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Animal Attack Prevention

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

In modern televised media, animal attacks are often exaggerated to the point of appearing ridiculous. You’ve probably seen one of the many TV shows we’re referring to. The deep-voiced narrator ominously recounts the gory details of an animal attack as slow-motion video of teeth, fangs, and claws flash on the screen. It seems outlandish, to say the least. In this day and age, with all our modern weapons, technology, and medical advancements, are animal attacks really still a threat? Statistically speaking, yes they are—especially if you’re an outdoorsman, hiker, or survivalist.

A 2012 study in the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Journal analyzed mortality data from the CDC,  and found that 1,802 people were fatally injured by animals between 1999 and 2007 in the United States. At first glance, this may seem like a relatively small number, but keep in mind that it only refers to reported fatalities—thousands more were seriously injured, and may have died if it weren’t for immediate medical treatment. In a true survival scenario, you may not have access to medical care, so it’s crucial to know what you’re up against before heading out into the wild.

So, what should you do in case of an animal attack? We’ve answered this question for three of America’s most common and dangerous mammals, and also provided evasion strategies that may help you avoid being attacked in the first place.

Note: The information presented in this article is general in nature. Always consult with experts and take every precaution before interacting with or approaching any potentially dangerous animal.

Bears

Animal Attack 1

Appearance: Black bears and grizzly or Alaskan brown bears are the most common types in the United States. Black bears are smaller, averaging around 300-400 pounds, and have fur ranging from jet black to blond as well as a lighter-colored muzzle. Grizzly or Alaskan brown bears average at 800-1500 pounds, and have longer brown fur with pronounced shoulder humps.

Geographic Location: Black bears can be found throughout the U.S., but are most common in the northeast and northwest, as well as the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Brown and grizzly bears are found primarily in the northwest and Alaska.

Behavioral Patterns: In most instances, a bear will act defensively around humans. It may open and shut its jaws, snort, swat the ground, or charge short distances to scare you away. If you surprise a bear at close range, or it approaches within 20 to 30 feet of you, an attack is much more likely.

Here’s an example of a “bluff charge” used by a grizzly bear on a group of fishermen. When the charge fails to scare them away, the bear becomes less aggressive.

Avoidance Strategy: If you encounter a any bear at a distance, speak in a calm monotone voice, and attempt to maintain visual contact while backing away slowly. Black bears (and ONLY black bears) may be discouraged by standing tall and yelling or making loud noises—but never try this with a brown bear or grizzly! With brown or grizzly bears, back away slowly and leave the area, but do not turn your back, run, or make sudden movements.

Defense Strategy: If a bear gets within 20-30 feet or makes physical contact, how you should react depends on the type of bear. Bear spray or mace is always the best option, and has been proven to be almost twice as effective at deterring a charging bear than even a large-caliber firearm. If the attack involves a surprised grizzly bear or a mother grizzly with cubs, roll onto your stomach and play dead while covering your head and neck with your hands. Then remain stationary until the bear leaves the area. In any other case, or in a prolonged attack, kick, punch, or stab the bear’s face, eyes, and nose.

Below, a hunter perched in a tree encounters a curious black bear, which climbed up to reach him:

 Mountain Lions / Cougars / Panthers

Animal Attack 3

Appearance: Healthy adult male mountain lions tend to be about 140 pounds, 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and tan in color with a lighter underbody. Mountain lions are also known as cougars or panthers, and share similar biology (but different coloration) to the leopards and jaguars found outside the United States.

Geographic Location: The Mountain Lion Foundation claims there are approximately 20,000-40,000 mountain lions in the United States, virtually all of which reside in the western half of the country. Most mountain lions are found west of the Rocky Mountains, although there is a small population of about 100 in Florida.

Behavioral Patterns: Mountain lions are camouflage experts, and rarely make themselves seen to humans, preferring to hide in dense undergrowth. They hunt primarily at night, dusk, and dawn, and typically kill a single deer (their primary prey) every 10 to 14 days. When hunting or preparing to attack, mountain lions crouch low to the ground, maintain direct eye contact, and creep slowly towards their prey, almost always attacking from the side or rear.

A group of Coyotes in Yosemite National Park fend off a Mountain Lion. Fortunately for the coyotes, the mountain lion wasn’t looking for a fight:

Avoidance Strategy:  Be alert, as most attacks are sneak attacks. When encountering a mountain lion at a distance of more than 50 yards, stand tall, remain calm, and slowly back away while maintaining visual contact. Do not turn your back or run, act imposing, and appear as large as possible. If the animal approaches closer or shows interest, make loud noises and throw rocks or sticks in its direction. If the mountain lion gets within 25 yards, prepare for an attack.

Defense Strategy: Similar to bears, pepper spray or mace is a very effective deterrent. Firearms may also be effective, but mountain lions can run 40-50 miles per hour and will be difficult to hit at close range. Try to remain standing, since mountain lions target the head and neck. If you’re knocked down, strike or stab at the head and eyes.

Canines (Wolves and Wild Dogs)

Animal Attack 4

Appearance: The average North American grey wolf or timber wolf is approximately 110 pounds, stands 2.5-3 feet at the shoulder, and has fur that is mottled gray and brown. For comparison, an average domesticated German Shepherd is 2 feet at the shoulder and 75-95 pounds. Although domesticated dogs have substantially different physiology from their wolf ancestors, defense strategies against wolves should generally work against wild dogs as well. If observing animal tracks in the wild, wolves tend to produce “single tracks” by placing their rear foot onto the mark made by their front foot, while domestic dog tracks have staggered dual front and rear foot track patterns.

Animal Attack 5

Geographic Location: Wolves tend to occupy the midwest and northwest United States, with a smaller population present in the southwest. There is also a substantial wolf presence throughout Alaska and Canada. Wolf population density is generally low, with each 5-7 member wolf pack covering a territory of approximately 70 square miles. After falling drastically in the past, wolf population is once again on the rise in the United States, and the western gray wolf was removed from the endangered species list in 2008.

Behavioral Patterns: Wolf attacks on healthy adults are rare, but wolves are opportunists, so they may target the weak, the injured, or young children. Wolves hunt by working in packs and forcing their prey animals to run, often to the point of exhaustion. Wolves also use their presence to intimidate prey, and use environmental obstacles such as deep snow or bodies of water to their advantage. They then surround the prey and attack in groups. Rabies-induced aggression has also proven to be a factor in many wolf attacks on humans, though it is less prevalent in wolves within the U.S. than Europe or Asia.

Avoidance Strategy: If you see a wolf at a distance, do not make direct eye contact, and do not run. Take a non-aggressive stance and back away slowly, but maintain visual. If the wolf continues to pursue you, or displays aggressive behavior such as baring its teeth, try the opposite tactic—make loud noises and appear as large as possible. This may discourage the animal long enough for you to escape or climb a tree.

Defense Strategy: As with other mammals, pepper spray and firearms can be used. If you’re knocked down, try to protect your neck and head, and target the wolf’s eyes and throat. Choking the animal has even been proven to work in some cases.

Unconventional Survival Tool: the Pencil Sharpener

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

Sometimes, the most useful survival tools are the most often overlooked. Few of us would see an ordinary pencil sharpener and think it could be used for anything but sharpening pencils—after all, its purpose is right there in the name. However, after seeing this video from SensiblePrepper, we’ll think twice before discarding one of these tiny tools.

Inserting a pencil into a sharpener and twisting produces perfect spirals of tinder material, and it sure beats whittling away wood shavings with a knife. Using the graphite as a lubricant is an added bonus, and when you’re done, you’ve got a fresh writing instrument. Nothing goes to waste—we like that. Maybe the humble pencil sharpener is worth including in a bug-out bag after all.

Infographic: Auto Theft Facts

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

If you’re planning to bug out when SHTF, you’re going to need reliable transportation, and for many of us that means a car or truck. However, in the chaos that ensues during a major disaster, car theft is a major threat.

This infographic from Autoblog provides some basic statistics on auto theft in the United States, and can help you gauge your risk ahead of time. Some of this may seem like common sense—of course you should keep your car locked and hide your valuables—but the fact that theft is statistically more likely in a garage than a back alley is surprising.

Check out the graphic below, and remember to consider the likelihood of auto theft while forming a bug-out plan.

Auto Theft Facts
[Source: Auto Insurance for Autoblog.com]

Dakota Fire Pit

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

USMC Dakota Fire Pit diagram

At face value, starting a fire is about as simple as it gets. Throw some wood, a little tinder, and a few sparks together in dry conditions, and you’re all set. No need to over-complicate it, right? Well, not necessarily. This age-old process has plenty of room for improvement, and the Dakota Fire Pit is one of the most effective upgrades to a traditional campfire.

As taught in the USMC Survival, Evasion, and Recovery manual, the Dakota Fire Pit uses an underground cavity to create an efficient and concealable fire source. It draws in air through an inlet, and focuses the heat upward so minimal energy (and firewood) is wasted. Constructing this type of fire pit is certainly more difficult than an above-ground campfire, but may be worth the effort if you’re planning to remain at your camp for several days.

For more information on how and when to build a Dakota Fire Hole, you can refer to this article from Ron Fontaine at Survival Topics.

Video: Bug-Out Bag Variations

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

The contents of an ideal bug-out bag are often hotly debated, and rarely agreed upon. Although there’s no set formula for a successful B.O.B, it’s always good to observe other survivalists’ setups in order to come up with ideas and compare your kits.

The guys over at The Bullet Points on YouTube have a helpful video series that walks through several different approaches to building a bug-out bag. Each of the three hosts breaks down his bag and its contents in the first two videos, and then they do some real-world testing of the bags in the third video. Check out the videos below, and consider possible modifications to your B.O.B.—it should always be evolving and improving, after all.

Improvised Light Sources

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

In an emergency, it’s always a good idea to have backup plans for your backup plans. Sure, you may have a handful of flashlights, lighters, matches, or even fancy scented candles around the house, but what happens if the power is out for weeks and you run out of dependable light sources?

In the video below, YouTube user DaveHax demonstrates five ingenious improvised light sources that can be made with household items. We’re especially fond of the tuna can method—a candle AND a healthy snack. The other methods vary between somewhat useful and totally out there, but it’s worth checking out.

Do you have any methods for improvised light sources using household items? If so, tell us in the comments below.

Infographic: The Devil’s Greenhouse – A Collection of the Most Poisonous Flowers

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

Warning! This article is meant to be a quick overview and not a detailed guide on poisonous flowers. Eating certain plants could lead to serious illness and even death. To learn more, consult with a reputable instructor or trained botanist.

Bright and colorful fruits and berries attract our attention just as much as vibrant poisonous flowers. Since humans have been foraging for naturally-occurring food sources since the dawn of our species, knowing which ones are safe and which are toxic is of the utmost importance. While this quest has revealed countless nutritious and medicinally useful plant varieties, it has also revealed a number of deadly species. As a survivalist, it’s important to be aware of the poisonous plants in your area, so you can recognize and avoid them in the wild.

This helpful infographic from Ava’s Flowers outlines some of the world’s deadliest flowering plants, as well as where to find them. If you resort to foraging in a survival situation, you’ll certainly want to avoid everything on this list—and as always, if you’re not positive what species a plant is, it’s best not to consume it and find out the hard way.

An infographic describing many of the worlds most poisonous flowers.

It should be reiterated that just reading this infographic will not make you an expert on identifying poisonous flowers. Only by training with an expert will you be able to safely spot something that could be dangerous to interact with, or fatally toxic. But this will give you a better sense of awareness when the next time you think about reaching for that beautifully colored, or pleasantly fragrant flower.

Related Posts

Stainless-Steel Water Bottles

By
Offgrid Staff
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Most metal water bottles are insulated, and cannot be exposed to direct flame for boiling.

Because you’re a survival-minded person — and you paid attention in your fourth-grade health class — you know that water is life. It provides not only hydration for our bodies, but also a means to maintain good hygiene and overall cleanliness, as well as fend off disease and other ailments. And we can use it to cook. Whether we’re on a leisurely day hike or scrambling to get out of town for good, it’s clear that water is one of the survival essentials that we must carry with us — but how we carry this precious resource is always up for debate.

Obviously, in normal circumstances, you can grab a glass, mug, or even a used Big Gulp cup and simply fill ‘er up. Voila, water to go. But that’s not the scenario we’re talking about here. We’re looking for a vessel that will give us a means to contain, carry, and drink water while keeping it clean and safe from contamination and spillage during a run or running for our lives.

Navigating the aisles of your local camping, sporting goods, or big-box store, you’ll inevitably find a section that will inundate you with water containers of every conceivable shape, size, color, and material imaginable. With so many variations out there, how do we go about choosing one? For the scope of this article, we’re focusing on reusable bottles that are easily carried and can hold both hot and cold water, as well as other beverages. (Coffee is nearly as essential as water, after all.)

Material Costs & Benefits

Reusable water bottles are made of different materials, the most common of which are plastic and metal. While plastic bottles do a bang-up job on transporting liquids, they don’t tend to keep hot or cold liquids at temperature all that well. They’re lightweight and are easy to clean, but they can shatter when broken. And there’s always the debate about toxins, such as bisphenol A (BPA), found in certain grades of plastics. Even if a plastic is rated BPA-free, it could be just as toxic as, if not worse than, the chemical it’s replacing.

Within the realm of metal bottles, you primarily have two types: stainless steel and aluminum. Food-grade stainless steel is the go-to material for most metal bottles because stainless steel is non-reactive, meaning that it will not leach chemical elements into your drink — whereas reactive materials such as aluminum do. Aluminum bottles are reactive to acidic foods and beverages, so they can give off a metallic taste if not coated. Enamel- or epoxy-coated aluminum bottles are protected from the leaching effect, but one drop or dent of the bottle can damage the inner coating and release bits of it into your drink. Ironically, sometimes those coatings contain BPA.

Stainless Steel

Since bottles made of food-grade stainless steel don’t require any coatings, they are toxin-free and have no known health issues stemming from their usage. They’re inherently durable due to the plain fact that they are made of steel, and insulated types tend to keep both hot and cold liquids at their desired temperature for a lot longer than their plastic counterparts. Besides being strong, they are also easily cleaned and can be lightweight as well.

Aside from the health and strength benefits of going with food-grade stainless steel bottles, there are the practical uses for metal containers too. Because a steel-bodied bottle isn’t coated on the inside, it can still be used if dented. For survivalists, a steel bottle can substitute for a pot to boil water over an open flame without worry of ingesting bits of the inner lining. Using it to create a makeshift water filter device or even as an improvised blunt weapon is a possibility, too.

Stainless bottles aren’t all sunshine and puppy’s kisses, however. One of the drawbacks of using stainless steel bottles is that they aren’t compressible, taking up valuable storage space when not being used. They can also inadvertently heat up your water during hikes in the hot summer sun, making for a not-so-refreshing feeling when you drown your thirst in water that’s warmer than the weather.

With all those factors in mind, we believe that the strengths of stainless-steel bottles far outweigh their shortcomings. Let’s take a look at a few stainless-steel bottles that would be great to rely on while bugging out during an alien invasion or simply hiking the local trails.

What’s a Vacuum Bottle?

Vacuum bottles are actually made up of two separate bottles, one inside a slightly larger one, which are then merged at the neck. The air in the cavity between the two bottles is partially extracted, which creates a vacuum-like state that helps prohibit or drastically slow down the transfer of heat. This makes vacuum bottles ideal for holding hot or cold liquids for extended periods of time.

Temperature Test

stainless-steel-water-bottles-temperature-test

How many times have you craved a piping hot cup of Joe poured directly from your travel mug only to get a mouthful of lukewarm sludge instead° It’s been our experience that the claims of some bottle-makers are more than just slightly exaggerated. For your perusal, we slaved over a hot stove (and freezing icebox) to get you some real-world temperature test results for each of the featured bottles.

Full journalistic disclosure: We did the tests in this writer’s kitchen and not some scientific laboratory, so the results should be taken with a grain of salt. We didn’t see how each one would do at the peak of summer in Death Valley or buried under an avalanche on Mount Everest. And other variables, such as overall fluid capacity, were not taken into consideration. But our testing does give you a ballpark idea of how each of the bottles performed against each other under similar conditions. Your mileage may vary.

Note: Only the insulated bottles were tested, as the non-insulated models aren’t designed to keep beverages hot or cold for extended periods of time.

Avex Brazos AutosealHydro Flask Insulated Water BottleLiquid Hardware SidewinderMiiR Vacuum InsulatedStanley Classic Vacuum Water BottleZojirushi Tuff Sports SJ-SHE
0.7L0.7L0.6L0.7L0.8L0.95L
Hot Water Test
Start195°195°195°195°195°195°
2 hrs155°165°155°170°166°168°
4 hrs128°156°140°150°155°166°
8 hrs111°141°113°132°137°159°
12 hrs92°130°96°120°126°151°
Average Ambient Air Temperature at time of testing: 72 degrees F
Average Humidity: 62%
Cold Water Test
Start36°36°36°36°36°36°
4 hrs48°44°54°46°41°38°
8 hrs60°50°66°54°50°43°
12 hrs68°54°70°58°54°45°
24 hrs72°61°74°64°59°50°
Average Ambient Air Temperature at time of testing: 78 degrees F
Average Humidity: 43% Liquid Temperatures in Fahrenheit

Liquid Temperatures in Fahrenheit

OFFGRID Tech Brief

We used Kestrel DROP 1 Smart Temperature Data Loggers to measure the water temperatures for this test. DROP units connect to your smartphone or tablet through the Kestrel Connect app via Bluetooth. You can record and monitor the conditions of most any environment while accessing and charting real-time data on your smart device. The DROP 1 measures only temperature while its siblings, the DROP 2 and DROP 3 can also monitor much more, such as humidity, heat index, and dew point temperature.

Make & Model – Kestrel DROP 1 Smart Temperature Data Logger
MSRP – $89
URL – http://www.kestrelmeters.com

kestrel-drop-1-smart-data-display

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Dehydration

By
Offgrid Staff
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0
About Offgrid Magazine

There’s a saying flowing around that states, “If you’re not peeing a lot, you’re not drinking enough water.” While this statement might not be completely accurate, it does act as a good reminder to drink more water.

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than is replenished. This can happen in many ways, such as sweating during exercise or simply being in hot climates. Other causes include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and urination.

To prevent dehydration, monitor your fluid intake. Avoid alcohol or drinks with caffeine, like colas, tea, and coffee. Drink clear liquids (water, broth, or sports drinks). A prevailing tip is to drink eight cups of H20 daily, but that amount varies depending on your body type, where you live, and how active you are. The rule of thumb is that you should drink enough fluid so that you seldom feel thirsty and produce at least 1.5 liters of colorless or light yellow urine a day.

*This information is for reference only. For more detailed information regarding symptoms and prevention, seek professional medical advice.

Mild to Moderate Dehydration Symptoms
– Dizziness Lightheadedness
– Drowsy or fatigued
– Headache
– Few or no tears
– when crying
– Thirst
– Dry, sticky mouth
– Dry skin
– Decreased urination
– Constipation

Facts
– 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated
– Lack of water is the No. 1 trigger of daytime fatigue
– 37 percent of Americans mistake thirst for hunger
– Skip the old “eight cups of water per day” rule. Research now indicates that in most cases healthy adults can use thirst to determine their fluid intake needs.

Severe Dehydration Symptoms
– Irritability or confusion
– Fever
– Delirium or unconsciousness
– Sunken eyes
– No tears when crying
– Extreme thirst
– Dry mouth and mucous membranes
– Shriveled and dry skin
– Low blood pressure
– Rapid heartbeat
– Rapid breathing
– Little or no urination
– Darker than normal urine

Danger! Seek Medical Attention If:
– Irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual
– Can’t keep down fluids
– Severe diarrhea, with or without vomiting or fever
– Bloody or black stool
– Moderate diarrhea for 24 hours or more

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov

State of Idaho Panhandle Health District
www.phd1.idaho.gov

Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org

Bushcraft Blades

By
Offgrid Staff
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0

The term “bushcraft” has been trending lately. It’s been applied to a wide variety of activities, from a daylong hike through a mountainous trail to a weekend camping trip by the lake. But others say it should be applied only to more hardcore pursuits, such as a serious trial-by-fire solo expedition into the backwoods where you emerge a different person. So, what is it truly?

Bushcraft is about conquering the wilderness and one’s darkest fears. Yes, it’s a movement of applying skills, knowledge, and physical endurance in the great outdoors — but it’s more than that. It’s a mindset that requires the development of both a survival skillset and a determined spirit to be able to overcome rising odds. In the physical world, bushcraft is a combination of skills and the right gear to help you not only survive, but thrive in the wilderness. The term bushcraft was coined in part by Leslie James Hiddins, a retired major from Down Under who was the main author of the Australian Army’s survival manual. He became well known for touring the Outback in search of “bush tucker” (AKA food commonly found or made by aboriginals) and even hosted his own TV series called The Bush Tucker Man. No surprise, he was sometimes seen on camera employing a blade.

Knives are popular among outdoorsmen for many useful reasons, but knowing when to use what kind is key. A machete isn’t very good at skinning a deer, while a skinning knife shouldn’t be used to blaze an Amazonian trail. A bushcraft knife is more utilitarian, simple, and to the point (pun intended). With a full-tang blade, it doesn’t have the typical accessories you’d associate with those cheap Rambo-style knives found on QVC, nor does it use those accessories to shill itself. Bushcraft knives are to wilderness survival like Jeeps are to desert trails: essential, nearly indestructible, and worth every penny.

Selecting the right one depends on personal taste, financial wherewithal, and likelihood of using it as it was intended to be used: as an all-purpose knife for hunting, food prep, cutting/chopping, self-defense, and shelter building. Keeping one nearby in your go-bag or in your general camping gear will ensure that when you need a knife that performs what you want, when you want it, you won’t be disappointed.

But buying a quality bushcraft knife, like the ones on these pages, isn’t something to be considered lightly. Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Stuck in a cubicle with five sick days and no vacation? You can pick up a $20 pocketknife at Target, and you’ll probably use it only to open bills and junk mail a few times a month. Or are you trekking into the backwoods of the unknown to seek adventure, glory, and the reaffirmation that you’re still a man looming atop the food chain? Then you may want a proper knife. Consider the blades in the following pages; no doubt one of them will fulfill your bushcraft needs.

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