Highland Ridings: January 2016

My son was a Boyscout for a short time. During that time, I was one of the scout leaders. I filled various roles; one of which was survival training and preparedness. I was also the "toten chip" merit badge counselor. As the survival training and preparedness instructor, I always had to make sure the boys had 5 basic needs covered; Food, Fire, First-Aide, Water, Warm. Now most of the items that one would carry to take care of these needs required safety training. Fire, for instance, required the scout to have his "fire-man" badge. In order to administer first-aide to another scout, the boy had to demonstrate his abilities to make basic assessment and decide upon a proper course of action.

As adults, we should also follow these basic safety, survival and training rules. Just because you have the item in your pack and you can use it, does not mean that you know how to properly use it. So here are some basics.

FOOD: you can not survive at all without food for more than 3 weeks. However; if you are in a survival situation (anytime you are in the wilderness is a survival situation . . . even if you are at an established campground . . .) you must keep up your strength. The only way to do that is to make sure you are able to provide your body with enough vitamins and protein to keep your strength and energy levels up. WHAT TO PACK? Light weight, high protein, high complex carbs, low sugar foods and snacks. For a one day hunting or hiking trek, my son and I both carry similar food items: 4 energy/granola bars, homemade dehydrated fruit (apple, banana, peaches),4 tuna single serve pouches, 2 cans of spam, 2 cans of vienna sausages. Try to pack light, but make sure you have enough food for several days. A mess utilize utensil is a MUST. I get most of my gear at Wal~Mart. They sell one of these tools made by Ozark Trails for about $5.00. It looks like a pocket knife with a spoon and fork on the side. It also has a cork screw and a sharp knife. You should also carry a mess kit in your pack. Most mess kits include a cup, bowl/plate, cooking pan and boiling pot, that all interlock and fit together in a nice, light weight small package. Also keep a regular pocket knife, a snare wire for trapping, and some fishing line and a couple hooks. You will need to make sure you can provide food for yourself and your party if you end up exhausting your food supply.

FIRE: Hypothermia can set in very quickly, often before you know. If you fall into the water, you will need to dry your clothes and warm yourself. If you run out of food and have to trap or catch your food . . . you can eat it raw, but I would suggest cooking it in order to ensure all the "goobers" are cooked out of it. A fire will also keep you warm at night and also help keep the wild animals at bay. I always keep at least two or three forms of fire starter in my pack AND my vehicle (we live in the mountains, never know when you will need this). I usually have your standard BIC lighter, matches and some form of firestarter rod. I also ALWAYS keep an emergency whistle in my pack and vehicle as well. Most of those whistles have a magnifying glass on them as well. You would do well to keep you fire starters in a water proof container or zip-lock bag.

FIRST-AIDE: You will never be able to carry all the first-aide items you can possibly need when in the backwoods, wilderness and deserts. BUT, there are basics that you should always carry: band-aides in multiple sizes, gauze pads in multiple sizes as well as a roll of gauze and water proof medical tape. Snake-bite kits are always good to have, but not always reliable depending on how fast your heart is racing when you are bit. A tourniquet is a must along with some finger splints. One thing most people don't think about is children's aspirin. It is a fever reducer as well as a great item in case of a heart attack. In fact, the children's aspirin could be the most important life saving tool in your first-aide kit. #1 PRIORITY with you first-aide kit . . .KNOW HOW TO USE IT ! ! ! Take a first-aide CPR class. Most of your local YMCA's, Red Cross and Community Colleges offer these classes at next to nothing for cost. If you can get in on a CERT training course, those are free and full of good information.

WATER: You can not live with out water for more than 3 days. Water is the most important element to life besides oxygen. In fact, water and oxygen go hand in hand to the sustainment of life. I always carry 4 liters of water when I go hiking. Along with bringing water, make sure you carry purification tabs AND a container in which to biol water. Most mess kits contain a cup, bowl/plate, cooking pan and boiling pot. And they all fit together in a nice light weight small package.

WARM: For extended hikes, a trail tent, light bed roll, blanket or sleeping bag and a jacket are necessary. Instead of a tent, you can carry a good survival knife or hatchet and some 550 cord in order to make a shelter. Another great idea for sheltering that is light weight . . . a small tarp or rain poncho and some 550 cord. Always keep a small blanket and at least a light weight jacket. Hypothermia is one of the biggest killers when surviving in the wilderness.

Carry these 5 items in your day pack, extended hiking pack, bug out bag AND vehicle; Enough to keep 2 people alive for 3 days in each pack; one pack per person and you will increase your chance of survival.

Heads on swivels, Watch your 6, Always be prepared!

Highland Ridings

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Food, Fire, First-Aide, Water, Warm . . . .

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Why I am a Hunter and a Prepper

5 B's 3 F's 2 W's and Survival and Prepping blogs and websites

Trail and Field Guide Books