American Survival Guide - June 2015 USA

EXTREME SURVIVAL: AYS IN THE AMAZON
DIY
Survival
Kit
BUG OUT ON A
SOLAR
eBIKE
on $50
or Less
Tactical
Driving
Strategies
Treat Wounds
With Sugar
Four Best
Firearms for
Self-Defense
Long-Term
Fuel Storage
Done Right
DISASTER
ONTHE
BE PREPARED
OR BE A VICTIM
8 Easy Cures
k
for Poison Oa
and Ivy
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THE COVER:
Surveying the horizon to assess

any threats is former Navy Seal
Trevor Maroshek and his nineyear-old combat veteran dog,
Chopper, a pure-bred German
Shepherd. Chopper was one of
the first MPC Seal Tactical dogs
implemented in the Seal
assault platform. Maroshek is
the director of the Seal Dog
Foundation (sealdogfoundation.com), an organization that
provides dogs, training, and
funds for fallen veterans. The
Gunslinger Emergency Pack
courtesy Survival Bags, Inc.;
and the SCHF3 Extreme Survival
knife courtesy Schrade.
Photo: HENRY Z. DEKUYPER
Design: JESSE CAO
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) Volume 4, Number 6 is published 12 times a year January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December by Engaged Media,
Inc., 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o VSI, Inc. 905 Kent Avenue, Liberty, MO 64068. 2015 by Engaged Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian
addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE > JUNE 2015
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 | JUNE 2015
GEAR
GUIDES
FEATURES
49 ESCAPE TOOLS
84 SOLAR-POWERED GEAR
96 COMPASSES
116 FISHING GEAR
20 STORIES OF SURVIVAL:
ESCAPE FROM BERLIN
Hans-Peter Spitzner and Peggy Spitzner Are
the Last Ones Out Story by Bryan Dumas
26 HEART OF DARKNESS
Into The Amazon with Bushcraft Global
49
Story by Joshua Swanagon
40 KEEP IT CLEAN
Proper Firearms Maintenance Could Mean
the Difference Between Life And Death
Story by Robert K. Campbell
72 DRIVE TO SURVIVE
Knowing All the Right Moves May Just Save
Your Life Story by Jeff Zurschmeide
102 HANDLING HAZARDS
37 NIGHT LIGHT
Zippos Rugged Lantern is Built to Last
Story by Gary Kimball
Getting to Know Poison Oak and Poison Ivy
URBAN
66 BITES AND STINGS
Schrades SCHF3 Extreme Survival Knife

Story by Simon Meyers
Story by Christopher Nyerges
Nothing Makes a Bad Situation Worse Than

a Bug Bite Story by Kevin Estela
The Modern Survival Vest Can Be a Lifesaver

Story by Kevin Estela
The Pros and Cons of the Pistol, Shotgun,

Rifle, and AR-15 Story by Duke Montana
126 GET OUTTA DODGE
The Eberlestock Gunslinger II BOB
96
106 WEARABLE GEAR
54 THE BIG FOUR
62 FULLY LOADED
84
46 FOE: LEAVES OF THREE,

LET THEM BE
A Day in the Life of a Chemical Management

Officer Story by Carrie Visintainer
38 DURABLE SURVIVAL
PHOTO BY HENRY Z. DEKUYPER
BACKCOUNTRY
The Beast: A Solar-Powered eBike to the

Rescue Story by Ryan Lee Price
Story by William Billy Boggs
HOW-TO
82 ARRIVE ALIVE
34 EN ROUTE TO DEATH
SOLs RoadTripper, a Car Emergency Kit
How to Escape From a Cars Trunk
Story by J. Ellis Bourke
Story by Nikki Grey
90 KEEPING COOL
78 SWEET SALVATION
Finally, a Survivors Ice Chest

Story by Phil Tobin
How to Use Honey and Sugar to Treat

Wounds Story by Ryan Lee Price
110 SAFETY NET IN THE SKY
92 BROWN-BAG SURVIVAL
The History and Inner Workings of NORAD

Story by Scott Fischer
How to Build an Emergency Kit on the

(Very) Cheap Story by Ryan Lee Price
121 AT THE READY
122 GAS CACHE
Kilimanjaros Morsa is Light But Solid
How to Safely Store Fuel for a Long Time
Story by Andrew Philips
Story by Jeff Zurschmeide
116
DEPARTMENTS
FIRST WORDS 6
NEW PRODUCTS 10
PREPPING WITH RALSTON 14
NEWS & NOTES 16
SURVIVAL LIT 128
DEAD END 130
JUNE 2015 < AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
FIRSTWORDS
Ryan Lee Price
rp ric e @ E n ga ge d M e d ia In c .c o m
How Far Could You Go?
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I was at

a cocktail party with my wifes coworkers. I could think of 10 other things I
would rather do on a Saturday night,
but the allure of free drinks is strong.
Once there, I was adrift in a sea of
strangers. I decided to play a little
game I invented.
On a napkin, I wrote down 10 possible things that one could eat if they
were in a survival situation but lacked
normal food stuff or any reasonable
likelihood of obtaining food in the foreseeable future. Each item gets more
off-putting the closer one gets to 10.
1. Dog food (canned, wet)
2. Expired meat or dairy (several months
expired but refrigerated)
3. Found food (outside and on the ground,
not wrapped)
4. Bugs (unknown kind)
5. Lizards (ones youd find in the yard)
6. Moldy bread (completely covered)
7. Rats (and mice)
8. Your pet (dog, cat, fish, hamster, etc.)
9. Rancid food covered in maggots
10. Human
Sure, there are a lot worse things in
the world to eat between nine and 10
but I wanted to see who would go the
distance, if any.
There were about 50 people at the
party and although I know I didnt talk
AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE > J U N E 2 0 1 5
to all of them, perhaps I got the opinion of about 20so this is hardly scientific. The first person I spoke to was a
university professor of some kind. He
was nicely dressed and seemed well
versed in current events. I handed him
my list and asked him, The prospects
of you finding food before you die is
nil. What would you eat? He started
low, asking questions about the found
food, and I knew he wasnt going to
make it very far down the list. He said
he could never eat his dog and supposed that a rat, if properly cooked,
would go down alright.
The first woman I spoke to was an
office clerk for a tool and die company.
She was petite, not drinking but instead
eating those little batter-wrapped hot
dogs. She said she found bugs of any
kind revolting and couldnt make it past
expired meat. She said she had some in
her fridge at that moment, joking shed
do well in the zombie apocalypse.
At the other end of the scale, a drunk
guy in the gathering quickly blurted out
human as soon as I handed him the
list. Im guessing it was the whiskey
talking more than honesty.
My game/experiment accomplished
two things: 1) It passed the time for me
during an otherwise boring office party;
and 2) Gave me a pretty good idea that
the vast majority of the people surveyed
wouldnt last long after the pantry empties out. With the exception of the drunk
and the professor, only two other people I spoke to would eat rats but nobody
would cook up Fido or Mittens if it came
down to it.
How far could you go?
I imagine the results of this would be
quite different at an ASG office party.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 / JUNE 2015

EDITORIAL
Group Editor: Doug Jeffrey
Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Lee Price
Managing Editor: Ian Hamilton
Senior Creative Director: Eric Knagg
Art Director: Jesse Cao
CONTRIBUTORS
Bob Campbell, Mike DAngona, Bryan Dumas, Kevin
Estela, Scott Fisher, Nikki Grey, J.D. Hughes, Christopher
Nyerges, Duke Montana, Tim Ralston, Joshua Swanagon,
Tori Tellem, Carrie Visintainer, Jeff Zurschmeide
ADVERTISING
Gabe Frimmel - Ad Sales Director
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12 times a year January, February, March, April, May, June,
July, August, September, October, November, December.
Engaged Media, Inc., 22840 Savi Ranch Pkwy., Suite 200,
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POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Survival
Guide c/o Engaged Media, Inc., VSI, Inc. 905 Kent Avenue,
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reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole
or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada
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NEWPRODUCTS
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1. SEAL
ELECTRONICS
Its probably one of our greatest
fears: damaging our lifelinethe
phone. But LOKSAK has created
peace of mind with its aLOKSAK,
a special resealable bag. But not
just any bag a hermetic seal
will keep electronic devices airtight-dry, even if submerged 200
feet. Youll still have screen functionality while its being protected
from rain, during fishing or camping, while swimming, and so on.
Can also be used for firearms.
Specifications
13 different sizes
Laptop size, too
Water, dust, snow, sand,
humidity-proof
loksak.com
Starts around $8
2. OUTDOOR
WATCH
The PRO TREK line of outdoor
watches from Casio America features the PRG270 with functions
like a compass bearing, atmospheric pressure/altitude, and
temp readings. Theres also an
alarm warning for a sudden rise or
drop in atmospheric pressure, for
a heads-up that weather conditions will change.
Specifications
100-meter water resistance
World time clock
High-capacity solar-charging
Has water and low-temp
resistance
protrek.casio.com
$180
10
3. EMERGENCY
CRANK RADIO
This ER200 digital AM/FM and
weatherband Wx radio from Midland can work via solar, hand
crank, or rechargeable battery. It
also has a low/high flashlight and
SOS flashlight beacon; it activates
Morse code for assistance.
Specifications
6.5x2.8x1.9
Up to 25 hrs battery life
Charge phone/tablet through
USB port
midlandusa.com
$59.99
CAN'T GET ENOUGH ASG ? WHEN YOU'RE NOT OFF

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4. SURVIVAL
BRACELETS
SecureLine created the Survival
Bracelet, which gives a look of
paracord bracelets, but can be
used outdoors by converting to
more than seven feet of rope.
Within the rope are seven strands
of nylon that can be used for anything from fishing line to dental
floss to sutures. Use the cordage
to build a shelter, create a clothesline, make shoelaces, and more.
Specifications
Nylon-braided construction
Easy to pack
Can be tourniquet or secure
splint
securelineproducts.com
Starts around $4
5. COLD-WATER
IMMERSION SUIT
The White Glacier Arctic 25 coldwater immersion suit protects

against freezing temps, gnarly cold
water, arctic wind, and the effects
of hypothermia for more than 25
hours, without manual adjustments. Allows for vertical or horizontal floating and has a built-in
harness for easier and quicker

extraction. Resists direct contact
with flames for four seconds.
Specifications
Impact-tolerant from 32 foot
jump
Heavy-duty zippers
Dress in under 60 seconds
whiteglacier.com
$1,450
6. BBQ GRILL
The Coleman RoadTrip NXT 200
grill is about potent outdoor
cooking 20,000 BTUs of intensity. It has Instastart ignition for
matchless/push-button lighting.
Theres a thermometer and mixand-match cooktop for grill,
stove, or griddle.
Specifications
Scissor legs
321 square inches of grill space
Fits 16.9 ounce or 20 pound
propane tank with attachments
Low-profile storage
sportchalet.com
$220
6
11
NEWPRODUCTS
7. GEAR TIES
A reusable rubber twist tie? This
isnt your grocery-store twist tie!
Theres a tough wire inside to hold
shape, and its waterproof in freshwater or saltwater, meaning no
damage. Its UV-resistant, too.
Secure your gear easily.
Specifications
Weighs 2.5 ounces
64x0.4x0.4
Twist or tie it
Wont scratch or mark
niteize.com
$7.95
8. MEASURE
WEATHER
CONDITIONS
The Kestrel 4500 Weather & Environmental Meter can tell you every
condition as well as wind direction
and has automatic crosswind calculation. Measures: ambient
temps, relative humidity, altitude,
barometric pressure, dewpoint and
more. It also has a compass.
Specifications:
Soft carry pouch included
Neck lanyard
Weighs less than 8 ounces
Waterproof
nkhome.com
$409
9. HATCHET/
SOAP COMBO
Strange bedfellows? The Duke
Cannon American Soap and
Hatchet Set has bricks of Duke
Cannon soap, and a Duke Cannon
hatchet with custom leather
sheath. The set also includes a
Stanley screwdriver and a coldweather skull cap. The soaps come
in a U.S. military .30 cal ammo kit.
Specifications
Six soaps
Hatchet: 19 ounce, 18 inch handle
Portion of proceeds for veteran
causes
dukecannon.com
$150
12
10
10. DONT GET
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CAN'T GET ENOUGH ASG ?

WHEN YOU'RE NOT OFF
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americansurvivalguidemagazine
The Traction Jack creates a surface

for traction if your vehicle gets
stuck in sand, snow, mud, or ice.
Put it under the front tires to regain
grip. The product is two pieces with
a hinge, which means you can fold
it and store it with ease.
Specifications
4.3 feet long
Can be leveling trailer, too
Basic model holds up to 10,000
pounds
Heavy-duty for nearly 22,000
pounds
tractionjack.com
Four kits; prices start at $174.99
11. FOLDING COT

The lightweight Helinox Cot One
can be put anywhere, anytime. It
has quick-tensioning locks, making for easy setup. It uses Helinox
TH72M aluminum. A storage bag
is included.
Specifications
72 inches long
Weighs 4.2 pounds
6 inches off the ground
320 pound load capacity
12. RUGGED
TABLET
The Toughpad FZ-B2 is a rugged
and portable Android tablet. It
meets military standards so go
ahead, drop it up to five feet. Its
able to withstand shock, vibration, altitude, humidity, and
extreme temps. And its waterresistant.
Specifications
Quick charging
7-inch daylight-readable
screen
Glove-friendly touchscreen
panasonic.com
$1,299
12
bigagnes.com
$300
11
13
PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM RALSTON
PREPPING RALSTON
WITH
BY TIM RALSTON
Timothy Bryan Ralston is an American inventor, veteran, adventurer, author and movie consultant for his expertise in the field of
survival and preparedness education. He is best known for his appearance in the powerful motivational film, The Compass, and
for being the international spokesperson in the launch of NatGeos No. 1-rated program, Doomsday Preppers.
Know Your Region

Before The Emergency
Where will you be when an emergency strikes? The odds are youll
probably be in your home region
beyond that its a mystery.
There are a lot of preparations
people make for emergency scenarios. Yet without being able to predict
what the circumstances of the scenario will be theres no predicting
your best course of action. For example, would bugging in be an option
or would you be forced to bug-out? If
so, which route will be deemed
safest, and can your supplies even
withstand the duration?
A great way to prepare for this
type of unknown is to learn about
your region. In the event that you had
to find refuge in your local wilderness, it is critical to know what
resources are available and how to
avoid the dangers within.
Vegetation
Many plants have the ability to
save your life. But if not researched
carefully, they can easily be confused
with those that cause an adverse
effect. Take the time to practice plant
identification in your surrounding
area. Learn which will aid in your survival, and which to leave be.
Id recommend keeping an Identification Guide in your BOB.
Edibility Some plants in the wilderness can provide you the vitamins
and nourishment needed to survive. Discover which edible roots,
grasses, herbs, flowers, berries, or
even cacti grow abundantly in
14
Knowing your way out of a big city or even your own city could be a very important step to
your survival. For example, consider subway tunnels as a means of escape.
your part of the country and how

to eat them safely.
Medicinal There may not always
be a pharmacy aroundbut fortunately nature provides its own.
From headaches, to sore throats,
to blood clotting there are many
plants that have the power to heal
minor ailments and injuries.
Poisonous Eating the wrong type
of plant can easily seal your fate.
Some will make you violently ill,
while others will leave you cold as
a doornail. It is for this reason that
making a positive identification
before usage is extremely vital!
Building Materials You may have
to rely on using natural materials
for building things like shelter,
tools, weapons, etc. Because time
is of the essence, its a good idea
to know beforehand which items
are best for getting the job done.
Animals
Finding an animal in the wilderness can be a blessing when youre
hungry. The focus is in learning

which are friend and which are foe. In
other words, which can be eaten and
which will eat you.
Prey Every region has temperate
creatures that are ideal for consumption. Learn which ones in your
area are the easiest to find, the best
hunting techniques, and the right
way to cook them. This includes
mammals, reptiles, insects, and
everything in between.
Predators Do you know what
deadly beasts stalk your neck of
the woods? If not, it is imperative
that you do. Every place has their
own potentially vicious animals
from bears, to mountain lions, to
wolves. There are also many poisonous and stealthier ones, such
as snakes and spiders.
For each predator, there are recommendations of what to do when
you come across it. Spend time really
educating yourself about the proper
protocol for handling the dangerous
animals that reside in your region.
Weather Conditions
There are negative weather conditions that occur all across the country.
Extreme temperatures or winds, natural disasters, and flooding could all
be dangerous if you were bugging
out in the wild.
A good idea is to pinpoint the most
deadly weather risks in your region,
and the time period during which
they occur. Research and discover
solutions that would help you survive
when facing them. What steps do you
take to avoid overheating in the
desert? How can you create fire in
harsh conditions? Prepare yourself
with plans for various scenarios.
PHOTOS BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Escape Routes on Foot

The type of escape route you take
is dependent on whether you are in
the city, or in a rural environment.
Lets pretend regardless of your location, you were forced to flee on foot
from your home. Do you know
enough about your area regarding the
location of the closest water source,
[CLOCKWISE] Take the time to practice

plant identification in your surrounding
area. For example, the seeds of the castor
oil plant contain ricin, one of the worlds
most lethal toxins. Potentially dangerous
animals lurk in most outdoor environments,
so care and understanding of them need to
be considered. The mountain lion, when
properly motivated, can easily make a meal
of you. Knowing your regions weather
patterns and the likelihood of a weather
event will help you not only choose the
right path but might provide you with
much needed information about surviving.
an alternative safe destination or

shelter, a reachable meeting spot for
you and other local family members,
secluded routes you feel no others are
aware of or an area with an abundance of natural resources?
Its always important to prepare
for the worst and hope for the best.
By studying the details of your home
region it should give you a better
chance of surviving when SHTF.
15
SOUND WAVES TO ID
NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT CRACKS
A NEW SYSTEM that relies on sound waves that could be used to find
cracks in pipes, aircraft engines, and nuclear power plants has been
developed by an academic at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. It
could be used to detect structural defects or other weak points, such as
within a special type of weld thats hard to inspect.
GUESS HOW OLD

THE FBIS MOST
WANTED LIST IS
YOURE LIKELY AWARE of the FBIs Ten

Most Wanted Fugitives program. But did
you know its 65 years old in 2015? It
started March 14, 1950, and in the decades
since, 504 fugitives have been added, and
473 apprehended or located. The FBI
noted that 156 were found due to citizen
cooperation. In its early years, the
dangerous fugitives were typically bank
robbers and murder suspects. Now, it has
grown to include cyber criminals, child
predators, and white-collar criminals.
16
Biometrics May Be
the New Password
HOW TO STOP HACKERS?
Biometrics is one form of identity
protection leading the way (be it
fingerprints, voice recognition,
or iris scanning, for example),
and the Apple iPhone with Touch ID
and the Samsung fingerprint scanner
are at the forefront of consumer
interaction with this technology.
Yahoo is even experimenting with
eliminating passwords.
One particularly ready

fault is the Southern
San Andreas, which
contributes to its continued
status of being the most
likely to host a large
earthquake. Specifically, it
has a 19 percent chance of
having one or more events
larger than magnitude 6.7 in
the next 30 years.
FROM THE EARTHQUAKE-FORECASTER FOR CALIFORNIA, CALLED
UNIFORM CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE RUPTURE FORECAST (UCERF3)
Ohio Has The Most School Threats

A STUDY BY NATIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY SERVICES found that
the top state for school threats is Ohio, followed by California, New York and
Texas. Threats were studied from August 1-December 31, 2014, which is the first
half of the school year. Ohio had 64 reports of school threats, more than California
with 60. New York had 46 and Texas had 41. Bomb threats top the list, followed
by shooting.
Gary L. Sigrist Jr., president of Safeguard Risk Solutions, a security consulting
firm based in Grove City, Ohio said: Should we do a better job training staff and
schools to better respond to bomb threats? Absolutely.
17
NEW EVIL BACTERIA?
SHORT ANSWER: YES. Long answer: For a long time weve

thought that bacteria make antibiotics for the same reasons that
we love them because they kill other bacteria, said Elizabeth
Shank, an assistant professor of biology
in the UNC-Chapel Hill College of
Arts and Sciences as well as
microbiology and
immunology in the UNCChapel Hill School of
Medicine. However,
weve also known that
antibiotics can
sometimes have
pesky side-effects,
like stimulating
biofilm formation.
It was never that
surprising that many
bacteria form biofilms in
response to antibiotics: It
helps them survive an attack.
But its always been thought that
this was a general stress response, a
kind of non-specific side effect of antibiotics. Our findings indicate
that this isnt true. Weve discovered an antibiotic that very
specifically activates biofilm formation, and does so in a way that
has nothing to do with its ability to kill.
Aluminum is
Poisoning Crops
A SIDE EFFECT OF SOIL
ACIDIFICATION? Aluminum, which
reduces plant growth, potentially
preventing roots from reaching water or
nutrients, according to researchers from
The University of Queensland. Food
security being at risk is the side effect of
aluminum. Soil degradation is natural,
but now efforts can be made to create
better aluminum tolerance.
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ARE ANTIBIOTICS CREATING
IN FLORIDA, DONT SAY
CLIMATE CHANGE
THE FLORIDA CENTER for
Investigative Reporting learned
officials with the states
Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) have been banned
from saying the phrases climate
change or global warming or
sustainability in any official
communications, including emails
and reports. A spokesperson for the
DEP told Bloomberg theres no
policy on this.
18
STORIES OF SURVIVAL
Escape
from
Berlin
HANS-PETER SPITZNER AND PEGGY SPITZNER ARE THE LAST ONES OUT
Story by Bryan Dumas | Photography Courtesy Hans-Peter Spitzner | Additional Photography Courtesy Library of Congress
Sorry, no. It is too dangerous.
Hans-Peter Spitzner and

his daughter Peggy at a
Berlin Wall Memorial.
20
Those are the words greeting Hans-Peter

Spitzner each time he approached a U.S. soldier in East Berlin. But, he did not give up
and, finally, on his third day in the hot summer heat he found a soldier Eric Yaw
who was willing to ferry his seven-year-old
daughter and himself across the East/West
Berlin border and into freedom.
ASG had the opportunity to speak with

Hans-Peter and Peggy Spitzner and have
them tell their incredible story of survival.
American Survival Guide: What was life like
for you in East Germany?
Hans-Peter Spitzner: I was a 35-year-old textile-engineering teacher living in Chemnitz,
Saxony. Our everyday life was quiet; we
worked and our child was in first grade.
Friends and family could talk freely about the
injustices in the GDR, but it was not foreseeable that the wall would come down one day,
thats why many people turned their backs
on the GDR.
Peggy Spitzner: As a child it was a good life. I
had enough friends and toys, and I remember
my fancy washing machine. In Kindergarten
we all looked the same and the rules were
very strict. We had to sleep on our bellies
with our hands under the pillow. The group,
as such, was very important and school itself
was very practically orientated. I loved my
uniform and regularly embarrassed my mom
by singing the political songs we learned at
school in public. I do not remember knowing
anything about the world outside the GDR.
ASG: The Stasi arrested you because you

refused to follow party orders in an election. How did you feel during your arrest?
H-PS: I was paralysed and feeble. I felt completely exposed, but I was strong inside and
not willing to give up, I had not committed
any crimes and did not feel guilty at all, yet
still I cannot deny a feeling of fear. I was inferior to all these people; the psychological
pressure was enormous.
ASG: Where did you get the idea for your
escape, if you would call it that, in a car?
What set your plans in motion? What did
you think about it all, Peggy?
H-PS: The idea of escaping in the trunk of a
car came to my mind while reading an article
in the newspaper Junge Welt. I read that
there was an official instruction that said
members of the allied military forces were
not to be searched. Only the usual passport
check was conducted. In the case of a reasonable suspicion of a flight risk the car was surrounded and the occupants forced out. It
wasnt until then that they could be arrested
since the inside of the vehicle was de facto
American territory.
My wife was already in Austria [it was common practice for the GDR to allow a member
of the family to leave briefly so long as there
was family left behind, almost as hostages for
their return] and this encouraged me to try to
escape and not have to expose my wife to the
risk. She and my daughter did not know anything specific about my plans. Shortly before I
prepared my daughter in a playful way. While
on our way to Berlin, I passed it off to her as a
kind of hide and seek game.
PS: I do not remember my father telling me
anything except that we had to get through
this in order to see my mom. For me it felt
like an adventure, because in my understanding, I was doing this whole wait-hideseek thing only to be able to see my mum.
She was gone and I wanted her back. Actually, you are the first person to ask if I would
call it an escape. I never thought about the
word to use to describe it. On one side it was
not an escape in the sense that we had to fear
for our lives, but my father wanted to go
away because of the threats and fear for his
social life if he did not behave the way the
Socialist Party wanted people to behave. So,
yes, I would say it was an escape.
Conrad Schumann,
the first person to
escape the Berlin Wall
August 15, 1961.
21
Escape
from
Berlin
caught], but the urge to live in a free country
gave me the strength to try it over and over
again. I wanted to escape the system and
wanted to give it the cold shoulder. I wanted
to demonstrate that its power could not keep
everybody from leaving.
I wanted to meet a soldier, who was driving a car, and I also tried my luck with bus
drivers. Peggy was always by my side, this
made me less suspicious; a child was rather
unsuspicious to the authorities. I felt powerless and I was sad every time I was rejected.
But it was a special kind of challenge indeed,
dangerous and special, and this is why I did
not give up. I have always been the warrior
type who pursues his goals to the end and
does not give up that quickly.
PS: Unfortunately, I do not remember much
about those three days, merely a few scenes.
I remember being in a caf on Alexaderplatz.
I also remember being in a parking lot and
that we forgot my cuddly too in our green
Wartburg. I was very sad about that.
Eric Yaw standing at the

on
Checkpoint Charlie sign
the same day he helped
the Spitzners escape.
Eric Yaw s Toyota

Camry, then in
Afghanistan.
ASG: Could you explain what it was like in

Berlin for those three days while you
sought out anyone who might help you
cross the border?
H-PS: Before the escape, and until Peggy and
I were able to leave the car after the successful escape, I felt panic and fear; it was life
threatening. I was totally aware of [being
22
ASG: How did you eventually meet with

Eric Yaw?
H-PS: I saw him by chance right before I
wanted to cancel the whole thing. I saw him
parking his car on Karl-Marx-Allee, a central,
busy road in East Berlin. I saw a black car
with a US license plate and decided to try
one last time to find someone by walking
over to his car and signaling with gestures
that I wanted to talk to the young man, who
was wearing a uniform. I recognized that it
was a US military uniform. He was hesitant,
but to my delight he opened the car window
and I could bring my request forward. When
he agreed, at first I thought that he maybe
misunderstood, because I could not believe
that he would take on such a burden, that he
would, at the risk of his life and knowing that
he was breaching official instructions, help
me and my daughter. I was a little confused
and very, very excited at the same time.
ASG: What was going through your mind
as you rode in the trunk of Eric Yaws car
and crossed through Checkpoint Charlie?
H-PS: The drive from getting into the car to
the border (Checkpoint Charlie) took us
approximately 25 minutes, but we got into
the car near a park to prevent people from
watching us. Until then we had been driving
the two cars separately. The drive to the border was not very long, but the tightness, the
darkness, the broiling heat, and the black car,
At the end of World War II, Berlin became a divided city with the three western Allies the
U.S., Great Britain, and France controlling the western half of the city and the Soviets
controlling the east. Between 1941 and 1961, nearly 2.7 million people simply walked across
the border from East to West. Half of these refugees were under 25. The labor and economic crisis that loomed for the East German government had to be stemmed before there
was a complete collapse of the East German economy.
Early in the morning of August 13, 1961 temporary barriers of coiled barbed wire were
erected along the border between the Soviet and Western sectors of Berlin and the roads
connecting the two were torn up. Over the next few weeks, the wire was removed and
replaced by concrete slabs. The Wall would divide neighborhoods; houses that impeded the
wall were condemned, boarded up, and became empty carcasses ensnared within the
labyrinth of the border security.
The Spitzners, reunited in West Germany, a few months

after their escape.
which seemed to suck up the shafts of sunlight, made it seem like an eternity.
In the trunk many thoughts crossed my
mind. On one hand I did not want to be
caught by the border patrolmen, because
that would have meant prison for me, and
my daughter would have been taken to an
unknown place, probably a state community
home or to new parents who were loyal to
the party. I was scared, anxious, and pictured many scenarios. It was like a thunderstorm in my head, I was unable to think
straight. I was shivering with fear. Of course,
I knew about the firing orders and the cruel
methods the civil servants used against people who tried to escape, everybody in the
GDR knew about this.
PS: I was not nervous. I even calmed my
father down in the trunk of Erics car. He
tried to talk to me to avoid me getting scared,
but I told him that we could not speak or
someone might hear us. Of course, I could
not estimate the scope of this undertaking,
but I knew that it was important to my family
and my dad that we got where we wanted to
go safely and therefore I had to listen to my
dad and be brave.
ASG: What was your reaction once you
reached West Berlin?
H-PS: We were relieved, because we could
finally escape the tightness and the heat, but
also that we were not exposed to the GDR
dictatorship regime and the repressions that
Construction
of the Berlin
Wall in 1963.
Ostensibly, the Berlin Wall was not directed at keeping East Germans from escaping but,
as East German leader Walter Ulbricht said in the weeks after the wall rose, we have sealed
the cracks in the fabric of our house and closed the holes through which the worst enemies
of the German people could creep.
From its creation in 1961 to its fall in 1989, the Berlin Wall saw four major revisions, but
throughout the years it was always being modified and security measures perfected after
each and every escape attempt was analyzed.
But the Berlin Wall was only a small portion of the entire Iron Curtain that tore across
central Europe. Separating East and West Germany was a no-mans land of barbed wire,
minefields, watchtowers and dog runs called the Inner-German border. At nearly 860 miles
long, the border ran from the Baltic Sea to Czechoslovakia, where the governments of other
Eastern Bloc nations implemented their own security measures. In 1967, utilizing their experiences constructing the Berlin Wall, the GDR modernized the entire barrier. The new system
was extremely effective; there were approximately 1,000 escapes per year in the mid-60s
to less than 120 a decade later.
The Berlin Wall stood, as Hans-Peter Spitzner described it, as a razorblade in the flesh
of the German folk for almost 30 years and it would take a mistake for it to ultimately
come down. On Nov. 9, 1989, East German Politburo member Guenther Schabowski mistakenly announced that East Germans would be allowed to cross into West Germany immediately. The rush of people caught the GDR border agents off guard, and, without orders to
the contrary, began allowing people to pass peacefully between East and West. Official
reunification of East and West Germany did not happen until Oct. 3, 1990 and the last vestiges of the Wall were not removed until 1992.
23
Escape
from
Berlin
a guy came to our open window that was
promoting some kind of red strawberry
lemonade. He gave one to me for free and
this was a completely new thing for me, I
was over the moon. Usually, I went to stores
with adults and we were waiting in a queue
for hours. Nobody just came to you and
offered you stuff.
At Hans-Peter
Spitzners birthday
party. The painting was
created by Peggy and
done with coffee.
[TOP] Eric Yaw and
Ingrid Spitzner during
Hans-Peter Spitzners
60th birthday party.
24
came with it anymore. We called Berchtesgaden [where Ingrid was staying] after Eric
had picked us up from the refugee camp once
more. Unfortunately, my wife was not at the
guesthouse that day, so I had to rely on the
owner of the guesthouse to break the news of
our escape to her and that she believed us,
after all we didnt know each other. The next
morning I could talk to my wife Ingrid in person and explain the situation.
PS: My first memory is the trunk opening. I
saw a big red brick building. Eric had taken
us there, because some of his friends lived
there. He asked everybody in the building to
donate clothes for us, because my dad had
forgotten to pack some for me. Later we
were driving through Berlin, and while we
were waiting at the traffic lights somewhere,
ASG: Looking back at everything, what do

you think of the Berlin Wall and everything you went through?
H-PS: I was glad when the wall came down,
that the razorblade in the flesh of the German folk, the wall, had lost its awful effect,
and I was happy for the GDR citizens that
they could finally be free and would not have
to risk their lives, like me and Peggy
and Eric, to be able to live in peace.
For me this was a very happy day,
we celebrated with friends past midnight. I will never forget this day, as
well as the day of our escape and I
am thankful to Eric and the Germans
that everything happened entirely
peacefully. The reunification in the
German minds will take a little
longer, but this is manageable compared to the conditions in the GDR
look to North Korea, people are
still held in prisons like animals,
look to Iran, where religious groups
restrict the freedom of the people. I
am happy I get to live in a free and
beautiful country.
PS: I admire my dad for doing such
a brave thing, he is my hero and I
think he is responsible for my strong
belief that I can accomplish everything if I really want to. He wanted to give his
family the opportunity of a better life. He
wanted me to grow up in an environment
where I would be able to speak the truth and
where the individual is worth something.
This was not the case in the GDR. My childhood was good. I was a happy child, but having inherited my fathers persistence and
love of liberty, I think I would have thought
about escaping later on in my life (given the
circumstances would not have changed).
Authors Notes: Id like to thank Hans-Peter and Peggy Spitzner for
taking the time to speak with ASG. You can read more about their
escape in their book, written by Hans-Peter Spitzner and illustrated
by Peggy Spitzner, Die Nadel im Ozean. Id also like to thank Lydia
Dollmann with the Gedenksttte Berliner Mauer for helping facilitate
contacts. A special thanks goes to Charmagne Braden for her help
translating the many German sources and interview for this story.
Phone: (208)542-0113
P.O. BOX 2544, IDAHO FALLS, ID 83403

yes
x
HELL yes
www.topsknives.com
Before ordering yours, answer one question . . .
26
Heart of
Darkness
INTO THE AMAZON WITH BUSHCRAFT GLOBAL
Story and Photography by Joshua Swanagon | Additional Photography by Joe Flowers, Andy Tran and Dan Eastland
n early 2014 my friend Joe Flowers invited me on the inaugural

Bushcraft Global trip, his new company taking people to the Amazon
Jungle at the southern tip of Colombia and teaching them jungle survival. Having camped throughout the Rockies and Michigan I can
honestly say I never had the opportunity to camp anywhere like the
Amazon, so naturally I was in. Fortunately, Bushcraft Global is sponsored
by TOPS Knives, so even though my entire knife collection is designed
more for North America, it wasnt an issue. Each member of the expedition
was provided with a TOPS Knives Machete .170 and Shango XL knife,
which was a perfect combination for traversing the dense Amazon jungle.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN EASTLAND OF DOGWOOD KNIVES
THE AMAZON JUNGLE IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PLACES ON EARTH AND, EVEN THOUGH
EVERYTHING THERE IS CONSTANTLY STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL, IT IS ALSO TEEMING WITH LIFE.
27
A
A. The jungle was very dense and at times

impossible to get through without
machetes. B. Rodolfo, one of our Jacuna
Guides, making a roof panel for the kitchen.
C. The thatched roof over the kitchen and
food. D. Our hammocks at the second base
camp about nine miles into the jungle. E.
TOPS Knives Machete .170 and Shango XL
with my finished blow gun. F. A frog we got
at the second base camp. It was delicious.
PREPARATION/PACKING
I think the hardest part of this trip
was packing. Having never been any
place like the Amazon, I had no idea
what I should and shouldnt bring.
Fortunately we were given a list, but it
was more of a guideline really and it is
still difficult to determine what, of the
gear you are used to, will be useful
and what wont. Some of it might be
and some of it might not, but all of it
will be susceptible to the dense
humidity of the jungle. For that reason, the most important piece of gear on the list was dry bags; I used multiple
bags to organize my gear as opposed to one big dump
bag. Of equal importance was quick drying nylon clothes
and shorts; do not wear cotton, you will be wet and miserable the entire time there.
There are a few other items that topped the list of
importance and are highly recommended. Once you think
you have enough Deet, go buy some more, because you
dont have enough. Make a foot powder ball with any
kind of antifungal powder and one leg of pantyhose; your
feet are imperative when traversing the jungle and jungle
rot will surely slow you down. A blister kit; you want to
make sure you have some good ointments and tapes
specifically designed for blisters, plus Vaseline to prevent
blisters. Two or three flashlights and plenty of batteries;
traveling through the jungle during the day is not even
close to as hard as traveling through it at night. Trust me
when I say that just because you cant see it doesnt mean
28
it isnt there and it cant kill you. Also, some form of water
purification; regardless of what type of water purifier you
have you should also have iodine tablets as a backup for
good measure. You will also need your typical gear, but
the things listed here are vital.
ARRIVAL
Upon arriving in Leticia, there were small taxis and
dirt bikes zipping around everywhere. Fortunately we
had a bus waiting for us, which would deliver us to the
Arenosa (which is a part of Reserva Natural Tanimboca)
owned by our host Goran. Here we would spend our first
night in preparation to head into the jungle to our first
base camp.
As soon as the sun went down on the first day we were
taken for a night hike through the surrounding jungle to
learn about the local flora and fauna; at night is the best
time for this because that is when the jungle really comes
alive. One of the most important lessons we learned on
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY TRAN OF INNERBARK OUTDOORS
pose of the first base camp was to give us a few days to

that hike was to always be aware of your surroundings in
acclimate to the jungle, giving us a comfortable place to
the jungle. At one point we stopped to discuss something
begin learning some of the skills we would need for the
and one of the gentlemen with us had a tree frog right
longer hike that was ahead.
next to his head, it wasnt a dangerous variety, but
it was a lesson in paying attention to your surroundings. Everything there is fighting for
FOOD PROCUREMENT
survival and that makes all of it dangerPerhaps one of the most amazing
ous on some level. Not to mention next
things about the jungle is the fact that
time it could have been a scorpion,
there is literally food everywhere.
tarantula or a killerpillar (what we
However, just like anywhere else on
The jungle has its own natural alarm system.
affectionately nicknamed the caterpilthe planet, you dont want to just start
When there is a dangerous predator, such as a
lars down there).
grabbing things and eating them.
jaguar or large snake, the whole area will get
With the help of our indigenous
really quiet and then the area the predator is
Jacuna (Pronounced Yah-Coo-Nah)
BASE CAMP ONE
actually in will erupt in sound alerting the
guide we were taught some of the easThe day after we arrived we got up
surrounding area to the exact location
ier to identify edible plants and fruits
early and hiked about three or four miles
of the predator.
during our many jungle walks. The easiest
into the jungle, to our first base camp. This
to identify was a palm tree we also used to
location had a good size hut and some fenced
harvest the leaves for shelter building, so we
in property that was part of Tanimboca and is
knew it well; the inside has the consistency and flavor of a
owned by our host Goran. The property was remote and
cucumber. Along with that was the star fruit, another easy
surrounded by jungle and although it had no electricity it
to identify edible that was so delicious it almost put me
did have running water (we each had to pump the well
off fruit back home altogether.
300 times a day to bring the water to the hut). The pur-
NATURES
ALARM
29
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE FLOWERS
However, we all know we need protein as well, so

making sure there were no holes in training we set out to
rustle up some grub. Literally. Once we found a tree with
grubs in it (find a dead tree and put your ear up to it, you
can hear them eating on the inside) we chopped the tree
down and used an axe to open it up and start harvesting
the grubs. Before putting the grub into the pouch we
made out of a palm leaf, we bit the head, thus killing it
instantly and ensuring it wont crawl out and make an
escape. We had that days harvest with dinner that night.
I thought they were a little greasy when cooked, but
tasted like raw almonds.
In the evenings, after the sun went down, we would go
for long hikes along the rivers and spear fish. Using flashlights we would spot the fish as they slept near the bank
and use the spears we fashioned back in camp to attempt
to spear our quarry. I say attempt because the truth of
the matter is that our Jacuna guide was the only one proficient enough to ensure we had fish to eat. But we
learned a lot during our attempts and I am convinced that
with a little more time we could have done pretty well.
30
MACHETE MAINTENANCE
One of the things I noticed immediately upon getting
to Colombia is the machete is life there. Most people in
Colombia (at least in areas like this) are given their first
machete when they are four and they have one for the
rest of their lives. So it was no surprise that a strong
emphasis was placed on proper machete maintenance.
Sharpening our machetes with a couple files that made
the trip with us became a daily ritual. But aside from just
using the files we were also shown a means of sharpening
our machete on a log using the sand from the jungle floor.
What made this even more effective is the fact that you
can use different grains of sand to go from a basic edge to
a keen one.
WASNT ALL WORK

The last full day we were there we were taken for a
hike a few miles deeper into the jungle where we met the
Chief of a Makuna tribe, where we were invited into his
large maloca (term for a traditional Indigenous house)
and shown great hospitality as he sat with us and enlight-
A. Joe Flowers and Rodolfo working on one of the traps on the trap line. B. The platform we built down into the small river by us for easier
access to the water. C. Working on hollowing out my blow gun during some down time. D. Chief Gustavo, of the Makuna tribe. E. Jacuna fish
traps. F. The best way to keep boots dry. This will not keep small critters like scorpions or killerpillars out of your boots, so you still need to
shake them out before putting them on. G. The table in the commons area. H. Rustling up some grub.
ened us with stories of his tribe and how he became

Chief. After spending this time with us and providing us
with something to eat he allowed us to go down the path
and fish from his river.
BASE CAMP TWO

After returning back to Tanimboca from the first base
camp we took a short excursion into Leticia (the local
town) and did a little shopping, eating and sight-seeing
before returning to prepare our gear for the long hike in
the morning. It was important to really scour through our
gear to rid ourselves of unnecessary weight, which is
never easy, but was essential. The next morning we
awoke and loaded our gear onto the truck that would take
us to the drop off point to begin our nine mile hike.
HIKING IN
The hike in was definitely different than the hike to the
first base camp, which made us all glad for the time we had
spent the first few days learning to traverse the jungle.
Although the altitude was relatively the same from the
beginning of the hike to the end, there were a lot of steep
ups and downs, fairly deep waters and dense jungle with
many obstacles. Unfortunately for me I was sick during the
hike (I believe from the salad I had eaten in town the day
before) with diarrhea and a fever that registered upward of
102 degrees. I have done a lot of hiking in my life, but this
was the most grueling I have ever experienced. Although I
was a bit delirious I forged on in autopilot and just followed the man in front of me, taking quick power naps at
every stop. It wasnt easy, but I made it.
31
SET UP
This was one of the most rewarding experiences of the

trip for me, but more than just rewarding, they almost
Due to illness, as soon as we arrived at our final destibecame necessary when Andy, Dan Eastland of Dogwood
nation I immediately set up my hammock and laid down
Knives and I spent the last night in our own camp about a
for a nap. Fortunately for me our expedition included
mile away from base camp. Having found evidence there
some very good people and they helped to finish setting
was a jaguar in the area, we were provided with a quiver
up my bug net and shelter while I slept. When I awoke
full of poison darts to go with our new blow guns for
for dinner I made my way down to the commons area
security.
that had been established and was surprised to find a
table, much like a picnic table, fashioned by our Jacuna
guides out of surrounding trees and chicken gut vines. It
HIKING OUT
was quite sturdy and very impressive. After dinner I
Being much healthier for the trip out made it much
immediately went back to bed to attempt to sleep off
easier and I was actually lucid enough to remember a lot
what ailed me.
of the hike. Unfortunately, due to some heavy rains two
The next morning when I went back down to the comnights before, most of the smaller streams were now
mons area for breakfast there was a shelter over the table
about chest high and the only option was wading
and a whole kitchen area, made from the surrounding
through. I made sure to remind everybody of the caiman
materials, complete with a long counter for food and a roof
we were hunting in these waters just two nights before,
made of palm leaves thatched together. The Jacuna guides
just to keep our eyes peeled. Other than the periods of
work fast and they work well. Later that day we were
deep waters (some almost the length of a football field)
taught how to thatch together the roof
the hike was good and we made it out
panels and we helped complete the roof
unscathed.
over the kitchen. The next day we went
down to the river and constructed a small
CONCLUSION
deck out over the water for use in washAs if to not be outdone by the jungle
LEARNED AND
ing dishes, water procurement and a platitself,
our host Goran gave us a great
PRACTICED
form to set toiletries while bathing.
send-off, starting with a boat ride on the
IN THE JUNGLE:
Amazon River, lunch at a very cool
> Making a Jacuna blow gun
restaurant right on the river (complete
HUNTING/TRAPPING
> Making a Yaknua bow
with hammocks for siestas) and then finOne of the Jacuna guides brought a
> Spear fishing
ishing off with a great dinner and celeblowgun and we attempted to hunt for
> Making thatched roof panels
bration back at the Arenosa. The trip to
monkey (in hunting parties of two).
> Building structures completely
the Amazon was one of the most rewardUnfortunately, probably due to having a
out of natural materials
ing things I have ever done and I was
group of people maneuvering around in
> Setting trap lines for ground bird
grateful to have such great guides from
the jungle, the hunt for monkey did not
> Machete maintenance in the
which to learn. I truly felt after this expego well and the hunt for caiman met the
middle of the jungle with and
rience, and the skills learned, that I could
same fate. However, we did set up a trap
without a file
have found my way out of the jungle
line to snare some Bird of Paradise and
> Staying dry (just kidding, you
alive in an emergency situation. Along
that ended up paying off. We only got
dont stay dry in the jungle)
with that were the friends made during
one bird, but it was enough for a deli> Making and setting fish traps
this experience I will count as friends for
cious stew that filled us all.
> Finding food in the Amazon
the rest of my life.
The Amazon jungle is one of the most
PASSING THE DOWN TIME
amazing places on Earth and even
We didnt have a whole lot of down
though everything there is constantly struggling for surtime, because in the jungle there is always something to
vival it is also teeming with life. It is almost impossible to
be doing, working on, fishing, etc. But there were times
go more than a few feet without finding some source of
when we would all just spend some time sitting around
food and all around you are ingredients to make medithe table and it was at these times that we got to tell stocines to cure almost anything. After leaving the Amazon
ries, joke around, sharpen our knives and machetes and
jungle it occurred to me that you may leave it, but it will
work on projects. Some guys would take this time to write
never leave you. I will be going back.
the days experiences in a journal, some guys would carve
little figurines out of the beautiful blood wood we harAbout the Author: Joshua Swanagon has studied survival in both urban and wilderness
vested, etc. Andy Tran of Innerbark Outdoors and I used
environments for most of his life. With years of diverse martial arts training and real
this time to make our own Jacuna blow guns and bows,
world application, Joshua with his partner Kenny Pipes has put together Urban Defense
Institute, a reality based self-defense and combatives program, in Mid-Michigan.
with the guidance of our Jacuna guides, out of all natural
materials harvested from the jungle around us.
SKILLS
Bushcraft Global: www.bushcraftglobal.com
32
| www.facebook.com/bushcraftglobal (for more photos and videos of the expedition)
HOW-TO
VEHICLE ESCAPE
EN ROUTE TO
HOW TO ESCAPE FROM A CARS TRUNK Story and Photography by Nikki Grey
t happened so fast. After a dinner with friends
in October 1995 Janette and Greig Fennell
pulled their car into the garage of their San
Francisco home; their nine-month-old son
Alex was asleep in his car seat behind them.
Before the garage door closed completely, two
masked men with guns rolled in underneath it.
They pointed the guns at the Fennells heads
and demanded they get in the trunk of their 1991
Lexus LS400. It wasnt until after the gunmen
34
slammed the trunk door shut they noticed someone else was in the car.
Seconds later, the abductors pulled the vehicle out of the garage. The Fennells couldnt hear
any sign of their son and were terrified of what
could have happened to him. Janette thought she
and her husband were en route to their deaths.
I start pulling at everything I could and I got
the carpeting pulled out and the taillights,
Janette Fennell, who was closest to the back
bumper while her husband was closest to the backseat, remembers. I

exposed a bunch of wires. I didnt quite
know what the wires were but I
assumed backup lights I thought Id
pull all those wires and it would look
like something was wrong and wed
get pulled over.
The gunmen took them to a park in
a remote area, where the Fennells
could hear another vehicle running.
The abductors robbed them and
demanded the PIN number for their
ATM card. If the pin number didnt
work, the gunmen threatened, theyd
come back and kill the Fennells. The
abductors then shut the car trunk door
and left in the other vehicle.
Although unexplainable because
the car was turned off Janette calls it
divine intervention she saw a light
shining on a piece of metal in the dark
trunk. Janette put Greigs hand on the
piece of metal and he found the cable
that opens the trunk when pushed or
pulled from inside the vehicle.
He pulled the cable and the trunk
lid popped open. Janette found the
spare car key, hidden in the owners
manual in the glove compartment.
After the Fennells reached a pay
phone and called the police, an officer
went to their home and found their
baby still in his car seat, unharmed,
outside of their house.
Many people told the Fennells how
lucky there were to survive such an
ordeal and that most instances dont
turn out like theirs did. Janette says
she couldnt help but wonder how the
other situations ended and how can
you put someone in the trunk of their
car and they cant get out?
She made it her mission to ensure
no one else would have to suffer
through being trapped in a car trunk.
After four years of advocacy, including
founding TRUNC Trunk Releases
Urgently Needed Coalition a federal
regulation was passed that mandates
all vehicles manufactured globally for
purchase or lease in the U.S. must
have a trunk release installed inside
the cars trunk.
The regulation was effective September 1, 2001 and began in the 2002
model year.
Janette now focuses her advocacy

work as president of KidsAndCars.org
(formerly TRUNC), a nonprofit dedicated to preventing injuries and death
to children in or around motor vehicles.
For vehicles manufactured before
2002, KidsAndCars.org sells a retrofit
kit called the Quick Out Emergency
Trunk Release for $9.99,
kidsandcars.org/online-store.
KidsAndCars.org reports at least
951 (living) people have been locked in
a car trunk since 1973. At least 305 of
those people, children and adults, died
(this is considered to be below the true
number of incidents because there
arent other organizations with databases chronicling these events.)
KidsAndCars.org has not been
able to document any cases of a person dying in the trunk of a car that
has a glow-in-the-dark internal trunk
release.
HOW TO SURVIVE
If youre locked in a trunk, Janette
says, stay calm and look for the
release, which predominantly is a Tshaped plastic, she says, and be intentional on how you try to escape.
Find the right moment, preferably

at a stop sign or when car is slowed
down and stopped, she says. Be
careful because you dont want to get
out if theyre at a gas station because
theyll be right there and get you.
If youre in an older vehicle, if there
isnt a trunk release, I suggest you do
like we did ripping the lining off the
back of the trunk and see if theres a
tool or anything to break the backup
light. People have stuck their hands
out there to grab attention or taken a
bra off and stuck it out there to get
attention. People have found a paint
can and started dripping paint
because that [will make a trail] to
where you end up...you definitely want
to try to draw attention to yourself.
DONT END UP IN A TRUNK

Aside from ensuring your vehicle
has a trunk release, there are ways to
improve your chances of survival,
including preventing an abductionturned-car-entrapment situation.
Shawn Rafferty, a former Marine,
police and corrections officer with 20
years of experience in the public and
private security sector, says prevention
Beginning in the 2002 model year, a federal regulation mandates all vehicles manufactured globally for purchase or lease in the U.S. must have a trunk release installed inside the cars trunk.
35
EN ROUTE TO
36
KidsAndCars.org sells an after-market

Quick Out Emergency Trunk Release for $9.99.
IF YOU DO GET ATTACKED

AND YOU DONT HAVE ANY
KIND OF WEAPONS, NOW YOU
(HAVE TO) USE YOUR HANDS
AND FEET AND TEETH,
WHATEVER YOU CAN;
THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO
EYE GOUGE. TRY TO POKE
THAT PERSON IN THE EYES.
A young boy who was once locked in a trunk

but found the glow-in-the-dark trunk release
wrote the Fennell family a letter thanking
them for their advocacy that led to the
release that saved his life. The Fennells
framed it.
hat teach realistic fight training such

s Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Mixed Maral Arts and Jiu Jitsu. Most importantly
e smart, he says, and be aware of
our surroundings.
Fiona Quinn wasnt paying attenon in the summer of 1983 when she
nd her sister were headed to her car
fter a funeral and four men
ttacked them.
I was inwardly focused and so
ot aware of my surroundings. The
ar stopped beside me and the guys
umped out before I knew it, says
Quinn, who is a black belt and secnd dan black belt-qualified in Tae
Kwon Do and is also trained in
weaponry including guns.
Quinns sister froze, she says, which
is a common response.
So I fought fast and hard and as if
my life depended on it, which it did. I
punched one man in the throat and he
collapsed. I kicked another man in the
groin so hard that he vomited.
The men got back in their car and
left. Quinn, an author who runs ThrillWriting,
http://thrillwriting.blogspot.com/, a
blog for writers that includes expert
interviews and advice on topics such
as safety and escaping from predators,
says chances of survival drop drastically when someone is taken from one
location to another.
Decide at the beginning you will
fight to the death there and not get in
at car. Know you will be hurt.
e willing to be hurt. And fight
r your loved ones.
Remember they will suffer
you are not there. I know that
someone was going to hurt
ne of my children all hell would
eak loose as mama bear went
to action. Understand that
at is who you are fighting for
changes your perception and
ows you to do things that you
ould not do for yourself alone
t one of those weird psychoical twists.
Quinn noted research shows
attacks often come from people the
victim knows. Listen to your intuition
and act to remove yourself from danger, she says.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FENNELL FAMILY
starts with situational awareness

and knowing your surroundings.
First, park your car in a lighted
area, where other people are, to
lower your chances of becoming a
victim, says Rafferty, who is develop
ing a video series for his business Th
Safety Blueprint,
thesafetyblueprint.com.
Scan cars youre walking by
people could be hiding in them, he
says. If youre wearing loud shoes, (a
potential abductor) can hear you; if
your keys are jingling, they know your
coming...if you unlock your car 10 or 15
feet before you get there, then they
know youre nearby as well.
If youre approaching a car from the
rear, Rafferty says, quietly walk at an
angle as you pass the trunk and backseat, so that someone cant jump out
at you. Softly push the trunk lid down
to make sure its not open (if it is, get
out of there) and check the backseat
of your car to ensure no one is hiding in
there; meanwhile look at the cars
around you to see who is in there as
well, says Rafferty, a former force protection officer in Kuwait who has also
worked in security in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
If you happen to be carrying some
type of weapon pepper spray, Taser,
handgun walk out ready to use it,
he says, noting people should know
the pros and cons of their weapons
and practice using them so they
will be able to follow through in
stressful situation.
If you do get attacked and
you dont have any kind of
weapons, now you (have to) us
your hands and feet and teeth,
whatever you can; the best
thing to do is to eye gouge. Try
to poke that person in the eyes
Jabbing your fingers into an
attackers eyes, he says, can
incapacitate someone who is
high on drugs or used to being
punched or kicked and
wouldnt respond to other
forms of defense.
He says be ready to escalate in
force; if eye jabs dont work, try something else. Rafferty recommends people learn self-defense but take classes
PHOTO COURTESY OF KIDSANDCARS.ORG
Death
BACKCOUNTRY
LED LANTERN
Night Light
ZIPPOS RUGGED LANTERN IS BUILT TO LAST
Story by Gary Kimball | Photography by Henry Z. DeKuyper
The port for the

recharging cable is
sealed with this plastic
and rubber grommet.
with a 10-hour burn time on high (15

hours on medium and 40 hours on low).
THE CONS
ake out your favorite LED
lantern, hold it above
your head and drop it on
the ground. Did it survive? If it did, now throw
it in a lake. Odds are good it stopped
working sometime soon after water
seeped through the seams and fried
its electronics or it just sank to the
bottom to never be seen again. Either
way, it wasnt built to take what life
and emergencies may throw at it.
At a foot in height, the Rugged
Lantern isnt compact and it wont fit
nicely in your backpack, but it wasnt
meant to. It was made to take a beating, wet or dry, and continue shining
bright. It features rubber corners and
stainless steel bars on the four long
sides that keep the main unit and
plastic housing from being broken.
The diffuser scatters the light from a
single LED bulb over a wide area,
bouncing off of the mirror finishes at
the top and bottom.
One of its downsides is that it is

bulky and somewhat heavy. Though
this will have an excellent place in your
cache of equipment awaiting use, this
wont ever see the insides of any kind
of pack.
The lithium-ion battery is the best
battery suited for this application, but
it would have been nice if the lantern
could accept standard batteries,
because not every situation in which
you will need this lantern will you
have access to 110 volts of recharging
power. A car charger is available as an
accessory.
Though it does take some effort to
depress the button, we can see how it
might be bumped on in transport and
will have its batteries depleted by the
time they are needed. However, the
button is recessed behind the rubber
corners, so the likelihood of that happening might be remote. Perhaps a
switch would have been better. The
rubber grommet that covers the
recharging port is a weak point. Break
or lose that little piece and it is no
longer waterproof. A screw-in cover
would have been more secure.
THE PROS
Besides its drop rating, the major
feature that should attract outdoorsmen is that the Rugged Lantern floats
and it is waterproof. At just over four
pounds, theres enough buoyancy built
into the lantern that it will float indefinitely and has a waterproof rating of
IPX7, which means it remains watertight up to three feet (and if it floats,
so thats not an issue). The nylon webbing strap detaches on one side so the
lantern can be hung from a tree or a
hook in your shelter.
When the lithium-ion battery needs
charging, the indicator light near the
diffuser will blink red; while it is charging, it will blink orange, and when it is
fully charged, it will glow green until
you unplug it from the 110v, which only
takes about two hours.
OVERALL
The Rugged Lanterns strong suit: its ability

to float and maintain a waterproof exterior.
Accidentally drop it in a stream or lake or
leave it out in a rainstorm, it will still work
without incident.
After fully charging the battery,

clicking the big red button once starts
the SOS function, which seems like an
odd choice to lead with. It would be
expected that one push would turn on
the unit on its highest setting. However,
two pushes of the button, and the
lantern is emitting 220 lumens of light
From a design perspective, this is a

great piece of gear for those that are
settled into a camp already or have the
means to transport a lot of equipment.
It is rugged enough to survive most
journeys, be it a weekend dress
rehearsal for the big event or the emergency event itself. It provides plenty of
light in four different modes and is simple to operate, even fumbling for it in
the dark. It is sturdy, well built, and
designed to last a long time.
SOURCE
zippo.com | MSRP: $89.95
37
URBAN
FIXED-BLADE KNIFE
Durable
Survival
SCHRADES SCHF3 EXTREME SURVIVAL KNIFE
Story and Photography by Simon Meyers | Additional Photography by Henry Z. DeKuyper
here are many that suppose the single piece of gear one would
need to successfully survive in an away-from-civilization environment for any length of time is a good fixed-blade knife. Its adaptability and versatility can withstand the rigors of daily life in the
wilderness, as it can be anything from a weapon to a can opener
and everything in between. There is much said about cost versus quality in the
outdoor industries, and although survival cant be entered as a budget line
item, economical blades usually fit the mold of you get what you pay for. In
this case, however, the SCHF3 breaks that mold.
THE BLADE
As a full-tang knife wrapped in Micarta grips, the
SCHF3 exudes durability. Also, this knife is made of
440C high carbon stainless steel. This is a good
steel for survival knives because it is very hard and
holds an edge well. It is important, especially in a
survival situation, to not have to sharpen your knife
frequently. The SCHF3 retains its edge and maintains its cutting strength.
38
Schrade makes several other survival blades with serrated or flat edges,
but the SCHF3 is the only one that combines a flat and serrated edge on the
same blade. That flat edge is perfect for
slicing through rope and twine, while
the serrated knife lets you saw through
small trees and heftier branches. The
SCHF3 is a drop point blade which
lends to a very tactical appearance.
The large sweep of the blade
makes the SCHF3 ideal at chopping,
while the drop point makes the knife
good for carving, small detail tasks,
and for piercing. This knife could be
used for defensive purposes or lashed
to a stick as a spear.
The thick blade makes up most of its
1.37 pounds, which is a nice balance for a
survival knife. Any lighter and the knife
loses a lot of its momentum in the swing
but any heavier and the operator might
become fatigued quicker by its bulk.
The deep choil provides security in the grip,

especially when making piercing motions.
The partial serration on the blade allows for

a wide variety of cutting options.
A single snap keeps the knife in the sheath. A

hook and loop portion of the retainer is
adjustable.
The jimping, though slight, provides the

thumb a slip-resistant point when carving or
lateral slicing.
The SCHF3 comes in a combo blade or with a

full edge (non-serrated).
This extra bit of line allows it to be xed virtually anywhere.
The knifes lanyard, when worn on the wrist,

will help prevent accidental drops.
The large loop will fit most belts, either on

the left or right side.
THE HANDLE
Micarta is a woven resin laminate
created with high pressure. It is a go-to
handle material because of its durability and performance in all weather
conditions. It doesnt slip when wet
and wont deteriorate in the elements.
The grips are attached via three Allen
screws for security but also for ease of
changing if need be. The deep finger
grooves and large choil add a sense of
security when gripping this knife. It just
has a solid feel, and doubly so when
the attached lanyard is used.
THE SHEATH
This knife includes a heavy nylon
sheath with a plastic insert, reinforced
with steel grommets. The sheath can
be used on the left or right side and has
two lanyards (one for the thigh and one
to attach to elsewhere). The sheath has
a small external pocket you can use to
hold a sharpener or small flint for fire
starting, and there is a plastic insert to
keep the knife from piercing the sheath.
The hook and loop retention clasp
doesnt get in the way when you are trying to draw the blade, and there are
multiple ways to attach this knife to
yourself or your gear with the four loops
of webbing on the reverse.
Specifications
Blade Length: 6.4 inches
Handle Length: 5.6 inches
Overall Length: 12.0 inches
Weight: 1.37 pounds
SOURCE
taylorbrandsllc.com | MSRP: $74.29
Plenty of nylon rope is included.
39
Keep It
Clean
Story and Photography by
Robert K. Campbell
PROPERLY MAINTAINING A GUN COULD MEAN

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
Whatever type of handgun, rifle or shotgun

you rely upon, you should be prepared for normal maintenance and parts breakage as well.
Changing the lube and replacing springs is
standard operating procedure and makes for a
long-lived handgun. As a trainer and sometimes a gunsmith, I have seen many firearm
malfunctions. The majority were the result of
operator error, but many failures are a result of
something the shooter did not do proper
maintenance. Poor maintenance, a failure to
change out springs, and improper lubrication
shorten the useful life of your firearm. Worse,
this lack of care may result in a failure during a
critical incident.
SIMPLE CLEANING
These 9mm pistols

range from a few
months to 30 years old.
All are as reliable as a
machine can be. If you
are going to bet your life
on a firearm, then you
must maintain it.
40
few years ago, I suffered an

injury during on an on-duty incident. Although I eventually
recovered, my Colt Government
Model suffered an immersion in
soupy mud. While the Colt would have fired
again if need be, it was pretty soaked. By the
time the Colt was given a thorough cleaning,
corrosion had attacked the internal parts. I
received speedy service from Brownells, but the
gun was out of action for a few days while I
waited for these parts. Since then, I have kept a
few parts on hand for my 1911.
Simply keeping the piece clean will prevent

most problems. Caked up carbon deposits will
impede function and reduce slide and bolt
velocity. Debris under the extractor will cause a
failure to extract, and particles in the firing pin
channel will stop the firing pin short. Debris in
the action will stop the action. Corrosion occurs
when the firearms metal is exposed to salts
and not cleaned or oiled. If the bore isnt
scrubbed free of crud, lead, and copper
deposits, accuracy will suffer. The 1911 barrel
bushing and the Beretta 92 locking wedge may
break if subjected to improper cleaning and to
an extent this is true of the AR-15 locking lugs
as well. Additional weight on the parts and
hardened debris in the parts are not part of a
well oiled machine.
A well-maintained vehicle and a well-maintained firearm have a lot in common. A regular
cleaning is like an oil change out with the old
and in with the new. Lubrication will run off of
the firearm and simply does not adhere to the
metal. If you have carried the handgun a month
you should not be surprised to find that it is free
of lubrication. After lubrication and normal

cleaning is maintenance. There are renewable
resources that need to be changed. Grips crack
and become worn. They should be replaced.
Model 1911 grip screws are a common replacement, and something you should have on hand.
Magazines do not last forever. The useful life of
a quality magazine is far less than that of the
firearm. You should have a spare magazine on
hand just in case - and while it could be new, it
should have been proofed on the range before
storage. Just a tip - some magazines do not
come out of the box running, although it is rare
for a Glock, SIG, Beretta or HK magazine to fail
when new.
A. I am not recommending
that this old .455 be on the
front line - but Apex Gun
Parts has kept it going.
B. The locking lugs of the
AR-15 rifle should be
inspected from time to
time for cracks. They must
be kept clean.
FIREARMS COME IN LEVELS OF COMPLEXITY.

THEY ARE MACHINES OF IRREDUCIBLE
COMPLEXITY. IF ONE PART DOESNT WORK
THEN THE WHOLE MACHINE SHUTS DOWN.
C
PRACTICE ISNT COMBAT

When you practice, you hit the range with a
properly lubricated handgun. It isnt difficult to
safely clean and lubricate the firearm at home.
You may also check for problems that should
be addressed. Snap caps and dummy rounds
are a great resource for checking the extractor
and feed function. Check for grit under the
extractor and be certain the springs feel right.
You cannot properly clean a self-loading
firearm without field stripping. At some point
you will also need to learn to change the
springs. Firearms come in levels of complexity.
They are machines of irreducible complexity. If
one part doesnt work then the whole machine
shuts down. If you feel that your schedule does
not allow the level of maintenance demanded
by a self-loading firearm, then a manually operated firearm is for you. This means a pump
action shotgun, a bolt action rifle or a revolver
handgun. If you practice you can save your life
with any of these. They too require maintenance but the regimen isnt as demanding.
The carry gun demands attention whether
or not it is fired. As an example, a student in one
of my classes suffered a failure to fire. He had
carried the pistol in a pocket without a holster,
a common idea and a bad one. When I detail
stripped the pistol there was a hard piece of
something a breath mint perhaps lodged
in a pivot of the trigger. There has to be some
give somewhere and the foreign object was
small and hard enough to slip into the path of
C. A few magazines through

a pistol confirms reliability
and also that the magazines
function. A few spare parts
will also go a long way.
D. Keeping the tight spots
such as the slide lock and
plunger tube clean and
free of lubrication is important to reliability and long
term service. Note lint and
fuzz around slide stop and
unburned powder on frame.
41
Keep It
Clean
H
H. This M9 9mm and the

Kydex rig are among the
authors trusted training
tools. Two spare magazines are good, but five is
much better.
I. This SW 908 is a
reliable handgun
that serves the
owner well. It is
often carried in a
Cover 6 Gear holster.
When spare parts begin to
become difficult to obtain you
have to question whether you
should purchase a long-out-ofproduction handgun.
E. This type of
disassembly isnt
always necessary, but
if you have the skill to
replace parts and repair
the handgun you are
ahead of the game.
F. This M1A1 Springfield
bolt and receiver are
easily accessible once
field stripped.
G. The TEKMAT is
among the neatest
tricks the author has
used. You do not need a
lot of space to get the
job done right, just a
lack of clutter and the
best tools.
42
least resistance and jam the action. On another

occasion one of the smartest fellows I know
allowed his cocked and locked Springfields
safety to rust shut. The Novak custom pistol
had not been fired in months and corrosion got
into the hard-chromed safety. Stainless isnt
stain-proof and should be cleaned and lubricated. Still another pistol was found with brass
shavings in the firing pin channel and another
with a piece of brass beneath the firing pin
block, locking it in the fire mode.
handguns and has a schematic of the chosen

pistol on it, which is really neat. I do clean the
Glock on the 1911 mat and vice versa , but it is a
nice reference when needed. I have been using
Sharp Shoot R green cleaning material for several reasons, most of all because they work and
work well. The pungent smell of conventional
cleaning products is OK outside but I do not
change the Fords oil on the front steps either. I
not only clean the piece I also check it thoroughly for function. There must be no lint or
debris in the action and nothing under the
extractor. Lubricant must be replaced often
with a carry gun. The muzzle down carry results
in the lube running forward.
LOCATION, LOCATION
When you clean and maintain the firearm,
find a quiet location. This is not time for TV or
the kids. I do not need a lot of space, but I place
the firearm on a surface that will not absorb
cleaning material. The TEKMAT mat is ideal for
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The family sedan lets you know when it
needs struts or shocks and so does the handgun. When slide velocity increases the spring is
weak. When slide velocity slows the pistol is
dirty. Recoil springs should be replaced when

the spring has lost a free inch of travel.
Replacement springs are available at fair prices
from Brownells. Recoil springs should be
replaced every 3,000 rounds. The firing pin
spring should be replaced every 5,000 rounds.
The extractor in the 1911 probably should be
replaced at 8,000 rounds, likewise for the CZ
75 in most renditions. Magazine springs are
more difficult to gauge, but if the force needed
to load the magazine becomes noticeably less
the spring needs replacement. If the follower
and magazine body are in good condition a
magazine spring will make the magazine function as new. If the spring is weak, feeding problems occur and in some cases the slide lock will
not lock properly on the magazine follower. The
minimum number of magazines for a personal
defense firearm is three - one in the gun, one on
the belt and one resting.
SPARE PARTS
You should keep on hand spare magazines
and clean fresh ammunition. A recoil spring and
a firing pin spring should be in the kit. It isnt a
bad idea to have a spare set of stocks or grips
J. Whatever type of rifle you deploy

there is always maintenance involved.
M. Keeping a few parts on hand for

hard-use firearms is a good idea.
K. Ease of maintenance should not be

the only criteria in choosing a handgun.
The 1911 is tightly fitted and can be a
bear to field strip.
N. This pistol is perfectly clean but not

yet lubricated. The locking block doesnt
show signs of wear. (Beretta 92)
L. Keep a small area clean and free of

distractions, then cleaning and maintenance is a simple thing.
43
Keep It
Clean
O
O. If you change grips on

a handgun keep the
old ones just in case.
P. It isnt difficult to
place magazine springs
in handguns. Most
require that the magazine plate be removed.
Q. The Beretta open top
slide allows easy access
to clean the breech face
and check the extractor.
as they are frequently cracked. For more specific recommendations short slide pistols are
harder on recoil springs. The shorter the slide
the higher the momentum to be controlled.
Conversely, the new Glock-type recoil
spring/buffer seems never to give trouble. For
the 1911, grip screws and bushings are a musthave for spares. A spare extractor from Ed
Brown, available from Brownells, should be in
the kit.
Be certain to specify Series 70 or Series 80
when ordering. A barrel bushing for those 1911s
that use a barrel bushing is a great idea. No,
they seldom break although I broke
one at 12,500 rounds. They are lost
more often than they break. Be certain that the extractor and barrel
bushing are pre-fitted. You will have
to do the fitting. For the Beretta
92A1, a spare locking wedge (some-
44
R. This Sharps Rie Company bolt and carrier are

coated with space age
NP3. In the long run this
high quality bolt makes a
lot of sense.
S. A spare set of grips
for a hard-use handgun
is never a bad idea. The
author has this spare set
for his Beretta, along
with grip screws and
grip bushings.
T. This is the firing
mechanism of an M1A1
Springfield. It is easy
enough to clean and
lubricate this assembly.
times called the locking block) is a good idea. I

have seen them crack at 3,500 rounds and others seem to go on forever. They are a good bet
to have on hand.
For the AR-15 an extractor is a good idea. An
NP 3 coated bolt from Sharps Rifle Company
will put you in like flint and solve a lot of long
term wear problems. For the Remington 700, an
extractor and plunger is a good idea. The Glock
trigger return spring should be kept on hand by
Glock fans. For the K frame revolver a set of
springs (service power) from Brownells.
For the other firearms do some
research. Meet me halfway and carefully consider the weak and strong
points of each design. Perhaps study
the weak and strong points of each
firearm and the availability of parts
before you buy.
GUN OIL
GUN BUTTER
M-PRO 7 LPX
Gun Butter gun oil reduces

wear, extends the life of
firearms and provides two
years of rust protection. It
adheres well and is safe
for use on all varieties of
metal-to-polymer and
metal -to-metal firearms.
Made from a special blend
of synthetic lubricants
and safe to use from -20
F to over 400 F.
M-Pro 7 Gun Oil LPX is a

premium lubricant and
protectant for advanced
military and law enforcement weaponry used in
extreme environment
operations. This oil cleans
surface fouling without
the use of solvents and is
great for removing surface
carbon in the field. Protects against wear,
humidity, and moisture,
including salt water.
Leaves a long-lasting film
that repels dust/dirt and
is excellent for long-term
storage.
midwayusa.com
$14.49
grainger.com
$9.06
SHOOTERS
CHOICE FP-10
FP-10 Lubricant Elite prevents friction and wear
and protects against
metal damage, eliminating most malfunctions
due to unlubed parts. It
creates no build-up and
does not change the tolerances of moving parts.
Tested successfully in
temperatures from -76 F
to more than 500.
cabelas.com
$9.99
STEEL SHIELD
WEAPON
SHIELD
GUN OIL
ROYAL
PURPLE
SYNTHETIC
GUN OIL
Weapon Shield has been

designed and formulated
for the shooting sports
industry, military and law
enforcement. Weapon
Shield cleans, removes
lead, lubricates, guards
against pressure and wear,
and protects from corrosion. Weapon Shield uses
Advanced Boundary Film
(ABF) technology which
reduces coefficients of
friction between the bullet
and bore surfaces assisting in the ballistic movement of the bullet and
improving bullet flight.
Royal Purples Synthetic

Gun Oil is specifically formulated to provide exceptional protection against
wear, rust, and saltwater
corrosion and fouling. It
works well in a variety of
temperatures and will not
thicken in cold weather.
Its performance advantages come from Synerlec,
Royal Purples proprietary
chemical technology that
strengthens the oil for
unmatched performance
and protection.
amazon.com
$8.18
midwayusa.com
$24.99
45
FRIENDORFOE
Foe: Leaves of
Three, Let Them Be
GETTING TO KNOW POISON OAK AND POISON IVY Story and Photography by Christopher Nyerges
hese vining plants are
close relatives, both
members of the Sumac or
Cashew Family (Anacard iaceae), containing the
same chemical urushiol which
causes the itching rash for which
they are so well-known. Poison oak
is a widespread vining plant
throughout the western states. It can
be found north into Canada, and
T
46
south into Baja California. The vines

can stretch for many feet up and
around oak trees, and can sprawl
over entire hillsides. And in the winter, the plant can seem nearly invisible, since it is deciduous and loses all
its leaves for the winter. Poison ivy is
much more widespread, found east
of the Rockies to the Atlantic coast.
Each leaf is composed of three
roundish leaflets (leaves of three let
them be) and they are slightly

toothed on the margins. But for the
record, poison oak isnt the only
plant with three leaflets, but it is one
of the most common.
Botanists have defined sub-varieties of these two as well, but this
simple description is sufficient for
our discussion here. I will refer to
poison oak because it is so common
where I live.
The newly emerging leaves of

spring are red, and quickly become
glossy green. The leaves remain
green through their growing season,
and then turn yellow or red as
autumn comes around. Late in the
season, small round fruits develop
which are about the size of a BB.
They have a tan or yellow tone.
Poison oaks most notable
attribute is that most people will get
an itchy rash on their skin within
two days of being in contact with the
plant. Most of the time, hikers get
Ivory dishwashing liquid works fine

to break down the oil in poison oak
thats gotten on your skin.
After the first time I received a serious poison oak rash, my mother took
me to the doctor, who gave me cortisone spray and pills to heal the rash.
The rash went away, and I had some
scars that lasted nearly two years.
As I researched poison oak, I
learned the Native Americans of
Southern California actually used
poison oak in many ways and were
not known to get a rash from this
the rash when they unsuspectingly

walk through a patch of poison oak,
or brush up against it on the side of
the trail. You can also get the rash in
the winter when there are no leaves
on the vines, and when you pet your
dog who has just run on a hillside of
poison oak. In fact, highly sensitive
people can actually get the rash on
the very hottest days of summer
when the oils are in the air around
the plant. And firefighters are known
to get serious infections from poison
oak, whose oils are in the smoke of
nearly all forest fires.
plant. It turned out that baskets were

made from the long and even-thickness vines of the poison oak, and
they also produced a black dye from
the sap of the leaf. Young poison oak
leaves were in their acorn meal and
other foods. Apparently, Native
Americans were no more immune to
the rash of poison oak than anyone
else approximately 20 percent of
any population is naturally immune,
and there are several factors that
contribute to this. But it is believed
the ingestion of poison oak on a regular basis rendered the Native American effectively immune.
I decided to try this nearly 40
years ago, and I no longer get a rash
when Ive come in contact with poison oak. I just eat a few of the
newly-emerging leaves every
spring, perhaps every other week,
and I no longer worry about getting
a rash. Though there are differing
BEEN EXPOSED?
If you know you have been
exposed to a poison oak plant, you
can sprinkle a clay soil over the
exposed area, and then wash with
hot water and soap as soon as possible. Though there are specialized
soaps for poison oak, I have found
reactions depending on peoples

various chemistry, be careful with
this technique.
Most important, if you know you
get a rash from poison oak or poison
ivy, learn to identify and avoid it.
CURES
Besides going to a doctor, there
are many backwoods medicine
remedies for the rash of poison oak
and poison ivy. Here are some comments on each:
The fresh juice of the aloe vera

plant is the best natural cure for
poison oak rash. While any of the
aloes can be used, aloe vera seems to
be best. To use, cut open a section of
the succulent leaf, and apply the
inner, wet side directly to the rash,
which will result in an immediate
cooling sensation and a subsequent
rapid healing. When I still got the rash
this was by far the best cure. It would
cause an immediate cooling sensation
to the skin with a rapid healing.
Other succulents, such as Chinese jade and ice plant, have
been used with some success.
Rub mugwort leaves (Artemisia
spp.) over the exposed parts of
your body before entering poison oak
areas to prevent the rash. The
mushed-up fresh mugwort leaves can
also be applied directly to the rash.
If you live in the eastern states,
take the succulent stems and
2
3
4
47
FRIENDORFOE
leaves of the jewelweed plant, crush

it, and apply to the rash.
Wash the infection with an infusion of wild buckwheat leaves
(Erio go num sp p .).
Wash the infection with yerba
santa leaves (Erio d ictyo n sp p .).
Drink a tea of the leaves of chickweed (Stellaria m ed ia) for stop
ping the spread of the rash. Or you
5
6
7
can apply the fresh leaves directly to

the rash.
Drink an infusion from the leaves
of manzanita leaves (Arcto stap hylo s sp p .).
In the old days, mud or dirt

would be spread on ones skin to
prevent a rash. Interestingly, a manufacturer has produced a clay-based
Remedies
Urushiol is the toxin known to
cause the itching and rash
associated with poison ivy,
oak, sumac, poisonwood, and
related plants. The most
important step in eliminating
the rash is to remove urushiol
from the skin as quickly as
possible after exposure. There
are several products on the
market that do exactly that.
ZANFEL WASH
Zanfel works by surrounding
urushiol and bonding with it,
enabling it to be rinsed away
with water. Zanfel offers relief
at any stage of the reaction and
often with only one wash. Most
individuals experience relief
from the itching within 30 seconds of application. The rash

will begin to subside within
hours if the reaction is mild to
moderate. This tube contains
enough Zanfel to wash approximately 15 patches the size of an
adult hand or face.
zanfel.com | $35.22
HYLANDS TABLETS
This is a natural relief for itching,
burning, and crusting skin due to
exposure to poison ivy or oak.
Hylands Poison Ivy/Oak Tablets
product for firefighters. It is spread

on the skin before fire fighting in
poison oak-infected areas to prevent
the rash.
Another method is to quickly
wash the contacted skin with anhydrous alcohol, which breaks down
the urushiol, the active oil in poison
oak and poison ivy. Afterward, wash
well with soap and water.
are a traditional homeopathic

formula for the relief of symptoms after contact with poison
ivy or oak, when the skin breaks
out with red, swollen, intensely
itching, burning, watery blisters
sometimes followed by oozing
or crusting. Hylands Poison
Ivy/Oak is safe for adults and
children and can be used in conjunction with other medications.

hylands.com | $5.19/50
tablets
IVYX TOWELETTES
IvyX poison ivy treatment towelettes allow you to easily scrub
uneven surfaces of the face,
arms and legs to remove more
of the rash-causing oils of poison ivy, oak and sumac.
gemplers.com | $21.15
About the Author: Christopher Nyerges is the author of How to Survive Anywhere and other books. He has led wilderness and wild food classes since 1974 and was one of American
Survival Guides original contributors. He can be reached at SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com
48
Gear Guide
ESCAPE
Escape Tools
Dont Get Trapped in an Auto Coffin
By Alan Stewart
Cars are rolling deathtraps and one of the leading causes
of unnatural fatalities in this country. The combination of
high speeds, heavy weight, driver error or natural elements such as an icy road have the potential for disaster.
Rollover situations can torque the frame and body of the
car, making the doors nearly impossible to open and the
water pressure during a crash into a lake or river can be
high enough to prevent you from pushing the door open.
The electrical system will be damaged so rolling down the
windows is not an option. Youll have to break them.
Windshields are made of laminated glass, basically
two or more pieces of glass with a plastic film sandwiched in between, making it very safe but nearly impossible to shatter. However, the side and rear windows are
made from tempered glass, which is designed to shatter
into very small pieces when struck. Auto escape tools are
most effective with this glass.
BREAKING
THE GLASS
Keep one of these small car escape

tools handy by storing it in the
doors pocket if you frequently
drive alone or the center console if
you often have company (therefore
accessible by the passenger as
well). The first step to using it is to
have it handy.
There are a lot of things in your
car that will break the glass if you
have the time to employ them. For
example, the metal post on your
headrest or the ignition key. No
matter what the object, make sure
it is a small, preferably pointed or
sharp, so that the maximum
amount of force is applied to a
small space. In a panic, it might not
be possible, but the best place to
break the glass is in the lower corners. The entire window will shatter
and gravity will cause the rest of it
to cascade downward. Breaking it in
the middle will only create a hole
that will need to be widened.
49
Gear
Guide
ESCAPE
Crown Hammer Car Escape Tool

This carbide-tipped hammer comes with two heads, a blunt one and
a sharp one. Also it features a protected seatbelt cutter near the head, so it
is easy to use while holding the handle. It includes a mounting bracket and screws
to attach to any solid surface on your car, such as the door trim or dash panel. It
weighs eight ounces and its dimensions are 9 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches.
Pros: Heavy hammer head, well protected and sharp cutter, fits nicely in the hand.
Single-function tool.
Cons: Made of cheap plastic. Terrible instructions for mounting it. Tiny screws.
SOURCE
MSRP
autozone.com
$15.68
ResQMe Car Escape Tool

It comes in a variety of trendy colors (who
says emergencies cant be fun?) and fits
easily on your keychain. It has a springloaded spike that you only have to press
against the window, so no swinging is
needed. The seatbelt cutter is small but
razor sharp.
Pros: Small and lightweight. Fits on keychain or hung from lanyard or clipped. Two
ways to break the glass.
Cons: Difficult to remove from the clip.
SOURCE
MSRP
resqme.com
12.95
Swiss+Tech BodyGard
The BodyGard 5-in-1 emergency tool incorporates five specific devices: automatic glass
breaker, seat belt cutter, sonic alarm, flashing
red distress light, and bright-white LED flashlight. The automatic glass breaker is a springloaded, high-carbon steel pin that only needs
to be pressed against the window.
Pros: It is very small and lightweight. The
light is fairly bright. The alarm is piercing.
Cons: The key ring attaches to the one part
that is supposed to come off to expose the
cutter. This will get lost soon.
SOURCE
MSRP
50
swisstechtools.com
$9.77
ESCAPE Gear
Guide
Tire-Pro 4 In 1 Safety Tool
Made from plastic, it feels heavy and solid, but the handle is too thick to
get a good grip while swinging. The tire gauge is a great feature but that
makes this more of a car tool that will be placed in a toolbox or with the
spare tire than where you need it most by your side in an accident.
The flashlight is powered by a different set of batteries than the tire
gauge, but it didnt work anyway.
Pro: Heavy and pointed hammer head and well-placed tire gauge.
Cons: Hard to hold. Flashlight stopped working after first test swing.
SOURCE
MSRP
sears.com
$21.97
Accutire MS-4520B
This emergency tool features a
very tiny LED light on the top of
the tool and a digital tire gauge.
The seatbelt cutter is at the top
of the tool so theres no switching the tool around to use it from
cutter to glass breaker. It comes
with three AAA batteries.
Pros: Very ergonomic in your
hand. Comes with batteries.
Measures pressure up to 150psi.
Cons: Lightweight. Made of
cheap plastic and feels hollow.
No backlight on the tire gauge.
SOURCE
MSRP
sears.com
$12.06
CS-044 Emergency Rescue Hammer

This heavy-duty hammer and seatbelt cutter is a no-frills tool with a
singular purpose. The hammer heads on either side are identical and
both are covered with a small plastic cap. It is made with high-density plastic and has a heavy head. The handle has small bumps on it
for extra grip.
Pros: Lots of force in its swing. Bright orange. Sharp cutter.
Cons: No included mounting hardware. Double-sided tape is flimsy.
SOURCE
MSRP
theknifeseller.com
$8.01
51
Gear
Guide
ESCAPE
LifeHammer Escape Tool

A spring-loaded plastic punch ejects from the top
when pressed against the glass. The non-slip grip is
a soft molded plastic and feels comfortable in your
hand. The seatbelt cutter is well protected and has
a wide insert slot.
Pros: Well made and very robust.
Cons: Bulky and expensive.
SOURCE
MSRP
lifehammerproducts.com
$24.95
Signstek Multifunctional
Emergency Tool
If there was a Cadillac of the emergency tool industry,
this would be it. Not only does it have a hammer for
breaking glass and a cutter for the seatbelt, a compass in the base, a magnet on the top (to attach to
the car), a flashlight and red signal beacon, but it
come with an AM/FM radio. The entire thing can be
charged by a hand crank built into the side.
Pros: Hand crank dynamo, radio, bright beacon and
flashlight, and well made.
Cons: You can forget it is an escape tool, small hammer head, expensive.
SOURCE
MSRP
sears.com
$27.99
SOS Rescue Tools

Comes in a two pack, one yellow and one red, along with
four Mylar emergency blankets. The safety tool has a
hands-free magnetic base, a red emergency beacon as
well as a flashlight. The buttons are easy to find, but the
seatbelt cutter is small and thin.
Pros: Bright beacon light, magnetic base, solid feel.
Cons: Weak flashlight, batteries not included.
SOURCE
MSRP
52
sosrescuetools.com
$19.95
ESCAPE Gear
Guide
YupbizAuto 5 in 1
Emergency Tool
It is heavier than it appears, but it
should have a little more weight to
it. The bright orange makes it very
visible and the tool is constructed
well. It has a small LED light at the
base and a small seatbelt cutter
under the hammer head.
Pros: The added whistle, finger
grips, sharp hammer head.
Cons: Weak LED light, lightweight,
useless airbag deflater, bulky
mounting plate.
SOURCE
yupbizauto.com
MSRP $9.99
Generic Car
Escape Tool
This is what you think of when you
picture an escape tool. Inexpensive,
solidly built and serves only two purposes, to cut you out of the seatbelt
and to break the window of your car
so you can escape. This is important.
Your life and the lives of your family
depend on it. If you dont buy one of
the other 10 tools for whatever reason, buy this one. It can be found at
Amazon, eBay, Target, WalMart.
Pros: Inexpensive, well made, and
easy to use.
Cons: The mounting bracket is bulky.
SOURCE
MSRP
amazon.com
$9.99
53
THE
BIG
FOUR
THE PROS AND CONS OF THE PISTOL, SHOTGUN, RIFLE, AND AR-15
Story and Photos by Duke Montana
HICH GUN IS BEST: A PISTOL, A SHOTGUN, A RIFLE OR AN AR-15?

You can ask this question of five different people and get five answers.
Depending where you ask the question could determine a different answer as
much as who you ask. If you were to ask a salesperson, they may say the one
that you can conceal the best. A physical trainer may say the gun that is the
lightest to carry is the best choice. Talk to an instructor at a gun range and that
person is likely to tell you the one that best fits your hand and is the most comfortable to shoot is what you should buy.
If you ask me which gun is best, Ill ask you whats the target? In other words, our
world has become a world of choices. For the gun enthusiasts, its like walking into a
candy store with 50 choices. However, for a person who doesnt know a Colt from a
Kimber it can be overwhelming. Below well break down the four most common types
of guns and discuss their pros and cons.
54
Pistol
The most common reason a person buys a gun
is for home protection. A pistol is nice because
it can easily fit in a small drawer of a nightstand, under a mattress or in a holster hanging
from the headboard. But... in all of these cases,
the gun isnt locked up. Do you have children in
the house? If so, none of those should be
options of where to store a pistol. Be responsible and get a safe and use a trigger lock.
FOR THOSE OF YOU

LOOKING FOR THE
4X4 OF PISTOLS,
THERE ARE SEVERAL
OPTIONS. THE MOST
POPULAR ARE .357
MAGNUM, .40 S&W
AND .45 ACP.
REVOLVER VS. AUTO

Now, what type of pistol, a revolver or an
automatic?
Either can be bought new for under $400
depending on the caliber. Most revolvers will
limit you to six shots and you will feel more of
the kick. An automatic can hold as many as 17
shots in a full size frame. Accuracy isnt the
selling point of a pistol. How it feels in your
hand and does its work when you need it to
means more than if you can hit a target at 100
yards. Most law enforcement officers who use
their pistols do so at a distance of 15 to 20 feet
or less. A pistol is ideal for close range but
should have sufficient stopping power.
WHAT CALIBER?
Calibers are like horsepower...theres no
replacement for displacement and horsepower
comes at a cost of mileage, noise and size. A
9mm is a very common caliber and one with
respectable ballistics. Its easy to find on most
ammo shelves and isnt the most expensive
choice. A double tap in the chest of most bad
guys will keep you alive and them wishing they
would have stayed home.
[TOP] Early versions of

the Glock were wider
than a typical 1911. Many
pistol enthusiasts didnt
like that because it felt
too bulky and square.
Part of this design
comes from being able
to double stack the .45
ACP bullets, that allows
you to hold 13 rounds of
superior fire power.
[TOP, INSET] A semi automatic pistol is nice
because it can carry more
rounds of ammo at a time.
The design of the action
also helps reduce its
recoil. A hollow point bullet increases the chances
of stopping the threat.
[RIGHT] Left to Right:
.22LR, 380 auto, .38 special, 9mm Luger, .40
Smith & Wesson, .45
ACP and .44 Magnum.
They each have strong
and weak points. Cost is
a factor, as is availability.
For those of you looking for the 4x4 of pistols, there are several options. Stopping power
is available from several calibers. The most
popular are .357 magnum, .40 S&W and .45
ACP. Keep in mind these choices will be on a
bigger frame that is more often heavier and will
pack a punch on both ends of the bang. I
wouldnt suggest these to a person who makes
a living riding a race horse or dancing on a fourinch beam that is four feet off the ground.
RENT BEFORE YOU BUY

Before buying one or the other a smart
move would be to visit a gun range that rents a
few choices of calibers and designs. Better to
spend a hundred dollars or more figuring out
the one that will best suit you now and in years
to come, than to pick the one that looks cool
but shoots like a fat guy on a moped trying to
climb a steep hill. You need to remember why
you bought the gun. It is to defend you and your
family, not to show off to the neighbors who
dont care that it is a limited edition.
55
THE
BIG
FOUR
[ABOVE] What was at rst a not so good weapon used by U.S. ground forces in the early
60s has now become one of the most diverse designs. The most popular cartridge is a
5.56mm round, but other calibers ranging from .22LR to .308 have become very common. [BELOW] You may have seen some ARs advertised at an incredibly cheap price. It
could be because they are lacking a forward assist or dust cover like seen here.
AR-15
If you spent any time looking through gun magazines within the last several years, you will
have seen many choices of what is often called
an AR-15. These are a legal version of what was
once called the M-16 our military used for a few
decades. They have many good points and only
a few bad. First off, they dont offer automatic
fire like a machine gun. For the most part, they
are lightweight, easy to operate and are capable of hitting small targets at far distances, way
past 100 yards.
5.56/.223
The most common caliber for this style of
gun is 5.56mm (or .223). It was explained to me
this caliber wasnt originally designed as a
killer round, rather a to wound bullet. However, you can walk into just about any gun store
in the country and be in an argument within 30
seconds about what this caliber of bullet can
and cant do at distances up to 600 yards.
56
ACCESSORIZE
One of the best things about this style of
gun are the accessories. You can dress them up
fast and easily. Most people will start with a
scope or laser dot of some kind. A front grip is
another popular item that is pretty handy and a
laser pointer is also a nice feature that doesnt
add much weight but goes a long way on the
cool scale. Another popular feature for this
gun is how many rounds they are capable of
carrying. A 30-round magazine is almost the
standard, but some aftermarket companies are
making 60 magazines and 100-round drums.
Of course, this packs on some extra weight, but
if a few dozen zombies are knocking down your
front door it may come in handy to have that
much ammo available at one time.
Because of the popularity of the AR-style
platform, manufacturers have expanded the
calibers that you can buy one in. Choices range
from the tiny .22LR to the rather large 300 Win
Mag. and just about everything in between.
Before buying one of the less popular calibers,
you may want to check availability of the magazines and ammo. It may be capable of hitting a
toaster at 500 yards, but if the ammo is hard to
find and costs twice as much as other calibers,
and magazines are more often on back order
rather than in stock, just make sure its worth it.
[ABOVE] An estimated 70 percent

of AR gun owners will put on a
small scope or laser sight of
some kind. The idea is the red
dot will naturally be put on the
target as you scan the room. A
magnifier (normally x3 or x5)
mounts behind the red dot in
order to better see down range.
[RIGHT] A muzzle break reduces
some of the recoil which can be
nice if you need to put two shots
close to each other.
Front grips are one of the most popular accessories to mount on the hand guard of an
AR-style rifle. Some like this one have retractable legs that work as a bipod for quick
stabilization on long shots.
57
THE
BIG
FOUR
[ABOVE] A bolt action rifle on a shooters mat could be a very common set up for a
prepper. The bag or soft case can hold about 100 rounds of ammo along with a small
notebook to use as a snipers log book. You can even have them sprayed to help keep
dry and repel water. [MIDDLE] Gun manufacturers engrave a lot of information into the
barrel. Some more than others. If youre looking at various rifles and need to know the
caliber, it should be stamped or engraved into the barrel. In some cases it will also
have the rifle twist of the barrel.
[BELOW] A bolt action rifle may
be the slowest, but its arguably
the most accurate. They are
obviously less expensive than a
semi automatic and often weigh
less as well. A good scope is like
having a good knife.
Rifle
The rifle is what won the west... thats what the
folks at Winchester will tell you. Theyll refer
you to the model 1873, a lever action rifle that
came in several calibers and was part of at
least five wars in the late 1800s. It was produced from 1873 till 1919.
BOLT, LEVER, AUTO

Modern day rifles come in several actions,
including bolt, lever and auto loading. With
advancements made in bullets and barrels it is
now possible to put several bullets through the
same hole at distances of 100 yards and further. Of course to do that you need custom
work on the barrel and trigger. And paying for
that accuracy is about as much fun as that first
ticket you got when you were 16. A custom
bench-rest rifle that can shoot five rounds
within the size of a dime at 200-300 yards can
easily cost $4,000 to $6,000.
Rifles are more often used for hunting and
not intended for fast fire. Some manufacturers
will include a scope with a rifle. Its possible to
spend as much or more on a great scope than
what you paid for the rifle. The list of calibers
start at .17HMR and go all the way up to a 50
BMG. To make it easier, picture bullets speeding
58
These are all 300

Win Mag, but
some are 180
grain and others
are 200 grain. Why
label them? If
youre shooting
heavier bullets
than what you
zeroed your scope
at... there will be
significantly more
drop at a further
distance. Youll
need to calculate
for that.
One of todays
best thriller writers.

Publishers Weekly
One of the best accessories for a sniper is
a bipod to stabilize the front of the rifle.
A GOOD RIFLE WITH WELL-MADE

BARREL IS CAPABLE OF VERY
ACCURATE SHOOTING. DEPENDING
ON THE CALIBER, ITS POSSIBLE TO
AIM AND HIT A TARGET THE SIZE OF
A MICROWAVE OVEN AT OVER 1,200
YARDS AWAY.
through the air that range in size from
a fly to a clothes pin.
A good rifle with a well-made barrel is capable of very accurate shooting. Depending on the caliber, its possible to aim and hit a target the size of
a microwave oven at over 1,200 yards
away and in some special cases even
further. In order to reach these kinds of
distances youll need to start looking
at calibers of 6.5mm and up. Keep in
mind the bigger the cartridge, the
more kick it will have.
Most hunting style rifles have builtin magazines that will hold up to five
rounds. If its a caliber larger than .308
it may only hold three rounds. The
point is it wouldnt be a good idea to
carry a hunting rifle as a primary
weapon due to the lack of ammo it
holds and the amount of time it takes
to load each round. But if youre looking
at taking out your target at 300 to 500
yards away, this is the one youll want.
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survivalist Jake Dents mission to save his only son.
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59
THE
BIG
FOUR
Shotgun
The shotgun is arguably the most common gun
used for self-defense at home. Why? Two big
reasons. You dont have to be the most accurate
shot to hit a target and the bullets dont travel
that far. That second part is important if you live
in an apartment building where the walls are
thin and neighbors could be on two sides.
SHELL SIZES
Unlike a pistol or rifle bullet, a shotgun shoots
what is called a shell. Instead of a single bullet,
the shells are loaded with various sized BBs.
Looking at a box of 12 or 20 gauge shells, you
could see it say #4 #6, #7 shot. The bigger the
number, the smaller the shot. A #7 is good for
shooting small game (quail or pheasant) and
skeet. And when you see 00 or 000 it is double
or triple buck shot. This is intended for bigger,
heavier game like deer. There are many gauges
(calibers) of shotguns, but the most popular are
from smallest to largest, .410, 20 and 12.
Shotguns also come in a few different
designs. Older styles are single shot, and sometimes have two barrels. They could be next to
each other or on top of one another. These are
called side by side or over-under. The most
common shotgun would be the pump action. In
most cases it will hold five shells and you pull
the handle backwards (in a pumping action)
ejecting the spent shell and loading the next. A
semiautomatic style is also available from
60
[ABOVE] Many gun enthusiasts will agree that a shotgun makes a great home defense
weapon. It has limited range, so it wont go through your wall and into the neighbors
house. Yet you dont have to be a great shot to hit your target. [MIDDLE] One of the
most popular shotguns, the Remington 870. Only this one has a tactical kit, giving it a
few advantages for those who appreciate them. The pump has picatinny rails on three
sides for accessories, a pistol grip and collapsible stock... similar to an AR-style rifle.
[BOTTOM] Have you ever wondered what was inside the various shotgun shells? From
left to right a 20-gauge shell with small steel shot that is typically used for pheasant
or quail. The 00 Buck is much bigger is size, but fewer in quantity. Its designed for
bigger game or padlocks or door locks. The solid slug is a one ounce piece of lead,
(hollow) that will take out some fairly big game. If you look closely you can see the
spiraling on the sides of the slug. This is for barrels that have rifling... to improve the
accuracy and distance of the slug.
many manufacturers, but they are also the

most expensive of all the choices. Anyone who
enjoys shooting skeet will appreciate a lightweight, long-barreled semiautomatic shotgun.
Because the shot from the shell spreads out
as it leaves the barrel, a shotgun is a popular
choice for home defense. Many stories have
been told by people with shotguns saying all
they will have to do is aim down the hallway at
an intruder and if they are any closer than 20 to
30 feet away they will be hit. There is some
truth to that, but if you only hit them in the
hand they could still be a threat. Using a shotgun still requires good aim, but it allows for
some tolerance.
Which One is Best?

Thats the tough question and there is no right
or wrong answer. Each has their strong and
weak points. But the thing to figure out is which
will work best for you in the way you need it to
work. Having one of each isnt a bad thing either.
No matter which one(s) you get there is one

thing youll need to do: practice. Shooting once
a month is good, but doing it three to four times
a month is better. If you expect to have a tight
pattern at any distance it will take practice.
If youre on a tight budget, one thing to consider is how much is the ammo for the particular
gun youre looking into and is it readily available?
Use your sources if you have any doubts.
Ask questions at more than one gun shop and
dont always think the biggest store has the
best answers. Dont believe everything you read
online on the forums. Find a gun store/range
and rent a few guns to see what you like best.
Some small gun shops may have the best
experience and advice. If theyve been around
for a long time, its a safe assumption theyve
been doing something right. Good luck.
IF YOU ASK ME
WHICH GUN IS
BEST, ILL ASK
YOU WHATS
THE TARGET?
About the Author: Duke Montana has spent more days/nights off
grid in trailers or RVs in desert camps than most. He bought his first
Glock on his 21st birthday. He is useful with weapons, solar and
wind energy and tries to be diverse in his preps. He believes you
have strength in numbers, but a good sniper is handy, too.
WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF TRUSTED SURVIVAL PRODUCTS

INCLUDING:
Eberlestock, Ontario Knife Company, LifeStraw,
Fox Tactical, UST, Mossy Oak, SureFire,
Leatherman, GSI, CRKT, Coghlan's,
Adventure Medical Kits, Dynarex, Outdoor Edge
and many more.
SurvivalBagsInc.com
WARNING THESE SURVIVAL BAGS ARE NOT FILLED WITH TOYS
61
URBAN
BUG-OUT BAG
FULLY
LOADED
SURVIVAL BAGS GUNSLINGER II BUG-OUT BAG
Story and Photography by William Billy Boggs | Additional Photography by Henry Z. Dekuyper
he decision to abandon your

house is monumental. Every situation is different. Perhaps an outof-control wildfire is clawing its
way up the valley toward your
normally quiet cabin in the woods and you have
mere minutes to grab what you can and leave.
Maybe Martial law has been declared three
towns over thanks to an outbreak of a mysterious disease. Do you stay and wait it out, hoping
it will blow over or theyll find a cure quickly, or
do you grab what you can and leave? Either
way, not knowing if youll ever be able to come
back is scary and stressful. Did you make the
right decision to leave? More importantly, did
you bring the right gear with you if you did
leave?
If you have the Gunslinger II Bug-Out Bag by
Survival Bags, Inc., on your back or in the trunk
as you speed towards safety, be assured youve
got the right gear to see you through any uncertain times youll experience in the near future.
Its fully loaded. Its ready to go. Its with you.
Realize from the outset that this isnt a light
kit, as it is completely packed with all the gear
youll need, but what is great about this particular pack is two-fold: 1) The pack is expandable
to accommodate any rifle under 60 inches in
length; and 2) The services offered in this kit
are redundant, like a good kit should be. There
are four sources for water, five cutting/sawing
devices, four ways of starting a fire, and three
shelter options (even one for the pack itself)
among other redundancies.
62
Eberlestock
Gunslinger II
Pack Features
> Made from 1000D
Cordura nylon
> Scabbard folds into the
bottom of the pack
> Heavy-duty compression
straps
> Hydration sleeves on
back wall
> Semi-transparent tuck
pockets
> Interior Padlock (PALS)
webbing
> Includes GSTC butt cover
with pull-out sleeve
> Adjustable/Removable
Waist Belt
> Total Volume:
2700 cubic inches
> Weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz.
Most of the weight of the pack,

not surprising, comes from the 18
4.22 ounces of water pouches,
meant to last three or four days if
used sparingly.
USTs hexagon-shaped tarp (108

inches at its widest) can be used
for many things like a shelter,
ground cloth or thermal blanket.
It is aluminized on one side for
thermal insulation and comes in
a stuff sack with guy lines and
eight steel stakes.
The various ways the Gunslinger II will help you start a

fire include USTs innovative
BlastMatch, a one-handed
spark generator, simple storm
matches and a 36-hour candle.
Keep all of your knives sharp
with Smiths Pocket Pal, which
also features a ferro rod, compass, and flashlight.
The Kaito Voyager is a beautiful example of a

quality piece of gear. It does AM/FM, plus
NOAA weather channels, has a two-way LED
flashlight, a red emergency beacon and six
ways to power it: dynamo cranking, solar, AA
batteries, rechargeable batteries, AC adaptor, USB port.
Adventure Medical Kits SOL
Escape Bivvy bag comes in
low visibility OD Green, is
breathable and body heat
reflective while you sleep, and
offers water resistance. It
comes in a compact sack.
The kit includes a few items that are not

found in run-of-the-mill kits, such as a mosquito head net or a waterproof notebook and
pencil. The pocket survival credit card is
handy to keep close for quick fixes. And what
cant you do with 100 feet of paracord?
The Adventurer Survival

Gill Net is an essential
piece of equipment you can
simply set in a stream to
catch fish while you work
on other essentials with
Coghlans mini shovel and
pick, for instance.
Handle most of the medical needs that might crop up while

youre bugging out with SOLs Hybrid 3, a three-in-one kit
that provides medical supplies for dressing wounds, stabilizing fractures, and treating illnesses; survival tools to signal rescuers, start fires, and stay warm; and gear repair
items to put just about anything back together.
Survival can get messy, and

living in that mess will
deflate your hope and might
eventually get you sick. The
N95 masks will keep you
breathing right, while the
gloves will keep your hands
safe. The Dynarex mouthwash and body wash can
keep the germs at bay.
The included steel comes courtesy

Ontario Knife Company with its
Ranger series tomahawk and the
RAT 3 plain-edged knife. Nearly
eight inches long, the RAT 3 is
made from 1095 carbon steel with
a micarta handle, while the 12.4inch Ranger hawk features 1075
carbon steel and black texture
powder coated blades.
Shelter is provided in
many different forms,
from ponchos to s
reflective two-man tent
and emergency blankets. The two carabiners are heavy-duty and
can handle around
5,000 pounds of force.
The Surefire G2X

Pro Dual-Output LED
flashlight provides 320
lumens, is 5.2 inches
long and the 123A batteries are included.
63
FULLY
LOADED
Packing Up Your Gunslinger II

The Gunslinger II arrived in a big box and not completely packed, which is good
because it gave us a chance to open each item, inspect it, learn about its functions,
and become familiar with the packs abilities. Then we had to put it all together, so
we were able to decide for ourselves what is important enough for the top pocket
and what we could place deep inside the pack.
There is plenty of webbing on the exterior of this pack, just waiting for MOLLE
bags or additional gear.
The first order of business was to remove everything and all the
packaging. If it had cardboard attached to it, we removed it. It
not only saves space and weight, but makes it easier to pack
everything later.
The large Ontario
Knife Companys
Ranger series
tomahawk found
a home strapped
to the side webbing for quick
access, as did the
two caribiners.
The Eberlestock
pack has a
plethora of straps,
all able to cinch
down something,
making this pack
one of the most
secure available.
As an added
bonus, all of the
strap tails are
neatly rolled up
and stowed away.
64
The Aquamira water purification tablets

are stowed inside the GSI Outdoors
water bottle, which was placed in an
outside pocket for easy access.
On the front pouch is a waterproof zippered pocket intended for personal

items such as phones, glasses, and even
keys, so we left this pocket empty with
the expectation youll fill it with personal-carry items when you need to.
Within that outside pouch goes things

youll need in a hurry and the things you
might use often, such as the Lifestraw
and/or the SOL Hybrid 3 first aid kit.
Also, it is a good idea to keep the survival manual handy.
The main cargo area is accessible from

the top or the bottom. In the middle,
place items, such as the radio and the
hygiene items, that you wont need
quickly or even soon. These are camp
items for when you settle for the first
night.
The heavy items, such as the water

pouches, go on the bottom, while the
bricks of food bars can be placed at the
top so you can get at them easily during
your trek.
Once packed up, use the buckles and

straps to compress the pack down as
small as possible. This will make it easier to store, less likely to make noise, and
more stable while you are travelling.
EBERLESTOCKS
GUNSLINGER II PACK
The pack itself is the hunting version of the G2M tactical pack by Eberlestock, which is based on the original
GS05M Gunslinger. The main difference between the two is that the gun
scabbard built into the G2 can accommodate a longer rifle. The newest version of the G2 comes standard with
the Intex-II frame system, a quiet and
compact frame that can handle very
heavy loads. The Intex-II can be
exchanged with the Endo frame, as
well as more compact, softer Gossamer frame (or you can simply
remove the frame altogether).
The scabbard of the G2 folds into
the bottom of the pack and is secured
by a buckle. This configuration is good
for shorter weapons and other gear; it
also makes the scabbard a great place
to carry a laptop computer. It features
side handles on both sides for easy
loading, and the heavy-duty compression straps which can be folded completely flat. The padding on the back is
very breathable and comfortable, supporting a lot of the weight of the gear.
The top pocket/pouch features an
internal organizer with several small
pockets, pen holders, and a padded
pocket that can hold AR mags just as
easily as fishing gear, a smart phone,
or blocks of tinder. The internal webbing allows you to strap down your
gear inside the pack, which equates to
not only a quieter experience but a lot
less weight shifting from side to side
as you travel.
FINE QUALITY
Survival Bags, Inc., avoided using
one-time-use products and low-end
equipment when gathering the gear
for this pack. A survival pack needs to
be self-sufficient, and it is only as
strong as its weakest link. Because of
this, the Gunslinger II isnt cheap, but
survival isnt cheap either. If youre in
the thick of a situation and youre not
sure what the outcome will be, having
quality gear that will last through the
ordeal is always a matter of life and
death. Survival shouldnt be measured
by dollars and cents, but instead, by
minutes and hours.
WHATS IN THE
GUNSLINGER II?
Food/Water
2 MREs with flameless heaters
2 2400-calorie food bar packets by SOS
Food Lab
18 4.22-ounce drinking water packets by SOS
Food Lab
1 Infinity Dukjug one liter water bottle
24 Aquamira water purifier tablets
1 LifeStraw personal water filter
1 Eberlestock 2-liter water bladder
Survival and First Aid Kit
1 Adventure Medical Kits SOL Hybrid 3
Safety/Tools
1 Ontario Knife Company Ranger-series
Hawk
1 Ontario Knife Company RAT 3 knife with
sheath
1 Smiths Pocket Pal X2 sharpener and survival tool
1 Surefire G2X Pro LED flashlight (with batteries)
1 Coghlans mini shovel with pick
1 Kaito Voyager KA500 flashlight/radio
1 Omega Pacific Tactical straightgate D carabiner
1 Omega Pacific Tactical Jake HMS Quik-Lok
Carabiner
1 survival gill net
1 Best Glide ASE fishing kit
1 Best Glide ASE spiral camp saw
1 Best Glide ASE pocket credit card camper
tool
1 Best Glide ASE mosquito head net
2 Best Glide ASE outdoor mosquito patches

1 pair couble palm work gloves
1 UST Waterproof 3 x 5 notebook paper and
pencil
1 SAS survival guide 2E handbook
Paracord
100 feet of Gladding #550 paracord-Black.
Shelter
1 Adventure Medical Kits SOL Escape Bivvy
1 Ultimate Survival Technologies UST HEX
tarp
1 two-person tube tent
2 emergency ponchos
1 emergency blanket
1 Eberlestock pack lightweight rain cover
Fire and Warmth
1 Coghlans 36-hour survival candle and
matches
1 USTs BlastMatch fire starter
12 USTs WetFire fire starting tinders
1 package Coghlans storm matches
2 pairs of hand warmers
Sanitation/Hygiene
3 N95 particulate respirators
1 toothbrush with toothpaste
1 dental floss
1 Dynarex mouthwash
1 Dynarex body wash
1 package toilet paper
1 package tissue
8 shower-in-a-bag cloths
8 wet naps
2 sanitary pads
2 Blistex lip balms
Accessories to the
Eberlestock Gunslinger
II pack itself is the twoliter water bladder and
the lightweight rain
cover in hide open
timber camo pattern.
The one-liter Infinity

Dukjug water bottle by GSI
is BPA-free and is made
from polypropylene, which
is about 25 percent less
weight than standard
polycarbonate. It has a
secure silicon grip and a
wide mouth for easy filling
and cleaning.
The two MREs provided

have eight-ounce entres
with six possible varieties,
from beef stew to vegetarian chili. Also included are
dried fruit, nut/raisin mix,
fruit-flavored drink, utensil
pack, and a flameless
meal heater.
SOURCE
survivalbagsinc.com
MSRP: $989.95
65
BACKCOUNTRY
INSECT CONTROL
NOTHING MAKES A BAD S

WORSE THAN A BUG BITE
Story and Photography by Kevin Estela
66
ally and figuratively

h nasties from canopy to
flo
etation foreign to travelers
hide hree inch long thorns, crawling
leeches, leaf cutting ants, fast moving
piders and countless other insects some of
which may yet to be discovered and are completely unknown to scientists. Thorny tree
runks, acid covered leaves and reptiles also
all the jungle home and contribute to the
nhospitable environment where everything
eems to move and come alive.
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
Bites
Despite the high heat, near 100 percent

humidity, insects and regular heavy rain, there
is an allure to the jungle which draws in thousands of explorers each year to the tropics and
subtropics. The adventurer need not board a
plane though to experience jungle-like conditions as American swamps, glades and wilderness areas from Alaska to Maine, Michigan and
Florida and all points in between are plagued
with their own dangerous residents and defensive flora. With careful preparation, the choice
of clothing one packs can make the difference
between relative comfort and absolute misery.
Beyond clothing, there are many skills and
knowledge locals have learned to mitigate the
potential threats allowing the explorer to enjoy
his/her surroundings. These concepts can be
applied anywhere and will improve survivability in jungle conditions and when surrounded
by insects.
WETNESS COVERS ALL

One aspect of the jungle an outdoorsman
must accept is the near constant state of wet
experienced while traveling through it. The
combination of humidity and sweat requires
clothing that dries easily and breathes. For this
reason, coated nylon is less desirable than garments with some percentage of cotton in their
fabric or those designed for conditions like
these. Full cotton and cotton blends are other
options but they will not dry as quickly as those
with more nylon content. Some of these
advanced fabrics are impregnated with proprietary insect treatments guaranteed for x
amount of washings. Dont take chances and
use permethrin prior to heading out. For short
term trips, both blended and pure cotton are
fine but on longer trips, the ability to get relatively dry will improve your morale. Morale is
not the only characteristic of the jungle travel
preserved, hygiene will be as well. Prolonged
exposure to wet clothing leaves skin softer and
more prone to blistering, tearing and abrading if
mixed with abrasives like mud or under the
stress of pack shoulder and waist straps. Its
also important to wear clothes that are loose
fitting. Tight compression style shorts and
shirts are significantly warmer and are generally more synthetic than natural fabric construction. If a second set of undergarments and
socks can be carried in a small bag, the ability
to change into anything dry at the end of the
night is a welcomed luxury.
[FROM TOP] The Clark

Jungle Hammock is an
integral sleep system for
four season camping. It
is ideally suited for jungle travel as it keeps the
user above the ground
where more threats
exist. The integral
pocket underneath is
ideal for keeping equipment off the ground at
night. The author
crossing a stream near
dusk in the Jungle of
Costa Rica. Even in the
high heat of this volcanic
thermal stream, cane
toads and other animals
live comfortably.
67
Bites
&Stings
Jungle plants want to

poke, prick, scratch
and impale you at
every turn. Clothing
helps prevent injury
in an environment
where infection can
easily set in.
COLOR MEANS EVERYTHING

Recently, while in Costa Rica, I was
reminded of the value of light colored fabrics. In
addition to absorbing less sunlight and therefore less heat, the light fabrics also helped me
identify ticks (not the Lyme disease carrying
but still an annoyance) crawling on my pant
legs. If you are aware of a particular threat, consider wearing clothes that contrast with the
colors of that threat. Deer ticks in the North
East are brownish and are easily spotted on
light green, tan, white and light blue clothing.
Speaking of ticks and other bugs that find their
way into tight places, bloused pants or boots
with laces tied around the ankle will prevent
ticks from making their way up your legs and
gloves with wrist fasteners will keep them from
going up your sleeve. Even if you take precautions to prevent insects from entering from your
The All
Important
Jungle Blade
If I had to choose one blade
for the jungle, Id make mine
a machete. The jungle is
filled with green vegetation
that a long, fast-moving and
thin blade can cut easily
through. The machete is also
a do all blade and as long
as the user knows how to
handle it, it can chop, dig,
skin, carve, shave and draw
cut. Many reputable makers
are producing quality
machetes and as long as the
user is willing to put time
68
behind the blade, the

machete will help make jungle travel safer.
Since the machete is the
tool used predominantly, the
handle should be comfortable and the blade the correct size and length for the
user. Too long of a blade and
the machete will be hard to
use in tight quarters. Too
light and not enough mass
ankles and wrists, you should still make it a regular routine to use a mirror (the inside of your
mirrored compass works well) to check your
armpits, waistline, groin and other warm areas.
Regardless of how well you assume your clothing will ward off these pests, do not disregard
this practice. A friend of mine assumed he was
free of ticks because he was seated in a canoe
paddling through thick grass. At the end of the
day, he had a tick buried in the sweaty crease of
the back of his knee. Dont get too comfortable
or you invite trouble.
CLOTHING SELECTION
When selecting clothes for the jungle, the
swamp or the glades, one should also consider
a good wide-brim hat and gloves. I prefer a
wrap around brim to baseball cap as that style
protects my face from sharp vegetation and it
also protects both my head and neck from the
will be available to make

effective use of the blade.
On any machete I carry
into the field, I attach a small
bastard file to the scabbard.
This file is meant to repair
any larger chips or rolls accidentally caused by misuse or
an errant swing. Whenever in
the field, I tend to two-hand
carry my machete, slung over
my shoulder baldric-style so I
can at least pivot the sling to
allow easy cross draw of the
blade. This allows me to easily access it quickly if needed.
It also allows me to carry a
small flashlight, in the same
hand as the sheath, pointed
in my direction of travel.
Theres no need to walk into
objects in the dark you could
otherwise avoid.
The machete is more than
a great tool for the jungle; it
excels in the hardwoods too.
Machetes dont bind in wood
as readily as thicker stock
knives and a compact 12
inche machete, properly
ground, will out cut custom
knives many times the value
of the economical machete.
With proper technique and
experience, the best tool for
the jungle becomes a great
choice for just about any
other environment too.
THE JUNGLE HAMMOCK
Poison Oak is an example of an American plant that

can cause dermatitis and irritation. Like those found in
the jungle, there are plants in the continental U.S. that
should be identified and avoided.
sun when out from under the canopy. Wide

brim hats can be treated with permethrin just
as easily as clothing. Deer hunters here in Connecticut, home of the original Lyme disease
case, swear ticks wait to fall on hosts from
overhanging branches. A good wide brim hat
can prevent insects from literally jumping down
your neck. Often, many of these hats are
equipped with some sort of brim strap that can
be used to hold chemical insect repellent strips.
When using repellents of extremely strong deet
concentration, avoid using it on synthetic clothing as it can rapidly disintegrate the
fabric. When taking off your hat at the end of
the night, always examine your hairline and
hatband line for ticks. Run your fingers through
your hair or carry a fine-tooth comb and comb
gently. You dont want to crush the body of a
disease carrying insect. Remove these with a
good pair of tweezers or have a trusted friend
do it if its on the back of your neck.
Gloves might seem like overkill in the outdoors but they protect your valuable sense of
touch. A few encounters with razor grass and
youll understand why it makes sense to wear
gloves and move vegetation out of the way
rather than walking, hands up, switching from
side to side moving flank first through the most
convenient path. My Filipino relatives learned
the value of carrying walking sticks with natural
hook features formed from branches. These
can be used to move vegetation out of the way,
to examine the ground for anything they didnt
want to step on or to reach edible fruit outside
of reach or within the protective guard of a
thorny tree. There are not only thorns in the jungle but plants with oils and irritants on fine
hairs that cause skin rashes. In the United
States, all three big poisons (Oak, Ivy and
Sumac) have urushiol oil that causes dermatitis. Be warned, your gloves may collect those
irritants and you may inadvertently rub your
The jungle floor is home to countless insects that star in countless nightmares.
Spiders, scorpions, centipedes and beetles are not what you want to find on
your body when you wake up. Getting off the jungle floor is important and when
it comes to a good nights sleep, nothing beats a jungle hammock. Of all the
hammocks on the market, Clark Hammocks is well-known and considered the
industry leader in anti-insect research and field testing.
The Clark Jungle hammock is meant for the worst conditions. The hammock
is part of a larger set in the shelter system. The hammock body has attached
mosquito netting for seamless protection. The spacer bars provide the allimportant distance that keeps the hammock spread open allowing the user to
sleep unmolested from mosquito stingers. These spreaders also allow a natural
sleeping position without pressure on the shoulders causing a stiff neck.
The Clark Jungle Hammock has

been improved over the years to
include drip rings that prevent water
from running down the support straps.
To keep ants from making their way
down just as easily, some users smear
toothpaste on the straps and report
great effectiveness. Certain models of
the Jungle Hammock have an integral
pocket on the bottom for a sleeping
pad or to store gear off the ground.
Wake up to a lizard or snake in your
boot and youll consider hanging or
storing them at night.
Clark continues to do research in the
field of anti-mosquito protection. The
company currently has experimental products in the field in the Amazon and is
reporting advancements in technology. For now, the existing product line is the
best out there and can be used during all seasons and in almost any condition.
To get that much needed sleep, strap up a hammock from Clark and catch some
zzzs worry free of insects.
69
Bites
&Stings
LEECHES DO NOT COME IN ONE SIZE AND

THEY CAN BE EXCEPTIONALLY ANNOYING IN
THEIR PERSISTENCE TO PENETRATE ANY
OPENING IN YOUR CLOTHING DEFENSE.
eyes if not careful. Water resistant gloves are

not necessary but gloves with a leather palm
are. Ive had very good success with gloves
meant for rappelling and working with wire
cable. Just as wire fibers can slash your hand
and stick you, jungle thorns can as well. One
word of warning, be careful to dry out your
gloves and treat them with conditioner (not
waterproofing agent) if they feel too dry after
your trip. This will extend the life of the leather.
PROTECT YOUR FEET

Just as important as protecting your hands
is protecting your feet. Modern jungle boots
[ABOVE] The author

carefully examining a
thorny plant in Costa
Rica. Once identified,
painful encounters are
less frequent with
increased awareness.
[BELOW] Lizards are
common in the jungle as
well as warmer parts of
the United States. Many
are harmless but the
scurrying noises they
make at night can startle the outdoorsman.
often draw inspiration from those worn by the

U.S. military during the Vietnam conflict. They
are roughly eight inches high, have a self-cleaning tread and are constructed with wet weather
and mud in mind. I prefer closed toed shoes in
the jungle unless Im in a camp or in a swimming hole. Leeches do not come in one size and
they can be exceptionally annoying in their persistence to penetrate any opening in your clothing defense. Lacing eyelets can be an entry
point unless the tongue of the boot is attached
to the upper. Also, a potential weak point is the
drainage holes many footwear manufacturers
are putting on the side of their shoes. These
drainage holes should have a mesh backing if
they are truly meant to offer protection above
the benefit of draining water. This attention to
detail will save you the horror of finding a leech
that entered your shoe and has been gorging
itself on your blood and is now many times its
original size. Thanks to the anesthetic in leech
saliva, you wont feel it bite and only the occasional wiggle can give away the presence.
Should you find one on you, use citric acid, salt
or a match to remove it. Dont be alarmed if you
notice the bite mark bleeding for a length of
time after the leech is removed. There is yet
another substance in the saliva that acts like an
anticoagulant that will eventually wear off.
Drainage holes will function better than full
Gore-Tex booties that act like personal foot
bath tubs leading to a bevy of foot ailments
never allowing feet to dry.
A leaf cutter
ant can be
quite the force
if their work is
disturbed.
Hundreds of
bites are
possible in
a matter of
minutes.
70
STAY RESTED
NATURAL
INSECT
REPELLENTS
It is said mud is an excellent insect repellent
when applied to the skin. This is somewhat
true. Mud can be used to mask unfamiliar
smells that draw insects in. Mud can also be
used to cover exposed skin if no other option is
present. Mud will eventually dry out and must
be reapplied regularly. There are also some
stinging insects that can penetrate a relatively
thick layer of mud regardless of the efforts in
applying it.
In North America, cedar trees are relatively

common and some will use the smoke from
cedar to smudge their clothing and person to
ward off mosquitoes. Another common natural
repellent is tobacco and fishermen have long
advocated smoking cigars for the same reason.
These two natural plants have roots in certain
Native American cultures.
A natural diet, one free of processed foods
and local to your area of operation is also said
to help prevent insects from bothering you.
People are what they eat and just as some will
claim they can sweat garlic, pheromones we
cannot detect are believed to be secreted from
the body. These inconspicuous odors may contribute to claims insects are often worse at the
beginning of an extended trip than they are at
the end.
Natural insect repellents have questionable
effectiveness. If a supply of commercial repellent runs out, knowledge of these may provide
some comfort even if that is more psychological than physical. Knowledge weighs nothing
and is always with you. Sometimes like the
mosquitoes that always seem to be there too.
Assuming you are spending more

than a single day in the jungle or jungle-like conditions, it is important to
never underestimate the value of
sleep and to have a sleep suit. This
second pair of clothes is worn inside
your shelter and kept dry as much as
possible. It is free of dirt, crushed
insects from swatting at them all day,
blood, sweat, insect repellent odor
and funk. Part of the sleep suit in really
buzzing environments is a cheap pair of
ear plugs. Assuming you are in a group
setting where there is collective security,
the foam ear plugs will suppress the
sounds of insects that can keep you
awake or play games with your mind thinking
one slipped inside your hammock or tent.
Whenever hammock camping, my routine prior
to swinging for the night includes putting on a
pair of hiking socks with a terry cloth-like interior after powdering my feet with medicated
powder or baby powder. Also, prior to retiring
for the night, it is not uncommon for moss to be
used in smudge pots made from adding campfire coals to metal cans with wet vegetation on
top. Used around the perimeter of your camp,
you can smoke out some of the flying nuisances around you at least long enough to get
you to sleep before the coals burn out. Sleep is
truly underrated in the outdoors while afield.
The jungle, glades and swamp are home to
nocturnal animals that will interfere with your
recovery and rest time. Spend enough days getting little to no sleep and the stacked insomnia
can lead to potentially hazardous issues during
your day.
With proper planning, it is possible to enjoy
the jungle, or places like it, in relative if not
complete comfort. All the sights, sounds and
smells of the jungle can be appreciated with
the correct jungle clothing choices and following indigenous information. When you
realize you are merely a guest in the jungle
and change your perspective of man vs.
wild to man in wild, you begin to understand and accept the flora and fauna and
how best to deal with them. The jungle
becomes more inviting and you will
start planning your next trip before you
even make it home.
The Mountain Khakis

Granite Creek shirt is
available in light colors
making it easy to spot
critters with contrasting
colors against them.
The Mountain Khakis
Granite Creek pants are
a synthetic pant that the
author has worn in jungle conditions and found
them to be quick drying,
lightweight and durable
for many adventures.
About the Author: Kevin Estela is Owner/Head

Instructor of Estela Wilderness Education and former
Lead Instructor of the Wilderness Learning Center. Kevin is
trained in bushcraft, wilderness/urban survival and is an instructor in
Sayoc Kali. Kevin is also an avid outdoorsman, martial artist, writer,
adventurer and full-rime high school history teacher.
71
KNOWING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES MAY JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE
Story by Jeff Zurschmeide
heckpoints have been set up just outside of town and the national
guard is doing house-to-house clearing of all people in the quarantined zones. Democracy has slowly slipped away and Martial law rules
the inner cities. The time to leave was two days ago. Pack up the car,
air up the tires, and tighten your seatbelt. Theyre not going to let you
escape easily, and youll have to do some pretty intense driving if you plan to make
it into the countryside and to your bug-out shelter. Two blocks away and the military police are on your tail. Whats next? You floor it.
The car chase is a basic building block of the action-adventure movie genre, but
dont make the mistake of thinking that its all just Hollywood stunt driving.
Around the world, the very wealthy and politically powerful learn to do everything
youve seen on the big screen, and quite a bit more. The reason is simple if someone is after the guy in the back seat, the driver is nothing more than a threat and
more likely just an annoyance. The first bullets are always headed for the driver,
creating an imperative to get himself and the car out of harms way.
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
C
72
WE HAVE TO TEACH PEOPLE TO USE THE CAR AS A

LETHAL WEAPON, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST
THINGS TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.
73
DRIVE
TO SURVIVE
The company I work with provides executive protection. Its a growing program.
Ive been to every country in Latin America except Cuba. We go down there for four
to five days at a time to teach executive protection, mostly for private sector folks. The
main thing we try to teach is situational
awareness, route planning, motorcade driving, evasive driving, and ultimately how to
use your car for protection and as a weapon,
CB says.
DRIVING IS MENTAL
Your car can take a

lot of damage to the
bodywork and remain
drivable. Protect your
radiator and front
wheels, however, so
you can keep moving
and steering.
[BOTTOM] This
bumper is a pretty
good candidate if the
driver had to drive
tactically. The high
center of gravity and
light weight of the
small SUV would be
drawbacks, however.
Depending on the location and the scenario, drivers are trained not only in evasive
and tactical driving, but also in situational
awareness and advanced firearms handling.
To learn a little more about this world, I contacted a longtime friend. CB is a professional racecar driver who moonlights as a
tactical driving instructor. Not to be too
cloak-and-dagger about it, but CB requested
anonymity for the purposes of this interview.
THE VERY FIRST

THING WE TEACH IS
SITUATIONAL
AWARENESS OF THE
CAR, AND HOW TO
DRIVE WITH THREE
OTHER CARS, EACH
SIX INCHES OFF
YOUR BUMPER.
74
Experienced readers will not be surprised

that most of the training that happens during
a tactical driving course is mental.
Theres a lot to it, CB says. The very
first thing we teach is situational awareness of
the car, and how to drive with three other
cars, each six inches off your bumper. We also
talk about communicating with a radio or laptop computer. We also understand what the
car in front is supposed to do, what the car
with the principal is supposed to do, and
what the car in the back is supposed to do.
PREPARATION IS KEY
As with all survival scenarios, preparation
is the keystone.
TIP
Tactical drivers know the best

way to disable a pursuing car is to
use the rear bumper of your own
WE COVER WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS AN ATTACK, WHERE

DIFFERENT PEOPLE SIT IN THE CAR, EVEN HOW TO SURROUND
THE PRINCIPAL IF YOU HAVE TO WALK ALONG THE ROAD.
car against the front bumper of

the attacker. The front of a car
contains the radiator, headlights,
and the most sensitive airbag
deployment sensors.
The PIT Maneuver
We cover what to do if there is an attack,

where different people sit in the car, even
how to surround the principal if you have to
walk along the road. We also get into case
studies on terrorist attacks. The level of planning and preparation that goes into some of
these attacks is mind-boggling, CB says.
The core of the course covers what to do
when an attack is in progress.
My forte is driving, obviously. But the
biggest thing we try to get across to them is
that a car is a lethal weapon. Its a different
mindset and sometimes its hard for me to
flip the switch, CB says.
FORGET THE RULES

In the course of our normal lives, we are
taught to be safe behind the wheel. From the
first driver training we ever had, we focused
on avoiding crashes, playing by the rules,
being courteous, and staying safe. But when
safety has already gone well and truly out the
window, the focus must shift to survival by
any means necessary.
We have to teach people to use the car as
a lethal weapon, and that is one of the hardest things to get people to understand. If you
go toward someone, you must intend to kill
them. You cannot wing them, you cannot
maim them, you must intend to kill them,
This diagram shows,

in broad terms, how to
execute a PIT maneuver.
What it cannot teach you,
however, is how it feels to
perform the maneuver,
and how to keep control
of your own vehicle while
executing the maneuver.
For that, you need to go
to school.
PHOTO COURTESY THE PERFECT DEFENSE
Your rear bumper can take out a pursuing car. If they hit
you hard enough, their radiator will be pushed back
onto their engine and destroyed.
The Precision Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver is probably

the worst-kept secret in the history of tactical driving. The point is
to disrupt the forward momentum of an opposing driver, leaving
them stopped on the road, generally facing into oncoming traffic.
The PIT maneuver is performed by approaching the opposing
vehicle from behind, and using the front corner of your car to
press into the opposing vehicle at or behind the rear wheel, causing a skid. Once the opposing car begins to skid, accelerate and
keep the pressure on and the opposing car will rotate across your
front bumper and end up on the other side of your car, facing
backwards.
Obviously, ramming another car or attempting the PIT maneuver are not to be undertaken lightly. Performed without justification, either maneuver is likely to be considered as attempted
vehicular manslaughter or worse. If you want to learn to perform
such maneuvers, sign up for a course from one of the driving
academies that offer tactical driving instruction.
75
DRIVE
TO SURVIVE
Most armored limousines are made in

Colombia, and much of
the international driver
training available for
limo drivers takes place
there as well. This is an
armored Mercedes-Benz
W221 made for the government of Germany.
[BELOW] Police vehicles
are outtted with those
big push bars and wraparound protection in case
they have to do the kind
of driving described here.
76
because if you dont, they will get up and kill

you, CB says.
In the training, drivers are taught how to
use their vehicle as a battering ram, how to
drive on flat tires, and how to perform the
well-known PIT (Precision Intervention
Technique) maneuver.
We wear full protective gear, including
mouth guards, elbow pads, and knee pads.
Because when we train, we train in a full-con-
Driving on Flats
Driving with one or more flat tires is
among the most challenging situations
that a driver may face. Your tires are
your cars only point of contact with the
road, and the source of all traction for
your car.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but
its easier to drive with a flat front tire
than with a flat rear. A flat front tire
presents itself as heavy and sluggish
steering, and the car will pull strongly
toward the side with the flat. Its no fun,
but it is at least predictable.
A rear flat, on the other hand, presents itself to the driver as a tendency
to slew out of control pitching one
way when you press the accelerator,
and the opposite way when you lift off
the pedal. Steering inputs also induce
swings. The motions are far less predictable and harder to control than a
front flat.
tact environment. Were going to pit

them, and then were going to ram
them. Pitting is probably the most
delicate maneuver we can do. We
also teach them how to counter-pit
and to be counter-evasive, CB says.
But the training doesnt end with
cars, because the threats dont end
there, either.
know which drivers on the road are

ready for anything.
The people who are very, very
good at this; youd never recognize
them. They blend in, CB says. Its a
completely different mindset. When
I travel now, I see the world in a very
different way. Its a mental attitude
you have to overcome. I really struggled in my first year. Its a whole different world.
About the Author: Jeff Zurschmeide is a professional
automotive and motorsports journalist who got his
training in tactical driving from the experts at Portland
Speedway and other west coast circle tracks.
MORE THAN DRIVING

From there we teach people how
to use firearms, and where to hide
behind a car if youre being shot at.
Well take a car and shoot thousands
of rounds into it to show people
where to hide. Most people head for
the rear wheel, which is near the gas
tank, or the drivers door, CB says.
For the record, you want to crouch
by the front wheel, so that bullets
must pass through the engine to get
to you. Car doors offer very little protection, and the trunk area even less,
plus the gasoline is back there.
You might be surprised, but
motorcycle training is just as intense
as for the cars. The other thing thats
big right now is scooters. Around the
world, thats the primary means of
transportation, CB says.
BLENDING IN
Finally, most will not be surprised
to learn that youll probably never
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Tactical Driver
Instruction Schools
You are probably wondering where to learn tactical driving, and the good news is that there are
several schools that can teach you.
I was trained at a private sector academy in
Virginia that trains a lot of government folks,
says CB. These are just a few of the schools that
offer various levels of tactical driving instruction
in America.
http://www.bsr-inc.com/
http://g4siti.com/
http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/training/tevoc - official only
* Prices are subject to change.
Sights sold separately.
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77
HOW-TO
WOUND TREATMENT
Sweet Salvation
HOW TO USE HONEY AND SUGAR TO TREAT WOUNDS
Story and Photography by Ryan Lee Price
he smell of peanut butter
in your pack can easily
reach the nose of a bear
thats over a mile away,
and if hes in a hurry, the
bear can cover that mile in about
three minutes. You, on the other
hand, wont know what hit you until
it does. With your gear scattered all
over the forest floor, youre left
bleeding and wondering what to do.
Youre days from a hospital, maybe
weeks, and your first aid kit is
nowhere to be seen. Luckily the
pouch of sugar for your coffee is
right at your feet. Remembering
your ancient history, you stop the
bleeding, pack your wounds with
ample amounts of sugar before
T
78
wrapping them with strips of your

handkerchief.
Honey was found in King Tuts
tomb, and no doubt ancient man
enjoyed eating it ever since it was
discovered, but the first mention of
honey and sugar being used to treat
wounds was found in the Edwin
Smith Papyrus, a 2500-year-old military medical textbook describing the
treatment of 48 cases of injuries and
battle wounds. Specifically, the text
refers to the use of honey as a topical
aide to vertebral compression fractures and spinal disc sprains.
Honey was used by the ancient
Greek physician Dioscorides in 50
A.D. for sunburn and infected
wounds and its healing properties
are mentioned in the Bible, Koran,

and Torah.
Avicenna (9801037), an Arab
doctor in ancient Islam, advised the
use of honey and sugar to reduce the
amount of wound seepage. From the
early Middle Ages to the late 19th
century, there were many descriptions of the use of honey and sugar
to cleanse and heal traumatic
wounds, in particular gunshot
wounds and battle injuries where a
loss of flesh led to infections.
Today, people around the world
apply honey directly to the skin for
wound healing, burns, sunburn,
cataracts, and diabetic foot ulcers.
While less people use sugar to treat
open wounds because of the
widespread use of antibiotics it is
making a resurgence because of
peoples continued resistance to
modern medicines.
HOW DOES SUGAR HEAL?

The use of sugar in treating an
open wound is based on its high
osmolality, its ability to draw fluid
out of the wound. Reducing water
in the wound inhibits the growth of
bacteria. The use of sugar also aids
in the removal of dead tissue while
preserving tissue that is still alive.
According to Dr. Richard A. Knutson, who first published his
research on the healing effects of
honey and sugar: Honey kills
staphylococci, including the fearsome community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus, within a few hours; it has
anti-inflammatory activity; and its
hypertonicity [ability to absorb
water] provides antiseptic activity.
It is thought that honeys healing
is derived from its ability to produce
hydrogen peroxide from the glucose
oxidase enzyme found in honey.
Sugar has an ability to draw fluid out of the wound. Reducing water in the wound inhibits the
growth of bacteria. And bacteria leads to infections.
TODAY, PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD APPLY HONEY DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN FOR
WOUND HEALING, BURNS, SUNBURN, CATARACTS, AND DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS.
Honey kills certain
kinds of bacteria, and
also removes fluid,
but acts as a great
anti-inflammatory.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Sugar: Known by a wealth of names,

such as glucose, dextrose, fructose,
and galactose (monosaccharides) and
sucrose, maltose, and lactose (disaccharide), simple sugar is a shortchain, soluble carbohydrate composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is commonly derived from
sugarcane and sugar beets, which are
cultivated in tropical climates around
the world. It can then be converted
into a variety of products from simple granulated table sugar to syrups
and other powders.
Honey: Honey is a viscous, hypersaturated sugar solution coming
from nectar which has been collected and modified by the honey
bee. Honey primarily contains sugar
(7579 percent) and water (20 percent), according to Alexander
Heyneman at the Department of
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery,
Burn Centre at the Ghent University
Hospital in Belgium.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
WHAT IS SUGAR AND HONEY?
[BELOW] Mixed
together, honey and
sugar (or sugar and
cooking oil) can provide a healing paste
that can be applied
directly to an open
would to stave off
infection, hasten the
healing process and
ease the pain (when
applied to burns).
HOW TO USE IT
For starters, the wound has to
stop bleeding. All forms of sugar
(including honey) react and easily
79
bind with calcium. If calcium is not

available because it is in constant
bleeding, no clot can form and the
sugar will merely wash away. Also,
the wound needs to be clean of all
foreign debris such as dirt. The Egyptians washed their injuries with beer,
while the Greeks used wine, and the
Romans, vinegar. Clean water or a
saline solution will suffice today.
Dr. Knutson recommends combining three parts powdered sugar
and one part cooking oil until the
mixture is uniformly smooth. A thick
layer (14 to 12 inch) is then applied
directly to a wound.
Why powdered sugar and cooking oil? Dr. Knutson explains:
While antibiotics chemically interfere with bacterial chemistry and
function, sugar and oil depend upon
physics for their antibacterial power.
Sugar is hygroscopic and functions
to dehydrate all bacteria. Bacteria
requires water to survive and multiply. The lack of water results in bacterial death. When bacteria die, they
cannot reproduce. No infection can
occur if all bacteria die.
Oil also functions in a physical
way. Oil coats the outer bacterial
membrane or cell wall, interfering
with the normal capacity of the cell
to transport foodstuffs and water
into and eliminate the cells capacity
to transport waste materials out of
the cell. The oil therefore prevents
water and foodstuffs from entering
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Sweet Salvation
Until as recently as World War II, honey was still being used to treat wounds on the battlefield.
However, because of the development of antibiotics, the practice has fallen out of popularity
and is condemned by some as ineffective.
the cell; it also prevents egress of cellular waste products. As a result, the
bacterial cell withers and dies. No
infection occurs secondary to a dead
crop of bacteria.
However, using just table sugar
and honey is always a quick and
effective option when other medications arent available. Although science and technology are making
huge strides in wound treatment,
always consider natural products,
especially those that were tried and
proven thousands of years ago.
Step 1Make sure the wound is very

clean by repeatedly rinsing it with a
mild soap and warm water or a saline
solution. Completely pat the area dry
until youre sure there is no moisture
left inside the wound. If debris or foreign objects are still seen within the
wound, remove it as best as possible
and clean it all again.
Step 2Pour granulated table sugar
directly into the wound, making sure it
gets down as deep into the wound as
possible and doesnt stick only to the
surface and outer rim of the injury.
Step 3If the wound is especially
large and the sugar wont stay in
place, slather it with honey first and
80
Practical Application of Honey
then pour sugar on top. Also, you
According to a study conducted by Peter Molan, Professor in Biological Sciences and Director
of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand: In total in this
review, positive findings for honey in wound care were found to have been reported in all of
the 17 trials involving a total of 1,965 participants, and in the five clinical trials of other forms
involving 97 participants treated with honey. The benefit of honey in assisting wound healing was also found to have been demonstrated in four case studies where there were multiple wounds, allowing comparison of honey with other treatment.
For example, 25 patients with superficial and partial thickness burns were given silver sulfadiazine cream and 25 similarly burned patients were treated with honey alone. The findings
reported: Wounds giving positive swabs took three weeks to all become sterile with honey;
took five weeks with the control. Within two weeks, 52 percent of those treated with honey
were healed, while only 20 percent of those given the silver sulfadiazine cream were healed.
help the sugar stay in place and pro-
could make a topical. The honey will

vide its full healing benefits.
Step 4Cover with a clean bandage
immediately and secure it with tape
or ties. The bandage will prevent bacteria and debris from getting into the
wound and it will prevent the honey,
sugar, and oil from leaking out.
Step 5Change the bandage and
repeat the cleaning and sugar application once a day or when you notice
the bandages are wet (from the
removed fluid).
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URBAN
CAR KIT
Arrive B
Alive
SOLS ROADTRIPPER, A CAR EMERGENCY KIT

Story by J. Ellis Bourke | Photography by Henry Z. DeKuyper
82
reakdowns are inevitable. The

older your car gets, the more
likely it will, one day, leave you
stranded on the side of the road.
If youre lucky, youll be within
range of help, but sometimes, youll be left
up to your own resources.
Known for its survival emergency kits,
Survive Outdoors Longer (SOL) has put
together a preparedness kit specific for your
car, the RoadTripper Auto Emergency Kit.
This kit is comprehensive, easy to use and
designed to reside in your car and be helpful
in an emergency, natural disaster, or storm. It
is small enough to store in your trunk or

under the seat, but big enough to include all
of the basic essentials you might need in a
car emergency situation.
Housed in an 11 x 10.75 x 4-inch orange
and black nylon pack that is designed to fit
inside the wheel well of most spare tires, the
kit consists of a small medical kit (basic first
aid supplies), a multi-tool, duct tape, a mini
LED headlamp, an emergency rain poncho,
an emergency blanket, 10-foot long 250-amp
jumper cables, a tire gauge, a reflective hazard triangle, a reflective safety vest, and
work gloves.
Weighing at just over four pounds, the
RoadTripper is well organized with several
different pockets inside the pack so you can

reach specific gear quickly and easily. It features a reflective orange triangle on the pack
so it can be used to alert other drivers to your
hazard, and it stands up on its own.
Inside, there is extra room to add any
additional items you might need in your part
of the country. The kit itself is well thought
out but not fancy. It has the basic elements
that most people will need in a typical breakdown scenario and not a lot of extraneous
gear you wouldnt likely use (which would
also drive up the cost of the kit). Whether
youre changing a tire in the pitch black night
or jumping a dead battery on a busy highway
in the rain, this kit has you covered and will
keep you safe on the side of the road.
Features
Watertight pack
Weight: 4 lbs. 8 oz.
Multitool
Duct tape
Mini LED headlamp
Emergency rain poncho
Emergency Blanket
10-foot 250 amp
jumper cables
Tire gauge
Reflective hazard triangle
Reflective safety vest
Work gloves
SOURCE
surviveoutdoorslonger.com
MSRP: $70
83
Gear Guide
SOLAR POWERED
Solar Powered
Survival Gear
Exploit the Sun to Survive
Story By Michael DAngona
In the past, solar power was a new concept to the average person and its applications were limited to only a few available items throughout daily life. Such
objects included novelty wristwatches, a
students calculator and a select few
childrens toys and science kits. However,
times have changed. Now more than ever the
use of solar power is the main component in
numerous electric and even non-electronic
products. Survival items, in particular, such as
lanterns, radios, flashlights, and even entire
ovens and fire-starting devices offer alternatives
to batteries and to relied upon power such as
electricity that may become non-existent during a natural disaster, an electromagnetic
pulse, or other life changing scenario.
The applications for solar power today is seemingly endless. Solar panels can be easily installed
on your home or at your Bug-Out location to literally take you off the grid and cease your
reliance on local power plants. Your 72-hour
bag can be equipped (or bought already
installed!) with solar cells that can power
your phone, or other electronic devices with
no effort on your part. Once camped, let the
suns rays warm the water in your shower,
fire up your radio for important news information and even light up the night to give
you a sense of comfort in the dark. The sun is
a free and reliable energy source and should
be a top choice to power your goods during
any unexpected emergency.
84
Rothco 36-Bulb
LED Solar and
Handcrank
Lantern
You cant rely on batteries to
keep your campsite goods running under continuous use. At
least with the Rothco Solar
Lantern, you dont have to. Just
leave this item out in the sun
throughout the day and you will
have two full hours of steady
nighttime use. Repeat the
process to continuously have
light when you need it. As an
added feature, this lantern also
operates on hand power. Just
one minute of cranking can produce 20 minutes of light using 18
LEDs or 10 minutes of extra
bright light using 36 LEDs. Batteries can become scarce during
an emergency situation or during
an initial warning of an impending natural disaster. This item
ensures you constant light without the needed search for hard
to find batteries.
SOURCE
MSRP
Rothco.com
$57.99
SOLAR POWERED Gear

Guide
Rothco Solar/Wind Up
Flashlight with Radio
Never be left out in the dark again with Rothcos dual-action solar and
wind-up powered flashlight with included AM/FM radio feature. This
valuable emergency or campsite item emits a bright and steady stream
of light through its five powerful LEDs. Use the suns energy throughout
the day to charge its solar cells, then at night use it to light up a walking
path, scan your surroundings for predators or use the radio function and
listen for important newscasts or instructions. Batteries cant last
indefinitely, make sure to prepare yourself ahead of time with this
unique survival tool. Its bright yellow color makes it difficult to lose in
nature and its crank power feature gives you yet another option for producing light or operating the radio.
SOURCE
MSRP
Rothco.com
$60.99
OffGrid Solar Backpack

Versatility is a key feature of this useful solar backpack. The
included solar pocket is removable and can be attached easily to other bags as it charges. Its perfect to power up all your
handheld electronics, so no more dead cell phones, pocket
radios, or mini-tablets. This allows you to always get up-tothe minute information when broadcasted through the airwaves or through the internet. The pack itself is roomy with
over 1,500 cubic inches of storage space. It features a padded
laptop sleeve for comfort and protection, an integrated
phone pouch and numerous other pockets to keep all your
belongings secured and organized until needed. Available in
charcoal, silver or emergency orange colors.
SOURCE
MSRP
VoltaicSystems.com
$199 99
Urbanpack U01
This solar backpack boasts adaptability and European style and delivers on all counts! The Urbanpack features a solar panel that recharges your cell
phone or MP3 player as you move about through
your day. You never have to worry about finding a
plug to recharge. Just use one of the included
adapters and your electronics will always be ready
to use. The bag itself is pure craftsmanship. It features an integrated main compartment (utilizing
hidden zipper tabs for security), with countless
smaller pockets used for storing your laptop, sunglasses, small food items, important paperwork,
maps or currency and several small side pockets
that hold all those little items that can get lost in
an instant. Organization is first rate with this solar
backpack and when time matters, youll get to your
goods fast. Optional extras include embroidery, the
addition of a chest strap, and customization of the
laptop pocket to fit your particular model.
SOURCE
MSRP
SeizPacks.com
$356
85
Gear
Guide
SOLAR POWERED
D. Light Solar Light

This solar item packs a powerful bright light punch. The D. Light provides solar powered illumination for an entire room utilizing its wideangle capability. The unit features four separate levels of brightness
depending on your particular situation. Use it on high for four full
hours, on medium for eight hours, on low for 16 hours or a staggering
100 hours on its extra low bed-light setting. An included USB port
allows your cell phones to always maintain a charge. The ergonomically designed handle and top carrying strap offers maximum flexibility and convenience around your house, workplace, and bug out
location or anywhere you take this essential piece of equipment. No
longer fear a blackout or a loss of your electrical grid. You will have
all the essential light you need to complete the tasks at hand. No
battery replacements needed. Weather, dust and impact resistant.
SOURCE
MSRP
Nitro-Pak.com
$49.95
Solar 5-Gallon
Shower
Solar Powered Radio

This is the ultimate solar-powered survival gadget.
It comes with all the features you need for nearly
any emergency situation, including an AM/FM and
seven band weather radio, a multi-function LED
flashlight, a super bright LED red emergency signal
light, and a campsite reading lamp all powered
using natural sunlight. The added weather alert
feature enables you to receive the alert signal when
an unexpected disaster strikes. Its uniquely
designed solar panel maximizes the suns rays by
tilting in the direction of the suns position. A hand
crank, AA batteries, or an AC adapter can be used as
alternate power sources on overcast days. Perfect
for use at home, at the office or in your vehicle
because you never know when a worst-case scenario may occur.
Few things feel more satisfying than a hot shower, and

while in the wild this luxury
isnt an optionuntil now! This
amazing solar shower is built
tough, using heavy gauge black
vinyl with an extra strong reinforced tube running across the
entire length of the unit. Even
under the weight of a full five
gallons of water, this shower
keeps its form and heats water
uniformly for optimum results. In
direct sunlight 70 degree water
will reach 100 degrees in only
three hours. The unit features a
handy on/off switch that helps
conserve water for all members of
your group. Simple, easy-to-use
and a refreshing comfort when far
from home.
SOURCE
SOURCE
MSRP
86
KaitoUSA.com
$69.95
MSRP
Nitro-Pak.com
$12.50
SOLAR POWERED Gear

Guide
Goal Zero Foldable

Solar Panel
You never miss electrical power until its
gone, but with the Nomad 7 Solar panel, you
wont have to. This handy, portable solar
panel can charge your cell phone or other
small electrical devices in the same amount
of time as a wall plug. Simply place the
panel in direct sunlight and let it do the job
quickly and efficiently. Better yet, attach it
to your backpack and charge your goods
while on the move. A built-in pocket keeps
your devices safe and secure. It is weather
resistant, lightweight (only 13 ounces) and
14 times more powerful than similar units. It
features a rugged design that folds up when
not in use to save space and stores away
easily. The set includes the Nomad 7 Panel,
one DC adapter and one USB cable.
SOURCE
MSRP
Nitro-Pak.com
$85.95
87
Gear
Guide
SOLAR POWERED
Sunflair Solar Oven Kit

Cook your food and boil water to drink with one of the most portable
and user friendly solar ovens on the market today. This unique survival
item and perfect B.O.B. addition is specially insulated to obtain oven
temperatures between 210 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to
boil questionable water for drinking or for slow cooking fish or small
game. No more hauling wood, charcoal, propane or other fuel sources;
just let the power of the sun do the work for you. Perfect when power
outages occur, or as an alternate cooking source at locations where fires
are not allowed. The Sunflair solar oven weighs only three pounds and,
when folded, can be easily transported or stored in any location. This
deluxe set includes the solar oven, two collapsible silicone pots, one
round roaster, two racks, two baking trays, a thermometer and a
convenient carrying bag.
SOURCE
MSRP
Sunair.net
$154.99
All American Sun Oven

This solar oven is the perfect addition to your food preparedness
supplies. Use it to bake, boil, or steam your food directly under
the bright, brilliant sun. During survival situations or power outages, fuel to cook your food takes up valuable storage space.
Using a Sun Oven on the days when the sun shines decreases the
amount of fuel which must be stored. It can be used year round
and essentially pays for itself by reducing energy use and costs.
The Sun Oven comes equipped with a built-in thermometer,
spill-proof levelator, four attached collapsible reflectors and a
useful CD featuring recipes, pictures, and video clips perfect for
everyday cooking or emergency preparedness tips.
SOURCE
MSRP
Luci EMRG
This very well could be the ultimate solar-powered emergency
light. It is portable, lightweight, waterproof, rechargeable, shatterproof, and always ready for an unexpected blackout, weighing only
2.5 ounces, this solar light features four lighting settings; bright,
super-bright, flashing and an S.O.S. signal. The suns rays charge
the unit and provide up to 12 hours of brilliant light, enough to get
you through the entire night. Keep several on hand for any emergency or for everyday use while boating, hiking, camping, or any
outdoor activity. Eco-friendly, extremely safe and produces
brighter light than candles or kerosene lanterns.
SOURCE
MSRP
88
MPowerd.com
$9.99
sunoven.com
$349
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URBAN
ICE CHEST
KEEPING
COOL
Built for the rugged

outdoors in mind, the
Esky Series coolers are
well constructed with
heavy duty materials
and made to last.
FINALLY, A SURVIVORS ICE CHEST

Story by Phil Tobin | Photography by Henry DeKuyper
hen the grid goes down, whatever is left

in your fridge is given an immediate
death sentence. With about 12 hours to
live, your food is intrinsically tied to your
own ability to survive. A gallon of milk,
for example, stored at room temperature has a lifespan of a
day or two until unhealthy bacteria levels make it no longer
safe to drink. Of course, theres no way any cooler can
replace the chilling power of a fridge, but the Esky Series of
coolers from Coleman is a step in the right direction.
KEEPS COLD INSIDE

With a two inch sidewalls of insulation and 2.5 inches of
insulation in the floor and lid, the cooler has the ability to
retain vast amounts of cold for longer periods of time. This
means less ice melt and a lower overall temperature. The
air-tight seal from the rubber gasket and overlapping fit of
the lid provides a solid airflow barrier, keeping warm air from
entering and cold air from escaping.
90
DURABILITY
With a scratch-resistant texture and coating to inhibit UV
light, as well as a super hard exoskeleton, the Esky is a
strong cooler, made to survive rough treatment, accidents,
or incidents that would cause it to be thrown around. Large
hinges and the heavy-duty rubber catches wont catch on
anything and tear loose if this cooler takes a spill. Coleman
offers a six year warranty.
FEATURES
You know that small button drain that always comes loose
at the most inappropriate times? This cooler has a two-stage
drainage port. There is a threaded hose adapter so you can
direct the drain-off in any direction, but if you need to evacuate the cooler quickly, a two-inch-wide mouth releases the
water immediately. Underneath, the feet are non-skid and
these coolers can be stacked on top of one another.
The included cutting board (as well as inner liner) is
infused with an antimicrobial additive that resists mildew,
D
E
B
C
mold, and that stale odor found in most other

coolers over time. The handles are rope (that
can be replaced) with rubber grips, and the
cooler features tie-down points to secure it to a
boat or the deck of your bug-out shelter, while
holes on either side can accommodate a twoinch padlock for security.
Theyre available in four sizes (in quarts): 55,
85, 135, 208 and in two colors, white and khaki.
TO THE TEST
Not to be left to the brochure, we placed a
single can of soda and 20 pounds of ice inside a
55-quart cooler to test to see how long the
cooler would retain the cold, keep the soda at a
drinkable temperature and prevent the ice from
melting. Stored in a garage at roughly 80
degrees, the cooler kept the soda at around 42
degrees for four days until the ice began to break
up and melt. It steadily rose to about 60 degrees
and the last of the ice melted on the 8th day.
Of course, the more you pack into the design
of anything, the heavier it will become and this
cooler is no exception. At 30 pounds empty,
this isnt something youll strap to your pack as
youre escaping a neighborhood catastrophe,

but then again, it was never designed to do so.
Maybe this is a negative to some, but the concept behind this cooler is to keep things colder
for longer, and if that means that it can keep a
gallon of milk cold for seven days so you only
have to leave your shelter once a week, then it
is doing its job and doing it well.
A. The innovative rubber

latches keep the lid tight
and dont protrude from
the cooler.
B. The heavy-duty handle attachment points
and the flexible rope
handles offer a multitude of carry options
over the stiff handles of
other coolers.
C. The double drain with
a garden hose attachment and a two-inchwide mouth for quick
draining.
D. Inside is a dry basket
and a steel wire lid
retention strap. The
internal dimensions are
1718 x 1012 x 1338 inches.
E. The large knuckleshaped hinges are
recessed so they wont
catch on anything, and
the cooler can be stored
snugly against the wall.
F. The soda can test: The
cooler was able to keep
this soda relatively cool
over a longer-thanexpected period of time.
G. Stored underneath
the lid is a wide cutting
board that is treated
with an antimicrobial
additive that resists
mildew, mold, and
odors. It sits in divots on
the cover so it wont
slide around.
SOURCE
G
eskyseriescoolers.com
MSRP: $339.99
91
HOW-TO
LOW-BUDGET KIT
Brown-Bag
Survival
HOW TO BUILD AN EMERGENCY

KIT ON THE (VERY) CHEAP
Story and Photography by Ryan Lee Price

and safety/light. Under those categories sits an enormous array of gear.
Some cross over from one category to
another, as a knife can be used for both
protection and for food prep, for example. Basically, if all of these categories
are satisfied, you have the makings of a
good kit. The problem is every single
thing at the dollar store costs exactly a
dollar (plus tax) and while that might
be good for matches and small rolls of
duct tape, thats bad when it comes to
knives and heavy-use gear that would
see hard use in a survival situation.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
he philosophy you get

what you pay for is quite
a double-edged sword.
On one hand, an item
doesnt need to be
expensive to be high-quality, while on
the other hand, the quality of an
expensive item can be low. Are you
buying the name brand? Are you paying for expensive marketing, gimmicks,
high overhead, a famous spokesperson, and the fancy packaging? A Kia
works just as well as a Mercedes,
right? They both have four wheels, an
engine, and a seat. Isnt a Mercedes
just a Kia in a fancy package with an
expensive spokesperson?
Can this same philosophy apply
itself to emergency survival bags and
92
gear? We took $50 bills and

headed off to two different dollar stores to see how much survival gear we could find, if any,
to decently outfit an emergency bag. Essentially, we
wanted to see if we could
make a Mercedes out of Kia
parts. At first, we were skeptical, but once we started wandering the aisles of our local
dollar stores, it became pretty
clear there were dozens of
things that could easily be
included in our DIY cheap kit.
The parameters for most
survival kits can be summed up
in a few categories: food/water,
shelter, fire, first aid, signaling,
We decided that an emergency kit

of this caliber should be kept simple.
We could have purchased an entire
new outfit shoes, pants, shirts, and
hat for a dollar each and we could
have included a plethora of foodstuffs. But we decided not to. The
point of our emergency pack was to
have a kit that could solve a
variety of situations in a short
amount of time. Its not a gethome bag or a bug-out bag,
but instead a one-time-use
bag, a collection of very
cheap products (99 percent
made in China) that will
serve specific purposes in an
emergency situation, such as
an earthquake or tornado.
This was the best bottle to be had.

It lacks a ring to clip to your belt or
pack, but it sealed tightly and the
cap snapped into place. The ribbing
makes it easier to hold and the large
opening helps in cleaning.
WHAT TO EXPECT
With the above in mind, dont
expect much. Though there are a host
of gems on the shelves of your local
dollar store, dont go in with the idea
that youre going to climb Mount Everest with the gear youll find. At best,
this is an illustration of gear you could
use to supplement your off-the-shelf
pack. That being said, about half of
what be bought came in multi-packs
there were three packs of tissue,
three rolls of twine, 25 feet of aluminum foil so our purchases could
have easily been spread over a couple
of different packs. Keeping our six
parameters in mind, we scoured the
shelves for items that could be used in
an emergency situation.
There was a host of things to be used to tie

down other things, such as duct tape, twine,
zip-ties, nylon rope, and bungee cords.
Keeping clean is an important part of survival. Small wounds can lead to big infections if not properly cleaned. The pink
grooming kit was a little girlish, but it went
nicely with our pink sewing kit (so we combined them). Three-pack bar of soap, threepack of tissues and a roll of toilet paper will
keep everything ship-shape. Though the toilet paper is bulky and can be replaced by the
pack of tissue, if theres a need for toilet
paper, youll be glad you had it.
Food/water: The shelves of the dollar

stores are littered with a wide variety of
food stuffs, from bags of chips, sodas,
boxes of pasta to spices, nuts, and
canned soup. Look for small cans of
high-protein meats like tuna. It is helpful if the cans have pop-tops so you
dont have to worry about opening
them. There isnt much in the way of
water but instead lots of choices for
water bottles. Find the sturdiest one
with a tight seal. If it has a ring, it can be
clipped to your pack as you are walking.
The biggest catch at the dollar stores was

first aid gear. Cold and hot chemical compresses that are activated by squeezing
them were a great find, as was a variety of
ointments and balms. Gauze, tape, anti-bacterial gel, and anti-inflammatory pain medicine were included.
A host of lighting tools were found, from

chemical sticks and AAA LED flashlight to a
hand-powered flashlight, a bicycle strobe
light and a two-pack of high-visibility reflectors that can be wrapped around your arm or
hung off of your pack.
Shelter: Nope, no tents at the dollar

store, but they do have painters tarps,
those low-end extremely thin plastic
covers you use when painting your
walls. They rip easily and probably
wont make for a good emergency
tent, but will keep the rain off of you
and your gear in a pinch. Plus, they can
be used for capturing rain water or to
make a water distiller.
We packed the tea candles and about 50

matches in one of the two small containers,
and we cut the handle off the magnifying
glass so it would stow in a smaller space.
Take care with the chafing fuel, as it burns at
a low temperature and takes more time to
cook food.
We wrapped the ve extra blades of the utility knife around the outside of it with a little
duct tape. The cans of sausage and tuna will
help stave off hunger, and the hard candy (25
to a pack) is a refreshing treat to a dry mouth.
Fire: There was a wide variety of firemaking items available. From a box of
wooden matches and lighters (twopack) to candles and a can of chafing
fuel. We even found a magnifying glass.
First Aid: One thing the dollar store
has in spades is first aid gear, so we put
together a mini first aid kit for only a
few dollars. Is it high-quality stuff? Of
course not, but a cheap bandage that
you have to replace every couple of
hours because it wont stick to sweaty
skin is better than no bandage, right?
Canvas gloves as well as latex gloves will

keep your hands safe when you need them to
be. The 0.7-mil plastic drop cloth will be
nearly useless when the going gets rough,
itll come in handy to shelter under when it
rains. The pack of 28 plastic bags has a multitude of uses.
We folded three feet of aluminum foil into a

flat square. The two small carabiners are
fairly weak but they can be used to attach
things to your belt or pack. The three coils of
wire are useful in a variety of ways, from
snares to lashings. You cant go wrong with a
deck of cards.
93
Low-Budget Kit
Your choices are limitless. If we wanted to

keep with the theme, we could have very well
kept the items in the paper grocery bags they
came home in. Barring that, we can choose a
school book bag or a bag that was a giveaway from a clothing store. We chose Hazard4s Plan B sling instead. Sure, at $125.98
it goes against the theme here, but because
it has the compartments needed to organize
our gear and it was small enough to perfectly
fit everything, you shouldnt skimp on the
pack itself.
Outside, the anti-bacterial gel is easily

accessible and the carabiners hang at the
ready. The Plan B has plenty of webbing for a
variety of gear.
ou s packaging and placed into

groups, the 50 items dont take up much
space, so you can choose a relatively small
bagwhich is one thing the dollar stores
didnt offer: something to carry all of this in.
However, everything that would be ruined if
wet was placed in sealable plastic bags.
Safety/Light: There is no gun aisle or
The Plan Bs main compartment can be

adjusted with the movable divider. On the
top we placed the toilet paper and a few of
the bulky items, such as the cans of food and
containers of matches and toiletries.
The lower pocket contains a few things well

need to grab quickly: anti-bacterial wipes,
gloves, lighter and a utility knife.
rack of hunting knives available at the

dollar store, but that doesnt mean
there isnt a host of things that can be
used as protection (including the utility
knife). A large cooking knife can be used
around the campfire and to fend off
attackers, and a large two-tined roasting fork can be lashed to a stick and
made into a fishing spear. We found
several methods of light, including one
powered by a ratchet mechanism.
Misc.: Canvas gloves, bungee cords,

twine and nylon rope are staples of the
dollar store. The pretty pink sewing kit
for girls contained a dozen needles and
thread. Anti-bacterial wipes, a bag of
hard candy, two small boxes to seal in
small gear, and essential items to keep
you clean, organized and sane. Speaking of sane, a deck of cards goes a long
way in keeping you mentally awake.
GO QUALITY OR GO CHEAP?
While on the bottom, everything else fit nice
and snug. It is always a good idea to place
the first aid kit on top for easy access.
The upper pocket contains the hard candies

for the trail and the hand-operated ashlight.
Intertwined down the side webbing is where

the zip ties are stored and a couple of the
bungee cords.
94
In a mesh pocket on the inside flap the water

bottle, knife and serving fork can be stored.
We made sheaths for both the knife and fork
out of aluminum foil and stored them in a
way that they would rest on their handles
instead of their points when the pack was
set upright.
Handing over $50 at the check-out

stand, we wondered if going cheap
(and getting a ton of stuff) is better or
worse than paying two or three times
more and getting higher quality gear.
How many squeezes will this ratchet
flashlight take before it breaks? Can
this very thin aluminum foil wrap a fish
without tearing? How long before the
bungee cords snap or the gloves wear
through or the twine unravels? Is paying $1 for 50 bandages better than
paying $50 for a fully packed first aid
kit? It depends on what y
afford, as money is
object to a lot of pe
ple. Again, Id rather
have cheap bandage
than no bandages.
Hazard4
Plan B
Modular
Sling Pack
Sometimes having a large bulky pack is
more of a hindrance than help. The larger
your pack, the more stuff you will put in
it, logically, but the more stuff, the heavier the pack. With a smaller pack, such as
the Plan B, you become more conscious
about what goes in it, thereby saving
weight and conserving energy.
This sling pack is designed for front or
rear wear and is slim to fit the profile of
the wearer and not be a bulky or obvious
addition to his back. The padded sling fits
perfectly over your chest and is comfortable to wear over long periods of time,
and one of the main benefits of using a
sling-style pack is that it can be easily
switched to and from either shoulder as
well as to the front with little trouble.
The Plan B has three compartments,
including an additional hydration area to
hold up to a 2.5 liter capacity. The small
stuff pocket on the top of the pack can
be used for small items one might need
to access often and quickly, while the
larger pocket has several sub-pockets for
a variety of storage options. The main
compartment runs the full height of the
pack and is capable of holding more than
1,000 square inches of gear.
Made from Invista
1000D Cordura, it is
PU X2 water repellent and
scratch/tear resistant. It comes in
black, coyote (shown), OD
green, Multicam and A-Tacs.
E
A. A small zipper allows for a barrel to protrude or perhaps a radio antenna. B. All of the
straps can be rolled and secured via hook and
loop fasteners. C. The back is well padded and
breathable, making it more comfortable and easier to wear in hot weather. D. All zippers are double
and covered to keep out water in wet environments. E.
There is plenty enough webbing to attach several MOLLE bags
to it as well as any number of additional gear that will be needed
quickly. F. The large grab handles located on the top and the bottom make carrying around the Plan B just that much easier.
SOURCE
hazard4.com | MSRP: $125.98
95
Gear Guide
COMPASSES
Never Get Lost Again
Mountain passes and arroyos
clogged with twisted foliage can be
confusing when youre lost. The sun
might peek into a canyon for only a
brief moment before disappearing
behind the rim again. Subtle turns of
the trail mask your direction. Being
lost can induce a panic that will sap
your energy, your ability to reason,
and to make smart decisions. There
are many myths and methods associated with the cardinal directions.
Moss on trees, flights of birds at
dusk, the direction a squirrel sits
while theyre eating. Which ones are
true? Do you remember? If only you
had a compass.
Prior to the introduction of the
compass as a navigation tool during
the time of the Song Dynasty in China
(960-1279), navigation could only be
done by the sighting of landmarks or
the observation of celestial bodies
such as the North Star. The compass
had been around for several hundred
years, but was used for fortune
telling, astrology, and construction on
the principles of feng shui.
The Chinese discovered lodestone, a naturally magnetized iron
that always pointed in the same
96
Story by David Putnam
A simple compass is an essential piece of

gear that should be with you at all times, in
every emergency kit and pack you own. You
cant get lost if you have a good compass and
a map.
There is a little bit of skill and knowledge

needed to orientate a compass with a map,
but once learned, it is a skill difficult to forget.
direction, while the Vikings, extensive

sea travelers, used cordierite, a birefringent stone that refracts daylight.
From China, nomadic Arabs brought
the compass to Europe.
Modern compasses usually use a
magnetized needle or dial inside a
capsule completely filled with a liquid (lamp oil, mineral oil, white spirits, purified kerosene, or ethyl alcohol). Many modern compasses
incorporate a baseplate and protractor tool, and are referred to variously
as orienteering, map compass, or
protractor compasses.
What to Look For:

Ideally, a clear baseplate is better
than an opaque one because you
can see the map through it. Rulers
and distance markers are good for
measuring scale miles on the map.
Usually, a good compass will be
equipped with a magnifying glass
that can help you better see the
details of a map. Some compasses
come with more advanced features
such as a mirror, a sighting feature
(for aiming at distant objects), a clinometer, and other more complex
features.
COMPASSES Gear
Guide
Brunton Boss 70M

The next generation of the Eclipse 8099 line,
the Boss 70 featuring the three clinometers
system, combined clear base plate for mapping, a mirror for sighting, and a level bubble
for more level measurements. The 70M has
been fitted with the Brunton OSS alignment
system for greater precision and reliability.
Features: Declination adjustment, on the
map meridian lines, a magnified read-out, a
rubberized protective case for quick sighting,
field reference cards for map reading.
Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.5 x 1 inches
SOURCE
MSRP
campingsurvival.com
$84
Brunton OSS 60M

The OSS 60M is quick and easy to use, with
a one-hand flip-up alignment mirror and
easy-to-turn orientation dial. It has a large
magnifying glass for reading small details
on maps and a scale in inches on one side
and mm on the other for measuring.
Brunton TruArc 5
The TruArc 5 baseplate model has additional
map grid lines for quick orientation and a
magnifier for easy reading. TruArc Global Needle system means you dont have to buy a
new compass when you make that trek to
South America or Australia, and tool-less declination adjustment for easy orienteering.
Features:
Tool-free declination adjustment, on-themap Meridian lines, two-degree resolution,
extra long straight edge, reversible slide
scale, Dimensions: 3 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
campingsurvival.com
$49
Features: TruArcs Global Needle; two-degree

resolution; map magnifier; inch/mm scales,
Dimensions: 2.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
brunton.com
$19.99
97
Gear
Guide
COMPASSES
Silva Ranger CLQ

Similar in quality as the Ranger CL but instead has quadrant gradations. It features a large mirror for accuracy
when sighting on distant landmarks, and the three
scales provide quick, easy plotting with any topographic
map. Romer scales can be used to create grid references
for use with maps. The three silicone feet provide a nonslip grip. The geared declination sets easily from the bottom of the compass with the included tool.
Features:
Quadrant dial, two-degree graduations, sighting mirror,
1/20 inch and millimeter rules, 1:24,000 map scale,
1:25,000 and 1:50,000 Romer scales, map magnifier,
luminous points for night use, and silicone feet.
SOURCE
MSRP
silvacompasses.com
$53.95
Silva Lensatic 360

The rugged Silva Lensatic 360 is a traditional
military-inspired design used in the worlds
armed forces for its precisely accurate bearings. A liquid-filled compass with two-degree
increments, top cover with sighting slit, and a
magnifying lens in the sighting arm for easy
dial reading at a distance.
Features: 0-360 degree scale, two-degree
graduations, 0-64 mil scale, sighting arm with
magnifying lens, sighting notch on lid, luminous markings every 45 degrees, powdercoated aluminum housing.
SOURCE
MSRP
Brunton TruArc 10
Designed for outdoor wilderness racing where critical navigation data is needed in an instant, TruArc 10 baseplate compass features quick reference cardinal points, high-visibility needle for lowlight performance, and an ergonomic base plate for
extra durability. Plus the balance lets you take a
reading without breaking stride.
Features: TruArc Global Needle, ever-north magnet, a clinometer to 90 degrees, reversible slide
scale (inches and mm), GPS confidence circles,
Roamer scales, magnified readout, and 1 degree of
resolution. Dimension: 5.2 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
98
brunton.com
$39.99
silvacompasses.com
$22.99
COMPASSES Gear
Guide
Brunton TruArc 3
This is a no-frills scouting compass. Simple to use and
small, the TruArc 3 baseplate compass is equipped with
the TruArc Global Needle system, with metric and standard scales, and a tool-less declination compensation.
Features: TruArc Global Needle, two-degree resolution,
and inch/mm scales. Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
brunton.com
$12.99
Silva Guide 426 Graphite

The Silva Guide 426 is a compact mirrorsighting compass thats great for many outdoor activities. The lightweight polypropylene
baseplate floats, which is a great feature for
any water or near-water adventure. The compact size slips easily in a shirt pocket, readily
available for all excursions.
Features: Two-degree graduations, full-size
sighting mirror with V-sight, inch/mm scales,
declination scale, and lanyard.
SOURCE
MSRP
silvacompasses.com
$22.99
Sun Triplebiner Compass

This small and lightweight gear is actually three tools in one:
compass, LED light, and a thermometer. The anodized aluminum carabiner clips snugly most places. The compass is
liquid filled and reads the basic cardinal directions. The thermometer reads in both Celsius (from -30 to 50 degrees) and
in Fahrenheit (from -20 to 120 degrees).
Features: Lightweight (1.1 ounces), anodized aluminum
carabiner, liquid-filled compass, batteries included (3 x
LR41), and bright LED light. Dimensions: 3.2 x 1.5 x 0.7 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
campingsurvival.com
$19.23
99
Gear
Guide
COMPASSES
FEATURES
OF A COMPASS
MODERN COMPASSES CAN COME EQUIPPED

WITH A HOST OF FEATURES THAT WILL AID
YOU IN NAVIGATION AND ORIENTEERING
WHEN OUT IN THE BACK COUNTRY.
The term lensatic compass comes from the

magnifying lens feature on the compass.
With the lid open to 90 degrees and the lens
arm to approximately 45 degrees, place the
compass near your eye and angle the lens so
you can read the compass face. Align the
notch in the lens and the slit on the cover
with the object you are sighting. The compass will display its direction.
Romer scales help take the guess work out of

grid references. With these scales lined up to
the grid markers on the map, you can accurately give and plot six- and eight-figure grid
references to better measure travel distance
and exact location. This Romer scale works
both for 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scale maps.
100
Mirrored compasses allow the user to sight a location through the small hole at the bottom of
the mirror, while the mirror is pointed down at the compass face. Because of the angle, the user
can see the direction of the compass in the mirror and accurately line up the needle with the
marking on the mirror to get an accurate direction reading.
A non-tool adjusting declination scale allows

the user to turn the dial on the compass and
orient the map to the proper declination.
Rulers (in either metric or standard) on the

sides of the compasss longest end are
needed for measuring distance on a map,
using the maps scale. If two inches on the
map equals a mile, you can use the ruler on
the compass to measure out as many miles
as you need to go.
COMPASSES Gear
Guide
Brunton TruArc 20
Further upgrades to a trusted classic, the TruArc 20 is the modified grandchild of the original
8099. It features a system that will not lose polarity and resists magnetic interference. Classic
innovations like the triple clinometer system, tool-less declination adjustment, and the protective
cover and foot make this a timeless backcountry companion.
Features: TruArcs Global Needle; two-degree resolution;
map magnifier; inch/mm scales, declination adjustment,
on the map meridian lines, a magnified read-out, a
rubberized protective case for quick sighting, and
field reference cards for map reading. Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.5 x 1 inches.
SOURCE
MSRP
brunton.com
$59.99
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101
HANDLING
Story and Photos by Carrie Visintainer
Hazards
GEMENT OFFICER,
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHEMICAL MANA
DEALING WITH BODILY FLUIDS AND CAUSTIC SPILLS
verything changes for Chris Giglio when his phone

beeps. Its a page from the Colorado State University
Police Department and there is blood in a bathroom
on campus. He calls dispatch to learn more, and
although theres not much information about the situation its unclear how this happened he gets the details he
needs. Its a small spill, and he needs to go clean it up.
Giglio had driven into work at dawn on a snowy Tuesday
morning in khaki pants, a black hoodie, and an orange ball cap.
Before the page on his phone, his morning was free of meetings
and he hoped to catch up on the paperwork piling up on his desk.
Instead he walks into his office as intended but only stays for a
few minutes. He doesnt even sit down at his desk. From the corner, he grabs a bucket containing latex gloves, safety glasses, and
a cleaning product that has a fast contact time and kills a wide
variety of agents. He also takes a dust mask and lab coat, in case
the situation happens to be more serious than expected, and he
considers colleagues hell call to help, if necessary.
When he gets to the bathroom and views the spill he sees its
something he can handle alone. Hes been trained for this. He initiates a procedure he knows well, starting with putting on his protective gear. Then he begins at the outside of the spill and moves
inward, wetting the blood with the cleaning agent and allowing it
to sit for several minutes so it can do its job of destroying live cells.
And then half an hour later, voila the blood is gone and the
bathroom is clean and safe for people to use again. He throws the
soiled clothes in the trash, and on his way out, he removes the
Do Not Enter sign blocking the door.
This is a day in the life of a Chemical Management Officer and
emergency response professional, housed on a campus of about
30,000 students and 1,700 faculty members.
But its only one day, and one incident. Giglios job, which
resides within the Environmental Health Services department,
involves dozens of different types of scenarios. As Murphys Law
would have it, they sometimes occur in the middle of the night, or
on major holidays.
A university is a little city within a city, says Giglio. So there
are so many things that can happen, at any time.
A mislabeled bottle, corrected by Chriss team, and

prepared for disposal. This is why we need Chemical
Management Officers.
102
USE THESE
TIPS TO
STAY SAFE
WE JUST FOUND SOMETHING UNDER THE SINK. IT DOESNT

LOOK GOOD. CAN YOU COME AND SEE WHAT IT IS?
Giglio has a long list of examples. For
starters, he and his colleagues recently
helped respond to a break-in on campus,
where the perpetrator shattered a plate glass
window and spurted blood on the floor. Hes
also dealt with minor explosions, one which
involved both chemical and blood clean-up.
Once, he had to remove inactive ricin from a
microbiology lab.
And about three years ago, there was a
major fire in the Equine Reproduction Laboratory, resulting in the building burning to
the ground. A few days after the fire, when
the facility was released back to the university, Giglio and his colleagues spent a few
days cleaning up chemicals spanning the full
spectrum of hazardous, from gas cylinders
to anesthetics. They also had to secure a
controlled substance box and clean
up burned refrigerators and janitorial closets.
Because the school is a
Carnegie Research University,
theres a high amount of
research activity (read: lots of
chemicals) involving everything from snake venom to
peroxides. One of Giglios
major tasks, which spanned
almost six months in 2014,
involved completing a total inventory of the

chemicals on campus. Brought on by Department of Homeland Security regulations,
Giglio and his team worked diligently to bar
code all the chemicals used at the university.
They instituted an amnesty period as part
of this initiative. Giglio told people to bring
me your old chemicals. Box them up, call
them amnesty, and email me with where
they are. Then he went and picked everything up in his white work pick-up truck, and
he turned to focusing on how best to dispose
of them.
In a couple of situations, people found
unknown chemicals in a dusty corner, and
the bottles had crystals on them, which
meant they could be explosive. They called
Giglio saying, We just found something
under the sink. It doesnt look good.
Can you come and see what it is?
In these types of cases, where
danger was potentially high,
Giglio puts on his explosive
team hat. He has expertise in
this area, and he works closely
with a bomb tech whos been
highly trained, including
through an FBI program.
Giglio describes himself
as the chemist part of
Chris Giglio is a Chemical

Management Officer and
emergency response professional, working on a campus
of about 30,000 students
and 1,700 faculty members.
If you come across a bottle of chemicals, maybe

shoved back under the
kitchen sink, or in a corner
of your shed, Chris Giglio
offers the following tips
for handling the situation
safely.
> Do not touch the bottle.
> Put on protective gear,
which includes safety
goggles and latex
gloves.
> Go up to the bottle.
Can you identify the
chemical? If theres a
label on the bottle, can
you read it?
If yes, look the chemical up online. For example, if you find brake
fluid, many communities have household
hazardous material
pick-ups a few times a
year (or drop-off days),
so see if this exists in
your community.
If no, get a picture of it
and send it to your local
municipality or health
department. Ask them
for advice on disposal.
Things to keep in mind:
> What material is the
bottle made of? Plastic,
metal, glass? If its plastic, remember it can get
brittle over time and
may disintegrate if you
touch it.
> Is there corrosion or
crystals on the outside
of the bottle? Chemicals left in sunlight can
produce peroxides (crystals) in the container,
which can be explosive.
If you find something
like this, dont go near it.
Call for help.
103
HANDLING
Hazards
The HazCat
chart that
helps Chris
and his team
identify
unknown
chemicals.
The teams
chemistry kit.
Bottles of discarded
chemicals in a cell,
categorized for disposal.
104
the partnership. The bomb tech designed

the charge and together they got rid of the
explosive component.
We hand-carried the bottles out to a
vacant lot, with a special permit, and detonated them, he says.
But with most unknown chemicals, detonation isnt necessary, Giglio and his team
bring them to their facility and sample them
using a Hazardous Categorization Kit (HazCat Kit), which is basically a big chemistry
box and includes a chart they follow in order
to identify the constituents. Then they put the
chemical into a category.
We look for corrosivity, reactivity, and
toxicity, says Giglio.
Once the chemical has a category, they
often bulk it up, which means transferring it
into a large drum under protective hoods, in
order to prepare it for hazardous waste disposal. Sometimes this means an incineration
facility. Other times, its more complicated.
In this case, the chemicals get held in various
cells rooms with locked doors, separated
by category until Giglio determines the
best options for disposal.
At the end of the day (which never actually
ends) Giglio feels good about his work, and he
believes hell stay with it for many more years.
I love the problem solving and variety,
says Giglio.
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BACKCOUNTRY
SURVIVAL VEST
Wearable
Gear
MILITARY-PROVEN VEST CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

Story and Photography by Kevin Estela
f an aircraft goes down, the vest the

pilot is wearing might be the only ticket to
survival. In use throughout the 20th century, the aviators survival vest can also be
adapted by civilians for use as an effective bug out option for the vehicle, around
camp or prepared and stored in the
house for grab and go scenarios. It
allows carrying extra equipment
within reach while wearing a pack and
can be part of a modular system. Since
the needs of the military and civilian vary,
what contents should be carried and how?
What are the likely scenarios where a vest
would be a viable option as a survival kit
carrier and how can the vest be incorporated in the greater goal of survivability?
Read on for our answers.
BLENDING IN
The trained eye can pick up military
surplus and military style gear easily. The
color scheme, layout of webbing and general
shape and form all scream military. To reduce
visibility, the modern survival vest can be made
out of any number of civilian vests intended for
hunting, photography or fishing. The individuals scenario and environment will dictate
which vest can blend in best. A fishing vest will
look more out of place in the city than a vest
for photography. Desirable features include
pockets of varying size, orientation and quantity, internal D ring attachment points, breathable construction and attention to detail in
double or triple stitched seams and quality
fabric. Vest choice will also vary by the user
and some designs, like an open front fishing
vest, will be better suited for different body
types where zippered fronts wont work. As
with any clothing, the vest must be comfortable or it will not be worn.
Once the vest is chosen, the gear that will
fill the pockets comes next. Scenario-based
106
planning comes into play. Logical

needs rather than fantasy wants
should determine what is carried. Fire
starting equipment makes less sense
in a strictly urban environment than
personal protective gear like gloves,
face mask and goggles because dealing with structural collapse is a more
likely scenario than one where there is
a need to start a fire. That doesnt
mean a lighter should be left out of
the everyday pocket carry kit. For this
article, the survival vest for the suburban commuting car will be examined.
It can be carried in the back seat or at
arms reach and used in conjunction
with other items carried in the car that
supplement it (see sidebar). Consider
the elements of a scenario, leave out
no details and the kit will essentially
build itself.
SHELTER
The benefit of having a vest to wear is
mobility. It allows easier distribution
of weight and access over a standard
backpack or duffle. Assuming the scenario requires movement from a vehicle, the shelter provided by a vehicle
will be abandoned. Therefore, it is
important to carry quality shelter
components. A good compact tarp
along with tie down cords and stakes
is one option as is a sil-nylon bivy bag
and poncho duo. Add in hand warmers for psychological comfort and the
makings of a complete shelter system
take shape.
WATER
Emergency drinking water packets are
part of some commercial marine survival kits. These pouches provide four
ounces of water each. Since the vest
will be stored more than carried, having emergency water on hand in
pouches that can freeze in a trunk
without popping is logical. Bottled
water is fine if pouches are unavailable. Add to this a small water filtering
straw and the vest allows the wearer
the ability to drink water without waiting to treat it. This allows better mobility and easier use on the move. Additional collapsible bladders and treatment tablets allow the wearer to store
treated water if it is found.
The preferred vest, emptied of

its contents, is from Orvis, a
reputable clothing company that
offers a wide variety of multipocket vests. [BELOW] The modern
survival vest carries all of these
contents, plus more, comfortably.
The weight is distributed over the
garment and carries easier than
a duffle bag over the shoulder.
THE LIMITATIONS OF
THE MODERN SURVIVAL
VEST BEGIN WHERE
YOUR VISION ENDS.
SIGNALING
Just like the military pilot
survival vest, a good
strobe with lithium batteries can be carried. This
electronic device can be
seen for miles. Pair it
with a strong pea-less
whistle and signal mirror
(impact-resistant glass is
preferred) and the basics for signa ing
are covered. Add in surveyors tape and
an old phone still capable of dialing
911 and signaling ability is enhanced.
FOOD
Food is relatively low on the survival
hierarchy of needs in most situations.
That being said, food can absolutely
boost morale. Many types of pre-made
emergency food bars can be packed in
a vest to provide the wearer something
to consume. MRE components can be
broken down to fit in pockets and even
candy can be packed to boost morale.
Depending on the scenario, fishing kit
components and trapping items can
also be packed to provide an activity
to clear the mind in an emergency.
FIRE
For a suburban commuting vehicle, it
absolutely is logical to carry a fire kit as
the distance between home and work
may be filled with remote fields,
ditches or other natural features where
making a fire for safety is practical.
The components should be easy to
use, lightweight and packaged in a
water-resistant manner. In general, the
more imperative fire making is, the
larger the fire kit. Ferro rod starters are
the industry standby with lighters and
matches as backups. Make sure to
carry ample pre-made tinder and consider an emergency candle.
107
The Supplemental
KIT
The survival contents of military aviator
vests were not meant to be standalone
gear. Ejector seats housed a larger kit with
items too bulky for personal wear. Similarly,
the modern survival vest can be complemented with a secondary kit that increases
survivability. Ideally, this is done without
increasing visibility to the outside world.
After all, the gear carried in a vehicle offers
no advantage in an emergency if stolen.
If a survival vest is made out of a photographers vest, a supplemental kit can be
made from an oversized camera bag. These
bags look non-threatening and come in
backpack and shoulder bag form. If your kit
is to be used as an urban get home bag in
an emergency, the combined gear carried in
a vest and pack will last for days, maybe
weeks. Reporters and photographers are
common sights in the city and someone carrying a kit in this manner should blend in.
Whatever you do, do not leave a camera
bag out in the open in a back seat. Put it in
your trunk where peering eyes cant see.
The logical supplemental kit for a PFD
survival vest is one offering protection from
the elements. This can be a dry box if space
is not an issue or a dry bag that can be
squished into tight nooks. Lightweight
breakaway cord can be used to attach items
to the vest that could be dropped and lost.
The weight of the contents should allow
the bag or box to float when fully loaded.
Perhaps the best option for a supplemental kit is a civilian backpack stored in a
laundry bag. Military-looking bags stand
out, but a bag with smart camouflage wont
get a second look. Risk versus reward is how
most people live and criminals are not an
exception, unless of course, they are under
the influence. Breaking a window to steal a
laundry bag is a disproportionate risk to
reward. Add in some ratty looking clothes
and the appeal is even less.
The items carried in this supplemental
kit can include a firearm, folding saw,
hatchet, extra food, extra water, insulated
clothing and an intermediate shelter. These
items make life much easier than the
smaller compact gear found in the modern
survival vest. Having them is a luxury, packing them is your responsibility.
108
The author carries a last ditch shelter kit in

his vest. This includes a disposable poncho,
emergency blanket, small roll of duct tape,
lightweight cordage, small candles and cable
ties. Even if the larger kit carried in the car
cant be grabbed, this shelter kit will provide
some protection.
In an age where most emergency situations

are called in by cell phone, reliable means of
signaling should still be carried. Whistle, mirror, AA battery strobe and surveyors tape
make up part of the authors survival vest kit.
The author carries his
trauma/first aid
kit within reach in
the large middle
pocket for easy
access with
either hand. In an
emergency, a kit
that is hard to get
to does not
improve the odds
of survival.
There is a distinction between a trauma kit

and rst-aid kit. Depending on your scenario,
you may wish to include a tourniquet, pressure
bandage and compressed gauze in your kit.
The ability to make fire is essential. The

author complements the ferro rod attached
to the belt knife in the kit with these backup
starters.
A quality compass like this Suunto MC-2G

and compact fixed blade like this Bark River
Gunny should be considered essential survival equipment and carried securely in the
modern survival vest.
A minimum of two light sources should be

included in the modern survival vest. One
should be a high output handheld light and
the other a compact headlamp.
A small survival kit tin is tucked away with

last ditch components.
The author carries a collapsible water bladder along with a filtration straw. This pairs
with the vest-carried supplemental emergency water pockets and metal container for
boiling, which are stored separately.
When paired with a camera bag (also lled

with survival equipment) the travel vest
looks even more innocuous. Exercise caution
where you store these items since they are
valuable, in another way, to a potential crook.
FOOD
OPTIONS
The average number of calories
consumed per day is between
2,000 and 2,500. This is only an
average and dietary needs will
vary. The more calories burned,
the more calories must be
replaced or else weight loss is
inevitable. Even if half the normal calories are replaced, the
food intake will mitigate the
effects of long-term survival on
body weight and health. Both
neighborhood grocery stores and

specialty survival stores sell
options appropriate for a vehicle
kit and room should always be
made for these options.
Condensed food rations offer
upward of 1600 calories in a relatively compact package. These
are often foil wrapped and
stored for long periods of time. If
space permits, larger blocks can
be purchased and if space is limited, individual serving sizes are
available as well. This condensed food is meant to be con-
UTILITY
Items in this category include paracord
and accessory cords of smaller diameter. Zip-ties and wire also fit into this
as do smaller multiple use items like
duct tape and glue sticks. Extra batteries for lights and a small sewing kit are
also good additions.
CUTLERY
Knife selection is very personal and
there are countless options. Find a
good stout fixed blade you can carry
and hold comfortably and one that will
stand up to the rigor an unforeseen
emergency situation will throw at it.
Weight will be an issue as well as discreet carry. Pair it with a good multitool with a set of wire cutters. In the
vehicle and around the suburbs, there
may be wires to cut and screws to
tighten or loosen to access or escape.
FIRST AID
During an emergency, there is a very
good possibility injuries will occur.
Therefore, having first-aid components
is essential to the modern survival vest
kit. One must differentiate between the
items for trauma and the items that are
more ouchy boo boo. Military survival
vests are sometimes equipped with
tourniquets. This is one piece of kit that
should always be carried. Since the
vest will be stored in a vehicle, the
tourniquet should be immediately
accessible and situated within reach
and with the fewest deliberate steps
necessary to put it to use. Smaller first-
sumed with water and a little

goes a long way. A single matchbox-sized food bar may hold
between 200 to 400 calories.
Aside from commercially
available rations, there is no
problem purchasing squeeze
packets of peanut butter, foil
packages of nuts, granola bars
and canned food. It is also ok to
use a vacuum sealer to create
air-tight packages of high calorie
foods that are temperatureresistant. Just pay attention to
the expiration dates on pack-
aid items can be carried to address

cuts, burns and bumps and bruises.
These do not require as urgent placement in the vest but should be easily
identified when the pouch is closed.
Use a different color paracord or zipper
pull to identify your med kit.
NAVIGATION
Typically, military vests are equipped
with a lensatic compass and possibly
charts of the area. For the civilian, the
base plate compass is a lighter and better option to carry. The mirrored hood
can be used for signaling and selfexamination above its regular use in
taking bearings. Road maps should be
carried in the car that cover the entire
distance commuted even if that
requires multiple maps. These are often
free or relatively inexpensive from auto
clubs and online map generators. Have
points of interest marked off including
alternative routes home. Leave room in
a pocket for your vehicles GPS unit
should you have to leave your car.
LIGHTING
A minimum of two lights with spare
batteries should be carried in the modern survival vest. One light should be a
strong handheld light allowing for illumination of objects at a distance. The
other should be a headlamp for hands
free operation. These lights should
take the same batteries. Since the vest
will be stored for long periods of time,
these lights should be checked to
ensure the batteries are still charged.
ages and use common sense for

how long food is stored. The
longer food sits, the more nutritional value it loses.
When packaging food for the
vehicle, consider the nutritional
value for what is carried. Simple
sugars provide short term energy
and fats are very calorie dense.
Remember too, survival foods
need not taste good to keep you
alive. Sometimes overcoming
the palate is the hardest part to
eating these foods and other
times the food itself is harder.
Chemical light sticks are long lasting

and should also be included because,
in the presence of spilled fuel, they can
be safely lit and carried.
COMFORT ITEMS
A small portable emergency radio can
be carried for radio updates and entertainment. Pictures of family members
can also be tucked inside a vest
pocket to remind the wearer of who
and what is at stake. Instant coffee
packets can be carried near emergency water to provide a familiar flavor
and energy boost. These items fall into
the miscellaneous category of equipment but their psychological value
cannot be measured.
ADAPTED FOR THE VEHICLE

AND BEYOND
Depending on the scenario, better
communication devices for remote
areas, more water for high temperatures, firearms for defense and other
scenario-based gear can be carried.
Always start with the reality of a scenario and build the appropriate kit
around it. The limitations of the modern survival vest begin where your
vision ends. It has been a proven
method of carry for years and is certain to be for many years to come.
About the Author: Kevin Estela is Owner/Head
Instructor of Estela Wilderness Education and former
Lead Instructor of the Wilderness Learning Center.
Kevin is trained in bushcraft, wilderness/urban survival
and is an instructor in Sayoc Kali. Kevin is also an avid
outdoorsman, martial artist, writer, adventurer and fulltime high school history teacher.
109
URBAN
AIR DEFENSE
SAFETY
IN THE SKY
110
THE HISTORY
AND INNER
WORKINGS OF
NORAD
illy Mitchell was court-martialed while trying

to convince the U.S. military of its importance.
Isoroku Yamamoto delivered an infamously
unforgettable demonstration of its effectiveness. And in the tense, dangerous first years of
the Cold War, the mainstream military finally understood. Air power was the key to victory in any future
global conflict.
Out of this strategic vision, the U.S. Air Force was created in 1947, and a year later, the Air Defense Command
(ADC) was established to coordinate the efforts of different Air Force commands within the United States. The
goal was simple to describe: detect incoming enemy aircraft in time to prevent an attack on the continental U.S.
The eventual implementation involved the national governments of the U.S. and Canada, and required coordination with multiple branches of the service.
THE DAY HAS PASSED WHEN ARMIES ON THE GROUND

OR NAVIES ON THE SEA CAN BE THE ARBITER OF A
NATIONS DESTINY IN WAR. THE MAIN POWER OF DEFENSE
AND THE POWER OF INITIATIVE AGAINST AN ENEMY HAS
PASSED TO THE AIR. GEN. WILLIAM BILLY MITCHELL, NOVEMBER 1918
DEFENSE NEEDED
NET
At the close of the World War II, the chief threat to the
U.S. was the Soviet Union. The cutting-edge aerospace
technology of the day, on both sides of the Iron Curtain,
was the long-range bomber. The first Soviet bomber
developed at the end of the war was the Tupolev Tu-4,
which had a range of 3,355 miles. By 1949, the Soviets
introduced the Tu-85, which had a range of 6,500 miles,
making it capable of reaching the United States and
returning to its home airbase over a polar route. It
became apparent that North American defense required
two key components: first, an early warning system which
could detect any incoming threats and sound the alarm;
and second, the ability to strike airborne targets quickly
and effectively, preferably before they were over populated areas.
Story by Scott Fischer | Photography Courtesy U.S. Department of Defense
NORAD
Command
Center,
Cheyenne
Mountain
111
Billy Mitchell
By April 1962, the Cheyenne Mountain Combat Operation Center was

under construction, near the original site of the ADC, CONAD and
NORAD center of operations at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
The Air Defense Command (ADC) of the newly

formed U.S. Air Force (USAF) was created in 1948 to
coordinate communication between existing facilities,
but it rapidly became evident a truly integrated solution
was required, involving increased monitoring of the airspace over the pole and a strike force capable of both
defense and retaliation. Operating out of Ent Air Force
Base (AFB) in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1951, the
Air Defense Command was soon seen as insufficient for
the kind of coordinated response that would be required
in the event of all-out war. By 1954, the Continental Air
Defense Command (CONAD) oversaw joint operations
involving the Navy, Army, and Air Force. However, it
was the Air Force which developed and operated the
radar warning systems which served as the first line of
defense against an attack.
The need for maximum warning time made it crucial
to the defense plan that CONAD obtain sites in Canada,
so that enemy aircraft could be detected as early as possible. As early as 1940 (the year before the U.S. would enter
A pre-construction
diagram of the layout of
Cheyenne Mountain.
112
The first U.S. military figure

to predict the critical
importance of air power in
future conflicts, William
Billy Mitchell is regarded
as the father of the U.S. Air
Force. His service in France
during World War I demonstrated the effectiveness of
air attacks, and in particular
he felt that the tradition of
building dreadnought
battleships huge vessels
with vast armament but little maneuverability was
a waste of resources. He
correctly predicted, as early
as 1919, that the Air Service
could develop a bomb with
the capability of sinking a
battleship.
His outspoken support
of air combat made him no
friends in the military or in
the civilian leaders of the
armed forces, and his ideas
were publicly declared
pernicious by then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Within a few years, Mitchell
successfully demonstrated
that aircraft could destroy a
battleship, when the captured German battleship
Ostfriesland was eventually
sunk after tests that took
place over several days.
In a rare lapse of prescience, Mitchell discounted the effectiveness
of aircraft carriers in an
attack on the Hawaiian
Islands: not only can they
not operate efficiently on
the high seas but even if
they could they cannot
place sufficient aircraft in
the air at one time to insure
a concentrated operation.
(Mitchell, William. Strategical Aspect of the Pacific
Problem as quoted in
Clodfelter, Mark A. , Molding Air Power Convictions:
Development and Legacy

of William Mitchells Strategic Thought, in
Melinger,Phillip S. ed., The
Paths of Heaven: The Evolution of Air Power Theory,
Alabama, Air University
Press, 1997, 79114, p.92.)
Mitchells final conflict
with the military establishment came about in 1925,
after the September crash
of the Navy dirigible
Shenandoah and the loss of
three seaplanes in a flight
from the West Coast to
Hawaii. Mitchell accused
senior leaders of incompetence. The following month,
Mitchell was charged on the
direct order of President
Calvin Coolidge, and his trial
began in November. After
seven weeks, and in spite of
testimony from war hero
Eddie Rickenbacker and
New York Mayor Fiorello
LaGuardia, Mitchell was
found guilty and suspended
without pay from active
duty for five years. The
youngest member of the 12
judges presiding over
Mitchells court-martial was
Douglas MacArthur, who
found Mitchell not guilty.
Although President
Coolidge later changed the
suspension to half-pay,
Mitchell resigned from the
service on February 21, 1926.
Cheyenne
Mountain
How do you safeguard the
nerve center of the operations charged with defending the United States in the
event of a nuclear attack?
You drill a mile-long tunnel
into the granite heart of a
mountain in the Colorado
Rockies, making sure that
the tunnel will deflect most
of the blast in the event of a
Cheyenne Mountain tunnel construction.
detonation of up to 30
megatons within one nautical mile of the center. Inside
the mountain, you construct a steel complex
(behind 25-ton blast doors)
inside a shell of granite
2,000 feet thick, built from
3/8 thick continuouslywelded low-carbon steel
plates supported by steel
structural frames. The
metal walls act as a Faraday cage to absorb electromagnetic pulse (EMP)
weapons. You mount this
structure on more than
1,300 steel springs, each
weighing half a ton, which
allow the complex to move
12 inches in any direction.
And how big is this structure? The main excavation
includes three chambers,
each one 45 feet wide, 60
feet high, and 588 feet
long, intersected by four
chambers 32 feet wide, 56
feet high and 335 feet long.
Inside these interior chambers are fifteen freestanding buildings, twelve of
which are three stories tall.
Thats the layout of the
Cheyenne Mountain Combat Operations Center, usually referred to simply as
Cheyenne Mountain. Construction began on May 18,

1961 and the center was
completed on May 1, 1964,
delayed due to the discovery of a geological fault in
one of the intersections.
The fault was reinforced
with a concrete dome, costing an additional $2.7 million. On February 6, 1966,
the NORAD Combat Operations Center became operational, and on April 20 of
that year, operations were
transferred from the original site of NORAD, Ent AFB
in Colorado Springs.
Upgraded and
enhanced over the years,
the Operations Center continued to provide ballistic
missile warnings during
Operation Desert Storm in
the 1990s. Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites tracked the heat signatures from missile
plumes and provided warning to civilians and military
personnel in Israel and
Saudi Arabia.
In 2006, NORAD moved
the majority of Cheyenne
Mountains operations to
Peterson AFB in Colorado
Springs, Colorado for
which the address is Ent

Avenue, named for Major
General Uzal Girard Ent, for
whom the initial site of the
Air Defense Command,
NORADs progenitor, was
named. Ent was responsible for selecting Lt. Col.
Paul Tibbets to lead the
organization that dropped
the atomic bombs that
ended World War II. Ent
himself was seriously
injured during takeoff in a
B-25 from Fort Worth Army
Airfield, Texas; paralyzed
from the waist down, he
retired (due to disability in
the line of duty) in 1946
and died in 1948.
War Games
For Keeps
In the late 1970s, several
events occurred that made
it clear why the advanced
computer systems used by
NORAD still required
human intervention. On
November 9, 1979, a test
simulation of a missile
attack on North America
was accidentally transferred to the operational
side of the 427M, the warning and response computer
inside Cheyenne Mountain,

which directed nuclear
retaliation. The simulated
data was mistakenly interpreted as an actual attack,
and the simulations missiles showed up on warning
consoles in the command
post and on the computer
screens of command centers nationwide. The false
attack data were visible for
roughly eight minutes,
before NORAD officers
finally verified that it was in
fact a simulation that had
somehow crossed to the
operational system. Intense
interest both among the
general public and members of Congress caused
NORAD to initiate corrective actions.
In spite of these corrective actions, on June 3 and
then again on June 6, 1980,
a malfunctioning computer
chip inside a line multiplexer (a Nova 840 computer, responsible for conveying information between
computer systems) in the
NORAD Control System,
sent false missile warning
data to the Strategic Air
Command, the National
Command Center, and the
National Alternate Command Center. A further
round of technical and procedural changes followed.
If any of this sounds
familiar, it should be: it
served as the basis for the
(fictional) 1983 movie, War
Games, in which a young
computer-gaming enthusiast, played by Matthew
Broderick, discovers a
secret, not-too-secure
back door into a military
computer and nearly starts
World War III. Compared to
that, driving his friends
dads Ferrari off the carport
was nothing.
113
SAFETY NET
IN THE SKY
[ABOVE, LEFT] The system is fully self-sustainable as these turbine engines provide the complex with emergency power if there is ever a grid failure.
[ABOVE, RIGHT] The massive door (one of two) that leads into the complex is rated to withstand a direct nuclear blast.
World War II but nearly a year after Canada declared war

on Germany), the Ogdensburg Declaration had outlined
a plan for joint military defense between the U.S. and
Canada. Further agreements in light of the Korean conflict led to the construction of early-warning radar sites in
Canada. Completing the defensive network was a system
of radar ships that patrolled both the Pacific and Atlantic
coastlines, as well as radar-bearing aircraft to warn of
attacks from the ocean, as had been proven so decisively
at Pearl Harbor.
By 1957, after an exchange of liaison officers between
the USAF and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the two
nations had agreed on the details, and on September 12
of that year, the new North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) become operational at Ent AFB.
The best guard dogs, however, dont just bark to let
you know theres an intruder: they also have teeth to back
up the alarm. And if NORAD was the bark, the bite was
provided by the Strategic Air Command (SAC). While the
SAC had its roots in a collection of different units (some
in the Atlantic theater, others in the Pacific) during WWII,
the SAC as it came to be known during the Cold War was
the work of General Curtis LeMay. LeMay served in the
European theater, where he developed the box formation
for B-17 bombing runs on Nazi industrial targets. In
August 1944, LeMay was transferred to the Pacific theater, where he became the architect of the campaign of
low-level bombing flights using B-29 Superfortress
bombers. Before LeMays arrival, fewer than five percent
of the bombs reached their targets when dropped from
the B-29s high-altitude range of 20,000 feet. A powerful
jet stream over the Japanese homeland scattered the
bombing loads, so LeMay switched (as recommended by
other senior tactical commanders) to low-level night-time
bombing. The horrific death toll resulting from these
raids official estimates claimed half a million Japanese
casualties in 66 cities, as well as reprisals against U.S.
114
prisoners of war in Japan were cause for discussion

and reflection, but as LeMay was quoted in the New York
Times, if the war is shortened by a single day, the attack
will have served its purpose.
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND IS BORN

In 1948, contemporaneous with the founding of the Air
Defense Command (the predecessor to NORAD), LeMay
became head of the SAC, replacing Gen. George Kenney.
The SACs headquarters, Offutt AFB near Omaha,
Nebraska, was significant as the construction site of the
first two bombers to drop nuclear weapons. Throughout
the Cold War, LeMays insistence on training and preparation helped ensure that NORAD was backed up by the
ability to scramble fighters and bombers for both defensive and retaliatory actions in the event of an actual
attack. His insistence on minimal-interval take off (MITO)
techniques, in which bombers and tankers were scrambled at intervals of 12-15 seconds respectively, was a crucial part of his rapid response strategy.
But theres a well-known axiom in military history,
that every war is initially fought with the strategies of the
previous one. And just as Pearl Harbor had proved Billy
Mitchells insistence on the superiority of air power over
naval power to a military still devoted to the dreadnought
battleship, the Cold War introduced a new threat that
required a response faster and more comprehensive than
scrambling a few squadrons of F86 Sabrejets: the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Even then, however, LeMay and the SAC retained
bombers and fighters, offering the following comment on
the necessity: It is important to recognize, however, that
ballistic missile forces represent both the U.S. and Soviet
potential for strategic nuclear warfare at the highest, most
indiscriminate level, and at a level least susceptible to
control. The employment of these weapons in lower level
conflict would be likely to escalate the situation, uncon-
The Distant Early Warning (DEW) line formed the northernmost of the three bands of radar systems dedicated to detecting incoming enemy aircraft across the polar route.
trollably, to an intensity which could be vastly disproportionate to the original aggravation. The use of ICBMs and
SLBMs [submarine-launched ballistic missiles] is not,
therefore, a rational or credible response to provocations
which, although serious, are still less than an immediate
threat to national survival. For this reason, among others,
I consider that the national security will continue to
require the flexibility, responsiveness, and discrimination
of manned strategic weapon systems throughout the
range of cold, limited, and general war. (National
Archives and Records Administration, RG 200, Defense
Programs and Operations, LeMays Memo to President
and JCS Views, Box 83.)
NORADs role in this changing view of the nature of
conflict was to develop anti-missile defense systems and a
space-based satellite observation system. In addition,
they took on the responsibility for the protection and survival of command, control, and communication centers
and systems. Much of this had been learned and applied
during the construction of the Combat Operation Center
in Cheyenne Mountain (see sidebar), and in the design
and construction of NORADs computer network, the
Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE). SAGE,
which became operational in 1959, identified and tracked
incoming targets and automatically communicated tracking information to the closest resources. Any actual
orders to scramble or launch, however, were still under
the control of operational staff at NORAD.
NEW WEAPONS ON THE OFFENSIVE

The weapons changed as well. Where the initial SAC
response strategy included jet fighters and long-range
bombers with in-flight refueling capability, the ICBM-era
NORAD arsenal changed to include missile-based
defense systems, initially using Nike and Bomarc missiles. The first successful test of a Nike missile against an
airborne target (a remotely operated B-17) was conducted
on July 14, 1952; by 1958, the SAGE system was able to
identify, track, and destroy an incoming QB-17 drone at a
distance of 78 miles and an altitude of 30,000 feet. On June
3,1960, a Nike Hercules missile shot down a Corporal missile in the first instance of one missile destroying another.
NORADs role changed further in the post-9/11 world.
No longer were the primary threats expected to cross over
the Pole or from the oceans, but had been proven to be
delivered from anywhere. In an eerie preview of the
grounding of all commercial flights in the days after the
World Trade Center attack, NORAD had on October
14, 1961 conducted a test called The Day the Planes
Stood Still. For 12 hours that day, NORAD conducted the
largest airborne military exercise in history, when 1,800
NORAD fighters flew 6,000 sorties, requiring the delay of
2,900 commercial flights. Today, NORAD communicates
with civilian law-enforcement agencies in tracking and
intercepting illegal drugs coming into the U.S., and acts as
a center of command and response against the ongoing
threat of terrorism.
115
FISHING GEAR
Feed Yourself for a
Lifetime
Story by Michael DAngona
Fish can be your go-to food source out
in the wilderness.
Lakes, streams, and ponds, more
often than not, are stocked with an
abundance of fish, ready to be cooked
over an open campfire. But first they
must be caught. Thats the tricky part.
With no equipment you will have a difficult time obtaining your dinner. So
always remember to include in your
packs the necessary tools to secure an
abundant catch. These fishing items
range from a simple spool of line, a few
hooks and a lure or two, to more elaborate set-ups that may include a bowfishing kit, or a complete mini-sized rod
and reel perfect for any unexpected survival situation.
Keep in mind, all survival fishing gear
must be easy for you to use, compact
enough to fit into your pack or even
secured on your body, and should contain a variety of items needed to fish
whenever the need may arise. No
unnecessary searching around your
camp for make-shift parts should be
required. With some patience and the
correct equipment, your fish dinner will
be caught, cooked and ready to satisfy
your nagging hunger. Here is some great
gear to get you started.
Survival Fishing Kit II

A fishing kit is an absolute necessity when planning for any survival situation. This kit combines
quality items with a sleek, compact and easily
storable container. Over 63 high quality pieces are
contained within its steel hinged-lid box (which
doubles as a signal reflector in a pinch), including
both 20 and 40 pound test lines, numerous jigs,
lures, swivels, and variety of different sized hooks.
Sinkers, bobbers, leaders and even safety pins,
razor blades and aluminum foil complete this
diverse assembly of goods. An included instruction
sheet explains the basics of fishing knot tying. This
is the perfect kit for temporary survival situations
when the presence of nearby fish could make a
tasty and filling dinner. Assembled in the U.S.A.
SOURCE
MSRP
116
UncleFlints.com
$23.95
FISHING GEAR Gear

Guide
Packer Rod
Bear Grylls Ultimate Kit
Compact, yet powerful enough to tackle the fight of the

hooked fish, this rod is a perfect survival fishing item for any
bug-out kit. Its handle is constructed of cast aluminum while
its rod is pure stainless steel ensuring years of heavy-duty,
long-term use. It features a patented quick disconnect for
hassle-free breakdown; allowing the unit to be stored easily
in your backpack, under your car seat or tucked away with
your boating supplies. Choose from eight colors and five coil
preferences. Eating fish can add much needed calories and
protein while under emergency situations. Give your chances
of catching them a boost with this amazing fishing rod.
(Reel not included, but available as an add-on).
A survival kit and fishing kit all in one compact unit. The
Bear Grylls kit is perfect to cover most of the basics of survival and is especially useful when you want to add fish to
your outdoor dinner menu. Contained within a waterproof
pouch are needed fishing essentials including hooks, sinkers,
a multi-tool with wire cutters, an all-purpose knife and a
pre-wound spool of nylon line. Quality of goods is a top priority with Gerber Gear and these items will hold up to years
of outdoor punishment.
SOURCE
MSRP
SOURCE
MSRP
GerberGear.com
$59.99
EmmRod.com
$69.95
117
Gear
Guide
FISHING GEAR
Beginners Bowfishing Kit
Brand new to bow fishing? Start with this kit
to get all the basics down before you head
out on the water. This beginners kit includes
a five inch tape-on bowfishing reel with line
clip, fishing line, an AMS safety slide, a solid
fiberglass arrow installed with a Mayham
fish point and finally an instructional DVD to
take you through all the ins and outs of this
unique activity. When lost in the wild, hunger
comes quickly and fish can make a great meal
if you can catch them. This kit gives you the
upper hand and before you know it youll have
plenty of fish to eat to keep your energy up
and replenish much needed lost calories. Fits
both right and left handed bows. Instructions
included.
SOURCE
MSRP
3RiversArchery.com
$43.99
Kingfisher Bowfishing
Recurve Bow Kit
Not all fishing requires a rod and reel. If
you have a knack for archery then this kit
is for you. The Bowfishing Recurve Bow
kit includes everything you need to capture your dinner when out in the wild.
The kit includes a multi-use bow, available in weights of 40, 45 and 50 pounds
at 28 inch draw, a front mounting reel
with 50 yards of 80 pound test line, and
a 31 inch solid fiberglass bowfishing
arrow with point. A Snap Shot rest
rounds out this complete set. Available in an all-season camo finish. Perfect for beginners or seasoned pros.
SOURCE
3RiversArchery.com
MSRP $156.99
Adventure Bracelet
Paracord bracelets are abundant from many
sources, but none like this. This Adventure
Bracelet is essentially a survival toolbox on
your wrist. Its loaded with essential survival
gear including, a compass, fire steel, whistle, a
reflector, surgical tubing and a reliable signal
mirror. Important fishing gear is also a key
component to this wrist-full of gadgets that
can help you gain necessary sustenance and
much needed calories by assisting in catching
your dinner when out in the wild. Hooks, fishing line and included weights can help do the
job; just add your own bait. Clip the bracelet
around your wrist and youll never have to
worry about forgetting your fishing kit again.
Black, goldenrod or olive drab colors are available. Fits small, medium and large wrist sizes.
SOURCE
MSRP
118
WazooSurvivalGear.com
$89
FISHING GEAR Gear

Guide
Survival Fishing Kit

No fishing pole? No problem. The Vigilant
Trails fishing kit has everything you need to
catch a wide range of fish species while youre
under survival conditions. This kit is chocked
full of all your fishing necessities including a
pre-wound spool with 150 feet of clear 8
pound test, a lock-back knife, artificial worms,
lures, floats, leaders, and a variety of different
sized hooks. It fits easily in your bags and even
your glove compartment or back pants
pocket. An included fishing guide helps you
identify different species and allows you to
use the best techniques available to make a
catch. Fishing basics, including tying knots,
making fish traps, de-scaling, rigging and various baiting methods are detailed for the
average Joe not familiar with the fundamentals of fishing.
SOURCE
MSRP
Vigilant-Trails.com
$11.95
Survival Gill Net

A compact gill net makes a perfect addition to your survival fishing
gear. It provides an excellent alternative means to gather food when
youre nearby streams, lakes and small rivers. Just stretch the durable
mesh across a narrow channel and let it do its work. Fish get ensnared
and dinner is soon on the table. The net is constructed of a leaded bottom rope which acts like a weight to keep the net low in the water and
the top polypropylene structure floats and allows visibility to
others and maximizes coverage area. This versatile
survival item is extra strong, perfect for land use to
snare or trap rabbits, birds and other small
game animals. Large 12 foot by 4 foot size. For
survival applications only.
BestGlide.com
MSRP $24.95
SOURCE
Standard Survival
Fishing Kit
This kit combines the necessities of fishing
with the mindset of survival. The Emergency
Survival Fishing Kit is an exceptionally wellstocked kit that is not only durable and
watertight, but filled with all the necessities
needed to secure a catch when food is in limited supply. This upgraded set of gear includes
a Derma-Safe utility knife and pre-assembled
fishing line which cuts down on prep time. An
included fishing manual supplies you tips and
techniques to increase your chances of catching fish. Over 40 name-brand items complete
this very compact kit. It was designed by avid
fisherman and the valuable survival contents
exceed over-flight requirements of both
Alaska and Canada.
SOURCE
MSRP
BestGlide.com
$22.95
119
Gear
Guide
FISHING GEAR
Yo-Yo Fishing Reel

Economical and easy to use, this Yo-Yo Reel catches fish automatically so you can tend to other survival matters at hand. Just
attach the reel to an overhanging tree while you set up camp and
before you know it, dinner will be caught. The unit is constructed
of stainless steel (not carbon steel that will corrode) and wound
with 60 pound test nylon rot-resistant line, strong enough to
land even the biggest fish. It features an extremely sensitive trigger that offers quick and fast reaction times and adjusts to various line tensions. Buy and set several units to increase your odds
of a fish dinner during any outdoor excursion or survival situation.
SOURCE
MSRP
NotIfButWhenSurvivalStore.com
$5.24
Survival Fishing Kit

All the basics are included in this compact fishing kit that literally fits in
your back pocket. You will have instant access to 20 feet of 10 pound
fishing line, hooks, leads, jig hooks, plastic bobbers, safety pins, and tin
sinkers. Just find a long pole or discarded soda or beer can to wrap your
line around and youre off fishing. This basic kit allows you the chance to
catch fish when near a pond or lake in the wilderness. A hard-shell
metal tin holds all your items securely and away from the elements.
Supply one kit for every member of your group to ensure everyone has a
fighting chance to fish, eat and ultimately survive.
SOURCE
MSRP
Piddly Stik
A unique name for a very unique piece of survival
fishing equipment. This compact, durable and innovative hand-line fishing system is designed for anyone needing reliable and effective fishing gear. The
Piddly Stik kit contains the wooden stick (in place
of your pole) with included fishing line and three
loaded tubes filled with hooks, lures and additional
useful tackle. All items are packed tightly in its clear
carrying tube which saves valuable space in your 72
hour bag, fanny pouch or jacket pocket. Every Piddly Stik is rigorously tested for structural and functional integrity before it leaves the shop, ensuring
years of dependable use.
SOURCE
MSRP
120
Piddlystik.com
$25
Rothco.com
$27.99
URBAN
FOLDING KNIFE
At the Ready
KILIMANJAROS MORSA IS LIGHT BUT SOLID
Story and Photography by Andrew Philips | Additional Photography by Henry Z. DeKuyper
A
heres a certain obviousness about a fixed blade

dangling from your hip.
Its not that it lacks usefulness or flair, but rarely
is it subtle. Trolling the streets in the
wake of a community-wide incident
with 13 inches strapped to your leg will
undoubtedly gain a lot of attention.
And most of it will be unwelcomed. A
prepared man is a well-heeled man,
and people might take advantage of
that. Sometimes, it is necessary to
avoid suspicion and to easily blend in
to the crowds, and the best way to do
thatespecially during troubled
timesis by discreetly carrying a welloutfitted folding knife in your pocket.
BLADE
Easy to access thanks to the pocket
clip and quick to deploy because of
the thumb flipper on the spine of the
blade, Kilimanjaros Morsa is a droppoint blade made from 8Cr13MoV
stainless steel. This type of steel is
similar to AUS-8, which has a carbon
content close to 0.75 percent, giving
the Morsa the ability to take and keep
a sharp edge. The downside to this
grade of steel is that it isnt as abrasion
resistant as a VG-10 or S30V (which
have a higher carbon content), and
that is why Kilimanjaro coated the
blade with a titanium nitride finish,
besides the fact that it just looks cool.
Titanium nitride is a non-stick surface
that is wear resistant, scratch resistant, and enhances the corrosion protection of the blade.
Specifications
Overall Length: 8.3 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Closed Length: 4.8 inches
Weight: 5.2 ounces
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
Handle Material: G10 Composite
HANDLE
The material in the handle is G10, which is a fiberglass-based laminate. Layers of fiberglass cloth are
soaked in resin and are
compressed and baked. The
resulting material is very
hard, lightweight, and
strong. The wood surface
texture is added to form
checkering, which adds to
the ability to better grip,
along with the nine grooves
pressed into the sides. G10
is an ideal material for tactical folders because of its
ruggedness and lightness.
The knife is assembled
via three Allen screws and a
larger Allen screw as the
blades pivot point. In addition to the thumb flip, there
are thumb posts on either
sides of the blade to ease
its opening. Though there is
no thumb ramp on the spine of the

blade itself, there are three areas of
jimping to increase the knifes grip. In
addition, the locking mechanism is
slightly serrated which increases the
stability of the handle. The belly of the
blade is bowed out, which ergonomically fits the hand very well. A small
hole on the pommel allows for the
addition of a lanyard.
Overall, the eight-inch knife is
solidly built, and the blades thickness
lends to its strength and confidence
under pressure.
B
A. At 5.2 ounces, the knifes

weight feels solid in your hand
but is light enough to not feel taxing or cumbersome. B. The thin
profile is discrete in your pocket.
C. The Morsa has a drop-point
blade made from 8Cr13MoV
stainless steel, which is strong
and keeps a sharp edge. D. The
handle belly protrudes out to fit
nicely around your fingers.
SOURCE
kilimanjarogear.com | MSRP: $41.99
121
HOW-TO
STORING FUEL
Gas Cache
HOW TO SAFELY STORE FUEL FOR A LONG TIME Story by Jeff Zurschmeide
generator without fuel is as useful as a gun without ammunition. No matter how we look at
any survival situation, the
reliance on gas-powered equipment be it our bug-out vehicle or our generator when the lights go out is immense. However, there is a host of calamities that might
befall you and your family, the results of which
mean gasoline and other fuel supplies will be
cut off immediately. A tank of gas in a truck or
Jeep will only go so far. What then? Have your
fuel saved in containers in your garage? Believe
it not, if improperly treated, fuel goes bad.
You can read a lot on the Internet about how
to store fuel and the effects of various additives and conditions on fuel storage. You also
hear a lot of talk about this or that product
being a useless ripoff. In the case of additives,
its not obvious what these products really are
and whether they will improve the longevity of
stored fuel.
GAS, DIESEL, AND KEROSENE

First, its useful to know what gasoline and
other fuel oils are made of. We all know gasoline is made from refining crude oil, but exactly
how oil is refined is a key concept not often
well-understood. The basic method for refining
is to boil the crude oil and then capture the various components of the crude by their boiling
point. Heavier oil products can be used to create asphalt and tar. Somewhat lighter distillates produce gear oil, motor oil, and similar
products. Moving up the scale, you get
diesel/heating oil, kerosene, gasoline, and then
various lightweight oils and naphtha all the
way up to petroleum gas the lightest of all.
122
With ever rising fuel

costs and availability in
question during a disaster
or survival situation,
storing your own gas for
emergences is a great
step toward selfsustainability.
To then make gasoline and diesel as you buy

it at the pump, the refinery adds other products
such as detergents and ethanol (which is just
plain alcohol). These additives help gasoline
and diesel and home heating oil adhere to
composition standards so that automakers,
engine manufacturers and other manufacturers
can design their products to meet performance,
economy, and emissions standards.
When its ready to sell, there are a bunch of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gasoline.
VOCs are somewhat lower in diesel or
kerosene, but theyre still there. Have you ever
noticed that you can see wavy fumes coming
out of your gas filler when you tank up your
car? Those are the VOCs that help make your
gas burn properly in your engine. You can see
the VOCs start escaping from the moment you
expose gasoline to air, and if enough of them
escape, your gasoline reverts back to a lowoctane hydrocarbon fluid.
Whats
Wrong with
Gas?
This is a 30-gallon fuel drum that has been in use for

several years and should be replaced. You can see
where expanding fuel has bent the top of the drum. Its
also starting to rust. Almost as important as the fuel
inside is what you keep it in.
ISSUES WITH STORING FUEL

The issue with storing fuels long-term is
two-fold. First, the VOCs will evaporate away,
and second, water can get into most fuels sold
in America. The fuels are thirsty for it, and will
pull water right out of the air. Almost all gasoline sold in America has ethanol in it. As mentioned before, its just corn alcohol, and it mixes
with water quite readily like a bourbon and
soda. Diesel fuel will also attract water.
To apply this to your thinking about your
bug-out location, or to keeping a stash of fuel
at your home, you have to address both of
those issues, and hopefully not create a fire or
explosion hazard in the process.
STORING FUELS SAFELY

If you want to keep a stash of fuel at home
or at your bug-out location, you need to follow
some simple rules for effectiveness and safety.
First, get good containers. Most modern containers are made of plastic, and thats good.
Gasoline is supposed to go in red containers,
while diesel goes in yellow containers and
kerosene in blue containers. The color-coding
will help keep things orderly, especially if youre
trying to remember which can had the diesel and
which can had the kerosene. You can also label
your cans, of course. A Sharpie works wonders.
If your needs run to more than a few gallons,
you can buy barrels for all different fuels. Racing shops and farm supply stores are two great
places to look for barrels. You can get the standard 55-gallon drums or smaller 30-gallon
drums quite readily.
If you choose a drum of fuel, be sure to get a good drum

pump. Siphoning large quantities out of a drum is a
messy business. Drum pumps have a threaded collar
that matches the bung in a standard fuel drum.
Drums are good, but not without their

issues. You want to make sure theyre completely dry before filling them, and then leave
them filled and sealed tight until you plan to
use the fuel. If you have a partial drum, the air
in the drum will introduce water through condensation. If youre going to store fuel like that,
you need to keep that fuel safe, which means
Gasoline has two problems when burned in car

engines. The first problem has to do with smog
and ozone in big cities.
The second problem has
to do with carbon and
greenhouse gases. When
cars burn gasoline, they
would ideally burn it perfectly and create nothing
but carbon dioxide and
water in their exhaust.
Unfortunately, the internal combustion engine is
far from perfect. In the
process of burning the
gasoline, it also produces
carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas; nitrogen
oxides, the main source
of urban smog as well as
unburned hydrocarbons,
which are the main
source of urban ozone.
Carbon is also a problem. When it burns, it
turns into lots of carbon
dioxide gas. Gasoline is
mostly carbon by weight,
so a gallon of gas might
release five to six pounds
of carbon into the
atmosphere. The U.S. is
releasing roughly two billion pounds of carbon
into the atmosphere
each day. If it were solid,
carbon would be
extremely noticeableit
would be like throwing a
five-pound bag of sugar
out the window of your
car for every gallon of
gas burned. But because
the five pounds of carbon comes out as an
invisible gas (carbon
dioxide), most of us are
oblivious to it. The carbon dioxide coming out
of every cars tailpipe is a
greenhouse gas.
123
Storing Fuel
[BELOW] Be careful how you store your different
fuels, as different engines (diesel, two-stroke,
etc.) require different kinds of fuels. Mixing the
two would be disastrous to your equipment. Be
wary of an old can of gas. Test it before use.
[BELOW] A basic red

plastic can like this
may be purchased at
any home supply store
for fuel storage.
Although it is only five
gallons, having several
of these is easier to
manage and handle
than one large drum.
Its also handy to have
some small cans even
if you store fuel in
greater quantities.
[ABOVE] If you think you need to get

gasoline out of a fuel tank, one of these
tools from gastapper.com could work for
you. You have your choice of a powered
unit that runs off the 12-volt plug in your
car, or a strictly gravity-based siphon.
[BOTTOM, LEFT] Prolong

is a well-respected manufacturer of petroleum
and synthetic oil and
fuel products, and they
offer this diesel treatment to condition your
diesel and keep water
from polluting your fuel.
[BOTTOM, RIGHT] The jar
of gasoline on the left
sat unsealed in the tank
of a generator for about
two years, while the jar
of gasoline on the right
was stored sealed with
Sea Foam treatment
added. You can see the
difference.
away from your home, your garage, and

any sources of heat, sparks, or flame. A
metal garden shed at least 50 feet from
other structures is a good choice.
You also need to consider heat from the sun
and air as a threat. If you fill your drum or plastic jug in winter, the fuel will expand as ambient
temperatures rise and may burst. Youll want to
open it up from time to time and let the fumes
out. That will allow some moisture in, but thats
unavoidable.
USING FUEL AND OIL ADDITIVES

So, both gasoline and diesel are refined
hydrocarbons with additives already included
at the refinery. Why do you need to buy fuel
additive on top of that?
The answer is both fuel and oil reflect standards imposed by the government or specified
by fuel and automobile manufacturers working
together. Those standards are not necessarily
as good as they could be. For example, the government specifies minimum standards for
gasoline, and some brands choose to exceed
those standards. Thats why some fuels work
well in your car and others do not.
To pick one well-known brand, Chevron
adds Techron to its gasoline, as well as selling it
as an additive. Techron is a trade name for
polyetheramine (PEA), which breaks down carbon deposits so they travel through the engine
and dont build up.
Other additives may be as simple as a bottle
of common alcohol or kerosene. Most of these
are sold at absurdly high prices for what they
are. While these products work in that alcohol
will mix with any water in your tank and
kerosene or other mineral oils soak into carbon
deposits and loosen them, their effectiveness is
highly variable.
One product that has been used and
respected by boat owners for decades is Sea
Foam. According to its material safety data
sheet, Sea Foams basic motor treatment fluid
is made up of a lightweight oil called pale oil, a
light hydrocarbon fluid called naphtha, and a
little bit of isopropanol (IPA). Remember the
discussion of the refining process? Pale oil and
naphtha are higher up the lightness ladder
than gasoline, so they help prevent gasoline
from turning into thick varnish.
Similarly, Sta-Bil and other gasoline and
diesel stabilizers are made from Petroleum
Distillates such as naphtha and aromatic
hydrocarbons, while Marvel Mystery Oil is made
with mineral spirits, naphtha, and chlorinated
hydrocarbons.
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FUEL?

Its generally accepted that stored fuel
should be used within six months to a year. You
124
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
This graphic shows the difference between

domestic production and consumption of
gasoline from state to state. Because of our
reliance on foreign oil, it is easy to imagine how
an incident in another part of the world can
affect our supply of fuel in this country.
can extend that a bit with additives, but its a

good rule of thumb to cycle through your fuel at
least every six months for maximum quality.
However, fuel that has been well-sealed in a
proper container has been known to last far
longer. You might think twice before putting
two-year-old fuel into your brand new truck,
but for the lawnmower it should be fine. Pour a
bit into a mason jar and take a look and a sniff.
If the gasoline smells like gasoline and nothing
else, it is still fine to use. If it smells sour, it has
become stale and shouldnt be used. Stale
gasoline has been allowed to get warm, thus
catalyzing olefin decomposition reactions, and
perhaps also losing volatile material in
unsealed containers. Such fuel will tend to
rapidly form gums and will usually have a significant reduction in octane rating. The fuel can
be usually used by blending with twice the volume of new gasoline. Some stale fuels can
drop several octane numbers, so be generous

with the dilution.
However, it is best to use it up within six
months and replenish your supplies.
HOW MUCH GAS SHOULD YOU

STORE?
More is better, right? Not necessarily for
fuel. Because of its volatility, having more than
50 or 60 gallons of fuel on your property might
end up being more of a liability than an asset.
First, its a beacon to anyone who might ever
see it and, most importantly, it is difficult to
keep that much fuel properly treated. However,
it really all depends on what your plans are. If
you need a vehicle to get to your bug-out shelter, add about 50 percent more fuel than it
takes to get there. If you need to only run a generator, have enough fuel on hand to run it continually for at least a week.
Material
Safety
Data Sheet
You can always discover
whats really in any product by searching for the
Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) on the
product. Its an EPArequired public document
that lists every ingredient.
If the only ingredient is
alcohol or kerosene, you
can save some money by
buying generic.
Jeff Zurschmeide is a lifelong automotive enthusiast, and has been writing about cars professionally for more than 15 years. He is the author of eight published books on automotive
topics, with his ninth book underway. Additionally, Jeff covers new cars for The Oregonian newspaper as well as classic and specialty cars for Sports Car Market and American Car
Collector. Jeff serves as Editor in Chief of our sister publication, Maximum Drive Magazine.
125
BACKCOUNTRY
SOLAR-POWERED eBIKE
Get Outta
Dodge
THE BEAST: A SOLAR-POWERED

eBIKE TO THE RESCUE Story by Ryan Lee Price
The Beast comes in three different trim options, Standard,

Deluxe, Ultimate. The basic difference is the type of battery
used. The Standard and Deluxe models use a lead acid type,
while the Ultimate employs a lithium battery.
ociety has deteriorated; civilization as you

remember it is nothing but a crumbled shell of
its former self. There are no gas stations, no
power grid, no grocery stores, no money, no
nothing but you and your bug-out vehicle sucking the last vapors of whats left of your emergency fuel supply. Miles from nowhere and still miles to go, it is time to break
out the B Team, Daymaks latest off-road offering, the Beast.
The Toronto, Canada company has launched its all-new
eBike, a street-legal two-wheeler geared for rough off-road
terrain as well as city riding. The Beast is perfect for the
woods or the road. Imagine going quietly in the woods or
126
going off on dirt roads, and then going straight on to legal

roads. This Beast can do it all, said Daymak CTO, Aldo
Baiocchi. We want the rider to have a comfortable, powerful
ride whether its on or off-road.
The stand-out feature on this bike is a solar panel and
battery pack that continuously recharges, allowing the rider
to enjoy a completely silent experience while still charging
the battery. When depleted, merely rest it in the sun and wait
a few hours for a full charge. Fully electric, the Beast can go
as fast as 20 mph with up to 28-mile range with the Beast
Ultimate model. It is quiet, economical, good for the environment, and can take the rider anywhere they want to go.
FIVE ADVANTAGES
The enclosed solar panel battery
case offers five distinctive advantages:
The battery is always trickle
charging, regardless of if it is in use or
not. This avoids the number one failure of most eBikes on the market
today, which is battery failure due to
prolonged time without charging. The
longer a battery sits idle in a no
charge mode, the less likely it will
fully charge again.
The solar panel yields about six
miles of range per eight hours of any
ambient daylight. If the rider does not
ride more than roughly 25 miles a
week, he never has to plug it in to
charge the battery. What if the battery
runs out mid-trip? No worries, because
the pedals drive a chain to the rear
wheel (like a traditional bicycle) to
continue on.
The Beast offers a lower cost of
charging. With the solar panel working,
the battery takes less grid-based electricity than standard plug-in eBikes.
There is less of a carbon footprint
as well. With the world in a heap of
smoking ruins, this isnt exactly a big
concern, but an electric motor provides little to no impact on the environment. When the solar panel is used,
electricity from the grid is
avoided.
The removable battery pack
be used as a back up generator,
comes with two USB plugs. You
plug in your phone, tablet or any
running off of USB-supplied pow
The Ultimate model also comes
110-volt power converter.
At only roughly 165 pounds,
Beast can be easily transported
trunk of a car or the back of a tr
and pulled out when needed. Th
removable solar panel/battery p
can be charged when removed
the bike, so even when parked in
shade, the battery can be placed
the sun to charge. When an alte
source of transportation is need
after the gas runs out or the sta
internal combustion engine of y
primary vehicle has quit, as long
the sun still shines, the Beast ca
you get outta Dodge.
SOURCE: daymakbeast.com
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
BEAST STANDARD
BEAST DELUXE
BEAST ULTIMATE
Battery
48V 12AH Lead Acid
60V 12AH Lead Acid
60V 12AH Lithium
Motor
500W Gearless Hub
500W Gearless Hub
500W Gearless Hub
Controller
Daymak Drive
Daymak Drive
Daymak Drive
Solar Panel
Optional
15W/hr output
15W/hr output
Torque Sensor
Sprocket
Sprocket
Sprocket
Inverted/Adjustable
Shocks
Stock
Inverted/Adjustable
Frame
Steel
Steel
6000/7000 alloy
Rim Front
10 x 4.10
10 x 4.10
10 x 4.10 alloy
Tire Front
21 x 7 x 8
21 x 7 x 8
19 7 x 8
Tire Back
21 x 7 x 8
21 x 7 x 8
19 7 x 8
Headlight
Stock
Stock
LED 4500 Lumens
Length/Height
63 / 45
63 / 45
63 / 45
Weight
165lbs.
165lbs.
165lbs.
Tool Kit
Standard
Standard
Deluxe
Charging Ports
2 USB
2 USB
2 USB + 110v
800
1000
Not Included
Included
Battery Life Cycles 300

Carrying Case
Not Included
Speedometer
Not Included
Included
Included
Range
15.53 miles
21.74 miles
27.96 miles
Top Speed
15.6 miles/hr
20 miles/hr
20 miles/hr
Charger
60V1.8A 110V/220V
60V/2.5A 110V/220V
60V5A 110V/220V
Charging Time
6 hours (by 110V)
4 hours
3 hours
On the lower models

a small incandescent
headlight is used
while the Ultimate
utilizes an LED bulb
and turn indicators.
Built compact and sturdy,

the simple design keeps
weight to a minimum, providing more overall power
and a longer battery run
time between charges.
The large wheels and tires
allow for riding on a variety
of terrain, from pavement
to trails to no roads at all.
127
SURVIVALLIT
The Disaster Diaries

by Sam Sheridan
What you think you know
can get you killed as easily
as what you dont. How
often have you heard
someone say, Im not
worried, when it hits the
fan, Ive got guns. Ill be
able to get what I need.
Im gonna head for the
hills, live off the land.
When it happens itll be
like the stadium during
hurricane Katrina. These
sort of assumptions are
exactly what Sam Sheridans book shatters.
Sleepless nights, thats
where it starts. Would it be
a tidal wave? Earthquake?
Zombies? Had he done
everything possible to protect and provide for his
family? Have you?
Being a prepper brings
with it a certain level of
paranoia. We wouldnt
stock food and supplies if
we were confident in the
future. We wouldnt
research bunkers and rad
counters if we didnt think
there was even the most
remote possibility they
might be needed someday.
From stunt driving
school to freezing desert
nights with Cody Lundin,
128
| Review by J.D.Hughes
Sheridan covers practically

every scenario. The Disaster Diaries is an easy
and engaging read. Sam
Sheridans voice is compelling and he takes you
from one example to the

next without sounding
overly dramatic.
Perhaps the greatest
takeaway from reading
The Disaster Dairies is
the pin Sheridan pokes in

the assumptions that far too
many of us make. We think
we know how we will react.
We think we know how
others will behave. From
psychological trauma to
physical fitness, each chapter starts with a fictional
story and then with Sheridans effort to overcome the
obstacle presented. Need to
escape an alien invasion?
How do I really steal a car?
Confronted by a group of
cannibals how do I fight
them off?
Sheridan learns these
skills and more, not by
reading how to manuals,
but by searching out subject matter experts and
learning the skills it takes
to survive. Have you ever
really asked yourself the
hard questions about your
level of preparedness? Did
you like your answers?
Reading The Disaster
Diaries wont teach you
how to do anything, but it
may help kick start your
prepping efforts by making you confront your own
assumptions.
amazon.com | MRSP: $12.24
AD INDEX
JUNE 2015
ADVERTISER
PAGE
Battlbox LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Food 4 Patriots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Ground EFX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Hero T-Shirt Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Enable Your Ideas with a PCNC Mill

Discerning gun and knife enthusiasts know theres only one choice in CNC for affordable precision: the
Tormach PCNC 1100. Take aim at your most demanding machining needs - engraving, milling, threading,
reaming, and boring. Big or small, Tormach hits the bullseye to
deliver for you.
Hogue Grips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

I.O. Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Kensington Publishing Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Shown here with

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arms, and accessories.
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Kershaw Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Cantilever GoPro camera Picatinny
Mount made by Strikemark,
manufactured on a PCNC 1100.
LifeStraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Major Surplus & Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Nitro-Pak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Panteao Productions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Rock River Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Survival Bags Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Tactical Night Vision Company . . . . . . . . . . . .7
TOPS Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Tormach LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
ollow knifemaker John rimsmo as

he makes his own knives with a PCNC
1100 on his web series, Knifemaking
Tuesdays, at www.tormach.com/kmt.
Water Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

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.
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DEADEND
The Nuke Map

Looking out over a particularly beautiful sunset dipping below the crisp
angular buildings of downtown Los
Angeles, it is difficult to believe a singular bomb could destroy many
square miles of buildings, houses, and
parks, not to mention the eight million
people calling the city their home. Our
only scrap of reality to help wrap our
heads around this concept are pictures
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only
two inhabited locations on which
nuclear bombs were dropped, and the
130
devastation on those two cities was

enormous. What would that look like
in your town?
Usually, we would have to wait for
a nuclear apocalypse to find out, but
thanks to Alex Wellerstein and his
Nuclear Secrecy Blog, we can get an
idea of what the effects of a nuclear
explosion would be in your hometown.
Not only that, but it can estimate fatalities and injuries based on location.
Morbid as it may sound, it is a fascinating look at whether or not you
would survive a nuclear blast,

depending on how close you live to a
selected attack site. On NukeMap, you
can select a target, enter a bomb yield
(in kilotons) or select from an alarmingly long list of actual weapons in the
arsenals of the worlds countries, from
a crude terrorists dirty bomb all the
way up to the worlds largest nuclear
weapon ever tested, Russias 50-megaton Tsar Bomba.
SOURCE: nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/
What a 15 kiloton bomb would look like centered on downtown Manhattan. This is the same strength bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
The fireball itself is 1,080 feet wide, while the green circle represents an
area of up to 90 percent mortality rates.
Castle Bravo is a 15 megaton bomb, the largest ever tested by the United
States. This is what it would look like if dropped on the White House in
Washington, D.C. The thermal radiation radius is 21.1 miles.
Dropped on the Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play, is
this B-83 bomb (1.2 megatons), the largest bomb currently in the U.S.
arsenal. A 5 psi blast of air will topple most buildings within the grey
9.3-mile-wide circle.
Most of the greater Los Angeles area would be completely leveled by

the Tsar Bomba, Russias largest bomb ever tested at 50 megatons.
The orange circle (which flows off the map) represents how far away
from the blast the thermal radiation will be felt with third degree burns
(37.2 miles from the epicenter).
DONT BUY SURVIVAL

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DQ\ OOHUV RU SRRUTXDOLW\ IUDQNHQIRRG
that the other guys use to pad their
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ZRQW EHOLHYH WKH SULFHV RQ WKHVH NLWV
a fraction of the price that other brands
charge.
7KHUHV QR IDQF\ SDFNDJLQJ LWV PLOLWDU\

grade sturdy stuff and can stand up
to the crazy things that happen in a
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KHV XVLQJ WKH PRVW FRPSDFW NLWV VR
you can store them anywhere in your
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VWXUG\ ZDWHUSURRI DQG VWDFN HDVLO\ $QG
extremely covert too.
They think having a stockpile ready for a

disaster is something they can put off for
someday or never.
But those people are just hiding their heads
in the sand. They are dead wrong -- and you
are dead right.
<RXYH VHHQ WKH HYLGHQFH DQG \RX NQRZ
the situation is way too serious not to do
VRPHWKLQJ DERXW LW :KHQ D FULVLV KLWV \RXOO
EH UHDG\ <RXOO PDNH GDUQ VXUH \RXU IDPLO\
ZRQW JR KXQJU\
7KH IDFW LV LI \RX GRQW WDNH DFWLRQ RU LI \RX
stockpile the wrong foods, you could be
setting your family up to starve. It sounds
harsh, but the truth is too many people with
good intentions are making critical mistakes
with their food stockpiles.
MISTAKES LIKE
Buying MREs (meals ready to eat) with

a 5 year shelf life (depending on where
you buy them, they could be nearly
expired)
Getting gross survival foods that taste

terrible and are so high in salt, MSG
and preservatives you could clog your
arteries and get yourself sick
Or simply buying the wrong foods and

leaving a critical hole in your meal plan,
which means your family can become
malnourished
You can make these meals in less

than 20 minutes; just add boiling water,
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think they taste as good or better
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EVER had. $QG \RX JHW D ZKROH VOHZ RI
choices, including breakfast, lunch and
GLQQHU VR \RX GRQW JHW VWXFN HDWLQJ WKH
same thing day-in and day-out.
Frank has come up with some
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ONLY available to folks who purchase
RQH RI KLV NLWV RQ D UVWFRPH UVW
served basis. For example, my 3-month
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survival tool, and some other cool stuff.
Protect your family in a crisis with 25-year

shelf life survival food from getfood46.com
, ZDQW WR PDNH VXUH \RX GRQW PLVV RXW RQ
this because this is the #1 item to hoard
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+HUHV ZK\ ,I \RX GRQW WDNH DFWLRQ WR JHW
\RXU IRRG VWRFNSLOH ULJKW QRZ \RXOO EH LQ WKH
same boat as the brainwashed masses who
WKLQN HYHU\WKLQJ LV QH $QG LI D FULVLV KLWV
and your family asks, What are we going to
HDW" \RXU PRXWK ZLOO JR GU\ DQG \RXOO IHHO
powerless.
But what if you decide right now to secure
your food stockpile instead? Just imagine
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$QG LI D FULVLV KLWV DQG \RXU IDPLO\ DVNV
:KDW DUH ZH JRLQJ WR HDW" \RXOO FDOPO\
UHDVVXUH WKHP WKDW WKH\UH VDIH DQG WKH\ ZLOO
have plenty to eat.
Well, I decided to stop worrying. Obviously,

waiting for the government to give me a handout
LQ D GLVDVWHU MXVW ZDVQW DQ RSWLRQ IRU PH $QG
I was completely turned off by the crazy prices
of survival food sold by most stores.
/LVWHQ , FDQW SUHGLFW WKH IXWXUH , GRQW NQRZ

exactly when or how a crisis will hit. But from
everything I see, it could be soon and it could
EH D ELJ RQH 7KDWV ZK\ , UHDOO\ ZDQW \RX WR
get the same peace of mind that I do.
So I got in touch with my buddy Frank Bates

and put my order in for his Food4Patriots
survival food kits.
36 *RW D FDOO IURP )UDQN DQG \RXOO QHYHU

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LOG-ON NOW TO GETFOOD46.COM
PREPAREDNESS,
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LINK 1776
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kershawknives.com

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EXTREME SURVIVAL: AYS IN THE AMAZON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 JUNE 2015 U.S. $8.99

DISPLAY UNTIL: 6/30/2015

Engaged Media, Inc.

AKM247 7.62 x 39mm

NANO 7.62 x 39mm

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SCAN HERE TO FIND

Americas Foremost Preparedness

Exclusive American Survival Guide Offer

Executive Bug-Out Kit

Year Supply Entree-Pak

146 Survival Essentials Included !

18 different REAL Freeze-Dried meals !

REAL FREEZE-DRIED Meats!

tactical surgical kit

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On all orders over $149

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Potassium Iodide Tablets

Surveying the horizon to assess

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE > JUNE 2015

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 | JUNE 2015

Story by Joshua Swanagon

102 HANDLING HAZARDS

Getting to Know Poison Oak and Poison Ivy

66 BITES AND STINGS

Schrades SCHF3 Extreme Survival Knife

Story by Christopher Nyerges

Nothing Makes a Bad Situation Worse Than

The Modern Survival Vest Can Be a Lifesaver

The Pros and Cons of the Pistol, Shotgun,

126 GET OUTTA DODGE

The Eberlestock Gunslinger II BOB

106 WEARABLE GEAR

54 THE BIG FOUR

46 FOE: LEAVES OF THREE,

A Day in the Life of a Chemical Management

PHOTO BY HENRY Z. DEKUYPER

The Beast: A Solar-Powered eBike to the

Story by William Billy Boggs

SOLs RoadTripper, a Car Emergency Kit

How to Escape From a Cars Trunk

Story by J. Ellis Bourke

Story by Nikki Grey

Finally, a Survivors Ice Chest

How to Use Honey and Sugar to Treat

110 SAFETY NET IN THE SKY

The History and Inner Workings of NORAD

How to Build an Emergency Kit on the

121 AT THE READY

122 GAS CACHE

Kilimanjaros Morsa is Light But Solid

How to Safely Store Fuel for a Long Time

*(1 !/++ 0!.$!(0!.%.!/0.0!.