Harvesting wild edible plants can save the day when modern agricultural practices fail. As we mentioned in our recent article about Primitive Technology’s yam garden, crop cultivation is the most reliable and efficient means of collecting edible fruits and veggies in a survival situation. However, that doesn’t mean that you should disregard foraging — if you know where to look and the season is right, it’s possible to gather a huge selection of tasty and nutritious wild edibles. These can supplement your shelf-stable food stockpiles, garden produce, and hunted meat.
Wild Edible Plant Basics
There are a few key considerations when searching for wild edibles. First and foremost: is it actually edible? There are many toxic plants and convincing lookalikes that can make you dangerously ill, so positive identification is the name of the game. Always be extremely cautious when identifying wild edibles, and use the Universal Edibility Test if there’s any uncertainty.
Some items, such as these Rowan berries, must be cooked to break down naturally-occurring toxins.
Another factor is recalling which parts of a specific plant are edible, and how to process them. Many can be eaten whole and raw, while others need more preparation before you chow down.
A new video from British outdoorsman AlfieAesthetics analyzes 25 different edible plants, flowers, fruits, nuts, and seeds. These include common varieties such as primroses, thistles, fireweed, dandelions, nettles, daisies, and more. Some are native to the UK, but many can be found around the world. But beyond just telling you what’s edible, Alfie explains some of the ways to clean and prepare each plant — some are techniques you may not have thought of, such as roasting and grinding dandelion roots to make a coffee or tea substitute.
Check out the extremely helpful 35-minute video below:
For more survival and bushcraft videos from AlfieAesthetics, check out his YouTube channel.
A trustworthy flashlight is one of the cornerstones of every EDC gear loadout. Whether you’re navigating through dark rooms in a power outage, illuminating a target with your weapon drawn, or simply trying to see what you’re doing during some handyman work around the house, the uses for a reliable light source are endless. And as we’ve said many times before, that tiny LED on your cell phone might be better than nothing, but it’s certainly not up to most critical low-light tasks.
We carry a flashlight every day, generally in our left-hand pocket opposite the folding knife on our right. We’ve gone through quite a few over the years, and identified some that are great and others that are downright awful. When Fenix recently announced the release of its new UC35 V2.0, we jumped at the chance to find out where it falls on this spectrum. Read on for our thoughts after using and carrying this light.
Fenix UC35 V2.0 Updates
As you might guess by the name, the UC35 V2.0 is an updated 2018 version of the older original UC35 (released in 2014). Although there are some similarities between these versions, the 2.0 is essentially a complete redesign from the ground-up, rather than an incremental revision. Fenix looked at the category this light occupies, and went back to the drawing board to improve it.
For reference, here’s a quick comparison between the original UC35 and the UC35 V2.0:
UC35 (2014)
UC35 V2.0 (2018)
Max Output
960 lumens
1,000 lumens
Min Output
14 lumens
1 lumen
Max Runtime
150 hours
800 hours
Throw Distance
656 feet
873 feet
Battery Type
USB-rechargeable 3,200 mAh 18650
USB-rechargeable 3,500 mAh 18650
Controls
Tail cap switch, silicone rubber mode button
Tail cap switch, stainless steel mode button
Dimensions
5.9 inches long, 1 inch diameter
5.5 inches long, 1 inch diameter
MSRP
$120
$120
So essentially, the V2.0 light is smaller, brighter, has a longer maximum runtime, and longer beam throw. This is a result of the new CREE XP-L HI V3 LED that replaced the older CREE XM-L2, as well as a slightly increased battery capacity. Pricing has remained the same, with an MSRP of $120 and street price around $90.
The 40-lumen difference in maximum output between these two lights may not seem substantial, but the high/medium/low modes are more evenly-spaced and the minimum output is down to 1 lumen. This makes for improved versatility when you’re not using the light at full-blast.
Another noteworthy change to the UC35 V2.0 is the modification to its side mode selector button. We’ll talk more about the light’s control scheme later in this review, but the side button on this light is a copper-colored stainless steel rather than squishy silicone rubber. It also features a new charge indicator LED that displays the charge level each time the flashlight is turned on.
The flashlight’s anodized aluminum body appears similar to its predecessor, but now offers more aggressive knurling on the body and tail cap. This makes it easier to firmly grip the light.
Our Impressions of the UC35 V2.0
Unboxing the UC35 V2.0 revealed the light and a few accessories. Fenix includes an 18650 lithium-ion battery, which can be charged via a micro-USB port hidden behind a rubber cover on the light’s bezel. A belt holster and pocket lanyard are also included, though we don’t see ourselves using these items.
The light’s controls will be familiar to anyone who has used a Fenix flashlight in the past. The tail cap switch turns the light on and off in either constant-on or momentary mode, and has a firm springy click action. While the light is on, the stainless side button cycles through five modes 1,000-lumen Turbo, 350-lumen High, 150-lumen Medium, 50-lumen Low, and 1-lumen Moonlight. Pressing and holding the mode selector for one second activates a full-power strobe mode.
Having used previous Fenix lights with the older silicone rubber side button, we can say that the metal button is a substantial improvement. Activation is a positive click rather than a spongy push.
This two-button control scheme is more complex than single-switch designs by competitors, but it also makes it easy to change modes in situations where you might not have the dexterity to repeatedly tap a tail cap switch. When holding the light in a one-handed overhand grip with a thumb on the tail cap, the pinky finger can be used to press the mode selector. The light will maintain the last-selected mode between uses.
The beam pattern consists of a dense central spotlight that’s rated for a maximum effective distance of more than 850 feet, surrounded by a wide gradient halo of light. We found it to be reasonably versatile, but it definitely favors medium-range to long-range use. This is a light we’d grab for night hikes or other outdoor activities, but we’d prefer something more diffuse for close-range room clearing or map reading. Light color appears neutral verging on cool white — no complaints there.
Like most rechargeable flashlights, the UC35 V2.0 has a charge indicator LED inside the mode button that displays red when it’s charging and green when it’s full. Normal charge time for an empty battery is about 3.5 hours. However, Fenix also programmed this LED as a “boot-up battery level indicator” so each time you turn on the light, you’ll know how much charge remains. The indications are as follows:
Solid green – fully charged
Flashing green – sufficiently charged
Solid red – poor charge level (light output begins to gradually step down)
Flashing red – critical charge level (light restricted to Moonlight mode)
It’s worth mentioning that this light can use a pair of CR123A batteries instead of the 18650, but these batteries can’t be recharged and will not display battery life remaining.
The aluminum body feels hefty and solid, and is long enough to use as an impact weapon if the situation calls for it. The body has plenty of texture for grip, but the lens sits pretty close to the edge of the bezel, so we’d be a little concerned about cracking it with a direct impact. However, the light is rated as impact-resistant for drops up to 1 meter and IPX-8 waterproof to 2-meter immersion.
The pocket clip is removable but is attached firmly enough that it won’t pop off accidentally. Flat spots machined into the body make it easier to draw the light without shredding your pocket hem on the knurled surface.
Conclusions
There’s no question that the V2.0 is an improvement on its 2014 predecessor, considering its numerous upgrades and smaller size. With a street price under $100 and a rechargeable battery that’ll save you money on replacements, its value also stacks up well against competitive brands. We’re still not in love with the two-button control scheme, but this comes down to personal preference — it’s still easy to use one-handed and functions reliably.
Overall, the Fenix UC35 V2.0 is a strong performer, and one that has made it into our preferred EDC flashlight rotation. For more info, go to Fenixlight.com.
Pros:
Tight spotlight beam pattern offers long throw and a halo of soft light for peripheral vision outdoors
Battery indicator and rechargeability reduce anxiety about running out of light
Tail cap switch pressure feels just right, and is easy to activate in momentary mode
Textured aluminum body is impact-resistant, waterproof, and feels good in the hand
Cons:
Sits rather high in the pocket with 1.5″ of tail cap protruding — a deep-carry clip would make it more discreet and comfortable to carry
A crenellated striking bezel would’ve been a welcome addition
Users who value simplicity may find the two-button controls less appealing than a single-button setup
One of the biggest turning points in human history was when our ancient ancestors transitioned from hunter-gatherers to sedentary farmers. This enabled them to generate a more-reliable food source, stockpile their crops to avoid starvation, and build permanent villages that would eventually become towns and cities. So, if you someday find yourself in a situation where obtaining food isn’t as simple as making a trip to the grocery store, it’s best to avoid reverting all the way back to hunting and gathering. You’ll want to know how to grow your own food.
It may not look like much, but this half-eaten old yam can be the start of a garden.
Gardening is obviously made easier by modern irrigation systems, fertilizer, and disease-resistant selectively-bred crops — but those aren’t necessary. In a pinch, you can go back to basics, and simply plant something that can already be found wild in your surrounding environment. This is much simpler and more efficient than foraging every time you’re hungry.
In his latest video, the host of Primitive Technology shows how he planted, cultivated, and cooked some yams he found in the surrounding Australian jungle. Pesky wildlife such as wild pigs and turkeys are a problem in his area, so he builds a woven fence from vines to protect his crop. Soil, dead leaves, and water are added, and vertical poles give the green tendrils the means to reach the sunlight.
The yam harvest was carefully dug from the ground using a stick, then buried under hot coals to roast. In the video description, he says, “The yam was eaten while steaming hot and tasted similar to a potato but with a crunchier texture near the outside much like bread crust… They are versatile in that they can be cooked into chips, roasted, boiled, mashed and made into a type of dough called “fufu” typically eaten with stews.” Check out the video below:
We recently had a chance to stop by the Spyderco booth at Blade Show and check out some of the company’s newest knives. There were quite a few appealing designs, but the one that caught our eye immediately is a new high-end folder called the Spyderco Drunken.
The new Drunken was designed by none other than Dmitry Sinkevich, the same Belarusian bladesmith who created the sleek ZT 0462 we recently reviewed. This is his very first project with Spyderco, and the resulting knife is quite impressive.
Spyderco says it “showcases [Sinkevich’s] ability to combine artistic design and unparalleled craftsmanship with practical function” — that may sound like marketing fluff, but we can say it looks and feels like a blade that could be effective for everyday use rather than a fancy display piece. We can’t say the same for a lot of other high-end folders we saw at Blade Show (we’re looking at you, WE Knife Eschaton).
The Drunken features a full-flat ground 3.5-inch blade made of premium CPM S90V steel. It features the company’s trademark Round Hole for easy opening, and a titanium frame with Reeve Integral Lock (the original frame lock mechanism) and stainless steel interface insert (to prevent galling). The opposite side of the handle features a contoured carbon fiber scale. Both sides of the handle feature a subtle wavy “drunken” machined pattern that improves grip. A matching dark blue anodized finish has been applied to the pivot assembly, backspacer, and pocket clip.
Now for the elephant in the room — this knife is for buyers with seriously deep pockets, and we aren’t referring to its physical size. MSRP for the Spyderco Drunken is $630, although third-party retailers are offering pre-orders closer to the $400 mark. Fortunately for those of us who can’t spend that kind of cash, Spyderco has also released quite a few more affordable new models this year — refer to the 2018 Spyderco Mid-Year Product Guide to see all the latest models.
The Drunken is not yet available, although various retailers are taking pre-orders prior to the release later this year. For more information, go to Spyderco.com.
Imagine for a moment that you’re on a cross-country road trip with a friend. After many long hours on the highway, your friend offers to take the wheel and let you get some rest. You doze off in the passenger seat, but awake with a jolt to find yourself alone in the car on the side of a completely unfamiliar road. You have no idea how long you’ve been asleep, where your friend went, or where you are. The car appears to have a flat tire and there’s no cell reception, so you’ll have to set out on foot.
This hypothetical scenario would test your ability to ascertain information from your surroundings, and use that information to navigate to safety. What does the terrain look like? Is the road a well-maintained highway or a rural backroad? Are there any identifiable signs or structures nearby? Is there evidence of cultivated land, crops, or livestock? What sort of pedestrian traffic and vehicles do you see, if any? All of these questions will help you establish where you are and, hopefully, where you need to go.
GeoGuessr is a free browser-based online game that could also be referred to as Google Street View: The Game. It uses the massive database of existing street-level photographs, virtually drops you onto a random street somewhere on Earth (or any specific country, state, or city), and tasks you with guessing your location. You can pan, zoom, and move the camera in any direction to gather more information, but the goal is to mark your guess on the map as close as possible to your virtual location. The closer you get, the more points you receive. There’s also a timed Challenge Mode where you can compete with other players.
While this might seem like little more than a fun way to kill some time, it can actually help to improve your observation and navigation skills. GeoGuessr provides a compass, but the rest is up to you. Just like if you’re lost in real life, you may need to travel down miles of empty road to find a highway marker, intersection, or even a building with signage that indicates where you are. You can also narrow it down based on other clues, such as passing vehicles (although license plates are blurred, so you can’t determine the state you’re in that way). The “World” version of the game amps up difficulty further, since the signs may all be in a language you can’t read.
If you’ve got some down time and are interested in testing your land nav skills, you can play the game at GeoGuessr.com.
Stockpiling food is an essential preparation for any sort of emergency, whether it’s a short-term inconvenience or a long-term catastrophic event. However, it’s important to be wise with your money — there’s no sense putting large quantities of food aside for the future if you’re just barely scraping by in the present. It’s easier to prep when you have more discretionary income, but residing somewhere with lower cost of living can help you make the most of your financial resources.
Cost of living varies wildly throughout the United States, and this can be illustrated through looking at the cost of basic groceries such as food and toiletries. The following infographic from Coupon Follow illustrates the variance in food prices for 30 items across 263 cities in the contiguous U.S. For each item, it shows the city where that item was most expensive, least expensive, and the price differential between the two. Click here to download a full-size version of this graphic.
It’s not surprising that the most expensive city is Manhattan, or that Seattle, Brooklyn, and California’s Bay Area cities are also very costly. However, it’s interesting that four of the five least expensive cities are in Texas. It’s also helpful to know which items have the most consistent prices (i.e. tuna) and which have the widest variation (steak, pizza, and alcohol) — for the latter items, you may want to shop around to find the lowest prices.
If you’re curious about food price variance on a global scale, check out the Big Mac Index. It measures the number of McDonald’s Big Mac hamburgers you can get for $50 in each country around the world, in order to reflect the average food purchasing power in that country.
If you’ve ever been to Arizona in the summer, you’ll know it’s not the most pleasant place to be outdoors during the day. In the Phoenix area, we’ve already reached highs in excess of 110°F, and summer doesn’t officially begin until later this week. In another month or two, it’ll probably hit 120°F here (if not even higher). So just like in the midwest during the dead of winter, choice of clothing is an important consideration if you’re planning to venture outside.
5.11 Tactical has released an array of new summer apparel this year, and was kind enough to send us a shirt and some shorts to try out. We had several options to choose from, so we picked those that looked most hot-weather-friendly: the Athos shorts and Aerial button-down shirt. Read on for our thoughts on each after a few weeks of wearing them.
Athos Shorts
Colors: Black, Stone (khaki), Lunar (grey), Raisin (brown) Materials: 98% cotton, 2% elastane Size Range: 28 to 44 MSRP: $45
The Athos shorts have a discreet look that resembles a pair of chinos, and a 10-inch inseam that comes to just above the knee. We like the asymmetrical cell phone pocket on the left thigh, which perfectly fits a plus-sized iPhone in a slim Otterbox Commuter case.
Two normal front pockets feature stairstepped hems to comfortably accommodate knives, flashlights, and other clip-on EDC gear. Back pockets are pretty standard with button closures. The Athos also features 5.11 Tactical’s MAG pockets at the 4:00 and 8:00 position — we liked these a lot on the 5.11 Defender Flex jeans we reviewed, and we appreciate them here as well. This brings the total pocket count to 7.
We found the Athos shorts to be a great choice for everyday use or trips to the range. They don’t have oversized cargo pockets or flashy stitching so they don’t scream “tactical”, but they provide enough space for the gear you do need on a daily basis.
The Aerial shirt is amazingly breathable — closely examining its grid pattern reveals hundreds of tiny perforations throughout the fabric. If you hold this silky material up to a light source, these pinholes are clearly visible. The end result is a featherweight shirt that wicks away sweat and allows for constant ventilation. That’s a godsend when stepping outside feels like walking into a giant oven.
There’s a single chest pocket and collar, but aside from these features there’s little more of note. Eight snaps can be easily pulled apart with one hand to access a concealed weapon, but nothing about this shirt looks tactical, and we greatly appreciate that design. Many apparel manufacturers go overboard with hidden pockets, velcro, and other features we’d rarely (if ever) use, so it’s nice to see 5.11 Tactical sticking to the basics.
Like the Athos shorts, the Aerial button-down is a solid choice for everyday wear, and one we see ourselves using frequently this summer.
For more info on 5.11’s new summer apparel, check out 511Tactical.com.
Editor’s Note: The following article was written by contributor Brandon Barton for his Facebook page, Last Man Projects. We’ve shared the post in its entirety with permission. It includes some valuable lessons on the realities of walking long-distance in an emergency scenario.
On Memorial Day I posted a brief teaser about my 26-mile road hike down Route 66 with my Direct Action Dragon Egg pack and Goal Zero Nomad 13 solar panel. As promised, I wanted to spend a little time giving you all my impressions of the gear, as well as (and maybe more importantly) my two cents on the overly romanticized idea of bugging out on foot or walking home after the SHtF.
An Impulsive Trip
First, I have to lay out a little backstory. I chose to do this hike at the spur of the moment. At about 09:00 I decided I didn’t want to sit around the house all day, so I grabbed the loaded pack, filled the water bladder, threw in a few extra bottles, strapped the solar panel to the outside PALS webbing and took off.
I was already sort of worn down from an 8-mile hike Saturday and two heavy upper-body workouts plus a 3 mile run Sunday. I hadn’t done a walk even close to this distance in about two years and didn’t prep for it; no building up my endurance, no carb-loading, no rest beforehand. After all, no real emergency scenario is gonna give you time to prep your body for it. You either have the ability to do it live or not. It was as close to “oh shit I gotta go now” as you’d want. Sometimes it pays to be a little impulsive.
Gear Impressions: Goal Zero Nomad
First off, the Goal Zero Nomad; I usually carry back up batteries that the panel feeds while I walk — this is the universally accepted and recommended way — but this time I wanted to see what would happen if I tried to directly charge my iPhone. Reason being, I know there are people out there that are trying to short-cut their preps. If you’re one of these folks you’re probably saying “but wait, I hooked up everything in my kitchen window and it showed my phone was charging!” Yep, and it does… sorta.
If you’re doing anything more than setting it in the sun and leaving it for hours you’re going to have problems. If you’re moving, which is the point of bugging out, I found it to be a pain in the ass and basically ineffective. The planets almost literally have to align right or the panel doesn’t get enough CONSISTENT charge to keep the phone going. That’s the point of storing that inconsistent charge into a battery that will discharge at a consistent rate.
An external battery pack, such as the Goal Zero Sherpa series, can deliver a more consistent charge from a solar panel.
How do I know the Nomad’s direct charge is picky and inconsistent? Well I’m glad you asked… because of that helpful and irritating tone the iPhone makes when you plug it in. It chimed off and on incessantly every time the sun went behind a cloud, I went under branches, or turned so my shadow even slightly blocked the panel. I tried a few different things, and it didn’t really matter how I positioned the panel on the bag either. Point is that solar panels are very particular, so prep accordingly.
Gear Impressions: Dragon Egg Pack
I was pretty impressed for the most part with how the Dragon Egg performed over the course of the ruck. My pack weighed in at about 33 pounds and it carried the weight well. I had really sore trapezius muscles from lots of back work the day before and a sunburn I earned on Saturday. Still, the straps were wide, very well padded, and it never felt like they were putting unreasonable pressure on my muscles. The back board was supportive and the thick padding was comfortably ventilated even in the 94-degree heat. The sternum strap was very important to keeping the shoulder straps snugged up and in the right place. I wish I could’ve gotten it tighter or there was a second strap lower on the shoulder straps, but it wasn’t a huge deal.
I only had two real issues with the pack. The first is that the hip belt is basically worthless. It’s not padded and bears no weight, so I ended up not using it after about 4 miles. I know that on an intermediate to smaller pack that this isn’t unusual, but I can’t help but think the pack would’ve been even more comfortable had it had a padded hip belt. (That way I could’ve taken some weight off my sunburned shoulders every once in a while.)
The second issue — and I know this SEEMS minor — is that I wish the pack had thumb loops built into the shoulder straps. Have you ever hiked long enough to have your hands swell and fingers turn to sausages? I noticed it too, but thanks to my awesome nurse-girlfriend I now know that’s called dependent edema. Its caused by the blood pooling in your hands from carrying your arms low and swinging them as you walk for miles and miles. Its uncomfortable and robs you of some fine motor skills. The way to keep it from happening is carry your hands up every so often, which is kinda awkward unless you have something like thumb loops to hook onto while you walk. Sure, you can hook your thumbs other places, but it’s not as comfortable over that kinda distance, which brings me to my last point…
The Reality of a Long Walk
Walking 26 miles sucks. Look, I get it. There’s a lot of great prepper fiction out there built around the protagonist getting stuck out and making that long, dangerous, and action-packed walk home. Franklin Horton‘s “Borrowed World” and “Locker Nine” series are my absolute favorites and there are countless more, some better than others. At least I know Franklin — he’s an avid hiker and knows what it takes out of you to put miles like that under your heels.
Unfortunately, many authors do not, and the vast majority of the prepper community doesn’t either. Most folks will pack that bag… then OVER-pack it. It will either sit in the corner or closet, or at best get carried to a vehicle and back every day, but that’s about it. Those same “Hypothetical Preppers” will just assume that because the hero of their favorite book series did it, they can do it. I’ve heard it over and over first hand “Well, if the EMP hits I’ll just grab my bag out of my truck and start home. I figure I can make 20 to 30 miles a day easy”. Sure you will man… sure you will.
Unless they engage in regular hiking, most people can’t do a fraction of that if they are being honest with themselves. If they did get a jump on their trip and somehow managed to make 20 – 30 miles a day, I’m guessing they wouldn’t be going ANYWHERE for a few days after that while their body recovers. They never tend to mention that in most of the prepper fiction I’ve read. “Bill walked his ass off that first day, but because his muscles seized up overnight and his feet were totally shot, he laid around for the next three days trying to limber up and get feeling back in his blistered feet while his family fought off looters at home.”
My point is this, you have to be walking fit. Even if you’re gym fit, or work fit, you can’t count on that to get you home. It doesn’t matter that you can put up 300 on the bench if you can’t walk to the bench to do it. It doesn’t matter if you work “on your feet all day” because that still doesn’t equate to humping a pack miles on end. And it doesn’t matter if you used to be able to do it a few years ago — all that matters is if you can do it NOW.
No matter how good your shoes and socks are, your feet are going to get torn up. Since you don’t walk around with a pack most of the time your muscles will ache and be sore from being used in ways they’re not used to. You’ll have greater chances of mechanical injury, overheating, dehydration, and you’ll burn more calories than you’d probably planned on. I lost 4 pounds from that 26 mile walk. Regardless if it was water weight or fat burned, that’s still my body’s resources I lost… in ONE day.
The next day I was back in my gym and out running again, but I’m pretty fit and hike a lot of shorter distances. Still, it was really miserable and I’m pretty worn. Multiply that over several days to simulate a trip home and I can’t tell you how rough I’d be by the time I hobbled through my front door… or maybe if I’d have made it home at all. The constant fatigue could have caused me to make a stupid decision somewhere on the road and that would be it.
Conclusions
So get out there and hike with your packs. Feel what it’s like to walk with your favorite dystopian hero. Figure out where your preps are weak and fix the issues before you have to count on them. Prepping isn’t a hypothetical activity, it’s a full-contact sport.
If you were to name the most influential survival instructors, who would be on your list? You might immediately think of Les Stroud, Cody Lundin, or Ray Mears — all appropriate choices given their considerable experience and celebrity status. However, Canadian outdoorsman Mors Kochanski has been teaching wilderness survival for longer than any of them. He is undeniably a legend in the field, and influenced all three of these modern-day experts. Stroud has called Kochanski “a master”; in our recent interview with Lundin, he referred to Kochanski as “one of my greatest instructors”.
Kochanski, currently age 77, has spent most of his life in the remote wilderness. He started his career as an outdoor educator in 1968, and would go on to write several books, including the popular 300-page guide known as Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival. Whether you’re already familiar with him or haven’t heard of him yet, there’s much to be learned from his teaching.
Flexible finger-thick sticks form the basis of the bed platform, and give under body weight.
In the following 15-minute video, Kochanski shows off the core concepts of his famous Super Shelter, which was inspired by the traditional domed igloo. This design helps to optimize the effectiveness of your heat source, whether that’s a roaring campfire or a small stove. Kochanski also discusses variants of the shelter, such as a movable version and a more-permanent version with rigid upright beams.
We especially like the high door sill feature he mentions, since this prevents sinking cold air from flowing into the doorway of your shelter and displacing the rising hot air. Anyone who has ever camped at the bottom of a valley during colder months knows just how much that effect can ruin your night.
For more from Kochanski, check out his numerous videos on the YouTube channel Karamat Wilderness Ways or look into one of his courses at Karamat.com.
The Premise: As the name implies, 100 Deadly Skills is a primer written by former Navy SEAL Clint Emerson. There are, in fact, 100 separate tips, tricks, and survival hacks to help the reader prepare for any number of possible worst-case scenarios from natural disaster to criminal abduction. Each of these skills is based on the training or operational experience of a former Special Warfare Operator who also spent time working, in some capacity, with the National Security Agency.
The 411: The skills in the book are broken down into two-page panels. One side is a storyboard-like illustration, often with step-by-step comic book panels showing how the skill is to be executed. The opposite page gives written instructions, sometimes with background or operational context that gives relevance to the skill being taught. The skills are broken down into larger parts loosely based on a military Operations Order — Part I being Mission Prep and Part IX being Exfiltration and Escape. There’s also a foreword and final conclusion by the author, as well as the obligatory “don’t try this at home” warning, emphasizing the potential risks involved in attempting any of these tricks in real life.
The Verdict: The format of this book is an excellent way to present survival-style skills. Graphic illustrations are always helpful since many of us are primarily visual learners to begin with. Having both illustrations with captions and written instructions paired together aims to reduce the trial-and-error curve, and cut back the ever-frustrating “am I doing this right?” results that land somewhere between flawless success and total failure. For somebody new to these kinds of skills or unsure how much time and effort they’re ready to commit, 100 Deadly Skills gives a lot of just-enough overviews that’ll quickly prompt the more avid preppers and independence-minded among us to do further in-depth research. Both the larger parts and individual skill pages keep the information well organized and highly manageable for reading in bits and pieces over weeks or even months. This book is a great way to get your brain percolating about things that could save your life with about the same level of effort that you’d spend on anything else while sitting in the bathroom or on an airplane.
Having said that, the actual practicality of 100 Deadly Skills is somewhat suspect. Some of the skill panels make brief yet meaningful intro-level presentations for the completely uninitiated, like skills 002 and 003, Create an EDC Kit and Create a Vehicle Bolt Bag, respectively. But many of the skills are grossly oversimplified and, in some cases, border on an injustice to the amount of effort and training required to become proficient — as in skill 044, Pick a Lock, or skill 063, Win a Knife Fight. Others still are rather sensational in nature and will likely prove absolutely useless, even in a total-grid collapse. Our favorite examples of this particular folly are skill 026, Steal a Plane, and the aptly placed skill 007, Construct a Rectal Concealment.
Speaking of sensational in nature, 100 Deadly Skills feels heavily seeded with buzzwords and shock-value language. While it may be entertaining taken at face value, anybody serious about prepping, personal security, or simply training to be more self-sufficient might be as turned off by it as we were. The introduction refers to Special Operations veterans as “action heroes for modern times, one-part James Bond, the other Rambo.” The alumni of those units who we know, have worked with, and who contribute to our magazines would likely shy away from such a cavalier and self-approving description. But to give credence where it’s due, this is a stereotype that’s well-ingrained into mainstream media and pop-culture portrayals. So maybe it’s an effective attention-grabber to get this book into people’s hands and get them thinking. Emerson goes on further to refer to these same operators as Violent Nomads — “a nod,” he says, “to their disregard for international borders and their bias for swift, brutal action.” The Violent Nomad reference in particular is carried on and off throughout the book.
At the end of the day, 100 Deadly Skills is a mixed bag. There’s no denying that there are useful tidbits presented in a very accessible way that may inspire readers to dig deeper into an education on potentially life-saving skills, like 018, Hotel Safety And Security Awareness. But the inclusion of skills like 032, Make a Newspaper Nail Bat, and 085, Dispose of a Body, ensure that this book keeps one foot firmly planted in the survivalist novelty aisle.
Novel & Author 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative’s Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation by Clint Emerson
