Upschitz Creek

Making Money With Your Camera

2012-01-08T14:13:00.001-08:00

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How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

2009-03-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

Wired Magazine's David Hambling has this advice for surviving a Zombie Apocalypse:

"One tempting option is to go out there with a flamethrower. Zombies may have a natural aversion to fire, you should be able to ignite several of them with one burst, and it looks spectacular – there's a video of a demonstration here. However, if you check the specifications it has some serious drawbacks. The U.S. Army's M2-2 flamethrower weighed about seventy pounds, and is effective out to around fifty yards, but the big limitation is ammunition:

a fuel tank holding 18 liters of gasoline, enough for approximately five bursts of two seconds each.

So you're probably better off with a conventional firearm. At least this is one area where we are spared the interminable debate of 9mm v .45 handguns and 5.56mm v 7.62mm. Unlike living humans, stopping power counts for nothing as far as zombies go; it's all about shot placement. (And reliability – take at least one back-up gun in case you get a jam or run out of ammo at a bad time.) Anything larger than a .22 will do the job, so long as you're capable of putting a round squarely though the head. And this is very much harder than you think."

Full Story

Steps to Surviving a Long Fall

2009-03-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

1. Slow your fall using the arch position. Unless you’re falling from an airplane, you won’t have enough time to try this step. Maximize your surface area by spreading yourself out using this skydiving technique.

* Position yourself so that the front of your body faces the ground.

* Arch your back and pelvis and tilt your head back like you’re trying to touch the back of your head to the back of your legs

* Extend your arms so that your upper arms are out to the sides, and bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle so that your lower arms and hands point forward (parallel to, and on the sides of, your head) with your palms facing down; spread your legs to shoulder width.

* Bend your knees slightly.

2. Find the best landing spot. This step can only be performed if falling from an airplane. For very high falls, the surface on which you land is the greatest influence on your chance of survival. Observe the terrain below you as you are falling.

* Hard, inflexible surfaces such as concrete are the worst on which to fall. Very uneven or jagged surfaces, which present less surface area to distribute the force of impact, are also undesirable.

* The best possible surfaces on which to fall are snow, deep water (preferably water that is fast moving or frothy, such as the kind found at the bottom of a waterfall; see Tips), soft ground (such as that in a newly tilled field or in a marsh), and trees or thick vegetation (although these present a high risk of impalement).

* If you are over an urban area, you probably won’t be able to control your flight precisely enough to choose a good landing surface, but glass- or tin-roofed structures, awnings, and cars are preferable to streets and concrete rooftops.

* Search for steep slopes that gradually grow gentler, since you will not lose all of your momentum at once when you hit the ground, greatly reducing the impact on your body.

3. Steer yourself to the landing spot. If you’re falling from an airplane, you will usually have about 1-3 minutes before impact, depending on your starting altitude. You will also have the ability to travel horizontally (while, obviously, traveling vertically) a good distance (up to a couple of miles or three kilometers).

* From the arch position described above, you can direct your flight forward by pulling your arms slightly back at the shoulders (so that they are not extended forward as much) and straightening (extending) your legs.

* You can move backward by extending your arms and bending your knees as though you are trying to touch the back of your head with your heels.

* Right turns may be accomplished while staying in the arch position by twisting your upper body slightly to the right (dipping your right shoulder), and left turns are performed by dipping the left shoulder.

4. Bend your knees. Possibly nothing is more important to surviving a fall (or simpler to do) than bending your knees. Research has shown that having one’s knees bent at impact can reduce the magnitude of impact forces 36-fold.

5. Relax. Relaxing during a long fall—especially as you near the ground—is easier said than done, but try anyway. If your muscles are tense, your body will transfer force more directly to your vital organs.

* Studies of long-fall survivors have shown that those who reported being relaxed suffered, on average, far less severe injuries than those who reported being panicked or tense. It has also been shown that people who jump intentionally and those who are intoxicated at the time of the fall have disproportionately higher survival rates than fall victims in general. While the reason for these higher survival rates is unclear, one likely explanation is that people who are drunk or who actually want to die may be more relaxed before and upon impact.

* One way to remain (relatively) calm is to focus on performing the steps and being aware of your body. Doing so gives you something else to think about besides impending death.

6. Land feet-first. No matter what height you fall from, you should always try to land on your feet. While landing feet-first concentrates the impact force on a small area, it also allows your feet and legs to absorb the worst of the impact. If you are in any other position, try to right yourself before you hit the ground (fortunately, attaining the feet-first position seems to be an instinctive reaction). Keep your feet and legs tightly together so that both your feet hit the ground at the same time.

7. Land on the balls of your feet! Point your toes slightly down before impact so that you will land on the balls of your feet. This will allow your lower body to more effectively absorb the impact.

8. Try to roll. It's in video games, and it works in real life, too. This can absorb the impact greatly by moving your body's force across the ground instead of straight into it. Tuck your arm under your leg and roll your head towards your chest as soon as you hit the ground. Make sure you do not roll after you've 'bounced' off the ground once you've landed.

9. Protect your head on the bounce. When you fall from a great height onto land, you will usually bounce. Some people who survive the initial impact (often with a feet-first landing) suffer a fatal injury on their second impact. Cover your head with your arms. One technique for doing so is to put your arms on the sides of your head with your elbows facing forward (and projecting in front of your face) and your fingers laced behind your head or neck. This covers a large portion of your head, but obviously not all of it. If you have time to get an indication of which way you’re bouncing (and hence which part of your head you’re likely to hit), you can quickly adjust your arms to cover that part of your head.

10. Control the orientation of your body on the bounce. As you would expect, mortality is highest when the initial point of impact is the head. Mortality declines (in this order) when the point of impact is ventral (the front of the body), dorsal (back of the body), lateral (side of the body), and feet-first.

* Assuming you succeed in taking the brunt of the initial impact feet-first, you should try to control your body upon initial impact and during the bounce so that you land on your side or back on the second impact. Ideally, you should twist your hips to one side or the other immediately upon initial impact.

* At much lower velocities (such as those experienced with a proper parachute-assisted landing), this motion will help you distribute the force first through your legs, then through your buttocks and shoulder. In reality, you will be going as much as five or six times faster than you would with a parachute and your control over your body’s motion will be severely limited. The key is to stay aware of your body and your surroundings and, even in midair on the bounce, try to get your body to land first on your legs or side.

11. Get medical help immediately. With all the adrenaline flowing in response to your flight, you may not even feel injured upon landing. Even if you are not visibly injured, you may have sustained fractures or internal injuries that must be treated immediately. No matter how you’re feeling, get to a hospital as quickly as possible.

Upschitz Creek T-shirt Sale

2009-01-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

Get your Official Upschitz Creek T-shirt for only $9.95 while supplies last!

Hurry! Its a matter of survival!

Where does this shit come from?

2009-01-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

The more powerful is the second phrase but they originated at the same time. The word "shit" by the way is a very old word that was used in 13th century England. The verb to shit dates the Middle English period and the noun form is from the 16th century. The interjection is of quite recent vintage, not found until the 1920s.

�Up the creek�
Fail this test and you'll be swimming up the creek.

"Up shit creek without a paddle"

To be in a bad situation which is either slowly or rapidly getting worse with no evident way out. Should you be armed with a paddle, you still, typically, have a slow long recovery. The phrase is a gentrified version of a WWII saying "Up shit's creek without a paddle" which summons up a mental picture more graphic than the current refined one... Imagine being in a rowboat at the top of Niagara Falls and you lose an oar! His first parachute wouldn't open, then the emergency one failed - you might say he was up the creek without a paddle.

"Up shit creek"

To be in an undesirable place, or to be in trouble. A contraction of "Up shit creek without a paddle." It can be made to define even more extreme circumstances by adding the suffix "with the repo men on the shore waiting for the boat"

from the net.

How to Survive the next "Great Depression"

2009-01-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

1. Pay down your debt. If you have an excellent FICO score, you may be able to apply for a home equity loan. In addition, if you have a mortgage with a variable rate of interest, you may be able to change it to a fixed rate through refinancing.

2. Put away at least 18 months’ worth of savings. Or at least estimate how much you will need to carry you over if you suddenly lost all your clients.

3.Take a second look at your household budget. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. You may also want to think about increasing your income by adding new product and services. If you have teens at home, perhaps they can apply for part-time work after school to help with the bills.

4. Learn a new skill. This can help you to improve or add new services and products. If this is not feasible utilize your existing skills by expanding into another niche.

How to cook Breakfast with just a hotel coffee maker and iron

2008-12-02T06:19:00.001-08:00

Breakfast

1.
Make oatmeal in the coffee maker. Put two packets of instant oatmeal into the carafe. Add an individual packet of honey, an individual packet of fruit jam, and a pinch of salt. Put an herbal tea bag (e.g. orange flavored) into the filter basket. Pour 8-10 ounces of water into the coffee maker, turn on the machine, and the oatmeal will be ready in about 5 minutes.

2. Cook bacon with the iron. Cut bacon strips in half and place them between two foil sheets. Crimp the edges of the foil sheets together to prevent grease from spilling out. Iron the bacon, opening the packet carefully with a fork every few minutes to check to see if the bacon is done and to let out the steam. It'll take about 10 minutes to get slightly crisp bacon.

3. Use the iron as a hotplate for eggs. Prop the iron so that the ironing surface is horizontal. Make a little foil pan and grease it with bacon fat or butter. Crack one or two eggs into it and wait 7-10 minutes (until the eggs hold together) then flip them over to cook on the other side.

4.
Prepare soft-boiled eggs in the coffee maker. Place the eggs carefully into the carafe and let the hot water drip over them. Then let the eggs sit in the water for a few minutes.

Watertight Emergency Kit

2008-12-02T05:26:00.000-08:00

In this day and age it is necessary to be prepared for the worst at all times. This is why we put together a very compact and portable mini emergency kit. The mini kit contains basic emergency tools and is packed into a watertight box. This compact unit can easily be stored in the home, workplace, car or boat.

The Safeguard Emergency Preparedness Mini Emergency Kit in Waterproof Box Features a watertight Sport Box, LED flashlight w/batteries, whistle w/compass, multi-tool, survival blanket, poncho; mini first aid kit (12 adhesive bandages, 4 antiseptic towelettes, 4 gauze pads, 4 insect sting towelettes & 4 iodine towelettes); first aid booklet

Available from Fishboy

Get Out Alive!

2008-10-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

The Get-A-Way™ Driver is another creative design by Launce Barber and Tom Stokes which is designed to be an integral part of our I.D. Works™ tool system.

The tool itself is a screwdriver; flat and Phillips hex bit carrier with four standard hex bits, two flat and two Phillips; a specialty wrench; bottle opener; and LED flashlight with carry carabiner.

Launce and Tom have designed this multi-tool to be as compact and lightweight as possible. Handle length is only 3.75”, and weight is only 1.9 ounces.

It is the perfect small screwdriver. Not only can it be rotated like a conventional screwdriver, but the bit driver can be removed and placed in a hex relief in the handle, where it becomes an angle driver when more torque is needed. The four hex bits each have a spring-loaded ball to retain them in the handle securely, and also have a thin groove so that they can be easily pressed out of the handle and removed with a fingernail.

On the opposite end of the handle is a powerful LED flashlight with a press-on, press-off switch button.

The underside of the handle is a mirror-polished stainless steel frame with wrench reliefs for hex bits, 10 mm nuts and standard oxygen bottle valves. It also has a stainless steel bottle and jar opener attached.

A stainless steel carry carabiner allows the Get-A-Way Driver to be attached to belt loops, webbing, packs, or work equipment.

Get one here for only $9.95

The Lifesaver

2008-10-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

The next time your up shit's creek pray you have one of these life saver tools with you.

Features 7 functions including compass, thermometer, whistle, LED flashlight, mirror, magnifying glass and storage compartment. Add the Life Saver to your survival kit. Carry it in your pocket, backpack or around your neck with the lanyard. This survival tool is perfect for hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking, camping and climbing.

Available here via Amazon.com

From the Urban Dictionary: Up Shit's Creek In a Barbed Wire Canoe

2008-09-03T11:26:00.001-07:00

In serious trouble. Typically Australian version of "up the creek without a paddle."

When I reached for my credit card and found it was gone, I understood I was up shit's creek in a barbed-wire canoe.

"Its About Survival of the Species" Polar Bears Unite Against Palin

2008-09-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

In a recent gathering of polar bears, the endangered species denounced McCain's choice for a running mate. In the press release from the bears, the January 2008 New York Times op-ed piece written by Sarah Palin was cited as the reason for their opposition to the republican VP nomination.

In the piece Palin wrote, "[polar bears] are worthy of our utmost efforts to protect them and their Arctic habitat. But adding polar bears to the nation's list of endangered species, as some are now proposing, should not be part of those efforts."

In May, the Alaskan governor opposed the Interior Department's listing the polar bear as threatened, and prompted the ire of environmentalists and animal rights activists. In August, Palin, who has long advocated opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, rallied her fellow Alaskan officials to sue Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, arguing that extending protection to the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act is unwarranted and will hinder Alaska's gas industry and offshore drilling development.

"If Palin becomes V.P. and ultimately President with McCain's health problems and all, we as a species are Upschitz Creek" the bear's representative told us.

What to do about blisters when hiking

2008-09-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Blisters are the most common medical situation you will encounter in your hiking experiences. And beware – improperly treated blisters can result in infection and serious consequences. Here are a few tips: First, prevent blisters, or at least minimize their occurrence by keeping feet dry; by breaking boots in thoroughly before embarking on a long hike; by choosing socks carefully; by treating “hot spots” early.

Even before these steps – choose your boots with great care. Seek sound advice. Look at your bare feet. Bone spurs or protrusions, scars, hammer toes, burses, calluses and plantar fasciitis may all lead to hot spots and blisters. Your feet will swell some as you walk, so take this into consideration when choosing size. An orthotic device or insert may be necessary; if so, take them with you when purchasing your boots. Wear the same thickness socks that you intend to wear with the boots when trying on prospective boots. Forget what the boots look like - break with fashion. Your arches are also an important factor. consider orthotics, footbeds or inserts to relieve foot elongation or to deal with flat feet or severely arched feet. Your selected boots should accommodate your feet and socks, but must not be either too loose or too tight. You need toe room to accommodate elongation and downhill slippage, but a boot with too much room will result in slippage and blistering.

Neoprene rubber footbeds or inserts can take up looseness. Use a "rubbing bar" to deal with potential or actual hot spots in the boot. Boot "manipulation" can work wonders in ridding hot spots -- ask about it. Only once you are satisfied that with the boot and its fit should you make the purchase. Seek professional and thorough assistance. Insist on the salesperson's time and assistance. Does the salesperson ask to see your bare feet? Does the salesperson measure your foot width and length both sitting and standing to assess elongation? Are you asked to stand on an incline board to assess foot movement in the boot? Does the shop have a "rubbing bar" to deal with hot spots? If the seller doesn't provide the above services, go somewhere else. Boots should then be broken in for at least thirty to fifty miles of walking, though many newer boots require very little break in time. If you sense that your foot moves too much inside your boot, use a sole insert or heel cup.

Always dry feet completely after “wet” creek crossings. If socks become wet, change them promptly and air the wet pair in case you need them again. I prefer a synthetic under sock or liner, combined with a wool sock. Some people prefer a polypropylene liner with wool sock. The principle is that the liner wicks away moisture from the skin, then the outer sock wicks it still farther from the foot where it evaporates. The liner sock also moves friction away from the foot just as another layer of skin would do. An additional trick is to deal with hot spots at once. Don’t wait until a simple hot spot becomes a painful blister. I like to tape over the toe or spot with adhesive tape – I sometimes add a small dollop of petroleum jelly on the exterior of the tape to fight friction. Having failed in the above, you now have a blister. What should you do? After kicking yourself firmly in the rump, sit down and deal with it. If the blister is unbroken and filled with liquid and you carry moleskin, do NOT break the blister. Cut a square of moleskin large enough to cover the blister and still have a good inch of surrounding material. Fold in half and cut out the center to fit over the blister. Rounding edges will also avert peeling off of the bandage. Remove adhesive and place moleskin over blister; repeat without hole, if height of blister makes necessary.

Some people prefer a product called Newskin – it serves the same purpose. Replace socks and boots. If the blister is not broken, but you carry no moleskin or the blister is too painful, break skin close to an edge with a sterile needle. Press out liquid, dry area completely. If the blister is already broken, press out liquid and dry area. Now, apply antiseptic cream or spray to wound (once the skin is broken, the blister becomes a wound and is subject to infection). Apply adhesive tape to area. For toes, I fold one end of tape over to keep the sticky part off of the wound, then I wrap the toe all around. I then place a small dollop of petroleum jelly to the exterior of the tape to minimize friction. Once in camp or later at a break, repeat above steps. Don’t forget the antiseptic. Oh, and duct tape works as well as adhesive tape.

Maine Survival Tips

2008-07-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Can You Hear Me Now? NO! - Maine is known for a lot of great things, but cellphone service is not one of them. While in Maine, check your voicemail often for missed calls. Make sure you carry maps in case you get lost. We will send out important phone numbers next week for those that may find themselves in need of help.

Comfort is in Vogue - Maine style is heavily influenced by comfort and function. You would be well-served to follow their example. Bring layers of clothing and prepare to wear the layers at all times. Why? Be prepared to add and remove layers of clothing based on (1) the ever-changing weather, and (2) your location inland or on the coast, (3) the time of day, and (4) mosquitos. A typical ensemble includes, khaki shorts, a T-shit under a long sleeve shirt and possibly a light sweater or wind-breaker around the waist, or a second shirt layer. (Check the photo of us at right to see our layers) Bring a hat as well. If you plan on a boat ride, make sure to bring a sweatshirt and a windbreaker as well, plus sneakers. If you forget any of these, check below for a great place to buy them -- Renys. Even at a fine restaurant, most people will wear khakis and Oxford and VERY rarely wear a tie. The only real exception is if you go to Portland. People will dress more urban and stylish there.

Eau De 'Ben's 100' - Mainers favorite fragrance to wear may be Ben's 100. There's a joke in Maine that the "Maine State Bird" is the mosquito or black fly. The only thing that stops these hearty birds in their tracks is to don some Ben's 100. It is 100% DEET, so only use a drop. You can buy it in most places in Maine, so don't worry about buying it until you get to Maine.

Renys: The Best Deal in Maine - Similar to how Target is called 'Tarsh-aye' with a French accent, Mainers call Reny's by 'Ren-ayes'. Need an extra pair of kahki shorts? If your forgot a shirt, need a cd player, a gift, or essentials, or you just want to look for bargains, head to Rene's in Bath or Damariscotta. Renys is a small department store, something similar to a closeout and outlet store, that offers reasonable prices on everything. This is your best resource if you want to avoid prices inflated by tourist season.

Bibs are for Babies! - Tourists are notorious for wearing a little plastic bib (supplied for free with all lobster meals) while eating their lobster (lobstah). Under no circumstances should you ever wear this. You might as well spray paint the word "numb" on your forehead. Also avoid strange devices such as mallets, for cracking shells. Mainers use nutcrackers and pliers to crack the shells of lobsters. Warning: Wear something unimportant when eating lobster and make sure you wash it afterwards. Eating lobster can be messy.

How to Eat a Maine Lobster - So, you know the most important rule -- Don't wear the bib unless you want to look like a novice! To eat lobster on the cheap, the way Mainers do, go to a lobster pound (definition in right column). Depending on your appetite, order a 1 pound to 2 pound lobster. During the summer, their the shells are softer, the meat sweeter, but there is a little less meat. During the winter the shells can get very hard, but there is more meat. To actually eat it, prepare to get dirty. ** Insider Tip: Order a cull lobster to get more for your money. Cull lobsters are missing a claw and so get discounted, but you still get the tail meat!

Pick Wild blueberries in Maine have a flavor like no other. They are world recognized. Harvested from late July to early September in Maine it is still mainly done by hand rake. Maine produces 90 percent of the low-bush blueberries in North America. Some farms allow people to pick their own berries. Make sure you wear sunscreen if you pick your own!

Go Crabbing
In 1996, the State of Maine passed a law allowing residents to obtain a lobster and crab license. Clam digging and crabbing in Maine are popular activities providing new meaning to "fresh seafood" dinners.

Whale Watching Excursions
Another popular activity is whale watching and the marine wildlife here. You can take a variety of trips from many harbors. Usually boats have have booths down near the water. Tours include harbor ours, lighthouse tours, fishing boats, whale watches, seals and sunset sails. An excellent choice is the Miss Boothbay in Boothbay Harbor. It is a lobster boat and passengers get to pull lobster traps. If you go on cruise bring a sweater. It is always much cooler on the water. If you go on the Miss Boothbay, be prepared to get messy.

Save your skin with the Guppie

2008-04-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake, this handy little multi-tool maybe cute but it packs a lot of useful features that might just save your skin in a tight spot.

Zytel handle with 2.00 in. blade of 3Cr13 steel. Includes an adjustable wrench, carabiner gate, removable bit carrier, LED light, 2 strong magnets to hold it securely, pocket/money clip, and the carabiner detent can be used to open bottle caps and metal jar lids.

Available here.

Rescue From Water

2008-04-27T17:09:00.001-07:00

The best technique for rescuing personnel from the water is to throw them a life preserver attached to a line. Another is to send a swimmer (rescuer) from the raft with a line attached to a flotation device that will support the rescuer's weight. This device will help conserve a rescuer's energy while recovering the survivor. The least acceptable technique is to send an attached swimmer without flotation devices to retrieve a survivor. In all cases, the rescuer wears a life preserver. A rescuer should not underestimate the strength of a panic-stricken person in the water. A careful approach can prevent injury to the rescuer.

Hunting For Survival

2008-03-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE/DECEMBER 1991. Article by Bob Newman

...taught me an important lesson
in survival hunting: Expect the unexpected, even the seemingly
impossible And don't get "down in the mouth" because something
didn't go as planned. Press on! Your luck will change. It's just
that you have to make it change.
Be An Animal - That's right. Be an animal! After all you are one.
Man has been hunting for survival for eons, literally. Sure, he
was a bit hairier and somewhat more attuned to his environment
when he was what anthropologists call Cro-Magnon or Neanderthal
He had to be in order to make it. But that doesn't mean you can't
be just as adept a survivor as your forebearers.

You've got what it takes to be an efficient survival hunter. You
were born with it, "it" being survival instinct. We all were.
What you have to do though, since man has become a creature who
is what a buddy of mine calls a "slave to comfort;' is relearn
what modern man has lost.

So how do we go about this reeducation? A number of ways, the
most effective of which is hands-on training. In other words
first-hand experience. Hook-up with someone whose expertise in
the art of survival hunting is known to you. Every time he - or
she - steps into the wilds to hunt, you be right behind them. Ask
questions. But not when your mentor is about to dispatch the
grizzly they have been tracking for seven hours and is now mere
yards away from. Wait for a more advantageous time.

Read. Read everything you can get your hands on pertaining to
hunting. And don't just stick with the more modern books, either.
The works of old are often intriguing and exceptionally well-
written. A few of my favorites are Osborne Russell's Journal of a
Trapper Wm. O. Pruitt Jr:s Wild Harmony Animals of the North
Stalking in the Himalayas and Northern India, by Lt. Col. G.H.
Stockley and David Attenborough's The Living Planet. Not exactly
what you expected? Trust me. I have gleaned reams of information
from books such as these. Information that has proven invaluable
to me time and time again.

Other excellent books include The Audubon Society Nature Guide
series, which is jammed with myriad bits of useful information,
The Audubon Society Field Guide Series, which is outstanding, and
Harper & Row's Complete Field Guide to North American Wildlife.
You would do well to have these in your personal library.

Own a TV? Your local PBS channel may offer one of the best
nature shows on television: Nature Scene. If you get it, don't
miss it. Another worthwhile production on your PBS station is
Nature.

L.L. Bean, which I teach a wilderness survival workshop for in
their Outdoor Discovery Program, offers one of the finest series
of hunting videos available. For a list of all the videos they
have available, write to L.L. Bean at Freeport, Maine 04033.

There are also a wide variety of magazines on the market that
publish a plethora of information on hunting Don't make the
mistake of buying a magazine for its eye-catching cover, though.
Buy the magazine for its instructional value, not its aesthetics

If you are in a genuine survival situation, common sense dic
tates that you must take what you find. The rules go out the
window when it's between you and Mother Nature. Keep in mind,
however, that when you are "practicing" your survival skills,
ethics dictate that you must stay within the realm of the law.
Those laws may seem bothersome to you from time to time, but they
are the reason we still have game to hunt in this country.

It goes without saying that different animals have different
habits. One factor remains a constant, though. Everything an
animal does is directly influenced by its need for food and
water, shelter from the elements, self-preservation or procrea
tion. If you approach survival hunting with these things in mind,
you will already have taken a giant step forward in being a
successful hunter.

If you are impatient, stop being so right now.
There now. That was easy, wasn't it? The most proficient hunt
ers are patient almost to a fault. They can - and do - lay in a
"hide" for hours on end without so much as twitching. They will
stalk or track their quarry until they take it, regardless of low
long it takes or what the conditions are. Patience means determi
nation.

And they are intimately familiar with the habits of their prey.
They do not guess. They calculate. They do not take risks. They
weigh the odds and take the necessary action. They hunt intending
to kill. They mean full well to come out on top.

In survival hunting, it's not how you play the game; its wheth
er or not you win. If you win, you live. If you lose, you don't
live.

Deer such as the revered white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus)
are one of the most wary mammals on the continent. Becoming an
expert at successfully hunting them takes years, even decades.
They are elusive beyond belief at times, but still find their way
into tens of thousands of hunter's freezers every year.

These hunters know that deer, like any other animal, crave sex,
though probably not for the same reason humans do. They use buck
"grunts" to lure in rutting males. They smear the vegetation
around their hides and stands with chemicals that imitate doe
estrus. They take note of sign that indicates the presence of an
active buck, such as scrapes and rubs.

They also know that deer love apples, acorns and a remarkable
variety of other foods. They put this knowledge to good use by
taking up a shooting position between resting and feeding areas.

And they are very aware of the fact that deer have exceptional
ly keen senses. Their sense of smell and sound are incredibly
well-tuned.

Curiosity is one of their shortcomings as well, besides their
sometimes overpowering urge for food and sex. On several occa
sions I have snuck up on deer that were lying on hillsides,
looking down onto a road, watching the cars go by.

Waterfowl, on the other hand, do not display this blatant sense
of curiosity. Ducks and geese are known for their skepticism and
shyness. They do, however, have a strong desire for companion
ship. They can be lured into a decoy set if you place the blocks
correctly and use your call in the right manner.

Both of these skills takes practice, as you might expect. After
more than two decades of water fowling, I am just now beginning
to get quite good at the use of decoys and calls. Then again, it
may be that I am just a tad slower than the next guy.

Ducks and geese have fantastic eyesight. Perfect camouflage
means more birds for the survival hunter.

Upland game such as rabbits and squirrels are frequently -
almost always - easier to come by than big game like deer and
moose. There are generally more of them in a given area, and they
are usually much less wary. Woodchucks, prairie dogs, badgers,
marmots and other burrowing mammals make for easy pickings if you
are good with a flat and fast shooting varmint rifle such as
the .220 Swift or 15-06 Remington. Look for woodchucks in the
early morning and late afternoon in rocky fields, especially
those with a bit of slope to them.

Start boning up now for the time when survival hunting is no
longer a pleasant diversion on a perfect weekend, but a "do or
die" situation when you least expect it.

Unlikely? That's what the Filipinos and Japanese thought,
until volcanoes started going off in their backyards.

Hands Free LED Flashlight

2008-02-29T05:08:00.000-08:00

This small handy LED flash light features a clip for attaching itself to a ball cap and includes tiny screwdrivers and get this - a ballpoint pen for writing those last letters to loved ones!

The T1 Tech Light, measures just two inches long and features a brilliant white LED flashlight with a solid-state, positive touch on/off switch. A removable clip attaches the light to any baseball cap, notebook, day-planner or shirt pocket for an excellent hands free light source. A precision flat head and Phillips screwdriver; a screwdriver socket (for added torque); and a ballpoint pen detach from the sides of the Tech Light. Flashlight runs on two 3V lithium batteries (included). Rugged translucent plastic body measures 2" x 1 1/8" x 1/8".

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Ice Fishing Survival Tips by Laura Reave

2008-02-23T04:42:00.001-08:00

If you ask experts when the ice is safe, they will often say, "Never!" That is because ice thickness can vary by several inches even just a few feet away. Variables include water current under the ice, schools of fish that can cause warmer water to rise, vicinity to bridges and islands, and other factors.

Given that, many people have still enjoyed ice fishing for years. How can you help ensure your survival while ice fishing? Here are a few basic tips:

1. Before you leave, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Survival experts suggest that if you are not back by that time, the person should call for help.

2. Leave your car on shore. According to safety expert Tim Smalley, 68 percent of ice fatalities in Minnesota involved a vehicle. Ice must be much thicker and more stable to support the weight of a car or truck, or even a snowmobile.

3. Make sure there are at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice, with no open water or melting ice near shore. Open water and melting indicate unsafe ice. Carry an ice spud or chisel to check the thickness of the ice as you proceed.

4. Always go fishing with a companion. 5. Wear a lifejacket.

6. Carry two ice picks, hand spikes, or wooden screwdrivers tied together with cord so that you can pull yourself out if you do fall in.

7. Carry rope to help drag your buddy out if necessary. 8. Carry a cell phone to call for assistance.

9. Carry flares or an emergency signal marker so that you can be seen if you need to be rescued in a storm. Other storm survival equipment includes chemical hand warmers, flashlight and batteries, chemical light sticks, compass, reflective "space" blankets, portable camp stove with fuel, pocket knife or pocket tool, and matches or a lighter.

Laura Reave, Ph.D., is a marketing consultant specializing in writing for the internet and search engine optimization. You can see some of her work at http://www.fcsurplus.ca

Survival Fishing

2008-02-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

Survival fishing methods differ from regular fishing i.e. you might not have a rod and reel! Regular rules and regulations do not apply.

Survival fishing techniques to be considered in a wilderness emergency situation are line, hook, spear, trap and net. Use whatever fishing equipment you can make work.

Spend time observing where the fish go at differrent times of the day. Like most all other living creature they choose the places where they are most comfortable and where they most easily find their prey.

If it's hot and the water is low, deep shaded water is probably where you should look. In cold weather you probably will find your catch in a shallow place where the sun warms the water.

Line and hook, your survival fishing kit, are part of your survival kit. If not, you can improvise hooks from all kinds of materials such as safety pins, a thorn, bone and wood etc. Remember, in a situation like this, success is mostly a question of trial and error and..a lot of patience.

Best time to get a catch is just before dawn or just after dusk or when bad weather is imminent. Leave lines out overnight and check them just before dawn. Fish are more likely to take bait native to their water, so try to figure out what they eat. Insects, worms, small fruits, bread, raw meat etc. can all be used as bait.

The more hooks you have in the water the greater your chances of catching a good survival meal.

Spear fishing Spear fishing takes time and great patience.

Use a spear in shallow water where your catch are visible. Slowly move the spear as close as possible. When ready, quickly spear your catch. For best result make a forked spear.

Improvised gear can be very effective and to make a net is no exception. For example using an undershirt and an y-shaped branch to make a landing net is a simple way to fast get a useful tool.

Ebb tide trap Traps can be very effective and you can make a wide variety of fish traps. Only your imagination is the limit. Unlike hooks and nets, traps can be left for a few days at a time. One example of trap is to use the effect of the tide.

On a seashore build a wall in a circle. Use large rocks. Plug with small stones to prevent your catch from escaping. In a tidal creek use the same techniques but build a wall of rocks in a curve from the bank. When the tide recedes. Check your trap.

Most fish found in freshwater are edible, some more pleasant to eat than others. Prepare your catch as soon as possible.

Immediately after landing a fish, cut its throat. Scrape off the scales from the tail to the head with your knife. Gut it; slit from the anal orifice to the throat. Remove all offal. Cut off the head, tail and fins. It's easier to remove the bones after it has been cooked.

Fish do not require much cooking. Mostly no need for skinning before cooking. Skin has good food value. However the taste is improved by skinning the fillets. If skinning, separate the skin and flesh with your knife. Smoke, sun-dry, boil or grill whatever is appropriate.

No. 5. -- A very Simple Way to Protect Yourself with a Hooked Walking Stick against a Boxer.

2008-02-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

When carrying a hooked stick, here is a very simple way to protect yourself against the attack of an unarmed assailant.

Hold your stick behind you, as seen in the first photograph, so as to run no risk of the stick-arm being seized. Bend your left arm with the inside of the left hand facing outwards in order to protect yourself from a kick at the hip, or a blow from the fist at your face or ribs.

In the photographs it will be seen that the boxer has chosen the attack at his opponent's face. To meet such an attack safely, you must put your head well on ones side, and bend both your knees very considerably at the moment when the boxer leads off, so as to get well under his guard. Directly you receive the blow upon your arm, you must straighten your knees, and so throw up the boxer's arm, and make him lose his balance, which prevents him from using his right fist upon your ribs.

You have now the opportunity, and plenty of time, to hook him by the ankle with your stick, as seen in the second photograph. Having so hooked his foot, pull his legs apart, and bring him to the ground, when you can apply the stick where and how you please.

By E.W. Barton-Wright

From Pearson’s Magazine, 11 (February 1901), 195-204.

Survival Rule of Threes

2008-02-05T05:50:00.001-08:00

The Rule of Threes

A person can live for:

Three minutes without air.

Three hours without shelter.

Three days without water.

Three weeks without food.

Three months without love.

DIY Altoids Tin Survival Kit

2008-02-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

How to make your own survival kit

2008-02-05T05:41:00.000-08:00

To assemble your DIY survival kit consider the following:

1. Think about skills

Focus not on the components but on the tasks you’ll want them to perform. In a survival situation, you’ll need to do most of the following: build a fire, construct a shelter, get and purify drinking water, gather food, signal for help, navigate back to civilization, and administer basic first aid. Once you know what types of functions you must be prepared to carry out, you can select the proper items.

2. Pick your tools

Choose at least one component from each of the groups below. Some items can meet the requirements of more than one. Fine-tune your selection to match your location or the season, and remember that you may want more than one item from certain categories. For example, I always bring at least three ways to start a fire.
Fire and Light: matches, disposable lighter, flint and striker, magnesium fire starter, tinder, candle, and a magnifying lens. For the latter: flashlight, headlamp, and chemical light sticks.
Shelter and Personal Protection: survival blanket, poncho and rain gear, tarp, tube tent, parachute cord, headnet, hat, extra clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, and bug repellent.
Water and Food: basic needs are water purification tablets or a filter, and a water container. Add snare wire and fishing kits for food collection, plus emergency rations, a small cup or pot, and a small stove.
Signaling: signal mirror, whistle, smoke signals, flares, dye markers, and emergency strobe.
Navigation: compass, maps, and GPS unit.
Knives and Tools: knives, saw, trowel, and shovel.
Medical: first-aid supplies for wound management, like bandages and first-aid ointment. Plus antibiotics, pain medicine, and personal medications.
Multipurpose: aluminum foil, wire, duct tape, large garbage bags, bandanna, surgical tubing, zip-seal bags, dental floss, sewing thread and needles, glue stick, and safety pins can all fill more than one function. Miscellaneous items include a survival manual, knife sharpener, thermometer, pencil and paper, toilet paper, and a cellphone.

3. Build your kit

Determine what size kit you want to carry, then decide on what you’ll pack everything into. This can be a tin, a waterproof container, or a soft case such as a belt pouch, waist pack, or backpack. For mini kits, I usually prefer a tin, like the kind that Altoids come in; since you don’t have room for a cup, you can use it to boil water. To make a mini kit, select the smallest components from each group. Be innovative when choosing items. Repackage them compactly if necessary, and whenever possible, select things that can perform more than one function.

Survival kit components available here.

Clutch Keychain Multi-tool

2008-01-22T05:46:00.000-08:00

Maybe you think it's not all that normal for a person to carry around a pair of pliers in their pocket or on their keychain. But then, maybe you don't know about the Clutch. Which could well be the perfect little tool when you find yourself in something of a clutch. (You know it's gonna happen.)

It measures just 2.5" in length when closed. Yet when you access the outboard tools, you're rewarded with a tidy little collection of screwdrivers bottle opener, gritty file and an all-purpose knife blade.

So go ahead. Clip it into your keychain. Slip it in your pocket. Keep it in the glovebox. Because you just never know when there'll be a big need for these little pliers.