The other day I went out to the survival site and cooked up some chicken, tuna, and rice, along with some coffee. I used the Procamptek Ultimate Fire Tinder to start my fire in the stove. For the ignition source, I chose an Exotac ferro rod, which I keep in my Maxpedition fire kit pouch … Continue reading Camp Cooking with the Procamptek Ultimate Fire Tinder
The shemagh is a type of scarf or shawl that is normally made of cotton and comes in a variety of colors and designs. It is used in some form or fashion in many parts of the world but gained popularity from its widespread use throughout the Middle East. The shemagh is commonly used by … Continue reading Shemagh: 16 Common Uses for Outdoors, Camping and Survival
Muscadine grapes are my new foraging find.The crazy part is that there is a huge vine network in my front yard that I somehow overlooked for the last 16 years. They intertwined with the fern bushes and I never even noticed them. My yard guy saw them and pointed them out to me. I got … Continue reading New Foraging Find: Muscadine Grapes
The sheet bend and double sheet bend knots are used to connect two different ropes together. Commonly used with different sized ropes. To tie the sheet bend knot: Step 1: form a bite on the end of the thicker rope. Pass the end of the thinner rope through the bite from the bottom up. Step … Continue reading Knot Series: Sheet Bend Knot
One of Dave Canterbury’s 10 C’s of Survivability is cover. At a minimum it is recommended that you have an emergency blanket or wool blanket in your kit to help keep you warm out in the field. Losing body heat out in the field can rapidly lower your core body temperature to dangerous levels. Hypothermia … Continue reading Three Subcomponents of Cover for Your Shelter Kit
Tracking man or beast is a skill set that requires training and lots of practice. In our modern, fast paced, technologically infused society these skills have faded from the limelight over the years. Way back in 1998, I had the privilege to attend and graduate from the Basic Man Tracking Course at the Nature and … Continue reading The Challenges of Tracking at Night
The other day I decided to go out to the survival site and fire up some instant coffee. I wanted to try a different fire starter so I pulled out my Maxpedition Round Pouch with the Procamptek Fire Strip Roll. Using my Uberleben Stoker stove and Lore kuksa cup with an old kettle that I … Continue reading Coffee with the Procamptek Fire Strip Roll and Maxpedition Round Pouch
A key part of outdoor survival is the ability to be found and recovered in a permissive environment, by friendly search and rescue (SAR / CSAR) organizations. The ability to signal for help is critical in aiding the efforts of your rescuers. Emergency signaling covers several variables such as location, stationary or mobile, day or … Continue reading The Importance of Having a Signaling Plan and Gear During a Survival Situation
On December 25th, 2001, I deployed to the Middle East (Afghanistan) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 1, along with over a dozen army officers. We were part of Task Force Rakkasan, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, KY. Task Force Rakkasan was the first major conventional … Continue reading Land Mine and UXO Clearance Operations at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan 2002
R&R in Iraq I found my old shirt that I got during my R&R in Iraq. They made everyone rotate through Qatar for a couple of days. Reminded me of Kuwait. Same poop, different Arab country. Back in the Nam, dudes got to take R&R for like almost a week in Hawaii or Thailand. We … Continue reading R&R in Iraq 2003
Evade & Survive 