survival part V: recon

this topic involves learning what recon is. recon is the ability to safely explore an area to find food, water, and shelter, as well as hazards and otherwise dangerous areas and locations. recon is extremely important to survival. if you cant find food, water,shelter or other essential resources you will find yourself in a very bad situation very quickly. the survival pack contents will only last you so long and you will have to venture out to find what you need.
in oreder to function adequtely in a survival environment you must learn everting you can about the area you have found yourself in. this includes water sources,food sources, shelter sources, and hazardous or dangerous locations.
the following things are absoultely essential to be proficient at reconing any known or unknown area you may find yourself in:

1.) the knowledge of how to properly use a compass
2.) the abilty to read a topographic map
3.) skilled in observation(paying attention to detail at all times!!!!!)
4.) skilled in stealth techniques (especially in hostile areas or otherwise dangerous locations)
5.) cover and concealment techniques( to prevent your presence from being made known to hostile elements)

for info on map reading i recommend this book titled map and compass. you can find it at just about any bookstore or internet website like amazon.com, etc. this book also instructs you on compass usage and basic map reading.

for an over all great book for survival in general i recommend the us army survival manual. it too can be purchased from the internet or be purchased at most bookstores. if you have a pda it can be downloaded from the internet to your pda at manybooks.com. youll have to download a document reader to accomplish this on a pda.

for outdoor first aid info i recommend medicine for the outdoors by dr. auerbach
its very detailed and highly informative on field medical info.( for example field suturing using duct tape and thread)
regards
archie

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>AREA AND PERIMETER SECURITY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

survival part IV: the survival pack

as many of you know survival consists of maintaning your health and well being in what may be a hazardous or dangerous environment. preperation as well as anticipation are the key factors to survive. survival will consist of food,shelter, and water, the ability to make a fire, and to be able to adapt to the environment or conditions around you.
one of the most basic concepts of survival is the survival pack. the survival pack is basically you food, water, and shelter contained in a backpack. the very basic necessities to live for the short term until conditions and enviroment become less hazardous and more favorable. it is not meant for long term existence in a dangerous or hazardous situation, but instead just enough to get buy until you are in a more favorable enviroment or situation.
i have been asked many times what i would recommend to be put in a pack. in my opinion the contents of the pack should be assembled based on your personal preference, understanding of your situation, and acqired survival knowledge. in short, the pack should provide you with what you need as opposed to what you want.
since every person is different and may have different needs i decided to list what i carry in my pack and on my back. there sre different levels of needs and necessities. here is my list:
1.) main pack
a.) intermediate level first aid kit
b.) water purification tablets
c.) fire starting items
d.) compass
e.) topographic map(s)
f.) sleeping bag rated at -20 degress fahrenheit
g.) extra large heavy duty poncho
h.) two man military pup tent
h.) at least 3 changes of clothing and at least 5 pairs of
socks.
i.) at least 3 days of food.( mre's from ebay suit well)
j.) cold weather gear
basically, the main pack should have contents in it to be able to set up a base camp site. including a messkit, toiletries, light gear, and a shovel. a good set of gmrs/frs radios with a minimum of seven mile range may come in handy. just make sure you have a lot of batteries. or have access to an ac outlet for the recharger. the base camp should only be left unattended in the case you are alone. if you are in a party of people only patrol or recon with minimal personnel.
2.) the butt pack
i have a butt pack that i use for hiking. primarily the butt pack
is used for medium range hiking, patrolling or recon. the contents should consist of map, compass, first aid, and weather related equipment.food and water, fire starting items, a signalling mirror, and communication equipment. i also reommend that when out parolling or on recon that a GPS unit be handy.
generally speaking, your main pack is your hous and your butt pack is for short to medium range movement from the base camp. for specific info on the various backpacks and such i suggest going to ebay and doing a seach for back packs and camping gear. or do a google search for camping and hiling, camping eaquipment, and backpacks. always remember you get what you pay for.
regards
archie


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NEXT POST WILL BE RECOAISANCE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

survival part III: the survival knife

i have been asked to post more survival info. i chose a topic often overlooked in the survival environment. that being the survival knife and its proper usage. lets start this discussion on the types of knives available.
1.) basic survival knife
a basic survival knife consists of a fixed blade of at least 10 inches in length, not including the handle. usually these knives a primarily used for camping. the handle is solid and sometimes the handle has a hammer head on the handle. a good example of a basic survival knife would be the us marine kabar knife. there is no hollow handle or any survival implements in it. the blade should not be used to cut large limbs or cable. and usually has no serated edge on the top of the blade. the steel should be 440 stainless and the knife should be american made. the blade MUST NOT BE HOLLOW GROUND!!! hollow ground blades tend to be made of substandard steel. a very good knife to avoid would be any knife blade that has pakistan imprinted on it. these type of knives are very inexpensive. but remember you really do get what you pay for. these type of knives are not designed for close combat or heavy use.
2.)intermediate survival knife
the intermediate survival knife is designed for moderate heavy use. it will usually have a serrated edge on the blade for heavy cutting of wood, rope cable, etc. the knife is heavier than a basic survival knife and the blade thickness is les than 1/4". in most cases this knife does have a hollow handle and some survival gear in it. usually this gear consists of matches, fishing hooks and line, and some VERY BASIC FIRST AID ITEMS. the intermediate surval knife is just that. its desiged for intermediate use and not much more than that but quite adequte for emergency short term usage.
3.) the advance survival knife:
the advanced survival knife is a fixed blade knife designed for heavy long term use. its blade will usually be at least 103/4 inches long with a balde thickness of at least 3/8". it will have a heavily serrated cutting edge on the top side of the blade. the serration is specifically designed for heavy cutting of thick wood upto 4 inces in diameter. the balde itself can be used much like a hatchet for chopping of wood. this type of knife will usually have a hollow handle with a compass in the cap of the handle. inside the handle will be a survival kit consisting of fishing and first aid items. these items include several hooks and sinkers, several water proof strike anywhere matches or other fir starting equipment( magnifying glass, magnesium fire starter, etc), instant drink mixes, a cable saw,knife sharpener, tylenol, water purification tablets, and a snaring device. the blade itself is highly polished and can be used as a signaling device with ease. in some cases an advanced survival knife may even have a slingshot kit in its handle for hunting very small game such as squirrels or birds. this knife is also designed for shelter construction and can be used heavily and for the long term. many advanced survival knifes also have a complete snake bite kit . advanced survival knifes are not generally used as combat knives due to their bulk and size. it is nearly impossible to conceal an advanced survival knife. the one i have weighs in at 5 lbs and has an 11 inch blade and all of the things previously mentioned in earlier paragraphs
for further info on the various kinds of survival knives and their uses i recommend checking out united cutlery on the internet of just do a google search for survival knife. you can expect to pay anywhere fron 20.00 to 150.oo for these types of knives. i purchased mine from united cuttlery for 34.95. those of you who have seen that particular knife on my webcam is the one i purchased from united cutlery. i am very satisfied with it and its accesories.
regards
archie
>>>>>>>>>>>>NEXT POST WILL BE ON THE SURVIVAL PACK<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<