tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31819389746690984792024-03-19T03:39:02.072-07:00Wilderness and Emergency Survival KitsNo collection of tools can help if you don't know how to use them! Here are some suggestions for making survival kits that might give you a fighting chance to survive during a wilderness and/or urban emergency! And here's a thought from C.S. Lewis about survival gear: "The things that make survival worth having are not to be rated below the things that enable us to survive."Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-17977115203508692782014-12-02T12:57:00.001-08:002014-12-02T12:57:51.781-08:00How to make a brick rocket stove for $6.08<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8qoyBVKC0nI" width="480"></iframe>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-48297289080613649342014-12-02T12:52:00.001-08:002014-12-02T12:52:31.899-08:00Size matters: Choose the best blade length for your survival/bushcraft/h...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D7mOr7bSevw?list=UU7vrskdaT8VOpO_4MI6ldPg" width="480"></iframe>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-29471905935023707222013-01-30T17:21:00.001-08:002013-01-30T17:21:18.102-08:00Make this effective firemaking kit: A special section from the Bend Bulletin<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>The ability to build a survival fire for warming, light or signalling can be critical during a wilderness emergency. Here are some proven techniques from the Bulletin Winter Survival Guide.</b></i></span><br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Click here to buy survival kits" class="wp-image-10685 " height="134" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/altoid-tine-kit-with-knife-c2-296x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" title="altoid tin survival kit kit with knife c" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to buy survival kits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In October, 2007, The Bend (OR) Bulletin published a special winter survival guide for Central Oregon, which I researched and wrote.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/campfire-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-13075 " height="152" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/campfire-c-300x217.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" title="campfire: Being able to make a quick campfire under survival conditions can save your life. But using a dangerous method, such as lighting gasoline with a match, can put you at real risk! (Pantenburg photo)" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being able to make a quick campfire under survival conditions can save your life. (Pantenburg photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><b>There was </b>a real need for practical survival information at the time. In November, 2006, veteran snowmobiler Roger Rouse, 53, of Bend, died of hypothermia in Deschutes National Forest, about 10 miles west of Bend. He and his son had intended to only be out for a morning ride when a fierce snowstorm overwhelmed them. (To read the complete story, click <a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS0107/611300340&SearchID=73289665837616" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
Less than a month later, in December 2006, Californian James Kim, 35, died in the Rogue River Wilderness after leaving his wife and children to get help. The family car was stuck in snow on a remote road. (To see Larry King’s coverage of the Kim tragedy, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGKCMhiUCk" target="_blank">here.</a>)<br />
Shortly after the Kim tragedy, I was asked <i></i>to research, write and put together a practical winter survival guide. Long story short, the next fall, the Bulletin published the guide. It received some awards and a lot of attention.<br />
The Bulletin is publishing the three-part series as a public service, and this week's section features emergency firemaking. Check out <a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130130/NEWS0107/301300313/1009/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01" target="_blank">Part Two.</a><br />
<i>For more survival gear information, click on <a href="http://makesurvivalkits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">making your own survival kits!</a></i><br />
<div>
<div style="background-color: #3333ff; width: 160px;">
<form action="http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp" method="post" style="margin-bottom: 3;">
<span style="color: #ffffcc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sign up for our Email Newsletter</span><br />
<input name="ea" size="20" style="border: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;" type="text" /> <input class="submit" name="go" style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;" type="submit" value="GO" /> <input name="llr" type="hidden" value="xdn5dxdab" /> <input name="m" type="hidden" value="1103508747383" /> <input name="p" type="hidden" value="oi" /></form>
</div>
</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLTxZw4f6nzSH2IAsw2A70K7lHkUM5UOZg" width="560"></iframe><br />
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="200px" id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" /><embed id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px" height="200px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" quality="high" /></object><br />
<br />
<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt;</noscript>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-19415786254545476102013-01-30T17:16:00.001-08:002013-01-30T17:17:25.256-08:00Use different levels of survival kits: A special section from the Bend Bulletin<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Nationwide attention was brought to winter survival because of a stalled vehicle tragedy in 2006.</b></i></span><br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
The genesis of SurvivalCommonSense.com began after two fatalities in Central Oregon in late 2006.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Click here to buy survival kits" class="wp-image-10685 " height="134" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/altoid-tine-kit-with-knife-c2-296x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" title="altoid tin survival kit kit with knife c" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here to buy survival kits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-survival-compass-bad-weather-fire-gear-0651.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A survival situation can start with a vehicle sliding off the road in bad weather. (Pantenburg photo)" class="size-medium wp-image-1378 " height="200" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-survival-compass-bad-weather-fire-gear-0651-300x200.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" title="bad weather highway: A survival situation can start with a vehicle sliding off the road in bad weather. (Pantenburg photo)" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A survival situation can start with a vehicle sliding off the road (Pantenburg photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In November, veteran snowmobiler Roger Rouse, 53, of Bend, died of hypothermia in Deschutes National Forest, about 10 miles west of Bend. He and his son had intended to only be out for a morning ride when a fierce snowstorm overwhelmed them. (To read the complete story, click <a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS0107/611300340&SearchID=73289665837616" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
Less than a month later, in December 2006, Californian James Kim, 35, died in the Rogue River Wilderness after leaving his wife and children to get help. The family car was stuck in snow on a remote road. (To see Larry King’s coverage of the Kim tragedy, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGKCMhiUCk" target="_blank">here.</a>)<br />
Shortly after the Kim tragedy, the editor of <i> The Bulletin</i> in Bend, Oregon, asked me to put together a practical winter survival guide.<br />
“Talk to (Deschutes County) Search and Rescue, find out what the trends are, and what gear people need to take with them,” the editor said. “Then, come up with a practical survival kit for our readers, based on the experts’ recommendations. This is an investigative assignment. Check out all sources, and test everything.”<br />
The survival guide was received very well, and got a lot of attention. At that point, I figured out that there needed to be more practical survival information available, and I started the SurvivalCommonSense website. Now, more than a million views later, we're pleased to continue our common sense approach to wilderness survival.<br />
As a public service, The Bulletin is reprinting the winter survival series.<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Thank you, Bulletin! Here is <a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20130123/NEWS0107/301230326/" target="_blank">the original survival guide. </a></b></i></span><br />
<noscript>&lt;A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F443abf1d-f43f-42ed-aa0e-800c98e2b491&amp;Operation=NoScript"&gt;Amazon.com Widgets&lt;/A&gt;</noscript>
<br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>For more information, click on <a href="http://makesurvivalkits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">making your own survival kits!</a></i></span></b><br />
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="200px" id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" /><embed id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px" height="200px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" quality="high" /></object><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="278" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WisJBY6OQ1s" width="517"></iframe><br />
<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt;</noscript>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-3680549520215685282013-01-22T07:38:00.000-08:002013-01-22T07:38:18.251-08:00Eight reasons why you need notebook in your emergency gear<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Part of my everyday carry gear is a notebook and a pen or pencil. Here is why these are important.</b></i></span><br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
For decades, I have carried a pencil or pen and small pocket notebook as part of my everyday carry gear.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/compass-setup-with-notebook-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I always carry a pencil and notebook in my compass setup. (Pantenburg photos)" class="size-medium wp-image-13919 " height="300" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/compass-setup-with-notebook-c-260x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" title="compass setup with notebook: I always carry a pencil and notebook in my compass setup. (Pantenburg photos)" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always carry a pencil and notebook in my compass setup. (Pantenburg photos)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a working journalist, these are tools of the trade, and this is a no-brainer. Part of my job is gathering information and interviewing sources. I always have a larger notebook in my briefcase or car and a pen and pencil.<br />
But the small, pocket-sized notebook that fits in my hip pocket gets used way beyond what you'd imagine. In my urban lifestyle, that's the notebook I use constantly to write messages, grocery lists, notes to put under windshield wiper blades, and reminders of things to do.<br />
But the most important aspect is convenience. If the notebook is easy to carry, you won't leave it behind.<br />
You might want to invest in a notebook with waterproof paper as some foresters or emergency personnel use. But whatever size you carry in the backcountry, make sure your notebook is carried in a plastic bag, or something that keeps it dry in the rain or after a dunking in a creek.<br />
And no electronic gee-wizardry, please. Anything powered by batteries is as reliable as the power source. Cold weather can kill batteries in your whatever-phone, leaving you with a paperweight.<br />
In a survival kit, your notebook can be more important than you could imagine. Here are some uses:<br />
<b>Write a treatment note:</b> Suppose you have to administer first aid to someone, and the victim must be passed on to a Search And Rescue or Emergency Medical Technician. Medical personnel will really appreciate a brief note, documenting what treatment you have already done. Use the five Ws: Who, What, Where, Why and When to explain what treatment was given and any observations. An effective note can save precious time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pitch-score-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The 30-year old note shows my canoeing partner, John Nerness, finished next to last, while I took second place in this Pitch game." class="size-medium wp-image-13920 " height="300" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pitch-score-c-200x300.jpg" title="pitch score: The 30-year old note shows my canoeing partner, John Nerness, finished next to last, while I took second place in this Pitch game." width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This 30-year-old note shows my canoeing partner, John Nerness, finished
next to last, while I took second place in this Pitch game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Leave a note in your car:</b> Always leave a note with someone, again elaborating on the five Ws, when you take off on an adventure. This note should be left at home with a responsible adult. At the trailhead, if there are any changes in plan, a note should be left on the dashboard, or under the windshield wiper, where it can be easily read. This can save Search and Rescue teams countless hours of searching if you don't return as planned.<br />
<b>Directions you took:</b> If you get in a complicated or confusing area, write notes to yourself about which turns you took and what landmarks were noticed. Later, if you're returning in the dark or the weather gets bad, you don't have to wonder which way to go. If you are stressed or under duress of some sort, there is a propensity to forget directions. A clear note will help.<br />
<b>Notes on the trail conditions:</b> It is helpful to record trail conditions in some cases, so on the return trip you don't forget about an icy spot or a hazard on the trail.<br />
<b>Trace a map:</b> On one snowshoe trip, I noticed a new trail on the kiosk of a warming hut. It was easy to trace the route on a piece of paper, along with GPS coordinates.<br />
<b>Photo specifics:</b> As a photographer, I'm always interested in what works under challenging situations. If you're tackling a particularly tricky shot, write down what you did so you don't have to reinvent the wheel the next time. It's also nice to record GPS coordinates of a particularly nice area or landscape.<br />
<b>Tic Tac Toe:</b> Or other games. A danger in the wilderness is getting bored while waiting to be rescued or for the weather to clear. I take along a <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/review-wilderness-survival-playing-cardsfeed/" target="_blank">deck of cards,</a> and a note book allows keeping score. Anything that keeps your mind occupied in an emergency or disaster situation is a survival tool.<br />
<b>Make a plan:</b> Every survival situation should have a plan of action for getting you out of it. Write down your plans and how you intend to implement them. That way, under stress, you won't forget to do something important.<br />
That's eight uses for a notebook, and there are a lot more if you use your imagination.<br />
<a href="http://pinterest.com/survivalsense/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="28" src="http://passets-lt.pinterest.com/images/about/buttons/pinterest-button.png" width="80" /></a><br />
<div style="background-color: #3333ff; width: 160px;">
<form action="http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp" method="post" style="margin-bottom: 3;">
<span style="color: #ffffcc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sign up for our Email Newsletter</span><br />
<input name="ea" size="20" style="border: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;" type="text" /> <input class="submit" name="go" style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;" type="submit" value="GO" /> <input name="llr" type="hidden" value="xdn5dxdab" /> <input name="m" type="hidden" value="1103508747383" /> <input name="p" type="hidden" value="oi" /></form>
</div>
<span style="color: red;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<object align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="200px" id="Player_7b78b2d0-95c9-478d-8977-37387cbe9f4c" width="600px"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F7b78b2d0-95c9-478d-8977-37387cbe9f4c&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" /><embed id="Player_7b78b2d0-95c9-478d-8977-37387cbe9f4c" width="600px" height="200px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F7b78b2d0-95c9-478d-8977-37387cbe9f4c&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" /></object><br />
<br />
<noscript><a HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F7b78b2d0-95c9-478d-8977-37387cbe9f4c&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A</noscript>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PQcYZRbKLjE?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-83596845951611281732012-09-09T09:28:00.002-07:002012-09-09T09:28:51.496-07:00Survival gear review: The Platypus collapsible water bottle<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Carrying enough water to prevent dehydration should be a no-brainer. But suppose you don't want the bulk and weight of extra containers? One option might be the Platypus collapsible water bottle.</b></i></span><br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Check out this Altoid tin survival kit kit with knife! " class=" wp-image-10685 " height="101" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/altoid-tine-kit-with-knife-c2-296x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Check out this Altoid tin survival kit kit with knife! " width="99" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here to buy survival kits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many survival manuals devote space to improvising water containers. And if you haven't planned ahead, or get into an unexpected situation, that may be necessary.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/033010Blake-Miller-040.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="This combination of water bottles works well. The rigid Nalgene in the middle is used for drinking and the Paltypus soft bottle are used to store extra water in the pack." class="size-medium wp-image-1873 " height="266" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/033010Blake-Miller-040-300x200.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Nalgene and platypus water bottles: This combination of water bottles works well. The rigid Nalgene in the middle is used for drinking and the Paltypus soft bottle are used to store extra water in the pack." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This combination of water bottles works well. The rigid Nalgene in the
middle is used for drinking and the Paltypus soft bottle are used to
carry extra water. (Pantenburg photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But one of the easiest way to carry extra water storage bottles is to get a collapsible Platypus. These range in size from a few ounces to multi-gallon sizes.<br />
I've been carrying some variation of the Platypus bottle for several years. Here are some aspects I like about the collapsible containers:<br />
<b>Price:</b> A Platypus will set you back about $12 for a 1.2 liter bottle. That's cheap for a water bottle that can last years with reasonable care.<br />
<b>Durability:</b> I've been using a couple of Platypus bottles for several years, and they are holding up fine. In my case, a Platypus is generally carried rolled up as a backup in desert hiking. If there is a need to gather extra water, it will work well. You can break anything, of couse, but as long as you take reasonable care not to puncture it, the bottle should have an infinite lifespan.<br />
Portability: With a collapsible, you can push the air out, and the bottle takes up only the space that the water needs. This<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-Frontier-Pro-water-filter-007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Frontier Pro water filter gravity system worked really well to filter some strong coffee! The filter fits on the end of a Platypus collapsible and allows gravity water filtering from the Platypus. (Pantenburg photo)" class=" wp-image-8092 " height="270" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-Frontier-Pro-water-filter-007-132x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="2011 Frontier Pro water filter: The Frontier Pro water filter gravity system worked really well to filter some strong coffee! The filter fits on the end of a Platypus collapsible and allows gravity water filtering from the Platypus. (Pantenburg photo) " width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add captionThe Frontier Pro water filter gravity system worked really well to
filter some strong coffee! The filter fits on the Platypus collapsible
and allows gravity water filtering. (Pantenburg photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
means you can pack it in oddly-shaped empty places in your pack. A Platypus also has a flat bottom, so it will stand by itself.<br />
<b>Convenience:</b> You can carry a rolled-up Platypus in a brief case or purse, and breeze right through an airport security station. Once past the Homeland Security people, you can fill the Platypus from a water fountain and carry water with you. I can carry a couple rolled-up Platypus bottles (weight: about an ounce or so) in my daypack or briefcase and never know they're there.<br />
A Platypus is one of those unique survival items you'll never know you needed until you get one. A Platypus is a sound investment for your urban and wilderness survival kits.<br />
<object align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="200px" id="Player_badd8ca6-0b00-4da7-8a5d-268c31b53769" width="600px"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2Fbadd8ca6-0b00-4da7-8a5d-268c31b53769&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" /><embed id="Player_badd8ca6-0b00-4da7-8a5d-268c31b53769" width="600px" height="200px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2Fbadd8ca6-0b00-4da7-8a5d-268c31b53769&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" /></object><br />
<noscript><a HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2Fbadd8ca6-0b00-4da7-8a5d-268c31b53769&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-50058631256221269642012-09-09T09:26:00.000-07:002012-09-09T09:27:18.826-07:00The leadhead jig: The do-it-all survival fishing lure?<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is there a do-it-all lure for survival fishing? My money is on the plain lead head jig. Here's why.</b></i></span><br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Check out this Altoid tin survival kit kit with knife! " class=" wp-image-10685 " height="101" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/altoid-tine-kit-with-knife-c2-296x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Check out this Altoid tin survival kit kit with knife! " width="99" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here to buy survival kits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After my first week on the Mississippi River, I sent three fishing rods and a large tackle box home. After seven days of fishing and catching many walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie and bluegills, I didn't anticipate needing anything but a medium-action, fast-tip, seven-foot spinning rod, a Mitchell 300 reel<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bare-leadhead-jigs-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The basis of a very effective group of survival fishing lures is the simple, leadhead jig. From top is a quarter, eighth and sixteenth ounce jig (Pantenburg photos)" class="size-medium wp-image-12833 " height="300" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bare-leadhead-jigs-c-246x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="bare leadhead jigs: The basis of a very effective group of survival fishing lures is the simple, leadhead jig. From top is a quarter, eighth and sixteenth ounce jig (Pantenburg photos)" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basis of a very effective group of survival fishing lures is the
simple, leadhead jig. From top is a quarter, eighth and sixteenth ounce
jig (Pantenburg photos)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
with six-pound line and a box of spinners and leadhead jigs.<br />
This selection served me well the rest of the way down the 2,500 miles of the river. I never went hungry because I couldn't catch a fish and my go-to lure was a 1/8-ounce jig, tipped with a three-inch yellow Mr. Twister. (To read the story, click on <a href="http://bigrivercanoetrip.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my end-to-end Mississippi River canoe voyage.</a>)<br />
When putting together a survival kit, you must to carefully weigh the value of the components. A common question is about fishing lures: Is there one lure that can catch everything?<br />
First, though, remember that <i>survival fishing is not sport fishing.</i> If you must catch fish to survive, use the most effective method available, legal or not.<br />
Hook and line sport fishing techniques may not be particularly effective in a survival situation. In fact, it may be a waste of really valuable time if you're fishing when a better choice might be to gather firewood, improve a shelter, or set up signals.<br />
You also need to figure out the return on your calorie investment. If you must expend 300 calories to catch a fish that can only supply 100 calories, you're going to end up with an energy deficit.<br />
So the choice of the best survival lure depends on the situation, location and water conditions. Talk to several fisherpeople and you'll probably get that many opinions.<br />
<i>My best all-around nomination is for the leadhead jig, and here's why:</i><br />
<b>Inexpensive:</b> The jig is nothing more than a hook with a gob of lead near the eyelet. I pour my own, ranging in weight<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/jigs-with-feathers-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="These leadhead jig lures were improvised from available materials. The body in both are composed of wool yarn. The tail on the top lure is made of a marabou feather, and the bottom tail is part of a pheasant feather. Both these patterns are proven and effective." class=" wp-image-12834 " height="210" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/jigs-with-feathers-c-289x300.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="jigs with feathers: These leadhead jig lures were improvised from available materials. The body in both are composed of wool yarn. The tail on the top lure is made of a marabou feather, and the bottom tail is part of a pheasant feather. Both these patterns are proven and effective." width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 1/8-ounce jig lures were improvised from available materials. The
bodies in both are composed of wool yarn. The top lure tail is a marabou
feather, and the bottom tail a pheasant feather. Both these patterns
are proven and effective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
from 1/32-ounce to 1/4-ounce, in several styles. Several years ago, the guys in the print shop at the newspaper gave me about 20 pounds of old linetype lead. My jigs cost the price of the hooks, and whatever electricity it takes to run my melting pot.<br />
You can buy bulk leadheads at any sporting goods store, and the bodies are so inexpensive, you can stock up on different colors, styles and sizes.<br />
<b>Versatile</b>: I tip jigs with virtually anything, from plastic twister tail grub bodies, to hair and feathers. Since I hunt, I have a lifetime supply of deer, elk and squirrel tails, and the feathers from a variety of game birds. Depending on the species of fish and circumstances, I can make just about any type of jig necessary. Part of the fun of fishing is catching something on a homemade lure!<br />
<b>Effectiveness:</b> The jig is designed to mimic a minnow, or represent some other food source. Sometimes, a properly-fished jig will cause a reflexive strike for a game fish. While I have a tackle box full of various lures, I generally start out with a jig, and seldom have reason to switch.<br />
<b>Color:</b> Start out with a basic selection of black, white and chartreuse, and those colors will probably do the job. My favorite color on the Mississippi River was yellow. My top producer color on Oregon's John Day River is motor oil or brown. Black is always a contender. Experiment in your area, and you'll be able to dial in your color preferences.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/smallmouth-bass-jig-box-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="This pocket-sized box holds all the lures I need for a day of smallmouth bass fishing on Oregon's John Day River." class=" wp-image-12835 " height="160" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/smallmouth-bass-jig-box-c-300x200.jpg" style="border: 0.5px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="smallmouth bass jig box: This pocket-sized box holds all the lures I need for a day of smallmouth bass fishing on Oregon's John Day River." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pocket-sized box holds all the lures I need for a day of smallmouth bass fishing on Oregon's John Day River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fishing technique for a jig can depend on the circumstances. The most effective method, IMHO, is to cast the lure out, and bounce it off the bottom. You will lose a lot of jigs like this, but if you aren't hitting snags or rocks, you aren't prospecting where the fish are.<br />
Another method is a steady retrieve, with periodic twitches. A favorite panfishing method that also works well for steelhead trout is to attach a jig a few feet under a bobber or float.<br />
Like any survival technique, the more you practice, the more effective you will be. And to be required to practice fishing...well, worse things can happen!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PkLcuzqOQC4?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PkLcuzqOQC4?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-72603790994327188482012-06-26T21:38:00.000-07:002013-01-23T19:43:24.708-08:00Gear Review: Boy Scout Hot Spark survival fire starter<i><b>The best survival gear doesn't have to be expensive. But it must be reliable and able to work under extreme conditions. One of the best ferrocerium rods for firemaking is the Boy Scout Hot Spark. </b></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Click here to visit the SurvivalCommonSense.com store. Personalized survival equipment and field tested items." class="size-full wp-image-6637 " height="88" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/keyring-survival-kit-email-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Click here to visit the SurvivalCommonSense.com store" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit our store!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
I like stuff that works. Some of these items include my Cold Steel SRK survival knife, Ruger 10/22, a Swiss Army Classic keychain knife, my Gerber folding saw and a 42-ounce enamelware cup. Included in this list is a Boy Scout Hot Spark ferrocerium rod.<br />
Because of its reliability, a Hot Spark is included in my keyring and Altoid tin survival kits. Backup ferro rods are also scattered throughout my gear. They don't weigh anything, or take up any space, and the ferro rod firemaking technique, <i>properly done</i> is utterly reliable. (Check out the ferro rod <a href="http://youtu.be/TaamX_ehKnU" target="_blank">firemaking video!</a>)<br />
The Boy Scout Hot Spark on my <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wardrobe-survival-kitfeed/" target="_blank">keyring survival kit</a> costs about three dollars at any scout store. It has a good handle and the ferro rod is very effective. Because it is easily included and convenient, it will be taken along.<br />
Here's why I carry a ferro rod:<br />
<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_sw&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;MarketPlace=US&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8002%2F258c3387-9dd2-4a3d-9752-ff34969837ae&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;Operation=NoScript"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Amazon.com Widgets&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</noscript>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Extreme reliability: </b>A ferrocerium rod, when scraped with a hardened steel striker, will produce sparks with temperatures of up to 5,500 degrees. These sparks will readily ignite many forms of tinder. (Check out the <a href="http://youtu.be/Vp_qPuluQmQ" target="_blank">video on finding tinder</a> under survival conditions) A ferro rod is also good for hundreds, if not thousands of fires. Matches, lighters and many other methods are finite.</li>
<li><b>Compact and easy to carry:</b> That means you can carry several as backups.</li>
<li><b>Work under conditions that would disable other firemaking methods:</b> This is one of the<br /> most important reasons to carry a ferro rod. Butane lighters are easily disabled by cold and moisture or a grain of sand. Matches are unreliable and degenerate over time. Every firemaking method has some disadvantage, but I believe a ferro rod has the fewest.</li>
</ul>
<i>Your only survival tools are those you have along! Check out the Hot Spark video review!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vf12Jkm_C9Q?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<object align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="200px" id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px"><param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" />
<param name="src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" />
<embed id="Player_31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462" width="600px" height="200px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" bgcolor="#ffffff" /></object><br />
<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;MarketPlace=US&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fsurvivalcommo-20%2F8010%2F31813e73-d785-4a36-b51a-71d1f33fc462&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#038;Operation=NoScript"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Amazon.com Widgets&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</noscript>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-75462953825467066532012-06-14T14:48:00.001-07:002012-06-14T14:48:39.359-07:00<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gear Review: The Solo Stove biomass backpacking stove</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>The quest for a reliable, easy-to-use backpacking stove never ends, and I have the collection to prove it! But the Solo Stove is really impressive, and worth taking a look at.</b></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-6637 " height="88" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/keyring-survival-kit-email-c.jpg" title="Click here to visit the SurvivalCommonSense.com store" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit our store!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>(Disclaimer: </b>This review is my opinion. I was not reimbursed for doing this review, nor does Solo Stove at the time of this review, advertise on SurvivalCommonSense.com or any of its affiliates.<b>)</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
<br />
I'm caught in the baby-boomer backpacker quandary. On one hand, I like gear that works, and proven items are hard to leave behind. But my aging, abused knees make going light mandatory. I've had to replace effective, proven gear strictly on the basis of weight.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/solo-sove-product-shot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Solo Stove specifications: <strong>Fast to boil:</strong> 8-10 minutes to boil 34 fl oz of water<br><strong>Fuel:</strong> Burns sticks, pine cones and other biomass<br><strong>Packed size:</strong> Height 3.8 inches, Width 4.25 inches<br><strong>Assembled size:</strong> Height 5.7 inches, Width 4.25 inches<br><strong>Weight:</strong> 9 oz<br><strong>Materials:&nbsp;</strong>Hardened 304 stainless steel, nichrome wire" class=" wp-image-12003 " height="200" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/solo-sove-product-shot-300x300.jpg" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="The Solo Stove uses biomass to produce a hot flame for cooking. " width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Solo Stove biomass backpacker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But some things you can't lighten up and one of those is stove fuel. It is heavy and if you run out in the wilderness, your stove becomes dead weight.
<br />
Here's my stove philosophy: You don't need much. Probably 90 percent of the time, all a backpacker requires is boiling water to brew tea or coffee or rehydrate food.<br />
So the idea of a lightweight backpacking stove, with no moving parts, that burns twigs, pine cones, sticks etc is very attractive. So, I contacted Solo Stove to do a test and review.<br />
(Click to check out my<a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/review-how-well-does-the-solo-stove-biomass-backpacking-stove-workfeed/" target="_blank"> Solo Stove review and video!</a>)Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-14600490010972021152012-06-09T10:01:00.002-07:002012-06-09T10:01:14.667-07:00The top five reasons to include a ferro rod in your survival kit<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>The ability to make a fire during an emergency situation can save your life. But what is the best survival firestarting method? My money is on the ferrocerium (also commonly referred to as a flint or magnesium stick) rod. Here are five reasons you need one.</b></i></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/Ferro-Rod-with-Custom-Antler-Handle-008.htm" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-11721 " height="147" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/standard-antler-ferro-rods-c-300x147.jpg" title="Custom antler ferro rods for emergency firemaking" width="300" /> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out these custom ferro rods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>by Leon Pantenburg</b><br />
Several years, the late Dr. Jim Grenfell and I set out to research the most effective practical firemaking method. After extensive research, the ferro rod, combined with cotton balls and petroleum jelly, came out the winner. (To read the rest of the story, click on the<a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/what-is-the-best-ignition-system-for-survival-firemakingfeed/" target="_blank"> top survival firemaking methods.</a>)<br />
Ferro rods are easy to come by and cheap. The Boy Scout Hot Spark on my <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wardrobe-survival-kitfeed/" target="_blank">keyring survival kit</a> costs about three dollars at any scout store. It has a good handle and the ferro rod is very effective.<br />
Ferro rods are also available at most sporting goods stores. But I'm surprised more outdoorspeople don't include them as part of their survival gear. Here are some things to consider: <br />
<ul>
<a href="http://shop.survivalcommonsense.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-6637 " height="88" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/keyring-survival-kit-email-c.jpg" title="Click here to visit the SurvivalCommonSense.com store" width="112" /></a>
<li><b>Extreme reliability: </b>A ferrocerium rod, when scraped with a hardened steel striker, will produce sparks with temperatures of up to 5,500 degrees. These sparks will readily ignite many forms of tinder. (Check out the <a href="http://youtu.be/Vp_qPuluQmQ" target="_blank">video on finding tinder</a> under survival conditions) A ferro rod is also good for hundreds, if not thousands of fires. Matches, lighters and many other methods are finite. <b></b></li>
<li><b>Compact and easy to carry:</b> I carry a tiny ferro rod in my wallet, another on my keychain, and a third in my survival gear. (Some people might say I obsess about firemaking tools, since I also carry a BIC mini lighter in my pants pocket, my jacket pocket and my pack!) If a survival tool is not compact and easy to carry, it may get left behind. <i>Your only survival tools are those you have along!</i><b></b></li>
<li><b>Work under conditions that would disable other firemaking methods:</b>This is one of the<br />
most important reasons to carry a ferro rod. Butane lighters are easily disabled by cold and moisture or a grain of sand. Matches are unreliable and degenerate over time. Every firemaking method has some disadvantage, but I believe a ferro rod has the fewest.</li>
<li><b>Easy to learn:</b> Every survival technique should be practiced before you rely on it. Making sparks with a ferro stick is easy, but you have to use the correct technique to get a fire started. Check out the video on <a href="http://youtu.be/TaamX_ehKnU" target="_blank">starting a fire with a ferro stick.</a><b></b></li>
<li><b>Wide range of uses:</b> I use my ferro rod as a survival tool, of course, but also use one to light my propane Camp Chef double burner stove, my barbeque grill, backpacking stoves and wood stoves.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="256" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nGQIgSziopo?rel=0" width="455"></iframe>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-37872666415820671482011-05-27T04:34:00.000-07:002012-01-09T22:00:06.416-08:00Effective ways to Carry Water Outdoors<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq7GBqe_65SfWJ1EzswZvyoahkxjWVt-0WI0ecYHouxKdMdUCqvPRDhIfxVVxFqJua4IYNFhaR3a33VmsQVYeUXqrh1mL59CHl0EkPC2jbU3rsSCsHl1mg8bM7aeVYTDI16gM6ZcYC78/s1600/water+containers+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq7GBqe_65SfWJ1EzswZvyoahkxjWVt-0WI0ecYHouxKdMdUCqvPRDhIfxVVxFqJua4IYNFhaR3a33VmsQVYeUXqrh1mL59CHl0EkPC2jbU3rsSCsHl1mg8bM7aeVYTDI16gM6ZcYC78/s1600/water+containers+c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are good container choices!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://reviewsofsurvivalgear.blogspot.com/2011/05/effective-ways-to-carry-water-outdoors.html?spref=bl">Survival Gear Reviews: Effective ways to Carry Water Outdoors</a>: "Being able to carry sufficient water is a survival must. Dehydration can cause you to collapse in the heat or in the cold, and it can kill..."Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-17331883772640800082011-05-24T12:11:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:13:34.136-07:00Include Intangibles in Your Survival Kit<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsx0UujXTU_FZt7xBLSHawNAIDQ-MI8aFwsK0y8W_mbTv3BlS6yAB7dTIiMQo1HDERY5DCjf9zYBpUOw8mVVyrXFk4WwTz-2nYOJS8O9dW8bzy_uIzDarVSeMG46Sh_AZSuA_C7DJ8VM/s1600/Mary+note+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsx0UujXTU_FZt7xBLSHawNAIDQ-MI8aFwsK0y8W_mbTv3BlS6yAB7dTIiMQo1HDERY5DCjf9zYBpUOw8mVVyrXFk4WwTz-2nYOJS8O9dW8bzy_uIzDarVSeMG46Sh_AZSuA_C7DJ8VM/s200/Mary+note+c.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intangibles can help you survive!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b>Some of the most valuable survival tools don’t cost anything, you can’t buy one and you absolutely can’t get along without them. </b></i><br />
To quote me in a previous story:<br />
” <b>Include a small laminated photograph of family and/or note in gear:</b> I opened my duffel bag at elk camp in the middle of nowhere, Idaho, several years ago to find little notes from my 10-year old daughter stuck in pockets, rolled-up socks, and in my book. <i>I put all those notes in my survival gear before heading out into the backcountry. </i><br />
<i>To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/05/12/intangible-survival-kitfeed/">here.</a> </i>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-90372472095585053622011-05-23T07:56:00.000-07:002011-05-24T11:54:03.497-07:00Tornado Coming? Plan, Prepare and Survive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKseSAvBXCFbQEpuQ0rrx3JIAlDS0jcGWXlb0gVUB0P13krOXBL4dhF_zCjuqkOrcIAnHXqMuLrSbGPruj0Qrew01_nOWsyprW_mAuVmqWeLRWsu4qMaZ-pHm71BtXxun1YDi1RHlTWF0/s1600/tornado+coming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKseSAvBXCFbQEpuQ0rrx3JIAlDS0jcGWXlb0gVUB0P13krOXBL4dhF_zCjuqkOrcIAnHXqMuLrSbGPruj0Qrew01_nOWsyprW_mAuVmqWeLRWsu4qMaZ-pHm71BtXxun1YDi1RHlTWF0/s1600/tornado+coming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKseSAvBXCFbQEpuQ0rrx3JIAlDS0jcGWXlb0gVUB0P13krOXBL4dhF_zCjuqkOrcIAnHXqMuLrSbGPruj0Qrew01_nOWsyprW_mAuVmqWeLRWsu4qMaZ-pHm71BtXxun1YDi1RHlTWF0/s1600/tornado+coming.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Obviously, tornado season is here!</b></i></span><br />
If you live in area where these storms occur, a realistic preparedness question should be: <i>What do I do to get ready for a tornado?</i><br />
Here’s a place to start, preferably on a bright, sunny day with no storm clouds, when you have time to think logically: <i>Realize that you could be in danger</i>! If you live in tornado areas, it isn’t a matter of<i> if</i> the big winds will hit, but <i>when!</i><br />
<i>Click<a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/05/23/tornado-survival-tipsfeed/"> here</a> for some preparedness suggestions, and what items you need in your tornado survival kit! </i>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-38615954016098229452011-03-28T08:05:00.000-07:002011-03-28T08:05:35.146-07:00Peter Kummerfeldt: Emergency Blankets and Vests That Work!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Blizzard-vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Blizzard-vest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blizzard vests work well! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blizzard Products</b></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> – vests, blankets and sleeping bags. I had actually come across these products several years ago but didn’t pay them much attention to them because of my bias against anything made from “space blanket” material.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank">I was very skeptical that the Refelexcell material would stand up to the rigors of a night or two sleeping in an emergency shelter.</a> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank"> I was proven wrong!</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank"> Not only did they remain largely intact but they also offered considerable protection! </a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To read Peter's review, click <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/03/28/blizzard-productsfeed/">here.</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-76719720807397572592011-03-27T12:37:00.000-07:002011-03-27T12:37:25.700-07:00Peter Kummerfeldt: Sheltering in Your Vehicle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVwV7VVRe-QjGBn0HAx5SY3pJ9kTMnifdyin3Z8b2jeE0JmqDwtmfwH67TlBrINzvYGvb4PxY7RfoSpuTxN8r9ObtWo-vUme2VTv0HnFJj81v_2qVWf2O6fHMh8CwkCNobz_1HlXYD03R/s1600/snowplow+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVwV7VVRe-QjGBn0HAx5SY3pJ9kTMnifdyin3Z8b2jeE0JmqDwtmfwH67TlBrINzvYGvb4PxY7RfoSpuTxN8r9ObtWo-vUme2VTv0HnFJj81v_2qVWf2O6fHMh8CwkCNobz_1HlXYD03R/s400/snowplow+c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter driving is dangerous - make sure you are prepared for and unexpected stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Anyone</b></i></span> who drives faces the possibility of spending a unplanned night in a vehicle. Bad weather, breakdowns, running out of fuel, getting stuck are some of the more common reasons why a driver might have to bed down for the night (or perhaps for several nights) until the situation is resolved.<br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank">A night out does not have to be a life-threatening experience. Drivers who accept the possibility that the unforeseen<br />
may happen are drivers who prepare for the experience. On the other hand, drivers who deny the possibility may find themselves fighting for their lives!</a><br />
Here are <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/03/27/sheltering-in-vehiclefeed/">some things you can do:</a>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-49727781342736377962011-03-27T08:33:00.000-07:002013-01-23T19:45:05.428-08:00Survival Gear For Rock-and-Roll Emergencies!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6quUEOzSg8o_Sx17NpwXXkk3sriezfa_DKWyjNIAmOSO4GGgJTOMf6hvulTbiAUn8QXNWHcKsUCyI-qjOlwZJKTn7qBYN4KBJ7EfxTsFn4FyB5HtIE375eZzDm4NvDcWhoSHTWSCWEc/s1600/Autonomics+at+Old+Stone+Church+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6quUEOzSg8o_Sx17NpwXXkk3sriezfa_DKWyjNIAmOSO4GGgJTOMf6hvulTbiAUn8QXNWHcKsUCyI-qjOlwZJKTn7qBYN4KBJ7EfxTsFn4FyB5HtIE375eZzDm4NvDcWhoSHTWSCWEc/s320/Autonomics+at+Old+Stone+Church+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Always carry</b></i></span> your pocket survival gear and you'll be ready for just about anything!<br />
That happened last night when I went to an Indie Rock show at the Old Stone Church in Bend, OR, that featured Portland bands "The Autonomics" and "The Dirty Words."<br />
When my wife and I got there, the Autonomics lead guitar player (who is also my son, Dan) had an amp die, just before the show was about to start.<br />
(Turns out, as is typical of most rock shows, the program's starting time was actually a statement of purpose!)<br />
But it only took my dinky little light on my keychain survival kit to quickly help find and fix the loose wire.<br />
I also had in my pocket a BIC lighter wrapped with about two feet of duct tape. My Leatherman Wave was in the car, along with more duct tape, as was 100 feet of paracord, should the repair job have escalated in scope! <br />
<i><b>Be prepared if you want to rock out!</b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTjajVsFkN5DMuiZdDYZsNDbdOn2ZeU3nO_Vsd1XtrwN0ug7-7qdR2S33ZDhbWmi9TqYsXYiGh_V26dEFeRwBLlnBQ4H4V6YYjT3YG3xFAdONAUMKaN8GKzw4SkyOt3OTaUDxDhstFns/s1600/Autonomics+at+Old+Stone+Church+March+band+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTjajVsFkN5DMuiZdDYZsNDbdOn2ZeU3nO_Vsd1XtrwN0ug7-7qdR2S33ZDhbWmi9TqYsXYiGh_V26dEFeRwBLlnBQ4H4V6YYjT3YG3xFAdONAUMKaN8GKzw4SkyOt3OTaUDxDhstFns/s400/Autonomics+at+Old+Stone+Church+March+band+c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Autonomics: Dan Pantenburg and brothers Vaughn and Evan Likem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkaUqRMcSZC12BZmPPquG6YxwL3OatqnMl7OxtQrwq5DH5G3v433yAW8qeWg8fAxq72BMaPA2dy-dLYgydwgiT2w0OZbQLCaLjqi4sJxzkKwH8l4nxMgLgxnTeVTTuPoQX5bQ8bN3B7g/s1600/keyring+survival+kit+email+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkaUqRMcSZC12BZmPPquG6YxwL3OatqnMl7OxtQrwq5DH5G3v433yAW8qeWg8fAxq72BMaPA2dy-dLYgydwgiT2w0OZbQLCaLjqi4sJxzkKwH8l4nxMgLgxnTeVTTuPoQX5bQ8bN3B7g/s1600/keyring+survival+kit+email+c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keychain survival gear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-33220532502887572402011-03-13T08:14:00.000-07:002011-03-13T08:18:44.583-07:00Weather Emergencies Make Vehicle a Survival Boat<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Whether it's evacuations in California</b></span><i> ordered as a result of tsunami waves caused by the Japanese earthquake, flooding in Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania this week, or the unexpected break-down in the desert or mountains, many people wind up on their own or even stranded in their vehicle, which becomes a kind of lifeboat.<br />
<br />
But what is in that lifeboat to help an individual or a family cope with adverse conditions? Too few drivers keep basic tools and other necessities and helpers to endure a night or more alone in a car, or the basics to get a damaged car back on the road.<br />
<br />
There are a few small things you can carry to make life on the road easier. Click <a href="http://autos.aol.com/article/car-evacuation-emergency-safety-kit/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk3%7C205818">here</a> to learn more!</i>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-69374143460836615582011-03-11T07:40:00.000-08:002011-03-11T07:40:24.573-08:00Earthquake in Japan: What tools and mindset do you need to survive?<div id="story_continues_1"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3181938974669098479" target="_blank">MARCH 11, 2011</a></div><a href="" target="_blank"><b>The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan</b> since records began has struck the country's north-east and triggered a devastating tsunami that will affect oceanside communities in California and Oregon.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/japan-earthquake-2011-300x265.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-6462" height="265" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/japan-earthquake-2011-300x265.jpg" title="japan-earthquake-2011-300x265" width="300" /></a><br />
Japanese TV showed cars, ships and buildings swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude quake.<script type="text/javascript">
// <![CDATA[
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
// ]]>
</script><br />
<script type="text/javascript">
// <![CDATA[
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-12327826-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
// ]]>
</script><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598" target="_blank"></a>As I watched the news this morning, some footage was shown of people in an office building during the quake. Most of them were standing around in disbelief, doing nothing. One worker remained at his desk, apparently attempting to continue working!<br />
<br />
What should these people have done? Well, not being there, I can't really judge. But I believe I would have made an attempt to get out of that office.<br />
<br />
What should you do in a similar situation? Click <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/03/11/earthquake-in-japan-tools-to-survivefeed/">here</a> for some suggestions!Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-8016364678562120432011-03-02T20:12:00.000-08:002013-01-23T19:44:33.016-08:00Dryer Lint as a Survival Kit Firestarter? No Way!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-natural-firemaking-materials-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-natural-firemaking-materials-003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dryer lint just went out after it started burning. Don't rely on it! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inevitably,</b></span> at every firemaking seminar I'm involved in, somebody suggests using dryer lint as firestarter. According to some folks, you should carry dryer lint and a flint stick in your survival kit. My response is that I have tested and tried dryer lint, don’t carry it, and recommend you don’t either.</i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-cotton-ball-and-vasceline-firestarter-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-cotton-ball-and-vasceline-firestarter-003.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton balls/petroleum jelly work well!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><i>You stake your life on your firemaking kit components</i>. So, let’s apply the common sense filter to this dryer lint firestarter idea. Read the story of my research <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/03/01/lint-firestarterfeed/">here.</a></i><b><i> </i></b>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-74050416883773141572011-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:002011-02-25T20:48:09.658-08:00Earthquake Survival: Tools and Skills You Need Now!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/new-zealand-earthquake-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/new-zealand-earthquake-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earthquake damage from New Zealand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><b>SurvivalCommonSense.com Radio</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> host </span><a href="http://survivalcommonsense.com/" style="color: #00cc00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;"><u><b>Leon Pantenburg</b></u></span></a>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">Leon's featured guest is James Roddey, Earth Sciences Information Officer with the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.oregongeology.org/" style="color: #00cc00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;"><u><b>Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries</b></u></span></a>. James is an authority on earthquakes and will be talking about mega quake potential in the western coastal areas, and the impact that could have on your community.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">To listen to the show, click <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/02/25/earthquake-expert-on-survivalcommonsense-com-radio/">here.</a></span></span></span>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-16235264933258931492011-02-21T11:13:00.000-08:002011-02-21T11:13:44.766-08:00Make a Plan and an Earthquake Survival Kit!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-survival-pocket-gear-025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-survival-pocket-gear-025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are some of the tools to help you escape a building during an earthquake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Easter, 2010, earthquake</span> in southern California and the catastrophic quake in Chile later that year should have been a wakeup call to anyone who lives in an earthquake zone. You need to make a personal earthquake survival kit that you can carry with you at all time.</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>BUT!</strong></em><br />
An earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster is unlikely to happen? And, of course, not to you? You don’t need to read further!<br />
….Still here?<br />
<br />
Then here’s a couple of <strong>facts:</strong> About 91 percent of us live in an area where a major natural disaster could occur. In ANY emergency, 80 percent of the people involved will be in denial of the situation and have to be told what to do, according to John Leach, author of <em>Survival Psychology. </em><br />
<em>Of that crowd in the emergency,</em> 10 percent will do the wrong thing, and the other 10 percent will act rationally, based on the training they have acquired.<br />
If you want to be a survivor, of any emergency situation, you have to start with knowledge and training.<br />
<a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2010/04/08/earthquake-kitfeed/">Keep reading</a> to learn what to carry, and how to get out of a high-rise office building during an earthquake! <br />
<em><strong> </strong></em>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-45417355236666451952011-02-14T08:12:00.000-08:002011-02-14T08:18:09.223-08:00Assemble a Red Cross Approved Emergency Evacuation Kit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tornado-damage-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tornado-damage-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of us live in an area where a natural disaster is possible and probable! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nobody wants to worry</span></b></i><i><b> about possibly evacuating your home quickly, or having to grab a few important items and head out the door.</b></i><br />
<i><b>But the facts are grim: 91 percent of us live in an area that could be affected by a major natural disaster such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, tsunami, forest fire or mudslide, and you could have to leave very quickly.</b></i><i><b> </b></i><br />
So if you have to evacuate suddenly – what is important to take along?<br />
Don’t wait until the last minute – get ready now, to minimize the chaos of an emergency evacuation. <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/02/14/red-cross-bug-out-bagfeed/">Here are some suggestions</a> on what to pack from the Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security.Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-30406239555065462892011-02-12T14:39:00.000-08:002011-02-12T14:44:49.418-08:00Runner's Survival Kit Can Be A Lifesaver<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2010-natural-firemaking-materials-022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2010-natural-firemaking-materials-022.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a runner's survival kit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>urvival situations can happen </b></i>when you least expect it, or in places where such a thing doesn’t make sense.<br />
Maybe you’ve gotten into the habit of taking a run in the same urban area every evening. Then, one evening, the endorphins kick in, and you decide to double the usual mileage. As darkness approaches, you realize you have to get back to the car before it gets really dark. You slip, twist your ankle and can’t move.<br />
Or you might decide to go for a walk and just take off without thinking to tell someone where you went. You’re strolling along, relaxing and enjoying the iPod, and letting the stress from the office dissipate. Then, as it starts to get dark, you realize you’ve taken a wrong turn and are lost. And pretty soon, it will be pitch dark, and you can’t see the path.<br />
Even if you are running and need to go light, you can still carry a survival kit. Here are <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/01/12/runners-urban-survival-kitfeed/">some of the survival items you need to carry with you.</a>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-18756566140053934892011-02-11T15:28:00.000-08:002011-11-03T07:40:52.224-07:00Carry Survival Gear In Your Pockets For Added Safety<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-survival-pocket-gear-039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2010-survival-pocket-gear-039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These survival items can be carried at all times.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Y</span></b>ou could get dumped out of a canoe, thrown off a horse that runs away or be in a shopping mall or hotel when there is a power failure. In these cases, all you’ll have to work with is a survival mindset and the tools in your pockets or on your person.<br />
But a little planning can help a lot if you make some basic survival tools part of your wardrobe. <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2011/03/05/wardrobe-survival-kit/" target="_blank">This is what I carry</a> on a daily basis, and you can easily assemble your own kit, using my recommendations as a place to start.<br />
Just remember: What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Practice with your survival tools, become familiar how they work and then, if you ever need to use them, it won't a big deal!Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181938974669098479.post-87456445782627337352011-02-11T12:14:00.000-08:002011-02-11T12:15:37.311-08:00Use a Trash Bag as Part of Your Survival kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/e_DSC1532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://survivalcommonsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/e_DSC1532.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> first noticed trash bag shelter use at an Iowa State University football game in the early 70s. The weather got really bad during the half, with snow, rain and wind.<br />
But one row of die-hard Cyclones pulled out a roll of plastic trash bags, cut holes for their heads and arms, and weathered the storm. I don’t recall how the football team did!<br />
Since then, I’ve taken shelter in trash bags on a variety of outdoor activities. Trash bags are particularly valuable on hunting trips, because a large bag gives you a place to lay meat while you’re butchering.<br />
Obviously, if you anticipate bad weather, be prepared for it, stay home or take along a lightweight, four-season backpacking tent.<br />
But you can adapt a trash bag into a very effective emergency shelter. Here is how to choose the right one for your survival kit and <a href="http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/2010/10/26/garbage-bag-shelterfeed/">how to use it.</a>Leon Pantenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540657113898448971noreply@blogger.com0