Review: Big Frig Denali Pro Cooler

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Rotomolded coolers are all the rage with soccer moms, frat boys, outdoor enthusiasts, and preppers alike. This is due to the fact that they are practically indestructible, keep ice cold for a long time, and can hold enough beverages to get the entire 1996 Dallas Cowboys team drunk. Hunters and fishermen love these coolers, too, since they're a great place to store meat in remote locations. From an emergency preparedness standpoint, it's wise to have a large cooler on hand to preserve food during a power outage, or transport it to your bug-out location without worrying about spoilage.

The Big Frig Denali Pro

These days, it seems like every Tom, Dick, and Harry has come out with their own version of the trendy rotomolded cooler. Names like YETI, RTIC, Engel, Orca, and Pelican have all been emblazoned on white, tan, and coral-colored coolers across the country. These range from less than $100 to more than $1,000 and come in a variety of sizes, but at the end of the day, most of them are relatively minor variations on the same product.

However, even with so many coolers to choose from, if you do your research you can find some that stand out in the crowd. We have used coolers from all of those companies we named, and while they're all respectable choices, we're always on the lookout for new and improved gear. That's when we came across a brand we hadn't heard of previously: Big Frig.

Started in 2016, Big Frig came about by selling tumblers and coolers in bulk to schools, businesses, churches, and other organizations. Once the owner realized he could sell the coolers in quantity at a lower cost than most of the companies on the market, it was gangbusters from there. Now you can find Big Frig coolers in outdoor stores across the country, as well as online and direct from Big Frig. In order to test the company's offerings from an emergency preparedness standpoint, we picked up a 70-qt Denali Pro cooler. This line of coolers comes standard with wheels, a dry goods basket, and a divider that doubles as a cutting board.

Here's a quick overview of the 70-qt Denali Pro specs:

Capacity: 70 quarts / 60 lbs of ice

External Dimensions: 33.5 by 17.5 by 18 inches

Internal Dimensions: 27 by 12 by 13.5 inches

Weight: 37 lbs

Colors: White, Sand, Desert Camo

MSRP: $375

Solving Common Cooler Problems

One of the biggest complaints of some of the larger coolers on the market is a lack of mobility. Having to carry a 100+ pound cooler filled with ice, food, and drinks to and from your campsite, boat, bonfire, or bug-out truck can be a literal pain in the back. This has been such a problem that companies have created optional wheel kits to add to coolers that lack wheels.

Having these included standard on the Big Frig cooler is a fantastic feature. But Big Frig didn't just slap some cheap plastic wheels on their cooler, it used 7.25-inch-diameter rubber tires. This gives nice shock absorption and the ability to cruise across the top of the sand at the beach, as opposed to sinking in. Non-slip rubber feet also help the cooler stay put when it's not rolling.

Another chief complaint about many coolers is how hard they can be to open. On a hot summer day the last thing you want is something standing between you and that icy cold beverage. The reason for this problem is the temperature differential between inside and outside, which causes a pressure differential. While this is more of a nuisance than anything, Big Frig went the extra mile and added a pressure release valve on the front of their coolers. Press this and the pressure inside equalizes with the outside — voila, no more fighting to get at your refreshment of choice.

Big Frig also threw in a few clever added features, such as stainless steel bottle openers integrated into the corners of the cooler, and a ruler on top for measuring fish you catch.

Insulation Test

Many of the new-style rotomolded coolers that have popped up in the past few years claim to retain ice for a week or longer. Big Frig says that the 70-quart Pro series cooler will hold 60 pounds of ice and keep it “cold for up to 10 days”. We wanted to test the insulation of this cooler in the real world, so we filled it with ice and checked it daily.

Now, a couple notes about our test. If you want to keep ice for many days, it is important to cool the foam, or core, of the cooler before you fill it with ice. This can be accomplished by leaving it outside if it is cool enough, putting it in a freezer overnight, or putting some sacrificial ice in it to cool it down. Otherwise, any residual warmth retained by the cooler itself will accelerate melting and throw off the results.

For our test, we used the sacrificial ice method and left it overnight. The next day, we filled the cooler with ice and drinks to simulate real-life usage. We opened the cooler once a day to check the ice level. The temperatures were in the low- to mid-70s in the day and 40s at night. After 3 days, the ice was obviously beginning to melt, and its level was receding.

Another key for extended ice retention is keeping the drain plug in place, assuming the cooler's contents are fully waterproof. Even though the cooler was more water than ice by day 6, the water was just above freezing and obviously much cooler than the outside air that would fill the cooler if we were to drain it.

By day 8, the ice in the cooler was fully floating in the water. This lasted for several days as the ice slowly melted in the chilly water. It took 14 days for all the ice in the cooler to melt. And even still, the water could be considered cool with a temperature around 37 degrees.

In the heat of the summer, if you were actually using the cooler and opening it many times a day, you probably wouldn't see 10+ days of ice. However, our real-world test showed that the Big Frig should easily be able to keep its contents ice cold during most camping or hunting trips and short-term emergencies.

Conclusion

Overall, the Big Frig cooler impressed us with its thoughtful features and clever design. While there’s a lot to like about it, we would love to see a better-designed handle on the side opposite the wheels, or even a secondary rigid handle. This would make transport via the wheels easier.

A way to strap the cooler down without interfering with access to its contents would be useful as well. Nobody wants their fully-loaded cooler bouncing around in the bed of their truck — or worse, tumbling out.

Even with those items we would like added, the Big Frig Denali cooler is one of our favorites in its class, and we look forward to seeing how it holds up to use in the years to come. For more information on Big Frig coolers, tumblers, and other products, visit BigFrig.com.

Pros:

  • More affordable than most similar-sized coolers
  • The inclusion of wheels is a big plus
  • Lots of standard features, such as the integrated pressure valve and bottle openers

Cons:

  • We would trade the fish measuring scale on the lid for a cup holder (or two)
  • Needs a rigid handle opposite the wheels
  • Additional tie-down points on the exterior would be nice, especially if they still allowed access to opening the lid

Hot and Bothered: Surviving Heat & Humidity

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This article originally appeared in Issue 4 of our magazine.

The summer months bring with them the warmth and humidity we’ve come to expect. Most of us look forward to being outside and enjoying the nice weather. Whether it’s that half-marathon you’d like to cross off your bucket list or maybe just a short hike, it’s no surprise people are more active in the summer months.

Hot and humid weather combined with increased activity has no doubt contributed to incidents of heat-related illnesses. Hyperthermia occurs when your body’s core temperature reaches levels greatly above normal (98.6 degrees F), which would begin at about 100 degrees F. Depending on the severity of hyperthermia, it can bring about several other critical issues, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. These can occur with and without exercise — however, we’ll focus here on exercise-related heat illnesses. We’ll look at what you can do to better prepare yourself, and what to do if it’s too late. Understanding practical steps you can take is imperative to your safety.

Exertional Heatstroke

Exertional (yes, that’s a word!) heatstroke is a life-threatening illness that occurs when the body is unable to dissipate the heat it is storing and reaches critical temperatures, according to the Health Care of Homeless Persons manual. This leads to a breakdown of the body’s heat-control mechanisms.

Signs:

  • Disorientation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Extreme thirst
  • Disorientation
  • Convulsions
  • Coma

Predisposing Factors:

  • Obesity
  • Dehydration
  • Low physical fitness level
  • Lack of heat acclimatization

Exertional Heat Exhaustion

Exertional heat exhaustion is significant weakness that occurs when too much fluid and electrolytes are lost through sweating. This generally leads to an inability to continue exercise.

Signs:

  • Fatigue
  • Thirst
  • Malaise
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Profuse sweating

Predisposing Factors:

  • Dehydration
  • High body mass
  • Lack of heat acclimatization

Above: According to the Journal of Athletic Training, on average, your body temperature increases 0.4 degrees F for every percent of body mass lost through sweating in hot and humid environments.

Before Activity

Environment

To stay safe in hot and humid conditions, you really have to know your environment. Dry heat conditions, such as in a desert, typically have high ambient temperatures, but low humidity. Conditions like this allow for heat to dissipate effectively through evaporation. By contrast, humid weather can be especially dangerous because moisture in the air doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate well, keeping the sweat rate high without the attendant cooling effect.

Another factor to consider is time of day. Solar radiation peaks around noon, which is when sunburn occurs the quickest. The highest temperatures, however, usually occur around 3 to 4 p.m., depending on cloud cover. Wear sunscreen when appropriate, and do your best to avoid these hotter times.

Clothing Options

The clothes you wear can make a significant difference in how you tolerate the heat. Clothing creates a microenvironment between your skin and the fabric, which will affect your body’s ability to dissipate heat through sweating. Clothing that absorbs sweat will not allow that heat to be transferred away from your body, making matters worse, according to Advanced Environmental Exercise Physiology. As more heat is generated through activity, it creates a situation where heat builds up without being released.

First, limit the amount of clothing you’re wearing. More skin exposure results in better heat dissipation. Next, look for light-colored, moisture-wicking fabric. Light-colored clothes reflect more of the heat radiating from the sun, and moisture-wicking fabric allows sweat to be transferred to the material, where it will evaporate. Cotton or wool retains heat by trapping sweat in the fabric. If you only have cotton garments, look for something loose-fitting. This allows more airflow to your skin and increases evaporative heat loss.

Pre-cooling

Pre-cooling your body is another effective way to safely lengthen the amount of time it takes for your body to reach critical temperatures, according to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Some options include spending some time in an air-conditioned building or vehicle, placing a cold wet towel on the back of your neck or drinking cool water. Regardless of the method, this can lengthen the time you can safely spend time in this type of environment.

Hydration

Hydration in hot and humid environments cannot be stressed enough. Since sweating is your body’s primary method of cooling, dehydration can occur during hyperthermic conditions if you aren’t regularly drinking.

An accurate way to see if you’re dehydrated is by observing your urine color. Urine that is clear may indicate you are overhydrated, while pale yellow, somewhat resembling lemonade, would represent adequate hydration. When urine color is darker, similar to apple juice, it’s a pretty good indicator that you are dehydrated, and fluid intake is highly recommended at that point. Look to drink about 16 to 20 ounces of water one-and-a-half to two hours before activity.

To prevent dehydration during activity, drink roughly 7 to 10 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes.

During Activity

Activity should also be altered in these environments to reduce the likelihood of developing heat illnesses. It’s far too common for people to wait until there are warning signs before they reduce intensity — you should try your best to avoid this situation. Reduce the intensity at which you’ll be working, especially if you aren’t accustomed to this type of weather. When possible, take short breaks to avoid reaching high temperatures.

To prevent dehydration during activity, drink roughly 7 to 10 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes. Many of the popular sports drinks contain electrolytes, which are lost in sweat. If you’re planning on being active for 75 minutes or longer, a sports drink may be beneficial. Otherwise, water will do just fine.

After Activity

It’s very important to rehydrate after being out in the heat. To figure out how much to drink, you would ideally measure your bodyweight before and after being active or in the environment. Following this guideline, drink between 20 and 24 ounces for every pound of bodyweight that you lost. Whether it’s water or a sports drink, opt for something cold to help bring down your core temperature faster.

Treatment

So, what if it’s too late? First and foremost, try to reduce as many environmental variables as possible by moving indoors or to a shaded area. The most effective cooling method is immersion in cool water, but not cold water. Water that is too cold can cause shock. The problem is that it’s not practical for most people. A more realistic option would be placing cold wet towels on the back of your neck, splashing cold water on your body, or the use of fans to circulate air toward you. If symptoms are severe, such as in the case of exertional heatstroke, medical assistance is highly recommended to quickly replace the lost fluids and reduce temperatures.

Heat can create a very dangerous situation if you’re not ready. Know the environment, plan accordingly, and be aware of the warning signs. Adequate preparation makes all the difference — sometimes between life and death.

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano, M.S.Ed., NSCA-CPT is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design. He holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For more information, visit www.achieve-personaltraining.com. You can find Ryne on Twitter and Instagram at @RGioviano.

Video: Building an Effective Signal Fire

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As survivalists, it's easy to fall victim to our own pride. We all like to think we'll be able to survive any disaster on our own, using the experience, knowledge, and gear we possess. But there may come a day when it's necessary to call for help, and if that day comes, you'll need to know how to do so effectively. In previous articles, we've discussed a variety of emergency signals, including DIY noisemakers, NATO panel signals, and international ground-to-air signal code — each of these can clearly indicate your position when you need help.

One of the most widely-known improvised emergency beacons is a large pillar of smoke from a signal fire. You're probably aware that throwing leafy green branches onto a fire is a quick way to produce white smoke, but it's not necessarily that simple. If you put too many of these branches on at once or toss them on haphazardly, you'll extinguish the fire along with your hopes of rescue. It's essential to plan your signal fire ahead of time, and prepare it to produce smoke at a moment's notice.

The video below from YouTuber Mr. Baron shows how to convert an extremely simple tipi-style fire into a signal fire by perching pine branches on top of the structure. This design allows plenty of airflow on the sides of the fire, ensuring it can burn efficiently.

Survival Russia shows another method that incorporates an elevated platform into the middle of the tipi. The green branches are then hung along the sides like shingles on an improvised shelter, while gaps in the base platform provide airflow to feed the fire. This configuration has some advantages, such as protecting the underlying tinder from wind, rain, and moisture on the ground.

Regardless of the method you use, it's critical to remember that if you want to make the most of your signal fire, you shouldn't just throw a few fronds onto your existing campfire. You may only have one shot at signaling to a nearby boat or aircraft, and as always, preparation will improve your chances of success.

Antibiotic Alternatives: Plants, Poultices, & Pet Meds

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WARNING: This article is meant to be a general overview and not a detailed guide on medical alternatives to be used in dire situations. Seek medical attention from a licensed physician before attempting any of these methods.

A couple decades ago, I was backpacking in Central America and met a grad student who was studying the medicinal plants of the Mayan people. As a direct descendant of the ancient civilization, he wanted to know more about plants that were used back then and that are still available today. We had a great discussion, and he was kind enough to show me some medicinal plants. I asked him what he does when he gets sick and needs medicine; he replied that he goes to the doctor and gets a prescription. Why? Because, that’s the best medicine available today and is most efficient at treating illness. He added that the Mayans used plants because that was the best medicine they had available at the time.

That statement made quite the impression on me as a physician. I don’t shun those using medicinal plants, but I always share this story when they direct the conversation that way. But what if you find yourself in a situation where access to modern medicine is limited, or non-existent?

Prior to 1850, infections were the most common cause of death. In the latter part of the 19th century, people like Lister, Koch, and Pasteur made advances that significantly lowered mortality due to infections. So, assuming you’re up to date on your vaccinations and that smallpox doesn’t make a comeback, the three biggest threats to surviving without modern antibiotics are pneumonia, infectious diarrhea, and skin infections. Fortunately, there are plants, poultices, and pet meds that serve as alternatives to treating infection.

Plants

Wild garlic and other plants can serve to fight infection as well as inflammation.

It’s important to know what plants are available in your area or bug-out location. What’s present in the Midwestern United States may not be present in the Southwest. It’s also important to identify plants correctly, as there are plants that mimic others and may not be helpful or could even be harmful (see Eat This, Not That in Issue 25 of RECOIL OFFGRID). Many of the plants used for medicinal purposes have both antimicrobial properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties. To be clear, don’t use plants to stave off infection if antibiotics are available.

It’s critically important to know what’s available around you and what these plants look like in all seasons. There are plenty of books on medicinal plants and herbs, but a local plant identification class where you’re shown exactly what to look for, what properties the plants have, and in what sort of habitat they typically thrive is the most helpful. By local, keep in mind that you may have to drive a few hours, but it’s always worth your effort if it could save your life. There are numerous plants that can be helpful, but it’s a good idea to keep a list of what you see in your area. If you wait until a scenario requires you to cram the material, it’ll be way too late. Preplanning and education is the key.

Wild onions and garlic are easy to spot in the wild if you’re looking for them. They can be helpful in fighting infection as well as inflammation. Whether you’re eating them or using them topically in a poultice, they can be a valuable asset to have handy. Apple cider vinegar is also good to keep handy because it has many uses in a survival situation and is difficult to make/source in a hurry. It can help kill bacteria due to its acidity, and can help treat skin infections, bladder infections, and diarrhea. I’d recommend drinking 1 to 2 teaspoons in a cup of water twice a day to bolster the immune system. The water can be room temperature or warmed.

Tea tree oil is also something to keep handy due to its many potential benefits, including as an antibacterial agent to help with skin. For skin ailments, apply the tea tree oil directly to a closed wound, such as a boil, then cover with a bandage. This will help as an antiseptic to prevent further infection from getting into the wound. One drop of tea tree oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil rubbed on the wound twice a day should assist with healing and reduce localized inflammation. Keep in mind that tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested, and some people may experience irritated skin after applying it. Make sure to try a small test spot to see how your skin reacts.

Eucalyptus oil and camphor oil can be helpful in upper respiratory infections to help open the airways and break up some mucus. They can be used as a steam and inhaled or applied topically. The camphor can also be good for inflammation by rubbing it onto the skin in the affected area. There are many commercially available camphor combination creams (often mixed with menthol) available at your local superstore. Acorns can be easy to find and are a good source to use as an antiseptic for wounds on the skin. A handful of acorns in a pint of water is adequate to be beneficial. You can increase the efficacy of the liquid by crushing, then boiling the acorns. Don’t drink the water as it can upset the stomach and cause abdominal pain. Instead, soak a cloth in the water and use it as a poultice or even a compress and place it on the affected area.

Poultices

The use of a poultice goes way back in time and can be a useful addition to your survival skills. A poultice is a paste made of plant material, used to relieve inflammation or as a drawing salve for infection. It’s often placed on the injured area and covered with a cloth. Onions, charcoal, table salt or Epsom salt, or numerous herbs/plants (dandelion leaves, calendula flowers, and cayenne pepper) can be viable agents to cover a wound or area of inflammation.

As a general rule, use water as warm as you can tolerate without burning your skin to draw an infection and cold water to help with inflammation. Grind, crush, or pulverize the herb/plant/powder and add a little water to create a paste. You can then add it directly to the skin or onto a cloth if it irritates the skin. The best cloth would be cheesecloth. You want the paste to work on the skin, but not get too absorbed into the cloth. It’s important that the poultice stay on for several hours to maximize effectiveness. You may need to repeat two to three times a day, depending on its efficacy and the severity of the wound. If you have an open wound or abrasion, application of honey is useful. This serves as a barrier to help protect the wound from debris and bacteria, but also acts as a topical antibacterial agent. We often will use medical-grade honey in wound clinics at the hospital as an adjunct to other modalities to treat wounds.

Pet Meds

When considering pet meds, you’re really faced with a bit of a dilemma. First is acquiring the drugs. Fish antibiotics are available without a prescription from many online retailers. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy them at your local retail pet store, as many of these medications are limited to distributors. With some foresight, however, an online retailer can have them to you in a few days. Many of the fish antibiotics are the same generic name and dose as for humans. This makes it easy for consumers in the self-reliance environment. Second, some folks question the safety and purity of fish antibiotics purchased online. Many are manufactured in the same facility as human antibiotics, but end up targeting a different market. The FDA doesn’t regulate fish antibiotics like they do other meds, so it’s often questioned whether they’re safe to take. Impurities, concentration of drug, and absorption inconsistency are a few issues often cited as a concern. You should first try your local doctor for standard human antibiotics. Some physicians are open to writing a prescription to have on hand for emergency use.

The important part of taking any antibiotic is to know what you’re treating with the antibiotic on hand. One antibiotic does not treat every infection. Taking an incorrect antibiotic may not treat the infection, and can allow the infection to progress as well as increase antibiotic resistance. This is why doctors don’t like to treat illnesses with antibiotics if they’re not needed, as antibiotic resistance has made it challenging to treat certain infections. The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy is published every year and is an excellent choice to guide which antibiotic to use in a particular infection. Although this guide is directed towards humans, it would be valuable in guiding your choices in the lateral fish antibiotic market. I’ve kept one at my fingertips for the past 25 years.

When choosing which antibiotic to purchase (for your fish, of course), choose one that has a dose comparable to humans. The less “extra” ingredients, the better; however, this still may not ensure it’s free of impurities due to the lack of regulation. Next, get a variety of antibiotics, as one antibiotic doesn’t work for every infection. For example, a drug for a bladder infection may not be the best choice for a skin infection. Last, please put some thought into the decision to use the antibiotic. This should not be taken lightly, and in a survival situation should be reserved for life or death circumstances.

Antibiotics and Their Uses

Typical Adult DoseInfectious Uses
Cipro500 mg
2x a day		Urinary tract
Travelers diarrhea
Diverticulitis
Anthrax
Typhoid fever
Amoxicillin/
clavulanate		875/125 mg
2x a day		Sinus infection
Skin infection
Infected diabetic foot
Cat/dog bite
Trimethoprim/
Sulfamethoxazole		800/160 mg
2x a day		Urinary tract
Skin infection
Travelers diarrhea
Doxycycline100 mg
2x a day		Tick-borne disease
Pneumonia
Metronidazole500 mg
3x a day		Some GYN infections
Giardia
Diverticulitis with Cipro (moderate cases)

In Summary

A recently published book by Dr. Joe Alton and his wife Amy of Doom and Bloom Medical called Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease is easy to read and understand, and explores using antibiotics in an austere environment. It’s well worth picking up if you want to learn more about infectious disease and options for treatment. Check online retailers for books on medicinal plants as well. Find one specific for your area/region or make your own reference based on what you see around you.

Plants, poultices, and pet meds are excellent alternatives if nothing else is available to you. Otherwise, see your physician if you’re dealing with an infection. Pharmaceutical-grade antibiotics, if you need them, are the best choice for treating infections. For minor inflammation, you could certainly try plants and poultices, but I would caution you to stop these treatments if they’re not working and seek medical help. Lastly, pet meds like fish antibiotics are an option if no other antibiotics are available. I would only use them in a dire situation and wouldn’t take them in lieu of seeking medical treatment.

Important Things to Remember

  1. Know your local plants, their uses, and locations.
  2. Understand which plants act as antiseptics and anti-inflammatories.
  3. Don’t rely on lesser treatments when better options are available (and warranted).

About the Author

David L. Miller, DO, FACOI is an internist in private practice for 20 years. His experiences away from the office have included time as a fight doctor in regional MMA events and as a team physician for 10 years at a mid-major university in the Midwest. Currently, he serves as the lead medical instructor for the Civilian Crisis Response team based out of Indianapolis.

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Book Review: “Bushcraft” by Mors Kochanski

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The Premise: Mors Kochanski is one of the forefathers of modern bushcraft, a skillset and mindset steeped in the traditional skills of our ancestors. Bushcraft emphasizes self-sufficiency through knowledge and improvisation as opposed to reliance on advanced gear and technology. Kochanski summed up his philosophy with an appropriately concise quote: “The more you know, the less you carry.”

Born in Canada in 1940 to Polish immigrant parents, Kochanski grew up on a remote farm in Saskatchewan. When he wasn’t busy assisting his father, a carpenter and WWI veteran, Kochanski spent his time hunting, trapping, and exploring the woods with his five siblings. Attending school required him to walk 7 miles each day on a rugged forest road. This independent lifestyle helped him develop a deep appreciation for nature, and eventually led him to a career as an outdoor instructor at the University of Alberta. In 1988, Kochanski published his first and most famous book, Northern Bushcraft. Its title was later shortened to Bushcraft.

The 411: In the book’s introduction, Kochanski states, “There is nothing in the bush that does not have a use at some time or other.” This statement forms the foundation for a dense tome of what he calls “basic existence skills.” The introduction also makes it clear that this book is intended to be approachable for anyone who wishes to become more comfortable in the outdoors. However, don’t take this as a sign that the content will be oversimplified — it most assuredly is not.

The first six chapters of Bushcraft focus on core skills. Firecraft explains the essential nature of a fire in the wilderness. It goes into detail on ignition sources, tinder materials, fuel requirements, and the benefits of various layouts, pot suspension systems, and cooking techniques.

Axecraft, Knifecraft, and Sawcraft — prioritized in this order — emphasize the value of these cutting tools for all other bushcraft skills. Cutting techniques are shown for everything from felling trees to delicate carving and shaving. There’s also a clear emphasis on blade maintenance, safety, and first aid.

Bindcraft is a shorter chapter on how to improvise cordage from more than a dozen natural materials.

Sheltercraft discusses how to build a “micro-environment” to escape the elements. Kochanski provides guidance on shelters ranging from simple open-fronted windbreaks to permanent, fully enclosed dwellings for the entire family.

The following six chapters change focus from skills to specific natural resources: Birches, Conifers, Willows, Shrubs, Moose, and Hare. In keeping with this book’s foundation, Kochanski writes about how to find, harvest, and repurpose every substance within each of these resources.

Nearly every page of Bushcraft features highly detailed illustrations. The New Edition also features 14 pages of color photos in a supplement at the end of the book.

The Verdict: Whether you’re a sheltered suburbanite or a seasoned outdoorsman, this book is packed with lessons that can improve your wilderness survival skills. Its near-encyclopedic information density makes it a volume that must be patiently studied rather than skimmed, but Kochanski’s diligent explanations of each technique make it easier to digest. The multitude of diagrams are hugely helpful as well.

Although Bushcraft has value for all survivalists, it’s not precisely tailored to every survivalist. It’s decidedly old-fashioned, and despite being written in the 1980s, it often feels equally relevant to the 1880s or 1780s. Even common tools like a lighter are never mentioned. On one hand, this means the skills within are timeless and reliable; on the other hand, they sometimes feel needlessly antiquated.

A larger and more prominent issue throughout the book is its regional focus. Kochanski wrote it based on his experience in Canada, and its original title was a better reflection of this theme. Most of the content is relevant to any locale, but some — especially the final six chapters — will be less useful outside of the Great White North. Also, all units are metric, so Americans should keep a converter handy.

While Bushcraft isn’t the only wilderness skills book you should own, it’s deserving of a place in almost any survivalist’s library. Even if you have access to modern gear, proficiency in traditional bushcraft skills will build your creativity and help you learn to stay alive with nothing more than your wits and a sharp blade.

Book & Author
Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival (New Edition)
Mors Kochanski

Publisher
Partners Publishing

MSRP
$19

URL
www.partnerspublishing.ca

Pages
304 pages

Rating
>Thrive
Survive
Die

OFFGRID Library of Recommended Books

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

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Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Hankerin’ for Survival: An Overview of Handkerchiefs, Bandanas, & Shemaghs

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Once upon a time, almost every boy in America was equipped with two things when they left the house each morning – a pocket knife and a bandana. As they got older and turned from boys to men, many of them carried two handkerchiefs, one for their own use and one that they could hand to a female friend in need.

Today, the daily carry of a handkerchief or bandana isn’t nearly as common. But, this is a valuable, multi-purpose tool that should be in your pocket or pack when you hit the trail. Before we get into that, though, perhaps we should define a few terms so we’re all on the same page.

Understanding the Terminology

Traditional handkerchiefs are typically small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. (Photo: Łeba / Wikimedia Commons)

A handkerchief is a piece of fabric that is usually about 12 inches square. While they can be found in virtually any color you can imagine, they are most often plain white. Materials may include cotton, silk, or linen, and traditional handkerchiefs often featured decorative elements such as a monogram or lace.

A bandana can be tied around the head to soak up sweat. (Photo: Pixabay.com)

A bandana is larger, usually 22 inches on a side with oversized versions going up to 27 inches. This fabric is often found in a paisley print in a wide range of colors. Most modern bandanas are 100-percent cotton or a cotton-synthetic blend.

A U.S. Marine in Afghanistan wearing a shemagh. (Photo: U.S. Department of Defense)

A shemagh is even bigger, typically 42 inches square, with some variations reaching 47 inches on a side. This is a traditional Middle Eastern head garment that has found popularity with military forces and outdoor adventurers around the world due to its versatility.

The traditional handkerchief, while better than nothing, is limited in uses due to its smaller size. When it comes to carrying one of these tools in your kit, we recommend either a bandana or a shemagh. So, why is a bandana or shemagh a good addition to your pocket or pack?

Uses of a Handkerchief

Protection From the Elements

In cold weather, wrap or fold it around your neck to help stave off a chill. If it is hot out, dampen the fabric and lay it against the sides of your neck. Evaporation is a cooling process. Tie it around the lower part of your face — think of a stereotypical biker or bandito — to protect against wind, especially dust, dirt, or sand that might be blowing in that breeze. It also works great to keep the sun off your head and neck, shielding your skin from the harmful effects of sunburn. Lay it flat on your head with an edge trailing down your neck, then put on a ball cap or other hat over it. Shemaghs are large enough to be loosely wrapped around the entire head and face, creating a barrier against wind, dust, and glare.

Water Pre-Filter

Cloth can serve as a pre-filter to remove sediment, bugs, and other floating debris from water. Simply pour the water through the fabric to trap what you can before using your chosen filtration or purification method — for example, iodine, chlorine, or a micro-filter. It is important to note, though, that the fabric absolutely will not remove any microscopic organisms like bacteria, protozoa, or viruses. Pouring water through the bandana does not render it safe to consume, but it can improve taste and clarity.

Hunting or Self-Defense

Bundling cloth around a heavy object allows it to be used as an impact weapon.

There are a few ways you can use a bandana or shemagh as a weapon. First, with some practice, you can channel your David-versus-Goliath fighting spirit and launch rocks or other smallish projectiles by using the fabric as a sling. With substantially less practice, you can use it as a slungshot impact weapon. Drop a rock into the middle of the fabric, then pull up all four corners into your hand. Swing the weighted end at your attacker. As with all improvised weapons, these methods will require some amount of training and repetition to pull off effectively.

Bindle

Remember the hobo many of us masqueraded as at Halloween when we were kids? Constructed in a manner similar to the slungshot mentioned earlier, you can use the cloth to carry gear in a hobo bindle, should the need arise. Simply lay out the fabric and place your supplies in the middle. Draw up the corners and tie them together.

Run a stick under the knot if you want to be traditional and carry the bindle over your shoulder. This is a good way to stash small loose items such as tinder shavings or wild edibles.

Pot Holder

Wrap a bandana or shemagh around a pot handle to safely lift it off the fire. However, a word of caution — as many of you already know, cotton loses its insulation properties when it gets wet. That’s why we try to avoid it for clothing when we venture into the field. If we get wet from the weather or sweat, it won’t keep us warm, unlike wool or many synthetics. The same holds true if we grasp a hot pan with a wet cotton cloth. The heat will transfer to our hand much faster through damp fabric.

First Aid

While it isn’t going to be sterile, the bandana can be used to mop blood from a wound as well as create a makeshift compression bandage. Place gauze pads on the wound and secure by tying the bandana around it. You could also tie down an ice pack or medicinal plants in the form of a poultice.

While a shemagh or large bandana could be used as an expedient tourniquet if no other options are available, that’s not recommended as the fabric needs to be kept fairly wide around the limb to prevent further injury. This will be difficult with the bandana or shemagh, and achieving sufficient tightness around a limb to occlude blood flow will be practically impossible. It could, however, serve well as a sling for an injured arm or be used in conjunction with a branch to immobilize a broken limb.

The bandana or shemagh is a powerful tool with a wide range of uses — not bad for something as simple as a square piece of cloth. It also weighs nearly nothing, so toss a few of them in your pack. You’ll be glad you did.

Survival Handkerchief Buyer’s Guide

If you're looking for a bandana or shemagh to add to your survival kit, here are a few survival-oriented options to consider.

Cabin Fever Game Bandana

Photos courtesy Colter Co. USA.

The Cabin Fever Game Bandana adds entertainment to the list of uses. It has a printed game board as well as instructions for Tic Tac Toe, Checkers, Dots and Boxes, and Marbles. The game pieces are up to you and Mother Nature to provide.

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches

MSRP: $14

URL: ColterCoUSA.com

Wazoo Foraging Bandana

Photos courtesy Wazoo Survival Gear.

The guys at Wazoo teamed up with a few respected foraging instructors to put together a great reference for wild edibles that can go everywhere with you. It features detailed drawings of a dozen common plants, plus their uses and a ton of other information to help in the flora identification process.

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches

MSRP: $11

URL: WazooSurvivalGear.com

Know Your Knots Bandana

Photos courtesy Colter Co. USA.

Knot tying is an essential survival skill. Learn how to tie 16 different highly-useful knots with the detailed diagrams on this bandana. In addition, they’ve included a short paragraph detailing the uses for each of the knots featured. Very handy information to have in the field.

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches

MSRP: $14

URL: ColterCoUSA.com

Wazoo Tracking Field Kit

Photos courtesy Wazoo Survival Gear.

While you aren’t going to become a master tracker with just a Wazoo Tracking Field Kit, it will certainly get you moving in the right direction. The bandana is printed with true-to-scale prints from 21 common critters, from frog to mountain lion. The kit also includes a snap bracelet that is printed with a ruler, helping the user determine the size of the tracks.

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches

MSRP: $14

URL: WazooSurvivalGear.com

Stayin’ Alive Reflective Survival Bandana

Photos courtesy Colter Co. USA.

The Stayin’ Alive Bandana packs a ton of information into a small space. It covers four survival essentials – Shelter, Food, Water, and Fire. The bandana itself isn’t just bright orange for visibility, the ink is reflective and when a flashlight hits it at night, it really shines!

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches

MSRP: $14

URL: ColterCoUSA.com

Shemagh Tactical Desert Scarf

Photo courtesy Rothco.

Rothco has a line of shemaghs that come in a huge range of colors, from subdued to brilliant. All are large enough to serve in a variety of roles, from the traditional head wrap to a bindle and more. Each has a traditional fringe, too, adding visual appeal to this multi-purpose addition to your kit.

Dimensions: 42 inches x 42 inches

MSRP: $15

URL: Rothco.com

Parental Preps Issue 31

Written by

Got a tip you’d like to share? Send it to offgrid@recoilweb.com along with a well-lit, high-resolution photo of yourself. Also include your name, and your website or social media handles if applicable. Please keep your tip submissions between 250 and 350 words. By sending in submissions, you grant CMG West LLC the unrestricted, transferable and sub-licensable, irrevocable, royalty-free, world-wide, and perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, make derivative works of, and otherwise use the Submissions in any media whatsoever now known or later invented throughout the world for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or not.

Give them the tools to help them prevent bullying. A bully’s main target is a child who they perceive as vulnerable. Keep your child safe from being a target by helping them to achieve and maintain a high self-esteem and solid relationships at home and with their peers. In the event that your child is a victim of a bully, role-play with them how they can protect themselves, be assertive, and, if necessary, alert the school officials. A child needs to understand that there’s no shame in walking away from a hostile situation or asking an adult for help.

Help them to adopt safe behaviors online. Engaging in open conversation with your child is a great way to teach them the importance of online safety. Not only is it important to verbalize this with them, but you must also give them real-world scenarios they can mentally file. This involves role-playing scenarios that they could encounter online. Afterward, discuss how the situation should be approached and why. Talk about how they should manage a situation where a stranger attempts to engage them in conversation online. Also guide them in how much information they should be revealing about themselves online in general and the dangers of revealing too much.

Teach your child about using public transportation, safely. For their first experience using public transportation, you should travel with them and stay near your child, but allow them to travel alone — for example, your child would pay for their bus ticket and sit alone, but mom or dad would sit nearby. This way you can keep a close eye on your child and intervene should assistance be needed. The next experience could involve them traveling with a friend. Be sure to engage in many role-plays for this situation as well. Discuss what they could do in certain “emergency” situations if they’re using public transportation. For instance, what should they do if they become separated from a friend with whom they’re traveling? What if they lose their cell phone? What if someone tries to rob them? The role-plays will help them be prepared for the worst circumstances.

Justin Lavelle
Chief Communications Officer, BeenVerified.com
BeenVerified.com is a source of online background checks and contact information. It allows individuals to quickly find more information about people, phone numbers, email addresses, property records, and criminal records. The company helps people discover, understand, and use public data in their everyday lives in order to make better decisions for themselves and their families.

Passwords: Having a password is a great idea for your kids. If someone comes up to them and says something to the effect of “Your mom told me to pick you up and take you to her,” your child will respond with “what’s the password?” If the unknown person does not know the password, you should instruct your child to run away, tell a trusted adult, and/or make a scene to attract attention.

Attempted abduction: Often, when kids are put in a situation where they’re not sure what to do, they posture or freeze. This is a critical aspect of attempted abductions. One way to help kids mitigate attempted abductions is to instruct them to yell, scream, bite, and scratch the abductor. This will cause a scene and hopefully elicit an intervention. Another way to mitigate abductions is to always know where and who your child is with. We don’t let our child go to any one’s house unless we (the parents) have a close relationship with the parents and have a full understanding of the situation. Accidents happen, and it’s essential to know these details in case something goes wrong.

Traveling: While being a helicopter parent can be safer, we must also teach kids to be independent rather than sheltering them excessively. There are times when they’ll be completely out of our control. An example would be field trips, business trips, and babysitting. Teaching your children to look out for and take care of each other is crucial. Even small children can identify something normal and abnormal. They may not be able to articulate why, but they have a great “spidey sense” built in. We can teach them the principles behind the color codes and OODA loop (observe-orient-decide-act) and remind them to have their head on a swivel. You can also make this a fun game. My son and I used to play “head on a swivel” when we were driving to and from the grocery store, school, or church. I would randomly say, “head on a swivel!” and my son would assess his environment and tell me everything he saw. This is a great tool use to get them in the habit of taking a periodic assessment of their surroundings.

Nila Rhoades
www.milspecmom.com

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 30

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Infographic: NATO Phonetic Alphabet, Codes, & Signals

Written by

Communication is all about context. If you're in Kenya, speaking Swahili is a perfectly effective form of communication, but if you're in Finland, it certainly won't be. Even within the English language, there are many dialects, accents, and vocabulary differences that can impede our ability to understand each other. Someone from the Louisiana bayou will probably have a tough time communicating with someone from Scotland, especially if they're trying to do so over a garbled radio connection. Establishing a standardized system can help us make our intentions clear immediately — that's exactly what NATO set out to accomplish with its phonetic alphabet, codes, and signals.

NATO communication can be used for long-range emergency messages, such as panel signals to passing aircraft.

The NATO communication system was designed to “enable forces from many nations to communicate in a way that is understood by all.” This includes verbal (phonetic alphabet) and non-verbal techniques (Morse code, flaghoist, semaphore, and panel signals) used to communicate numbers and letters of the English alphabet. Trained personnel from the 29 NATO member states should be able to interpret these signals, at least for basic words or phrases (i.e. SOS).

As survivalists, we probably won't be communicating long messages between ships via flaghoist, but it's still valuable to commit the basics of the NATO system to memory for emergencies. The following infographic from NATO provides a full overview of the organization's standardized communication systems. Click here to download a full-size version.

For more methods of emergency communication, refer to our article on International Ground-to-Air Signaling Code.

360-Degree Illumination: Survival Lantern Buyer’s Guide

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There’s nothing quite as relaxing as sitting in front of a crackling campfire, enjoying the warm radius of light it creates in an ocean of darkness. While this experience soothes the soul and offers tremendous value in a survival scenario, campfires aren’t always the most practical option. You can’t start one in the house when the power goes out — the shrill beeping of smoke alarms isn’t relaxing, although the slow onset of carbon monoxide poisoning might be. Even at an outdoor campsite, there are plenty of situations where an instant, portable area light is far preferable to relentlessly feeding the flames. Lanterns fill this need.

Fortunately, we’ve progressed beyond the fragile oil lamps of generations past. High-output LEDs and long-lasting batteries have allowed lanterns to become much more compact, efficient, and durable. They can produce a broad area of clear white light for days or even weeks at a time, helping you stay productive long after the sun has set.

Whether you’re looking for a powerful tool that can help you withstand natural disasters and other emergencies or a lightweight source of illumination for your next camping trip, a trustworthy lantern is a worthwhile investment. We collected and evaluated nine portable lanterns ranging from entry-level to high-end — read on for our thoughts on each of these products.

BioLite SunLight

Claimed Max Brightness
100 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
50 hours

Weight with Batteries
3.5 ounces

Battery Type
Rechargeable 750mAh lithium-ion with solar panel

Output Modes
Dimmable white, variable color, “Party Mode”

MSRP
$25

URL
www.bioliteenergy.com

Notes
Aptly described by BioLite as “the size of an ice cream sandwich,” the SunLight is slim and easy to carry. In addition to a dimmable white light and selectable RGB color, it also has a “Party Mode” that slowly fades through the spectrum. We suspect we’re not rad enough to get much use out of that feature. The SunLight can be charged in two hours via micro USB or in seven via a built-in solar panel — a tiny sundial on the corner helps with aiming. The LEDs flash red, yellow, or green to indicate charge level, but you won’t want to leave the light charging in your bedroom, because all four LEDs flash brightly every 10 seconds while plugged in.

Pros:

  • Solar panel provides a sustainable source of light in off-grid settings
  • Compact and lightweight enough for pocket carry

Cons:

  • Flat LED array creates directional light rather than 360-degree light
  • Accessing color mode requires cycling through white light first, negatively impacting night vision
  • Solar panel only charges the light, not other devices

HausBell M500

 

Claimed Max Brightness
Unlisted

Claimed Max Runtime
Unlisted

Weight with Batteries
10.5 ounces

Battery Type
3x AA (included)

Output Modes
On-off only

MSRP
$19 for 2-pack / $9.50 each

URL
www.amazon.com

Notes
After searching Amazon.com for an inexpensive option, we found the HausBell M500, sold as a two-pack with 6 off-brand AA batteries. Each lantern is made of “military grade environmental (sic) friendly plastic” with a gray metallic finish. A trio of LED strips turn on automatically when the lens is expanded. Although actual brightness and run time are not quantified, the packaging proudly proclaims the LEDs are “super bright” and last “up to 100,000 hours.” Output isn’t adjustable, but can be limited somewhat by partially collapsing the lens. Simple fold-out handles allow the lantern to be carried or suspended, and three magnets in the base offer a means of attaching it to other surfaces.

Pros:

  • Bargain-basement price
  • Much brighter than we expected it to be, but…

Cons:

  • …instead of a frosted diffuser, this lantern has only a clear plastic lens. Standing in front of it feels like staring directly into a flashlight, and will leave you squinting in discomfort.
  • Shockingly, the “military grade” plastic construction feels thin and cheap.

Ledlenser ML6

Claimed Max Brightness
750 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
70 hours

Weight with Batteries
10.6 ounces with base

Battery Type
Rechargeable 3,200mAh 18650 (included)

Output Modes
Dimmable white or red, each with strobe, blink, pulse, and SOS modes

MSRP
$110

URL
www.ledlenserusa.com

Notes
A new product for 2019, the ML6 is Ledlenser’s first foray into the lantern market. Instead of a frosted diffuser, it uses a Micro Prism Lens to disperse light evenly and reduce upward glare. Controls are simple, with a power/mode button in the center and + and – buttons on either side to adjust brightness or strobe type. The ends of the rubber carry handle conceal USB input and output ports; the latter enables this lantern to serve as a power bank. Thanks to its use of a single 18650 lithium battery, the ML6 can also run on a pair of ordinary CR123s. Strong magnets are recessed into the battery cap, and a removable base with hang hook is also included.

Pros:

  • Ledlenser’s web site only claims 550 lumens, but the ML6 also has a temporary 750-lumen Boost mode.
  • Standard, removable 18650 battery is a big plus for longevity. It also allows hot-swapping to a fresh battery while the primary charges.

Cons:

  • Since both ends of the rubber handle are detachable, there’s a potential for it to be lost or misplaced.

Lander Cairn Lantern + Power Bank

Claimed Max Brightness
300 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
150 hours

Weight with Batteries
5.7 ounces

Battery Type
Rechargeable 3,300mAh lithium-ion

Output Modes
Dimmable white, strobe

MSRP
$50

URL
www.lander.com

Notes
Half lantern and half portable power bank, the Cairn is based around a 3,300mAh battery pack. Twelve LEDs behind a hard polymer diffuser create a soft wash of warm light. Although it doesn’t have alternate color modes, holding the power button will gradually dim output down to 10 lumens, so it won’t obliterate your night vision. The battery can be charged using a micro USB port hidden behind a protective cover, or can be used to charge other USB devices. Five blue LEDs on the side indicate battery level. An elastic cord with a toggle on one end allows the Cairn to be strapped to various tether points.

Pros:

  • Light is a warm yellow hue, which has a more comfortable and less sterile feel than pure white
  • Excellent runtime

Cons:

  • Hard rubber USB port cover fit so tightly that we were only able to open it after prying with a flat screwdriver. Even after several uses, it’s still frustrating to open.
  • Another lantern with a flat LED array that emits most of its light in one direction

Midland ML500

Claimed Max Brightness
500 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
65 hours

Weight with Batteries
28.7 ounces

Battery Type
3x D (not included)

Output Modes
High, low

MSRP
$20

URL
www.midlandusa.com

Notes
The ML500 is part of Midland’s E+Ready series targeted specifically at emergency preparedness. This lantern runs on three D batteries that, while bulky, are readily available at most grocery stores and gas stations. Clicking the power button repeatedly cycles between 500-lumen high output and 200-lumen low output. A pair of LEDs project white light through a semi-transparent diffuser that’s housed within a “shatter-resistant” clear protective lens. The hard plastic body is also said to be impact-resistant. However, unlike some of the other lanterns in this guide, these claims aren’t directly quantified according to standard ANSI FL1 impact testing. The ML500’s base has a series of raised feet, although these lack texture or a rubberized coating to prevent slipping.

Pros:

  • Strong output and respectable runtime
  • Affordable price means you’ll be able to store several throughout your home for emergencies

Cons:

  • Large and heavy due to use of D batteries, which aren’t included with the lantern
  • Diffuser isn’t very effective at reducing glare

Nitecore LA30

Claimed Max Brightness
250 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
56 hours

Weight with Batteries
4.6 ounces without optional AAs

Battery Type
Rechargeable 1,800mAh lithium-ion (built-in) or 2x AA (not included)

Output Modes
White high, medium, or low; red high, low, SOS, or flashing

MSRP
$40

URL
www.nitecore.com

Notes
Described as a bi-fuel portable lantern, the LA30 fits easily into the palm of the hand. It features a built-in USB-rechargeable battery that’s capable of powering the light for up to 56 hours, but loosening the thumb screw and removing its base reveals a compartment for two optional AA batteries. Relying on this alternate power source will reduce run time slightly to 48 hours. Even though it doesn’t use a cylindrical lantern configuration, its diffuser effectively distributes light evenly across a wide area, albeit with slightly more glare at full brightness. A power indicator LED flashes to report battery level. The polycarbonate body is available in yellow or blue, and is IP66 water-resistant and impact-resistant.

Pros:

  • Integrated rechargeable battery with backup AA compatibility
  • Power level indicator helps monitor remaining battery life

Cons:

  • When its magnetic base is stuck to a smooth vertical surface, it has a tendency to slide down. A stronger magnet or rubber feet would have prevented this.

Nite Ize Radiant 200 Lantern + Flashlight

Claimed Max Brightness
200 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
16.5 hours

Weight with Batteries
9.8 ounces

Battery Type
4x AA (not included)

Output Modes
Lantern high or low, flashlight

MSRP
$30

URL
www.niteize.com

Notes
The Radiant 200 is built around two light sources. One 200-lumen LED faces upward to illuminate the collapsible lantern, while a second 180-lumen LED faces downward to serve as a “downlight” for the area directly beneath the lantern. Three clicks of the power button turn on both sources simultaneously. The downlight also acts as a flashlight — press and hold the power button to turn it on by itself. The hard plastic body has rubber overmolds around the circumference and base for a rugged feel, and is also water- and impact-resistant according to the ANSI FL1 standard. A carabiner clip at the top of the lantern allows it to be suspended easily.

Pros:

  • Collapses to occupy less space in your pack
  • Flashlight doubles as a downlight when the lantern is suspended

Cons:

  • When used as a tabletop lantern or collapsed flashlight, it’s easy to accidentally turn on both LEDs and waste battery power
  • Raised power button can be inadvertently pressed

Streamlight Super Siege

Claimed Max Brightness
1,100 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
36.2 hours

Weight with Batteries
29.8 ounces

Battery Type
Rechargeable 10,400mAh lithium-ion

Output Modes
White high, medium, or low; red high, low, or SOS

MSRP
$200

URL
www.streamlight.com

Notes
Topping the range of Streamlight’s Siege lantern series, the Super Siege is designed for maximum output and longevity. It features a massive integrated battery that allows it to run for more than a day and a half in 125-lumen low mode, or provide red light continuously for two weeks (348 hours). Output can be directed using the removable Glare Guard, or the polycarbonate diffuser can be removed entirely for a brighter, conical beam pattern. There’s no shortage of mounting options thanks to a non-slip base, dual folding carabiners, and a rubberized, spring-loaded handle. The base unscrews to reveal a hidden, waterproof storage compartment.

For a web-exclusive review of the Super Siege's compact sibling, check out our article on the Streamlight Siege X USB.

Pros:

  • Immensely bright
  • Acts as a USB power bank, and can fully recharge most smartphones 4+ times
  • IPX7 waterproof and capable of floating in water

Cons:

  • The largest and heaviest lantern in our guide — it’s better suited for base camp than mobile use.
  • Charges via a 12V DC adapter rather than a USB cable, so you’ll need to bring Streamlight’s wall charger wherever you take the light.

UCO Sprout

Claimed Max Brightness
100 lumens

Claimed Max Runtime
60 hours

Weight with Batteries
3.6 ounces

Battery Type
3x AAA (not included)

Output Modes
Dimmable white, blue

MSRP
$15

URL
www.ucogear.com

Notes
This minimalist lantern is new for 2019, and built into a compact 1.9-by-2.6-inch cylindrical diffuser that spreads light evenly. Pressing the power button repeatedly toggles between modes, and the white light can be gradually dimmed by holding down the button. While most lanterns opt for a red secondary LED, UCO chose blue — it’s not traditional, but dim blue light can be just as effective at maintaining your night vision (or potentially more effective in some cases). Another noteworthy feature is the bottom-mounted lanyard with a quick-detach magnetic mount. Unfortunately, the lanyard contains the magnet, so the Sprout can’t be attached to metal surfaces.

Pros:

  • Magnetic lanyard lets you easily detach the lantern without knots or clips — useful for moving from a tent to outside areas and vice versa.

Cons:

  • The blue light is only accessible after turning on the white light first. A press-and-hold mode selector would’ve been preferable.
  • Lanyard can easily be lost or misplaced

More From Issue 31

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 32

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 30

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

How to Make a Family Disaster Plan

Written by

Each year, thousands of people are threatened by both natural and manmade disasters. Yet 60 percent of American adults haven’t practiced any emergency plan, including those who live in disaster-prone areas, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). What should you do if a disaster occurs while you’re away from your kids? As parents, we’re responsible for formulating a plan, anticipating possible conditions that may affect it, and even doing a few dry runs to reinforce the procedures that’ll be used to keep our kids safe until we’re able to reach them. But where do you start?

Assess Your Threats

While no one can predict disasters with certainty, evaluating where you’re located and what’s present in your area can help you develop an appropriate response. If you’re new to an area, your local Red Cross chapter will have information on what types of disasters have occurred in the past as well as warning signs to be aware of.

For instance, if you moved from California to Texas, you may not have to worry about earthquakes as much, but now may be facing tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Analyze what kind of natural disasters are most likely to occur where you live and understand seasonality patterns. Stocking up on food, supplies, and medication prior to these emergencies can stave off some of the complications you’re likely to encounter if resources are limited or unavailable.

You should also evaluate the likelihood of manmade disasters in your area. For instance, are you close to a railroad or freeway that’s a known thoroughfare for toxic chemical transportation where a spill could occur? Do you live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant? Are you located near prisons or major cities where rioting may develop? Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of this type of situation — hundreds of prisoners were abandoned and disappeared into the surrounding cities.

What is your home’s proximity to industrial plants that can cause chemical leaks via water or air? Sometimes a natural disaster can trigger these sorts of accidents as well. An example would be when Hurricane Harvey caused widespread power outages, resulting in a chemical leak in one of the industrial areas. Neighborhoods within a 1½-mile radius had to be evacuated as a result of the leak. Locating these facilities on a map, the circumstances they’re likely to cause if they’re damaged or disabled, and the radius that they’re likely to affect can help you determine the supplies you’ll need to have, if it’ll be safe to remain home, and possible escape routes if it isn’t wise to bug in.

Consider Your Family’s Needs

Each family has its own particular needs depending on family size, ages, location, and a variety of other variables. As the saying goes, there’s safety in numbers and creating a network of contacts of people in the area you trust can go a long way. Do you have infants or small children? Elderly or disabled family members? Pets? Here are a few examples for you to better understand how to establish a plan and create a network of resources who can pitch in if needed:

If you have children in daycare, does the facility have its own emergency plan if a disaster occurs while parents are at work? Speak to the daycare providers about the specifics of the plan so you can coordinate your efforts accordingly. Consider designating a backup among your nearby friends or relatives in case you’re unable to pick up your children.

Another special circumstance would be if you have a family member who is immobile or has special needs. [Editor’s note: our sister publication CONCEALMENT Issue 4 gives examples of considerations to make and provides specific steps on home defense for a special needs child.] Preplanning for situations involving evacuations or sheltering in place is a must. Coordinate with a family member or nearby neighbor who can provide assistance. In addition, make sure you have prescription medications and backup power for any medical equipment needed in case of a disaster or power outage.

Pet ownership also involves making specific plans for your pet in case of emergency, including shelter, food, and medicine (see RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 28 for disaster planning for pets). If you’re unable to return home, do you have someone who can retrieve your pet for you, such as a pet sitter or a neighbor you can trust? Many emergency shelters don’t allow pets; you’d also need to consider what would happen to your pet if an emergency occurs while you’re away and no one can reach your animals. At the very least, you need to have a pet emergency window decal to notify emergency responders that there’s a pet in the house in case of fire or disaster. You can get one free from the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack.

Taking into consideration each family member’s needs along with your network of contacts will help you piece together a plan that best fits each member of your household.

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

Part of staying safe in a disaster is deciding when to stay home from work or school when there’s a predicted emergency or threat. Under what circumstances would you stay home from work or not send the kids to school? We all need to balance work and school obligations with the need for safety. Ask yourself, “What if?” Should you risk heading off to work and dropping off the kids when there’s a tornado or ice storm predicted or should you head to the shelter? Envisioning disasters and their potential consequences ahead of time helps you make more effective plans.

Each area in the country has its own specific set of threats. Some disasters — such as earthquakes — aren’t predictable, but others — such as hurricanes and ice storms — come with advance notice. Tornadoes are hard to forecast, but warnings are issued for specific areas that have the potential of tornadoes forming. If weather experts and even city authorities are all issuing warnings that a natural disaster is imminent, consider keeping the family together instead of risking additional complications of being separated when a natural disaster occurs.

Know the difference between “watches” and “warnings.” The National Weather Service often issues watches and warnings regarding tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, or tropical storms.

  • A “watch” is issued when there’s potential for severe weather to occur within 48 hours. It doesn’t mean that it’ll definitely occur, just that it’s possible. Monitor the weather reports closely in case it changes for the worst.
  • A “warning” is issued when the severe weather event is expected within the next 12 to 18 hours.

If a warning is already being issued, you may want to consider staying home for the day, even if school hasn’t been suspended. Depending on the type of hazard you’re expecting, you can plan accordingly to remain at home or evacuate.

If a tropical storm is predicted for the day, school may not be suspended. It’d be your decision whether you should stay home with the kids or drop them off at school, but consider what may happen if the storm hit while they’re at school or daycare. Is the school in an area that’s prone to flooding? Will streets get flooded and will you be able to pick up your child on time?
A snow day may not be declared, but if it’s likely that it may snow heavily, you’ll need to consider how dangerous driving can become and how difficult it would be to pick up your child from school if you’re snowed in at work or if roads between your home and the school may become impassible.

Gather Information

While we’d all prefer to be at home with our families when a disaster happens, it may not be realistic. Let’s say a disaster happens at 10:30 a.m., you and your spouse have already left for work, and the kids are at school. Discuss with your spouse which of you is closer to the school and more able to retrieve your child during an emergency. If you’re both far enough away that you may be severely hindered by traffic or other circumstances, do you have a relative or friend who can reach the school faster? Evaluate these considerations before an emergency happens so you can designate your contacts for school records, as well as come to an understanding with them on what they’ll be responsible for if your child needs to be picked up.

Research and speak with faculty about what emergency plans are in place, both at your place of business and at your kids’ school or daycare. Here are some considerations to inquire about:

What is your child’s school notification system? Many schools have a text or call system in place to announce emergency procedures in the event of a disaster. Find out if your children’s school(s) have a notification system and how they’re delivered. Also inquire about the circumstances in which those notifications would be sent out: natural disasters, late starts, early dismissals, etc.

What triggers a lockdown or evacuation? Various situations can cause the school to go on lockdown or evacuate. Find out what those are, if and how you’ll be notified, and what your children can and should do to communicate with you directly about the situation.

What’s your child’s schedule? Have a written copy of your child’s daily school schedule and room numbers. Keep the schedule in more than one place and on your smartphone so you can easily retrieve it when needed.

Are there older siblings who can help the younger ones? If you have more than one child at the same school it’s best to sit your children down and develop a way they can locate each other, such as a designated meeting place or through texting, and where they should remain together to be picked up.

What gates at the school will be open for pickup? Lockdown procedures may be different from the normal, everyday pickup system. Find out what entrances/exits will be open in an emergency situation so you can reach your children as quickly as possible.

Safety procedures: Find out what the requirements are if you had to send a friend or relative to pick up your child: ID, sign-out sheets, etc. During the beginning of the school year, schools may ask for emergency contacts in the event they’re unable to reach you. As you make your emergency plan consider whom you can trust as your emergency contact.

Workplace disaster plan: Does your place of employment have a disaster plan? What does it consist of? Although most human resources departments are obligated to provide their employees this information, people often forget the details until the moment of truth. Determine what would cause your office building to go on lockdown or evacuate. Make sure you know all emergency exits out of your building, and find alternate ways to get home if your usual route is blocked. Also consider walking routes if possible. Discuss alternate rendezvous points with your family if you cannot return home.

Staying Informed

When you’re at work, how do you find out about potential threats? Not everyone has a TV in the break room or a radio to keep them informed. Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings from your workplace, your children’s school, and your local government. It’s also a good idea to sign up for severe weather alerts, as well as traffic and road closures.
Information sources to think about:

  • State and local alerts: Contact your city, county, and state offices for information about what emergency alerts they have available and how they’re broadcast.
  • Sign up for local news alerts with local TV networks. Many stations have apps available to provide current news regarding your area.
  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also offers information through Ready.gov.

Weather

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a network of radio stations that broadcast weather information nationwide called the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR). NWR broadcasts weather warnings such as watches, forecasts, and post-event information for all types of hazards, including natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or avalanches, environmental incidents such chemical releases or oil spills, and public safety such as AMBER alerts or 911 telephone outages. For more information regarding this service, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.

Terrorism Advisory

Back in 2011, the DHS replaced the color-coded alert system with the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) to communicate terrorist alerts to the public more efficiently. You can subscribe to NTAS alerts via email, Facebook, Twitter, or look at current advisory bulletins. Visit www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system for more info.

Traffic and Road Closures

Each city has its own traffic source for up-to-the minute information on road closures and incidents. As an example, Houston has https://traffic.houstontranstar.org/ with a downloadable app. If you search for “traffic map in (your city)” you’ll be able to find one. Or visit the Federal Highway Administration for links to each state.

You’ll also need a backup method to receive news in an emergency. Keeping a battery-powered weather radio at work as well as in your car emergency kit can help you stay informed.
If you’re able to access the Internet, stay in touch via social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. Neighborhood social media services such as Nextdoor.com are sometimes great sources of information regarding local flooding, street closures, and water and food sources that are not always covered by citywide news reports.

While social media may help us stay in touch, we all need to be mindful that misinformation can easily spread as a result of panic and speculation. During Hurricane Harvey, which I personally experienced, there was a lot of “fake news” being spread via Facebook and Twitter, stories showing photos from other disasters and describing events that had no basis in reality. It’s best to get your information from reliable news sources, government officials, and local emergency services personnel.

Emergency Contacts

Make a comprehensive emergency contact list and keep it in multiple locations. Include names, phone numbers, emails, and street addresses, such as school and work contacts, daycare center, doctors, local hospitals, the nearest shelter, etc.

Also include numbers for utilities, emergency services, your bank, and insurance companies. Enter these numbers in everyone’s mobile phones, but make sure you also have physical copies in case you’re not able to access your phone or computer. Post the contact list in a central area in your home, such as on the refrigerator or bulletin board.

Create a contact card for each member of your family that they can keep in the car, wallet, as well as in your child’s backpack or locker.

Include an out-of-area contact who can be a central point for everyone. If communications are down in your local region, it may be possible to reach someone long distance. An out-of-area contact is someone you can call to provide information on your status in the event of an emergency. They can relay messages to the rest of the family as you may not be able to call everyone if you have limited battery life or if cell service is spotty during an emergency. They may also be able to help coordinate tasks for you, such as place outgoing calls or make arrangements for you in case you have to evacuate your home and find a hotel in another city.

5 Ways to Bolster Your Means of Communications

Landline: Although many households have ditched their landlines, they’re still a viable way to communicate if cell towers were to go down. In addition, having a landline makes it easy for first responders to find you.

Cell phone: Create a “In Case of Emergency (ICE)” contact list in your cell phone. Most smartphones have this option either built into the operating system or via an app. The challenge is keeping your phone charged in case power goes out. Stock up on portable phone chargers, cables, adapters, and solar chargers that are readily accessible. Assume devices like this will quickly disappear from local stores during an emergency. You can also try a multifunction device, such as an emergency weather radio, that keeps you informed and also has a USB charger to power your cell phone.

Two-way radios: There are tons of options available for two-way radios. Price, bandwidth, range, and other considerations will all affect price. Siblings attending the same school can use them as a backup way to communicate; however, keep in mind the range can be limited by distance, buildings, and obstacles. Also, they aren’t private and other users within the channel can overhear conversations.

A backup pre-paid phone: If your kids are elementary school age and you believe they’re too young to have a smartphone, consider a backup pre-paid phone to be used just for emergencies. Prior training will be necessary to show them how to operate it during an emergency, and it may take some discipline to keep it charged.

Coins for pay phones: Though pay phones are disappearing, they’re still around. Carry change in case you need to use one and determine a list of nearby locations that are likely to have them, such as libraries, government offices, gas stations, etc.

Build a Texting Tree

Here’s an easy project you can do in an hour. During Hurricane Harvey, we were unable to make phone calls via our smartphones, but were still able to send texts. Texting instead of calling uses less bandwidth and also helps you conserve your phone’s battery life in case you’re unable to charge your phone in a power outage. A texting tree allows you to communicate and relay a message with a few points of contact who can relay the message to others.

How does it work? You just need a list of your contacts and their phone numbers, your cell phone, paper, and pen. Much like an organizational chart, you have one person (you) at the top of the list. You then designate three trusted people you’ll contact to get the word out in an emergency. They then each have contacts to forward the message. You’ll need to have a discussion with the members of the texting tree to explain how it works. Test the system by initiating a test emergency text and later checking with contacts down the list to see if they received your test messages. Once you’ve sent a test text, you’ll have it in your phone’s archive for future reference. You may also be able to create a pre-defined contact group on your phone.

The Secret Code Word

In the event you’re unable to pick up your child and can’t reach another designated emergency contact, you may be forced to send a friend or relative the child has never met. Create a secret code word together so your children can properly identify the person you’ve sent to pick them up. Choose a word only you and your family know about, such as a funny nickname, a word in another language you both speak, or a favorite place. Even if an emergency never happens, it helps to keep your kids safe.

Creating a code also helps to make kids feel empowered since they’re participating in the process. A recent incident occurred in Arizona where a 10-year-old child avoided being lured into a car by a man who claimed her brothers were in trouble by asking about the code word. Not knowing the answer, the would-be kidnapper gave up and fled the area. Giving this code word to someone who may have to be sent for your child unexpectedly will help your child determine the legitimacy of their intentions.

Meeting Places

Designate a few places where your family can gather for safety in the event you’re unable to return home.

Storm shelter: Get familiar with the storm shelters in your area. If you have pets, find out if the shelter is able to accommodate them; otherwise, you’ll need to make alternate arrangements.

Neighborhood meeting spot: Decide on a nearby spot where everyone can meet in the event of a fire, gas leak, or other emergency that requires you to evacuate. It can be as close as a neighbor’s house, or a small distance away such as a coffee shop, library, or church.

Out of the city: If your area is threatened by a hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or some other threat that requires you to evacuate, you’ll need a meeting place out of town, such as a hotel or friend’s home. Discuss alternate ways of getting there, including ride-share services, public transportation, etc.

Start the Discussion

Gather the family together and go over your emergency plans. Begin the discussion by referring to a situation everyone is comfortable or familiar with. Older children will be more receptive to abstract concepts, but younger children may be more responsive to something they experienced, such as a heavy rainstorm or a picture they can look at. Stress the reason you’re having this conversation is to keep everyone safe in an emergency.

Distribute a contact sheet as appropriate to each member of the family. Go over the contact sheet, explain what it’s for, and why everyone needs a copy in his or her backpack, locker, car, purse, or wallet. Let the kids know who’ll be picking them up in an emergency. If your child has a mobile phone, add the emergency contacts’ phone numbers. Instruct them to listen to their teacher until you’re able to pick them up.

Encourage the kids to participate in the discussion by asking for their opinion, feelings, or questions about how everything will work. Discuss different situations that may arise and what they would do.

Avoid Scaring the Kids

There’s a fine line between giving children just enough information to answer their questions and causing undue fear and worry.

Limit the amount of media disaster coverage. When there’s an impending storm or hurricane, the news coverage of the approaching disaster may show footage from previous disasters. Young children don’t need to be exposed to nonstop news that may alarm them.

Focus on the scientific or natural aspects of the event. Another way to deal with fear is to have a discussion with school-age kids on how much they have learned about storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters from science class. If they haven’t covered the subject, it may be a good time to check out a few books from the library and learn about the science behind these natural events together.

Keep the discussion on a positive note. Stress the reason you’re having this discussion is to make plans to keep them safe if any disaster occurs. Emphasize that disasters happen rarely, but when one does that the family will be ready. Steer the discussion toward actionable steps that children can participate in, such as choosing which toys they’ll want to pack in their emergency bag, what snacks they might want to bring, and other tasks that are practical for them have some input on.

Practicing Your Plan

Discussing your family emergency plan with the family is only the beginning. You’ll have to test it out hand make sure everything goes smoothly.

Simulate an emergency in the middle of the day and activate your emergency plan. Go over the school pickup plan and practice gathering together in your meeting places within your neighborhood or out of the city.

Every six months, casually check with the kids on what they need to do in case of emergency, whether they remember the code word and when to use it, and why they keep an emergency card in their locker or backpack.

Keep your contact list up to date. Your emergency plan also needs to be reviewed and updated at least annually depending on the family’s circumstances.

Emergencies can happen at any time. Having a plan in place will help you and your family feel secure and stay safe in the midst of a disaster.

About the Author

Bernie Carr is the founder of ApartmentPrepper.com, a blog about family preparedness in an apartment setting. Her books include The Prepper’s Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster, Jake and Miller’s Big Adventure, The Penny-Pinching Prepper, and How to Prepare for Emergencies on a $50 Budget.

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.