Thanks to all for the bits and pieces of information I have gleaned from this forum in recent months. This is my first post and wanted to share some of the things I learned here and put to test this weekend. See below for emergency medical story from this weekend, good story with new vocabulary included....
I consider myself an experienced camper / hiker / outdoors guy, but I have learned a bunch here. New firestarting skills, batoning for kindling, preparation of a proper PSK and some good knifemaking tips were all found and all came into play this weekend. Even though we did a family car camping trip for only two nights I came away feeling like a better outdoorsman than before and more ready for upcoming adventures.
Here are some noteworthy observations from this weekend:
1. The Inova Microlight LED flashlight is all you need. What a great light! I kept it around my neck on a cord all weekend and found it right where I left it everytime I needed it. Thanks for the tip!
2. I am a long time believer in a one match fire so the transition was easy, but this weeekend I relied solely on my new Light My Fire fire steel. Thanks for the tip!
3. I recently put together my own Scandi fixed blade knife (from a purchased blade) and loved having it with me this weekend. What a knife! I have never owned a fixed blade knife and now wonder why. Batoning is a new skill and use for a knife for me and I have this forum to thank for that.
4. My son and I have recently put together a PSK and a first aid kit in preparation for his Boy Scout "Readyman" badge. I had a pre-fab first aid kit (Adventure Medical Kits Adventurer model) that we beefed up and packed for this weekend, but we also put together a smart PSK. I'll tell you, having these adds a new level of confidence being outdoors away from it all. I used a combination of information found here to out the two of them together, thanks to all who have added!
Now for the big story.... We were camping with some other families (loads of kids) and one of our friends ended up with a fish hook in here lower back. Long story, but a barb on a treble hook from my favorite Rapala was in deep in her lower back. Out comes the first aid kit and a Leatherman to save the day. I cut the hook away from the lure and continued to cut the single section away from the rest of the hook. I told her to hang on as I pushed it through. She was a trooper as she screamed into a pillow and all was over quickly. Jokingly, I told her that she was lucky that it got her in the "back fat". She wiped the tears away and said "yeah, but now I have a hole in my MUFFIN TOP!" We all burst into laughter which was needed after the ordeal.
I consider myself an experienced camper / hiker / outdoors guy, but I have learned a bunch here. New firestarting skills, batoning for kindling, preparation of a proper PSK and some good knifemaking tips were all found and all came into play this weekend. Even though we did a family car camping trip for only two nights I came away feeling like a better outdoorsman than before and more ready for upcoming adventures.
Here are some noteworthy observations from this weekend:
1. The Inova Microlight LED flashlight is all you need. What a great light! I kept it around my neck on a cord all weekend and found it right where I left it everytime I needed it. Thanks for the tip!
2. I am a long time believer in a one match fire so the transition was easy, but this weeekend I relied solely on my new Light My Fire fire steel. Thanks for the tip!
3. I recently put together my own Scandi fixed blade knife (from a purchased blade) and loved having it with me this weekend. What a knife! I have never owned a fixed blade knife and now wonder why. Batoning is a new skill and use for a knife for me and I have this forum to thank for that.
4. My son and I have recently put together a PSK and a first aid kit in preparation for his Boy Scout "Readyman" badge. I had a pre-fab first aid kit (Adventure Medical Kits Adventurer model) that we beefed up and packed for this weekend, but we also put together a smart PSK. I'll tell you, having these adds a new level of confidence being outdoors away from it all. I used a combination of information found here to out the two of them together, thanks to all who have added!
Now for the big story.... We were camping with some other families (loads of kids) and one of our friends ended up with a fish hook in here lower back. Long story, but a barb on a treble hook from my favorite Rapala was in deep in her lower back. Out comes the first aid kit and a Leatherman to save the day. I cut the hook away from the lure and continued to cut the single section away from the rest of the hook. I told her to hang on as I pushed it through. She was a trooper as she screamed into a pillow and all was over quickly. Jokingly, I told her that she was lucky that it got her in the "back fat". She wiped the tears away and said "yeah, but now I have a hole in my MUFFIN TOP!" We all burst into laughter which was needed after the ordeal.
