Improvising for Survival - Thinking in the Survival Mode

Self-Imposed limits on your ability to survive can be a real threat to your survival. One of the ways many people create problems of this nature is with their dependence on gear. Our society has evolved to the point where we live in an environment where “throw it away” and “replace it” has become a dominant part of our thinking. This type of thinking can actually get you into a lot of trouble when something goes wrong. It’s important to remember that in a survival situation, the “replace it” option may not be available.

Now there’s nothing wrong with having ready-made survival gear handy just in case. Unfortunately, gear more often than not gets lost, breaks or simply wears out. When this happens, you will need to be able to improvise a solution or devise a replacement of some sort. If you find yourself where a needed item is not part of your gear or is not available, your survival may depend upon your ability to improvise.

Improvising requires a change in the thought process we normally use. This can be accomplished quite easily by using a couple of simple tips to put your thinking on the right track. Here are just a couple of the ways that can be used to put your thinking into the “survival mode” and increase your ability to improvise.

1. Use your past experiences to come up with alternate solutions. One of the things most often required in a survival situation is the ability to cut something. If you find yourself lacking a knife, you only need think in terms of your past experiences. How many times in the past have you cut yourself with something other than a knife? Probably a lot more often than you care to admit, including myself. It may have been one of those cheap disposable razors, a tin can lid or a broken piece of glass. Any or all of these items could serve as replacement.

2. Think in terms of the basic function of the item needed.  One thing that serves a useful purpose in a survival situation is a container. Now you might have a need to carry anything from water to an injured person. The basic function is the same in either case and only the need is different. You could use anything from a balloon to a plastic baggie to carry water if necessary. Most often as not, if it’s water-proof, it can be used as a container to carry water. If you need to carry items of a different nature (like an injured person), you could use anything from a piece of netting to a blanket to create a make-shift litter.

Improvising for survival will require innovative thinking on your part to make sure you are able to get into the proper frame of mind to get into the “survival mode”. So the next time you look at a rock, think "hammer".

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gun Pics - Custom Mosin Nagant with Bipod

Custom Mosin Nagant with Bipod

With the addition of an ATI synthetic stock and a Rock Solid bipod this has turned out to be one of my better investments in a rifle. The stock has reduced the recoil to tolerable levels, the addition of the bipod has helped with steadying the longer barrel and with a hard case that was picked up at a yard sale for only $5 it stays well  protected. Total cost = $200 (not including ammo). 

Just need to get mounts for a scope that will be added. 

Got Mosin Nagant?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Meals - Straight from the Can

It is always important to conserve time, energy and resources during a crisis. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to think in simple terms when it comes to preparing meals. One of the simplest ways to prepare a meal is straight from the can.

Many canned foods are pre-cooked and can be eaten straight from the can. All you need is a can opener and an eating utensil (fork or a spoon). Now eating a cold meal may not be the best way to enjoy a meal but if you’re hungry enough you probably won’t notice it as much. If you do have a heat source, the canned food item could be heated directly or indirectly. Even exposed to some direct sunlight will warm it up a bit if it’s absolutely necessary.

There are also many canned food items that have “pop tops” that make them easy to open without a can opener. There is also a wide variety of foods that allow for a change in the menu without having to give it much thought and takes very little additional effort. As a bonus, the liquid used in the canned food can help conserve your water sources or be used to supplement them.

This is not a new idea by any means. Most anyone that’s been on a camping, hunting or fishing trip has probably eaten their share of pork-n-beans and peach slices straight from the can. This is also a fairly simple way to manage your food inventory. Even younger family members or those lacking culinary skills can prepare a simple meal in this manner.

Keeping things simple and avoiding as many complicated activities as possible will always be a great way to conserve your time, energy and resources. Routine and mundane tasks such as meal preparation can consume a lot of your time and efforts. Keeping your survival meals simple will avoid this problem. After all, who needs more problems during a crisis?

Got can opener?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Hidden Signs of Economic Collapse - Part One - The True Rate of Unemployment

Being prepared requires an understanding of the signs to watch for when things may be headed in the wrong direction. This is true in most any crisis. There are even signs that will help you to see the coming danger and be prepared for an economic collapse prior to an actual economic collapse occurring.

The reality of economic collapse in almost any economy can be seen in several different areas. It doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to figure out that the real state of our economy is not going to be reported in order to prevent civil unrest by the people affected most by this situation. The civil unrest in many countries that have suffered an economic collapse is witness to this fact. In fact, we are seeing some of the early signs of civil unrest in this country due to the weak economy.  One of the major signs to watch in order to realize the actual health of our economy is the true rate of unemployment in this country.

The Bureau of Labor reports statistics on employment on several different levels that range from the U1 unemployment rate to the U6 unemployment rate. The unemployment rate that is normally reported in the media is the U3 (official) unemployment rate. This rate (U3) doesn’t include a lot of the people who are unemployed but represents a more politically acceptable level of unemployment data when reported.

Many people are also unaware of just how many people aren’t included in the workforce as a matter of routine. Our workforce is primarily based on the civilian population 16 years old and over (many of which are still attending school). Persons who are in places such as nursing homes, correctional institutions or prisons, and members of our military on active duty aren’t included as part of the workforce in these statistics. It also doesn’t include retirees. That’s a lot of people who are simply not included.

If you are concerned about the implications of a possible economic collapse as something to prepare for, it helps to know what to look for in advance. Knowing and being aware of the true rate of unemployment is just one of these factors.

Disclaimer: This is merely an opinion of this writer and should not be considered professional advice of any kind.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

  

Riverwalker's Gear - RW's Springer - Holiday Plinking

After stuffing myself with turkey and dressing, it was time to do some holiday plinking. Using my B3 series air gun which uses 4.5 mm (.177 caliber) pellets which only cost a few dollars for a box of around 200 rounds, it was time to ventilate some cans.

Here's a pic of the 4.5 mm pellets that were used to do a little holiday plinking. It's rated at 850 fps but is probably closer to 700 fps from my own experience. It's a tack driver at distances of 100 to 120 feet using just the iron sights.

It has a hooded front sight that has to be manually adjusted. Once it was set properly and aligned there's not much more that needs to be done to the front sight.

It also has an adjustable rear sight that fits in the dovetail mounts. Although it doesn't have an adjustment for windage, it's still a pretty decent rear sight. It's also tapped for a scope mount. If you look closely at the above picture you can see one of the scope ring mounting holes. The other one is covered up by the rear sight.

This air gun has an under the barrel cocking lever (see pic above) with a barrel clamp to hold it in place. It takes about 30 pounds of force to cock the lever and can be somewhat difficult to cock for smaller persons. Lil' RW (who's only 6 years old) tried to cock it but just couldn't manage to get it done. This is a single shot model and all the rounds have to loaded by hand. Just make sure the pellets are seated firmly in the barrel.


CAUTION: Be careful to maintain a firm grip on the lever once it has been cocked. Even if it has a safety mechanism, don't rely on it because If it releases suddenly it can cause a severe injury to your fingers.


While not the best air gun available, it's still a pretty decent air gun even if the stock is an ugly shade of yellowish-orange. Probably need to refinish the stock to make it a little prettier. Not much room to complain since it only cost $20 (which included a scope).The best part of plinking with this air gun is putting rounds through the same hole time after time.




Got springer?


Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

RW

Simple Survival Tips - The Extra BOB

                 

Even though you may have a well designed plan in place to handle a crisis or disaster, there will be times when you will need  excess capacity to cover your needs and those of your family. Having excess capacity can help you avoid serious shortages during a crisis. This will also allow you to cover all your needs without creating additional problems during the early stages of a crisis.

It is unfortunate that we can’t always predict when an emergency situation will happen. In fact, a crisis will usually occur with very little notice or chance for you to prepare. It may also come at a time when you have additional family members present or you suddenly find yourself with a need for additional items. This is where having a little extra capacity factored into your survival planning will help the most. One of the simplest ways to achieve this goal is with an extra BOB (bug-out-bag).

An extra BOB will give you excess capacity that can be accessed quickly and will be available if needed in a crisis. If you suddenly find yourself with extra family members present or needing additional items for you or your family, this excess capacity will come in handy to help prevent shortages. This extra BOB could contain additional backups for items of gear that may get lost or broken, extra clothing and additional food or items that may be relevant to your particular needs or situation.

Got extra BOB?                                                    

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Meals - The Advantages of Sandwiches for Survival

Due to their simplicity and familiarity in the eating habits of most people, sandwiches are often overlooked as a simple survival meal. They are a unique creation that can solve a number of problems that arise during a crisis or a disaster. Here are just a few of the advantages of sandwiches for survival.

The Advantages of Sandwiches for Survival

1. Sandwiches are quick and easy to make - They require little if any skill to make and creating a sandwich is limited only by your available ingredients and your imagination. This will also help you save time in your food cooking, preparation and cleanup.

2. Sandwiches can be made with just a few basic ingredients - This will help you conserve your food resources. Bread, biscuits or crackers can be easily converted into a sandwich with the addition of a few basic ingredients.

3. Sandwiches don’t require utensils - You don’t need a plate to eat a sandwich and can conserve your water resources by having less utensils to clean.

4. Sandwiches can be easily adjusted to fit the calories needed to survive - All you need to do is adjust the contents of your sandwich accordingly or simply make an additional sandwich. This enables you manage your food inventory more completely.

5. Sandwiches help conserve fuel resources - They can be eaten hot, cold or at room temperature. Can you say “no cook meal”?

6. Sandwiches are extremely portable - They able to be contained and carried in anything from a napkin, a plastic baggie or a simple piece of tin foil.

7. Sandwiches can be used to eliminate wasted food - Many leftover food items can be converted into sandwich ingredients to help utilize your food inventory in a more efficient manner.

8. Sandwiches can be used to complement other simple survival meals - A sandwich when combined with a bowl of soup goes a long way to satisfy a hungry person.

9. Sandwiches can also add variety to your survival menu - A simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich makes a quick and easy snack that works well to keep everyone in your group in good spirits.

10. Sandwiches can easily meet the needs for feeding a large group  - They can be cut in half, made with a single slice of bread or in a number of ways that will allow you to stretch your food resources.

When it comes down to making simple survival meals, don’t overlook the advantages of sandwiches for survival.

Got PBJ’s?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

DIY Survival Gear - Hiking Sticks for Survival - Storage on a Stick

Here’s a quick and simple way to add storage for your survival gear on your hiking stick. It’s a cheap and easy way to add storage to your stick that also makes a great survival project for the kids. Here’s a breakdown of the tools and other items you will need.

Items Needed:

1. A hiking stick - This is a vital component for the project.

2. A small container - This should be of a diameter that is similar to your stick.

3. A screwdriver - Depending upon the type of screw you can scrounge up, you will need either a Philips head or a blade type screwdriver.

4. A hole starter - This can be a nail, an ice pick, etc.

5. A small screw with an appropriate size washer for it.

6. Gorilla glue or something similar - This is optional if you want to make your storage on a stick a little more secure.

7. Contents for your Stick Storage.

Assembling your storage on a stick:

1. Remove the cap and punch or drill a small hole in the cap of your storage container.

2. Make a small starter hole in your hiking stick for the screw.

3. Fasten the cap in an inverted position on the end of your hiking stick using the screw and washer. Add glue for a more secure or permanent attachment.

4. Assemble your survival gear in your plastic storage container and screw onto cap which has been fastened to the end of your stick.

A clear storage container makes it easy to see the contents. A small knife, a whistle and a small LED flashlight fit easily into the container with room for a couple of band-aids, a firestarter and water purification tablets. A few cotton balls would also help with the rattle factor. Most any type of container will work in this manner.

Got storage on a stick?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Meals - The Advantages of Soup for Survival

In a survival situation or during a crisis, making or preparing simple meals can be one of the best ways to conserve time, energy and resources. Being able to prepare simple meals also increases the ability to use limited skill sets for those persons who possess limited culinary skills. Throughout time soups have been the primary type of meal consumed by people with limited resources. Here are just a few of the advantages of using soup as a simple survival meal.

The Advantages of Soup for Survival

1. Soup is a cost effective and economical meal that can be made from just a few simple ingredients.

2. Soup is generally easy to cook and requires only rudimentary skills to prepare. If you can boil water and stir a pot, you can make a decent soup.

3. Soup can be adjusted easily to feed additional persons. Just add water or additional broth to “stretch” the amount of soup available.  

4. Soup can also provide a variety in your diet with the addition of simple spices and flavorings or by merely changing the basic ingredients.

5. Soup requires only basic cooking and eating utensils. If you’ve got a pot, you have the ability to create a decent soup for a meal.

6. Soup is easy to serve to a large number of people. All you really need are a few cups or bowls and a couple of spoons. It can even be drank or sipped from a cup.

7. Soup requires only minimal cleanup when water resources may be limited. With less utensils to clean, you save time, energy and resources.

8. Soup allows you conserve valuable fuel sources when cooking a meal. In little more than the time it takes to boil water, you can make a decent soup.

9. Soup is also one of the easiest food items that can be fed to persons who are suffering from a number of physical ailments. Soup is great for treating persons suffering from the effects of dehydration due to stomach or intestinal disorders.

10. Soup when combined with a slice of bread, a biscuit or a few crackers can be a very filling meal for even the hungriest of persons.

There is one additional benefit of soup that is also beneficial in a survival situation or a crisis. 

Very few things can make you feel better than a simple bowl of soup.

Got soup for survival?

Staying above the watered down soup line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Bear Grass - A Natural Tinder Source

Yucca filamentosa is commonly known as "Adam's Needle" and is also sometimes referred to as bear grass. Normally Yucca fibers are mainly used as a source for cordage but are sometimes shredded and dried for use as tinder. This can be a fairly time consuming process as it may take a while for the fibers to dry sufficiently for use as tinder. This is a type of Yucca that can be used to avoid this problem.

The unique qualities of the easily recognizable Yucca filamentosa can help you when a good source of tinder is needed. The sword-shaped leaves of the Yucca plant shown in the picture have the distinctive natural threads (filaments) that give this particular type of Yucca plant its scientific name. The filaments on this type of Yucca have an extremely low ignition temperature (i.e., it ignites easily) and make an excellent source of natural tinder that can be harvested quite easily. When the harvested filaments are stuffed into an abandoned bird’s nest, you have an excellent fire nest made entirely from natural sources.

The filaments can be a little difficult to break off if you are harvesting them by hand but if you have a decent knife, a large amount can be obtained fairly quickly. 

Got tinder threads?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker                            

Survival Priorities - The Logistics of Survival

Logistics involves a number of important factors and these are often overlooked when developing your priorities for survival into a manageable plan. A thorough understanding of the logistics of any situation will help you to utilize all of your available resources to achieve the maximum benefit possible. It is also important to remember that a crisis will affect everyone’s survival and not just yours. There will be many others out there who will be struggling to survive the same crisis or disaster.

Survival Logistics

1. Time Management

One of the major factors that comes into play when a crisis occurs is time. You won’t have any time to waste and will need to make every second count. If you have to bug-out, will you have sufficient time to reach your bug-out location or do you have an alternate location that is closer and may serve your purposes? If you don’t have the time to bug-out, do you have sufficient means to shelter in place.

Always allow extra time to accomplish your goals during a crisis or disaster, it will always take a lot longer than you think to get there or to get something done. Plan things to save as much time as possible; because you will need every minute in a crisis

2. Use Information to Your Advantage

The importance of up-to-date information cannot be stressed enough. An accurate level of information will help you stay ahead in the process. Information that is current will keep you informed of any changes that occur which can have a direct effect on your chances for survival.  Changes in the weather, traffic conditions or infrastructure failures can have a significant impact on your chance of survival.

                       

3. Maximizing Transportation Resources

Movement and transportation are also critical factors during a crisis. Do you have sufficient means to transport everyone in your group if you have to move to a different location? Do you have sufficient room for supplies that may be needed? Even though you may even have a certain amount of goods stockpiled at a different location, will you be able to get there? Do your vehicles have sufficient extra capacity to handle extra supplies or additional family members? Allowing for excess capacity when it comes to transportation will help you avoid a critical situation during a crisis. This could be as simple as a large capacity van, a trailer that can be attached to your vehicle or a cargo container strapped on top of your vehicle.

4. Skills and Inventory Management

Keeping a proper inventory of your resources (food, water, etc.) is also essential. It is also important to remember that the people in your group are also one of your most important resources. Although water, food and shelter are all critical items, it is important to utilize the inventory of skills available from the people in your group. You will need to make sure that you have adequate levels of supplies to maintain your group until other resources can be obtained. Knowing the inventory of personal skills of the persons in your group will enable you utilize their skills for the maximum possible benefit of everyone.

5. Increase Security Levels

In normal times, security is not always a prime concern. During a crisis or a disaster, security becomes a critical issue. A crisis will quite often bring out the worst in people. Civil unrest can create a unique set of problems in and of itself. Emergency services, such as law enforcement, firefighters, etc., are quite often overwhelmed when a crisis occurs. Many people will be looking to take advantage of this fact. Taking the necessary steps to increase your levels of security whether you are sheltering in place or bugging-out will be a critical and important part of maintaining your safety during a crisis.

Using logistics in your survival planning may help you become a survivor instead of a statistic. A little common sense helps as well.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Hidden in Plain Sight

Sometimes if you don't want to be noticed, it's a lot easier to just hide in plain sight.


Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker

Survival Tools - The Gurkha Knife

"Gurkha Knife"

When it comes to survival tools, a good blade will always come in handy. There are many various types of blades and they are used to serve a variety of purposes. Having the right tool can save a lot of time and effort on your part. While machetes are quite popular, there is another type of blade that can be used to serve a similar purpose.

The Kukri or Khukuri is of Nepalese origin and has a very distinct shape that is easily recognizable. The blade's distinctive forward curve acts as a weight on the end of the blade. This allows you to obtain more chopping and cutting power from the blade when in use. The kukri is also known as the “Gurkha” blade or “Gurkha” knife depending upon its intended use. Normally, kukris which are 12 inches or less in length are considered as knifes to be used for more routine tasks on a daily basis.

The kukri in the picture above is 11.5 inches in length and works well as a substitute for a larger machete. If you don’t need the extra length and weight of a machete, a small kukri can make a suitable substitute to serve your needs and still give you the chopping power that may be required.  It is also somewhat easier to conceal than a large machete.

Got kukri?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Veteran's Day Salute

To all those who have served and sacrificed for our great country....


Thank You.




RW

Riverwalker's Pics - Mockingbird Eggs in Nest

Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker

Simple Survival Solutions - The Cordage Substitute

When it comes down to your survival, it’s always good to keep things simple. Many times we fail to realize the worth of simple items that can make things easier and less complicated. There is a very simple solution if you find yourself needing a substitute for cordage. This item is compact, lightweight, inexpensive and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.  Many times using this item can solve your problems if you find yourself needing a substitute for cordage.

Zip ties are one of those unique little items that can solve a lot of problems. If you lack decent knot tying skills, a zip tie will quickly make up for this deficiency in your skills. Perhaps you’re a senior citizen type like myself and sometimes have difficulty tying knots especially if the arthritis has been acting up lately. Using a zip tie instead will make up for any loss of manual dexterity you may experience. They also work great if you find yourself in a situation where you may not have the use of both hands due to an injury but still need to secure part of your gear.  

As far as a multi-use item is concerned, zip ties have a lot of possible uses. They can be used as a substitute for cordage, as an emergency tourniquet, to lash tent poles together, make expedient tent repairs, as a substitute for a D-ring to attach gear to your pack or to make a simple zipper pull.

They can even be used to lash a survival pouch to your hiking stick.

Need to put a little “zip” in your survival kit?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Ten Simple Tips for Surviving During Financial Hard Times

While we may be in a current financial situation that is being compared to the Great Depression, it is important to remember that most people survived that crisis. Fear of those times occurring again can cause a lot of people to react in a manner that could make things much worse. Most people during the Depression years managed to stay above water and actually made it through those extremely rough times with a very simplified lifestyle.

There are a number of things people did during the depression years to survive and most involved making changes that simplified their lives and saved money in the process. They avoided needless expenditures in order to conserve their resources and saved whatever they could whenever it was possible.

Ten Simple Tips for Surviving During Financial Hard Times

1. Always put something extra aside. Even with limited resources, you should always make an effort to save a little something for later, just in case that rainy day becomes a flood. It could be as simple as a few extra can goods, an extra set of clothes or just some spare change.

2. Plan and prepare simpler meals. Most people consume way more calories each day than they need to survive. There are many simple one-dish meals (soups, stews, etc.) that can be both nutritional and satisfying. Save the elaborate meals for holiday celebrations or special family gatherings. You may even want to try making a sack lunch instead of eating out at an expensive restaurant or fast food place when at work.

3. Buy used whenever possible. The cost savings can be enormous if you avoid buying new items. There are numerous bargains that can be found at garage sales and thrift shops if you take the time to look for them. Always be on the lookout for a bargain.

4. Make your own repairs whenever possible. Learning to do simple repairs will always save you money. You avoid having to call the repairman and may even learn a few new skills that can be of value to you later. Simple things such as doing your own oil changes on your vehicles will save you lots of money.

5. Purchase only what you need. It’s very easy to spend money on things we don’t actually need. Quite often we buy things merely because we want them. Learn to recognize the difference between what you need and what you want.

6. Avoid debt at all costs. If you can’t afford to pay for it up front, you’ll be better off if you wait until you can pay for it. The last thing you will need during hard times is extra debt to worry about.

7. Eliminate needless expenses. Quite often money is spent on expenses that can be eliminated. Simple things like turning a light off when not needed or using less energy to cook simpler meals can save you money. Don’t make extra trips to the grocery store when a little planning ahead of time can help you get everything you need in one trip instead.

8. Look for sources of additional income. This could be a part-time job or simply doing a few handy-man type jobs to create a little additional income. Having a yard or garage sale to sell some of the excess items that you no longer need can also create some additional revenue.

9. Use alternate forms of entertainment. Try reading that book you’ve had sitting on the shelf forever or playing a simple game of cards. They will occupy your time with little or no cost.

10. Be prepared to change to an even simpler lifestyle. If things should get really bad, you will need to be prepared to make drastic changes in your lifestyle to simplify it even more.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker