3 Must-Know Knots

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This article was originally published in Issue 1 of our magazine.

Using the right tool for the right job makes all the difference. Sure, you can get away with using a flathead screwdriver on a Phillips screw, but every time you do so, you run the risk of stripping the screw. It's much better to use the correct driver for the proper fit to avoid damage to the screw and the driver. Similarly, using the right knot can be a huge factor in the success of accomplishing a job, easily and safely.

Unless knots factor into your daily grind like bungee jump operator or first mate of the S.S. Minnow, the majority of people may only use one or two knots on a daily basis — or if you have Velcro on your shoes, maybe even none at all. Whether or not you have ever been taught what sort of knot is used for what, or if you have, it's probably been a long time since you earned your merit badge in that endeavor. Let's take a look at a few useful knots that can get you out of a pinch or simply help you get things done quicker.

There are countless knots out there as well as multiple variations for many of them. Each knot was created for a specific application. Realistically, unless it's part of your everyday life, it's difficult to remember how many of these knots are tied. We've picked out three knots that are strong and versatile that can be used in just about any situation.

The Bowline

The Bowline forms a secure, non-sliding loop. When a load is placed on the Bowline, it will not slip or jam, but when the line is relaxed, the knot can be easily untied. The loop may pass around or through an object such as a railing, pole, tree, or a fence, during the making of the knot. When no longer being used, the knot comes undone relatively easily, even after being used under great load. For this reason, this knot is not recommended for uses such as climbing or rappelling.bowline-in-use-art

Uses

  • Hoist or lower objects from an elevated position
  • The loop can be tied around just about anything you need to pull or drag
  • Use as an anchor point when tying down cargo. When using it in this manner, finish off tying the cargo with the Trucker's Hitch.
  • Tying off a boat to prevent drifting

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Trucker's Hitch

Commonly used by truckers, the Trucker's Hitch is used to tie down loads securely and with great tension. The loop formed while tying this knot acts as a pulley that tightens up slack to keep even heavy loads in place. The Trucker's Hitch is actually a system of several knots used together to great effect.truckers-hitch-in-use

Uses

  • Cinch down heavy loads on roof racks, car roofs, and truck beds
  • Securely tie down tarps

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Double Fisherman's

This knot is used to tie two ropes of similar width and strength together. If you don't have a single rope long enough to get the job done, use this technique to tie two ropes together. What you're essentially doing with this knot is tying two knots, one on each rope. When pulled toward each other, the two knots come together, tighten, and form a secure method of combining two ropes.double-fish-in-use

Uses

  • Joining two ends of shorter ropes to make a longer one
  • Joining two ends of the same rope to make a secure circle or loop

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Rope Care

It's always important to check your ropes for kinks, debris, and frays. Keep your rope away from water if possible, unless it is designed for it. Damaged and weakened rope that is under a lot of tension can break and cause serious injury or death.

Tidbit

The origin of knots has been lost to time, but what we do know is that they have been in use for thousands of years by many ancient civilizations. This human knowhow now lives on the surface of the planet Mars. NASA's Mars Rover Curiosity features cables that are bundled together with hand-tied knots. The knots keep the cables bundled without wearing them out like cable ties would.rover

Rescue Knife Buyer’s Guide

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Imagine that you're driving home from a long day at work, cruising down the highway at 65mph, and looking forward to relaxing on your couch with a cold beer. You're only a few minutes from home as you enter an intersection—then, out of nowhere, a truck blows through the red light and blindsides you, slamming into your car's rear wheel with tremendous force. Your vehicle spins violently out of control, skidding in a wide arc across two lanes.

River water at sunset

You try to counter-steer, but it's too late—an impact with the curb flips your car onto its side, and it topples down an embankment into a river. Your head is spinning and your heart is pounding, as water begins to trickle into the cabin. Upside-down, you fumble for the seatbelt release, but your hands can't seem to find it.

This terrifying scenario isn't as unlikely as you might think. An NHTSA study found a national average of 384 drowning deaths per year in motor vehicle accidents, between 2004 and 2007. Meanwhile, other types of vehicle accidents may leave occupants pinned in other equally dangerous scenarios, such as a car that has caught fire.

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Under these circumstances, quick access to a rescue tool has the potential to save lives. With such a tool, a passenger can slice through a seatbelt, break the glass out of a window, and crawl to safety before paramedics arrive. They may even be able to use this time to save others from the crash.

About Rescue Knives

Rescue knife buyers guide 01

This brings us to the topic of the rescue knife, a blade with several added features which could help a user escape a dangerous situation (or rescue others from it). These knives must be effective and reliable for day-to-day use, and when the time comes, they must slice and smash their way to safety.

Rescue knife buyers guide 02

In order to provide you with some rescue knife options to consider, we narrowed it down to four folding blades which could also double as emergency tools. We obtained a Benchmade Triage, a Kershaw Funxion EMT, a SOG Trident Elite, and a Spyderco Assist for this guide. So, read on to learn our impressions of each of these multi-function blades.

Benchmade Triage

Rescue knife buyers guide 07

The Benchmade Triage family of blades offers many possible configurations. First, you'll need to select either a sheepsfoot blade shape, or one that Benchmade calls an “opposing bevel” shape (essentially a blunt cut-off tip to avoid accidental punctures). Then, there's either a plain or partially-serrated edge, a satin silver or black coated finish, and black or safety orange handle scales. Benchmade even offers an Auto Triage model with a revised design and automatic opening. (It is, however, over $100 more expensive than the original Triage seen here.)

We selected a model 915 Triage with black sheepsfoot blade, partially-serrated edge, and orange handle scales.

Rescue knife buyers guide 05

The Triage's blade is constructed of Bohler N680, a resilient steel that features strong corrosion resistance for use in wet environments or even salt water. The blade opens smoothly, either by pushing lightly on the thumb stud, or by pulling back on the AXIS lock bar. We've always been fans of Benchmade's signature AXIS lock, since it allows the knife to be flicked open and shut with one hand, even if the user is wearing gloves. The finely-textured G10 scales also provide superb grip on the handle.

Rescue knife buyers guide 06

As far as additional features, the Triage has two. First, there's a hook-shaped cord/seatbelt cutter that folds out of the spine via a thumb stud. It flips out smoothly like the blade, and is held open by a ball detent mechanism (but doesn't lock). We will say that the short thumb stud on this cutter is a bit tricky to manipulate with gloves or wet hands. Secondly, there's a very prominent glass breaker tip on the butt of the knife, which is optimally-placed for striking impacts.

Rescue knife buyers guide 04

All in all, the Triage would make for a great rescue tool or a multi-purpose EDC knife. It's rather expensive, but it's made in the USA, and Benchmade's build quality is consistently very good, so you get what you pay for.

Overall Length – 8.2 inches
Blade Length – 3.5 inches
Blade Width – 1.1 inches
Blade Thickness – 0.13 inch
Handle Thickness – 0.5 inch
Handle Material – G10
Weight – 5.1 ounces
Blade Material – N680 stainless steel
Opening Mechanism – Thumb stud, AXIS lock
Locking Mechanism – AXIS lock
Additional Features – Cord cutter, glass breaker
MSRP – $190 (as tested)
URL – benchmade.com

Kershaw Funxion EMT

Rescue knife buyers guide 17

Kershaw folding knives have become known for their solid value at an affordable price, and the Kershaw Funxion EMT is no exception. At only $50, it's definitely not going to break the bank. On top of this, it has the most additional features of any of the four knives in our test. But, more on that later.

Rescue knife buyers guide 21

The Funxion EMT is a compact knife, with an overall length about 1.5 inches shorter than our other contenders. Nearly half of the 3-inch blade is serrated, but it still handles delicate slicing tasks admirably. Admittedly, the 8Cr13MoV steel wouldn't be our first choice, as we've found it's not the most durable in the long term, but it's understandable at this price point.

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This blade uses Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted-opening technology, and flips open smoothly in the blink of an eye. However, we experienced a problem: the liner lock engages properly when the knife is opened via the flipper, but our knife fails to lock correctly when opened via the thumb stud. It appears that the liner lock on our test knife has a very tight clearance, and requires the extra momentum of the flipper to engage correctly. This concerns us, but it seems likely that this is an isolated quality-control slip-up, and we hardly would have used the thumb studs anyway.

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When it comes to added features, the Funxion EMT has two flip-out tool components, giving the knife a total of six additional functions. On one side of the handle, there's a carabiner clip, which is extremely handy for attaching the knife to a belt loop or key ring. On the other side, there's a multi-tool component that includes a flathead screwdriver, cord cutter, hex wrench, and bottle opener. Both flip-out tools lock open securely, with integrated lock bars (a great feature). Finally, the knife has a glass breaker just above the deep-carry pocket clip.

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We were happy with the Funxion EMT overall, but the improperly-filed liner lock was a letdown. However, despite this one flaw, the knife still works well as long as you only open it with the flipper (which we would have anyway). And, it has a plethora of useful features unmatched by the other knives we tested—that's saying a lot when you consider it only cost $50.

Overall Length – 7.25 inches
Blade Length – 3 inches
Blade Width – 1.13 inches
Blade Thickness – 0.12 inch
Handle Thickness – 0.63 inch
Handle Material – Fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN)
Weight – 4.8 ounces
Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
Opening Mechanism – Flipper with assisted opening, thumb stud
Locking Mechanism – Liner lock
Additional Features – Carabiner clip, cord cutter, screwdriver tip, hex wrench, bottle opener, glass breaker
MSRP – $50
URL – kershaw.kaiusaltd.com

SOG Trident Elite

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The SOG Trident Elite line offers several options to choose from: tanto point or clip point, black TiNi coated or satin finish, and plain or partially-serrated edge. We picked out a Trident Elite tanto model, with satin silver non-serrated blade. With an open length approaching 9 inches, it's the biggest knife in our guide, but the slim handle and light weight make it easy to manipulate.

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The blade is constructed of AUS-8 stainless, a good quality steel used extensively by SOG. The assisted-open knife flips open from either side via thumb studs, but the piston lock bar on the handle is not ambidextrous, so lefties will have a hard time closing this one-handed. We do like the inclusion of a safety switch on the handle, since it prevents the knife from opening unintentionally in a pocket or backpack.

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The Trident Elite's fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle features textured rubber inserts and plenty of jimping, which provide a very comfortable and secure grip. There's also a lanyard hole, and it's the perfect size for some 550 paracord. A stainless steel SOG logo and decorative stainless bands on the handle add a little extra visual appeal.

SOG's Trident Elite includes two added rescue features. First, there's a sharp glass breaker tip on the pivot end of the folded knife. Secondly, there's a diagonal slot in the handle, which SOG refers to as the Groove. This slot can be used to cut paracord or fishing line while the blade is folded shut. It's ideal for cutting small cords, but didn't do as well on thicker materials like fabric straps and seatbelts.

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We'd recommend the SOG Trident Elite to anyone looking for a strong, sharp, reliable folding knife at a price that won't break the bank. We would have preferred slightly better belt cutting performance and an ambidextrous lock release, but those are small nitpicks on an otherwise great blade.

Overall Length – 8.7 inches
Blade Length – 3.7 inches
Blade Width – 1.1 inches
Blade Thickness – 0.12 inch
Handle Thickness – 0.55 inch
Handle Material – Fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) with rubberized and stainless steel inserts
Weight – 3.9 ounces
Blade Material – AUS-8 stainless steel
Opening Mechanism – Thumb stud with assisted opening
Locking Mechanism – Piston lock with safety
Additional Features – Cord cutter groove, glass breaker
MSRP – $87
URL – sogknives.com

Spyderco Assist Salt

Rescue knife buyers guide 08

The Spyderco Assist family consists of four models. First, there's the standard Assist with a black handle, and the standard Assist with an orange handle. There's also a standard Assist model with a black handle and black blade finish. All three of these variants use VG-10 stainless steel, and include a metal plate above the thumb hole, called the Cobra Hood. The Cobra Hood provides added leverage for one-handed opening, and serves as a thumb rest while cutting.

The Spyderco Assist family includes three other models with VG-10 blade steel.

The Spyderco Assist family includes three other models which use VG-10 blade steel.

You may have noticed that the knife in these photos has a yellow handle, and lacks the Cobra Hood feature. That's because it's a special version of the Assist family known as the Assist Salt. Instead of VG-10 steel, this yellow model uses high-end H1. This is a special steel with added Nitrogen content, and Spyderco states that it's completely immune to corrosion as a result.

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Aside from the special steel, the Assist Salt uses a patented blunt-nose blade shape, which prevents accidental pokes or punctures while using the blade in tight quarters. You'll also spot Spyderco's iconic Round Hole, which makes opening the blade easy. A back lock bar on the handle's spine snaps securely in place, locking the blade open.

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Distinct finger grooves on the spine of the blade were inspired by a firefighter from Sweden, and they serve two additional purposes. First, if you grip the folded blade firmly and squeeze, a retractable carbide glass breaker appears at one end of the handle. Additionally, you can open the blade slightly and insert a cord, then squeeze the blade shut to slice through the cord like a pair of scissors. However, this is not very effective for scissor-cutting thin straps and belts, as it just squeezes them into the handle without cutting through.

Rescue knife buyers guide 09

Finally, two square holes on the handle act as a surprisingly loud survival whistle. Some people scoff at the idea of needing a whistle in a survival situation, but if you're pinned down off the beaten path and desperately hoping for rescue, you'll definitely be glad to have one. We'd say this is actually a very useful feature for certain cases.

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With exotic steel, an unconventional blunt-nose blade, and an edge that's 80% serrated, the Spyderco Assist Salt is clearly a specialized tool. If you're an EMT, paramedic, or search and rescue professional, it would make an excellent addition to your loadout.

On the other hand, if you're looking for an everyday pocket knife with a few added rescue features, the Assist may be a little too specialized for your needs. However, we could easily see storing one of these knives in a vehicle glove box or roadside emergency kit, so if SHTF, you'll have a quality tool on hand.

Overall Length – 8.6 inches
Blade Length – 3.7 inches
Blade Width – 1 inch
Blade Thickness – 0.12 inch
Handle Thickness – 0.67 inch
Handle Material – Fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN)
Weight – 3.9 ounces
Blade Material – H-1 rust-proof steel
Opening Mechanism – Round hole
Locking Mechanism – Back lock
Additional Features – Scissor-type cord cutter, retractable glass breaker, survival whistle
MSRP – $160
URL – spyderco.com

Don’t Get Stranded

Written by

This article was originally published in Issue 1 of our magazine.

It's always a good idea to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. In this case, we're applying that thought to vehicular travel. As a city dweller, you may already realize that if something bad happens in a major metropolitan area, a chance of monumental gridlock occurring is almost guaranteed. In that instance, you're not going anywhere via car, truck, or most other land conveyances. But, if the disaster is not widespread and is localized to your particular area or you choose to bug-in and lay low for a while, the streets might clear up enough for you to escape. In that case, you need your wheels to be good to go at a moment's notice.

A key thing to keep in mind is that your vehicle should always be in good working order. This isn't even a tip for disaster preparedness; this is a tip for everyday life. Your vehicle, be it car, truck, or motorcycle, must be well maintained and reliable because it is important for the safety of you, your family, and those around you. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound and not leaking any fluids, your gas tank is always at least half full at all times, the battery is charged, and the tires have the proper air pressure in them.

Other precautions would be to make sure you have a few supplies stored in the car, such as drinking water in a BPA-free container, toilet paper, and a first aid kit. It's also a good idea to keep a Return To Home (RTH)-style backpack on hand for the supplies it contains and in case vehicular travel becomes impossible and you need to proceed on foot. (Read more about RTH backpacks in “A Walk On The Wild Side” elsewhere in this issue.) Be sure that easily forgotten items such as your car's fluids are topped off, and remember to keep your spare tire inflated to factory recommendation.

If you take the proper precautions, you'll have a reliable and safe vehicle for your everyday commute, road trip vacations, or the occasional escape from the freak volcano eruption or alien invasion at the center of town. In the spirit of vehicle preparedness, we gathered a few items that make good additions to your onboard emergency kit.

Seatbelt Cutters / Glass Breakers

Drivers should be concerned about being trapped in a vehicle in the event of an accident. Doors can become jammed and seatbelts may become impossible to release; there are plenty of scenarios that can play out.

Seatbelt Cutters/Glass Breakers

  • CRKT ExiTool

    Make & Model - CRKT ExiTool
    Dimensions - 2.75 x 2.125 in
    Weight - 1.6 oz
    MSRP - $26.99
    URL - http://www.crkt.com
    Features - High-carbon stainless steel seatbelt cutter
    Tungsten carbide window breaker
    LED flashlight
    Seatbelt clip


    The CRKT ExiTool is a seatbelt cutter that contains a window breaker and bright LED flashlight. Best of all, the ExiTool clips directly onto your seatbelt, so it is accessible at a moment's notice.

  • Leatherman Z-Rex

    Make & Model - Leatherman Z-Rex
    Dimensions - 6.6 x 1.94 in
    Weight - 1.6 oz
    MSRP - $26
    URL - http://www.leatherman.com
    Features - 440C replaceable cutters// Carbide glass breaker
    Oxygen tank wrench
    1/4-inch hex bit driver
    Aluminum grip
    Nylon MOLLE sheath


    Featuring replaceable and indexible V-notch belt cutters that, when worn, can be flipped for new sharp blades, the Z-Rex also contains a pointed carbide-tipped glass breaker.

Tire Care

In the occurrence of certain types of disasters, road debris may be widespread, and the possibility of multiple tire punctures should be anticipated. Fixing a tire puncture while on the road may be your only option to traverse to safety.

Tire Care

  • ARB Portable High Performance 12-Volt Air Compressor

    Make & Model - ARB Portable High Performance 12-Volt Air Compressor
    Dimensions - 17 x 9.5 x 8 in (closed case)
    Weight - 15 lb, 8 oz
    MSRP - $351.97
    URL - http://www.arbusa.com
    Features - 19-foot air hose
    Fittings and attachments for filling tires and other equipment
    Durable polypropylene case


    The ARB Portable High Performance 12-Volt Air Compressor runs off your car battery and is capable of filling tires, inflating camping gear such as air mattresses, and even powering smaller air tools.

  • ARB Speedy Seal Tire Repair Kit

    Make & Model - ARB Speedy Seal Tire Repair Kit
    Dimensions - 13.25 x 8 x 2.5 (closed case)
    Weight - 2lb, 15 oz
    MSRP - $41.96
    URL - http://www.arbusa.com
    Features - Quality pencil-type tire gauge with dual pressure range and dual chuck
    Spring steel insertion needle
    Lubricant for easier tool insertion
    Additional valve accessories, such as valve core tool, spare valves, and valve caps
    Hardened steel reamer tool
    30 self-vulcanizing repair cords for complete air sealing
    Allen keys
    High-visibility orange case


    Aside from air, the ARB Speedy Seal Tire Puncture Repair Kit contains everything you need to get your tires back on the road, including easy-to-follow instructions. Used mostly by off-road enthusiasts, this kit is well proven to repair damage sustained from rugged terrain.

  • Slime Quick Spair 16 oz (60089)

    Make & Model - Slime Quick Spair 16 oz (60089)
    Dimensions - 9.5 x 2.5 in
    Weight - 1 lb, 6 oz
    MSRP - $11.99 (for the 16-ounce can)
    URL - http://www.slime.com
    Features - Flexible fill tube
    Easy-to-follow instructions


    The Slime Quick Spair is a can of tire repair that will get you back on the road fast. Simply plug it into your tire's valve stem and press a button.

Fuel

It goes without saying that fuel is life on the road (just ask Mad Max), and if you're heading out into the great unknown, it is a good idea to have extra just in case. If you have somewhere to stash an approved fuel container on your vehicle's exterior, such as a roof rack or a mounted fuel can carrier, then that's your best bet.

If you have a vehicle such as a sedan that has a trunk, a hatchback, a van, or an SUV without exterior racks, then your options can get a bit tricky. It is not recommended to have a full fuel can inside your vehicle, even in the confines of a trunk. Flammable vapors will escape and can create an explosive atmosphere within your car.

Fuel

  • Flotool Shaker Siphon (10801)

    Make & Model - Flotool Shaker Siphon (10801)
    Dimensions - 8 x 2.75 in (approx. wound up)
    Weight - 8 oz
    MSRP - $14.99
    URL - http://www.amazon.com
    Features - 6-foot flexible tube
    Anti-static brass tip


    The Flotool Shaker Siphon is a simple way to get fuel from one container to another without the need of anything other than the shake of the wrist.

  • Scepter 10 L / 2.5 gal (07378)

    Make & Model - Scepter 10 L / 2.5 gal (07378)
    Dimensions - 12 x 7.5 x 11.5 in
    Empty Weight - 1 lb, 12 oz
    Capacity - 10 L (2.5 gal)
    MSRP - $21.99
    URL - http://www.amazon.com
    Features - CARB-legal pour spout

    The Scepter line of fuel cans come in different capacities and are available in eco-friendly CARB legal versions. They are made of lightweight, rugged plastic.

Electricity

If you end up powering multiple devices from your cigarette lighters in your vehicle, the battery can drain pretty quickly. Be sure that you can keep your power flowing by possibly upgrading your battery to a more powerful or efficient version. It's also advised to carry a set of fuses just in case you experience a short.

Electricity

  • Peak Power Station 600 (PKC0AS)

    Make & Model - Peak Power Station 600 (PKC0AS)
    Dimensions - 10 x 9 x 7 in
    Weight - 8 lb, 13 oz
    MSRP - $79.99
    URL - http://www.amazon.com
    Features - 600 Peak amp jumpstarter
    Air hose
    260-psi (18 Bar) air compressor gauge
    5 LED battery power indicator
    Low-charge alert alarm


    The Peak Power Station 600 includes a 260-psi tire inflator, an air compressor gauge, and a low-charge alert that lets you know when its time for a recharge. The Peak line of Power Stations also come in different power output levels; make your choice according to your vehicle's needs.

OFFGRID Tidbit

Road Debris
Did you know that road debris causes an estimated 25,000 accidents happen every year on America's highways? In the event of a disaster, chances are that those numbers may rise. To avoid hitting debris, always scan at least 12 seconds ahead of your path to be sure your way is clear. But keep in mind that if you do come across debris, depending what it is, it's sometimes safer to run it over than to swerve into oncoming traffic or off
pavement.

OFFGRID Tip

More Vehicle and Driver Safety Resources

For more information about vehicle safety, check out:
AAA

Safety


NHTSA
http://www.nhtsa.gov

Forcite: Survival Kit in an Ammo Can

Written by

Although surfing the internet and browsing for new survival gear is technically part of our job here at OG, let's be real for a second: we'd be doing it even if we weren't getting paid. It's always fun to see cool new survival-related products hitting the market, especially when they're being created by ordinary guys like you and me.

Forcite ammo box survival kit 2

Forcite, a small Brooklyn, NY-based startup company, is one such project we came across this week. Right off the bat, we liked the clever name, which is clearly a play on foresight—the type of forward-thinking preparedness you'll need for survival situations.

Here are some of the survival-related items contained in a Forcite kit.

Here are some of the survival-related items contained in a Forcite kit.

In simple terms, Forcite produces pre-assembled survival kits—that's not exactly a new concept, but the details of these kits caught our attention. Forcite's survival kits are packaged in tough metal ammo containers, which the company modifies with new paint, paracord handle wraps, non-slip rubber feet, and optional padlocks. However, as with any good survival kit, it's what's inside that matters.

Every Forcite kit also contains these first-aid, medicinal, and personal hygiene items.

Every Forcite kit also contains these first-aid, medicinal, and personal hygiene items.

Each survival kit in an ammo can contains a wide array of survival tools and medical items. There's way too much for us to list here, but they include everything from an AM/FM/Shortwave radio and fixed-blade knife down to a toothbrush and cotton swabs.

The can's handle is wrapped with paracord for comfort, added grip, and quick access to cordage.

The can's handle is wrapped with paracord for comfort, added grip, and quick access to cordage.

However, these kits also include a third type of resource: knowledge. Inside, you'll find a guide to all contents in the box (and survival uses for these items), a “food and water guide” that covers multiple ways to obtain each, and a preparedness checklist that helps you complete your kit with personal documents and emergency contacts.

Forcite ammo box survival kit 1

Forcite is now accepting pre-orders for their kits, which will officially launch to the public on May 1st, 2016. The kits are available at an MSRP of $150 plus $20 shipping, and an additional $20 if you want the optional combination padlock. Buyers can choose from either black with red paracord, or OD green with black paracord.

These ammo can kits seem like a convenient package for gear, and we could see storing one in a vehicle, giving one to a family member as a gift, or turning one into a survival supply cache. For more information on Forcite and these survival kits, visit ForciteKits.com.

Gruesome Infographic: Guide to Emergency Amputation

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There's no question that the thought of being forced to sever a limb from a friend or family member—or even yourself—is a truly horrifying thought. However, in a worst-case scenario, an emergency amputation may be the only way to save a life. So, it's good to know how it's done, even if there's a 0.0001% chance you'll have to use that knowledge someday.

Amputating your own limb is a gruesome task, but it has proven necessary in extreme cases.

If you must amputate a limb, use a tourniquet (or two) to cut off blood flow.

Before you read on, know that we are certainly not recommending this procedure as anything but an absolute last-ditch effort to save a life. Otherwise, don't take unnecessary risks, and leave medical procedures to professionals. That said, here are four situations when emergency limb amputation might be necessary, based on an article from the Sydney Helicopter EMS web site:

  • When there is immediate risk to the patient's life due to a scene safety emergency (such as a major ongoing disaster with no hope of rescue)
  • When assisting a deteriorating patient physically trapped by a limb, who will almost certainly die before he or she can reach a doctor
  • When dealing with a completely mutilated limb that obviously cannot be saved, and which is delaying evacuation or rescue (i.e. when the limb cannot be re-attached, and may prevent you from saving the patient's life)
  • When you must remove a limb from a dead body, since that body is blocking access to other live casualties

Here's an infographic that shows a technique for emergency amputation, based on a simple method used as far back as the Civil War. The art style is somewhat comical (note the jar of leeches), but the technique is surprisingly legitimate.

Emergency Amputation infographic 2

This method leaves flaps of skin which can be sewn together using a glover's suture to close the wound. Cutting through the bone can also be done with a wire saw, as seen in this video where the leg of a deer carcass is amputated.

Obviously, do everything you can to sterilize and disinfect the wound and your tools to limit the risk of infection. Tying off large blood vessels or applying a second tourniquet may be necessary to stop blood flow. Also, we'd strongly recommend applying the best anaesthetic you have available (in this case, brandy) before surgery—because it's going to be very painful.

Backpacking Gear Checklist Generator

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Have you ever carefully planned a trip, only to be left with the unshakable thought that you're forgetting something? Most of us have had this feeling at one time or another, and it always helps to create a checklist of the items you have, and the items you may still need. However, now there's an even faster way to double-check your gear list for a camping or backpacking expedition: the Backpacking Gear Checklist Generator.

Backpacking gear checklist generator 1

This free tool by Hartley Brody is available online, and is simple to use. Here's how it works:

  1. Select your trip start and end date. This tells the tool the approximate weather conditions during your trip, and determines the type of shelter and apparel it recommends.
  2. Type the location of your trip. This combines with the info in step 1 to predict the temperature and weather.
  3. Enter the number of people you'll be traveling with. The software uses this info to determine the quantity of consumables you'll need, such as water and cooking fuel.
  4. Choose a daily hiking distance. This will affect the amount of water and other gear the tool recommends.
Backpacking gear checklist generator 2

The tool intelligently predicts gear you'll need based on location and conditions.

Upon clicking the Generate button, the tool gives you a list of personal items, survival gear, cooking and nutrition supplies, and navigation equipment to bring. Obviously, it's not a catch-all for every situation, and the creator has admitted on Reddit that it's still a work in progress. He hopes to expand the tool with precipitation forecasts for rain gear, terrain-based water availability, and other features in the future.

For now, we'd say this tool is a good resource for survivalists and backpackers alike. No matter what your experience level is, as it says in the site's footer, “use common sense and always strive to be prepared.” Well put, Brody.

Magpul CORE Gloves Offer Additional Colors

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Magpul has announced that it will be expanding the successful Magpul CORE gloves line with the addition of more color options. Until this point, most CORE gloves were offered in any color you wanted—as long as it was black. Now, however, the company is offering more choices to the consumer, and that's always a good thing.

Magpul Core gloves 1

We previously wrote about the Magpul CORE Ranch gloves, one of the many application-specific variants the company offers. Here's a quick breakdown of the CORE gloves, and the purpose of each:

  • CORE Breach – Maximum protection and armored knuckles for hard use, while preserving comfort and dexterity.
  • CORE Breach FR – Same as above, but with Kevlar FR thread added for flame resistance.
  • CORE Flight – Excellent flexibility and Nomex fire-resistant material for aviation use.
  • CORE Patrol – Soft, lightweight, and durable for general field use.
  • CORE Ranch – Classic leather style with high-tech upgrades for modern ranchers.
  • CORE Technical – Ultra-light and form-fitting with excellent tactile feedback for precise tasks.

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There's something for just about everyone there, but it's nice to see Magpul adding more color choices to the lineup. The Technical, Patrol, and Breach gloves were originally only available in black, but now they're shipping in Charcoal and Coyote Brown. The Flight gloves now have an added Sage/Charcoal color combo as well.

We're not saying you need to go all-out and match your gloves to the rest of your outfit to create a unified ensemble. However, these new colors can help you blend into your surroundings better, and that's a move in the right direction for survival.

For more information on these Magpul CORE gloves, visit Magpul.com.

Review: Lugz Empire Hi WR Boots

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When it comes to survival-related gear, finding a middle ground is key. Imagine, if you will, trying to use a 2-inch Swiss Army Knife as your only survival tool—it's not going to be anywhere near adequate for chopping through firewood. On the other extreme, you wouldn't carry around a 4-foot sword during your daily commute just in case SHTF. Calling that overkill would be an understatement.

Survival footwear must be considered in the same manner. You're going to be in trouble if you're wearing flip-flops during a life-and-death situation, and strapping on a pair of blast-rated Kevlar combat boots every time you leave the house is almost as impractical. There has to be a middle ground.

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This brings us to the subject of today's review: Lugz Empire Hi WR boots. These newly-released Lugz boots are tough, water-resistant, and have a slip-resistant rugged tread pattern. However, they also have a memory foam inner liner for comfort, and they aren't going to look out of place in an urban or office setting (depending on the color you choose). They're designed to be solid work boots, but also don't lack the maneuverability or comfort you'd expect in a daily-use boot.

The folks at Lugz offered to send us a pair to review, so we figured we'd give them a shot. Read on to learn more about these boots, and see what we thought of them.

Lugz Empire Hi WR Overview

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Before we share our impressions, we'll review some of the specifications of these boots.

Lugz offers the Empire boot in a huge array of variations. First, you'll need to choose from hi-top, mid, or low-top designs. There are also several materials to choose from in each category, depending on your needs: natural leather, ballistic nylon, water-resistant Thermabuck, scuff-proof Permahide, and Durabrush synthetic suede.

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Beyond the shape and material, there are more color combinations than we can even list here—everything from ordinary black, grey, and brown to bright red, studded, or even metallic silver and rose gold (yes, really). Needless to say, chrome-finish shoes aren't our style, and certainly aren't practical for survival purposes, so we went with the dark brown finish known as “Chocolate/Bark/Cream/Gum”.

The boot model we chose is known as Empire Hi WR, meaning that it's a hi-top with a water-resistant exterior.

Technical Specs

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The Lugz Empire Hi WR's upper is constructed of Thermabuck, a water-resistant synthetic material with a fuzzy texture similar to suede. Also like suede, the finish may develop light scuff marks or discolorations as you brush your feet against objects. This is natural, but if it bothers you, you can always remove the cosmetic marks by lightly rubbing with a damp cloth.

The Chocolate-colored Thermabuck is sewn together with white stitching, and includes 7 hexagonal lace eyelets on each side of the padded tongue. There's also a padded black collar at the top of the boot, and brown laces that match the upper nicely. Our hi-top model is about 7 inches tall from the arch of the sole.

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The boot's 1-inch rubber platform sole is formed in a two-tone combination of Cream white and Gum tan. Its deep ridges are designed to provide good traction on rough terrain, and the rubber material meets industry-standard ASTM-F1677 Mark II slip-resistant testing. This certification is required for some work environments, but to us, it just means we're less likely to lose our footing on wet concrete or asphalt.

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Another nice feature of the Lugz Empire boots is its integration of memory foam into the liner and insole. Lugz calls this patented tech Flexastride, and it's intended for maximum comfort while standing or walking for extended periods.

Now that we've covered the technical specs, we'll move on to our thoughts after wearing the boots.

Our Impressions

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Putting on the Lugz Empire boots for the first time, we were impressed with the level of comfort and flexibility they provide. From the collar to the toe, these boots had plenty of give, and didn't require a long (and sometimes painful) break-in period like other leather boots we've worn. At the same time, the hi-top design is supportive, and we weren't worried about rolling an ankle while wearing them.

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Much of the flexibility is due to the boots' construction, which uses a relatively thin Thermabuck exterior layer wrapped onto a thicker inner material. Constructing the boots from solid leather may provide more long-term durability, but would also require a long break-in period, and wouldn't permit as much flexibility out of the box.

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The Flexastride memory foam insole is immediately noticeable—sticking your hand inside the boot and pressing on the sole with your thumb reveals a compressible layer of foam. This squishy memory foam contours to your foot nicely, and is great if your workday requires standing on hard surfaces for hours. The foam insole material was one of our favorite features on the Empire.

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The one small downside to Flexastride is something that's common to most memory foam materials: it retains heat. This can be good if you're in a cold environment, but our 80+ degree springtime weather in southern California left our feet a bit sweaty. The shoe's upper portion breathes reasonably well, but the same properties that keep it water-resistant don't allow as much moisture to escape as we'd like (a necessary trade-off).

Speaking of water resistance, it's sort of a running joke that it never rains anymore here in SoCal, so we had to test the hydrophobic properties another way. These boots aren't fully water-proof, so we weren't about to step ankle-deep into a creek, but they do repel normal rain water, mud, and puddle splashes.

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Spraying our boots with a hose (don't laugh, it was necessary for the test) showed that moisture beads up and runs off the Thermarest material. The small amount that pooled and was absorbed didn't seep inside the shoes, so we'd call the water-resistance effective.

Conclusions

At an MSRP of $90, these boots are priced slightly below most comparable soft-toed work boots. Only time will tell how well the Thermabuck material holds up to extended wear, but it seems to be durable during our testing thus far.

Overall, we were pleased with our Lugz Empire boots. Sure, they're not military-grade combat boots or specialized hiking boots, but they're a nice middle ground with more day-to-day comfort and flexibility. If you want a pair of boots that looks rugged, resists the elements, and won't leave your feet aching at the end of the workday, the Empire is a solid choice. The supportive, hi-top design will also provide protection for your feet if you find yourself in a survival situation.

For more information on these Lugz Empire Hi WR boots, visit Lugz.com.

Instagram Gallery: RECOIL On Track

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As we mentioned in our post a few days ago, RECOIL, OG, and CONCEALMENT magazine staff have been out in the field this week for a special training event. Specifically, our team members have been putting their survival knowledge to good use as adjunct instructors of a human tracking course.

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This 2-week masterclass is led by Freddy Osuna and Greenside Training, but our magazine contributors are chipping in to teach LEOs and military members the art of the manhunt. The Greenside Training course starts with a 3-day class called “Weaponize the Senses”, then moves into index tracking, night tracking, and even tracking in urban areas. On the whole, this has been referred to as “the art of putting this and that together”—seeing many small signs and combining them into a bigger picture.

Recoil OG on track gallery 2

These skill sets enable class attendees to understand the psyche and follow the physical signs of a fugitive on the run, no matter the environment or conditions. They also provide a massive advantage to anyone stranded in the wilderness, or even those who may be actively hunted or ambushed by dangerous pursuers in a hostile location.

The guys at RECOILweb.com will be sharing more of their exploits as the course continues, but for now you can keep an eye on our Instagram feed below. Using the hashtag #weaponizethesenses, we'll be posting tracking-related quotes and tips from the RECOIL On Track trip. This feed will update automatically when we post photos, or you can follow us at @recoiloffgridmagazine and @recoilmagazine.

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DPx Gear HEFT 12 CHOP Bush Knife

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DPx Gear has announced the addition of a new model to their line of fixed-blade survival knives. It's called the HEFT 12 CHOP, and it's a strong and rugged bush knife that bridges the gap between a hatchet, a machete, and a smaller knife.

DPx Gear HEFT 12 CHOP 1

DPx's founder, Robert Young Pelton, has spent years in difficult environments like Somalia, Afghanistan, Burma, and South Sudan. He applied these experiences to creating what he calls “a spare-no-expense survival blade, which can be used to cut down a twelve inch tree or even for fine tasks like shaving.”

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The key to the CHOP's patented design is a straight 12-inch sword grind blade, finished with a front-heavy axe-like tip. This was inspired partially by the parang, an Indonesian utility blade design used throughout southeast Asia. The CHOP's flat, thick spine also has depressions at the front and rear, making it ideal for batoning through wood at your campsite.

Robert Young Pelton learned about the Parang blade in Borneo, and applied this knowledge to his DPx CHOP.

Robert Young Pelton learned about the parang in Borneo, and applied this knowledge to creating his DPx CHOP.

The DPx HEFT 12 CHOP is made in Italy by LionSTEEL, and is constructed of razor-sharp Sleipner stainless steel with a stonewashed finish. The handle scales are formed from black Micarta, and each CHOP comes with a Kydex expedition sheath.

Starting this week, DPx has made the limited-edition first run of 200 units available to the public. This first run comes with a special serial number, a certificate of authenticity, and a pre-sale price of $380. Once this run is over, the MSRP for future production runs will be $425.

For more information on the DPx HEFT 12 CHOP, visit DPxgear.com.