The Novice Survivalist
A novice outdoorsmen learning camping, fishing, bushcraft and survival. "KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL"
Finding the perfect Pack for your survival skills and tools
Lately have been doing some work on my Emergency/Survival packs. Not the contents although I have been covering that, more the actual pack, bag or pouch to carry your survival gear. It’s not really something I have covered in previous Blogs or even the website. So here we go.
I have over time gathered a number of Packs, Bags and Satchels. As I learn or add equipment and information I find myself changing what I use to carry my Emergency/survival equipment. Some started small and got bigger, some shrunk. It depends on what I learned or read about, and from actual use of the carry all. I do know I am spending too much money, looking for that perfect carrier.
I suspect there is no such thing as the perfect, off the shelf carry bag for every person out there. The pros I follow, seem to all have modified the bags to meet their needs.
I look for 3 types of bags for my use.
- EDCC (see Blog)
- Day pack (See video on my you tube channel)
- Home/Go bag (coming soon to you)
Right now I think I am the owner of between 7-8 bags, packs, or Satchels. Averaging 2 per use type from the list above. Spending between $20.00 to $55.00 per. the main reasons I have changed have not been too small or too big, but was lacking in something in my personal requirement for that carrier.
A perfect example is I bought 2 Satchels, as a combo purchase and were the exact thing I was looking for. I actually used them a number of times. They were perfect, right up until it rained on one and I fell into water with the other. They were made of Canvas. Good sturdy canvas. That sucked up water like there was no tomorrow and still 100 miles of desert to go. In doing so, all the “stuff” I had inside got wet. I could not find a satisfactory, guaranteed method to waterproof them. so they have been relegated to back ups. And of course replaced for a small fee. Yes the replacement is water proof. Basically the same size as my larger Canvas Satchel.
The smallest satchel has been replaced by a smaller EDCC, I covered in a previous blog. (My EDCC)
I think that when you are looking for your current kit bag, whether for EDC, day pack, equipment carry all, bug out Bag. or for putting certain items together for quick grab and go, or Storage. you will have to put down what you are looking for , What’s going into it, Size, weight, etc. Be forewarned. It may take 2-3 attempts before you get exactly or almost the perfect kit bag you wanted.
If you purchase from an online store, look for returns accepted from the seller. When you get the product, Take the time, as soon as possible, to make sure it works for your needs. If not, send it back. Obviously undamaged. Although I feel I’m pretty much satisfied with my current bags, I have that nasty itchy scratchy feeling, I’ll need to change them.
Personally I believe it’s a growing pain we will have to endure. As we learn new tasks and skills our tools of the trade will change. It’s a ripple effect. Something changes and the bag it will be in, has to change. Oh no!
Good luck and plan ahead, shop smart.
The novice Survivalist.
“Knowledge is a survival Skill.”(And can be expensive)
EDCC – Every Day Car Carry
Yes its true I made this up. Its my version of a EDC bag.(Every Day Carry). In my professional life, My work takes me all over the area I live in. I spend an average of about 5-6 hours driving. I …
Source: EDCC – Every Day Car Carry
EDCC – Every Day Car Carry
Yes its true I made this up. Its my version of a EDC bag.(Every Day Carry). In my professional life, My work takes me all over the area I live in. I spend an average of about 5-6 hours driving. I then service clients in their locations. It would be inappropriate to have a EDC on me when in their locations. So I have a EDCC. It is in my pickup all the time.
Its basically a Army surplus pouch for attaching to bigger packs with molly straps. I found it one day while window shopping a surplus store. It is just large enough for me to have the items I need for a EDCC. And is small enough to fit on my belt. This pouch is part of my 3 Emergency kits I have.
I refer to them as Emergency packs while most survivalists prefer things like, Survival kits EDC, Bug out bag. etc. For me these are for emergencies while Kayak camping, fishing days, outdoor walk about and every day use. The biggest is for home emergency should I need to evacuate my home (See my dirt time video on my reference page, under Home Emergency kit 2017). My Emergency Day pack (see resource page under Emergency Day pack 2017)is a smaller Satchel type Kit. They are there for emergencies. None are really for long term survival. Although they may have the essentials for that scenario. (See 10 C’s of survival blog.)
Side note, Army surplus stores are a candy store for the survivalist. Not only do they have just about everything you would want as a novice survivalist, they typically can beat any price out there. Most of the equipment they carry are as the name says, Army surplus. That means most of the products have been manufactured to Military standards. Very sturdy and well made.
Back to my EDCC. In this pouch are the following items. I feel they will get me through any overnight emergency situation.
1. Survival knife with small fire starter rod (Ferrocerium flint rod ).the sheath can go on my belt.
2.Large fire starter. (another Ferrocerium flint rod)
3. Misc. 550 cord. In all about 5 feet.
4. Basic compass/ whistle/ temperature gauge
5.Small multi-tool
6. Flash light/ lantern
7.Spare AAA batteries
8. Cotton balls (2)
9.Misc. band aids
10. Pencil
11. Carabineer
Although I am mostly in Urban areas, these packs are mostly suited for wilderness emergencies, I do have tools available to me in my Pick up. They will certainly enhance this pouch. I have an extra set of clothes and toilet bag in my pickup, as some times I may need to stay over night when working. It includes a shirt, long pants, under wear, socks and a light jacket. I pack my food for work and tend to over pack. So always have extra. I always have my faithful folding Buck knife in my pocket. 24/7 companion.
Some thing to consider in your every day work week.
Just saying,
Novice Survivalist.
“Knowledge is a survival skill.”
My Knives I use the most
A look at my 5 knives I have when camping etc. This video cost me a lesson in knife safety…..
Enjoy my pain ….
George
New cutting tool added to my stash
I just recently added this ” belt knife” to my cutting tool collection. It will replace my smaller previous belt knife, which has will go into my Kayak survival bag. This new cutter is …
Dirt time 7- Cotton Bandana
Cotton Bandana. Yes a bandana, And specifically 100% cotton. Why, The obvious reason is its a bandana. Useful in getting sweat off your face, and hanging around your neck. After all its a fashion s…
Source: Dirt time 7- Cotton Bandana
Dirt time 7- Cotton Bandana
Cotton Bandana.
Yes a bandana, And specifically 100% cotton. Why, The obvious reason is its a bandana. Useful in getting sweat off your face,
and hanging around your neck. After all its a fashion statement. For the everyday person that is. But for us survivalist types, well….
The reasons the “Cotton Bandana’ item is on the 10 C’s of Survival list is
- It wipes the sweat from your face
- It should be a bright orange color and used as a signaling device.
- Can Be used to filter large debris from water to be purified for drinking
- Makes Char cloth for fire starting
- A make shift bandage for wound care
- Used for keeping small items together
- Made into strips to lash together items or supports for a shelter, To name a few.
And you thought it was just a bandana.
Although it does not make the first must have 5 items in the list, it is a multi use item. Easy to store or carry on your person, either in a pocket or yes, around your neck. Its an easy add to the list.
There are many different kinds, sizes and colors available to the survivalist or camper. However a must is it has to be cotton. 100% cotton. Using it to make char cloth is the number one important use of the Bandana in my ” Novice ” opinion. Number 2 is its use as a signaling device to alert rescue to your location. The brighter and louder the color the better. However signal orange is the way to go.
A search for a bandana for your emergency kit will reveal many options. As previously mentioned size and color options are the obvious. You can get them in signal orange, along with “how to” survival advise imprinted on one side. Useful tips for the survivalist.
As I mentioned, for me the Char cloth is my main interest in the bandana. However making it (Char cloth) seems quiet a challenge to me. I imagine, the shock, a lot of practice will be needed. Here is the basics from what I understand.
First off……
Char Cloth:
From Wikipedia….”Char cloth (or charcloth) – also called charpaper – is a swatch of fabric made from vegetable fiber (such as linen, cotton or jute) that has been converted via pyrolysis into a slow-burning fuel of very low ignition temperature.”
So all you need is …
- A small tin, like an altoid tin.
- Something to make a small hole in the lid ( Nail Knife…etc.)
- A fire or some good hot coals
- Some Cotton Cloth.
And you are set to process some Char Cloth. Easy ha?. We will see. Having read up on this and watched very carefully, how to videos , I am still skeptical. This will require some learning. Maybe even a couple of tries before any great success. But as a survivalist “we must persist.”
Don’t have access to the outdoors to build a fire etc. Well here is a link to a great how to make it while indoors. Click here to view the how to video from Tactical Intelligence channel.
Here is what I believe I need to do.
- Cut some strips of 100% cotton cloth. (Bandana, T shirt or Denim seems to be the norm. here).
- Place then into a small tin with a lid. The lid needs to have a small hole in it to allow for gasses to escape out.
- Place the tin in a fire or hot coals and watch for the gasses to expel out of the hole in the lid.(If you are doing this indoors on a stove you might want to ignite the gasses to prevent your fire alarm from going off.)
- Once the gasses/smoke stop the Char cloth is ready.
It important to wait for the tin to cool before opening. If the Char cloth is ready it should be a solid black color and crumble in you fingers . If there is a brown color still showing the Char is not complete. back to the fire or heat source until its all black.
Using the char cloth gives you the survivalist another quick fire starter option. It is extremely easy to get an ember from it. Using a Ferrocerium rod and steel, lighter or any other method, to get your birds nest (tinder)going.
So I am sure you will be expecting the usual accompanying video so stay tuned its coming.
Remember, “Knowledge is a survival skill”
Don’t forget to check out my resource page. Lots of interesting and fun Videos and links
The novice Survivalist
New cutting tool added to my stash
I just recently added this ” belt knife” to my cutting tool collection. It will replace my smaller previous belt knife, which has will go into my Kayak survival bag.
This new cutter is the Knives of Alaska, 0014FG, Bush camp suregrip. I really like the weight, size and feel of this knife. I thinks it’s a perfect belt knife for me
Enjoy
Remember ” Knowledge is a survival skill”
Update- Resource page
A quick update to let you know of latest updates to my Resource page. Added links to latest survival videos Added links to my favorite pins from Pinterest Don’t forget the website links and o…
Source: Update- Resource page
Update- Resource page
A quick update to let you know of latest updates to my Resource page.
- Added links to latest survival videos
- Added links to my favorite pins from Pinterest
Don’t forget the website links and other interesting goodies.
I spend a lot of time on line researching survival information and other interests such as Kayaking, Camping and fly fishing. I always try to “pin”” interesting “stuff” I come across on line and use Pinterest as my index to things that caught my interest. Its a great place to save information and its fairly easy to set up categories that interest you.
So next time you thinking I wonder….? try Pinterest or …even tap into my pins and maybe find the information you need. Follow me on Pinterest, Face book and Instagram. Like the things you see and Ill check them out. Always looking for more information.
Stay safe and remember
“Knowledge is a survival skill”
The Novice Survivalist
The Novice Survivalist 