IntheWoods
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2006
- Messages
- 190
NuclearBossHog said:I always read these articles in the main forum about what the best survival this or that is, and I am dumbfounded. Almost always people are talking more about Backpacking/Mountaineering/Trecking/Hunting/Camping equipment.
I have trecked and camped mostly in south american arid forests(Argentina and Peru) and rain forests (Argentina and Brazil). Every time I did, I was PREPARED! I always carried an SAK/Leatherman plus a large blade, ie machete/hatchet or large 8-10 inch blade. I also carried a camp saw usually. Among other things as well.
SURVIVAL to me is basically being cought with your pants down, ie. with what you have on you at the time. Am I wrong in this type of thinking. I am not sure I understand how someone can carry around a huge survival knife. My daily carry is a small folder or Leatherman and that is all, I would be arrested if I carried a machete or hatchet with me everywhere I went. So if the proverbial crap hits the fan, I am not likely to have anything more than a small folder, that would be survival.
Based on this, what is it that you have on you in the event you need to survive. Let's say your driving across the US and you get cought in a backroad the forests of the rockies in the middle of a blizzard. You car breaks down. What is in your car and on you to help you survive this? That is what I consider survival, but maybe I am missing the point.:thumbup:
Sorry if this has been discussed azillion times in the past.
I'm a former long haul truck driver. And drove extensively all over the northern US, and southern Canada during the winter months.
The single most important item one can have in such a survival situation in cold weather is a mummy sleeping bag with a low temperature rating, 0 degrees or below. In case ones primary heat source, the truck, dies. This is due to the fact that one already possesses shelter (the truck itself).
The others would be a cell phone, and/or a two way radio with enough power to summon help. The same can apply to an automobile in such climates.
Of course there are also many other items that would make one more comfortable, but not necessarily anymore likely to survive.
Point is every survival situation is different. What one needs to work in a high rise in New York City, or drive a truck cross country is far different than what one would need as a bush pilot in Alaska, or trekking the backcountry.
But one thing that is consistent. No matter what you do, or where you live, you need to have a common sense survival strategy based upon the scenario you are most likely to encounter.
Knives are part of the equation. In most survival scenarios today a small part. Much less than was the case 150 years ago. But there is no doubt that aquiring two of the basics when in an exposed position (warmth and protection from the elements, when these are critical to survival) in most parts of the world are much more easily obtained with the possession and use of a knife....
There is no excuse not to have a good sharp one.