It's too heavy.....

ironraven said:
Nature is a stubborn old bat. The "will to survive" is critical, but if it turns into a contest of wills, she'll win. So you stack the deck. You mark it. You put a mirror behind her chair so you can see her hand. And if the going gets rough, you pull out your own deck for the next hand.
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Well said. That should be your signature line. My PSK for backpacking trips is minimal because I'm already packing stove, water purifier, shelter, etc. But my SK in my truck is another story. It is a nylon tool bag filled with everything I could possibly need and then some. Of course in the truck weight is not a factor. It even has one of the most life saving items ever, tampons. :eek:
 
Hi,

I tend towards overkill on the preparedness stuff... I think I even overkill the overkill! :o

I always feel responsible to be ready for any scenario that might come up, as I'm usually out with my three children (young adults now) and my wife, and I have this instinct to make sure that I'm ready for anything that could come up. Without any shadow of a doubt, I bring too much stuff. I've been on day hike where I have about 10 lbs of "just in case" gear, when we're sharing the trail with families with toddlers out for a stroll! :)

I think the first aid gear adds a lot to my PSK as well. I'm a physician, and I feel that I should be ready to help everyone with strains/sprains/cuts/bee stings/nasty slivers etc. etc. etc.; not just for those with me, but those I might encounter en route.

I think I should really scrutinize my gear and think about how realistic some of my envisioned disasters are!
 
Walkabout said:
Hi,

I tend towards overkill on the preparedness stuff... I think I even overkill the overkill! :o

I always feel responsible to be ready for any scenario that might come up, as I'm usually out with my three children (young adults now) and my wife, and I have this instinct to make sure that I'm ready for anything that could come up. Without any shadow of a doubt, I bring too much stuff. I've been on day hike where I have about 10 lbs of "just in case" gear, when we're sharing the trail with families with toddlers out for a stroll! :)

I think the first aid gear adds a lot to my PSK as well. I'm a physician, and I feel that I should be ready to help everyone with strains/sprains/cuts/bee stings/nasty slivers etc. etc. etc.; not just for those with me, but those I might encounter en route.

I think I should really scrutinize my gear and think about how realistic some of my envisioned disasters are!
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Hi Walkabout (and everyone else). My purpose of the thread isn't to suggest you take any less gear with you than you normally do. Instead, it's to get you thinking about alternatives in case Mr. Murphy is along for the hike. :( Perhaps my poor choice of a thread label is to blame.:confused:

Also, IMHO, the more you learn about nature's gifts, the more you can appreciate her. Plus, if you'll excuse the poor analogy, going out in the woods and recognizing the trees, shrubs, and other plants and knowing some of the benefits they offer, compared to only seeing a lot of green, blue and gray (not that it's not enjoyable) is akin to the difference in being Norm at Cheers ("where everybody knows your name") and going into a strange bar, where you know no one. It just makes you feel more at home.

Just for the record, each and every day I EDC a Benchmade AFCK, a Buck Alpha Dorado, a Vic Ranger, a Mini Mag with Nite Ize conversion (I don't use the Mag LED AA for work because it is too bright), a Doan mag bar, spare apartment and truck keys, several hanks of 6 foot lengths of 550, so you see that I'm not advocating doing without, just learning about natural things you can use to improvise.

I can do bow drill and hand drill. If I was in an emergency situation, would I prefer a ferro rod, or a Doan? Damn right! But that's no reason not to learn alternate methods. Andre Francois Bourbeau is (or was) a professor at a Quebec university. He is (or was) the webmaster for the Primitive Skills Group. He wrote his thesis on a 30 day survival experience he and friend had in the remote Quebec bush. He has been involved in wilderness survival for a long time and is quite knowledgable about it. He used to say something to the effect of: "Not a lot of people can make fire by friction, and those that can, would never be out in the woods without a lighter or matches." I hope I've my point clear. Learn alternate techniques for their own value, NOT to replace your PSK.

Doc
 
Sorry Doc, I probably got on my soapbox without relising it. Oops.

Walkabout, keep your med gear. You compensate for everyone who goes out with none, preserves the stability of the universe. :P
 
ilbruche said:
If you're in the southwest the agave plant can give you loads of razorsharp needles without threading. Once you break off the tip you can peel it back and have some strong threads with the needle attached.
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I haven't tried this with an agave, but it works on at least some species of yucca, too. The prof who demonstrated this to our class in college used a knife (my folder, actually) to make two cuts on either side of the leaf tip, so it made a kind of arrowhead shape. Yucca leaves are full of fibers. The Natives in the area used to use yucca fibers for all sorts of cordage-based items, including sandals. I don't remember how they processed the leaves, but I'm sure that info is on the web somewhere by now.


I had never heard of potassium permanganate, so I googled and found this tidbit from wikipedia:

"KMnO4 is often included in survival kits along with either glycerine or a glucose tablet for the purposes of making fire. The glucose tablet can be ground up, mixed with the potassium permanganate and caused to combust by applying friction. It can also be mixed with anti-freeze from a vehicle (a source of glycols) to produce flame, although this can be dangerous and should be done in a controlled manner, such as dipping some paper into the anti-freeze and then adding a small amount of potassium permanganate. The ability to sterilise water and wounds is another reason for inclusion in a survival kit."

Anyone know where to acquire glycerine or glucose tablet? Anyone tried that or the antifreeze method before?

Also, "Dilute solutions are used as a treatment for canker sores (ulcers) (0.25%), disinfectant for the hands (about 1%) and treatment for mild pompholyx dermatitis or fungal infections of the hands or feet."

Next question is, what weight of crystals to what volume of water to get a 1% solution? I know how to use the betadine iodine I carry, I don't know how to use this stuff.

Also, anyone know which nasties in the water it kills?
 
Kat013 said:
I haven't tried this with an agave, but it works on at least some species of yucca, too. The prof who demonstrated this to our class in college used a knife (my folder, actually) to make two cuts on either side of the leaf tip, so it made a kind of arrowhead shape. Yucca leaves are full of fibers. The Natives in the area used to use yucca fibers for all sorts of cordage-based items, including sandals. I don't remember how they processed the leaves, but I'm sure that info is on the web somewhere by now.
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Yucca and Agave are from the same plant family Agavaceae.
 
Regarding KMnO4 there have been several posts about it here if you use the search feature you can turn up some of that discussion.

Here in Brazil it is often used to treat fungal infections and is sold in foil flats with 10 doses. An entire flat costs about $.25. I cut them up into sections of 2 doses and press them between clear contact paper. That way they fit inside a PSK very well, last forever, take up no room or weight.

It is versatile stuff. Mixed to a dark purple solution it is a good antifingal treatment. For treating water it is tricky to use and not the best method. Three of the tiny grains added to a liter of water will result in a watery pale pink that is supposed to be safe to drink after the standard half hour wait. I carry it mainly for its antiseptic and antifungal uses and as an emergency water treatment when out of other options.

It can also be used to make fire by mixing it with sugar and hitting it with a magnifying glass. Some suggest that it can be used to stain snow to make a signal. I have no doubt that it stains anything it comes in contact with. Mac
 
Flnder- It's a Tora bushcraft blade, with some edge work to make it convex. It's a company more commonly known for their Khuks.




Also, anyone know a website with a tutorial on how to make cordage in the woods, from natural items? I know very little about this process
 
Doc,

You know we have to carry 25 lbs. of gear, or we don't feel like we are prepared! :D


Knife, fero-flint, water container. Good to go.

Well, add some beef jerky, can o spam and a container of P-nut butter, i don't want to have to work for food right off the bat. ;)
 
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