Threats to Survival - Part One - Darkness - Friend or Foe?

Many times the greatest threat to our survival is influenced by irrational fears. While there is some basis to our fears, it is our understanding of those fears which will strongly affect the outcome of our survival. Learning to cope with these fears requires a basic knowledge of why we have developed an irrational response to threats to our survival.

Many of us have a basic fear of the darkness. This is due to a variety of factors from our own life experiences. Tales of the boogeyman when we were young made us fearful of the dark but had little or no foundation in the truth. It was simply a way parents controlled unruly children but their actions also instilled a healthy respect for the dangers that can be encountered in the dark. Many dangers of the dark are real but many of the dangers are ones of our own making.

Simply put, darkness is the absence of light. Thus the ability to conquer any fear begins with a thorough understanding of that fear. This is important in order to develop ways to conquer the darkness that will alleviate our fears. One of our most severe shortcomings is our inability to see in the darkness. Our night vision is extremely poor and pales in comparison to other creatures present in our world. This creates problems when it becomes necessary for us to move about or perform tasks in the darkness. Even the simple task of moving from one place to another can create a dangerous situation. We risk injury from falling or tripping over an object even in the safe confines of our home if we move about in the dark unaided.

The darkness comprises nearly half of our existence and it is necessary to deal with this fact. One of the means to conquer a fear of the dark is to combat it with its opposite. Light can banish the darkness and reduce our fears. A flashlight, a simple candle or a roaring campfire can and will help to reduce your fear of the dark. You have given yourself the means and ability to see things more clearly. Those dangers which lurk in the dark have now been brought into the light and your safety and well-being is increased.

The darkness can hide many things. This is the reason a majority of predators; including the two-legged variety, use the darkness to disguise their movements. The darkness can also be your friend because it can hide your presence or activities if necessary. The important thing is to use the qualities of darkness to your advantage to increase your chances of survival.

The darkness is both friend and foe. While we are basically creatures more accustomed to sunlight, it is your actions and a rational response to the darkness that will ultimately determine the outcome of your survival. Understanding our physical limitations caused by darkness and using relevant actions to overcome them will prevent the darkness from becoming your enemy.

Got dark?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Pics - Agnes Vaille Falls

The trail to Agnes Vaille Falls is located in Chalk Creek canyon near Nathrop, Colorado. At the end of the trail you will find Agnes Vaille Falls, a small waterfall that cascades from a rocky shelf below Mt. Princeton (14,197 feet). The trail to the falls is fairly short and is considered a relatively easy trek for most hikers. There is a slight gain in elevation of about 450 feet from the start of the trail head.  Overall this is an easy hike until the end where there are some rocky and fairly steep sections.

Agnes Vaille was a member of the Rocky Mountain Club and had successfully climbed most of the peaks in excess of 14,000 feet but lost her life on the mountains she loved.

You can read about Agnes Vaille and her tragic death on the mountain here:

The Tragedy of Agnes Vaille

Got falling water?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Lost in the Wilderness - The Common Sense Approach to Staying Alive

The most important thing you can do to insure your survival in a wilderness setting is not to get lost in the first place. Unfortunately, people still get lost and put themselves in serious jeopardy when it happens. When you do get lost, you will be on your own until rescued or you can find your way back. Here are a few common sense techniques to help you increase your chances of survival if you do get lost.

Common Sense Tips to Avoid Getting Lost in the Wilderness

1. Make sure someone knows where you're going and how long you'll be gone.- One of the mistakes people often make is to fail to properly inform someone of their activities. If you get lost on the first day of a three day trip, you will have to be able to survive on your own for at least two days and probably longer before rescue efforts may begin.

2. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the area where you will be camping and hiking. - Get a good map of the area and study it carefully. Learn all the major landmarks in the area where you will be staying. Keep the map with you at all times and make notes on it to indicate the area you will be camping and hiking and mark any trails in the area for future reference.  

3. Make sure you take your survival gear with you when hiking. - Survival gear is of no use if it is left in your camp. Make sure you have the minimum requirements to survive - a good knife, fire starting equipment, a means to purify water, a compass, a signal whistle, a flashlight and a good first aid kit.

4. Make sure you carry extra water and food on your hike. - Realize that if you do get lost, having extra water and food will keep you ahead of the game and will save you time that may otherwise be spent searching for water or food.

5. Mark the location of your camp so you can find it. - Mark the location of your camp with markers at different intervals around the perimeter to help you find your way back. Use “line of sight” markers when possible to help you easily see your camp’s location. You don’t want to return from a hike and wind up getting lost when you are only a few hundred feet from the safety and security of your camp.

6. Make sure you stay in the same general area and move only when necessary for safety or security reasons. - Generally your best option is to stay put when you become lost and let them find you. This may not always be possible depending upon the circumstances. If you are in a low area that may be subject to flooding, you need to seek higher ground. If you are out of water, you may need to look for a water source. If the weather is a factor, you may need to search for adequate shelter or the resources to make one.

7. Make sure to avoid traveling at night if at all possible. - If you got lost in the daylight, you won’t find your way back in the dark. You will also put yourself at risk for a serious injury if you are stumbling around in the dark. Always allow sufficient time to return to camp before it gets dark. It is a lot easier to become disoriented in your surroundings when it starts to get dark.

8. Make sure to leave plenty of tracks, trail markers or signs to indicate your direction of travel when hiking and remember to use these to help you return to camp. - Use whatever resources you have or can find and take the time to leave as many indicators for your direction of travel as possible. These may be the only thing you need to find your way back.

Got that lost feeling?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Free Digital Copy of Self Reliance Illustrated

Stealth Survival has teamed up with Self Reliance Illustrated in a special giveaway for the readers of Stealth Survival. In an effort to help everyone increase their self reliance, any of my readers who would like a free digital copy of any of the issues of Self Reliance Illustrated can receive a free digital copy of one of the premier self reliance magazines available.

How do you get your free digital copy? It’s easy. Leave a comment on this post stating you want to be more self reliant.

Then go to: http://www.selfrelianceillustrated.com/backissues.htm

Then pick out the issue of Self Reliance Illustrated you would like to receive from the issues that are currently available.

Then send an email to Self Reliance Illustrated at: info@selfrelianceillustrated.com   

In the subject line of your email enter Free Digital Copy and in the body of the email state the number of the issue you would like to receive and Self Reliance Illustrated will send you a free digital copy. Don’t forget to mention that RW sent you.

Self Reliance Illustrated is a collaborative effort of Dave Canterbury’s Pathfinder School and Blind Horse Knives. Each issue covers a wide variety of topics from shelter and food requirements, knot tying and fire-making...just to name a few. SRI has numerous articles by some of the most knowledgeable people in the preparedness and survival community who want you to be better informed and hopefully develop the necessary skills to enable you to become more self reliant. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to check out Self Reliance Illustrated,

Got SRI?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Urban Survival Tools - Part One

Urban Survival Tool

Many times the tools shown being used for survival deal with rural or wilderness settings. The truth of the matter is that far more of us will be dealing with survival in an urban setting. The vast majority of people don't live in remote wilderness areas but instead must deal with the problems of surviving in an urban environment. If things go bad or take a turn for the worse, you may wish you had a different set of tools to get the job done.

In my next series of posts, we will take a look at the various kinds and types of tools you may need for urban survival. Even the simplest of tools can make an extreme difference when viewed from the perspective of an urban environment. There are many unique challenges to surviving in an urban setting. Hopefully you will have the right tools when needed.

In Part Two, we will do a real "world test" of  the Smith & Wesson Extraction & Evasion Tool.

Got urban survival tools?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review - Traveler by John Wilson

What would you do to survive in a world with dwindling resources and desperate people? In Traveler by John Wilson, this is the ultimate question you will be asking yourself. The book is a thought-provoking look at the harsh realities of survival and the things that you may be required to do in order to survive.

                                                                                   

Would you pretend to be something you’re not? Or take your chances with the truth, only to be disappointed by the harsh realities of a changing world. A changing world in which the only difference between friend and foe may be your only chance for another meal or a warm place to sleep.

In his book, John Wilson examines the moral dilemma of what’s right or wrong. True reality becomes blurry at best and it becomes extremely difficult to see who the real threat to your survival is and the difficulty of choosing the path you must take for survival.

                                                                                                        

Here are a couple of brief excerpts from the book:

“Rob’s smile was suddenly gone. “Okay, kid, I won’t destroy your delusions. But it’s obvious to anyone paying attention that we’re on the down side of the slope. Resources are getting scarcer every year...people are getting more desperate... more vicious. It doesn’t take a fortune teller to see which way this world is going.”

The girl honestly asked ”So you don’t think the old world will ever come back?”

“Nope...” A few years from now they’ll all be extinct, they’ll be as dead as the dodo, but people like me will still be here.”

If you want to read a book that examines the concept of “survival of the fittest” and what it truly takes to survive, perhaps it’s time for you to read “Traveler” by John Wilson.

Got Traveler?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Five Rules for Survival

You must be prepared to take any and all actions necessary if you find yourself in a survival situation.  You will need to be prepared to utilize any and all resources in order to insure your survival. Your skills and your knowledge may be put to the ultimate test. This will be a test that you can’t afford to fail.

Five Rules for Survival

Rule #1 - There are no rules. In a survival situation, your actions shouldn’t be bound by arbitrary rules that may exist and be essential to maintain order and stability in normal times. Things are not going to be anywhere close to normal in a survival situation until you’ve managed to get control of your circumstances.

Rule #2 - There is no guarantee of survival. Despite your best efforts, you or a member of your family or group may not survive. You will need to be prepared for this eventuality if it happens. There will still be family members or others in your group that may be depending upon you for help and guidance.

Rule #3 - There is no second chance. You will need to give it your best effort the first time if you want to survive. You probably won’t get a second chance.

Rule #4 - Don’t depend upon luck to save you. Your luck has probably run out if you find yourself in a survival situation. Put your faith in your knowledge and skills to help you survive.

Rule #5 - Never give up. If you give up, you lose the battle for survival. It’s really that simple.

Got rules for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review - SAS Guide to Desert Survival

From the introduction to the final page with the Five Golden Rules of Survival, the SAS Guide to Desert Survival by Barry Davies covers the major factors that can affect your survival. This is a compact guide to surviving not only in a desert environment but a comprehensive guide that covers all the basic items and more that will be needed for your survival.

The contents are broken down into not only the basic requirements for shelter, water, food, and fire but also include helpful tips about the equipment you will need, medical priorities, and survival medicine.

It’s also compact enough to fit easily in your backpack or bug-out bag but where space may be at a premium. With over 150 pages of comprehensive information, it is presented in a useful format that allows anyone to access needed information quickly and effortlessly. This is one item that should be included in every backpack.

While the book gives many useful and worthwhile tips for survival in an extreme desert environment (or Texas summers), it also contains a wealth of additional survival information that is suitable for both the novice and the more experienced outdoorsman. This is information which could play a critical part in your survival.

From knots to fire-making techniques, the SAS Desert Guide to Survival is full of useful tips and plenty of illustrations to guide you in your quest for survival. It’s also available at a very affordable price that won’t wreck your budget or break your piggy bank.

Got heat?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Training for Survival - Avoiding the Popsicle Syndrome

When faced with a survival situation, the stress that occurs can cause a wide variety of reactions in people. A proper response to a survival situation can be achieved with the proper training and preparation. Quite often people react to the immediate stress of a survival situation with inaction. They will literally find themselves frozen in place and unable to take the necessary actions that may be needed to help them survive. They have literally fallen victim to the “Popsicle Syndrome”. They will suddenly be unable to take the required measures to allow them to effectively react to a survival situation.

Training drills are an effective way to help combat this problem. With the proper training, you won’t suffer from the information overload that can cause you to stress out to the point where you are suddenly “frozen in place” and unable to react. You need to train your brain to react in a positive manner when confronted with difficult situations. A lack of inaction on your point can decrease your chances for survival.

When conducting emergency drills at work, it is not uncommon for persons in my charge to literally freeze up. The flashing lights and warning sirens may not even be enough to shake them out of their stupor. They stand there like a test dummy and may not even react when confronted by someone else who is trying to get them to respond to the threat. If they were on a sinking ship, they quite literally wouldn’t be able to don a lifejacket...even though it could mean the difference in their ability to survive.

Training will enable you to take the proper and necessary action in a survival situation and it will be a key factor in your ability to survive. You will not only be able to recognize what needs to be done but you will have the ability to get it done. Being prepared to face a threat by properly training your mind and your body to respond accordingly will give you a definite advantage in a survival situation.

You don’t want to be a “popsicle” when things start to heat up.

Got training?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

RW Tours an Atlas Survival Shelter

Shane Connor from ki4u.com has placed an Atlas Survival Shelter on display at his facility. I recently had an opportunity to make a short trip to his facility in Gonzales, Texas and  “take the tour” of a survival shelter. You can contact shane@ki4u.com to obtain more information on the different Atlas Survival Shelters that are available.

This is a view of the main entrance to the shelter. You can also see the flange "connecting tube" for what will be the below entrance. 

This is an outside view of the escape hatch and the outside air duct. Having an escape hatch is a primary and extremely critical part of any survival shelter.

This a view of the NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) Air Filtration System in the shelter. This is another critical component of any type of survival shelter.

Here is a view of the inside access to the escape hatch. This will give you an additional way out  if your main entrance is blocked.

Here is a view of the entryway and the overhead lighting. The shelter has both AC and DC power options.

This is a view of the living area with a full-size sofa. It didn't appear to be a "sleeper" sofa which would probably be a good idea to give you additional sleeping space.

This is a view of the microwave and refrigerator. These were AC powered units and a DC alternative would probably be needed. Otherwise, you'll be eating most of your meals cold and straight from the can.

This is a view of the "entertainment area" of the shelter. Probably don't want to rely on satellite or cable reception. I'd stick with a few DVD's and a12 volt DC automobile DVD player.

This is a view of the sink area and some of the overhead storage space that is included. Chances are you will need additional storage capacity and there is adequate room to add additional storage cabinets.

This is a view of the counter area and the additional cabinet storage in the sink / kitchen area.

There was additional storage space in recessed floor compartments throughout the shelter. This is an important part of a shelter in order to have room to store additional supplies and gear.

Here's a view of the bunk beds in the survival shelter. There were a total of four bunk beds and room for a full size queen bed on the other end of the shelter.

There was also a small toilet area which had a chemical toilet. I didn't see any type of shower facility and this would probably need to be addressed. Otherwise, you may be taking a lot of sponge baths.

Whether you are planning to buy a ready-made shelter or build your own, it's probably a good idea to tour an actual shelter and see what it includes and what may be needed to cover your needs.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - River Shelter

Rocky Outcropping

In a wilderness setting, rocky outcroppings often have areas that often provide suitable areas for use as temporary shelters. They quite often will be found on higher ground and can provide you with protection from the elements.

River Shelter

The above picture shows a small cave-like area in a rocky outcropping. Just be sure to check that there aren't any current residents before making it a temporary shelter. Natural shelters give you the advantage of not having to use valuable resources to build a shelter. This enables you to save a substantial amount of time and effort by using natural forms of shelter.

Got river shelter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Blue Darner

Dragonflies are often seen around or near sources of water. They are a good indicator that you may be near a small stream, pond or river. This could be vital to your survival if you are looking for a source of water.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Surviving a Life Changing Event - Dealing with the Personal Nature of Survival

Surviving a disaster is often just the beginning of any ordeal. A disaster can have an immediate and lasting effect on every aspect of your life. This can completely change the circumstances you may have to deal with after the disaster. It is this personal nature of survival that often catches people by surprise and then manages to leave them in a vulnerable position.

Having recently survived a heart attack, there were some obvious vulnerabilities that would require changes in my preparations. There were also some things that I had done right that worked to my advantage. If you develop even minor health problems, you’d better be prepared to deal with the changes that are going to be required to get your life back on track.

Now for an old guy in his early sixties to survive a heart attack is a pretty good accomplishment. You often don’t get a second chance. When I questioned the doctors about it, they said the fact that I was in relatively good health was the probably the most important factor in this case. Unfortunately, surgery was needed to correct the problem and this created a whole new set of problems.

The first thing that disappeared was my independence.  I had to rely almost completely upon someone else to get anything accomplished. With my physical abilities severely limited, it was going to take a good support network to manage even the simplest of activities. Having to rely almost totally on someone else to accomplish even the most routine and mundane of activities can be extremely hard to accept, especially if you've been fiercely independent most of your life. Even simple things like getting dressed became an almost overwhelming task and you could forget about things like driving a vehicle or having to carry anything with substantial weight. Doing it myself just wasn’t going to happen.

The next thing that started disappearing was money. Even with good health insurance, there are going to be a wide variety of extra expenses that are going to pop up. Deductibles and co-pays can add up quickly but it’s all the little things that can leave you in bind very quickly. Fuel expenses for trips back and forth can also add substantially to the cost. When combined with the added cost of medications or the need for a special diet, it won’t take long for your finances to be suffering a disaster of their own as a result. This is also true for other types of disasters.

Time also becomes critical and has a very real and personal impact on your situation. You will need time to heal and depending upon the nature of your problem the amount of time needed will vary greatly. This could affect your job status or any other plans you may have made to work on or complete other projects that may have already been scheduled. Things may literally come to a halt until your recovery is complete. This could be anything from a few days to a couple of weeks in the case of a minor event or several months or even years to overcome a major event.

So what are some of the common factors that will help in dealing with the personal nature of survival? There are a few basic items that may help you in this respect when dealing with a disaster.

Common Factors

1. Maintenance - Maintenance should be a priority. Whether it’s your body, your vehicle, your gear or your home, if you don’t work to keep it in the best possible shape, you could be seriously endangering your ability to survive. Always make sure that everything is in the best condition possible. If you’ve got health issues, then seek out ways to make your situation better. If you have problems with your vehicles or gear, work to resolve or correct the problems.

2. The Emergency Fund - Whether you are trying to return to normal after an illness, injury or some other natural disaster, you are going to need extra funds. Maintaining the maximum emergency fund possible will help you overcome this obstacle.

3. Time Management - Time can be a friend as well as an enemy. It’s how you make use of it that determines its true value. Utilizing your time in a positive manner will allow you to achieve the fastest results.  Make time work for you instead of against you.

4. Support Network - There may come a time when you will be unable to handle things by yourself. In cases such as this, you will need family members and friends who can help you, until you can get things back to normal; you are going to need all the help you can get. Whether you’re doing repairs or just need a helping hand while you are recuperating from an injury or an illness, you will need the support of family and friends.

These are just some of the common factors when it comes to dealing the personal nature of survival. Survival will always be an extremely personal experience and you should always strive to be prepared to handle any of the lifestyle changes that may occur.

I also visited with my friend John Wesley Smith on his radio program where we further discussed options for being prepared for life changing events. Here's the link:

http://destinysurvival.com/2012/08/24/what-if-the-life-changing-event-you-experience-isnt-one-youve-prepared-for/

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Planning Ahead - Shelter and the Shovel - A Story of Real Life Survival

A close family member used to tell a story that has a valuable lesson for everyone. While serving in the Navy, he did a tour of duty in a place called Adak, Alaska. It was pretty cold, windy and snowed a lot.

He was a storekeeper and was in charge of a large warehouse with all kinds of supplies for the military base. The most popular items requested were always blankets, boots and booze. There were also lots of other items in the warehouse. The most important of which was snow shovels.

His story was really quite short. It left you with the sort of feeling that if you failed to plan ahead, you may not survive very long. It’s the simple things you fail to prepare for that will quite literally ruin your chances for survival. Here is that story.

“He looked up and saw a new recruit entering the warehouse. He knew immediately that he was going to have to drag out some blankets and boots. He doubted the rookie, who had just entered the building, knew what he was in for now that he had arrived at base. He knew the extreme weather conditions could be a real “SOB”. He also knew most raw recruits doing their first tour of duty had no idea of what they were going to be in for now that they had arrived.

The rookie walked up to his desk and reported that he was here to pick up his gear and presented the standard requisition form. He took the form and proceeded to tear it up. The rookie spoke up quickly saying, “Sir, why are you doing that?” He then stated, “Forget all this stuff son. You won’t be needing most of it anyway. Besides, I’ve already got your gear ready and waiting for you in that pile right over there.”

The rookie looked at the pile of gear and the first thing he noticed was a shovel. He hadn’t requested a shovel and had already seen lots of shovels stacked inside the doorways of most of the buildings already.

He then remarked, “But sir, I shouldn’t need a shovel because I’ve already seen plenty of shovels inside most of the buildings already. Besides that, I’ve seen the heavy equipment outside and it’s a lot more efficient in moving snow than a man with a shovel.”

The grizzled old veteran looked at the rookie and could only shake his head. The rookie had given very little thought to his present situation. It was time to tell him about the way things really are and what the rookie was about to experience. He then instructed the rookie to take a seat while he explained how things worked in the real world.

The grizzled old veteran took a few moments to get his thoughts together and then went on to explain a few things to the rookie.

“You see son, life requires you to plan ahead if you want to survive. You’ve already noticed all the shovels everywhere and you should have realized that they must be important. You can look at your pile of gear and there’s another shovel for you there also.” The rookie responded, “I didn’t even include a shovel on my original requisition form you tore up.”

The old man responded, “Of course not, the newbies never do. But that’s because you don’t know what you’re up against and it’s my job to make sure you have the equipment you need to survive. This place can be one of the coldest and most God-forsaken places on earth and if you’re not prepared, the weather will kill you faster than the enemy. When we get a bad blizzard, it gets bad enough to make a polar bear cry and they’re a lot better equipped to handle the weather than you are. You need to remember that we need shelter to protect us from those really bad blizzards and snow storms.” The new recruit then asked, “But how’s a shovel going to help me survive?”

Once again the old veteran spoke to the rookie. “It’s like this son. When we get a blizzard, you’re going to need that shovel because it’s going to be needed to dig your way out of here.” The rookie briefly interrupted saying “There are already plenty of shovels and therefore I shouldn’t need one.” The old veteran just shook his head and then continued with his explanation.

“Hopefully, there will be two things that you will learn while you’re stationed here. The first thing you need to learn is that everyone is expected to do their share. That’s why everyone, including you, gets a shovel. The second thing you need to learn is that when there’s only one way in, you need to have a plan for getting out. Otherwise, a box with only way in is only going to become a coffin.” 

The rookie rose slowly from his seat and walked over to the pile of gear and picked up his shovel. On his way out of the warehouse the old veteran heard him say just one word, “Thanks.”

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Diablos at the Ditch

Chicken Diablos

RW, Jr. and myself made a quick trip to Austin a couple of days ago to pick up a few preps. While we were there, we had some of the local cuisine at a popular restaurant called El Arroyo (aka, The Ditch). The restaurant sits completely on top of a ditch (arroyo). RW, Jr. had BBQ enchiladas and yours truly had the grilled Chicken Diablos.  Chicken Diablos are pretty easy to make if you're looking for a different kind of appetizer that can be made on the grill. They're just a strip of chicken with a slice of jalapeno wrapped in bacon and grilled till done. 

Mighty good eating with a little Chipotle sauce for dipping your diablos.

Got grilled diablos for dipping?

Staying above the ditch line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Intangible Survival Skills

There are some items that can’t be put in a survival kit. These are the skills that are developed through knowledge and experience. Once these intangible skills have been developed, you will have an overwhelming and very distinct advantage in any crisis.  

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Intangible Survival Skills

1. Knowledge - This is the foundation for all your intangible skills. The knowledge you acquire can form a basis for proper action in any crisis or survival situation.

2. Common Sense - This is the guide for applying your knowledge. Using common sense as a guide may help prevent you from doing something that could have disastrous consequences in a crisis.

3. Attitude - Attitude is everything. With a positive attitude, there are few obstacles to your survival that can’t be overcome.

4. Adaptability - This gives you the ability to accept a sudden change in your circumstances and to modify your actions to allow better control of those changes and turn them into a positive advantage.

5. Perseverance - This is what keeps you going when others have given up or lost their will to survive. It is what gives you the strength to keep going when things get tough.

6. Innovation - This is the practical application of your knowledge to meet your needs by developing a solution to your problems or to provide a means to overcome obstacles you may encounter.

7. Discipline - Good mental discipline is what will keep you focused on your goals and increase the chances for your survival.

8. Confidence - This is having faith in yourself and your abilities and knowing you have what it takes to survive.

9. Creativity - This is the power of your imagination that can provide valuable resources when none are readily apparent.

10. Wisdom - This gives your knowledge strength of purpose when combined with your experience.

Developing and using your intangible survival skills are a vital aspect of survival. They can help you effectively manage a crisis when there may be no other resources available and increase your chances for survival.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker 

Riverwalker’s Rule of Three for Group Survival

We all like to think of ourselves as being self-reliant enough to handle a crisis. This “macho” attitude can get you into serious trouble. There are many situations during a crisis where you are going to need assistance and going it alone can be a dangerous practice. There’s an old saying that two heads are better than one. If you have three, you will be in an even better position to survive.

At a minimum, you should have three persons in your group to give you the best possible circumstances in which to handle a crisis or a survival situation.

Riverwalker’s Rule of Three for Group Survival - The Major Factors

1. The first major factor that can affect your survival is an injury or an illness.

If you are alone and injured, you may have created one of the worst possible scenarios for a survival situation. Using the Rule of Three for Group Survival can help you effectively solve this problem. If one person becomes sick or injured, the second one can see to their needs while the third one seeks help. Two people can also make a litter to carry the injured person if necessary to vacate the area for safety reasons.

2. The second major factor that can affect your survival is security.

If you find yourself alone and you have a need to create a secured area or perimeter, you are going to experience a lot of difficulties and problems. Using the Rule of Three for Group Survival will make it a lot easier to maintain your security. You also won’t have to worry about how you are going to stay awake for the duration. Having three in your group will give others a chance to rest for short periods and this will help to maintain levels of alertness of everyone in the group.

3. The third major factor is creating or finding adequate shelter.

You may not always have the luxury of time in a crisis. In fact, the opposite is more likely to occur. Three persons can find the resources quicker and assemble adequate shelter in a faster and more effective manner. Sometimes it simply needs an extra pair of hands to help hold something in place while it’s secured.

4. The fourth major factor is the need for fire, water and food.

Since time will always be a critical factor in a crisis, you can use the division of labor to your advantage. Using the Rule of Three for Group Survival, one person can seek a water source, the second person can look for food and the third person can work at building a fire.  This will save time and increase your chances of fulfilling your immediate needs.

5. The fifth major factor will be the lack of individual skills.

Although there are exceptions, there are very few individuals that have the complete set of skills that may be required in a survival situation. Your skill levels will probably excel in certain areas but not all. If you have any areas of weakness in your skills, you are going to find out quickly how much that can affect your survival. Using the Rule of Three for Group Survival will give you a larger pool of resources when the need for essential survival skills may be critical.

When possible, it is always best to use strength in numbers as an effective strategy for survival.

Got three for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Survival Gear Review - Rapid Response Knife 3.90 from Coast Products

A good knife is vital in a survival situation but it should also serve a useful purpose for your daily needs. The Rapid Response 3.90 Knife from Coast Products may be just the EDC (Every Day Carry) item that can satisfy your needs in a survival situation as well as those needs you may encounter on a daily basis.

One of the most important things about a good blade is its basic design. In this respect, the Rapid Response 3.90 Knife starts out strong and gets high rankings in the design category. A properly designed knife will be both functional and durable and provide many years of reliable service.

One of the outstanding things about the Rapid Response 3.90 Knife is that it is a Ron Lake design. Ron Lake, a custom knife maker from Eugene, Oregon, is widely known to most serious knife collectors and co-authored the book “How To Make Folding Knives”. He is simply one of the best knife makers around and his design innovations have led to significant improvements in folding knives. His custom knives are considered highly prized pieces in any knife collection. This knife has several features that have been incorporated into its design that will almost certainly make this a reliable piece of equipment without the “custom” price. 

The knife features the new Smooth Assist Technology (S.A.T.) that allows rapid deployment of the blade with a simple flick of the thumb stud on the blade. The roller bearing design appears well made which should make it extremely reliable. The blade responded quickly and was very smooth to operate even though it was being done by an “older” guy. The thumb studs on the blade also come in an ambidextrous configuration suitable for either right or left-handed use. 

This knife also has a somewhat different type of pocket clip. The pocket clip, which is also reversible, has a raised portion on the end. This made it easy to slip onto my pocket and also made it quite easy to pull the knife from my pocket. All that was needed was to hook my finger on the raised end of the clip and the knife comes out very quickly and easily.

Another great item is the Max-Lock feature. This allows the knife to be locked in either the closed or open position. In the open position the blade is actually “double” locked by the slide switch and the liner lock mechanism and this gives you a really secure feeling when the blade is open. When closed and in the locked position, you won’t have to worry about the blade accidentally opening.

Even though this particular knife weighs only 4.8 ounces and feels very lightweight, it responds and acts like a real heavyweight. With an overall length of 8 3/4 inches and a blade length of 3.9 inches, this is a decent size folding knife suitable for a wide variety of tasks, big and small. The Rapid Response 3.90 Knife comes in a non-serrated, high-carbon stainless steel blade with a satin finish. There are different versions available from Coast Products in black that also include a partially serrated edge on the blade.

The textured nylon handle was also a very comfortable fit and worked well even in an overhand grip. The pocket clip didn’t affect my grip and didn’t make a significant difference when grasping the knife. There is also a ridged thumb support on the top of the blade that gives you better control when working with your knife. The blade was also sharp “out of the package” and quickly removed a sizable patch of hair from my arm in short order with only a couple of quick passes.

The shipping was very fast and the knife was received in only a few days from Coast Products in Oregon. The packaging was quite sturdy and the knife was in excellent condition when it was received.

With an overall design that makes its operation not only smooth but safe as well, this knife offers reliable quality at a price that makes it easily affordable for both daily use or in an extreme survival situation.

Now all that’s needed is a “backup in black” for my “Stealth” mode.

Got Rapid Response?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker