Tip: How to Aim When Spearfishing & Bowfishing

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Think back to your elementary school science classes. While explaining the properties of light, your teacher probably brought out a lens, a prism, or even a glass of water, and showed how these clear objects bend rays of light. While the concept of refraction is interesting to observe, you may have discounted it as something that wouldn't affect your life outside the classroom. However, if you ever try spearfishing or bowfishing to put food on the table in a survival situation, you'll learn immediately that it's an important variable to consider.

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Water's refractive properties cause visual distortion, so you'll need to compensate for this.

When you're viewing an underwater object from above the surface, refraction causes that object to appear in a different position than where it actually is. Just as a drinking straw seems to bend when you place it into a glass of water, a fish below the water's surface will appear to be somewhere it isn't. If you're trying to spear a fish for survival, this small difference in visible and actual position can spell the difference between an empty stomach and a delicious dinner.

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Fortunately, there's a simple rule of thumb for spearfishing and bowfishing: aim low. Well… that's a good starting point, at least. How far below the visible fish you'll need to aim depends on your angle of approach, the water depth, and even the size of your target.

The diagram below from The Fisheries Blog shows how it works:

Bowfishing spearfishing aim fish hunt bow arrow spear 4

If the fish is nearer to the surface, or you're aiming almost straight down by your feet, you won't need to aim much lower. If it's swimming deeper below the surface and you're at a shallower angle, you'll need to compensate more for refraction.

The following 1-minute video from Diamond Archery explains the basics of this concept:

So, for every foot of depth between the fish and the water's surface, you can aim 6 inches below your target, assuming you're shooting or spearing from approximately a 45-degree angle.

This will take practice, but it's important to keep in mind in case you ever need to spearfish or bowfish in a survival situation. If you aim directly at the fish you see, you'll almost certainly miss, and may end up frustrated and hungry after many failed attempts. So remember: when you're trying to hit an underwater target, aim low.

Review: Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Gear

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If you hate mosquitoes as much as we do, you've probably tried a few different solutions to get the blood-sucking pests to leave you alone.

One of our favorite solutions for wide-area mosquito repellent comes from Thermacell. Most of the company's repellents work by heating a chemical compound called allethrin, which is a synthetic version of a naturally-occurring compound found in the chrysanthemum (mums) flower. Heating the compound creates a not-unpleasant smelling smoke, which for some reason mosquitoes hate. As the smoke swirls around you, a mosquito-free barrier zone is created — at least in theory.

Photo: DVIDS / Petty Officer 3rd Class William Phillips

Photo: DVIDS / Petty Officer 3rd Class William Phillips

The Insect-Infested Proving Ground

The Thermacell system was first introduced to us by backwoods Florida hog hunters who spent countless motionless hours in the swampy fringes of the Everglades. Since then we’ve fielded it successfully in places where slapping DEET on your skin just doesn’t cut it. We’ve used it during wilderness search-and-rescue scenarios in the thick woods of north Florida’s Camp Blanding, but for an unparalleled mosquito-filled proving ground, we had to head further south.

We ventured to the truly nightmarish mangrove swamps of Collier-Seminole State Park as well as Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. Seminole-Collier is acknowledged by park rangers to contain some of the highest mosquito concentration in South Florida, which basically means it's one of the most mosquito-dense regions in the nation. The meter at the park entrance, where we’re used to seeing a “Fire Danger” sign, instead lists the level of mosquito activity ranging from low, to high, to “Blood Donor.”

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Tree Snail Hammock Trail was one of the most mosquito-dense areas we encountered.

Naturally, during our time there, the meter was pegged to the far side for the entire duration. If our repellents could survive this gauntlet, they'd be worth every penny.

New Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Products

We used two of Thermacell’s newest products during this testing and evaluation trip: the Thermacell MR450 and the Thermacell Backpacker.

Mosquito repellent Thermacell review DEET insect bug swamp 5

The MR450 (pictured above) is basically an upgraded version of the classic MR150 portable repeller, which is what we’re used to carrying. The repeller contains a small butane cartridge to heat a metal griddle, which in turn vaporizes the allethrin repellent mats.

The mats start out blue when they’re impregnated with allethrin, then turn to white as the repellent wears out. When the whole mat turns white you simply swap it out with a new blue mat. The unit is available at an MSRP of $35, and a 120-hour refill pack of mats and cartridges is $45.

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The improvements for the MR450 model are incremental, but we do like it better than previous models. These changes include a rubberized grip for improved ergonomics and noise dampening. Also, the ignition switch was redesigned to make less noise when you light the flame.

Mosquito repellent Thermacell review DEET insect bug swamp 2

The Backpacker version ($40 MSRP, pictured above), on the other hand, represents a drastic departure from the prior designs and is more compact and minimalist. The primary difference is that it can use regular butane canisters (like those from MSR, Jetboil, etc.) instead of the proprietary Thermacell butane cartridges. There are a few good reasons for this.

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First, it means that you can buy your fuel at any campground store or Wal-Mart on the way to your destination, and have a bigger supply of fuel to scavenge from in emergencies. Also, you’ll save on your overall carried weight, since butane canisters may already be the primary fuel for your camp stove. Note, however, that the Backpacker does not work with the green Coleman propane canisters because they have a unique thread pattern.

Testing on the Trail

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Thermacell claims that these units extend protection up to 25 feet away, and that the greatest protection is offered up to 7.5 feet away, thus providing a 15’x15’ “exclusion zone.” The manufacturer further claims that within that shorter distance, the device provides between 95% to 98% effectiveness.

These are some pretty big claims, and we wish that we could agree completely with them. Unfortunately, our field testing experiences don’t quite match up to these bold statements.

Mosquito repellent Thermacell review DEET insect bug swamp 10

First, let’s look at the effective radius. Based on our experience with the older versions as well as these newer products with identical claimed performance, we never once observed the repellents working that far out. At most the zone of maximum effectiveness is about a 4’x4’ area.

In our experience each person needs to have their own personal repellent device. You can’t depend on the device of the person sitting or walking next to you. It’s absolutely true that the observed performance of the Thermacell is to create your own personal anti-mosquito “bubble.” But it’s just that — a personal bubble, not a group bubble.

This may be due in part to wind conditions. The scent from your Thermacell may be blowing away from you, so having more than one unit is definitely preferable. For example, if walking in a straight line down a trail with the wind at your face, the scent will be blowing behind you. But if your partner is ahead of you with theirs turned on, you’ll be covered both front and back. And obviously the reverse applies when the wind shifts.

For the record, Thermacell says that its products are intended for stationary use, so we would probably see even more effective coverage if remaining stationary.

Next we come to the 95% to 98% effectiveness claim. In our experience, the Thermacell will never provide a complete barrier against mosquitoes — and that's understandable. Even the manufacturer doesn’t claim that.

By our own non-laboratory field estimates, we would guess that the system reduces mosquitoes landing on you by probably 80% in heavily-concentrated areas with aggressive mosquitoes. In lightly-concentrated areas with less aggressive mosquitoes that number probably comes closer to 90%.

Mosquito repellent Thermacell review DEET insect bug swamp 7

We came to this conclusion by walking the same section of trails multiple times — once with the Thermacell activated and once without. On one particularly fierce stretch of swamp called the Tree Snail Hammock Trail in Big Cypress National Preserve, we actually had a few mosquitoes land directly on the unit we were carrying in our hands.

We’re not dogging the product, we’re just saying that sometimes the effectiveness of a repellent depends on how hungry err… thirsty a mosquito happens to be.

As long as you know what you’re getting into, this is not a problem. We’ve used Thermacell mosquito repellents for years and will continue to use them, especially now that we have our hands on better versions of already-effective products. It’s not a magic bullet, but it is a highly-effective and relatively-inexpensive $25 to $35 tool which greatly increases your comfort and decreases the likelihood of contracting insect-borne diseases.

Mosquito repellent Thermacell review DEET insect bug swamp 1

If you really want 100% effectiveness you’ll likely have to combine a Thermacell device with a mosquito jacket and head covering, long sleeve shirt and pants, and also a DEET-based liquid repellent on your skin. That’s the combination of products that we used during our evaluations. It allowed us to slowly walk through and linger in sections of wilderness which unprotected humans would never be able to handle.

For more information on insect repellent strategies, check out our feature article “Bugging Outbreak” in RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 21, on sale now.

Here on OFFGRIDweb, you can also read our article on how to make smudge pot mosquito repellent, review a useful mosquito season infographic, or look at some of Thermacell's mosquito repelling lanterns.

About the Author

Andrew Schrader is a licensed professional engineer and is certified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Structures Specialist. His company, Recon Response Engineering LLC, advises state and federal government organizations on the subject of urban search and rescue and building collapse. He recently assisted the U.S. Department of State’s Italian Consulate in the development of their post-earthquake response and rescue protocol. You can follow him on Instagram at @reconresponse.

Infographic: Mountain Elevation & Ocean Depth

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If you've pondered a survival scenario, you've probably considered many different factors — food and water availability, weather, shelter options, escape routes, and so on. But there's one major variable that is often overlooked: elevation.

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As your elevation increases, temperature tends to drop, air becomes drier, and weather becomes more volatile. The boiling point of water also drops, so cooking food and purifying water takes longer. Lower oxygen density makes physical activity substantially more difficult, and can cause altitude sickness if you haven't acclimated. At extreme elevation, fatal pulmonary edemas and hypoxia become serious risks. Staying alive at 20,000 feet is a major challenge, even for experienced climbers.

Unless you're a SCUBA diver or work on a submarine, heading in the opposite direction isn't really a concern, but it's still interesting to examine.

This or that ocean

Sunlight only penetrates a mere 3,000 feet below the ocean's surface, and few humans have descended beyond 1,000 feet without a protective atmospheric suit or submarine. Even with a steady supply of oxygen, humans struggle to survive the crushing pressure and frigid temperature of the ocean depths. That's not to mention the total darkness, aquatic predators, and potential for decompression sickness.

The following infographic from LiveScience illustrates the landmarks of planet Earth from top to bottom. It also points out facts such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, and boiling time. Click here to download a full-size version of this infographic.

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What If You’re Stranded in the Desert

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Illustrations by Cassandra Dale

You woke up slowly, grudgingly, and in a state of confusion. It was so cold, shockingly cold. As you lay there, curled up and shivering on the bench seat of the old pickup truck, with only your jacket for warmth, you couldn't quite reconcile the facts. It wasn't too long ago that you very nearly had a heat stroke. And just 10 hours later, you felt as though you were going to freeze to death.

“How can all of that heat be gone?” you asked yourself, zipping your work jacket up to your chin and laying out spare clothing in your lap like a blanket. If only the truck would start, you lamented, wishing you could drive to safety (or at least run the heater for warmth). But the truck was beyond your skill to repair, and you were slowly starting to realize that the situation may have been beyond your skill to survive.

The desert is a harsh backdrop for any kind of survival scenario, and the life that does exist there is highly adapted to the climate. If we don't play by the rules of this dry environment, our chances for outlasting the situation are slim.

So, in this edition of our What If? column, we pose the question: What if your vehicle breaks down, leaving you stranded in the desert?

To explore different approaches to survival in an arid landscape, RECOIL OFFGRID asked different survival writers to create a fictional story that contains real survival tips and tricks. Joining me for this installment is Jared Wihongi, a SWAT officer, firearms instructor, and defensive tactics teacher who holds a master rank in the Filipino combat art of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. He has real-world experience thriving in sweltering conditions, having traveled the globe to instruct everyone from elite police units in Asia to special-operations forces in his home (and arid) state of Utah.

As for me, I've been teaching people how to survive almost everything for more than 20 years, and I've written multiple New York Times-bestselling survival manuals from my experience. As always, it's an honor for me to be a contributor to the What If? feature. Now, let's see if our character can hack it in the dry lands.

The Scenario
Situation TypeStranded
Your CrewJust you
LocationNew Mexico
SeasonLate summer
WeatherSunny; high 100 degrees F, low 55 degrees F

The Setup: You're a portly sales executive in your early fifties named Mark, about to depart on a long road trip back home to Wichita, Kansas. You dropped off your daughter, Laura, at her new home for the next four years: New Mexico State University. Despite the tears and laughs, the trip was a success, thanks to your trusted '90 Ford F-150. Time to head home.

The Complication: The trip to the Las Cruces campus was fairly straightforward, as you just needed to make it there in time for freshmen orientation. But on the way back you decide to take a much-deserved detour: visiting Roswell. As a sci-fi buff, you've always been fascinated by the city's love affair with UFOs. But after passing Alamogordo, you must have taken a wrong turn. Are you on U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 82, or some unnamed county road? Every two-lane road is starting to the look the same.

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The Google Maps printout isn't helping, and even though your iPhone has a GPS fix, you're not getting any data. So, your location on the screen is just a lonely dot, floating unattached to reality, in the middle of virtual New Mexico. Immediately, you regret not buying a Thomas Guide. To make matters worse, your truck's temp gauges jump, and lights start blinking. You pull over. With nary a shoulder, you roll off the pavement onto the rocky dirt and slink to a stop. Steam billows from the hood. You think it's the thermostat — but no way of knowing without checking for leaks and pulling everything apart. As the morning gives way to the afternoon sun, the temperature climbs. You haven't seen another soul, rest area, or gas station in the last 70 miles. You're officially stranded and lost in the desert.

The New Plan: Realizing that simply sitting in the hot sun with a broken-down truck won't help your situation, you reevaluate your situation and your supplies. You don't have your usual toolbox or spare parts. But you have the following:

  • '90 Ford F-150 and its parts
  • Wallet, keys, CCW license, concealed carry Kimber Master Carry Ultra, TOPS MIL-SPIE 3.5 folding knife
  • Fleece-lined, heavy-cotton Carhartt work jacket
  • Luggage containing street clothes and travel-size toiletries
  • Windshield sunshade
  • Paper printout of Google Maps directions
  • Small YETI cooler with a 16.9-ounce bottled water, two sandwiches, and a chocolate bar
  • Jumper cables
  • Spare tire and jack
  • One 12-ounce can of dog food (found under the seat)

CQC Expert: Jared Wihongi's Approach

You have to be freaking kidding me! Seriously?” I muttered to myself. I was familiar enough with my truck to know that this was a serious issue and wouldn't be a quick fix. Oh well, it was what it was, and whining wasn't going to change anything. I needed to focus my energy on the situation at hand … so what was my next step? It was 100 degrees outside and climbing. I needed to stay calm and figure this out, but time was of the essence.

I did a quick survey of my surroundings and the horizon. I was fully aware I was lost even before my vehicle broke down. So, outside of dumb luck, there wasn't a good chance I would find my way out on foot, especially considering I hadn't seen civilization for at least the last 70 miles. In the distance, I saw some mountains with greenery and the prospect of water, potential food sources, and high ground to get a phone signal. All of which I'd need if I were to survive any length of time.

I estimated it must be about a 10- to 15-mile hike. Not exactly the same as my walk to the mailbox, I thought as I looked down at my beer belly, but not out of the realm of possibility. After all, I used to play college football, and cardio wasn't foreign to me.

I took a quick inventory of what I had in my truck and put together a hasty survival kit in my travel backpack. The sandwiches and chocolate bar I brought for the trip would come in handy — I could stretch those over a day or two. Whenever my friends made jokes about all the weight I gained over the past 35 years, I told them I was saving up for the zombie apocalypse. Now those jokes seemed poised to become reality, sans the living dead. Luckily, much of this weight gained came from snacking while laying on my sofa watching episodes of Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild, so I figured I had a few ideas of what I needed to do. If there's one thing I knew, it's that my body would survive off its abundance of fat stores — but dehydration was going to be my biggest enemy. I'd have to stretch my one bottle of water out; take a sip every few hours or so.

As I finished assembling my survival kit, it hit me. I was already sweating profusely, and the day just seemed to be getting hotter. I came to the stark realization that I'd probably never reach those mountains. I needed to conserve my energy and hydration if I hoped to last more than just one day. What on earth was I thinking? I wasn't the physical specimen I was 35 years ago, and with this plan of action I'd probably end up one of those people whose abandoned vehicle is found months, if not years, before my skeletal remains were discovered.

Change of plans: back to Boy Scouts 101, stay put and wait to be found. If I were to be rescued, I needed to stay hydrated and make myself visible.
First things first, I had to get my body temperature down. In this desert, every movement seemed to make me sweat more. The inside of my pickup was like an oven, and the pavement around my vehicle seemed to be radiating heat. About 50 yards off the road I could see a small rocky outcrop. I could use my windshield sunshade combined with some natural shade to get out of the heat.

Before I made the much shorter hike there, I used the spare clothes from my luggage to cover my arms and legs to protect my skin from the sun. I also grabbed a shirt to cover my head, as well as my mouth to help prevent moisture loss from breathing. I recalled a memorable episode of Bear Grylls peeing on his shirt and wrapping it around his head to further control the body's temperature. Rather than get that drastic, I took my chances with some windshield washer fluid from my truck — though I didn't want to get it in my eyes or ingest it, as it has some toxic content. Either way, it seemed the least disgusting of my two choices.

Next, I opened the hood of my truck and arranged some rocks to fashion a crude SOS sign on the road, with an arrow pointing toward the rocky outcrop I spotted. I also wrote a note on the back of an old maintenance receipt from my truck's file cabinet (also known as a glovebox) and left it on the dashboard, detailing the date, time, and where I was headed. The last thing I wanted was to miss a potential rescue by a passing motorist or helicopter.

I quickly made it to the rocky outcrop — 50 yards was definitely smarter than 15 miles — and found a good spot to prop my windshield shade. As I started to cool down in the shade, I took a bite of my chocolate bar and started thinking through my next options.

I'd need to make myself visible from as far as possible if I were to stand a chance of being rescued. I needed to make a fire! Smoke by day and light by night; that seemed my best chance. I anticipated that it would start getting cold at night, so a fire would also help me stay warm. At sundown, with the temperatures more bearable, I'd try my hand at getting my truck back up and running. I'd also take a short walk to the highest ground within reasonable distance to see if I could get a cell signal or some data for my GPS.

As the day dragged on and broad daylight started to give way to dusk, I knew I only had a short period to work in the cooler hours before nightfall and darkness. I began to gather as much combustible material as possible, mostly dried brush and tumbleweed. I included some green brush to create as much smoke as possible in the daytime.

Next, I grabbed a couple of worn socks from my luggage to soak up oil and gasoline from my truck to help start the fire.

Then I got to work trying to figure out what was going on with my engine, now that it and the weather had cooled down. As I twisted and pulled on parts trying to diagnose the problem, it became more apparent that I'd never figure things out without my tools. Temper and stupidity got the best of me, as I slammed my hood shut out of frustration. Big mistake. My smartphone was on the engine bay; it fell to the road, breaking the screen and putting the phone out of commission entirely. Any hope of finding a signal was gone.

“Can things get any worse?” I thought to myself as I walked to some nearby bushes to pee. Just at that moment I heard the frightening noise I'd heard all too many times on TV… rattlesnake!

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I glanced around and quickly caught sight of the serpent a few feet off to my side, well within the animal's coiled striking distance. Thanks to what I used to think were unhealthy TV watching habits, I knew these are vibration-driven animals — so I remained still. The snake's rattle stopped briefly and intermittently, but never completely, for what seemed like an eternity. The rattle told me it remained in alert and potential attack mode. I slowly drew the Kimber I'd kept in my waistband all day, took a steady aim at its head, and blam — direct hit.

Not knowing how long I would be stuck out there, I used my knife to remove the snake's guts and whatever was left of its head, being careful not to touch any fangs or venom. “I'm sure it'll taste like chicken, right?” I asked aloud, knowing full well snake meat wouldn't and acknowledging that I was now talking to myself. I wrapped the body in a large Ziploc bag from my luggage and placed it in my cooler.

I piled the dried twigs and vegetation, slipping the gasoline-drenched sock beneath them. Connecting my jumper cables to the truck's battery, I ignited the gasoline and got my fire going.

Looking at the bloodstain that was once the rattler reminded me that there were dangerous critters out there, so I opted to layer up with my extra clothing and Carhartt jacket and sleep in the cab of my truck. Not super comfortable, but a little warmer and safer than being out in the elements. During the night I got up occasionally to re-stoke the fire. It was ironic how cold the desert was when the sun was gone.

As morning arrived, I began adding green shrubs and an oiled sock on the fire to create more smoke. I kept the fire going as much as I could to signal my location.

Two days into this ordeal and it quickly became apparent that although my efforts at thermal regulation were prolonging my life, my food sources were certainly going to outlast my water sources. I had conserved my food knowing that eating would just make me thirstier, but my water was completely gone and I was starting to feel faint and have hallucinations. I tried to make peace with the fact that I wouldn't last much longer out there, but my imagination started running wild with worry for my daughter. Just as I started to feel hope was lost, all the steps I had taken to survive began to pay off.

A BLM ranger saw the smoke from my fire and came to investigate. Following my SOS sign, he located me in the shade of what I thought would be my deathbed. I barely had the strength to thank him, rejoicing silently in the fact that I would live to see my daughter graduate from college. Although, next time, I'll fork out the cash for a flight.

Survival Expert: Tim MacWelch's Approach

Since I had no idea how long I would have to wait for another vehicle to appear, I decided to pass the time by sifting through my stash of supplies. There were so many things that I owned … that weren't with me on this trip. But those possessions wouldn't help me while they were sitting at home, so I decided to stop worrying about them. I focused on the supplies that would help right then.

In the blinding sun, I made a mental list of the goods, and then put on my sunglasses to scan the horizon in every direction. No buildings, no towers, no sign of human existence were to be seen, other than myself, the road, and the broken-down truck. There was no point in trying to walk anywhere. That much was clear. I didn't have enough water to make it anywhere on foot, so I decided to stay with the truck. It's big and easy for people to spot, I rationalized. I could even turn on the flashers while the battery lasted. And it was the only source of shade in a landscape devoid of trees.

Two hours had passed since my truck rolled to a halt on the side of the godforsaken road. Over and over, I tried to call and text virtually everyone in my phone's contact list — to no avail. There was no signal.

I opened both truck doors, but there was no breeze to help with the growing heat in the cabin of the truck. I placed the shiny silver windshield cover in position to block some of the sun, but it didn't help much. Sweat poured down my face and back as I sat there, constantly shifting my gaze from the side window to the rearview mirror. I looked at the road ahead of me, and the road behind, desperately hoping to see some kind of vehicle headed my way. But as the heat built up, there was still no one in sight. I decided that open doors weren't enough of a signal of distress, and I wanted to save the battery to run the hazard flashers after dark, so I left the scorching truck cab and lifted the hood. It was hard to tell which heat was worse — the direct sunlight or the baking sensation inside the cab.

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Opting for the cab again, since it at least offered a seat, I climbed back inside. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in some sick fairy tale; I felt the like the boy crawling into the oven of some gingerbread house witch.

After another hour, I finally had enough. The oppressive heat of the truck cab felt dangerous, and I was so hot and thirsty that I had stopped sweating. My pulse pounded and my head felt light as I climbed down out of the cab and walked around the truck looking for relief. There's wasn't any significant shade cast by the vehicle, and I began to contemplate whether I should crawl under the truck to get out of the sun. I dropped the tailgate to give myself a seat where I could do some further thinking, immediately realizing that the tailgate itself cast a small patch of shade. Crawling underneath, the hot ground began to cool and soon the temperature was a little more tolerable.

I tried again to call for help on my iPhone, deciding to power down when the battery reached 10 percent. Through sheer boredom and lethargy, I remembered my food. Realizing the sandwiches wouldn't keep in the heat, I ate them both — only to find myself even thirstier. A little too late, I remembered something I had heard ages ago, in Boy Scouts or some other place. If you don't have water, don't eat. Whoever said it, they were right. My thirst had built from mere discomfort to a parched dry-mouth sensation. Down went the water bottle, still reasonably cool from the YETI.

My thoughts cleared a bit, sitting in the shade and feeling the water's effect on my body. I went over the plan. If I still didn't get any help, I'd run the flashers after dark and build a fire to catch people's attention after the battery runs low, though I didn't remember seeing any matches or a lighter when I inventoried my gear. The thought quickly passed from my mind, since the heat left me with no interest in making a hot fire right then. I watched the sun grow closer to the horizon — and I watched the empty road.

Eight hours had passed since the truck broke down, and the sun sank low. Finally, I had to answer nature's call. It had been 12 hours or more since I had last urinated. I walked to a nearby bush and made a pathetic stream of strong smelling piss. I was done quickly, and glad of it. But sheltering in the sparse shade of the scrub bush was a rattlesnake.

It hadn't made a sound as I released my urine, but as I backed away, it decided to give me a warning rattle. The tail shook, reminding me yet again that I was out of my depth and not welcomed in that place.

That was all I needed to incentivize me to try the engine again. My energy had returned a little as the air reached a more habitable temperature (and I began to think about sharing the terrain with rattlers), but the engine still wouldn't turn over. I thought I might have 30 minutes of sunlight left, so I stood on the front bumper and peered at the engine's parts and systems, looking for the weak link in the chain. As the shadows grew longer, I turned my phone back on to use the flashlight feature. Reaching down into the engine compartment, holding my phone for its light, my bad luck continued. The phone slipped from my clumsy fingers, and fell on the rocks below. Not only did the case come off, but the screen shattered. Tiny glass shards skittered across the stones and disappeared like insects into the cracks.

Climbing down from my perch, and reaching under the truck, I retrieved my phone — now broken and even more useless. As I knelt on the stony ground, holding the broken bits of my phone, reality started to gnaw at me. I had no way to reach out for help, I had no water left, and there were rattlesnakes around the area.

My thoughts of scavenging for firewood in the cool dark evening seemed more like a death wish and less like a survival strategy. Absent all day, the breeze began to move as the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind distant hills. At first, the cooler air was very welcomed. It felt like an air-conditioned room after a hot day, though it wasn't long before a chill ran though me. I climbed into the truck, glad to be away from the wind (and the snakes). The remaining warmth of the vehicle's metal was a mild comfort, and my head began to nod.

Lying down on the bench seat, I closed my eyes, thinking I would take only a moment's rest. When I opened my eyes again, full darkness was upon me, along with a noticeable chill. I cursed my sloth, not knowing how many cars passed by me while I slept. I hit the button for the hazard flashers and opened the driver-side door. For several hours, I sat there. Finally, when the flashers grew noticeably dim, I closed the door and shut them off. Using my jacket as a blanket, I managed a few fitful hours of sleep. Dreams of a rattlesnake in my truck, and my shivering, finally woke me. I laid there feeling utterly defeated, taking stock of all my failures. All the “should haves” and “could haves” haunted me like desert ghosts, and I wondered what it would be like if I became a ghost myself.

As my thoughts turned their darkest, I noticed a faint light in the rear window of the truck. Dawn must finally be here, I thought. As I began to think about writing a will when I had enough light to see, new colors joined the light pouring into my truck cab. White light and blue, pulsed across the cab ceiling as I sat up. The sheriff's deputy approached the driver-side door, and my uniformed savior asked if I needed help.

Conclusion

In the world's toughest deserts, you might as well be on the moon. There's almost nothing there to help you in that inhospitable set of surroundings, and if you didn't bring the things you need to survive, you won't find them out there.

For those who live in, work near, play in, or travel through desert terrain, you'll want to load up your vehicle like you're getting ready to colonize another planet. Bring more water than you think you'll ever need, more food and first aid gear than you expect to use, more tools and spare parts than you know how to use, and everything else that you have in your bag of tricks. The desert doesn't coddle the incompetent or forgive the foolhardy. She's a brutal adversary, with a host of weapons at her disposal.

As my mom tried to explain to me about girls when I was a pimply adolescent — and what I'm trying to explain to you now about the desert — pretty is as pretty does. And to me, there's nothing prettier than turning your vehicle into a rolling warehouse of survival supplies, especially before driving into remote areas.

Expert Advice

By Dr. Neal Olshan

When talking about the dangers of being stranded in the desert or caught in hot environments, experts always talk about the physiological effects of extreme or prolonged heat on the body. Rarely do they mention the psychological effects. Almost never do they mention the effects on the brain's frontal lobe and executive functioning. In many ways, the effects would be like a pilot turning off the fuel pump in an airplane flying at 16,000 feet.

What is Executive Function?

It's the ability to make complex decisions that could save your or someone else's life. Around the time of puberty, the frontal lobe of the brain matures, allowing individuals to perform higher-level tasks. Think of executive function as the CEO of the brain that must analyze, organize, decide, and execute decisions. It's crucial for survival, especially in adverse situations.

The Keys

The six major components of executive functioning are the following abilities:

  1. To analyze a task, situation, or threat
  2. To plan how to address the task, situation, or threat
  3. To organize the steps needed to carry out the task or remove the threat
  4. To develop timelines for completing the task or removing the threat
  5. To adjust or shift the steps, if needed, to complete the task or remove the threat
  6. To complete the task in a timely and safe manner

The Heat Factor

Picture this: You're alive, but stranded in a desert environment. The heat is relentless.

You had been sweating a lot, but now you're sweating less. Your companion comments that you look pale, and you realize that you're feeling weak and nauseated. You realize that you're having trouble making even simple decisions. There's a sense of increasing anxiety, but you can't focus on exactly what is wrong.

These are the unfortunate first indications of heat exhaustion that can lead to a heat stroke. The body's mechanisms for handling the heat are beginning to fail, which, if not reversed, may lead to death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that in the United States more than 600 people die every year due to extreme heat. Many of these deaths are a result of poor decision making, confusion, and severely impaired problem solving.

The Heady Effects

The following are effects of extreme heat on the brain:

    • Fluids, including the cerebrum spinal fluid, are adversely affected when the body absorbs too much heat.
    • The brain's neurons begin to stop functioning.
    • Increases in temperature damage the proteins or enzymes that are in the brain.
    • The brain's functions slow down and will eventually stop due to the enzymes becoming “denatured,” which means that they don't work anymore. The next result is organ failure.

The Solutions

Suffering from heat exhaustion, on the path to heat stroke, demands action. The body temperature must be lowered immediately, as death could be a very real outcome. Here are some tips on what to do:

    • Move to a cool, shaded place if possible.
    • Once out of direct sunlight, remove as many clothes as possible.
    • Apply cool, wet clothes to head, face, or neck. Spray with cool water. In the most dire scenarios, ice immersion or ice packs should be used if possible.
    • Encourage the person to drink water, clear juice, or a sports drink, but don't try to force them to drink liquids if they're unconscious.
    • Get professional medical help as soon as possible.

More From Issue 21

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 22

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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.

New: NightStick TWM Weapon-Mounted Flashlights

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In nighttime self-defense scenarios, clear vision and positive target acquisition are crucial. These factors can help you make the split-second decision to pull the trigger or hold your fire. For this reason, we're always on the lookout for good weapon-mounted lights.

NightStick TWM pistol tactical flashlight gun weapon 2

NightStick has released a new series of weapon-mounted flashlights for 2017. The NightStick TWM series consists of four models:

  • TWM-350 – Standard-output 350-lumen flashlight
  • TWM-350S – Standard-output 350-lumen flashlight with strobe
  • TWM-850XL – High-output 850-lumen flashlight
  • TWM-850XLS – High-output 850-lumen flashlight with strobe

NightStick TWM pistol tactical flashlight gun weapon 4

Aside from the variation in lumens and strobe functionality, each light is built on the same 6061-T6 aluminum body, and includes rail adapters for common handguns (Glock, 1913, TSW/99, 90two). The gasket-sealed fiberglass-reinforced polymer battery door ensures these lights are IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter immersion and drop-resistant up to 2 meters. Each light runs on two included CR123 batteries.

NightStick TWM pistol tactical flashlight gun weapon 3

The NightStick TWM series features an ambidextrous dual-dependent switch with momentary-on and constant-on modes. The lights are operated according to the following diagram:

NightStick TWM pistol tactical flashlight gun weapon 5

Other lights in this category offer ambidextrous switches with momentary/constant-on operation, but many use a one-piece lever that inverts the control scheme for left-handed users. This unique two-piece switch design maintains an identical control scheme for left- and right-handed activation. A single push-button switch assembly is also available as a separate option for use on long guns.

The TWM-350 and 350S are available at an MSRP of $129, and the TWM-850XL and 850XLS is available at an MSRP of $151. For more information on the NightStick TWM series, go to BaycoProducts.com.

5 Survival Lessons Learned from a Veteran Officer and Trainer

Written by

Photos by Firelance Media

It was 07:00 at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Compound. I stood at attention, holding a duffle bag stuffed with all the essentials for the next 13 weeks of my life. Standing as tall as my 5-foot-2 frame would allow, I had the world figured out. A New Hampshire state trooper, with his campaign hat pulled down low, got just 2 inches from my face and bellowed, “Why are you here?” My meek reply was, “I want to help people.” He screamed, “It's called human compassion — we all have it! You better dig deeper and figure out why you're really here!”

And so began my journey to becoming a peace officer. What would seem to most like a simple interaction completely changed my mindset from a confident college grad to that of a young woman who had no survival plan for that day, the next 13 weeks, my law enforcement career, or my future.

The truth is that most people, in general, don't have a survival mindset, let alone a plan of action if something were to go wrong. Male, female, prepper, or just a responsible citizen who wants to be prepared for worst-case scenarios — we can all use a little guidance in making sure we're taking daily steps to prepare for the unknown. Fast forward a decade and a half; I've learned a lot since my formative years at the police academy. So, here are the top five survival lessons I've learned that have guided my success in law enforcement and continue to keep me safe in my everyday life.

Lesson 1: Prep Your Mind

We're all guilty of multi-tasking — biting off more than we can chew. Have you ever thought of how this may affect your decision-making ability? As a law enforcement officer, I'm tasked more times than not to make split-second decisions that can affect not only my own life, but also those around me — perpetrators, witnesses, and innocent bystanders. It became very apparent early in my career that complete mental focus on the task at hand was essential for my safety and those around me.

Mental clarity is key to making sound decisions when SHTF. Practicing yoga, meditating, or just intentionally controlling your breathing can put you in a clear state of mind that you can later tap into when crisis strikes.

Mental clarity is key to making sound decisions when SHTF. Practicing yoga, meditating, or just intentionally...

Survival Application: More often than not, when the unexpected occurs, chaos erupts. Prepping your mind at the start of the day will allow your mind and body to relax. Clarity can be characterized by the balance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Finding daily mental clarity will help alleviate the body's chaotic response (i.e. shallow breathing, increased heart rate) to uncontrollable incidents (e.g. stress, threats, etc.). Good decisions hinge on mental clarity.

Start each morning with affirmations of your daily routine, priorities, and intentions. When things don't go as planned, immediately derive a new plan of attack based on options you've already considered. Be a problem solver.

Also, consider writing down a list of goals — be they daily, weekly, or long-term goals. Make sure you have parameters in place to rectify deficiencies if you don't reach your goals. Don't let things linger. When issues aren't put to rest, they occupy space in our psyche and can inadvertently alter our decision-making process.

Lesson 2: Prep Your Fitness

Picture a rookie police officer working the midnight shift, responsible for covering 45 square miles of land. Backup? Nowhere in sight. While on that shift, I was dispatched to a house for a wanted-person call. Before I could put my cruiser in park, the person we were seeking saw me approach and immediately burst out the side door of the home. I bailed out of my cruiser, instantly going from a sedentary position to an all-out sprint. Though I've been a lifelong athlete, always priding myself on physical fitness, I realized in that moment how my rudimentary fitness plan had failed me. I never thought about how my 20-pound duty belt and ballistic vest could slow me down or inhibit my body movement.

In the middle of a disaster is not the time to find out that a physical fitness regime is important. Prep now, and that includes working out.

In the middle of a disaster is not the time to find out that a physical fitness regime is important. Prep now, and that...

Survival Application: Overall physical fitness can be evaluated as one's ability to perform daily activities, including sports and occupation. The average person can get through their daily activities well enough. But when viewed from a survival perspective, we typically fall short. Most preppers practice diligence in packing a kit to include foods, supplies, and tools. But how well have they prepared to carry that 50-pound kit over rocky terrain for more than 5 miles? Are you physically capable of carrying an injured loved one from a disabled car to an emergency shelter while gale-force winds pound your face?

A weekly exercise regime should encompass all aspects of fitness — cardiovascular conditioning, weight training, and explosive movements. Fitness doesn't necessarily mean making daily visits to a franchise gym. It can start off as something as simple as making a habit of walking some local hiking trails on the weekends. And don't forget while hiking to incorporate carrying a weighted pack. Using differing planes of motion, move your body for at least 20 minutes a day. And read the Health column in every issue of RECOIL OFFGRID for more ideas.

Increasing your overall physical fitness gradually will ensure that you can perform and assist others when SHTF.

Lesson 3: Prep Your Nutrition

As you can imagine, police officers spend the majority of their time working out of a cruiser. Depending on service calls, meal breaks can sometimes be nonexistent, thus making fast food and poor nutritional choices even more appealing.

Stocking up your pantry with freeze dried food and MREs is great for the long-term, but don't forget about your immediate nutritional needs. Fueling your body with quality foods is key to operating at top levels when the sky starts falling.

Stocking up your pantry with freeze dried food and MREs is great for the long-term, but don't forget about your...

Survival Application: Whether it's shift work, social engagements, or managing the schedule of a busy family, meal prep is key. Eating a balanced diet is vital for overall well-being. Making sure to take in proper macro nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) will support your body's functions and provide necessary energy to migrate through daily rituals.

Prepare nutrient-dense meals and have them readily available. Invest in a good cooler. (See “Chill Out and Roll With It” in Issue 20 for bug-out cooler options.) Have extra nonperishable foods and snacks on hand. Foods that are convenient to stock at home include nuts or nut butters, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits, protein bars, dehydrated meats (beef, turkey, or salmon jerky), canned meats or fish, popcorn, legumes, and oats. These are just some of the nutritious options that offer a long shelf life, are easy to prepare, and are minimally processed.

For those unexpectedly long days, I always carry fruit, nuts, protein powder, protein bars, and a spare water bottle. For protein powder and bars, look for products with the least amount of artificial ingredients and processing. My go-to for protein powder is Vega Sport, a plant-based performance protein. Some of my favorite protein bars are Epic Bars, LARABAR, Rise Bars, and RXBAR. All contain five ingredients or fewer.

When you provide your body with adequate fuel through proper nutrition and exercise, you'll enhance your body's ability to perform. Mental stimulation, consistent exercise, and proper nutrition have been shown to improve alertness and job performance, as well as the ability to perform survival-related tasks.

Lesson 4: Prep Your Vehicle

My police agency outfitted my cruiser with essential tools for common emergencies. This got me thinking, What would I do if I had an emergency while driving my privately owned vehicle?

Most of us drive on a daily basis, so it's a no-brainer that you should pack a vehicle emergency kit.

Most of us drive on a daily basis, so it's a no-brainer that you should pack a vehicle emergency kit.

Survival Application: I came up with an emergency readiness bag containing some basic tools and supplies for unexpected emergency situations. Inside the bag is a medical kit, protein bars, bottled water, a Leatherman tool, a flashlight, a battery bank, spare batteries, and a change of clothes.

Readiness is as much a plan as a mindset. Humans must assume chameleon-like tendencies and be prepared to adapt to our environment as it changes. Having simple supplies on hand in your car will help solidify your ability to acclimate to any situation, be it mundane or life threatening.

Lesson 5: Prep Your Gear

Coming from the police world where gear is issued and typically one-size-fits-all, I realized that products often aren't easily adaptable to the end user. It's important to select gear that'll work for you and not against you.

Choose your gear wisely, not just based on looks or popular opinion. The author's gear was chosen after careful consideration and lots of testing: SIG SAUER P320 Sub-Compact, 1 full-size P320, 17-round magazine, resqme tool, Leatherman Sidekick, and SureFire Titan.

Choose your gear wisely, not just based on looks or popular opinion. The author's gear was chosen after careful...

Survival Lesson: People don't come in one size. Take into consideration the difference in the skeletal system of a man versus a women. On average, a male is 30-percent stronger than a female, especially when it comes to upper body strength. Most tools manufactured, including those produced for tactical applications, are geared toward male body structures because they encompasses the majority of the market.

Also men and women tend to learn differently. I've found that women often take directions literally. This makes the application of products more important to the average women. Because of this, I encourage everyone to open and test out the tools you've chosen for your get-out-of-dodge bag or vehicle emergency kit. Evaluate the products and make sure they align with your skills and goals. Open your medical kit and make sure you know how to use all the equipment. Take any unnecessary wrappers off your supplies. Set your tourniquets to make sure they're staged for immediate use. Evaluate your Leatherman or multitool so that you're familiar with all the attachments. If there are failure points in your gear selection, it's important to find out prior to an emergency.

Conclusion

Police work may not be a profession that everyone aspires to do. However, there are important survival tips to be learned from individuals who choose to run toward danger instead of away from it. Each component of your daily readiness regiment should work together to provide you with optimal mind-body performance and the necessary physical tools for immediate survival.

As with anything in life, survival planning isn't an absolute. Taking precautionary measures to prepare for life's uncertainties will help you plan for survival — regardless if you're a female rookie cop or a veteran outdoor adventurer.

About the Author

survival-lessons-from-a-veteran-officer-trainer-hana-bilodeau

Hana L. Bilodeau is a former local and federal law enforcement officer with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She's trained as an advanced forensic interviewer and was a member of the Strafford County SAFE Team where she worked as a crisis negotiator. In addition to being an instructor for SIG SAUER Academy, Bilodeau is also a deputy sheriff with the Strafford County Sheriff's Office.
www.sigsaueracademy.com

More From Issue 21

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 22

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 20

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.

Video: The Survival Story of 71-Year-Old Sajean Geer

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Survival requires a mindset of determination. Without the right mental state, even a physically-fit individual with the best gear money can buy may find themselves in serious trouble. On the other hand, even if the odds are against you, unyielding focus on staying alive can greatly improve those odds. The recent survival story of Sajean Geer provides a clear example of the power of a strong survival mindset.

Olympic National Park spans more than 1,400 square miles of rugged terrain. Photo: Google

Olympic National Park spans more than 1,400 square miles of rugged terrain. Photo: Google

According to The Seattle Times, 71-year-old Sajean Geer set out into Olympic National Park in Washington state on July 17th. She planned to empty the ashes of her late husband in the forest, and leave the park by the end of the day. However, soon after the emotional experience of spreading her husband's ashes, Geer realized she was lost.

Photo: U.S. National Park Service / NPS.gov

Photo: U.S. National Park Service / NPS.gov

Worse still, despite being an experienced hiker, Geer had reportedly brought no survival gear because she wasn't expecting to be out in the woods for more than a few hours. Geer later told local news station KIRO 7, “All I had was a Hawaiian shirt, and these capris, and I didn't have anything for survival.” She had no cell phone service, and had not told anyone where she was going that day.

Sajean Geer, left, survived in the improvised shelter she built, right. Photos: Jack S. Eng

Sajean Geer, left, survived in the improvised shelter she built, right. Photos courtesy of Jack S. Eng.

Geer told KIRO 7, “What I figured was, I had to survive until I get rescued.” She then recalled a quote from a survival manual she had read, which emphasized the importance of “a positive mental attitude and a fighting spirit that you're going to live through it.” So, Geer proceeded to build a shelter from logs and moss. She gathered water from a nearby stream, and foraged for wild currants, pine needles, and ants to eat.

After 6 nights alone with her dog, an aerial search and rescue operation by the Olympic National Park Service spotted Geer, and a Coast Guard helicopter air-lifted her to safety. For more information on this impressive survival story, read the full article from The Seattle Times.

Survival Hygiene – Wilderness Wash-Up

Written by

Warning!
The following story is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as a medical advice. Seek training from a reputable instructor or consultation from a licensed medical professional.

There you are, surrounded on all sides. You can't see them, but you know they're there. Countless invaders are feasting on your body, multiplying at an exponential rate and crawling everywhere. Sound like a scene from a horror movie? Would you guess that it's actually taking place on your skin … right this second? Granted, most of these skin florae are either beneficial or harmless. Yet, when skin is damaged or conditions alter in favor of overgrowth, some of these little guys can wreak havoc on your system.

Maintaining your hygiene is an important — almost automatic — habit in the civilized world. In the wilderness? It's up to you. But proper hygiene in the backcountry isn't just a luxury; it's necessary for the prevention of bacterial and fungal infections.

Sadly, it's also used as a terrible excuse for why women should remain indoors. You may have heard this condescending talk before, “Women aren't cut out for austere environments. They have too many issues — especially down there.”

After you finish rolling your eyes, let's get real for a second. There's a lot of misinformation out there regarding wilderness hygiene in general, let alone female-specific issues. Whether you're a female survivalist looking to add to your skillset or a male prepper who needs to be educated for his family members or survival group, you should know best practices for hygiene when SHTF.

Therefore, let's discuss some common myths associated with being in the wilderness and look at a few techniques and tips that enable everyone — men and women — to thrive in all environments.

Myth #1: You're Always Dirty

Fact: Being dirty in the woods is a choice. Some people use being in the wilderness as an excuse to embrace their stink. These folks may not last long before contracting an infection. Wash your hands to prevent fecal matter from getting on food or in your mouth. Wash your armpits, skin folds, in between your toes, and your genitals to prevent fungal infections and the spread of bacteria. The following is what you need to stay clean.

When Water is Plentiful: Pack biodegradable soap in your kit. You can find this in outfitter or recreation stores in liquid or bar form. Some reliable brands include Campsuds, Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash, All Terrain Wonder Wash, and Dr. Bronner's Castile Liquid Soap.

When Water is a Commodity: If you're in a bug-out situation or have gotten lost in the backwoods without a reliable source of water, consider the following items:

  • Wet wipes — Look for wipes that are no-rinse or don't require water. Find wipes that are pH-balanced for skin to avoid irritation. For trail-minded travelers, some wipes are compostable and don't require being packed out. Try these: Comfort Bath Cleansing Washcloths, Good Wipes, and Sea To Summit Wilderness Wipes.
  • Waterless hand sanitizer — These small bottles are easy to find in any supermarket or gas station. While they're effective on 99 percent of germs, use only as directed. Your body has a natural balance of good bacteria. Overusing hand sanitizer — and in areas not recommended — can lead to fungus overgrowth and other complications.

When You Need to Improvise: Sometimes having a store-bought cleaner just isn't possible. Or maybe you've used it up in a long-term survival situation. That's when you'll need to rely on previous training:

  • Plant soap — Use saponin-rich plants such as yucca, soapwort, or Amole lily as a body wash. Depending on the plant, crushing, boiling, or rubbing the leaves or root of these plants results in a nice lather as soap, laundry detergent, or shampoo. Be sure to research the right plants common or native to your area to ensure accurate identification if SHTF. Misidentification can lead to serious health issues, possibly even death.
  • Homemade soap — In homestead situations, making your own soap using lye is a useful skill. If you have the required supplies and tools, homemade soaps are a great alternative to stocking up on store-bought supplies.
Wet wipes can help keep you clean in the wild if water is at a premium or scarce.

Wet wipes can help keep you clean in the wild if water is at a premium or scarce.

Myth #2: Never Brush Your Teeth

Fact: Brushing your teeth prevents cavities, mouth sores, and paint-peeling bad breath. Bacteria from an abscessed tooth could spread to the sinuses, blood, and brain. A tube of toothpaste doesn't require much room in your get-out-of-dodge bag; it's a small price to pay for your health. If that's not enough to convince you to brush your teeth, think of the alternative in a SHTF scenario — tooth extraction in the wilderness with no anesthesia and a rusty pair of pliers.

When the World Still Turns: Be sure to pack the following items in each of your emergency kits, whether it's your get-home pack or your vehicle kit:

  • Toothpaste and toothbrush — Look for a toothbrush with a cover to protect the bristles from dirt. Be sure to wash the cover periodically to prevent mold.
  • Floss — Flossing removes the sticky bacteria that leads to tartar and cavities. Your toothpaste and toothbrush will clean three of the five sides of a tooth; you need floss to clean the other two.

When You Need a Backup: Whether you've run out of the above items, lost them, or had to barter them in a post-apocalyptic scenario, you're not at a total loss when it comes to dental care. Consider the following alternatives:

  • Baking soda — Baking soda paste offers an antimicrobial, alkaline toothpaste substitute. It's also inexpensive and can be used for a variety of other life hacks.
  • Salt-water rinse — In case of a mouth sore, salt-water rinses increase the pH balance of your mouth, making it difficult for bacteria to survive.

When You Need to Improvise: In a truly dire situation, you might have consumed all of your primary and backup dental care products. Time to adapt:

  • Improvised toothpaste — In worst-case scenarios, you can combine wood ash and water to form rudimentary toothpaste. A few warnings though: wood ash is very caustic in its natural state and must be washed multiple times with hot water before use. Also, ensure no chemicals were used in the ash — including firestarters, pesticides, herbicides, or paint. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly to prevent gum irritation.
  • Improvised toothbrush — The chew stick. Due to the chemical composition of some trees, chewing 6-inch twigs can be an effective form of oral hygiene. Twigs from trees such as the hazelnut, dogwood, birch, or orange are antimicrobial; chewing the frayed end of these sticks scrubs the surface of the teeth, removing plaque.
  • Improvised toothpicks — Use thorns from wild roses or hawthorn plants as substitute toothpicks when floss isn't available.

Myth #3: Bad Hair Day, Every Day

Fact: Hair care is your personal choice. Sure, there may be times, after a weeklong trek through backcountry, when you take full advantage of those rinse-and-repeat directions on your shampoo and conditioner bottles. Or maybe, with some planning and extra gear to lug around, you decide to wash your hair as often as you want. It's your choice.

But do you really need to wash your hair? Yes, Oily McFerguson, you need to wash your hair. The “no ‘poo” craze in this country is great for that city girl who never sweats or gets dirty. However, out in the wilderness, excess oil combined with dead skin cell accumulation leads to clogged hair follicles, inflammation, and even an overgrowth of yeast. So wash your hair; your scalp will thank you.

When Water Is Plentiful: With the right gear, showering in the great outdoors shouldn't be a chore.

  • Shampoo/conditioner — Biodegradable, eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners are available at your local recreation and outfitter store. Try these: Sea to Summit Trek & Travel Shampoo with Conditioner and Stream2Sea Sulfate Free Conditioning Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner.
  • Water container/portable shower — Just because your hair products are biodegradable doesn't mean you should use them in streams, lakes, or other natural water sources. Portable showers are getting smaller every year. If you don't want to shell out the money for a shower kit, utilize the water container used for your body washing. Try these: Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower and Advanced Elements Summer Shower.

When Water is a Commodity: If you need to conserve water, consider these products:

  • Dry shampoo/no-rinse shampoo — These options are great when you want to soak up the extra oil on your scalp. It's not a long-term solution, however, because you still want to rinse the dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris off your scalp. Try these: Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, and Batiste Dry Shampoo.
  • Hat/bandana/hair ties — Sometimes a braid and a hat are good enough. Again, not a long-term solution, but an easy bridge in between washes.

When You Need to Improvise: Sometimes life hands you lemons. Here's how to make lemonade when it comes to hair care:

  • Plant soap — Like the body wash soap previously mentioned, saponin plant lather can be used on your hair. Yucca lather tends to be the most popular substitute for shampoo.
  • Scissors — It's just hair. And it's a lot easier running that cloth or sponge over your entire body than the separate effort of washing all that hair. Especially if it's long. Besides, it'll grow back.

Myth #4: Peeing in the Woods Causes UTI

Fact: Not peeing in the woods causes urinary tract infections. While this is a concern mostly for women and uncommon among men, it can happen to guys who are 50 and older. Holding in your urine creates a breeding ground of bacteria in the bladder. Subsequently, people who hold in their pee also don't want to drink more water. Instead of flushing the system and staying hydrated, they create the perfect storm for infections. Below are some considerations.

When Water is Plentiful: For most gents in the backcountry, it's just a matter of finding a tree, standing with feet shoulder-width apart, and draining the lizard (not that you needed a detailed explanation). But for ladies, it's not so simple. Thankfully, women can now pee standing up, too! Female urination devices are funnel-like items that are held flush against your body for quick evacuation. There are a few devices on the market to choose from, including a hardened funnel with removable tube, or a softer, flexible silicone device. They are hygienic, small, and easy to use. After use, rinse water through the funnel. Wash with soap and water daily. Try these brands: Freshette or Go Girl.

When Water is a Commodity: If you don't have enough water to wash up consistently, consider a pee rag. Having a bandana or small rag clipped to your pack is a convenient way to hygienically wipe yourself without the trouble of carrying a roll of toilet paper around. Sounds gross, but urine is sterile except in the case of bacterial UTIs. Keeping the rag on your pack allows it to dry out before its next use, while ultraviolet rays from the sun disinfectant it.

When You Need to Improvise: If you're a woman and have no pee device and no rag, well, just pee normally. Unless you have a bacterial UTI, urine is sterile. Yes, it may be annoying to search for that perfect fallen tree or huge rock for privacy, but the key is to empty your bladder whenever necessary.

survival-hygiene-urination-device

For female survivalists, packing a urination device or pee rag can help keep things hygienic when indoor plumbing isn't available anymore.

For female survivalists, packing a urination device or pee rag can help keep things hygienic when indoor plumbing...

Myth #5: Menstruation Prevents Women From Functioning Outdoors

Fact: A period is an inconvenience, but so is lack of electricity. For women in the wilderness, it shouldn't hold them back. Follow the same principles as being on your period in civilization: change your product when required and keep things clean. And, guys, your loved one's menstruation might spark some cringing at home or plenty of Shark Week euphemisms in the locker room, but don't overlook this section. The more knowledgeable you are of the issues facing your better half, the more apt you are to win her over to the prepper cause when it's time to stock up on survival supplies or practice your emergency plans.

When the World Still Turns: Obviously, packing the following feminine hygiene products prior to a disaster is key:

  • Tampons and pads — In hiking and camping situations, you'll have to pack out what you bring in. Keeping plastic bags, or buying feminine hygiene-specific bags at your local outdoors store, will assist in this endeavor.
  • Menstrual cups — These devices are reusable and can be worn up to 12 hours. However, they fit differently, so it's advised to try multiple brands before taking them on the trail. Also, they should be cleaned with mild (not antibacterial) soap and water after each use. For those without access to soap and water, wipe the cup with a dry or damp tissue, then clean completely at the next convenient time (refer to the specific manufacturer's instructions). Just ensure hands are clean before insertion and removal. Try these: Lunette Menstrual Cup, MeLuna, Lena, and DivaCup
Menstrual cups can keep female outdoorswomen mobile and clean.

Menstrual cups can keep female outdoorswomen mobile and clean.

When You Need a Backup: If you run out of the above items, consider these alternatives:

  • Period underwear — Companies now make underwear that can hold the equivalent of multiple tampons. Wash in cold water after use. Try these: Thinx, Knixwear, and Lunapanties
  • Hormonal birth control — For women on birth control, you always have the option to not have your period. Every woman is different; talk to your doctor about your options, the risks associated with hormonal birth control, and whether menstrual suppression is right for you.

When You Need to Improvise: Create your own pad. Many women used cloth before the invention of disposable pads; they're reusable and better for the environment. Outer pads can be made from old blankets or flannel shirts. Inner pads can be made by stitching together multiple layers of cloth, cotton, or any absorbent material, including weed fluff or peat moss.

In post-disaster scenarios, weed fluff and peat moss can be used as absorbent material in improvised menstrual pads.

In post-disaster scenarios, weed fluff and peat moss can be used as absorbent material in improvised menstrual pads.

Conclusion

When the sky starts to fall, hygiene shouldn't be an option; it's imperative to your success. Like food, water, and shelter, hygiene concerns are an essential element of your preparation. Bacterial and fungal infections are difficult to treat in the wilderness. Luckily, with proper hygiene, they're easy to prevent. Therefore, the next time you get your pack together, make sure you save room for your favorite soap … lest you want your backwoods adventure to turn into your very own microscopic horror movie.

About the Author

Eryn Chase is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran trained in identifying sources of instability in foreign countries. Proficient at navigating the complex civil-military terrain of foreign policy, she has advised and advocated for military and civilian leaders from multiple partner nations. Chase is currently the co-owner of TEAM TORN, a weapons and survival school based out of Nevada that trains both civilians and members of the U.S. military and government. She specializes in survivalism, combatives, and firearms training for women.
www.teamtorn.com

More From Issue 21

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 22

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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.

Primitive Technology: How to Make Sandals

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If you can't move, you can't survive on your own — it's that simple. Mobility is essential, especially during intense survival scenarios. Most of us are well aware that a broken leg, dislocated hip, or even a twisted ankle can be disastrous in an emergency situation. But there's one part of our anatomy that we often overlook: the soles of our feet.

Primitive Technology sandals foot shoes boots footwear DIY 1

Anyone who has walked barefoot on hot asphalt or stepped on a sharp object knows how an injury to the bottom of the foot can be crippling. Suffering one of these painful injuries while attempting to survive in the forest is far worse. It's important to prepare yourself by selecting appropriate bug-out footwear, but you should also have a backup plan in case your boots are lost or damaged.

Primitive Technology sandals foot shoes boots footwear DIY 4

In the following video, the host of Primitive Technology shows how to make sandals from natural materials he found in the forest. The soles are made from a type of flexible cane found in his home country of Australia, but he says that these sandals can be woven from almost any type of natural cordage — leaves, bark, grass, vines, or roots. He states in the video description that the material was cut to 6 times the length of his foot, or about 5 feet (1.5 meters).

As a die-hard primitive survivalist, the host of the Primitive Technology channel writes, “I personally don't like wearing footwear in the forest as bare feet give better grip, especially on inclines. But for heavy work or when my feet are injured I'll wear these.” While we respect his commitment, we'll stick to wearing some form of shoes, boots, or sandals whenever we can. We'd recommend you do the same.

Strength and Conditioning for Survival Swimming

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Warning
The exercises and content expressed in this column are for illustrative purposes only. Consult a medical professional before trying any physical activity or nutritional plan.

With the summer heat in full swing, being fit enough to wear your bathing suit is probably on your mind. But let's get out of the “beach body” mentality and think more about preparation. Swimming, much like running, is a skill you need to be able to do without much thought when the apocalypse hits. After all, not all emergencies happen on dry land.

In 2010, 52 percent of the U.S. population lived across 673 coastal counties, so you should seriously consider adding swim training to your physical preparation plan due to big storms, tsunamis, hurricanes, and a rise in the sea level. In 2016, floods killed 126 people in the USA, according to the National Weather Service. And we're just talking about natural disasters, much less man-made emergencies like pool drowning deaths or boating accidents.

In a crisis, you'll never know how far you may need to swim to safety or how long you might need to tread water before help arrives. We can't prevent these disasters, but we can prepare you in the best way possible: improving your ability to swim for longer periods of time. And we're not just talking about hitting the local pool — you can use resistance training to get in shape as well.

Resistance training is an important aspect of dry-land training for swimming, but we also put a premium on your conditioning. This aspect of your physical preparation is often overlooked in lieu of just “hitting the gym.” There are usually a few reasons why this is, but most commonly because it's uncomfortable. Sometimes, it can be downright grueling, as many effective conditioning programs tend to be. The good news is we'll be pretty specific by targeting the energy systems that have the most bang for your buck. When training for a specific event or goal, the more specific you can get, within reason, the better.

With regard to swimming, getting in the pool is obviously key. You'll never improve your swimming if you don't actually perform the activity. Outside of that, though, there's a place for strength and conditioning.

The latter aspect is important to allow you to swim for longer periods of time without gassing out. We'll accomplish this by simply completing freestyle swims of increasing duration. This is the most basic form of conditioning that many of us are used to, like going for a run or using the elliptical at the gym. Through this type of training, you can increase the amount of blood your heart is able to pump at each beat.

Next, we'll focus on upper and lower body conditioning through resistance training in two different ways. The first helps target the aerobic system by increasing the amount of oxygen your muscles can use. The second focuses on just the lower body and its ability to produce power for long periods of time. Kicking through the water quickly requires this exact type of movement. Enough talk; let's get into the specifics and outline a plan for you to start using.

Get Wet

Getting in the pool is your most basic form of training. The initial goal is to freestyle swim for 30 minutes at a lower intensity. You can do this a few different ways. The best way to determine the intensity is to use a heart-rate monitor. Your goal is to reach and maintain between 130 and 150 beats per minute for a half-hour.

If you don't have a heart-rate monitor, just set an easy pace and don't allow yourself to move any quicker than you can maintain without taking a break. This may be slow at first, but that's entirely OK. Just shoot for consistency without pausing. At first, you may need to take a break regardless, so set a goal of taking a three- to five-minute break halfway through your 30-minute session.

Progressively, you'll work for longer periods of time. The maximum amount of time to complete this type of training is 90 minutes, but 45 to 60 minutes will work for the general purposes of physical preparation.

Not So Fast

This next method focuses more on the working muscles, so it'll be a completely different feeling. Choose an exercise and complete it for three to five sets of 8 to 10 repetitions.

The major difference is how each repetition is performed. Move slowly at a two-seconds-up and two-seconds-down tempo without pausing or locking out the joint. This means there will be constant tension throughout the whole set. For the purposes of swim performance, do three sets each of the squat, pull-down, and push-up with the tempo described above.

Kettlebell Sumo Squat

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-kettlebell-sumo-squat-01

1.Begin by holding a kettlebell at arms-length between your legs.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-kettlebell-sumo-squat-02

2.Keeping your chest up, slowly squat between your knees.

3.With your weight on your heels, slowly push into the floor and return to the starting position. Be sure to stop just shy of your legs locking out.

4.Make sure your back stays flat at the bottom of the squat. There should be no rounding at all.

5.Immediately descend back down into the squat. Remember, no pausing!

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-kettlebell-sumo-squat-01

6.Maintain this tempo for 8 to 10 repetitions.

Pulldown

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pulldown-01

1. Start in a seated position while gripping a bar in an overhand or underhand position. The underhand position will be a little easier.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pulldown-02

2. While staying tall, slowly pull the bar down to your upper chest. You should feel your back and arms working.

3. Slowly return to the starting position, stopping just shy of your arms locking out.

4. Begin pulling back down toward your chest.

5. Your lower back shouldn't arch at all throughout the movement.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pulldown-01

6. Maintain this tempo for eight to 10 repetitions.

Pushup

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pushup-01

1. Begin in standard pushup position: your hands slightly outside shoulder width and hips in-line with your shoulders and ankles.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pushup-02

2. While holding a light brace in your abs, slowly lower yourself toward the floor. Your arms should be at roughly 45 degrees to your body.

3. Without pausing at all, slowly begin to push yourself away from the floor.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-pushup-01

4. Stop just shy of locking your arms out, then begin to lower yourself again.

5. Maintain this tempo for eight to 10 repetitions.

Up the Intensity and the Duration

At first, the idea of doing something for a longer period of time that's also high-intensity may seem impossible. Generally, the higher the intensity, the shorter the duration. The difference with this method of training is that the resistance is high, not the speed. This makes it possible to do the exercises at higher volume. You'll just be moving slower.

The advantage of this type of training is that it increases the endurance of your muscles. Specifically, it works the more strength-oriented type of muscle fibers, which aren't usually attributed to their endurance capabilities. We pick the walking lunge because it's a great exercise to work the major muscles of the lower body in a single-leg fashion. Moving uphill just makes it a little more challenging.

Walking Lunge Uphill

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-01

1. Begin with your feet together, with either a weight vest or dumbbells in your hands.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-02

2. Take a large step forward, making sure your back knee is slightly behind your hips.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-01

3. Drive through your heel and step forward.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-03

4. Pause for two to three seconds, then complete the same thing on the other side.

5. Continue to do this for two sets lasting 7 to 10 minutes each. Rest five minutes between sets.

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-04

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-05

strength-and-conditioning-for-survival-swimming-walking-llunge-uphill-04

Conclusion

Building yourself into a paddling machine will pay dividends down the road. Adding specialized swimming training will help you move through water with ease and get to safety faster. Depending on where you live, this might just be the physical preparation plan you need to ensure your safety in a future crisis.

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano holds a master's degree in exercise physiology and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He's the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design located in Naperville, Illinois. You can find him at @rgioviano on Twitter and Instagram. For more information, please visit www.Achieve-PersonalTraining.com.

Sources

Ultimate MMA Conditioning
8WeeksOut Media
www.8weeksout.com

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
www.noaa.gov

More From Issue 21

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter today!

Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 22

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 20

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.