Here’s a shocking fact: not everything you see on the internet is true.
If you’re looking for true survival knowledge, you should never take advice solely from one source—not even us. We would encourage everyone to retain a healthy degree of skepticism, double-check the facts, and (most importantly) practice the survival skills you learn to test their effectiveness. Otherwise, it’s easy to fall for some “survival expert” who could be leading you astray.
Lemons: are they just a tasty fruit or are they an invaluable survival tool?
Recently, we came across a YouTube video that claims to show how a single lemon can supposedly be used to start a fire. The video states that all you need is one lemon, six copper clips, six galvanized (Zinc-coated) nails, a piece of wire, and some steel wool. The video has generated over 12 million views in a single month.
We won’t embed the video, since we don’t want to spread misinformation, but if you really want to watch it, you can do so here.
A screenshot from the video shows the simple construction of this “fire starter”.
Most of us have learned about the concept of a “lemon battery” in school, and understand that a lemon can produce a small amount of electricity, so it seems plausible, right? Well, yes and no.
Despite what we saw in the video above, multiple sources tell us that a single lemon (with zinc and copper electrodes) produces about 1 milliamp (0.001 amp) and about 0.7 volts. For perspective, even an ordinary 9-volt battery can produce as much as 500 milliamps in short bursts. Since the milliamp current determines how much heat the wires will quickly generate when touched together, a single lemon should be several hundred times less effective for fire-starting than a 9V battery.
We prefer our lemons in cocktails, not in survival kits.
Here’s a video that explains why a lemon isn’t an effective fire-starter:
Remember the scientific method: if a survival technique’s results can’t be replicated again and again, there’s something fishy going on. Unfortunately, it appears that starting fires with a lemon battery is a hoax. Several sites which originally shared the video later posted retractions, admitting that the original video must have been faked.
But don’t take our word for it—go get a lemon and try it. Just don’t expect a spectacular crackling fire …unless your lemon contains a 9V battery.
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.
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
1
2 3 4 5
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.
Uses
Cinch down heavy loads on roof racks, car roofs, and truck beds
Securely tie down tarps
1 2 3
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.
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
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
If you spend enough time on the internet, it’s hard not to be a skeptic. The web is chock full of producers of vaporware who promise incredible feats, collect truckloads of investors’ money, then disappear into the ether from whence they came.
Franky Zapata suits up for his first test flight on the Flyboard Air.
So, when we heard about the Flyboard Air—a product claiming to be a real, functional hoverboard—we admittedly rolled our eyes. Most of us have daydreamed about flying effortlessly through the sky on personal aircraft, but people have been making fantastic claims about this subject since before the Wright brothers were born. Is it really possible with current technology?
A handheld remote appears to allow Zapata to control the aircraft.
Well, if you believe the following incredible video from French company Zapata Racing, then yes it is. See for yourself:
Zapata Racing has already developed the impressive original Flyboard, a hydro-propulsion device that allows its user to soar several stories over the surface of a body of water. The new Flyboard Air doesn’t use water jets, but it’s not entirely clear how the device works, since the company has not released specifics yet. It’s currently theorized that it uses a jet turbine engine hooked to a backpack full of fuel (the video seems to support this).
In this video, Zapata takes the Flyboard Air up to a speed of about 34mph (55 kph), but the company says the hoverboard can nearly triple that figure at a top speed of 93mph. The Flyboard Air is also claimed to ascend to 10,000 feet—that’s almost as much as a recreational skydiver. The company says maximum autonomous flight time is 10 minutes. It may not sound like a lot, but at highway speeds, you could cover a lot of distance.
Before you get hyped about bugging out via your personal hoverboard, or playing Green Goblin and mounting weapons on one of these, there’s a catch. It took the company 4 years to produce this working prototype, and the finalized Flyboard Air will not be ready for release to the public until at least 2017. Government approvals from the FAA may also slow the process down even further.
If it works as claimed, the Flyboard Air could be revolutionary.
However, assuming the video above is legit, we’re interested to see what the future holds for this vehicle. It could definitely serve as a quick way to get out of Dodge.
Our eyes’ pupils dilate, or widen, in the dark to allow more light to enter, allowing us to see better. That’s what some people call our natural night vision. It takes a few moments for our eyes to adjust to darkness or brightness, so drastic changes in light levels can leave us seeing bright spots or nothing at all until our pupils can adjust. This is where multicolor flashlights can help us out.
The most common colored lights are red, blue, and green. Each of these is “softer” and don’t affect our night vision as severely as white light. They are also less likely to be seen at distance, which is an advantage for those who wish to keep a low profile.
Because red light appears less bright to the human eye and also provides more contrast, it is most commonly used as a general-use light at night.
However, red light can make map reading a bit more challenging, since many lines and markers are printed in red. For this reason, blue light is preferred for map reading. Blue light is also better at spotting bodily fluids like blood, which makes it a common choice for not only police investigators and search-and-rescue teams, but hunters as well. It’s also known to be useful for cutting through fog.
Like red and blue, green light can help preserve natural night vision. Unlike white light, it doesn’t attract insects and doesn’t spook fish or game — remember that the next time you go camping, angling, or hunting.
Multicolor flashlights allow us to stay effective long after the sun has set. So, we’ve gathered some of the premier models on the market. Read on to see which one lights up your nightlife.
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.
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.
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.
[buyersguide title=”Fuel” ids=”3425, 3426″]
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.
[buyersguide title=”Electricity” ids=”3427″]
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
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, 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This free tool by Hartley Brody is available online, and is simple to use. Here’s how it works:
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.
Type the location of your trip. This combines with the info in step 1 to predict the temperature and weather.
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.
Choose a daily hiking distance. This will affect the amount of water and other gear the tool recommends.
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 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.
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.
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.
