The Novice Survivalist
A novice outdoorsmen learning camping, fishing, bushcraft and survival. "KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL"
Dirt time 6 – Candle light
Candle light. #6 on the 10 C’s of survival list. There are many types of light available to the novice survivalist. From a basic hand held flash light to high tech tactical lights, basic camp… Sour…
Source: Dirt time 6 – Candle light
Dirt time 6 – Candle light
Candle light. #6 on the 10 C’s of survival list. There are many types of light available to the novice survivalist. From a basic hand held flash light to high tech tactical lights, basic camp…
Source: Dirt time 6 – Candle light
Cordage 2- Knots and things
Knots. Without knots, cordage is accentually of no use to the Survivalist or camper. Knowing how to tie the right knot or knots for the task you are performing is essential to your success.
There is really no need to know every knot there is to tie. A lot of knots you will land up using depends on the task and cordage you are using. Learning how to tie the most common and widely used knots should be on your list of tasks to master for your Survival plan. All members of the group or family should be familiar with them. That way the tasks can be delegated to anyone to perform a task that will require using cordage to secure something. 
Whether it is securing the load on a vehicle, Tying wood gathered together or hanging a tarp or tent. Everybody in the group plan should be reasonably adept at tying up cordage.
A search on the favorite search engines will give you a pretty good idea of the most common knots you should be familiar with to perform any tasks in your survival plan.
Do not try to become an expert on every knot. Find between 3-6 knots you can use to perform the tasks you foresee in your plan. Remember to take into account the type of task and the cordage that will be used. 
Some knots will not work as well with certain types of cordage. Personally I will only have 550 Para cord and Bank line available to me. With that in mind I decided on the 6 knots I think I will need to use with the cordage for any tasks I plan on performing to complete my plan to get home.
- Bowline Knot
- Double fisherman’s Knot
- Clove Hitch Knot
- Square knot
- Clove Hitch knot (2 Half Hitches or turn around)
- Slip knot (Running knot)
So there they are. I carry with me a short piece of Para cord and when I am relaxing use it to practice these knots. From memory…It works sometimes . Just need to practice more.
Till next time.
” Knowledge is a survival skill”
The Novice Survivalist
Dirt time 6 – Candle light
Candle light. #6 on the 10 C’s of survival list.
There are many types of light available to the novice survivalist. From a basic hand held flash light to high tech tactical lights, basic camping headlamps and gas lamps.
Just as all the items on the list are a personal preference, you are the one who decides what will work best for your survival plan. Once again remember “2 is 1 and 1 is none.”
Some thoughts to consider when choosing a light source.
Size. This will be limited by the size of your conveyance. Whether back pack, small emergency pack or storage space in your safe house or bug out transport.
Weight. For the backpackers this is paramount. A big, bulky and heavy fish light will not do. Especially when space and weight are important.
Power. Remember these lights have to be powered. Batteries can be heavy and bulky. A light that uses a lot of power will obviously require more batteries to last over a certain period of time. Gas lamps will need refills.
Maintenance. Your light sourse choice may require maintenance. What spares are needed. How often. How much abuse can it handle. Is it waterproof or resistant. More so with Gas lamps. Keeping all these in mind. And for what purpose it will mostly be used, will determine your choices. You may find you need multiple types for all your plans, for use in different scenarios. Try to keep the power sources the same for all your lamps. Using the same batteries for most products will allow for easier storage and replacement. Planning is made that much more simpler.
As you know, I do a lot of Kayak camping and use the same load out whether kayak or Car camping. For me It allows me to budget better. I tend to look at items for any scenario as a dual use for either Kayak or Car camping. This allows me to pack the same way no matter what camping I plan on doing. Obviously there are slight differences, but typically small changes are needed. Size and weight are the major reasons for the products I use. As you should be doing when prepping for emergencies. The smaller and less heavy will allow you to carry more survival needs.
My Candle light Stash.
(Click Here, to see Dirt time #6 Candle light on my You Tube Channel)
1.Ozark Trail, Dual mode lantern and flash light.
This is one of the best finds I have in my emergency stash and general camping kit. Small light weight and most of all in-expensive. ($7.98 at Walmart). I have 4. I keep one in my Truck, one in my Emergency kit, one in my Camping kitchen kit.
And the fourth one is typically in my pocket when out and about, Along with my trusty Buck folding knife.
It only has one setting, on/off. Perfect for my needs. No flasher setting or anything else. Its on or off. Simple is good for me. It has a sliding head which turns it into a 360 deg lantern. The 50 Lumen light source is more than enough for my needs and a life time light bulb. Perfect. It uses 2 Triple A batteries, as do a lot of the other items I have.
2.Ozark Trail, 75 Lumen Lantern.
Another nice product from Ozark Trails. Small enough to fit into my Tent bag and one in my Kitchen Camp kit.
Very inexpensive and has 2 modes, Hi and Low. The hi is the 75 Lumens, and on 3 double A batteries it will last for 28 hrs. And for $7.97 a bargain (Walmart). The only thing I did not like, was using Double A batteries.
I use it in my tent on low and that provides more than enough light for me to read and perform tasks at night in the tent. It has a handy built in Carabineer for hanging.
3. Defiant LED Mini Work Light.
This is a lamp I picked up at Home depot. I originally used it for taking photos for another project.
It small enough to carry in my camping back pack so it comes with. “1 is none 2 is one”…..Its Ok, the light is not as good as you would expect. However, its adequate for my needs and was available. Light and uses triple A batteries.
4.Headlamp: Energizer.
This is a great item for any camper or emergency situation. The main reason…..Hands free use. I use this as my kitchen light in the evening when preparing my meals. It allows me to have both my hands free to work. This model was middle of the road as far as the choices I had. It did not hurt my budget and I have in mind to purchase another one.
May be a little more sturdy and designed for longer life. This Energizer one has 2 modes hi and low by using a simple slide switch, located on the top. It uses 3 triple A batteries. Not sure how long they will run or the output in lumens. But is has worked for what I needed it for. Some thing every person in your party should have. For camping or survival. Can even be handy around the house, for doing repairs in dark places etc.
So something else to chew on. Candle light.
Don’t forget as the name says. Candles are handy to have around in a no light situation. and should be in your emergency stash.
See my reference page for more videos on the 10 C’s of survival
Just saying
See you soon, Stay prepared, Increase your knowledge.
The Novice Survivalist
Dirt Time 5 – Cordage
Cordage. “Cord (string), string or thin rope made of multiple strands twisted together.” From Wikipedia. It an Ok description for the survivalist. Multiple strands is the important part…
Source: Dirt Time 5 – Cordage
Dirt Time 5 – Cordage
Cordage.
“Cord (string), string or thin rope made of multiple strands twisted together.”
From Wikipedia.
It an Ok description for the survivalist. Multiple strands is the important part.
In the 10 C’s of survival list it is ranked at #5. For me it is really part of shelter.
Although it can be used in multiple situations. Uses such as tying together sticks or branches to form a shelter or Hold your tarp up to a stick or tree. (See my video in my references page under gathering the tools list. Cover).
It can hang things off the ground in a temporary camp.
Make a belt to hang items on your person.
Used to make a weapon. (Tie a spear tip to a stick).
Can be used to make a basket/carry bag.
Broken down (Strands) for fishing line
Tie a brace or splint in place
Make a snare/ or trap
Used to attach items to your emergency pack
Used as a restraint
The list is only held back by your imagination. a true multi-use item on the 10 C’s list.
Research shows the popular cordage to be either Para cord or Bank line. Personally I would go with Para cord.
Although bank line comes in more compact package and length, I feel Para cord to be stronger ( 550) and hence more reliable. Just my preference. Keeping the Para cord tightly wound and have two separate rolls do not take up that much space. The plus is the multiple strands in para cord. You can actually remove the internal strands and still have useable cordage from the outside weave.
I do consider Bungee cords to be cordage. I use them on my temp cover a lot.
I did some dirt time on cordage and added in a review and my thoughts on the 10 C’s of survival. Do we really need to have the most expensive items in order to survive? What about the use first of the obvious. Matches or a lighter for combustion. I personally would try those items first, before going with a fire striker.
Just saying
The Novice Survuvalist
Dirt Time 4 – Container
COINTAINER, “A container is a basic tool, consisting of any device creating a partially or fully enclosed space that can be used to contain, store, and transport objects or materials. In comm…
Source: Dirt Time 4 – Container
Dirt Time 4 – Container
COINTAINER,
- Water
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Tinder
- Wood
- Any Miscellaneous items you may find on the journey home, That will help you.
A picture is worth a thousand words , or so they say. Here is the containers I would have at my disposal from my current Emergency/survival bag. In the picture there are actually 6+ containers. In the Bag is a water purifier system with a spare bag.
- The actual emergency satchel
- the Nesting cup
- Water Bottle
- Red bag holding the water bottle and nesting cup
- Plastic shopping bag (actually have about 4 stuffed in to the bag)
- Zip-lock plastic bag
- Water purifier and extra water bag
THE SATCHEL. Has my basic emergency items in it from the 10 C’s list. Plus extra’s. I will not get into that list just yet.(for a later discussion). I have plans for a new bag that will be my go to bag for all occasions. As I said more on that later.
NESTING CUP. This cup is a stainless steel cup I got from REI. Its a GSI product that I matched up with the Water Bottle to make up the nesting kit.
The cup would not make a good storage item for water or anything really. The main use would be to drink the water from. The water would most certainly be boiled and filtered. It would also be the cooking pot. Basically a multi-use item from the 10 C’s list.
WATER BOTTLE. This is a Kleen Kanteen, I also purchased from REI. Stainless steel, 40 fl.oz bottle, with wide mouth and a looped plastic cap. It would be used to carry and boil water.
RED BAG. This is part of my put together nesting cup kit. It holds the water bottle and cup in one place and is attached to the out side of the Satchel. Its not a liquid container at all. I would use this bag to store any small tinder I find or make.
I can stuff dry leaves, small sticks or anything else I find that will help.
PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG. Used for carrying items to big to store into the red bag. Bigger sticks for the fire. Clothing etc.
ZIP-LOCK BAG. This can be used to carry small items. Or even used to protect small items from getting wet. In a pinch it can be used to store water. Not perfect but it can.
WATER PURIFICATION KIT. This kit I found at REI as well.Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle (0.6L) .
Its the small Plastic bottle and has a Purification filter in it, good for removing debris and contaminants. However not for virus removal. Hence, Boiling all water before filtering is the best use of this. A practice you should employ on any water you use in the outdoors. I also found an addition to this system which is a Hydra Pack 3L bottle. 
The filtered cap fits this, however I would use it to carry the already filtered and boiled water.
There you have it. My containers I carry in my emergency kit. Hopefully it gives you the reader some ideas to add to your stash.
Having the ability to carry any water out is a huge plus. Never knowing, as you move on to your safe location, if there will be water ahead. being able to take it with you will certainly boost your morale. The container, a big C to have.
Next up, Cordage. Till then stay safe and be prepared.
The novice survivalist
Dirt Time 3 – Cover (Shelter)
Cover !. One of the harder of the 10″cs to master for me. The choices are enormous. There are many tents, canopies and Natural shelters. My concern is weight and easy of use.Obviously you nee…
Source: Dirt Time 3 – Cover (Shelter)
Resourses
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Interested in learning about basic survival, check out my personal blog on learning the tricks of the trade
Click on the links below for reference material to the title banner LINKS TO WEBSITES and U TUBE CHANNELS WITH SURVIVAL MATERIAL: SURVIVAL ON PURPOSE: Great reviews on toolS and very good camping …
Source: Resourses
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