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June 18, 2013
by Being a fanatic about wild food foraging and field medicine, I’ve often wondered what would happen if those two worlds were to collide. What would I do if I ate the wrong plant or mushroom far away from a doctor’s help? What’s the first aid for that? After years of ethnobotantical research, it’s hard to imagine that I would make a mistake that could leave me poisoned. But, I’ve also been around the block enough times to realize that mistakes do happen from time to time. And it might not even be me that needs help. I may need to care for someone else, who was less cautious than I am when selecting wild food.
This “what if” situation should leave us wondering if there are worthwhile treatments one could employ if poisoning occurs in a remote-area survival event. After much research, I’m afraid to say the prognosis for field treatment isn’t good.
[ Read Full Post ]June 14, 2013
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Fire building is one of those skill sets that can make or break a survival situation. With so much riding on your ability to produce flame, it makes a lot of sense to plan for your own success by building a dedicated fire starting kit. It’s easy and fun to do, and you probably already have all the stuff laying around the house.
[ Read Full Post ]June 13, 2013
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It’s hard for me to understand why signaling is such an under-emphasized and little practiced survival skill. Signaling is the best way to help a search party get you out of a survival scrape. In the world of survival priorities, signaling is right up there with shelter, first aid, and water.
With that in mind, here are five important pieces of signal gear that you should have on your person or in your vehicle.
[ Read Full Post ]June 6, 2013
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If you’re a home canner (or a moonshiner), you’re already familiar with the wonders of the mason jar. These old-timey, reusable storage jars are very versatile. But are we using this container to its fullest potential? Here are my top 10 urban survival and wilderness survival uses for the classic mason jar.
1. Re-pack Dry Foods: Pour your rice, beans, etc. into mason jars and screw the cap on tight to keep bugs, rodents, and dampness out of your dry-food stores. Add food-safe oxygen absorber packs or desiccant packs if you have them.
[ Read Full Post ]May 31, 2013
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Don’t look for Band-aids or Neosporin in this medical kit. This assortment of supplies is tailored specifically to deal with gunshot wounds. A modular kit like this is a great addition to your range bag, your vehicle and even your BOB .
There are plenty of reputable companies out there selling their own gunshot trauma kits. Most kits start around $80. This is a quick solution if you have the money to buy them, but lack the time to assemble your own kit. Or you can follow our lead, by building your own custom kit. I picked up a nice little gear bag for $8 at a gun show, the other gear can be purchased for about $60.
[ Read Full Post ]May 29, 2013
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When you’re stuck in the middle of no-man’s-land, and boiling is your only choice for disinfecting water, how do you get that job accomplished without a container?
You may already know the trick of rock boiling, which is the technique of using fire-heated stones, dropped into a cavity filled with water. This method is used when your water container cannot be moved (like a cavity in a rock) or should not be placed over the fire (like a wooden bowl or bark vessel). But can you rock boil without any rock cavities or another type of container?
[ Read Full Post ]May 28, 2013
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Our ticks here in Virginia are everywhere right now, and if your local ticks and biting bugs are thriving as well, then this remedy might just be a lifesaver this summer.
[ Read Full Post ]May 24, 2013
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The bow and drill method is, by far, the most likely friction method for making a fire in the field. This method has been around for thousands of years, and the components can be made from a wide range of materials.
A friction fire happens when one wooden surface is rubbed, ground or spun against another wooden surface. This action is typically done quickly, under significant pressure and in a “back and forth” manner. Both surfaces are consumed with this act of friction, creating wood dust - along with heat - which can form a small, red hot coal that is actually burning. With the bow and drill method, you have several mechanical advantages to assist you. A lubricated bearing block sits atop the drill, keeping the drill stable and creating the necessary downward pressure on the drill. The bow’s string wraps around the drill, giving you a mechanism to spin the drill quickly by moving the bow back and forth.
[ Read Full Post ]May 24, 2013
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This image comes from AFR 64-4, the Air Force's manual on search, rescue and survival training, Volume 1 (July 1985).
The book contains information on everything from shark identification to the psychological aspects of being taken prisoner. It also has a pretty interesting section on trapping and preparing wild game.
[ Read Full Post ]May 22, 2013
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If you have a little space to grow some plants, you can get a lot of enjoyment and even some medicinal relief from growing your own remedies. While these should never take the place of professional medical care, it’s nice to have a sense that you are not helpless, should you end up having to fend for yourself. This is a list of 10 great plants that you can pick up now at home improvement stores and garden centers, and set out as your own personal medicine garden.
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