schmittie
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ROFL!!!! That is awesome. And I completely agree.
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Survival Gear Fallacies
- Thread starter Hammer67
- Start date
ROFL!!!! That is awesome. And I completely agree.
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Many opinions. Fewer facts.
Beyond cotton, that holds the moisture next to your skin and cools by evaporation, I think the deal is that some materials are easier to dry because they do not absorb the moisture within the fibers.
Wool does generate measurable heat when adsorbing moisture "to a point". Here is one study: http://www.jeffjournal.org/papers/Volume6/6.1.2Gibson.pdf
Last edited:
BOSS1
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I think probably one of the biggest Fallacies is survival is mostly gear dependent...its probably won't be...you probably don't need the latest $400 cover page blade to survive in the wilds...it will mostly be about sound decision making under less than ideal conditions. Is having a good blade a good idea??? Absolutely, but if you don't know how to use it, or can't make good 'wilderness' decisions, if/when you (or your body) ever get found/recovered, you'll probably be found with a nice knife your sheath, and that's about it...another tragic tale of someone lost in the elements.
Also, while we're at it, make a distinction between 'survival' gear and camping gear...camping gear may become survival gear, but for most folks outside of SAR, the military, first responders, etc, they normally aren't carrying 'survival' gear...they're carrying recreational outdoor gear (if they're lucky) and then when the brown stinky stuff hits the circulating wind generator, it gets pressed into a 'survival' role...so the little swiss army pocket knife, GPS, rain poncho, and whatever you've got in your pack that your were planning for your dayhike is now your 'survival' gear.
In most cases, your survival will mostly likely boil down to: How well you prepared before you ever ventured to where you are now...Did you look at the forcast and bring appropriate clothing? Good foot gear? Did you bring at least some type of knife or multi-tool along? Did you throw a BIC lighter in your pocket? How about the cell phone? Did you let people know where you were going and when to expect you back? Do you have a map of the area and know how to read it? Do you know which direction the nearest town is from where you are? Do you know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west? Do you know probably your best course if you get lost is to find a river or stream and follow it? Do you know how to start a fire and build at least a basic simple shelter? Do you know how to splint an injured limb? Are you familiar with the types of animals you might encounter? Have you planned for various scenarios in advance? Can you make solid decisions based on your situation? If so, you can probably survive for a couple three days...if not, well then, probably not...
Notice most of these are software, not hardware based.
Now, having said that...I do plan in advance...even when going on marked trails in an established area, even for just a short a day hike, I have small shoulder versipak ~8 lbs, with some essentials that would make surviving overnight or so if I twisted my ankle or wandered a little far off the trail considerably more relatively comfortable...flashlight, lighter, space blankets, surival tube tent, micro stove, metal cooking canteen, water canteen, snacks, etc. And yes, I carry a high-end knife (as well as a folder and/or multitool), cuz I'm a knife enthusiast and enjoy having it.
Just my perspective, YMMV,
BOSS
Also, while we're at it, make a distinction between 'survival' gear and camping gear...camping gear may become survival gear, but for most folks outside of SAR, the military, first responders, etc, they normally aren't carrying 'survival' gear...they're carrying recreational outdoor gear (if they're lucky) and then when the brown stinky stuff hits the circulating wind generator, it gets pressed into a 'survival' role...so the little swiss army pocket knife, GPS, rain poncho, and whatever you've got in your pack that your were planning for your dayhike is now your 'survival' gear.
In most cases, your survival will mostly likely boil down to: How well you prepared before you ever ventured to where you are now...Did you look at the forcast and bring appropriate clothing? Good foot gear? Did you bring at least some type of knife or multi-tool along? Did you throw a BIC lighter in your pocket? How about the cell phone? Did you let people know where you were going and when to expect you back? Do you have a map of the area and know how to read it? Do you know which direction the nearest town is from where you are? Do you know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west? Do you know probably your best course if you get lost is to find a river or stream and follow it? Do you know how to start a fire and build at least a basic simple shelter? Do you know how to splint an injured limb? Are you familiar with the types of animals you might encounter? Have you planned for various scenarios in advance? Can you make solid decisions based on your situation? If so, you can probably survive for a couple three days...if not, well then, probably not...
Notice most of these are software, not hardware based.
Now, having said that...I do plan in advance...even when going on marked trails in an established area, even for just a short a day hike, I have small shoulder versipak ~8 lbs, with some essentials that would make surviving overnight or so if I twisted my ankle or wandered a little far off the trail considerably more relatively comfortable...flashlight, lighter, space blankets, surival tube tent, micro stove, metal cooking canteen, water canteen, snacks, etc. And yes, I carry a high-end knife (as well as a folder and/or multitool), cuz I'm a knife enthusiast and enjoy having it.
Just my perspective, YMMV,
BOSS
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Boss,
I agree with you fully. It is not what you have it is how you use it. I used a Buck 110 for hard use for several years, a cheap knife, and it lasted very well. I finally broke the tip, then fixed it, and now it is loose from battoning with it. My buddy carries an Appalachian Trail knife that has plastic handles and is partially serrated and that thing has gone all up and down the east coast camping with us and went out to philmont scout ranch in NM and lasted through use for many years.
I agree with you fully. It is not what you have it is how you use it. I used a Buck 110 for hard use for several years, a cheap knife, and it lasted very well. I finally broke the tip, then fixed it, and now it is loose from battoning with it. My buddy carries an Appalachian Trail knife that has plastic handles and is partially serrated and that thing has gone all up and down the east coast camping with us and went out to philmont scout ranch in NM and lasted through use for many years.
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it's all meaningless without trying it for yourself. Your skills will dictate your kit/knife/etc requirements. As for the efficacy of shelter, wet wool, etc... just go try it and find out...
I think the biggest fallacy is the survival situation itself; if you're properly prepared, it won't be a survival situation.
I think the biggest fallacy is the survival situation itself; if you're properly prepared, it won't be a survival situation.
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I don't read woodtrekker so can't comment but backpackinglight has a good article on wool vs synthetics. Can't google it right now as I'm out the door but you should be able to find it pretty quick.
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This is why I don't get too upset when ULers say that a knife is useless. To someone who doesn't know how to use one, they sure are. Same can be said for compasses. I've seen eagle scouts that couldn't use them. Now, IMO they should carry them and they should know how to use them but you can only lead a horse to water. You can't make it drink.