a species might make it unavailable to you, however many of them you see frolicking in the woods on the television.

Additionally, while a plant or animal may indeed be found generally in a particular region, local microclimates or other conditions such as soil salinity or lack of habitat might mean that the flora and fauna you want just doesn’t hang out just exactly where you are.

Another issue of season is that these programs are often filmed in weather that is not at the extreme that might be experienced by an actual survivor. It is one thing to survive on a deserted Pacific island in good weather, another entirely when a storm is pushing four foot waves across the entire island. And really, how many people are likely to be shipwrecked in calm seas and clear skies? There are lots of examples, but the fact is that filming in extremes of weather is difficult and expensive, so it just isn’t done. And thus we get ‘ideal’ weather in many survival shows.

Another issue I have is with tools. Almost always our brave presenters have some sort of tool at hand. Usually the tool of choice is a knife big enough to actually chop down saplings. Otherwise, a smaller knife or a multi-tool seems to be standard. Really, the tool is not as important as the fact is that the average Joe no longer carries even a pocketknife. Demonstrating survival skills using a knife to someone who may not have one seems ludicrous when you think of it.

Yes, everyone should carry a knife. I in fact carry two, a Swiss Army Knife and a small fixed blade knife. Neither is suitable for heavy work, but as with most people, a bigger knife is both not legal where I live, nor practical in my every day life. The reality is that unless I’m definitely going out hiking or camping, then my larger knife stays at home, where it will do me no good in the sort of situation portrayed on survival shows. I believe most people carry less than I do, most of the time. So show me some survival shows without the huge beginning advantage of a large knife.

Yet another issue I have with these shows is the level of fitness and acclimatization that the presenters possess. At least one show I can think of has a presenter that routinely demonstrates acts requiring a very high degree of fitness, coordination, and agility far in excess of those qualities possessed by the average person. Most people attempting to replicate those feats have a much higher probability of failure and won’t have a film crew to call for medevac after they hurt themselves attempting it.

Even the degree of acclimatization possessed by people is misleading. One show has a minimalist primitive skills survival instructor. While he seems to manage in all sorts of terrain and climate shoeless and in shorts, most of us would be frozen and crippled long before we ever toughened up and acclimatized.

Finally, there is the issue of knowledge. For example, it is one thing to know the basics of primitive fire making, and another thing entirely to be able to accomplish it. Often, there are details of construction or technique that are not shown, and even then, experts can take hours to get fire, or might even fail entirely. Imagine then the chances then of Joe Average making a fire? The same applies to many other skills.

Granted, the onus is on the watcher to practice and perfect the skills before they are needed, but if you don’t have all of the information; it is magnitudes of difficulty greater to learn the skill. But then an hour long program on the fine points of using a fire plow or bow drill don’t make as interesting watching as some guy jumping out of a helicopter onto a shark.

Another thing about the knowledge demonstrated by the presenters: They are instant experts. While they may indeed be expert at survival in their own area, they are often portrayed in interesting and exotic locales, again to make the program interesting and exciting. There is usually a local expert that gives them the Cole’s notes version of what hazards and resources exist in the area. Like any sort of crib notes, it can mean deeper, crucial knowledge is omitted and the viewer will be unaware that they don’t have all the information.

I still love these shows, and there is much to be learned, if you want to learn. Just be aware that what they are doing is driven more by entertainment than anything else. You need to go farther than the limits of the shows and practice and develop your own skills and most of all, keep the reality of survival separate from the best case fantasy of television.

It’s just common sense

Essential tools: Chopping List

Many people seem to think that in the event of a major collapse, they will repair to the woods and homestead. They will throw up a sturdy cabin and live happily ever after. The hole in their plans is what they plan to do this with. If you’ve ever watched any of the survival shows on television, you will note that the presenter/expert seems to be able to whittle anything, up to and including a grand piano using only the whopping big knife that he carries. The rest of us less talented mortals may need a little more in the way of tools.

So what exactly do you need in the way of tools in the woods? What follows is a by no means comprehensive list, but if you have these cached at your retreat, you’ll be in good shape to work the resources around you into everything from a primitive shelter to a snug little cabin. Note that the tools can’t do it by themselves. As always, you’ll need to acquire the knowledge of how to use the tools and the construction techniques involved in creating shelter, furniture and tools out of wood.

Axes – You’ll notice I used the plural. Ideally, you will have a selection of axes, starting with the felling axe, preferably in a variety of sizes. You’ll want at least one full sized one as well as smaller handled lighter weight ones for tighter work. You’ll also want a splitting axe, which has a more wedge shaped head, for firewood. If you are going to be shaping timbers, a broad axe with its single beveled edge would be useful.

Adze - This tool has a narrow, hoe-like blade set perpendicular to the handle. It is used for rough smoothing and shaping of timbers. In skilled hands, it is one of the most versatile shaping tools out there.

Bow Saw - Also known as a Buck Saw or Swede Saw. An excellent tool to section up logs for construction or for the firewood pile. Spare blades are a must.

Frow (Froe) - A nifty little tool used to split planks from larger timbers. It is an L-shaped tool with a long blade perpendicular to a handle. The blade is driven into the end of your log, and then the handle is twisted to split the log.

Hatchet - It has its uses, but don’t obsess if you don’t have one. You can usually do the same job for less effort with a small axe.

Hand Saws - Nice to have, and will make for nicer finished work, but not absolutely essential.

Draw Knife - Again, not critical, but nice to have a few on hand of various sizes. Makes short work of de-barking trees, as well as other shaping tasks.

Rasp - Nice to have, but again not crucial. It is used to shape objects to a ‘rough finish’ stage.

Two Man Saw - a long crosscut saw with handles on both ends. Used for felling larger trees, as well as in the production of boards, usually with a sawpit.

The last ‘rough’ woodworking tool I recommend that you cache is a brace with plenty of bits, especially long bits. A lot of construction in human history has been done without screws or nails, by way of joining pieces with wooden pegs. If you can create the holes for them, you can use pegs to fasten together almost anything.

You might want to add a few tools more suited to clearing brush, such as a machete or even the traditional billhook. With those, you are equipped to deal with most of what you’ll find in the woods.

Finally, make sure you have plenty of files and whetstones of the proper type for maintenance. All of the tools above are useless to you if they are dull, if not downright dangerous. It takes far more effort to use a dull tool than a sharp one, and the more effort you’re expending, the less control you have of the tool. There are plenty of books and videos around to show you the basics of sharpening your tools.

Make sure that you get practiced at this. Make yourself a little log hut in the woods, or start chopping firewood, or even make a little rustic furniture. All skills you might someday need. And did I mention that it is both fun and good exercise as well?

Originally posted June 14, 2011 @ MPN