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22 56

LES STROUDTake a peek behind thescenes of Survivorman. By Barri Segal

COVER28

78

ASG_1310_TOC 9/20/13 4:58 AM

5

14 INTRODUCTION

16 CHILL AND GRILLTurn to the grill if the grid goes down! By Torrey Kim

18 REAL WORLD SOLUTIONSSeven key items you’ll need for the next bigpower failure. By Steve Maxwell

30 ROAM FREELYThe EarthRoamer Xpedition paves the way intothe backcountry. By Torrey Kim

32 INTRODUCTION

34 FREEZING FORESIGHTUse these tips to survive bitter temperatures. By Tony Nester

42 CABIN FEVERBeen inside too long? Here are some quickremedies. By Amber Erickson Gabbey

50 RUNNING HOT AND COLDLearn how to withstand dehydration andhypothermia. By Garrett Kim

61 INTRODUCTION

64 SPECIAL REPORT: BACKCOUNTRYCOMMUNICATIONSA Call For Help: What to do in dire situations. By Larry Schwartz

70 EAT TO LIVEFinding food when bugging out. By LarrySchwartz

74 SAVED BY THE BOWSnowshoe hares: a valuable resource for wintersurvival. By Peter Schoonmaker

84 INTRODUCTION

86 MAP QUESTFour maps that can help you navigate in anemergency. By Ted Florence

90 EARTH SAVERSStart your own urban composting project. By Kristin Webb-Hollering

94 THE LONG WAY HOMEA get-home plan is an essential aspect of survival. By Abe Elias

110 INTRODUCTION

112 GOT YOUR GOAT? Raising goats can help you go the distance forlong-term survival. By Kristin Webb-Hollering

116 GET TO THE ROOT OF ITA root cellar is a great way to extend the life ofyour produce. By Torrey Kim

GENERALPREPAREDNESS

WINTERPREPAREDNESS

WILDERNESSPREPAREDNESS

URBANPREPAREDNESS

HOMESTEADINGPREPAREDNESS

FEATURES

BUYER’S GUIDES

120102

PHOT

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OmBi

er 22 FOOD AND WATER

56 WINTER JACKETS78 BOWS AND GEAR102 BUG-OUT BAGS120 GUNS

THE COVERPhotographer: Laura BombierModel: Les StroudDesigner: Jesse Cao

COLUMNS6 FIRST WORDS8 NEWS, NOTES12 NEW PRODUCTS127 PREPPING WITH RALSTON130 CLOSING WORDS

ISSUE 7 | WINTER 2013

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FIRST WORDS�

ISSUE 7 / WINTER 2013

EDITORIALGroup Editor: Doug JeffreyEditor: Barri SegalManaging Editor: Jolene NolteArt Director: Jesse Cao

CONTRIBUTORS Abe Elias, Amber Erickson Gabbey, Erin Hatfield, GarrettKim, Torrey Kim, Steve Maxwell, Thomas J. Nardi, TonyNester, Peter Schoonmaker, Larry Schwartz, KristinWebb-Hollering

ADVERTISINGGabe Frimmel - Ad Sales Director(714) 200-1930 - [email protected] Beckler - Outdoor Group Director(972) 448-9173 Casey Clifford - Senior Account Executive(717) 896-8956Mark Pack - Senior Account Executive(714) 200-1939Gennifer Merriday - Ad Traffic Coordinator

DIRECT MARKETING GROUPJohn Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716

OPERATIONSGus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales ManagerCelia Merriday: Newsstand AnalystAmit Sharma: Business Analytics ManagerMohit Patel: Newsstand and Production Analyst Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities ManagerJohn Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer

EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200Yorba Linda, CA 92887Ph: (800) 332-3330Fax: (800) 249-7761www.americansurvivalguidemag.com

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE © 2013 by Beckett Media,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material fromthis issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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BECKETT MEDIA, LLCNick Singh: Executive DirectorErin Masercola: Business Unit Editorial Director

This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty orresponsibility by Beckett Media, LLC as to the legality,completeness or technical accuracy.

BY BARRI SEGAL

MY WINTER ATTITUDE

PHOT

O BY

THINK

STOC

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“I don’t care ifyou’re a globalwarming realistor a climatealarmist, but asurvivalistdoesn’t count onthe weather.”

THIS JUST IN: THE WEATHER’S SCREWY. It was hotter and colder this summerin Southern California than most on record. My daughter joked about takinghockey lessons instead of tennis and my poor poodle was shivering on Bastille Day.

I’m a Philly girl, and when I grew up, seasons made almost poetic sense. Springmeant warmth, birth and beginnings. Summer was hot, living outside and soaking itup in something skimpy. Shorter, colder days heralded autumn’s harvest and win-ter’s cold cleared the slate so that by spring we could rise again like zombies anddo it all again.

Good luck with that these days. According to the State of the Climate Report,released by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), we had historic summerlows in much of the country, yet 2013 was the sixth hottest year on record. All Iknow is my dog’s winter coat is already growing back and he’s sweating like a pig.

I don’t care if you’re a global warming realist or a climate alarmist, but a sur-vivalist doesn’t count on the weather.

Hot or cold, the American winter experience is a time to review, rememberand evaluate, alone and with others. Look at your accomplishments and concerns.Consider your future. Appreciate all you have, all you do to protect that and howworthwhile it is to be prepared. From simple first aid to earthquake evacuation,emergency supplies for the home and vehicles, generators, extra blankets, waterand food stockpiles, evacuation kits… look at what you do and why.

The world is not getting any friendlier, but sometimes the harshest weather isin your mind.

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8

READING LISTA Must-Have Book to Addto Your Collection

WHEN YOU THINK about dehydrated foods,you’re probably picturing beef jerky or sun-driedtomatoes—which are both delicious and well-preserved. But the world of dehydrated foodsexpands far beyond those treats to includeeverything from desserts to pet snacks. You’lldiscover this widespread world, along with tipson how to achieve dehydration bliss, with TheComplete Idiot’s Guide to Dehydrating Foods byJeannette Hurt.

The book came out earlier this year and istherefore fully up-to-date on the latest technolo-gies for food dehydration success. For survival-ists, a few of the main benefits outlined in thebook include the fact that you can stock yourpantry with foods that don’t spoil quickly, andyou can use every last cherry or celery stalk thatyou painstakingly grew in your garden when youpreserve them before they spoil. This leads tozero waste as well as a bounty of delicious andhealthy meals for you all winter long when yourgarden is out of commission.The book goes into great detail about the dif-

ferent methods of dehydration, reminding youthat you don’t necessarily need a fancy com-mercial dehydrator. Sun-drying, room-drying, and microwave-

drying are all feasible methods that can help youachieve your goals.After you perfect your dehydrating technique,

the book offers myriad tips on how to store yourfreshly-dried foods so they will remain safe toeat and delicious for the long haul. And withrecipes for everything from Dehydrated CottageCheese to Madagascar Vanilla Brownies, yourdehydrating hobby will make everyone in thehouse happy.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to DehydratingFoods is published by ALPHA Press and is avail-able at booksellers nationwide as well as onAmazon.com.

REAL LIFEHow a Stranded Teen Survived

WE ALL THINK WE HAVE the survival spirit and would immediately know how to handlebeing stranded in the wilderness—but in reality, many people tend to panic. That wasn’t the case for a teen whose dinghy capsized in bad weather in August. After

finding himself washed up on an abandoned island in New Zealand, the teen realized thathis lighter and phone—both of which could have been life-saving—had washed away whenhis boat capsized.To stay alive in the absence of his emergency tools, Tainui Hale curled up in a ball under

an old tree and made small cups out of kawakawa leaves. He sat themin the open so they could collect rain, and he lived off therainwater for nearly three days until a group of fisher-men flew overhead on a helicopter and happened tosee him. The subsequent helicopter rescue wasjust in time, as the teen was showing the firstsigns of hypothermia.“What would Bear Grylls do?” Hale said to

Aukland’s 3News after the rescue, when askedabout making cups out of leaves. “Maybe he could take a leaf out of my book

for a change!”

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

“Sun-drying, room-drying, and microwave-drying are all feasible methods that can help you achieve your goals.”

PHOT

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URTESY

OF ALPH

A PU

BLISHING

STORING RAINWATER

In a non-emergency situation, apopular way to store rainwater is inbarrels. A good choice is food-grade,55-gallon models, which typically costsless than $10. You can find theseonline in any garden store as well as

at home improvement storeseverywhere.

ASG_1310_NEWS 9/20/13 5:09 AM

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HOT OFF THE PRESSA New Book that Covers It All!

DUE OUT in November,2013: The Prepper’s Work-book: Checklists, Work-sheets, and Home Projectsto Protect Your Familyfrom Any Disaster.

This is a comprehen-sive, step-by-step work-book of checklists andDIY projects that preparehome and family for any life-threatening catastrophe,by Scott B. Williams and Scott Finazzo.

Williams and Finazzo cover it all: hurricane, earth-quake, pandemic, terror attack, solar flare, riot or civilunrest. They tell how to plan, prepare and survive anydisaster in a format that allows readers to breakdowneach aspect of prepping into simple, manageable stepsthat won’t consume excessive free time or money.

Topics include evaluating and building food stores,personal and home security, preparing vehicles for anevacuation and acquiring medical supplies to treatinjuries and illness in the absence of outside help.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

WATER WRECKAGEStay Safe During a Flood

YOU MAY THINK of flooding as an inconvenient byproduct of “bigger” weather-related calamities, including tornadoes and hurricanes—but the reality is that flood-ing causes more damage in the U.S. than any other severe weather-related event.

In fact, that total rings up to an average of $5 billion per year, the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says.

If you hear a flood warning on your radio or television, you can break down thepotential severity by following these three levels that the NOAA created:

Minor flooding: Minimal or no property damage expected, but some public threator inconvenience could take place.

Moderate flooding: Some structures and roads near streams will be inundated,and some people will be evacuated to higher elevations.

Major flooding: Extensive inundation of structures and roads is expected, withsignificant evacuations of people and/or property transfer to higher elevations.

Floods typically occur when prolonged rainfall or an ice or debris jam causes ariver or stream to overflow and flood the surrounding area, the NOAA explains. Flashfloods, on the other hand, occur within six hours of a rain event or a dam/levee fail-ure, and they can catch people off-guard and unprepared. If you live in an areaprone to flash floods, create a plan ahead of time to ensure you’ll be able to evacu-ate to higher ground quickly and safely.

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/floodsafe.shtml

“If you live in an area prone toflash floods, create a plan

ahead of time to ensure you’ll beable to evacuate to higherground quickly and safely.”

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1. PROTOOL INDUSTRIES PRODUCT: WOODMAN’S PAL CLASSIC - MODEL 481WEBSITE: www.protoolindustries.netMSRP: $71

Specifications:• Overall Length: 16.5 inches• Blade Length: 10.5 inches• Blade Thickness: 1/8 inch• Blade Steel: Carbon steel blade hardened to RockwellC47+2

• Blade Finish: Black powder coating• Handle: 6-inch ash hardwood, nylon wrist strap(leather option)

• Weight: 23 ounces

Defining Features:The Woodman’s Pal Classic performs the tasks of amachete, axe, hatchet, knife and more. Held like an axeor a machete, it cuts branches and wood up to 11/2inches thick with one stroke. Especially strengthened,this blade will not crack or chip, even if the temperaturedrops below zero. The axe has two blades, convex andconcave, giving it superior strength and versatility. Thesickle hook is meant for slicing through underbrush andvines, and it can be used for prying sprouts as well.

Manufacturer’s comment: “It was just a backwoodsgardening tool in 1941, but it ended up fighting in mostof our conflicts from World War II to the present…I wantto share this living history that has been cool stuff for 70years —the Woodman’s Pal.”

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NEVER FEAR, INNOVATIONIS HERE!

WHAT CAUSES A PREPPERSTRESS? Flood, fire, famine, bliz-zards, catastrophes and anythinginvolving life and death.

Survival-minded people knowthat solutions relieve stress. Forexample, the understandable fear ofa natural disaster should not spiralinto abject panic if you are prepared.

The new products listed hereare examples of survivalist stressrelievers—they help solve problems.Seriously consider them as possibleadditions to your bug-out bags andemergency survival kits.

CHECK OUT THESE NEWPRODUCTS TO ADD TOYOUR SURVIVAL GEAR

2. WAZOO!PRODUCT: ADVENTURE BRACELETWEBSITE: www.wazoosurvivalgear.comMSRP: $65

Specifications:• Paracord: Seven feet + kernmantle cordage• Compass: 20mm Grade AA, liquid-filled• Firesteel: 5500°F sparks• Striker Blade: Nonmetallic Zirconia ceramic• Fishing Line: 30 feet, 50-pound rated braided Spectra• First Aid Tinder: Two waterproof packets, 30+ sec-onds burn time

• Fish Hooks: Two #8 offset Eagle Claw• Whistle: 100+ dB• Split Shot Weights: Two #3/0 lead, reusable• Cable Ties: Two four-inch, rated at 18 pounds• Safety Pins: Two 3/4 inch 00, brass• Handcuff Key: Nonmetallic• Straw: Five inches, clear polyolefin• Glow Light: Glows up to 12 hours (179mod/lux/square miles)

• Ranger Bands• Mirror• Retro Reflector• Surgical Tubing

Defining Features:The Adventure Bracelet is the survival toolbox you wear.Packaged with at least 16 different components, it givesyou the tools you need to in a life-threatening situation.Particular components of the Adventure Bracelet arequickly available for unexpected events. Refer to thewebsite for wrist measurement instructions.

Manufacturer’s comment: “This is the most completewearable survival kit you can find. Many of the parts ofthis kit had to be custom created to meet our qualitystandards. Your life could depend on it.”

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3. NITRO-PAK PRODUCT: AQUAPOD KITWEBSITE: www.nitro-pak.comMSRP: $24

Specifications:• Weight Empty: 5.8 pounds• Tub Liner: USDA and FDA approved 4 mil foodgrade linear low density polyethylene

• Dimensions: 40 x 80 inches• Capacity: 65–100 gallons of water, depending onbathtub size

• Storage Lifespan: Eight weeks (single use only)

Defining Features:The AquaPod Kit is a convenient, safe way to store alot of water for an emergency. The plastic bladder fitsinside your bathtub or jacuzzi. It also includes threedisposable liners, a siphon pump and lock. Filter notincluded. The kit permits storing 14 days’ worth ofwater for a family of four. The kit shelf-life is up to tenyears depending upon storage. Made in America.

Manufacturer’s comment: “This is what you usewhen a flood or hurricane is anticipated. Dependingon humidity and temperature, this kit will keep anindividual with fresh water for up to eight weeks.”

—Aaron Curley, IT Manager

4. SURVIVAL BAGS, INC. PRODUCT: WYVERN AXEWEBSITE: www.survivalbagsinc.comMSRP: $225

Specifications:• Overall length: 18.9 inches• Blade Material: 5160 Steel• Handle: Micarta• Blade Finish: Black Texture Epoxy Powder Coat• Sheath: Spec Plus Leather Cordura

Defining Features: The Wyvern Axe was developed in conjunction withU.S. Military special operators to serve as a “crashaxe” and breaching tool for military, first respondersand civilians. Because of the shape of the breachingclaw, the axe is named after the dragon-headedcreature of mythology. Featuring a multi-surfacebreaching pick and breaching claw, the Wyvern Axeis a tool for most situations.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “If you are ever in a jam,this hand tool could be the difference between lifeand death.” —Mike Haller, President

5. MAJOR SURPLUSPRODUCT: FIRST AID KIT IN A CANWEBSITE: www.majorsurplus.comMSRP: $35

Specifications:• One #10 Can with resealable plastic lid• One Can Opener• Five Sterile Sponges, 4 x 4 inches• Two Bandage Gauzes, 4 inches x 4 1/2 yards• Five Bandage Strips, 3 x 3/4 inches• One Triangular Bandage• Five Butterfly Closure Strips• Five Burn Cream/First Aid Packages• One Abdominal Pad, 5 x 9 inches• Five Alcohol Prep Pads• One Stainless Steel Tweezers• One EMT Shears, 5 1/2 inches• Two Pair Nitrile Gloves• Five Non-Aspirin Pain Relievers• Five Povidone, Iodine Prep Pad• Five Triple Antibiotic Ointment• One Combi Pads, 7 1/2 x 8 inches• Four Roller Gauze, non-sterile• Dimensions: 7 inches in height x 6 1/2 inchesdiameter

• Weight: 1.32 pounds

Defining Features:First Aid Kit In A Can includes necessary items tohelp you treat minor cuts, scrapes and sprains.Easy to store, airtight and waterproof, it is readywhen you need it. It comes with a simple canopener and resealable plastic lid. Made in America.

Manufacturer’s comment: “First Aid Kit In A Cancomes with all the things you will need to help youtreat injuries and more, all easy to access.”

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ALL PREPPERS KNOW that being preparedis a key to survival. So, what happens if thegrid goes down and you need to use apower tool or cook a meal? What if you’relost and need to be rescued? These ques-tions—and more—are answered right here,so pay attention and make sure that you’reonboard with the latest and greatest tipsand tricks to keep you safe and alive if youneed to bug out!

PHOT

O BY

THINK

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It only takes a relatively small investment to get started. As soon as you begin watching the videos you will be able to start making repairs. Anytime you run into a problem, you just pop in the DVD

on the subject or model gun that you need information on and do a quick review.

Need assistance in getting started or just want more information? We're here to help - call a student advisor today at 1-800-797-0867

Here's how AGI’s Professional Gunsmithing Coursechanged Robert Briskey’s life:

"Within one short year I opened up my own firearms repair andcustom refinishing shop. My business is exceeding my dreams.

The freedom I enjoy being self-employed is priceless. Without theopportunity that AGI's course offered, my dream would be just

that, a dream." Robert T. Briskey, Battle Hen Armory

Make your money back in no time:"I had no previous gunsmithing experience, just basic knowledgeof firearms. The course in my opinion is well worth every penny . . . I have made back what I spent on the course and then some

just working at it part-time. I have even fixed a few guns thatother gunsmiths who went to college swore were never able to be

repaired." Justin Jones, Justin's Firearms and Gunsmithing,Blountville, TN

www.agioffer.com/introasge or call1-800-797-0867

*

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While it is not a requirement in the State of CA to obtain agunsmithing certificate to practice gunsmithing, possessinggunsmithing certification will demonstrate a proven level

of competence. A Federal Firearms License and state licenses are required to operate a gunsmithing business.

Certification not available to residents of Oklahoma.

ASG_1310_15 9/20/13 3:58 AM

16

HETHER YOU’VE BEEN HIT BY ASTORM, SUFFERED A RANDOM POWEROUTAGE, OR YOU’VE RECENTLYDECIDED TO LIVE COMPLETELY OFFTHE GRID, ONE OF YOUR MAIN CON-

CERNS IS HOW YOU’LL COOK YOUR MEALS UNTILYOU’VE GOT POWER ONCE MORE. But even if you don’t have any burgers or dogs in the refrig-

erator, you can still make a square meal on your outdoor grill.

ALL INGREDIENTS ARE FAIR GAMEMany of us feel adventurous when we toss some corn or a

slice of eggplant on the grill, but the reality is that the world isyour oyster—or your brownies or rice—when you’ve got a grill.“If you’re inventive, you can cook anything you want as long

as it will fit inside the grill,” says Derrick Riches, About.com’sguide to Barbecue and Grilling.

Don’t Panic when thepower goes out: you can make just aboutanything on your grill

W

Chill�AND

GrillBy Torrey Kim | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

SAFETY FIRSTJust because you’re cooking your meal outside doesn’t mean you

should abandon your food safety routines. Follow these tips from the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that you stay safe while eat-ing from the grill:• Keep hands, utensils and surfaces clean.• Bring separate plates and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods sothat juices from raw meat don’t contaminate meat that you plan to eat.

• Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to a safe inter-nal temperature.

• Don’t let food sit out for more than an hour in hot weather.• Never use an outdoor grill inside your house or garage, because thecarbon monoxide it produces could kill you.

When making bread onthe grill, be sure not tohave the temperaturetoo high or the outside

will burn while theinside remains doughy.

ASG_1310_GRILL 9/20/13 5:18 AM

17

Therefore, if you have no power, youcan select any ingredients you want tocook and prep them for grilling. First,however, you must choose the bestcookware that will most effectivelyprepare your meal for grilling.

“Any type of pot that’s oven-safe willwork on the grill,” Riches tells AmericanSurvival Guide. “With most of your stove-top cookware, the plastic handles won’ttake the heat and you can just melt therivets right out of them. Therefore, oven-safe is key.”

If you have camping pots and pans,you should dig those out of the garageand bring them grillside. If not, get yourcookie sheets, stoneware, cast iron pans,Dutch ovens, and other oven-safe potsand pans to make your meal.

FOLLOW YOUR RECIPESYou can typically make your meal

according to your standard recipe whengrilling, but the one thing that requiresyour close attention is the grill tempera-ture. Unlike when you’re barbecuing ribs,a grill will need to remain a very constanttemperature if you’re cooking items likecupcakes or a roast beef on the grill.

“This is where it gets tricky, becausemany grills have a thermometer on thehood, but that doesn’t tend to be terriblyaccurate,” Riches says. “I’d recommendthat you pick up an oven thermometer.They are relatively cheap, and you canput yours right on the cooking grate anduse that to gauge your temperature.”

What’s key when you’re reading yourtemperature gauge is to put the foodwhere the gauge is.

“Your indoor oven works by convec-tion and maintains a standard tempera-ture from top to bottom,” Riches says.“But a grill could be 50 degrees differentin the spot where the gauge is versus theother side of the grill, and that may bewhere you want to put your food. So putthe gauge very close to where you’ll becooking, particularly if you plan to dosome baking.”

IN CONCLUSIONAlthough this may not be everyone’s

go-to during an emergency, you shoulddefinitely keep it in mind. When thepower goes down, just chill—and use thegrill!

FOR MORE INFOTo get more great grilling tips, recipes, and gear recommendations, visit bbq.about.com,

where Derrick Riches doles out new expert advice each week.

KEY ESSENTIALS• Oven-safe pots and

pans (no plastichandles!)

• Cookie sheets• Stoneware

• Oven thermometer

“If you’re inventive, you can cook anything you want as long as it will fit inside the grill.”

–Derrick Riches, About.com’s guide to Barbecue and Grilling.

Tortillas are one of theeasiest things to makeon an outdoor grill.

People have beenpreparing soup over anopen fire for hundredsof years.

Preparing pizza on the grillis easier than you think.The key is to keep a closeeye on the meal because itcooks very quickly.

GRILLEDSOUP?

Soup is anothermeal that cooks wellon the grill, but howyou prepare it willdepend on whetheryou’re making soupfrom scratch or froma can.

“For soup insidea grill, I’d recom-mend a Dutch oven,cast iron pot, orsomething alongthose lines,” Richesadvises. “If you’remaking soup fromscratch, I grill theingredients I’mputting in my soupfirst, and then putthose into the souppot to give my soupthe smoky flavor.But if you’re justopening a can ofsoup and putting iton the grill, it willcome out prettymuch just like if youcooked it in a pot.”

ASG_1310_GRILL.CX 9/24/13 10:57 PM

PHOT

O BY

THI

NKST

OCK

“Even a little bit of power is a wonderful thing when the grid goes down.”

ASG_1310_TOOLS 9/20/13 5:23 AM

19

HINK ABOUT IT: IF THE GRID GOES DOWN, ALLTHOSE GREAT POWER TOOLS YOU OWN WILLBE WORTH NOTHING. HOW DO YOU FIX SOME-THING? HOW DO YOU BUILD SOMETHING? The power goes down all the time on the rural island

where I’ve lived for the last 25 years—sometimes for days at a time.This reality has forced me to come up with real-world solutions forself-reliance that include these top picks for power failure gear.

1. CLEAN POWER GENERATOR Even a little bit of power is a wonderful thing

when the grid goes down. This is especially true for the millions of

us who rely on wells for water. Without a generator, no power can

mean no drinking water, no flushtoilets and no cooking. The hidden danger is that most

generators can cause damage tothe kind of sensitive electronics thatare part of a lot of items these days. Regular generators are fine for

fridges and freezers and water pumps,but they’ll fry computers, cell phonechargers, the electronic controls onappliances and even some cordless toolbattery chargers. That’s why not justany generator will do if you really wantto prepare yourself for long-term self-reliance when the grid goes down. Themost versatile portable generatorsoffer tri-fuel capabilities, able to run ongasoline, natural gas or propane—whichever is available.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY STEVE MAXWELL

T

REAL�WORLDSOLUTIONS

THE ESSENTIALS

• Clean power generator• Chainsaw• Headlamp

• 18-volt impact driver• Cordless drill

• Hand-held circular saw • Utility knife and blades

seven essential ITEMS for surviving the next big power failure

“Without a generator, no power can mean no drinking water, no flush toilets and no cooking.”

ASG_1310_TOOLS 9/20/13 5:23 AM

20

2. CHAINSAWGrid failure often happens when bad

weather wrecks your neighborhood, andif trees grow where you live, they’ll bedown and blocking road travel. Withouta chainsaw at times like these, you’ll becompletely immobile after a big storm,

unable to travel,unable to help oth-ers and unable tobe helped by emer-gency crews.

A chainsaw witha sharp chain and asupply of fresh,mixed gas and chainoil is nothing shortof freedom at timeslike these. Start upyour saw and run itfor a few minutesevery month or so,to make sure itruns when youneed it. And don’tbuy some cheapconsumer-gradesaw, either. Namebrand, pro-grademodels do cost a

little more, but they pay back many timesover in reliability and performance. I paidtop dollar for my first professional saw in1989, and it still starts and runs as well asthe day it was new, even after cuttingmore than 300 cords of firewood.

3. HEADLAMPA good headlamp is incredibly useful

because it lets you work with your handsin the dark. No survival-ready homeshould be without one.

I use my headlamp all the time forworking outside at night, even when thepower doesn’t go out. It delivers the bestsource of light for the least amount ofenergy input, but there’s a big differencein headlamp design. The best are builtaround an LED bulb. These use far lessenergy than standard incandescent head-lamp bulbs, multiplying battery life by fiveto 10 times. We have four headlamps at

my place, but the best include dimma-ble light output. Dial down the illu-

mination when you don’t need asmuch light to save on battery life.

And speaking of batteries,you’ve got two options to

consider. Most headlampstake three AAA batteries, and

while you could keep a bunch of alkalinesin stock, there’s one particular type ofrechargeable that’s better. Most recharge-able AAA and AA batteries rely on ordi-nary nickel metal hydride chemistry, andthese lose significant charge in storagebetween uses. It’s quite likely they’ll bedead when you need them. Sanyo’seneloop rechargeables are nickel metalhydride, too, but they hold a charge instorage as long as alkalines, and they alsolast a long time between charges.

After testing every major type ofrechargeable battery on the market,these are my favorite by a long shot.With good rechargeables at your placeand a generator, you’ll have virtuallyunlimited power for lighting and smallelectronics.

4, 5, 6. CORDLESS TOOL TRIO

An 18-volt impact driver, a cordlessdrill and a handheld circular saw are allessential building tools for general use,but they’re also unbeatable for makingemergency repairs when floods or winddamage happen along with gridfailure. Today’s best cordless tools uselithium-ion batteries, which are far betterthan older tools that take nickel cadmiumbattery packs. Besides delivering morework per charge, lithium-ion batterieshold a charge for months in storage,unlike nickel cadmium, which are oftennearly dead when you first grab them offthe shelf.

7. UTILITY KNIFE ANDBLADES

This sounds simple, but don’t befooled. A good utility knife is an incredi-bly useful thing when life is reduced tobasic realities. The best utility knivesthese days have flip-style blades that foldup small and are locked so the knife can

SOLUTIONS

KNIFEKNOW HOW

Choose a flip-style utility knife that folds up

to fit in your pocket andopens in one smooth

motion.

GENERATOR BASICSTri-fuel capabilities are key for a

generator; it should be able to run ongasoline, natural gas or propane.

“A good headlamp is incredibly useful because it lets you work with your hands in the dark. No survival-ready home should be without one.”

ASG_1310_TOOLS 9/20/13 5:23 AM

21

safely sit in your pocket. Whip it out,press the lock release, flip the handle,and the blade folds out and locks open inone smooth motion.

My current favorite is Milwaukee’sFastback flip knife, but don’t just take myword for it. There’s a reason you’ll findglowing online reviews for this tooleverywhere. The latest version of thisknife offers on-board blade storage,which fixes the only weakness of the ini-tial version.

THE TAKEAWAYThere’s a lot more to preparing for

grid failure than just these five pieces ofgear, but after dealing regularly withpower failures over the last 25 years ofrural, self-reliant living, I know these toppicks will serve you well.

Steve Maxwell is survival-minded, self-reliant Canadianwho lives with his wife and family in a stone house theybuilt themselves on an island. They never have to worryabout the frequent blackouts that happen in their quietcorner of the world.

BATTERY SENSERechargeable batteries are

great, but they are not all cre-ated equal. Make sure you getones that are reliable, likeSanyo’s eneloop models.

Make sure you opt forlithium-ion batteries instead ofnickel cadmium battery packsfor cordless tools.

Sources: Sanyo’s eneloop batteries:www.us.sanyo.comMilwaukee’s Fastback flip knife:www.milwaukeetool.com

ASG_1310_TOOLS 9/20/13 5:23 AM

22

FO

OD

&W

AT

ER

Food and wateron the go

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES—whether natural or manmade—securing safe shelter should be the top priority. For manypeople, the next focus is securing food and water. A goodrule of thumb is to keep 72 hours’ worth of supplies on hand,as it often takes that long before utilities and emergencycrews can restore services.

Maintaining a stockpile of these goods can be a dauntingundertaking, especially when considering the shelf life of foodand water and the cooking conditions you can face during anemergency situation.

There are a number of options for long shelf life food andwater, many of which don’t require any prep time. Addedbonus: the following products are also suitable to include inyour survival kit or bug-out bag.

Starting at $12.95, Portable rations andproducts for emergency situationsBY ERIN HATFIELD

1 $59.99MOUNTAIN HOUSE

2 $17.99THE SAUSAGE MAKER, INC.

ASG_1310_BG_FOOD 9/20/13 5:29 AM

23

buyer’sGuideFOOD WATER

MOUNTAIN HOUSEModel: Just in Case… 72-Hour Kit

www.mountainhouse.comMSRP: $59.99

Key Features: One-person kit; three meals per day

Description: The Just in Case 72-hour Kit contains athree-day supply of three complete meals per day for asingle person. It features Mountain House’s own freeze-dried foods consisting of a variety of breakfast, lunchand dinner entrees such as scrambled eggs with bacon,beef stroganoff with noodles and pasta primavera. Care-fully stored, Mountain House pouches taste best if theyare consumed within 10 years of manufacture.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “What sets our kit apart fromothers is truly the shelf life of our food. They will not onlybe safe to eat, but tasty for years—if not decades—afterthe official ‘shelf life,’ although you may notice a slightchange in flavor or texture. We’ve personally sampled 30-year old pouches and 40-year old cans and found them tobe quite good.”

—MOLLY ISHKANIAN, PR SPOKESPERSON WITH MOUNTAIN HOUSE

1 THE SAUSAGE MAKER, INC.Model: Jerky Assortment Kit

www.sausagemaker.comMSRP: $17.99

Key Features: Two-person kit, two-serving meals to share

Description: The perfect choice for anyone making jerky forthe first time or for an experienced jerky-maker who likesvariety, this seasoning assortment kit gives you enoughseasoning to make five pounds of each of our five favorite jerkyflavors. Also includes enough Insta Cure No. 1 to prepare 25pounds of jerky.Kit contains: � Uncle Abe’s Jerky Seasoning,� Cajun JerkySeasoning, Barbeque Jerky Seasoning, Mesquite Jerky Sea-soning, Teriyaki Jerky Seasoning � and Insta Cure No. 1.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “From one kit, you can make 25pounds of jerky. That’s a lot of value for the money.”

MAJOR SURPLUS & SURVIVALModel: Retort Emergency Water

www.majorsurplus.comMSRP: $12.95

Key Features: Long-lasting, easy-to-carry, five-year shelf life

Description: Major Surplus & Survival’s Retort EmergencyWater kit features 100 pouches of drinkable water, making itideal for any emergency situation. The long-lasting, easy-to-carry water supply is even U.S. Coast Guard approved, as itmeets the Guard’s exacting packaging requirements necessaryfor survival and lifeboat use. Each tough triple layered retortpouch holds 4.227 fluid ounces (125 mil.) of water and willstore for a minimum of five years.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “While our Retort Emergency Waterpouches will reportedly store for a minimum of five years, wethink they’ll actually store for 15-20 years.”

2

3

3 $12.95MAJOR SURPLUS & SURVIVAL

“They will not onlybe safe to eat, buttasty for years—if

not decades—after the official

‘shelf life’…”

ASG_1310_BG_FOOD 9/20/13 5:29 AM

24

buyer’sGuide FOOD WATER

LONG LIFE FOOD DEPOTModel: 72 Hour MRE Emergency Supply for 1

www.longlifefood.com MSRP: $65

Key Features: Meets Red Cross and FEMA prepared-ness recommendations, heater pouches

Description: Long Life Food Depot’s 72-Hour MREEmergency Supply Kits contains at least a three-daysupply of familiar, non-perishable, ready-to-eat foodsfor one person. The kit comes with a mix of nineentrees, available with or without meat, as well assides, baked goods, condiments, desserts and drinkmixes. New to the kit are heater pouches to warm thefood items.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Real food for real emer-gencies. Contains 33 food items that are ready to eat(entrees, sides, spreads, bakery items, desserts andbeverages), along with accessory packets full of comfortitems and flameless heater pouches for safe heating. Agreat value with free and fast shipping.”

—THE FRIENDLY STAFF AT LONG LIFE FOOD DEPOT

GSI OUTDOORSModel: Outdoors Bugaboo Backpacker Cookset

www.gsioutdoors.comMSRP: $69.95

Key Features: Small size, contains just what you needto feed two

Description: You may be eating dinner in the wild, butyou can still keep some of your kitchen items on hand.This set includes two bowls, two insulated mugs, twoSip-It lids, a two-liter pot with lid, a frypan, a pot grip-per, a welded sink basin that doubles as a carry bagand a stuff sack. It weighs in at just one pound 12.8ounces and measures 8.2x5.4 inches.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “GSI Outdoors prides itselfon manufacturing top-quality products at affordableprices. The Backpacker Cookset is just one example.”

—DON SCOTT, CO-OWNER OF GSI OUTDOORS

FOOD FOR HEALTHModel: FSD QVC 72-Hour Food Supply Kit

www.foodforhealthinternational.comMSRP: $99.95

Key Features: Vegetarian, requires water, up to 20-year shelf life, two-person kit

Description: The 72-Hour Food Supply Kit is designedto feed two adults for 72 hours. These 17 mealpouches produce 80 servings and provide 2,350calories per day. They are similar to military-issuedMREs, cook in eight to ten minutes with just water,have a shelf life up to 20 years and are easily trans-ported. Entrees include Southwest white bean chili,Texan sunrise skillet and Nantucket potato soup, aswell as a number of side dishes and 16 milk servings.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Emergencies happenwhen you least expect them, so make sure you have afood supply at the ready with these vegetarian dry mixmeals.”

4

5

6

5 $69.95GSI OUTDOORS

“make sureyou have

a foodsupply atthe ready

with thesevegetarian

dry mixmeals.”

6 $99.95FOOD FOR HEALTH

ASG_1310_BG_FOOD 9/20/13 5:30 AM

25

buyer’sGuideFOOD WATER

4 $65LONG LIFE FOOD DEPOT

“Real food for real emergencies. Contains 33 food items that are ready to eat…”

A TIPBe sure to sample your

emergency food options priorto stocking up. You wouldn’t

want to be stuck with amonth’s worth of food that

you don’t like!

ASG_1310_BG_FOOD-CX-p25only 10/2/13 8:58 AM

26

buyer’sGuide FOOD WATER

HI MOUNTAIN SEASONINGSModel: Home Sausage Making Kit

www.himtnjerky.comMSRP: $20.99

Key Features: Supply your own meat, includes everything else

Description: Whether you’ve snared a deer or you’ve simplybought meat from the local store, you can make your ownsummer sausage to round out your survival pantry, thanks tothis kit that includes everything you need. Bring it along onyour travels, and you won’t have to mess with recipe cards andjars of seasonings because everything is packaged for you.Add your desired cut of meat to the kit’s ingredients, and youcould be churning out up to 30 pounds of summer sausage—surely enough to keep your family energized on the trail.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “This is the perfect way to spiceup any game you catch or meat you have onhand!”

STERIPENModel: Freedom

www.steripen.comKey Features: USB-rechargeable, quickly sterilizes waterMSRP: $149.95

Key Features: USB-rechargeable, quickly sterilizes waterDescription: Making your water safe to drink is one of the pri-mary requirements of being out on the trail, since we can’t livewithout H2O. The SteriPEN Freedom is a handy way to treatyour water and make it safe to drink, and it takes up very littlespace in your pack. Weighing just 2.6 ounces, the Freedom cansterilize 8,000 water treatments of 16 ounces each, and its UVlight destroys germs in 48 seconds. What we loved about itduring our test was that it includes rechargeable batteries thatyou can juice using either AC power or USB charger—which ishelpful since many solar chargers accept USB cords.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The SteriPEN provides sterilizedwater when you’re off the grid so you don’t have to worryabout this essential survival item.”

8

7

7 $20.99HI MOUNTAIN SEASONINGS

8 $149.95STERIPEN

“TheSteriPENprovides

sterilizedwater when

you’re offthe grid”

ASG_1310_BG_FOOD 9/20/13 5:30 AM

ASG_1310_27 9/20/13 3:59 AM

28

VER BEEN DROPPED IN THEWILDERNESS WITH NOTHING BUTYOUR CLOTHES, A CAMERA ANDSOME EVERYDAY ITEMS?

Les Stroud certainly has, and he has notonly survived, he’s thrived.

Perhaps best known for his hit TV seriesSurvivorman, Stroud created, wrote, produced,directed, served as cameraman and hosted what hasbecome one of the highest-rated shows in thehistory of OLN Canada, the Science Channel US andDiscovery Channel US. In addition, he has writtennumerous books on the subject of survival andserves as an advanced survival trainer for theCanadian Elite Military.

We talked to Stroud to find out more about hisbackground, and let’s just say we weren’t exactlysurprised. He’s done it all survivor-wise, and he’sstill here to tell about it.

THE SHOWIn the show, Stroud was placed in a number of

different survival situations, equipped with only hisclothes, camera equipment, his harmonica, a multi-tool and some “everyday items” relevant to theepisode’s particular survival situation or locale. Hecarried an emergency satellite phone for safety pur-poses and had radio contact with his support crew.

“Often, my emergency phone didn’t work, whichleft me alone. At times I was worried that my rescuecrew could become stranded with me, but thingsalways worked out for the best,” Stroud told us.

“The main challenges in each episode were find-ing food, water and things to make fire and shelter,”said Stroud.

Stroud talked more about life on the show: “It’s the craziest thing. Every year hunters and

anglers head out into the great outdoors withoutcarrying so much as a pack of matches on them. YetI have always stressed that, depending on the cir-cumstances, above all, give me a no-fail way to get afire going, and I can make it through most survivalordeals unscathed. Being caught without matches ora lighter in the wilderness is a serious mistake. Try-ing to make fire without them is nearly impossible,no matter how cool I make it look on Survivorman.”

LES IS�MOREBY BARRI SEGAL | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA BOMBIER

E

STROUD KITESSENTIALS

We asked Stroud what histop essentials for surviving are,and he didn’t hesitate. Henamed water, food, shelter andcommunication without battingan eye. He stressed that onceyou have these in place, youcan deal with other emergencysituations much more easily.

He recommends keeping anemergency kit both in yourhouse and your car containingthe following must-haves: aweek’s worth of water, a flash-light, a radio for contact,matches, rope, a cutting tooland a first aid kit.

Stroud encourages everyoneto customize their own kit to fittheir individual needs.

START A FIRE IN A FLASH

Stroud cautions that this canbe dangerous, so you should dothis only in an extreme emer-gency and be very careful.• Take your flashlight (Mag lite

or any other type of tubeflashlight) and gently removethe bulb and lightly tap theglass until it breaks. Be care-ful not to break the filamentinside.

• Now you have a bulb with anexposed filament.

• Put the flashlight backtogether, broken bulb and all.

• Put a little cotton ball on andaround the filament.

• Turn the flashlight on, andyou will have one shot at thecotton igniting.

• Transfer to your ready-to-gotinder bundle on fine, deadand dry material.

COV

ER S

TORY

AN INSIDE LOOK AT LES STROUD’S

ASG_1310_COVERSTORY 9/20/13 5:34 AM

29

“To me, fire is one of the most pro-found advantages you can have in a sur-vival situation. You can get warm. Youcan cook your food. You can boil yourwater. And most important; it keepsaway the boogieman. But how do youmake it without a lighter, matches or anyother kind of fire starter? Well, there’srubbing two sticks together. A perennialfavorite of the Boy Scouts everywhere,the fire bow, hand drill and fire plowremain some of the most difficult meth-ods to learn. But hunters carry a fewitems with them that can be manipulatedto make a life-saving fire.”

TRAININGStroud trained with David Arama,

nicknamed “The Survivorguy” and John“Prairie Wolf” McPherson, an expert onprimitive living and author of three bookson the subject. Once he got the hang ofthings, Stroud continued to grow anddevelop his survival skills, becoming oneof the best-known figures in the field.

“These guys really jumpstarted mylifelong interest in the field, and I learneda lot from them,” reports Stroud.

In 2006, Stroud and his family built anoff-the-grid house, about which he pro-duced a 90-minute documentary calledOff the Grid with Les Stroud. It chronicledhis journey as he bought property, refit-ted a farm house with solar and windpower and made other adaptations forthis style of living.

“I figured if I was going to write aboutit and make TV shows about it, I shouldlive the lifestyle,” Stroud told us.

JUST THE BEGINNINGStroud is dedicated to the movement

and revered by his peers. Expect to see alot more from him while he continues tosurvive and thrive in whatever situationhe’s thrown into, because he plans tokeep on goin’ for years to come.

“To me, fire is one of the most profound

advantages you can

have in a survival

situation.”

FUN FACTStroud is also a celebrated musician

and songwriter, and has shared the stagewith big names including Robbie Krieger,

Blues Traveler, Tesla, Alice Cooper, StevenStills, Tommy Shaw, Jacob Dylan, Randy

Bachman, Chicago and The Roots. He wroteall the theme songs for his TV shows and

has recorded a number of CDs. His har-monica-playing style ranges from

art-folk-roots rock to contem-porary art rock.

ASG_1310_COVERSTORY 9/20/13 5:34 AM

30

OW FAR CAN YOU TRAVEL ON 90 GALLONS OF GAS?THAT’S A KEY QUESTION IF YOU’RE BUGGING OUT ORTRYING TO SURVIVE IN THE WILDERNESS!

In the EarthRoamer Xpedition vehicle, you could get more than1,000 miles from home before you have to fill up your tank.

With another 90 gallons of water and solar panels on board, you’ll be self-sufficient in all of your travels, whether you stay on the road or you decide topave your own trail.

Two main features separate the EarthRoamer from the other RVs you’veseen traveling the roads, says EarthRoamer’s president and CEO, Bill Swails.

“When I originally designed it, I wanted a vehicle that had the off-roadcapability to get to very remote places such as four-wheel drive trails andplaces that typical RVs just aren’t designed to go,” he says. “Secondly, once youget to those remote locations, I wanted it to be a totally standalone vehicle—shelter, cooking and bathroom would all be built-in without the need forhookups.”

Whereas a traditional RV needs power, water and sewer hookups, theEarthRoamer is designed to visit remote locations using its standalone solarpower and high capacity water and fuel tanks.

ROAM FREELYBY TORREY KIM | PHOTOS COURTESY OF EARTHROAMER

H

This self-sustaining off-roader can allow you to makeyour way into the backcountry indefinitely

“Every EarthRoamer is built for the user.” — EarthRoamer president and CEO,

Bill Swails

ASG_1310_EARTHROAMER 9/20/13 5:36 AM

31

“The biggest factor of how longyou can be out in the EarthRoameris how long you can make that 90gallons of water last,” Swails says.

“If someone takes a long shower,they could pump out 90 gallons all atonce, but most survivalists are ableto go a week or two—or longerwith the 90-gallon tank.”

“We have one customer wholikes to go to Baja and camp on thebeach,” Swails says. “He gets plentyto eat from fishing, so we created avehicle that pumps water in fromthe ocean, has a special unit that’spowered by the solar panels thattakes salt out of the water andmakes fresh water for him, so hecan stay in the vehicle indefinitely

since it’s parked and doesn’trequire more gas.”

If you’re interested in findingyour way off-road in an Earth-Roamer, you won’t just pluckone off the shelf.

“Every EarthRoamer is builtfor the user,” Swails says. “Wehave several base layouts andbasic interior configurations, andthen we tailor the vehicle to meetthe needs of the individual.”

Torrey Kim is a freelance writer living in NorthCarolina.

THE XV-LTMODELSPECIFICSEarthRoamer’s XV-LT modelis based on a Ford F-550commercial duty truck chas-sis and has seven model con-figurations that include thefollowing customizable fea-tures:• Three Ford cabs available:The Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab

• Lengths ranging from 22.6feet to 27.5 feet

• Three EarthRoamer campersizes: LT, LT Stretch, andLT Super Stretch

• With the Regular Cab, thisvehicle has a turning radiusof only 21.2 feet

• The Crew Cab has sleepingquarters for up to fouradults

THE XV-HDMODELSPECIFICSThe bigger XV-HD model ofthe EarthRoamer is based ona Ford F-650 commercialduty truck chassis, withsleeping quarters for up toeight people and lengthsranging from 19.7 feet tomore than 38.8 feet. Thismodel has the following pos-sible configurations:• A four-wheel drive Xpedi-tion vehicle

• A fifth-wheel motor homethat can tow a heavy horsetrailer, a racecar trailer, aboat, or other items.

• A toy hauler model that cancarry vehicles like quads,dirt bikes, or golf carts.

• A one-piece molded com-posite body requiring nointernal metal structure forsupport, allowing it to behighly durable and equal inquality to a luxury aircraft.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONTo get more information and to find out how you can build your own EarthRoamer, visit www.earthroamer.com.

THENUMBERS

[$260,000]The base price for an entry-level

EarthRoamer.

[$500,000]The price an EarthRoamer can

cost after customization.

DIESEL FUELEarthRoamer vehiclesrun on turbochargeddiesel engines, anddiesel fuel is also usedfor the stove’s cookingrequirements. Owners of2011 and newer Earth-Roamer vehicles havereported that they’veachieved mileage in the11 to 12 miles-per-gal-lon range while on thehighway, which is typi-cally better than mostcompeting RVs.

ASG_1310_EARTHROAMER 9/20/13 5:37 AM

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WINTER IS UNFORGIVING, harsh anddownright tough to survive in for most. Werealize that it’s no cakewalk to bug out duringthis time of year, so we devoted a section inthis issue to help you prepare for the bittermonths should you find yourself outdoors.

Survival expert Tony Nester provides tipand tricks to weather winter, and we presenta nice array of jackets to protect you fromthe elements. In addition, you can learn toprevent hypothermia and dehydration, twoenemies of survivalists out in the cold. Andshould you find yourself going stir-crazybecause you’re stuck inside, just read abouthow to deal with cabin fever and keep your-self occupied and mentally alert during whatcan be a very stressful experience!

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FREEZING

ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:46 AM

F YOU’RE NOT PREPARED, WINTER CAN KILL YOU. Make a mistake in the wilds in June and you may have a long

night ahead with a great story to tell your friends, but make thesame mistake in January, and you may lose some fingers or toesand possibly your life.

The first rule of winter travel is to respect the season. Read along to find out how to battle freezing temperatures

and win. ITIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP YOUSURVIVE HARSH WINTER WEATHERTEXT AND PHOTOS BY TONY NESTER

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FORESIGHT

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CLOTHINGWhen selecting clothing, avoid

100 percent cotton at all costs dueto its poor insulating value when wetand its inability to wick moistureaway from the body. Many hikerswho “die of exposure” in the wildsare often wearing cotton (“cottonkills” was coined for a reason).Instead, select items made ofpoly/cotton, nylon/cotton, fleece,wool, or silk. Most of my clothing iswool and was found for pennies (andpractically brand new) at second-hand or army-surplus stores.

UPPER BODY LAYERSFor the first layer, I wear a long-

sleeved shirt of silk, merino wool orpolypropylene. For the second layer,I don a turtleneck followed by awool button-up style shirt. Depend-ing on my activity level and the out-side temps, the remaining layers area heavyweight wool or fleecesweater, followed by a parka ordown jacket. Strive for two to fivelayers here. One thing I do, regardless of the season,is to stow a spark rod firestarter in each of my jack-ets along with a vial of cottonballs smeared withVaseline. Fire is life in the wilds, especially during thebrutal months of winter.

LOWER BODY LAYERSChoose Army surplus or Filson wool pants for

one layer. For another, bring lightweight polypropy-lene or silk long-underwear. Nylon windbreaker

pants are also helpful, but the weave of myArmy surplus wool pants is so tight

they are windproof.

SOCKSMake sure you have one or two pairs of heavy

socks from fabrics such as Smartwool or Ragwool.Avoid cotton or athletic “tube” socks as they don’twick moisture away from the skin and can causesevere blisters.

FOOTWEARTake one pair of insulated boots with removable

wool liners. The most common winter pac bootsavailable for wet, slushy conditions are Sorel Pac-boots. These are clunky and cumbersome but per-

FREEZING

“A sleeping bag should be an essential component of your survival gear during the winter, and it can prevent you from burning up precious calories constructing a large shelter.”

My preferredaccouterments forwinter travel whenthe temps hover inthe 20+ Fahrenheitrange and little or

no snow is present:insulated anorak,

mittens, Thinsulateboots, sunglasses

and wool hat.

Lighters and spark rods should be secured to your wrist when used in the cold.Numb fingers and a loss of dexterity in the cold could cause you to drop one ofthese critical tools in the deep snow.

ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:47 AM

37

fect for those times when you are not moving around much. Onoccasion when hunting, I will wear Thinsulate boots if the tempsare above freezing and the ground conditions are not wet. Forthe finest cold-weather footwear available, when the tempera-ture drops below 20 degrees, Steger Mukluks are my firstchoice. These are based upon the traditional footwear of thePolar regions and their ultralight design makes them ideal fortrekking and snowshoeing.

HEADWEARFor serious winter, you’ll need a heavy wool or mad bomber-

style hat. For milder weather, a wool hat will suffice, but whentemps dip below zero, an insulated mad bomber hat will keepthat survival tool between your ears operational.

HANDWEARHeavy wool or surplus mittens are a must-have item to pro-

tect your hands while on the trail, and I rarely wear glovesexcept for driving. Look online for Air Force surplus mittens

THE RULESRemember these four rules of winter safety and sur-

vival, and you will be on your way to enjoying nature’smost challenging season.• Respect the season and dress for the worst possibleweather.

• Leave a travel plan.• Always carry three firestarters in your pockets.• Bring a quality survival kit and calorie-laden foods.

Fire-making under adverse conditions is a hallmark outdoor skill. Here,instructor Mike Masek demonstrates how to make a platform fire in thesnow. The bundles of green pine needles were used later to demonstratehow to create a signal fire.

ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:47 AM

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with removable liners as these are the best. I coatmine with Scotchguard or silicon spray several timesduring the winter.

EYEWEARTo help prevent sunglare and snowblindness, I

prefer the type that wrap around the contours ofthe face.

SLEEPING BAG WEARWhat? A sleeping bag is part of your clothing set

up? You bet. On longer dayhikes, and especiallyroadtrips, I always bring a down sleeping bag. Asleeping bag should be an essential component ofyour survival gear during the winter, and it can pre-vent you from burning up precious calories con-structing a large shelter.

YOUR INNER WOODSTOVESo far, we’ve looked at how to take care of the

body from the outside. Now let’s take a look at howto keep the human engine revved.

Food intake needs to be drastically increased thecolder it gets. This is your excuse to chow down onhigh-fat/high-calorie foods, which, in turn, will helpkeep your internal woodstove roaring.

I have had students on winter survival coursescomplain of being chilled in the middle of the nightwhile they slept in the 20 degrees Farenheit settingof a Quinzee in their below zero sleeping bag. Thiswas due to their internal woodstove running out offuel and their body failing to produce adequatemetabolic heat. To help prevent this, I recommendhaving some trail mix, raisins or other bite-sizedsnacks next to your bedroll that you can down inthe middle of the night to stoke your body’s stove.

I remember a winter survival course in the sub-arctic where we were sleeping in lean-tos around acentral fire at night or in para-tipis. Temps werearound -40 Fahrenheit at night while “warming up” to-10 Fahrenheit during the day. Some nights we hadsleeping bags while others we were “fire hungry.”Meals were provided and we kept track of our foodintake, which averaged around 9000 calories a day

FREEZING

“The first rule of winter travel is to respect the season.”

MELT IT!For a passivesnow-meltingdevice, wrap aNalgene bottle inblack duct tapeand place it in thesun during breakson the trail.

A two-person lean-towith a central firepit. Thismethod is often employedby the author duringcold-weather survivalcourses. After one night,the debris bed needs toget replenished.

ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:47 AM

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per person! Breakfast and lunch consisted of a bagel with creamcheese, a slice of ham and a slab of butter. For dinner we had alarge one-pot dish with a block of cheese, five-pound bag of pasta,block of butter and several rabbits, squirrels or slabs of venison.

Additionally, during breaks, we often downed the classichypothermia-prevention elixir, which was a cup of hot chocolatewith a teaspoon of butter. Now, all of this would seem like theultimate nightmare-diet to a cardiologist, but it provided the nec-essary fuel to keep our internal woodstoves roaring given theoutside temps and our demanding daily workload.

Some other foods to consider are cheese and salami. Theseshould be pre-cut and sorted in Ziplocs prior to your trip asthey will be a challenge to cut in the field.

FREEZING

“Food intake needs to be drastically increased the

colder it gets. This is your excuse to chow down on

high-fat/high-calorie foods which, in turn, will help

keep your internal wood-stove roaring.”

1. When there is only a scant layer ofsnow on the ground but enough tim-ber for a lean-to, you can make ahybrid shelter with snow boulders ina U-formation.

2. The structure is then covered witha Heatsheet or tarp held in placewith stakes driven through the mate-rial and anchored in the boulders.These will freeze in place eventually.

3. Lastly, prop up the interior using abranch, ski pole or shovel but makesure to place some bark, bandannaor spare gloves between the supportand tarp to prevent a puncture.

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2

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ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:47 AM

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For trips where you can heat up a potof water over the campfire, packets ofinstant soup or bouillon cubes are a greataddition. These will help you rehydrate,replenish salts lost to sweating and warmyou up at the same time.

Last, if you want a long-lasting andeasy-to-consume food to stow in yourvehicle for the winter, buy a package ofshortbread cookies. The above are allhigh-calorie, high-fat foods that will pro-vide much needed nutrients in betweenmeals.

SHELTERLet’s say you weren’t prepared or

ran into Murphy’s Law and are nowfaced with enduring a night in the back-country without a sleeping bag. Don’tthink igloo, think field-expedient shelter.Again, life in the wilds is about conserv-ing your precious sweat and calories, notreality show theatrics.

What you construct will be based, inpart, on whether there is snow on theground. If the snow is knee-deep orhigher than a snow-trench, a Quinzee, orsnow cave, may be in order. If very littleor no snow is present, then my firstchoice will always be a lean-to and firecombination. Once more, being preparedwith a sleeping bag and the proper cloth-ing means you may not have to buildsomething labor-intensive.

Lean-to construction is simple. Selecta rock-solid ridgepole as thick as your legand two feet longer than your height.Lash one end to a tree at chest height.Cover the backside with branches anddebris at a roughly 60 degree angle. Thisangle prevents your shelter interior frombeing too cavernous (important for heatretention) and sheds rain well. You can’tcover this type of shelter with enoughinsulation, so pile on a two to three footlayer of debris, and then fill the interiorwith a foot of pine boughs or moredebris. The trench fire should be abouttwo feet away from the shelter.

I like to finish my lean-to with a firereflector using rocks, logs or heaps ofdirt. This will make a huge difference as itreduces fuel consumption by 50 percentand radiates the heat into your shelter.

A night in a survival shelter during thewinter is not like sleeping in a cozy skilodge. Survival and comfort don’t gotogether. You will sleep for a few hoursby the warming blaze and then your body

will jar you awake in two to three hours and remind you to tossmore wood on the fire. Then you will sleep again for a fewhours before starting another cycle of feeding the fire andsnoozing. One winter survival course I taught where the night-time temps dipped below zero saw us go through a cord ofwood per two-person shelter. After such a night, you may neverbe caught without a sleeping bag as part of your winter kit!

Tony Nester is the author of six books and several DVDs on survival. His school, AncientPathways is the primary provider of survival training for the Military Special Operations com-munity, and he has served as a consultant for the NTSB, FAA, and the film Into the Wild.

MORE INFORMATIONFor more information on Tony’s books or survival courses, visit apathways.com

RESEARCHFor more information on winter skills, check out A Snow

Walker’s Companion by Garrett Conover and Alexandra ConoverBennett or Snow Caves for Fun and Survival by Ernest Wilkinson.

ASG_1310_WINTER 9/20/13 5:47 AM

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ASG_1310_FEVER 9/20/13 6:00 AM

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AVE YOU EVER BEEN COOPED UP FOR SOLONG YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ABSOLUTELYLOSING YOUR MIND?

Cabin fever is a very real concern for survivalists(or anyone else!) who for whatever reason become

isolated for an extended period of time. Restlessness, lack of enthusiasm and abnormal sleeping

behaviors are all common responses to cabin fever, and they’reall detrimental to survival.

Simple preparation can help relieve cabin fever, but that isn’talways possible. For storms or natural disasters with advancedwarning, prepare as much as you can. To find out more aboutthe subject, we consulted Chelsey Byers, a family life educator atthe University of Illinois.

CABINFEVER

BY AMBER ERICKSON GABBEY

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20 TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE FEELING OF ISOLATION

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“Have you ever been cooped up for so long you feel like you’re absolutely losing your mind?”

CABIN FEVER: THE SIGNS• Restlessness• Lack of enthusiasm • Abnormal sleeping behaviors• Anxiety• Depression• Irritability

INDOOR FUN “Go shopping for family activities,

make sure kids bring work home withthem from school, stock up on food andsupplies and stockpile any necessities tosustain your family for weeks or evenmonths,” suggests Byers.

If you have the space, consider doingthe shopping and stockpiling prior toneeding them. When disaster hits, every-one will be attempting to stock up,severely limiting available supplies. Beingprepared can help save your lives andyour sanity.

“The goal is to keep your mind active,your body engaged and your emotions incheck,” says Byers.

Here are some indoor suggestions forsurviving cabin fever.

Play board games or cardgames—Make sure you have a variety ofgames, with varying length, complexityand age level. Consider researching newcard games to learn.

Play computer/Ipad/handhelddevice games—Either alone or multi-player, utilize technology to play games.Systems like Wii have family-friendlygames with learning or exercise compo-nents to them.

Watch movies—Stock up on DVDsor use an online streaming service like

Netflix to keep a fresh stream of movies,from entertaining to educational.

Read or catch up on magazinesor newspaper collections—Findbooks for all levels of readers and con-sider getting some books to read as afamily.

Do arts and crafts—Create a spe-cial arts and crafts bin with markers,paints, glitter, crayons, stickers, stamps,ink, various paper supplies, beads, stringand other supplies. If you need helpthinking of ideas, find a family-friendlycraft book with fun or practical creations.

Start or practice a hobby—Utilizeyour time to work on crafts, knitting,sewing, woodcarving or other hobby.Consider learning to play an instrumentor starting a new hobby.

Stay active by doing aerobics,exercising or rough-housing—Every-one, especially kids, will have excessenergy to burn. Channel that energy intophysical activity or structured rough playin the house. Consider exercise videos tohelp stay motivated.

OUTDOOR FUN Many activities can be done indoors,

but sometimes there is nothing betterthan getting outside, moving your body,removing the physical barriers of wallsand getting fresh air. Beware of outdoor

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STOP COMPLAINING!Cognitive behavior therapists often

cite the 11th Commandment as “ThouShall Not Whine.” Complaining about asituation does not make the situationbetter. It only serves to make you feelworse. So, stopping complaining! Focuson keeping busy rather than devotingenergy to whining. Don’t stew, do.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

ASG_1310_FEVER 9/20/13 6:01 AM

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play time when the temperatures arecold. In the summer, you can do mostthings outdoors to alleviate cabin fever,including eating meals, playing, evensleeping.

“The winter is more challenging andoutdoor time is much more limited,”warns Byers.

Just getting outside can help alleviatecabin fever, and the following activitieswill give you something to do.

Play in the snow—Build snowmenor snow forts, have snowball fights orjust spend time outside.

Take a hike—Often we stay indoorsand limit our exposure to the elements.Being out in a snowstorm can be a greatway to connect with nature and take inthe beauty of the season. Taking a hike isa great way to burn excess energy, getexercise and pass the time. Make sureyou choose an easy route, as it might bevery difficult to walk through the snow.Bring any necessary emergency supplieswith you in case of danger.

Shovel your driveway or walk-ways—Just spending fifteen minutesoutside shoveling can help relieve thestress of cabin fever. Take turns shovel-

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“Being prepared is half the battle and applying what you know is the other half.”

“Restlessness, lack of enthusiasm and abnormal sleeping behaviors are all common responses to cabin fever, and they’re all detrimental to survival.”

FEVER, SUMMER STYLEAlthough most often associated with

the cold, dark months of winter, fevercan also occur in the summer. Whensoaring temperatures and high humiditylevels prevent outdoor activity, fevercan set it. During extreme heat waves,people are cautioned to stay inside.They are told not to go out unless theymust. The feeling of being trapped arethe same, whether due to snow or tosun. Both can stress you out. And, theurge to strangle the next person whoasks, “Is it hot enough for you?” is agood index of reaching your own emo-tional boiling point.

ASG_1310_FEVER-CX-p46,48 9/24/13 11:00 PM

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YOU FEEL TRAPPED. Thewalls seem to be closing in.Is this what claustrophobiafeels like, you wonder?

“Let it snow, let it snow,let it snow” sing happy car-olers on the radio. You areanything but happy that the“weather outside is fright-ful.” You want to scream asyou quickly change thechannel. It has been snow-ing heavily, on and off, fortoo many days for you tofeel like advocating formore snow.

You punch in the oldclassic rock station. Meat-loaf’s “Two out of threeain’t bad” is playing. Youhear him sing “the snow isreally piling up outside.”Oh, no! Now you doscream. You don’t needanother reminder. Thesnow had been piling upand you have been trappedat home for days. The roadsare not plowed and won’tbe until the snow stops.You wonder what will hap-pen first: the plowing of theneighborhood streets oryour nervous breakdown.

“Patience” is only aword in a dictionary for youas you even scare yourselfwith your short and explo-sive temper. You are defi-nitely not yourself as every-one and everything seemsto be getting on youralready frayed nerves.

Visions of Jack Nicholson inThe Shining flash throughyour mind and you start towonder if all work and noplay does, indeed, makeJack a dull boy. Are youlosing your mind?

Not necessarily. Youmay be experiencing fever.Although not an “official”psychiatric disorder, it is avery real phenomenon.First described in 1918,fever connotes being stuckin a cabin, isolated fromthe outside world, for aprolonged period of time.Some of the more commonsymptoms of fever includeanxiety, a sense of dreadand foreboding, depression,restlessness, crankinessand irritability. Oftentimespeople report feeling likethey “want to jump out oftheir skin.” They are quickto snap at those aroundthem, who quite often, arefeeling just as volatile.

MORE THAN BOREDOM

Those with fever areaffected by a lack of stimu-lation. That is, they feel likethey have nothing to do.Nothing seems to interestthem. And, what does inter-est them soon loses itsappeal. Fever, however, ismuch more than simpleboredom. Fever is muchmore pervasive and drain-

ing. Fever can deplete theperson’s energy and moti-vation in a way that simpleboredom could never do.With low energy and littlemotivation, the personbecomes even less active.The lack of activity thenincreases the fever, thuscreating a negative feed-back loop, or vicious cycle.

It is not uncommon forthose with fever to havesleeping problems. Theymay tend to sleep toomuch, almost as if trying tohibernate. Or, they may notbe able to sleep at all. Theirlower than usual expendi-ture of energy may meanthat they are not tiredenough to sleep soundly.

PLAN AHEADIt is easier to prevent

fever than to cure it. Byplanning ahead, you canreduce your risk of feelingtrapped and overly stressedeven when you are house-bound.

If you know bad weatheris on the way with the riskof you being unable toleave your house, prepareyourself. Stock up on provi-sions to feed your body andyour mind. Too often feveris fed by junk food. Eatingjunk food may be fast andeasy, but it, too, will con-tribute to a vicious cycle.The junk food may tem-

porarily satisfy, but willlead to more lethargy, trou-ble sleeping, and a downmood. The simplest solu-tion? Have a good supply ofhealthy food available andfeed your mind by keepingthings available that willstimulate your thinking.

GET OUT!Studies show that even

mild exercise can be help-ful in lifting one’s spirits.And, even if the weather isbad, sometimes just gettingoutside for a quick breakcan be quite therapeutic.Stepping out into the cold,or even the freezing, aircan help energize and revi-talize you. Just don’t stayout too long.

Remember, althoughyou cannot prevent beingsnowbound, you can pre-vent fever.

Being prepared is halfthe battle and applyingwhat you know is the otherhalf. With some preplan-ning and a little effort youmay find that being insidecan, indeed, be tolerable ifnot downright delightful.

Thomas J. Nardi, Ph.D. is theDirector of the Counseling pro-grams at Long Island UniversityHudson Graduate Centers inOrangeburg, NY and WestPoint. He is the creator of Eclec-tic Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

WHEN�THEWEATHER�OUTSIDEIS�FRIGHTFUL�ANDBEING�INSIDE�ISNOT�DELIGHTFUL

by Thomas J. Nardi, Ph.D.

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CARBIN

ing so everyone can have a few minutes ofalone time. Be careful to not overdo theshoveling, especially with wet or heavysnow conditions.

Go sledding, cross-country skiingor snow-shoeing—If you have the gear,utilize a warmer day by going out for somewintertime fun. Be sure to choose safe,familiar routes and bring ample supplieswith you including food, water, first-aid kitsand extra layers for warmth.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIESOR CHORES

“While having fun is preferred, if you’restuck at home for long periods of time, youwill need to ensure you are keeping up withhousehold chores and educational opportu-nities, especially for kids,” cautions Byers.

Perhaps the first couple days feel like avacation, but at some point, you will have todo some of these more menial tasks.Attempt to make them fun, include the

whole family and turn them into a game topass the time and avoid stress and fighting.

Homeschool activities—Take timeevery day to work on homework, reading,math problems or other educational activi-ties. Just because school is cancelled or youcan’t get there doesn’t mean it’s vacation.Take time to challenge your mind, whethera kid or adult. Work on learning a new lan-guage, brush up on skills or take turnsteaching each other something new.

Work on career projects, businessplanning or extracurricular activi-ties—There are always new things we wantto do or work on, but time just doesn’tallow. Use this time to commit to theseother projects. Apply for school, researchnew opportunities, update your resume,take an online class, plan a new business,create marketing materials, build a website,brainstorm ways to create new revenuestreams or whatever it is you’ve beenmeaning to do for your career or yourself.

AIN’T IT AWFULOne remedy for fever comes

from Cognitive Behavior Therapy(CBT). People who have feverhave convinced themselves thatit is awful and catastrophic to becooped up in the house. Thesethoughts only increase theiranger and frustration. A therapistusing CBT would help challengethe “awfulness” of the situation.Yes, you may not like it, but youcan stand it. Remind yourself it isonly as awful or tolerable as youconvince yourself that it is. Whatmessage will serve you better:“It is awful,” or, “It is bad, but Iwill get through it”?

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Cooking and/or baking—Being home can be challenging.Hopefully you have ample supplies to continue cooking and eat-ing the foods you’re used to. The tendency will be to eat morejunk or pleasure foods, but maintaining your eating habits willkeep you happier, physically and mentally. Take time to try newrecipes or cook complex meals or desserts.

Clean and/or organize your home—Sometimes beingholed-up can help you get to projects you normally don’t havetime for. Use the extra time to go through closets, deep cleanyour house or find new uses for old clutter. Catch up on laun-dry, give walls a fresh coat of paint or do a thorough cleaning.

Do household projects—Find the projects you neverstarted, or never got around to finishing, and do them. Crossthe old to-do items off the list, create a new wish list andfix the things you’ve been meaning to fix.

OTHER TIPSThe hardest part about cabin fever is long

periods of time together with little escape,boredom, frustration and not knowing howmuch longer it’s going to last.

Buyers suggests, “To help maintain a stableoutlook, plan ahead as much as you can, keep yourself busy andattempt to maintain some sort of routine. “

SURVIVAL IS OUR BUSINESS!

-Mike Haller, President, Survival Bags, Inc. Former U.S. Marine, Police Officer, Volunteer Firefighter & Paramedic

We carry a full line of trusted survival products including: • Ontario Knife Company Knives/Axes • Outdoor Edge Butchering Sets/Skinners • Fox Tactical Packs and Bags • Adventure Medical Kits • PPE Gear Gloves/Gowns/N95 Masks • UST Floating Lighters/Lanterns/Flashlights • TurtleSkin Hypodermic Needle/Cut Resistant/Slash Resistant Gloves • Other survival essentials by Leatherman, Katadyn, Coghlan’s, • eGear, GSI Outdoors, and so much more to help you SURVIVE!

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Here are a few other tips to survive cabin fever.Sleep at regular times—Beware of the desire to sleep

more out of boredom. Go to bed at normal times and attemptto wake at normal times. Set an alarm if necessary to get up andstart your day. Holding onto some routine will help many peopleget through cabin fever.

Eat normally—Try to eat foods you are familiar with andresist the urge to splurge on junk food. To stay mentally sharpand physically strong, maintain good eating habits and attempt toeat meals at normal times.

Strive to have some alone time—Whether you do anactivity by yourself or go outside for a bit to have a moment,having some time to yourself will be important to surviving cabinfever. Too much together time can lead to arguments, especially

if everyone is a bit irritable anyway. Considerscheduling quiet time where all family membersdo their own activities, preferably in separateareas of the house.Communicate—If you’re holed-up because of

weather or some other emergency, keep the lines of com-munication open. Discuss your feelings, share your concerns

and work to obtain as much information as will calm your fears.Most likely, everyone in the house will be feeling similarly andsharing these feelings can create solidarity and comfort.

Amber Erickson Gabbey, MA, is a Boulder-based freelance writer, holistic health expert and yoga teacher. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, identifying wildflowers and exploring new landswith her husband, Erik, and hound puppy, Dude.

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RUNNINGHOT�ANDCOLD

THIS WINTER, MAKE SURE YOU AVOIDDEHYDRATION AND HYPOTHERMIA

By GARRETT Kim

OU DO THE WORK. YOU PREPARE FOR THEWORST. IT COMES. YOU BUG OUT. YOU DIEFROM DEHYDRATION OR HYPOTHERMIA. Rewind: You keep in mind these two dangerous

conditions and make adjustments accordingly to sur-vive any conditions you face. If famous hikers and mountaineers, who have the best

equipment money can buy, are sometimes victims of hypother-mia or dehydration, what makes us think that we are immuneto these deadly conditions? Although the risk of these issues will always exist, we can

minimize our chances of suffering from them with a fewessential precautions.

Y

“The human body loses heat 25 times faster in water than it does in air, making staying dry imperative to survival.”

—Josh Martin, DNP, FAWM, CEN, Owner of Northern Cairn

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PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

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HYPOTHERMIA

“Keep in mind, however, that severe dehydration might require IV fluid replacement, in which case the patient should be evacuated to a hospital immediately.”

— Paul Nicolazzo, director of the Wilderness Medicine Training Center, Inc.

Snow sports increaseyour potential of gettingwet while already cold.

Make sure you wearwaterproof, insulatedclothing so your skin

doesn’t get wet.

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DON’T ASSUME YOU’REIMMUNE TO HYPOTHERMIA

One common way that hikers become hypothermicis because the weather is nice when they set out for atrek. Then they either climb to higher elevations orthe sun sets, and they can fall victim to low tempera-tures. To stave off this potential issue, always travelwith the appropriate equipment that will keep youwell insulated if the weather changes quickly or thetemperature drops.

HYPOTHERMIA:THE SIGNS

• Uncontrollable shivering• Change in mental state

HYPOTHERMIA: THE FIXES

• Rapid, aggressive corerewarming

• Food and fluid • Simple carbohydrates

• Avoid exercise

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HYPOTHERMIA CANSTRIKE FAST

Hypothermia strikes when your corebody temperature dips below 95 degrees.Although it can take hours, or even days,before your temperature gets that low,once it does, you are at high risk of get-ting sick very quickly.

Hypothermia is likely to take over 12hours to solidify in a person’s body “evenat temperatures below zero,” says JoshMartin, DNP, FAWM, CEN, owner ofNorthern Cairn LLC, which offerswilderness, remote, and travel medicinetraining.

Avoiding moisture against your skin isvery important in avoiding hypothermia.The human body loses heat 25 timesfaster in water than it does in air, makingstaying dry imperative to survival, Martintells American Survival Guide.

Sometimes preventing hypothermiacan be as simple as picking the bestclothes to wear.

“Clothing systems that are useful inthe prevention of cold injury include syn-thetic fabrics that inhibit the body’s abilityto shed heat through the four mecha-nisms of heat loss, also fabrics that donot retain moisture,” Martin adds.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMSA great way to prevent hypothermia

is by stopping it when you see the firstsymptoms of it.

“The best warning signs for impendinghypothermia are inability to control shiv-ering and mental status changes toinclude lethargy and inappropriate deci-sion-making,” Martin says.

“This would herald mild hypothermia,which means a core body temperaturebelow 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Once thepatient declines in mental status, he/shemoves into ‘unresponsive.’ The patientwill cease to shiver and continue to cool.This occurs when body core tempera-ture drops below 90 degrees Fahren-heit,” he adds.

In situations where someone in yourparty does start to show signs ofhypothermia, there are ways to help.

“In the event that someone is exhibit-ing signs and symptoms consistent withhypothermic core temperatures, thepatient should receive rapid aggressivecore rewarming to include heat concen-trated around the head, neck, thorax andback, insulated from the four mechanismsof heat loss,” Martin says.

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THE FOUR MECHANISMS OF HEAT LOSS Martin says that as long as patients are dry and insulated from the four mechanisms of heat loss,

they should be safe from hypothermia. Likewise, if the patient begins showing symptoms ofhypothermia, you must insulate them from these four essential mechanisms, which are as follows:• Convection: When air is able to flow past your skin and carry away the heat as it flows past you.• Conduction: Your body heat is transferred to something cold that you’re touching, sitting on, or

lying on, such as a cold rock.• Radiation: The heat from your body is given off to the atmosphere.• Evaporation: When you sweat, your body perspiration cools your skin.

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HYPOTHERMIA

In addition, he recommends providingthem with food and fluid. “Simple carbohydrates are best,” he

says. “One of my favorites is hot cocoawith butter melted in it.”And contrary to what many people

think, you shouldn’t try and get ahypothermic person to do jumping jacksto warm them up. “If you suspect that the patient may

be approaching mild hypothermia, exer-cise should be avoided,” Martin says.

DEHYDRATION IN WINTER?In addition to facing potential

hypothermia issues in the winter, youshould also be on the alert for dehydra-tion. Although many people think this isjust a summertime problem, that’s notthe case. The reality is that dehydrationcan occur any time of year.Dehydration simply means “water

loss is greater than intake,” advises PaulNicolazzo, director of the WildernessMedicine Training Center, Inc. Whendehydration occurs, the patient will havea progressively increasing pulse and respi-ratory rates followed by decreased bloodpressure. You’ll also know a patient issuffering from dehydration if you monitortheir urine output and concentration,Nicolazzo says. “If urine output decreases and is dark

yellow or orange-brown in color, thatmeans the patient hasn’t had enough flu-ids,” he adds.When a patient is dehydrated, the

goal is to replace fluids and electrolyteswith water and either a commercial orimprovised solution. Administer thedrink to the patient slowly (at one literper hour) to prevent vomiting, Nicolazzosays. In addition, you can replace elec-trolytes with foods high in simple sugars,potassium, and sodium such as bananasor raisins.“Keep in mind, however, that severe

dehydration might require IV fluidreplacement, in which case the patientshould be evacuated to a hospital imme-diately,” Nicolazzo says.

AVOIDANCE TACTICSIf you’re aware of the signs and

dangers of dehydration, it’s pretty simpleto avoid it. Take care to stay hydratedand warm, and you’ll be on your wayto surviving the elements even in themost challenging of situations.

HOW MUCHWATER?

While there is a lot ofemphasis on the importanceof drinking plenty of waterevery day, when it comes toknowing how much to drink,there isn’t a simple rule thatworks for everyone. Waterintake depends on many fac-tors, including your health,how active you are, the cli-mate and where you live.

To prevent dehydration,you need to drink more waterthan you lose in a day—buthow much is that? The aver-age urine output for adults isabout 1.5 liters, or six cups, aday, and you could lose closeto an additional liter of waterthrough breathing, sweatingand bowel movements.

Drinking eight cups ofwater every day—about twoliters—is commonly recom-mended and is a good start tostaying well hydrated.The Institute of Medicine rec-ommends a bit more: 13 cupsdaily for men, and nine forwomen.Source: http://www.dukehealth.org

ABOVE: Remember to stay hydrated even when it’s coldoutside. Dehydration can occur in any temperature. INSET: Even if it’s not that cold out when you embark on ahike, bring heavy, waterproof gear as a precaution, since itcould get cold and wet quickly when the sun sets or a stormbreaks out, and then hypothermia could set in.

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IMPROVISED HYDRATION RECIPE

If you don’t have access to a commercial elec-trolyte replacement beverage, you can create animprovised Oral Rehydration Solution using thefollowing recipe from Nicolazzo’s book, The Artand Technique of Wilderness Medicine:

½ teaspoon salt (sodium chloride)¼ teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)½ teaspoon baking soda2 to 3 tablespoons of table sugar, honey, orKaro syrup

1 liter of waterMix all ingredients together. The ratio of salts

to sugar should be at least one part salt to twoparts sugar for proper absorption.Source: The Art and Technique of Wilderness Medicine by Paul Nicolazzo,available at http://www.wildmedcenter.com/the-art—technique-of-wilder-ness-medicine.html.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONTo learn more about Josh Martin and Northern Cairn, LLC, visit www.northerncairn.com. For more from Paul Nicolazzo, including a link to his online textbook, where he discusses

cures for many survival-oriented medical conditions, visit www.wildmedcenter.com.

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JAC

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S

CARHARTTModel: Insulated Bad Axe

Jacket (# 100728)www.carhartt.com MSRP: $299Key Features: Waterproof,breathable, zippered underarmand side vents

Description: Carhartt’s InsulatedBad Axe Jacket is constructed ofa rugged nylon shell with a StormDefender waterproof breathablemembrane. The jacket is lined forcomfort with a polyester tricotbonded interior. Zippered under-arm and side vents addventilation, and hook-and-loopadjustable cuffs help seal out thewind and rain. The attached hoodwith draw-cord adjuster addsprotection, and the draw-cordadjustable hem provides a greatfit. The left-chest map pocketfeatures a media port to innergarment for cell phones and otherportable electronics, and twolower-front slash pockets providestorage. The jacket is constructedwith triple-stitched main seamsalong with stretchable heavy-dutynylon overlays on elbows andshoulders, plus heavy-duty nylonreinforcements.

Manufacturer’s Comment:“When you have to punch theweather in the mouth to get the jobdone, only the best of the best willhelp you deliver the blow: our Insu-lated Bad Axe Jacket.”

1

1 $299CARHARTT

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FREEZING COLD TEMPS can kill you if you’re not prepared,so choosing the proper outerwear is extremely important forcold-weather situations.

The right jacket can dramatically increase your odds ofsurvival, enabling you to stay warm and dry in snow andfreezing temperatures.

Following are our top choices for jackets to help bravewinter’s cooler temps, as well as snow and ice.

Proper outerwear can dramaticallyincrease cold weather survival oddsBY ERIN HATFIELD

MUSTANG SURVIVAL Model: Ice Rider™ Endurance Jacket (#MJ6275)

www.columbussupply.com MSRP: $351

Key Features: Safety flotation, Quick Venting System, reflective piping

Description: Ice Rider Endurance jackets incorporate safety flotationto keep you afloat and reduce the risks of hypothermia in the event ofan ice-breakthrough or cold water immersion. The Ice Rider Endurancefeatures a Triple Layer System including a DWR-coated (Durable WaterRepellent) outer shell to ensure durability. The inner corecontains Mustang Survival’s patented AirSoft foam to help minimizethe effects of hypothermia in case of ice water submersion byproviding flotation and thermal insulation. The interior mesh liningprovides air circulation and superior drainage in the event of waterimmersion. Ice Rider Endurance jackets also feature the QVS (QuickVenting System) vents for improved breathability and 3M ScotchliteReflective Piping and Film for extreme visibility.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Built for total mobility and designed withrugged and durable materials, the Ice Rider Endurance will keep youcomfortable and protected throughout the most demanding rides.”

DRI-DUCK Model: Eclipse (#5321)

www.driduck.com MSRP: $120

Key Features: 3M Thinsulate insulation, water-resistant shell,zippered pockets

Description: The Dri-Duck Eclipse jacket provides warmth and protec-tion in a low-profile jacket. The shell is constructed of 100 percentmini-ripstop polyester, providing water-resistant protection. The 3MThinsulate Insulation provides exceptional warmth, high durability andeffectiveness when wet. Zippered chest and hand pockets, as well asinside pockets, provide on-the-go storage. The Eclipse features a droptail design for extra coverage and protection from the elements.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The Eclipse is tough without the puff. Thecombination of our water-resistant mini-ripstop shell and the exception-ally warm 3M Thinsulate Insulation is what sets the Eclipse apart from thecompetition.”

2

3

buyer’sGuideWINTER�JACKETS

3 $120DRI-DUCK

2 $351MUSTANG SURVIVAL

Dress for Survival Success

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buyer’sGuide WINTER�JACKETS

COLUMBIAModel: Trophy Shot Jacket

www.columbia.comMSRP: $200

Key Features: Omni-Heat Reflective lining,waterproof, breathable

Description: Columbia’s Trophy Shot is a perfor-mance jacket that combines a silent, supremelywaterproof-breathable fabric with Omni-Heatthermal reflectivity and insulation for the highestlevel of lightweight, long-lasting warmth. TheOmni-Heat Reflective lining reflects and retains thebody heat generated even during chilly treks. It isfully waterproof but breathable, with convenientfeatures such as a unique hood cinching systemwith a brim that forms to a hat nicely and utilitypockets inside and out. The hand pockets also fea-ture the Omni-Heat Reflective material to keep yourfingers nice and toasty while not in use.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “What folks notice rightaway about the Trophy Shot jacket is how comfort-able it is. “

ROTHCOModel: Reversible Lined Jacket with Hood

www.rothco.com MSRP: $56.49

Key Features: Waterproof shell, fleece lining,drawstring hood

Description: Rothco’s Reversible Lined Jacket withHood is designed to keep wearers warm and dry.The jacket features a waterproof nylon outer shell,which protects users from outside elements, suchas rain and snow. The jacket also features a 100percent polyester fleece lining, which will keep youwarm by locking in body heat. As 90 percent of thebody’s heat is released through the head, the jacketalso features a drawstring hood to help retain thatheat, as well as side pockets.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “This reversible jacketfeatures a waterproof nylon outer shell with a fleecelining, keeping wearers warm and dry!”

REFRIGIWEARModel: Insulated Soft Shell Jacket (#0490)

www.refrigiwear.comMSRP: $100

Key Features: Water-repellent, simulated downinsulation, wind-tight exterior

Description: The RefrigiWear Insulated Soft Shelljacket provides seriously comfortable warmth withsix-ounce synthetic down insulation and a super-soft sateen reflective lining in sleeves and torso.The outer shell is durable, windproof, stretchy andwater-repellent, with charcoal insets for addedstyle. A tunnel collar prevents zipper chafing, andsoft velcro wrist tabs and a draw-cord hem seal outthe cold. Zippered hand-warmer pockets and achest pocket provide extra storage.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “At work, at home, or atplay, RefrigiWear’s Soft Shell Series will keep youwarm and comfortable.”

4

5

6

4 $200COLUMBIA

“This reversible jacket featuresa waterproof nylon outer shell

with a fleece lining…”

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buyer’sGuideWINTER�JACKETS

5 $56.49ROTHCO

6 $100REFRIGIWEAR

BUYING TIPSWhen looking for a cold-temperature jacket, pay

attention to materials. Cotton is a poor insulator, so seekout synthetic materials, which are known for their insu-lative properties. Fabrics such as polypropylene, nylonand rayon have hollow fiber, which traps air that iswarmed by body heat or the environment, and thesematerials retain heat even when they are wet. Look forouter layers that are both breathable and waterproof.

“RefrigiWear’s Soft ShellSeries will keep youwarm and comfortable.”

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buyer’sGuide WINTER�JACKETS

UNDER ARMOUR Model: ColdGear® Infrared Alpinlite Max

Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)www.underarmour.com MSRP: $199

Key Features: Lightweight Primaloft insulation,water and snow repellant, media pocket

Description: Under Armour’s ColdGear InfraredAlpinlite Max Men’s Jacket features a full, loose fitfor enhanced range of motion and breathable,water-repellent comfort. The women’s jacket has allof the same benefits in a semi-fitted profile. Bothstyles contain a Primaloft layer that provides light-weight, water-resistant, breathable insulation andcan be compressed without losing warmth.ColdGear Infrared uses a soft, thermo-conductiveinner coating to absorb and retain your own bodyheat, as well as cuffs that add stretch and warmthwhile shutting out the chill. The men’s modelincludes a chest media pocket with interior escape;the women’s jacket contains a fixed three-piecehood and stand collar for extra protection.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Primaloft gives youunrivaled lightweight insulation, and the ColdGearInfrared interior pattern delivers a patented print tech-nology that actually traps warmth, meaning the jacketheats up faster and stays that way longer. This jacketis just absurdly warm.”

BLIZZARD SURVIVALModel: Blizzard Survival Jacket

www.blizzardsurvival.comMSRP: $32.79

Key Features: Compact packed profile, reusable,Reflexcell thermal material

Description: The Blizzard Survival Jacket is aunique garment with a tiny, packed size. The thigh-length jacket is a hooded body warmer covering theentire torso and made from exclusive Reflexcellmaterial. Reflexcell has unique thermal qualitiesand is an effective tool for the prevention and treat-ment of hypothermia. Clear plastic sleeves provideprotection from the wind and rain. This resuable,durable jacket enables the wearer to be protectedand rewarmed while remaining completely mobile,making it an ideal survival solution for mountainwalkers and climbers and aiding the walkingwounded from emergency situations.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The Blizzard Survivalbrand and its exclusive Reflexcell Technology havebecome the new standard in thermal protection formilitary, emergency preparedness, law enforcement,outdoor sports, disaster relief, and more.”

7

8

7 $199UNDER ARMOUR

8 $32.79BLIZZARD SURVIVAL

“Thisjacket is

justabsurdly

warm.”

“its exclusive ReflexcellTechnology HAS becomethe new standard inthermal protection.”

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DOES THE GREAT OUTDOORS APPEAL TO YOU?Do you see yourself being self-sufficient in a wildernesssituation? If the answer is yes, this section is for you. Weoffer tips and tricks on how to survive in the wild. Wepresent valuable information on finding your way, using abow and arrow for food and learning how to communi-cate from your bug-out position. With winter approach-ing, it’s particularly important to be well prepared for ajourney into the unknown. Make sure you pay closeattention and arm yourself with all the information youcan so that you can survive when the going gets tough.

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ASG_1310_WILDERNESS 9/23/13 12:17 AM

WWW.RUGER.COM/1022TAKEDOWN

CONVENIENT FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATIONRELIABLE PERFORMANCE FOR WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

The Ruger® 10/22 Takedown® combines all of the features and functionality of the 10/22® rifle, America’s

favorite rimfire rifle, with the ability to easily separate the barrel/forend and action/buttstock for convenient

storage and transportation. The simple reassembly of the barrel and action is secure, ensuring an accurate

return to zero for consistent, reliable performance when you need it most. Packed in a rugged, ballistic nylon case

(included with rifle), the Ruger® 10/22 Takedown® makes it easy to keep America’s favorite rimfire by your side.

20'' 18.5''

ASG_1310_62 9/26/13 8:58 AM

©2013 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 021113

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A�CALL�FORGET THE 411 ON DEVICES YOU NEED FOR 911 SITUATIONS BY LARRY SCHWARTZ

SPECIAL REPORT: BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNICATIONS

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HY WOULD YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH SOMEONE BACK IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD IF YOUARE OUT ENJOYING GOD’S COUNTRY INALL ITS NATURAL BEAUTY?

Well, sometimes Mother Nature can wreak her havoc and youwind up in a situation where you need to call—or yell—for help.

There are plenty of reasons to stay connected with the folks backhome should you choose to bug out or in the event of an emergency,and they all play into your choice of backcountry communicationdevice or devices. To get the 411 on these devices, we talked toMikele D’Arcangelo, Marketing Director at ACR Electronics.

Make sure you know which kind of communication you’ll be using,because it very well could save your life.

� � HELPW

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

“Mother Nature canwreak her havocand you wind up

in a situation whereyou need to call—or yell—for help.”

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THE BIG THREE D’Arcangelo explained that there are three

main categories of emergency communicationdevices, ranging from simple to complicated:

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB): Simple radiosthat send an emergency message with your loca-tion to a satellite that relays it to emergency per-sonnel.

Satellite Emergency Notification Devices(SEND): More sophisticated devices can send youremergency message and location information toemergency personnel but can also send text mes-sages to contacts you have set up in advance.

Satellite Phones: The most sophisticated tech-nology as it includes the voice communicationcapability you expect with a phone but also allowsyou to send text or email messages in some cases.

PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS(PLB)

The simplest of the three categories, D’Arcan-gelo reports, is PLBs: manually activated radiotransmitters that send out two different signalsthat serve two different purposes.

The first is the 406 MHz signal that goes to theLEOSAR and GEOSAR satellite constellations ofthe international COSPAR/SARSAT rescue organi-zation to tell emergency personnel that you are introuble and where you are located. This is one ofthe features of PLBs that make it the most robustof the three categories. Since the signal goes totwo different satellite constellations, they have twoways of determining where you are; if your PLBdoesn’t have a built-in GPS or if it can’t get a lockon the GPS satellites, the two constellations canstill determine your location using the Dopplershift. This is a capability that the SEND device andthe satellite phone technologies cannot do.

The second signal is a 121.5 MHz homing bea-con that emergency personnel can use to pinpointyour location. This is also a feature that the SENDand sat phone technology does not offer.

Since a PLB is designed to use as a last resort,it utilizes a stronger signal than the other two cat-egories. As a result, it can punch through obsta-cles like heavy cloud cover and trees that mightblock the signal from SEND devices or satellitephones, although like the other two categories, allPLBs do need an unobstructed view of the sky to

CALL

THE ULTIMATE

You can get the bestof all worlds by goingwith a low-cost PLB,like the SARLinkViewfrom ACR Electronics.With its strong batterylife and signal strength,you can couple it withthe inReach SE fromDelorme, which givesyou full texting androute tracking capabili-ties. You can also con-nect your smartphone tothe satellite phone net-work and the GPS func-tionality Delorme offersthrough its Earthmatesmartphone app.

“I always encourage people to update the ‘Additional Information’ field of the PLB registration...” —Mikele D’Arcangelo, Marketing Director at ACR Electronics

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The inReachSE deviceacts like asatellitehotspot youcan pairwith yoursmartphoneto provideaccess tothe textmessagingand naviga-tion func-tions foundin theDelormeEarthmateGPS smart-phone app.

ASG_1310_COMM.CX 9/24/13 11:03 PM

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be most effective. In addition, since the battery isnormally rated for five years and there isn’t anyannual or seasonal subscription fee to pay forusing the device, the PLB is also your cheapestsolution, although it doesn’t have a dedicated textor voice capability.

Your PLB will not be of any use to you if youdo not register it before you go on your trip. The

registration gives you a Unique Identi-fier Number (UIN), which is transmit-ted when you trigger the PLB, alongwith your GPS location if your PLBhas a built-in GPS.

As part of the registration, youenter your name as a minimum, butD’Arcangelo advises you to do more.

“I always encourage people toupdate the ‘Additional Information’field of the PLB registration, how longthey will be there, who is also going,and any medical information about theattendees to make it easier for SAR.You can take hours out of the searchand rescue process by giving themthat kind of information. You can alsoupdate the information in your regis-tration each time you go out so thatSAR can ensure they are equipped forthe emergency when they get to you.”

SATELLITE EMERGENCYNOTIFICATION DEVICES(S.E.N.D.)

Not designed solely for use in anemergency situation like the PLBs,SEND devices blend emergency notifi-cation features with text messagingand GPS positioning capabilities thatallow the backcountry traveler to keepthe folks at home up to date on whatis going on or to let them know youneed help but it’s not an emergency.

With some devices, you can alsoshow a track of your travels onGoogle Maps so friends (and moreimportantly, SAR) can see where youhave been and where you were thelast time you were not in an emer-gency situation.

D’Arcangelo advises, “Like thePLBs, your SEND device won’t be ofmuch use to you or SAR if you don’tregister it with GEOS using theinstructions that come with yourdevice. Make sure to fill in your per-sonal information as well as any otheruseful information about the people inyour party and where you are going.”

Although there are new companiescoming out with SEND devices of late,

the main players in the market are the SPOT fam-ily of devices from SPOT LLC and the inReachproducts from Delorme. Both companies providedevices that either work in a standalone capacityor as a satellite communications hot-spot, allowingyour smartphone to connect to the satellite phonenetwork when you can’t get a signal from your cel-lular phone network.

HOW FAR CANYOU GO WITHTECHNOLOGY?

All technologies havelimits, and satellite-basedcommunication devicesare no exception. Whenusing any of thesedevices, keep in mind:• The device must have aclear view of the sky toallow it to have a goodline of sight to the satel-lites, both the communi-cation satellites and theGPS satellites.

• You should avoid anyarea that limits yourview of the sky, such asdense forests, deepcanyons or ravines, andareas with tall buildings,which would only allowfor a narrow view of thesky.

• Satellites may move outof view while you aremaking a call or sendingan emergency signal; ifthat happens, you canresume the call in a fewminutes when the nextsatellite passes over-head, or your device willcontinue sending youremergency signal until itsends.

• All of these devices runon battery power, sokeep an eye on yourpower levels andreplace or recharge thebatteries when needed.A solar power recharger,like the Goal Zero Guide10 Plus Solar kit, is agood thing to havealong. The Guide 10 Plusincludes a solar paneland a battery pack thatthe panel charges sothat you can stillrecharge your electron-ics even if the sky isovercast or at night.

An emergency message from any of the devices covered here fol-lows the same path whether it is sent to the government-run SARSATsystem from a PLB or to the commercially run GEOS system from aSEND device or a satellite phone. Every message goes from:• Your signaling device (with or without your GPS location), to a• SAR satellite system that relays your personal ID to a• Local User Terminal (LUT), which pulls up your personal informationand any information about your party and trip plans and sends it to a

• Mission Control Center (MCC), which then forwards it to the • Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) who will locate the nearest emer-gency or SAR resources, which then come to your location.

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The inReachproduct line

gives you themost function-ality of any of

the SENDdevices, in

particular theability to text

back and forthwith friendsand family.

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CALL

PROS/CONS

Satellite PhonePROS• Can use voice communications• Sends one-way or two-way text messages,

either pre-defined or free-form• Can send GPS location if available from

satellites• Sends emergency message to commercially

run GEOS emergency notification center

CONS• Cannot send location without getting it

from GPS satellites first• Needs a clear view of the sky• No homing beacon• Requires an annual or seasonal

subscription fee to use it

Satellite Emergency Notification Device (SEND)PROS• Sends one-way or two-way text messages,

either pre-defined or free-form• Can send GPS location if available from

satellites• Sends emergency message to commercially

run GEOS emergency notification center

CONS• No voice communication capability• Cannot send location without getting it from

GPS satellites first• Needs a clear view of the sky• No homing beacon• Requires an annual or seasonal subscription

fee to use it

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)PROS• Strongest signal strength• Cheapest solution with no

subscription/usage fees• Two signals, one emergency and one

homing beacon• Can determine location when GPS

information is not available• Sends emergency message to the

government-run COSPAS/SARSAT emergency notification center

CONS• No text messaging capabilities• No voice communication capability• Needs a clear view of the sky

“Inexperience is the number one factor in backcountry rescues.”—Matt Cashell, a Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office

Although only somesatellite phones havetexting capabilities,the ability to actuallytalk to someoneabout your situation,emergency or not, isa great benefit whenin the backcountry.

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While the SPOT product line was the first inthis market niche, the inReach products provide awider range of capabilities with two-way messag-ing, a more robust satellite constellation, and inte-gration with the GPS products and smartphoneapps from their parent company, Delorme.

SATELLITE AND CELLULARPHONES

Satellite phones are the most sophisticated andat the same time the simplest in some ways,D’Arcangelo says.

Most satellite phones have GPS capabilities andsome allow you to send and/or receive textmessages of various lengths. And, of course,they all have a voice capability as well.

To send an emergency messageusing a satellite phone, you eitherdial 9-1-1, just like you would do athome or on your cell phone, orpress an emergency button on yourphone, which will dial it for you.This 9-1-1 call will be sent to eitherthe GEOS center that the SENDdevices use or to a national 9-1-1routing system that will take yourinformation and then route it to thenearest emergency response teamsin your area. You don’t need toknow the phone number of the localfire and rescue.

“Some of the sat phones on themarket also allow you to track whereyou are and display it on Google Mapsor some other website just like the

SEND devices do. Just keep in mind that this fea-ture will use more battery power and may affectyour minutes with your service provider,”reported D’Arcangelo.

IN SUMMARYAs you can see, there are a number of devices

out there to help you keep in touch with friendsand family back home and to contact emergencyservices if you need to. When deciding whichdevice makes the most sense for you and yourneeds, keep these three things in mind:

If you just want something to send out anemergency call, then a PLB is your best choice as

that is what it is designed to do and it hasthe strongest signal of the three cate-

gories of devices.If you, or your

family and friends,want to know thatyou are ok whileyou are in thebackcountry, thena SEND device isprobably your bestchoice.

If you want orneed a full functiondevice with voice,text and GPS, thena full featuredsatellite phone likethe Iridium 9575 isgoing to be yourbest choice.

QUICK TIPS

Matt Cashell, a mem-ber of the Sheriff’s Officewho works with local SARteam members in RavalliCounty, Montana,summed up emergencycommunications in thebackcountry.

“Inexperience is thenumber one factor inbackcountry rescues. Themost experienced back-country travelers tend tobe more prepared andhave the best equipment,including backcountrycommunication devices.However, most rescuesare of inexperiencedbackcountry travelers,and they tend to be illprepared, including fail-ing to carry a communi-cation device. So the peo-ple that need that secu-rity the most don’t haveit.”

If you are going to goout into the backcountry,or anywhere that youwould need to be able toreach emergency ser-vices quickly, you owe itto yourself and those withyou to have the basicskills to operate in thatenvironment, either tokeep yourself from get-ting into an emergencysituation or to act whenyou are in one. We shouldeach know how to:• Use a map and com-pass rather thandepending on a GPS,which can only showyou where you are, notpick the safest routefrom point A to point B.

• Build a shelter andmake a fire, even in wetor cold weather.

• Evaluate injuries andprovide basic firstaid/first responderassistance.

Stand-alone SENDdevices like this SPOT 3,and the Delorme inReachSE, give you the ability tosend out an emergencycall to the GEOS Interna-tional EmergencyResponse Center, as wellas sending and receivingtexts to keep the folks athome up to date.

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The SAR-LinkView is oneof the mostpowerful of thePLBs on themarket today.Like other PLBs,it has an emer-gency signal tonotify SAR per-sonnel that youhave an emer-gency, and ahoming beaconto help emer-gency personnelpinpoint yourlocation.

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EATTOLIVEEMERGENCYFOOD PLANNINGFOR SURVIVAL

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OOD: WITHOUT IT, YOU RUN LOW ONENERGY, YOUR THINKING SUFFERS, ANDYOUR BODY DOESN’T DO WHAT YOU WANTAND NEED IT TO DO.

You can definitely survive for a number of days with-out food, but you won’t be functioning very well after just a dayor two.

So, how should you handle this important survival need? Doyou carry food with you wherever you go? How many daysshould you plan for? Should you just plan on finding food whereyou are by foraging? How do you cook things?

The simple answer: It all depends on the situation, and care-ful planning is the way to go.

1. CALORIE REQUIREMENTSWith moderate activity, and depending on age and weight,

the average adult needs between 1,500-2,500 calories per day.Since most adults also have some fat reserves, your emergencyrations really only need to maintain yourmetabolism running to keep you warmand mentally aware. Therefore, my emer-gency rations normally range between1,000 to 2,000 calories per day. If youchoose foods that provide at least 100calories per ounce, this doesn’t need tobe a lot of food or weight. Meal replace-ment bars, energy bars and even selectcandy bars like Snickers provide between250 and 400 calories per bar, so keepinga few in your pack or pocket can fill theneed for your emergency rations. Youcan always forage to help augment whatyou brought with you, but to be on thesafe side, I always plan for the situationwhere I am injured and can’t move or doany foraging or build a shelter.

2. CARRY IT OR FIND IT?Although a person can find enough food in their environment

to keep them alive, it takes time, skill, preparation and experi-ence to be able to do that. When I hit the woods or backcoun-try, I always carry some high-energy foods with me to cover anovernight emergency/survival situation. The road network here

Ftext and photos BY LARRY SCHWARTZ

You shouldn’t usewild plants as part ofyour diet in the back-

country unless youabsolutely know whatit is and if it is good

for you. For example,to the untrained eye,these two plants lookthe same; the QueenAnne’s Lace (top) hasan edible flower androot while the hem-lock (seen here) is

what killed Socrates!

BERRY SENSEWhen trying to decide if thoseberries are good to use keep thesethree verses in mind:White and yellow, kill a fellow.Purple and blue, good for you.Red…could be good, could be dead.

A GOOD GUIDEAlthough anyone who ventures out into the backcountry should havestudied guides for plant and animal identification, a good beginner’sguide for learning what you can and can’t eat in the wild is a book byEuell Gibbons titled, Stalking the Wild Asparagus.

“I always bring emergency rations since I plan for the worst case situation where I might be injured and can’t move or do any foraging or build a shelter.”

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on the East Coast is so well developedthat if I have to spend the night outdoors,I can always walk in a straight line in themorning for a few hours, and I will hit aroad that will lead me back to civilization.If I get injured, the people I left my emer-gency information with will know where Iwas going to be and they should be ableto find me within a day or two. For thosereasons, I don’t carry more than a day ortwo of extra rations with me.

It’s important to carry some food, butyou can also find it.

3. FORAGING 101Some plants are ok to eat, others

have some parts that are edible, someare poisonous and some are just deadly.Easily recognized, safe plants to eatinclude:

Dandelion: All parts of this ubiqui-tous plant are edible. You can eat theleaves raw or cooked and boil the root.It can be the basis for a nice salad.

Cattail: Often called the supermar-ket of the outdoors, you can eat manyparts of the cattail. You can bake, roastor boil the root, and you can use the

brown furry part on the top of the stalklike flour. You can eat the white core ofthe stalk raw or cooked like a leak.

Acorns: All acorns are edible,although some may be more bitter thanothers. Take off the shell and then soakthe acorn meat in water for a day ortwo, changing the water twice a day. Thiswill remove much of the tannic acid thatmakes them bitter. You can eat the meatafter boiling it or pound it and dry it foruse as flour for baking.

Pine: The nuts or seeds in thepinecone are good to eat; you just needto dig them out. Seep the leaves or nee-dles in water to make arefreshing drink.

4. WHAT NOTTO EAT

It’s easier to tell youwhat not to eat instead ofwhat you can. Whilethese may rule out someedible plants, these tencharacteristics will helpyou rule out plants thatare most likely poisonous:

• Avoid anything that smells like almonds.• Berries white (or orange) is a poisnous

sight.• Do not eat plants with thorns.• Don’t use plants containing beans or

plants with seeds inside a pod.• Get rid of it if the sap is milky or discol-

ored.• If it has shiny leaves, avoid it.• Leaflets three, like poison ivy, let it be.• Mushrooms are a bad choice. Even if it

looks like something you found in thegrocery store, it can still be a deadlylook-a-like.

• Stay away from these plants withumbrella-shaped flowers.• Finally, if it tastes bitter

or soapy, spit it out.

5. KITCHEN ONTHE GO

If you are going to eat,be prepared to cook. Dueto the explosion of inter-est in backpacking andbackcountry hunting overthe past decade, there aresome excellent small,

EAT

“You can definitely survive for a number of days without food, but you won’t be functioning very well after just a day or two.”

COOKINGESSENTIALS

• Small, lightweight stove• Pot or pan

• Skewers made frombranches

FOODSTO CARRY

• Meal replacement bars• Energy bars

• Some candy bars

NUMBERS

Calories needed:

1,500-2,500Days one can exist and function

normally without food:

1 or 2

ASG_1310_EAT.CX 9/24/13 11:38 PM

lightweight backpacking stoves availablethat fit nicely into a day pack or even afanny pack to carry your ten essentials.These either incorporate a pot of theirown for boiling water or doing simplecooking, or they can fit inside a small potthat you can get on you own.

If you need a way to cook or roastsome wild game or fish you took, youcan use a green branch as a skewer andcook it over an open fire or coals. Forsomething (like a fish) that might notwork well on a skewer, you can bend athin branch around to form an oval, laythe fish inside of the oval, and then inter-lace shorter thin branches over the fishand the oval branch to hold the fish inplace for cooking.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

You should practice your new skillsbefore you need to use them. Don’t waitfor an emergency to find out how you’llsurvive in the wilderness. Get a goodfield guide, find a mentor and start learn-ing sooner than later.

Larry Schwartz is a seminar speaker, writer and backcoun-try skills teacher whose experience includes camping andtracking in the Boy Scouts, time in the military, and hiscurrent passion for bowhunting and the outdoors.

LEFT TO RIGHT: A few meal replacement bars, energy bars, or some candy bars like Snickers stuck in the bot-tom of your pack will give you plenty of calories to hold you over during an unexpected night in the woods. • Small backpacking stoves like the Esbit (solid fuel tabs) on the left or the Jetboil (isobutane fuel mixture) on theright should be part of your base survival equipment. They will fit nicely in your pack and don’t weigh very much. • Keeping a small pot and stove stashed in my pack with high energy foods in it ensures I can keep myself warmand helps make that unexpected night in the woods a lot nicer.

Although it’s harderto secure game toeat than plants, tak-ing along a bow andarrow, rifle and/orshotgun will go along way in helpingyou get meat in asurvival situation.

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“Even in the dead of winter … you can find food, especially in the form of the snowshoe hare.”

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f you find yourself in the wilderness with no food, you will need toact. It’s just that simple.

A bow is a great survival tool that can help keep you alive ifthings get tough.

Even in the dead of winter, with help from your trusty bow,you can find food, especially in the form of the snowshoe hare. Ispeak from experience….

PHENOMENAL CHALLENGEThe varying hare, true to its name, is camouflaged for all seasons

as it changes from a summer coat of brown to a winter coat of white.The snowshoe rabbit, as they are referred to in my neck of thewoods, provides a great winter alternative. Like the whitetail,the snowshoe rabbit relies on its acute hearing, sightand smell to warn it of danger. The white rabbit’shabitat and territorial range is a scaled down ver-sion of the whitetail’s. Both the hare and the deereat the same types of food. Alder thickets andconifer-clad swamps, with their dense under-growth, provide both food and protection fromthe elements and predators.

The average white rabbit is around 20 inchesin length, is eight to nine inches tall at the shoulderand weighs an average of two to four pounds. Thetracks of the varying hare stand out from all othertracks because of the wide snowshoe form of the hind foot.The five-and-a-half-inch snowshoe on this rabbit looks out of propor-tion but serves its purpose well by carrying the winter hare over thesnow its predators can’t travel, at speeds up to 30 miles per hour orabout 44 feet per second.

Snowshoe rabbit habitat has a trail system just like whitetail deerhave their common trails through preferred feeding and beddingareas. Hare trails in winter can become ruts in the mounting snowthat can hide all but its eyes and ears. If you happen into the samecover in the absence of snow, you will find the same trail ruts in theground. Whitetail tracks reveal a creature of habit that travelsbetween food, water and bedding. These worn trails indicate repeatedactivities. So do the network of trails of the snowshoe rabbit. Thevarying hare feed mainly at night, but they are also very active ondark, overcast days. These are the best days to track and hunt as the

SAVED�BYTHE�BOWSNAG A SNOWSHOE HARE FOR FOOD IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PETER SCHOONMAKER

I

HARE’S DEFENSE• Keen sight and smell.• Good camouflage.• Hind foot with snowshoe design.• Runs at speeds of 30 mph!

Check out the giantsnowshoe hare tracks!

IMPORTANTTOOLS• Good bow and arrow.• Modern snowshoes.

ALL ABOUTTIMING

The best time to hunt rabbitsis early in the morning andjust before sunset whenthey are most active.

ASG_1310_BUNNIES 9/23/13 1:37 AM

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diffused light of the overcast sky givesmuch better definition of the shadow andshape of tracks, as well as the white rab-bit’s outline against the snow.

SNOWSHOESTracking this white rabbit with its

five-toed front feet and four-toedhind feet enlightens you to thedesign of the ultimate snow-shoe. Long guard hairs overdense-haired feet serve avariety of purposes in bothdesign and function, includ-ing prevention of heat loss,support in deep snow, goodgrip on ice and reducing bodyscent in the tracks by notallowing snow to stick or build upon their feet.

Manmade snowshoes have evolvedfrom early northern woodland NativeAmerican designs like the Ojibway, whichare constructed of flexible wood frameswebbed with twisted bands of basswoodor the slippery-elm inner bark. I havealways been a stickler for tradition when

it comes to snowshoes. Ihave worn the oval semi-bear

paw design for hunting brushy cover andthe long narrow pike design with its longtail for covering ground in open timber.

Unlike the ski, the snowshoe is notmade for speed. But designs in recentyears with durable metal frames and flex-ible webbing, featuring a swiveling har-

ness with cleat tracks, allow the winterwoods wanderer to cover a wide varietyof terrain as well as climb steep inclineswith ease.

SUCCESS AT LAST It was partly cloudy that February day

when I suited up in my father’s WorldWar II snow parka and my 21st-century

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ASG_1310_BUNNIES 9/23/13 1:41 AM

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snowshoes and headed into the ever-green swamp with bow and arrow. Assoon as I entered the cover, fresh rabbittracks in the newly fallen snow indicateda busy night of feeding. It was quite time-consuming, following the hare trails andthrashing covers with my snowshoes. Iwas afraid my opportunity had come andgone when I missed the rabbit. But I trulyenjoy following fresh tracks, any tracks.My afternoon was winding down, and Iwasn’t gaining on the rabbit that I hadshot low on. As several tracks intermin-gled, I paused.

My eyes followed a lone set of tracksthat left the dense surroundings of theswamp. In long strides, the prints headedtoward a tall blue spruce 35 yards away.At the outer limits of a low-hangingbough, my eyes locked on a snowshoerabbit sitting in the classic crouchedpose, convinced of its security. The vary-ing hare was slightly quartering awayfrom me. It was a shot waiting to happen.But this time I made a quick check withthe rangefinder. The snowshoe rabbitwas just within my bow range. It was just

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WHERE TO BUY SNOWSHOESAtlas Snow-Shoe Companywww.atlassnowshoe.comHavlick Snowshoe Co.www.havlicksnowshoe.comCrescent Moonwww.crescentmoonsnowshoes.comNorthern Liteswww.northernlites.com

SHOOT IT• Focus on back tension and bow armangle.

• Use a thin or relaxed bow grip.• Come down on target when you aim.• Practice long-range shots.• Hook the trigger with finger.

CLEAN IT• Cut off the head and the lower half ofeach leg.

• Peel back the skin at the neck andgrasp one of the front legs by the mus-cle, peeling off the skin.

• Starting at the neck or just below therib cage, cut through the belly as far asyou can, then cut between the hind legsto expose the end of the small intestine.

• Remove the guts and the greenishgland embedded in the liver, makingsure not to puncture it, so the biledoesn’t taint the meat.

• Chop the rabbit into pieces for easiercooking.

COOK ITThe easiest way to cook your hare is topanfry; you can bread it first or just fry itup plain. Adding vegetables and liquid toit can make for a nice stew if you cook itfor a couple of hours.

that the white lump of rabbit didn’tresemble the 35-yard bull’s-eye I can hitin my yard. To clear some limbs, I kneltdown, drew the bow, and launched. The485-grain arrow arched toward the rab-bit. I have to admit I was more than sur-prised when the arrow hit the hare. Myfirst snowshoe rabbit with a bow andarrow!

ASG_1310_BUNNIES 9/25/13 12:24 AM

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BO

WS

WHEN EVALUATING SURVIVAL WEAPONS, bows are often over-looked in favor of firearms.

But bows can be effective weapons for both hunting and protec-tion. Unlike firearms, bows don’t require heavy ammunition, nor dothey generate attention-grabbing noise when deployed.

An added bonus: one arrow can be reused several different times. New technology is making bows faster, quieter and more accurate

weapons for just about any situation. Following is a collection of bows and accessories that would be a

great addition to any survival tool kit and help put food on the table orkeep you and your family safe.

Often overlooked, bows can beeffective survival weaponsBY ERIN HATFIELD

“Mathews hasintroduced newbow modelsdesigned with thediscriminatingarcher in mind!”

1 $999MATHEWS

Follow Your Arrow

ASG_1310_BG_BOWS 9/23/13 1:45 AM

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buyer’sGuideBOWS

2 $149.99-$169.99IQ BOWSIGHTS

MATHEWS Model: Creed Bow

www.mathewsinc.comMSRP: $999

Key Features: Balanced system,lightweight, compact

Description: New from Mathews isthe Creed bow, featuring the all-newSimPlex Cam. This technology makesthe Creed one of the smoothest-draw-ing, high-energy single cam bow evercreated. The Creed is designedaround a balanced synergistic sys-tem, giving it an amazing blend ofspeed, quietness and accuracy all in alightweight, compact bow. Axle toaxle, the Creed measures 30 incheswith a seven-inch brace height, and itfeatures IBO speeds of up to 328 feetper second. Reported draw weightsare 50-70 pounds; draw lengths are26-30 inches.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Math-ews has introduced new bow modelsdesigned with the discriminating archerin mind! Creed is the signature bowoffered and is fueled by an all-newhigh-performance SimPlexCam. TheCreed truly is Advanced Simplicity.”—ALICIA CAPTILLO, MATHEWS SPOKESPERSON

IQ BOWSIGHTSModel: IQ MICRO BOWSIGHT

www.iqbowsights.comMSRP: $149.99-$169.99

Key Features: Three-, five- or seven-pin configuration, tool-free lockingknobs

Description: The IQ Micro Bowsightwith Retina Lock Technology enablesarchers to shoot longer distances andtighter groups than ever before. Thebowsight features micro adjustmentcontrol and .019 fiber optic pins foreven greater accuracy and precision.Retina Lock instant feedback technol-ogy controls muscle memory, formand consistency, allowing you toshoot longer distances with tightergroups. Available in both right- andleft-hand configurations, the bowsightalso contains micro-adjust windageand elevation knobs, tool-free lockingknobs, built-in sight level, and anadjustable second axis.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Ifshooters torque their bows, or theiranchor point is off, even a 1/4-inch, theshot can be off more than 10 inches at40 yards. The IQ Micro Bowsight willincrease your effective shooting rangeby 20 yards or more and increase yourconfidence. IQ stands behind this state-ment with a bold, money-back guaran-tee!”—KIM CALAHAN, IQ BOWSIGHT SPOKESPERSON

1 2

“The IQ MicroBowsight willincrease your

effective shooting range by 20 yards or

more and increase your confidence.”

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buyer’sGuide BOWS

BEAR ARCHERY Model: Empire Compound Bow

www.beararcheryproducts.comMSRP: $849.99

Key Features: New grip design, smooth draw, high efficiency

Description: Bear Archery’s Empire bow’s speeds are fueled by a combina-tion of the all-new S13 Cams and the Max Pre-Load Quad Limbs. The fastest,smoothest and most versatile cam on the market, the S13 incorporatesevery critical aspect: speed, smooth draw cycle, maximum efficiency andease-of-adjustment. Empire’s new advanced grip is designed to eliminatehand torque and deliver unmatched accuracy—regardless of your desiredgrip setup. Axle to axle, the Empire measures 32 inches with a seven-inchbrace height, and it features IBO speeds of up to 330 feet per second.Reported draw weights are 50-70 pounds; draw lengths are 24-31 inches.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “We don’t think about a bow as being ‘just anybow.’ To us, they’re highly efficient, precise tools of the trade—exactly whyeach bow in our lineup must be light, fast, smooth, shock-free, and absolutelysilent. The all-new Empire is every bit of those characteristics and more.”—

JASON PICKERILL, MEDIA SPOKESPERSON

MISSION ARCHERY Model: Ballistic bow

www.missionarchery.comMSRP: $499

Key Features: Smooth draw, incredible speed, quiet release

Description: The Mission Archery Ballistic bow features the Advance Vec-toring Cam System, proven technology known for its smooth draw andincredible speed. Its highly efficient modular AVS cam system offers the per-fect combination of adjustability and performance on just one set of limbs,so you can go from 26-30 inches in draw length and 50-70 pounds in drawweight without using a bow press. It also comes with a Dead End string stopand String Grubbs to dampen residual noise and vibration. The Ballistic mea-sures 30.5-inch axle-to-axle, with a seven-inch brace height and IBO ratingof 330 feet per second.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Our goal at Mission is to build bows that out-perform their price,” says Jon DuMars, Director of Mission Archery. “The Ballis-tic not only looks like a high-end bow, it performs like one too. It’s comfortablein hand, quiet, fast and deadly accurate.”

PSE ARCHERY Model: X-FORCE Dream Season DNA

www.pse-archery.comMSRP: $899.99

Key Features: Ultra-light, smooth performance, high tuneability

Description: The Dream Season DNA by PSE was created by using a riserforged out of state-of-the-art, ultra-light and ultra-strong aluminum alloy,the new DNA weighs in at only 3.7 pounds. It features PSE’s new Center Pulltechnology that places the arrow in the exact center of the bow for unparal-leled tuneability and exceptional performance. The new Core cam producesspeeds of up to 352 feet per second, has five inches of draw length adjust-ment on the inner-cam and is incredibly smooth. The DNA measures 31inches axle-to-axle with a brace height of six inches.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “When the Drurys challenged the engineers atPSE to design a lightweight, high performance hunting bow, it seemed impossi-ble. Stripping down a current model or creating a bow that was too expensivefor most hunters was not an option. Instead, PSE’s engineers set out to designa bow that was entirely different, all the way down to its DNA.”

3

4

5

3 $849.99BEAR ARCHERY

“Our goal at Missionis to build bowsthat outperformtheir price…”

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buyer’sGuideBOWS

5 $899.99PSE ARCHERY

4 $499MISSION ARCHERY

“each bowin ourlineup

must belight, fast,

smooth,shock-free,

andabsolutely

silent.”

“PSE’s engineers set out to designa bow that was entirely different,

all the way down to its DNA.”

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buyer’sGuide BOWS

7 $699.99-$799.99QUEST BOWHUNTING

6 $549.95PARKER

QUEST BOWHUNTINGModel: Drive

www.questbowhunting.comMSRP: $699.99-$799.99

Key Features: Smooth draw, low noise and vibration

Description: Quest Bowhunting’s Drive bow featuresthe new Flux Cam, which provides an extremelysmooth draw, allowing any hunter to make a quietand steady draw in the woods. Drive also provides astable platform with its newly designed machinedriser to create one of the most forgiving and accuratebows Quest has developed. Drive also features thepatent-pending I-Glide Flex, which reduces cam leanby 25 percent by minimizing side load from thecables, while creating an incredibly smooth draw. TheDrive delivers IBO speeds of up to 330 feet per sec-ond, measuring 33.25 inches axle-to-axle with aseven-inch brace height.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Quest has spent count-less hours behind the CNC machines and out in the fieldto develop a bow that is geared towards forgiveness,smoothness, and accuracy. The all-new Drive by Questis a bow that every hunter will trust to take down thenext mountain or up the next treestand.”

—DAVID HAWKEY, MARKETING DIRECTOR

7

PARKER Model: BlackHawk Crossbow

www.parkerbows.comMSRP: $549.95

Key Features: Ultra-compact, light-weight, optimally balanced

Description: The BlackHawk crossbowfeatures Parker’s proprietary AdvancedSplit Limb Technology with integratedFulcrum Pocket System, making itultra-compact while delivering IBOspeeds of more than 320 feet per sec-ond. With the Bull-Pup trigger andergonomic textured pistol grip, theBlackHawk is easy to maneuver in atreestand or ground blind. At a mere6.5 pounds, the BlackHawk is alsolightweight and optimally balanced fora steadier aim on the target. The Black-Hawk features Parker’s EZ pull systemthat reduces cocking effort, makingParker crossbows the easiest to cock inthe industry.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Perfectfor ground blinds with its spider webblack finish, the BlackHawk is thefastest, lightest and most compact crossbow on the market.”

6 “the BlackHawkis the fastest,lightest andmost compactcrossbow onthe market.”

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buyer’sGuideBOWS

8 $999BOW TECH ARCHERY

BOW TECH ARCHERYModel: Experience

www.bowtecharchery.com MSRP: $999

Key Features: Ultra-low vibration, Extinguish Dampening System

Description: BowTech Archery’s Experi-ence is an incredible compound bow builtto deliver a smooth draw and silent shotwith ultra-low vibration and pinpoint accu-racy every time. The new features added toBowTech’s technology platform includeCarbonCore Limbs that deliver intense effi-ciency, stability and consistency with everydraw and the Extinguish Dampening Sys-tem that reduces noise and vibration, bothin the shot and after release. Experience isalso built on a specially designed riser thatrepositions the CarbonCore limbs for asmoother draw cycle and rock solid stabil-ity at full draw. Delivering IBO speeds up to335 feet per second, the Experience mea-sures 32 inches axle-to-axle with a seven-inch brace height.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “BowTechhas built a bow that no other manufacturercan match,” said Samuel Coalson, Director ofMarketing for BowTech. “The technologiesimplemented in the Experience are soadvanced that they add proficiency to everyaspect of the shot. Every draw is smooth andevery shot is quiet, vibration-free and deadlyaccurate without compromising speed.”

8

“The technologiesimplemented in theExperience are so

advanced that they addproficiency to everyaspect of the shot.”

“The all-new Driveby Quest is a bowthat every hunterwill trust to takedown the nextmountain or up thenext treestand.”

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SURVIVAL IN THE CITY might even be tougher than inthe wilderness! Urban environments provide lots of lux-uries, but in an emergency scenario, it pays to knowwhat to do to get out fast. We show you what mapsyou’ll need and give you a get-home plan to boot. Anddon’t forget: Just because you live in the big city doesn’tmean you can’t do a little urban “homesteading;” checkout how to compost and do yourself and the environ-ment a favor!

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MAP�

“What happens when you’re in unfamiliar territory and a disaster hits?”

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

By Ted Florence

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�QUESTISASTER HITS. YOU’RE IN UNFAMILIARTERRITORY. NOW WHAT?

A disaster can be as simple as a flat tire on aremote road or a major weather event, but in anycase, proper preparation is always the best route

toward survival. Being somewhat familiar with a new area is the first step

to surviving there, and a good way to familiarize yourself isto consult a map. Keeping a variety of maps as part of youressentials is key in times of disaster.

D

FOUR TYPES OF MAPS THAT CANHELP YOU GET YOUR BEARINGS INAN EMERGENCY SITUATION

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Visiting new locations canbe an adventure, but in anyunexpected emergency, safetyshould be a priority. Having amap with you can at leastensure you’ll be able to findyour way around, which cango a long way in staying safe.

Take a look at the follow-ing different aspects andtypes of maps to give yousome direction!

IMPORTANCE OFSCALE

Today, there is a varietyof maps to suit every activityunder the sun—from a simplerecreational map to a detailedtopographical one featuringtrails, landforms and physicallandmarks. Having multiplemaps is recommended, butnot always possible. How-ever, in an emergency, havinga couple of maps of variousscales is beneficial as a largescale map of your immediatelocation shows more detail

while a small scale map canshow the surrounding areawith features such as high-ways, nearby towns and citieswhere shelter and help maybe found.

Keep in mind that publish-ers continually update papermaps to include the latestroad and landmark changes.However, it’s possible to runinto a topographic map of alarge landmass, such as amountain range, that may nothave been updated since thelast land survey, which inmany cases can be decades. Inthese cases, some maps maynot address current elevationchanges or demarcations thathave been affected by flood,earthquake or fire. Withmany running at a scale of1:10,000 to 1:500,000, somemay not offer the helpfuldetails that other maps mayinclude. Having the most cur-rent maps will be essential inseeking safety in any disaster.

TOPOGRAPHIC,NAUTICAL ANDORTHOIMAGERYMAPS

As mentioned, topo-graphic maps are useful whentraveling over land. Theyoffer detailed elevation val-ues, which provide an impres-sion of the landscape and spe-cific features such as roads,railways and sometimes, evenbuilding footprints. Using atopographic map in a flooddisaster, for example, couldprovide a quick view of low-lying areas where water levelsare elevated, as well as high-ground areas to take shelter.

For years, people haveused topographic maps in thewilderness. Depending on itsscale, these maps oftendemarcate landmarks such asranger stations and watchtowers. Elevation markingsalso aid as an invaluable toolto understanding the changing

landscape as it relates to acurrent location.

Nautical maps provide aglimpse of the soundings of abody of water and are helpfulif you’re near the ocean or alake. However, they oftenlack detail of the surroundingland, and unless it’s a highlyaccurate nautical map, manyaren’t deemed suitable fornavigational purposes asdepths and hazards can easilyfluctuate.

Orthoimagery maps aretypically high-resolution aerialimages that combine visualattributes with spatial infor-mation on a map and canserve as a function base mapto start. The differencebetween topographic andorthoimagery maps is thattopographic maps tend togeneralize certain features ofa landscape due to scalewhereas an orthoimagerymap will show as much detailas a photo can show, includ-

MAP

“Being somewhat familiar with a new area will go a long way, and keeping a map as part of your essentials is key in times of disaster.”

An example of an orthoimagery map. Here is a Yokohama Transit map in a different language

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TYPES OF MAPS

Topographic Nautical Park/Transit Orthoimagery

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ing man-made landmarks.Both are informational butorthoimagery maps may beharder to come by.

“URBAN” MAPS:PARK AND TRAN-SIT MAPS

The most easily accessiblemaps are park and transitmaps, which are updated on aregular basis.

Many of these maps arelarge scale, so they displaydetails of roads, buildingsand many other visual land-marks. Trails and dirt roadsmay not show up on mass-produced topographic maps,but park maps are created toprovide the most detailedsnapshot of the area, makingthese the easiest to navigatefor map readers.

LOCAL LANGUAGE

If you travel out of thecountry often, storing a mapwritten in the local languagecan also make communicationeasier in an emergency. Someconsider maps a “universal”tool, as they works off ofimages and drawings thatmost can understand.

However, in an urbanenvironment with streetnames and landmarks tocontend with, reading mapsin another language is stress-

ful. As an example, a map inEnglish may suit an Americantourist in Japan, but in a timeof distress or dire need,more than likely you’ll haveto resort to asking a localfor extra direction. Using amap with Japanese text canmake finding a destination aneasier process if localsunderstand where you wantto go or need to show youwhere you are.

PAPER VERSUSDIGITAL

Technology has changedhow maps are used today, butwill the paper map ever becompletely replaced? Morethan likely, no. Often times,we’ll take for granted that aGoogle-type app with turn-by-turn directions will get usanywhere, but the fact is, intimes of disaster when band-width goes out or electricitymay not be available for longperiods of time to recharge abattery or when travelinginternationally where cell ser-vice isn’t accessible, you mightbe left to your own devices—literally; or in need of a mapand supporting app that canwork offline.

Although paper maps anddigital maps both have strongpoints and drawbacks, theyare both useful and generallynot really mutually exclusive.Digital maps, when pairedwith a GPS device, can serveas the most practical tool forany lost traveler. Today,emergency providers whoonce carried a briefcase oflarge cumbersome maps totrack and service a disasternow regularly utilize digitalmaps to relay position, tracka fire, and communicate withground and aircraft personnel

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“The most easily accessible maps are park and transit maps, which are updated on a regular basis.”

MORE INFORMATIONWant to find out more about iOS and Android maps?

Check out www.avenza.com or call 416-487-5115.

quicker. Similarly, in an emer-gency, carrying a variety ofmaps digitally on a mobilephone can be a valuable sub-stitute when paper mapsaren’t available.

THE WRAPUPWhether it be a topo-

graphic, nautical, orthoim-agery or urban map, keeping

a hold of a paper or digi-tal map that covers yourroute to and from yourdestination is always agood rule of thumb as itcan be referenced at anypoint. Even the mostbasic map is better than

none at all as it ensuresyou have alternatives when adisaster may cut off youroriginal plans.

Ted Florence is the president of AvenzaSystems Inc., a private Canadian companythat develops, markets and supports com-puter software products and royalty-freemap data for the mapping geographicinformation (GIS) industries including thepopular PDF Maps mobile app for iOS andAndroid.

WHAT URBANMAPS DISPLAY• Details of roads, buildingsand many other visuallandmarks.

• Detailed snapshots oftrails and dirt roads.

PAPER OR DIGITAL?• Paper: Always able to use it.• Digital: When the grid goes down,you’re out of luck.

• Solution: Use both!

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F YOU FIND SELF-SUFFICIENCY ATTRAC-TIVE AND YOU LIVE IN ANURBAN ENVIRONMENT,YOU FACE A BIT OF APARADOX. CITIES ARESYSTEMIZED GRIDS—FROM THE SIGNAL LIGHTSON THE ROADS TO THE

ELECTRICITY IN YOUR HOUSE.WHILE YOU MAY NOT THINKOF IT AFTER WALKING OUTYOUR TRASH, YOUR GARBAGEIS NO EXCEPTION. SO WHATHAPPENS WHEN THE GRIDGOES DOWN?

If you want to start buildinghabits now that will prevent a heap-ing pile of stench in the event of adisaster—while also helping reducethe load on our landfills now—readon about urban composting.

IEARTHSAVERSENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY IDEAS TOSTART AN URBAN COMPOST PROJECTBY KRISTIN WEBB-HOLLERING

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

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GETTING STARTEDBefore you start throwing your food

scraps in a pail, check with your landlordor community organizer to ensure you arein keeping with environmental guidelines.

The United State Department of Agri-culture Natural Resources ConservationService (www.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs)reminds us to “check on any local orstate regulations for composting in urbanareas—some communities may requirerodent-proof bins.”

There are two popular methods ofindoor composting that are easy to startand do not require a lot of upkeep. Oneis called “compost in a bag” and the

other is vermicomposting, which utilizesworms in mixing up your scraps. Bothare relatively easy and portable ways tocut down on your waste production andhelp the environment.

We went to Cindy Salter, coordina-tor of Ask an Expert for eOrganic and edi-tor of eOrganic articles and shortcourses, to talk about composting.

She emphasized that “success withcomposting, whether indoor or outdoor,requires making a commitment to theprocess and finding a method that fits theneeds of the household. While not partic-ularly difficult, indoor composting requiresthoughtful planning to be successful.”

BAG ITBag composting is as simple as finding

a plastic trash bag! Because compostsneed circulating air to help break downthe plant material, you will need to cut afew holes in the trash bag. Over time

HOW TO VERMICOMPOST > 1. Build or buy a home for your worms from wood or plastic. Remember to drill holes toallow for air at the top and drainage at the bottom.> 2. Don’t let your worms get too hot or too cold. 60- to 75-degrees Fahrenheit is the perfecttemperature for them to do their dirty work.> 3. Make their quarters nice and cozy with a mixture of moistened old papers, cardboard,and soil.> 4. Digging up worms from your compound won’t work. To ensure healthy composting, gowith red wigglers (eisenia fetida). > 5. Feed them yummy scraps, but avoid meat, fish, dairy and citrus.> 6. In three to six months, your wiggly helpers can be moved to one side of the bin and whatis left on the other is gooey, great compost!Source: worms.ncsu.edu

“Success with composting, whether indoor or outdoor, requires making a com-mitment to the process and finding a method that fits the needs of the household…”

—Cindy Salter, expert and coordinator,https://ask.extension.org/

“Red wigglers”making in-roads

in some rich soil.

Vermicomposting at its best.

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these holes can tear, causing the debristo fall out when you are adding to thetrash bag or moving it about. To preventthis, tape the areas of the trash bagwhere you will be cutting the holes toreinforce them and pre-vent tearing. A good,industrial-strength tapeabout three incheswide will work well.

Start filling yourcompost bag by layeringin brown debris such asdead leaves and straw.Next, add green mater-ial such as grass, andkitchen refuse such asbanana peels, eggshells,and coffee grounds. Fin-ish by adding a little blood meal, lime, afew shovels of dirt, and about one-half gal-lon of water from a garden hose. Securelytie the bag shut. Once a week, shake thebag to mix the contents.

WORM’S THE WORD“Worm composting is more practical

for indoor composting, and definitelymore common,” Salter maintains.

“Vermicomposting is relatively easyand requires little to get started. Forworm composting, you’ll need to find agood container of the right size for yourhousehold, enough worms to get theprocess started, and a source of bedding

materials, such as newspaper stripsmixed with water with soil on top.”

A portable bin to house your wormsin is ideal, especially for the disaster-con-scious composter. Having a home foryour urban resource and being able tomove it in an emergency can be beneficial.

Take into consideration this locationadvice from Salter: “Find the right spotfor the container—utility room, laundryroom, or garage are good choices, butnot too far from the kitchen where thefood scraps are generated.”

Last, when you put your vermicom-post together, make sure you mix up athoughtful combination of bedding,worms, and food. Worms.ncsu.edu rec-ommends a mixture of moistened leavesand discarded paper products with a littledirt. When it comes to feeding yourworms with waste, Salter reminds newcomposters, “Most worm compostingexperts advise against dairy, meat, fish,bones, and large amounts of citrus wastein a warm bin.”

MIXING IT UPAnother popular way to compost in

the city is bag composting. While vermi-composting utilizes worms to do thework of mixing the scraps up and break-

ing down the wastematerials, bag compost-ing relies on manpowerto mix up the scraps.

A watertight bag isbest to start with rec-ommends the Homeand Environment sup-plement fromwww.extension.pur-due.edu.

After adding greenmaterials like paper,soil, and water, the Pur-

due pamphlet continues, “The bag shouldbe strong enough to hold all the ingredi-ents without breaking. Squeeze the bagdaily to mix the compost and open thebag every other day to check the mois-ture. If it is too wet, leave the bag openuntil it dries to the right level. If it is toodry, add water.”

KEEPING IT CLEANRodents and pets will be attracted to

the scent of your composting, so keep itsafe and sanitary.

Salter reminds the urban composter,“the presence of rodents and other pestsin living quarters can be the result of

EARTH

“Composting should be managed in a way that does not attract pests, whether it is indoors, on a porch, or in the back yard…” -—Cindy Salter, expert and coordinator,

https://ask.extension.org/

From the cuttingboard to thecompost bin.

We need to change our habits before it’s too late.

WORM COMPOSTING• Find a good container of the rightsize for your household.

• Get worms to start the process.• Find bedding materials. • Determine location: utility room,laundry room, garage.

• Provide food for worms (fruit andveggie scraps, peels or rinds,brown and green leaves).

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many factors. If they are present in yourbuilding or neighborhood, it is reasonableto be wary. Pests are attracted to foodsources, so the best way to prevent themfrom becoming a problem is good house-keeping.”

The survival expert will recognize theneed to keep your compost safe fromcreatures to avoid contamination fromdisease and dander.

Salter explains why this is essential,“composting should be managed in a waythat does not attract pests, whether it isindoors, on a porch, or in the backyard.

10:55 AM Page 1

FOR MORE INFOIf you want to know more, contact

Ask An Expert at ask.extension.org.eXtension is an interactive learningenvironment.

SET UP A WORM BED

Start the worm-bed by shredding one-inch strips of newspaper, enough to fillthe container.

Soak the shredded strips of newspa-pers with water. Squeeze out the excesswater and fluff-up the wet newspaper.Place the fluffed-up wet newspaper intothe container. The container should beone-half to three-fourths full.

In a well-lit area or outside on a sunnyday, empty the worms on top of theshredded newspaper (making sure thelight or sun is shining down on the box).The worms will quickly go down into thebedding material because they don’t likethe light. (If the area isn’t well-lit, theworms won’t go down into the beddingand they might crawl out.) Once they gointo the bedding, they will start makingtheir new home in the bedding. Keep thebedding moist but not wet.

Then, add a little soil over the beddingmaterial. Worms need soil or sand todigest their food. Wait for about sevendays before adding other food to theworm bed. The worms need to becomeacclimated to their new environment forthe first week.

This means selecting the right system tominimize odors and access.”

If you are worried about the load ofgarbage you are dragging to the curb ordumpster, you should be. The earth isoverburdened with waste, and disaster isaround the bend. Now is the time toreduce your dependence on our cities’waste management systems and learn tostart managing your own.

Kristin Webb-Hollering is a freelance writerworking out of North Carolina. This busy motherof four and former teacher enjoys gardening, writ-ing, reading and walking for fun.

From the kitchen to the landfill. We consume, butwe also throw away, and a crisis is ensuing.

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THE�LONG� �

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��WAY�HOME

By Abe Elias

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make sure you have a get-home plan—and a plan for once you get there

LL OF YOUR PREPPING HAS FINALLY PAID OFF. Disaster hit and you bugged out successfully and managed to survive.Now the big question is, how do you get home? And what do you need to

know once you get there? You’d be surprised.It’s imperative to not only plan for the disaster but for the aftermath as well.

And part of the aftermath is returning home, whether it’s to gather more things to takewith you or to settle back into your residence post-disaster. If disaster strikes and you’reaway from home, you need to know how to return.

Once you get home, there are safety precautions you should take to ensure no onegets hurt, especially if the disaster affected your area.

It’s never to early to start shaping your get-home strategy, so read on and find outgood ways to do just that as well as how to deal with the actual homecoming.

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A PLANThe very first part of forming a get-home plan is to be edu-

cated enough to decide if you should stay or go. Sometimes it’s more dangerous to move in an emergency

than to stay put. Let’s say, for example, you’re at work and com-plete chaos ensues. It’s likely better for you to just stay thereand hunker down until the worst of the situation is over. In theevent of a power outage or somethingalong those lines, you’ll probably want toget home. In that event, make sure you arefamiliar with all the safe exits at yourworkplace so you can get out quickly andefficiently. In addition, you might want tocontact someone near your place of workand arrange to seek safety there until youcan get home. Whatever you choose, youshould always keep your family and lovedones apprised of the plan so their worry iskept to a minimum.

If the chaos is happening en route toyour home, it’s always better to take anindirect route, so make sure you familiarizeyourself with back roads and off-the-beaten path ways to get there. Sometimesyou actually need to head in the otherdirection away from home until you have cleared the area ofchaos. Once you’ve gotten past the gridlocked area, it will beeasier to find transportation. Study local maps and make sureyou come up with more than one route you can take.

THE SAFE HOUSEEach member of the family should have a designated place

they can “escape” to in the event that they can’t return to thehouse. Think about a scenario in which there’s a fire in your areaand you can’t get in any way. You’re stuck with nothing: no food,no clothes, no place to stay. If you arrange with friends or family

HOME

MAP SAVVY Read local maps and make sure you have a few different get-home

routes you can use should an emergency arise while you’re at work.

OVERVIEWPart I• Determine if you

should stay or go.Part II• Designate a safe

house.Part III• Make sure you have

the right tools.Part IV• Carefully check to

make sure it’s allright to stay home.

“It’s imperative to not onlyplan for the disaster butfor the aftermath as well.”

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GET-HOME BAG CONTENTS

It’s important to havethe following items avail-able at work, just like youdo in your car or at yourhome:• Comfortable walking

shoes• Blanket• Flashlight or head lamp• Rain coat• Something to read (to

pass the time)• Money (in an emergency,

cash is king)• 1 Gerber multi-tool• 8 extra batteries• 1 fixed blade knife• 2 boxes waterproof

matches• 1 fire steel & striker• 2 sticks Coleman fire

starter tinder• 2 mini Bic lighters• 2 emergency candles• 4 light sticks• Nalgene water bottle

with built-in filter (imme-diate water needs—fillbottle and drink throughthe straw filter built-inwhile continuing tomove)

• Water purification tablets(enough to make threedays’ water)

• MREs (stripped of exter-nal packaging to fit bet-ter in pack)

• 1 battery booster for cellphone

• 2 pairs of socks• 1 first aid kit

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to evacuate to their house, you’ll at least have shelter until youcan get back into your house.

It’s key that each family member knows where he or shewould go in the case of an emergency, and of course make sureeveryone is aware of each others’ plans. Have a plan A and atleast a good idea of what plan B and C are. Because in an emer-gency, nothing will ever go as planned.

NUTS AND BOLTSPart of any strategy is making sure you have the right tools

and know how to utilize them. You should always keep a get-home bag in your car. Make sure you keep the kit up-to-date,too. Keep your car in tiptop shape with a full tank of gas. Shoulddisaster strike and you’re able to bug out quickly enough by car,you certainly don’t want it breaking down or running out of gas.

ONCE YOU GET THEREOnce you get home, make sure you check out things prop-

erly to see if everything is ok to stay put.Check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for

loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundationcracks, missing support beams or other damage. Damage on theoutside can indicate a serious problem inside. Ask a buildinginspector or contractor to check the structure before you enter.

If the door is jammed, don’t force it open—it may be pro-viding support to the rest of your home. Find another way toget inside.

Sniff for gas. If you detect natural or propane gas, or hear ahissing noise, leave the property immediately and get far awayfrom it. Call the fire department after you reach safety. If youhave a propane tank system, turn off all valves and contact apropane supplier to check the system out before you use it again.

Beware of animals, such as rodents, snakes, spiders andinsects that may have entered your home. As you inspect yourhome, tap loudly and often on the floor with a stick to givenotice that you are there.

Damaged objects, such as furniture or stairs, may be unsta-ble. Be very cautious when moving near them. Avoid holding,pushing or leaning against damaged building parts.

Is your ceiling sagging? That means it got wet, which makes itheavy and dangerous. It will have to be replaced, so you can tryto knock it down. Be careful: wear eye protection and a hardhat, use a long stick, and stand away from the damaged area.Poke holes in the ceiling starting from the outside of the bulge tolet any water drain out slowly. Striking the center of the dam-aged area may cause the whole ceiling to collapse.

HOME

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COMMUNICATEIt’s key that each member of your family knows what the

emergency plan is. That includes a plan involving where eachperson will go in the case of disaster, where the family willmeet up again, and making sure everyone knows alternateroutes back to your house.

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HOME

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YOU’VE ARRIVED Once you actually get home, make sure it’s safe to

be in there. • If you smell gas, don’t go in; call the fire department.• Turn off all vales for propane gas systems.• Beware of animals that may have entered.• Don’t lean on damaged building parts.• Don’t force the door open if it’s jammed. • If the ceiling is sagging, carefully poke holes in it.• Don’t walk on sagging floors.• If it’s dry weather, open windows for ventilation. • Do not use any open flame to check for damage;choose a flashlight.

“The very first part of forming a get-home plan is to be educated enough to decide if you should stay or go.”

Is the floor sagging? It could collapse under your weight, sodon’t walk there! Small sections that are sagging can be bridgedby thick plywood panels or thick, strong boards that extend atleast 8–12 inches on each side of the sagging area.

If the weather is dry, open windows and doors to ventilateand/or dry your home.

If the power is out, use a flashlight. Do not use any openflame, including candles, to inspect for damage or serve as alter-nate lighting.

Make temporary repairs such as covering holes, bracing walls,and removing debris.

THE TAKEAWAYEmergencies come in a number of different shapes and forms.

Since you never know quite what to expect, taking the time toprepare for just about anything increases your odds of survival.Stop. Look around you. Examine the potential threats and makea plan about how to deal with them. Take the time, be preparedand be a survivor.

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BAG

SSurvival on the Go

MOST SURVIVAL ENTHUSIASTS are no stranger to bug-out bags, a supply kitcontaining goods that can help you survive for about 72 hours in situations wherethere is no guarantee of food or shelter.

The bags contain needed supplies if you are forced to evacuate either homeor work due to a natural or manmade disaster such as a hurricane or wildfire.

Many people keep fully stocked bug-out bags by their front doors, in theirvehicles or even in their offices, because you never know when or where disastermay strike.

Read on to learn more about some great available bags.

Bug-out bags and get-home kits enable you tomake a quick getaway in an emergency situationBY ERIN HATFIELD

“This stealthy,covert kit wasdesigned to makethe differencebetween life anddeath when allheck breaks loose.”

1 $279NITRO-PAK

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buyer’sGuideBUG-OUT�BAGS

NITRO-PAKModel: Urban Survival-Pak

www.nitro-pak.comMSRP: $279

Key Features: Lightweight, concealedweapon compartment, Coby AM/FM Radio

Description: The Urban Survival Pak com-bines tactical survival, evasion and escapegear in one compact and lightweight unit.Designed to get you safely home to yourloved ones, the kit contains items selectedto give you the tools you’ll need to stay safeand survive any emergency situation. Devel-oped by survival experts with military andsecurity hands-on experience, the kit’s com-pact size and light weight easily accommo-date the possibility of traveling many milesby foot to reach a safe spot. In addition to 72essential survival items, the Urban SurvivalPak contains a Gerber suspension multi-tool,Aquamira water filter bottle and a CobyAM/FM radio. The kit comes in a cover tacti-cal messenger bag with built-in hiddenweapon zippered compartment.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “With more than12 months of R&D and testing that went intothis kit, don’t confuse this for a standard ‘72hour or Bug-out Kit.’ Far from it! This stealthy,covert kit was designed to make the differ-ence between life and death when all heckbreaks loose, Zombie Apocalypse or not!”

SURVIVAL BAGS, INC.Model: Elite Emergency Building

Escape Survival Bagwww.survivalbagsinc.comMSRP: $375

Key Features: FOX Tactical Duty Pack;Leatherman multi-tool; Headlamp

Description: The Elite Building Escape Sur-vival Bag provides emergency tools, gearand first aid to assist in escaping a building,apartment, or other area in which you mayhave to escape in an emergency. Two differ-ent bags are available, the FOX Tactical DutyPack (in high-visibility safety orange) or FOXTactical Cobra Gold Reconnaissance Pack (inblack). The survival bag contains a two-dayfood and water supply, a firefighter rescuesurvival axe from Ontario Knife, a Leather-man multi-tool, a Pico LED mini lantern andan eGear headlamp. Also included are anUltimate Survival Technologies BASE Kit, anemergency blanket and poncho, and othershelter, safety and hygiene items.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “This is a greatbag to have at the ready in case you need toescape in an emergency.”

1 2

2 $375SURVIVAL BAGS, INC.

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buyer’sGuide BUG-OUT�BAGS

ECHO-SIGMAModel: Get-Home Bag

www.echo-sigma.comMSRP: $249

Key Features: Condor hydration system,compact size, thermal sleeping bag

Description: The Echo-Sigma EmergencyGet-Home Bag is designed to provide provi-sions and tools appropriate to help you gethome (or other suitable shelter) should anemergency emerge while you are goingabout everyday life. The Echo-Sigma Get-Home Bag is a mid-sized disaster prepared-ness kit that is perfectly suited to keep on-hand in the office, vehicle or dorm room. Inaddition to food and water rations, the kitalso contains a Condor Outdoor CompactAssault Pack, a disposable lighter, tinder kit,emergency whistle, thermal sleeping bagand an emergency tube tent.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Disaster sel-dom strikes at the time and place of yourchoosing. Echo-Sigma designed the Emer-gency Get-Home Bag to help you get home orto your safe place, wherever disaster maystrike. All items included in this bag are pre-configured and ready to use right out of thebox.”—BILL KIRK, ECHO-SIGMA MARKETING

4REDEPACKModel: 1-Person Emergency Pack

www.redepack.comMSRP: $169.95

Key Features: Three-day pack; LED cranklight; food and water; work gloves

Description: The RedePack 1-Person Emer-gency Pack contains enough supplies tosustain one person for three full days,including food and water. The safety andhygiene items in the pack include a foldingmulti-tool, an LED crank light, a first-aid kit,emergency shelter, duct tape, a compass,lightsticks and candles. All items are packedwithin a high-quality large, multi-compart-ment backpack. Backpack features angled,adjustable compression straps, paddedshoulder straps, zippered accessory pock-ets, padded back panel and hook for attach-ing extra gear. Loaded with survival gearand supplies for any emergency situation,the bug-out bag adheres to Ready.govemergency prepared guidelines and stan-dards. The compact size makes it ideal foreasy storage in a vehicle, home or office.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The RedePack1-Person Emergency Pack is filled withexpert-recommended products for virtuallyany emergency or survival situation.”—NICOLE

OLSON, REDEPAK MARKETING

3

3 $169.95REDEPACK

“Echo-Sigmadesigned the

EmergencyGet-Home Bagto help youget home orto your safeplace, wher-

ever disastermay strike.”

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4 $249ECHO-SIGMA

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6 $109.95SURVIVAL KIT

5 $104.32DAN’S DEPOT

“We highly recommend that you add climate-dependent clothing (like gloves

and hat in a cold climate) and a local mapof your city/region to your survival kit.”

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DAN’S DEPOTModel: The Ozark EDC Survival Kit

(DD-OZA-KIT)www.dansdpot.comMSRP: $104.32

Key Features: Mora Allround knife, high-qualitycompass, survival blanket

Description: Dan Bacon, cofounder of Dan’s Depot,conducted years of research to assemble the OzarkEvery Day Carry (EDC) Survival Kit. The kit containsa number of emergency and survival items, includ-ing a Mora Allround knife, a Firesteel fire starter, aSilva Polaris Baseplate compass, an Aquamirawater filtration system, a survival blanket, para-cord, a stainless steel water bottle, duct tape, and alighter. In addition to survival items, the kit alsofeatures food rations in case of emergency, poweroutage, flooding, or other natural disaster. TheOzark Kit is ideal for the workplace and/or in vehi-cle to help you survive an emergency situation andget home or to your safe place.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “We highly recommendthat you add climate-dependent clothing (like glovesand hat in a cold climate) and a local map of yourcity/region to your survival kit. You can usually pickup maps at your local Chamber of Commerce.”

–DAN BACON, CO-FOUNDER OF DAN’S DEPOT

SURVIVALKIT.COMModel: Ultimate Bug-Out Kit (#SK-G-SKHK)

www.survivalkit.comMSRP: $109.95

Key Features: Food and water, 4-in-1 flashlight,20-hour body warmer

Description: The Ultimate Bug-Out Kit is loadedwith all the best urban survival tools and essentialsto give you the peace of mind knowing that if a dis-aster were to happen, you would be prepared. Thekit comes in a secure camouflage bug-out back-pack that also has enough extra space for your per-sonal items. It contains a bright orange pull-out flagthat can be used as an alert when necessary, aswell as gun straps to free your hands when you areon the move. The Ultimate Bug-Out Kit also con-tains an emergency survival sleeping bag; aDynamo 4-in-1 flashlight with a flashlight, radio,siren and charger; water purification tablets; and amulti-function shovel.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The Ultimate Bug-OutKit was designed for individuals who are not surewhat they need to start their own survival kit. While this is not a replacement for a good home survival kit, it comes in very handy when you findyourself outdoors in the wild and realize that you haveone in the car.”

5

6

DON’TFORGET

In addition to the basic survivalgear included in these bug-out

bags, be sure to add irreplaceableitems such as digital backups ofimportant documents, cash andany prescription medication.

“The Ultimate Bug-Out Kit was designed forindividuals who are not sure what theyneed to start their own survival kit.”

Les Stroud knows a good knife can save your life. Rugged, versatile and ergonomic – these signature knives are true survival tools, approved by the master. Go with Les Stroud and survive.

www.camillusknives.com shop.lesstroud.ca

Camillus Brand

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NITRO-PAKModel: 72 Hour Tote-N’-Go Kit (#5113)

www.nitro-pak.com MSRP: $45

Key Features: 72-hour kit, compact, five-yearfood and water shelf life

Description: The Tote-N’-Go Kit is perfect forthose who are looking for excellent protectionin a single-person, 72-hour compact kit. The kitcontains an emergency blanket, a poncho, LEDflashlight with batteries, emergency food andwater rations, a survival whistle and multi-function knife. The bag easily fits into any vehi-cle, providing easy access to practical and use-ful survival products that will come in handywhen a crisis strikes. The Tote-N-Go Kit comesassembled in a heavy-duty cordura nylon bagthat’s made to survive years of abuse.

Manufacturer’s Comment:“72-hour kits canmake a difference in being able to survive anemergency situation. With the Tote-N’-Go Kit, youwill be able to meet all of your essential needs inan emergency.”

8

7 $189QUAKEKARE INC.

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QUAKEKARE INC.Model: 4-Person Ultimate Deluxe Backpack Survival Kit

www.quakekare.comMSRP: $189

Key Features: Battery-free USB charger, weather band radio, solar/hand-crank flashlight

Description: This four-person, 72-hour survival kit comes in a durable nylon backpackand contains most effective and reliable emergency preparedness supplies to prepare forany disaster. The kit includes food, water purification tablets, light sticks, blankets, pon-chos, a tent, a first-aid kit, a multi-function knife, a survival guide and more. A USB devicecharger never needs batteries and charges smartphones and other devices so you canstay in touch with family.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “Prepare now to be able to survive for a minimum of three daysfollowing an emergency situation. Protect your family! Give yourself peace of mind! By havingthis recommended survival kit, you will be able to meet all of your essential needs in anemergency.”—SHERRY HEITZ, CEO/PRESIDENT

7

8 $45NITRO-PAK

“Prepare nowto be able tosurvive for aminimum ofthree daysfollowing anemergencysituation.”

“With theTote-N’-Go Kit,

you will beable to meetall of your

essentialneeds in anemergency.”

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110110

ACCORDING TO THE DICTIONARY, one meaning ofhomesteading is simply “any dwelling with its land and build-ings where a family makes its home.” More and more familiesare heading out to parts unknown these days to stake theirclaims and get away from it all. In this issue, we bring you aslew of interesting articles on homesteading, from raisinggoats to maintaining a root cellar. It’s time to make your ownhomesteading definition and decide if this lifestyle could befor you.

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American Survival Guide

Free American Survival Guide app

Now

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GOTYOURGOAT?

THESE ANIMALS ARE A GREAT FOODSOURCE FOR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL

BY KRISTIN WEBB-HOLLERING

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O YOU’VE DECIDED TO TAKE MATTERS INTOYOUR OWN HANDS AND BECOME AS SELF-SUFFICIENT AS YOU CAN BE.

You’re ready for any kind of disaster the world canthrow at you and you’ve prepped for the worst. And

now…you’re even starting to grow your own food!Growing a garden is a necessity, of course, but what about a

good protein source? Don’t forget that’s necessary for yourlong-term survival. Think goat!

The benefits of goat rearing are profound, which is why theyare perennially the most popular animals to farm worldwide.

Like all major enterprises, goat farming should not beentered into lightly. Goats are amazing creatures who need top-quality care and time, but they are a great food source for thosewilling to invest in their long-term sustainability.

BENEFITS OF GOATS OVER LARGER ANIMALS

Goats are easier to raise than other livestock, and what theyoffer is exceptional compared to other animals. They grow tomaturity more quickly, are lighter to handle in size and girth, andtheir meat is healthier. Milk, cheese, and cream can also be pro-duced from their milk, which is an added bonus in raising them.

“Goats have grown in popularity, showing up in commercials,movies, and many have made them pets,” says Derek Beane,owner and operator of D and J Goat Farms, “they are easier tohandle versus larger livestock like cattle and swine.”

They mate more quickly than larger animals, and becausethey are smaller in size and strength, they are easier to slaughterwhen fully grown.

S

“Goat meat is the most consumed meat worldwide, and with our nation’s growing ethnic population,

goats have increased in demand,” Derek Beane, owner and operator D and J Goat Farms LLC.

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“They have shorter gestation time than cattle,which would yield more offspring more quickly than acow and would be important in a survival-ready environ-ment,” maintains Beane.

“It would be easier to butcher, process, and package themeat versus a cow or swine which is the difference between

working with a 40- to 80-pound animal at wean-ing and a 300-pound cow.”

Not only are cows and pigs harder to main-tain due to their size and needs, many studiesshow them to be unhealthy for long-termhuman consumption. Since you may be investingin goat raising as a future food source and maybe dependent on their yields for your survival,that is something to consider.

“Goat meat is the most popular consumedmeat worldwide, and with our nation’s growingethnic population, goats have increased indemand. It is a very healthy meat, lean and lowin cholesterol and pretty tasty,” says Beane.

TEMPERAMENT Be it fiction, film or fodder, goats have got-

ten a bad rap as being gruff and immovable.Sometimes the personality is dependent on thebreed, but usually the sex of the beast deter-mines their individuality. As a primary foodsource, learning the differences between maleand female temperament will be an importantfactor in successful goat rearing to ensure your

preparedness food plan prospers. “Goats can be ill-mannered at feeding time keeping the peck-

ing order in line. They have different temperaments depending

on the individual. By far, they have a lov-ing, easy, almost affectionate attitude withthe exception of the bucks or males,”states Beane.

LAND, SHELTER, CLIMATEThe size of your property and where

you plan to raise goats will determine howmany you raise and mate. In addition, dif-ferent breeds of goat prosper in differentclimates, and what you plan to use yourgoat for, be it food or fiber, will also fac-tor into the survival equation.

“Folks normally overcrowd their herd,increasing parasite issues, which are thebiggest problem with goats,” says Beane.For example, he has 50 acres of land andraises approximately 175 head. He recom-mends a lot of land due to issues withovercrowding and disease. This way, the

pastures can be rotated to allow thegrazing fields to be treated.

According to the University ofIllinois, “Poor ground may supporttwo to four goats per acre, whilebetter pasture may be able to sup-port six to eight goats per acre.”Beane also warns would-be farm-ers that they multiply quickly, so it

is advisable to start small. “A small, rustic environment herd

can be fairly easy to raise.” A small herdof goats would range from five to ten and

would be manageable, he maintains, as long as“the browsing and grazing were of good quality to maintainproper health.”

North Carolina State University’s Department of Agricultureand Life Science recommends a “combination of treatment andmanagement,” which includes both veterinary intervention withantibiotics and diet as well as pasture management.

Pasture management might include moving your goats from aparasite-infected pasture to an uninfected area and keeping yourherd off that patch for an entire grazing season. In addition, vac-cinating your goats like any other animal helps to curb thespread of disease.

Keeping goats healthy also includes sheltering them from theelements and making sure their bedding is dry. Beane suggestsshavings over straw, due to the kids’ attraction to “nibbling” onthings, and straying away from inexpensive building materials thatthey will just chew and break apart.

“A fully enclosed shelter is preferred to keep out blowingsnow and rain,” says Beane.

Climate is another factor that enters into raising goats.“Goats are raised over all climates, but drier climates are

probably better. The Southeastern part of the United States isharder to raise goats in due to the parasite problem beingharder to control.”

These are important things to consider with the rise inextreme temperatures and disasters.

Beane recommends that the breed should fit the climate andthe need as well.

GOATS

Here’s a goatdonating milkto makecheese…and to drink.

WHAT DOGOATS EAT?

Almost anything! They mostly grazeon plants, vines, weeds, and the tips ofwood shrubs and trees. Don’t have that

type of environment for them? Don’t worry,you can sub in hay and alfalfa and grainin the form of whole, pelleted, rolledor texturized, all available at feed

stores.

GOATGOODS• Goat meat is deli-cious and healthierthan both beef andpork.

• Goat’s milk can beused to makemany differentfoods includingyogurt, cream, but-ter, ice cream, andof course milk todrink.

• Goat fur can beused for fiber andmade into goat’swool for clothing,blankets, and otherfiber products.

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“Angora goats are woolen bred andfair better in cooler areas while somebreeds are more durable, such as theSpanish Kiko.”

On his farm, in the Southeast, Beaneraises Boer goats, which are the mostpopular meat-bred goat type.

READY-TO-GO GOATRaising any kind of animal is a big

commitment and can be expensive withveterinary costs, feeding, breeding, andhousing.

If your plan is to prepare for thefuture and raise a viable and fruitful foodsource, goat rearing might be right foryou. In these troubled times, investigatingoptions for the future is important.Going goat might be the thing you’vebeen looking for!

Kristin Webb-Hollering is a freelance writer based inNorth Carolina.

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“Thinking from a survival angle, it would be easier to butcher, process, and package goat meat versus cow or swine meat, which is the difference between working with a 40- to 80-pound animal versus a 300-pound cow.”

BREEDS BY REGIONBoer is the most popular type of

meat goat and does best in a hot, dryclimate like the Southeastern parts ofthe United States. The Spanish andKiko, which are also meat breeds, arehardy and durable and do well in warmerstates as well. The Myotonic (faintinggoat) is found most often in Texas andTennessee. Dairy goats such as theNubian and Alpine are found in everystate in the United States. While theAngora goat, a woolen bred type, prefer acooler climate and would be happier innorthern parts of the U.S.

CLIMATE, LAND ANDNEEDS DETERMINEBREEDS• There are over 300 breeds of goats

that prosper or decline depending onclimate and pasture size and quality.

• Some breeds are best for food con-sumption while others are better forfiber production. Investigate the differ-ences before you start raising goats.

• Make your land goat ready with appro-priate enhancements like enclosures,shelters and proper grazing areas.

Goat meat islean and tasty,and so easy tocook outdoors.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONTo learn more about sustainability with goat farming, visit Derek Beane’s website, www.dandjgoatfarms.com.

Goat cheese is nutritious and delicious!

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“There are many little tricks to making the most of whatever root cellar situation a person has.”

—Steve Maxwell, co-author of The Complete Root Cellar Book

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OBWEBS. DARKNESS. RICKETY, SQUEAKYSTAIRS …. IF YOUR VISION OF A ROOT CELLARINVOLVES YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S SPOOKYOLD BASEMENT, THEN THINK AGAIN.

A root cellar is a useful way to ensure that yourproduce stays fresh and survives throughout the season to keepyour family full and your pantry diverse. Creating a root cellarmay not be as difficult as you expect, if you know where to startand how to store your vegetables.

URBAN SETTING? NO WORRIESEven if you don’t have a proper basement, you can still create

your own version of a root cellar, says Steve Maxwell, co-authorof The Complete Root Cellar Book.

“Urban or rural, root cellars make sense,” Maxwell says. “Aslong as a person has access to some kind of soil, you can createa root cellar from nothing more than a hole in the ground.”

In fact, Maxwell says, some people even create above-groundroot cellars.

Get�to�the�

Root�of�It!enhance your homegrownproduce storage with aroot cellarBy Torrey Kim

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“A little bit of insulation and a littlebit of electricity allows anyone to have aroot cellar, even if they don’t have accessto a basement or backyard,” he advises.“I’ve designed and created plans for rootcellars for all applications, including con-ventional basements, urban backyards,stand-alone root cellars, and even a rootcellar for a condo.”

HIGH MOISTURE ISESSENTIALSome people believe that their base-

ments aren’t amenable to root cellarsbecause they struggle with dampness—but that’s exactly the environment yourroot cellar will need to thrive.“A high moisture content is actually

required for effective root cellaring inmost cases,” Maxwell says. “Many root crops, for instance, keep

best at a temperature just above freezing,and with a relative humidity of 90 to 95percent. Different types of producerequire different conditions, and thereare ways to achieve this all in the samecellar.”For example, you can place shelving in

your root cellar to separate your produce. “I have a shelf very low to the ground

for my vegetables that like it cooler and

more moist (like potatoes), and then I putitems like hot peppers on the high shelvesbecause it’s warmer and more dry there,”says Andrea Bergen, who created a rootcellar in her North Carolina home.In addition to ensuring that the tem-

perature and moisture content is accept-able in your root cellar, you’ll also wantto make sure it’s well ventilated.

DON’T DUMP VEGGIESTOGETHEROnce you’ve carved out some space

for a root cellar and you’ve controlledthe temperature and moisture content,don’t simply pile your vegetablestogether and expect them to stay fresh.

ROOT

GREATROOT CELLARVEGGIESANDFRUITS

You’ll want toclassify your rootcellar storagespaces based onmoisture andtemperature, soyou’ll need a wayto determinewhich types ofproduce requireeach setting. Cor-nell University’s“Storage Guide-lines for Fruitsand Vegetables”offers the follow-ing tips, amongothers.

Ideal storage iscold and moist:• Asparagus• Apples• Broccoli• Cabbage• Carrots• Celery• Sweet corn• Kale• Lettuce• Pears• Potatoes• Rhubarb

Ideal storage iscool and dry:• Garlic• Onions

Ideal storage iswarm and dry:• Hot peppers• Pumpkins• Winter squash• Sweet potatoes

Source: Cornell Univer-sity’s “Storage Guidelinesfor Fruits and Vegetables,”available at www.garden-ing.cornell.edu/fact-sheets/vegetables/stor-age.pdf

After you gatheryour potatoes, store

them in a darkplace so they’ll

keep longer.

All root vegetables will thrive in a rootcellar, but you should separate each typebefore storing because not all vegetablessucceed when stacked together.

AVOIDFREEZINGTEMPS

Ideal tempera-tures for a root cellarcan vary based onlocation and season,Maxwell says.

He also told usthat, generally speak-ing, a temperaturejust above freezing isideal; you can gowarmer than that,and it only shortenskeeping times. Whatyou should avoid,however, is a temper-ature below freezing.If any kind of producefreezes, it will rot in ashort time. The idealway to avoid freezingis a cellar belowground level, or onein an insulated areaabove ground.

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Instead, you must find out what helpseach type of produce thrive and store itaccordingly.

“There are many little tricks to mak-ing the most of whatever root cellar situ-ation a person has,” Maxwell says.

“Apples, for instance, give off ethylenegas, and this promotes the prematureripening of other produce. That’s why it’salways good to keep apples separatedfrom the rest of the produce.”

Likewise, Maxwell advises, potatoesrequire dark conditions or they will turngreen. “Rhubarb roots can be dug up infall, brought into the cellar, then allowedto sprout when winter is still around,” headds.

“You get fresh rhubarb long before itwould ordinarily be ready.”

When it comes to cabbages, insteadof cutting them off at ground level, har-vest them roots and all, then plant themin tubs of soil in the cellar, Maxwelladvises.

“They’ll keep much longer becausethey’re actually growing a little.”

GIVE IT A TRY!Urban dwellers take note: if you think you don’t have

room to have a root cellar, get creative! You can useanything from a closet to a space under a stairwell tostart your cellar. It’s an easy way to ensure your veggiesstay fresh and is the perfect solution to keeping yourmeals healthy and interesting!

FOR MOREINFORMATIONTo find more ideas

for proper root cellarmanagement, alongwith many uniquerecipes for your home-grown produce, checkout Maxwell’s book,The Complete RootCellar Book.

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BLISHING

NO BASEMENT?No worries! You can even create

a root “cellar” in a condo. If youhave a cool, dark spot (even anunused closet in a guest room), youcan create a makeshift root cellar.Key things to consider:• Cool, even temperature • A dark area• Space to store things with roomfor air circulationYou can even adapt a space

below a stairwell or use a small,secondary fridge, because root veg-gies can be refrigerated. Note: Pur-chasing fresh, good quality produceis important for long-term storage.

“Urban or rural, root cellars make sense.” —Steve Maxwell, co-author of The Complete Root Cellar Book. As long as you

have access tosoil, then youcan create a rootcellar.

THREE ESSENTIAL TIPSYou can be on your way to root cellar success if you avoid

these three mistakes that Andrea Bergen made when she builther first North Carolina root cellar:

Don’t build near trees. Bergen dug her root cellar and thenplanted several trees around it, which was great for the first fewyears, and then the tree roots made their way into the cellar anddamaged the walls, so avoid building near trees.

Use non-metal storage materials. Bergen had woodenshelves but a metal bin for potatoes. In the summer, the metalconducted heat, and the potatoes went bad very quickly.

Place a screen in your ventilation area. “Bergen installed aventilation hose from our root cellar to the outdoors but didn’tput a screen in it. Bugs ended up coming into the root cellarthrough the ventilation tube and damaging some of our food.”

Although you might gather apples withthe rest of your fruits and vegetables,they can promote premature ripening

of other produce. Therefore, youshould separate apples from your

other foods during storage.

PHOT

O BY

THINK

STOC

K

PHOT

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THINK

STOC

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ASG_1310_ROOT 9/23/13 3:05 AM

WHEN CREATING A SURVIVAL TOOLKIT, many don’t look past food,water and medical supplies. A trustworthy weapon, however, can also be akey component of your survival arsenal.

Firearms can provide both personal protection and hunting functions,ensuring that you’re well prepared for any situation.

Various firearms fill different roles. Handguns can be used for huntingsmall game. Shotguns are a great match for flying prey such as ducks orgeese. And a rifle is ideal for hunting large game at long distances.

Whether you are adding to an established firearms collection or seekingout your first weapon, here are a few of the latest guns to consider.

From handguns to shotguns, firearms areessential tools IN THE WILDERNESSBY ERIN HATFIELD

GU

NS

1 $329STURM, RUGER & CO.

Gunning for Survival

ASG_1310_BG_GUNS 9/23/13 3:17 AM

121

buyer’sGuideGUNS

STURM, RUGER & CO.Model: American Rimfire Bolt-action Rifle

www.ruger.comMSRP: $329

Key Features: Bolt-action, interchangeable stock mod-ules, durable composite stock

Description: The Ruger American Rimfire bolt-actionrifle contains many of the standard Ruger American Riflefeatures, and this new line also combines several designinnovations from the popular 10/22 rimfire rifle. Thiscombination, along with the rifle’s adaptability, appealsto all bolt-action enthusiasts. The new line consists offour models—full-sized (22-inch barrel/13.75-inchlength of pull) and compact (18-inch/12.5-inch length ofpull), both of which are available in either .22 LR or .22Magnum. Each model in the line includes two inter-changeable stock modules that provide comb heightoptions for scope or iron sight use. Ruger American Rim-fire rifles feature a durable composite stock with frontand rear swivel studs.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “The new American Rimfireseries really ups the ante for performance in rimfire rifles,”remarked Mike Fifer, President and CEO. “With proventechnologies and features from the centerfire Ruger Ameri-can Rifle, the bolt-action rimfire models are sure to deliveraccuracy, durability and value to consumers.”

1 REMINGTON Model: 870 EXPRESS COMPACT JR.

www.remington.comMSRP: $349-$383 (online sellers)

Key Features: Adjustable length of pull, light weight

Description: The Remington Model 870 Express Com-pact Jr. is the slightly smaller version of the standardfor pump shotguns around the world. It also featuresthe Adjustable Length of Pull System and Rem Chokebarrels. This 20-gauge gun features an 18.75-inch bar-rel and weighs 5.75 pounds with a six-round capacity.

Manufacturer’s Comment: “The perfect gun foryoungsters to learn on and for adults who need a shorterlength of pull.”

2

2 $349-$383REMINGTON

“The new American Rimfireseries really ups the ante forperformance in rimfire rifles…”

“A trustworthyweapon can be a

key component ofyour survival

arsenal.”

ASG_1310_BG_GUNS 9/23/13 3:17 AM

122

buyer’sGuide GUNS

BENELLI Model: Vinci Shotgun

www.benelliusa.comMSRP: $1359

Key Features: Semi-automatic, three-piecemodular design

Description: The three-inch, 12-gauge Vincishotgun is a reliable, fast-performing, semi-automatic shotgun. Its innovative designfeatures the In-Line Inertia Driven operatingsystem, which delivers reduced recoil andshotgun modularity. The ComforTech Plusrecoil reduction system delivers betterresults than any other recoil reduction prod-uct available, without adding weight. Theunique modular design makes Vinci the eas-iest shotgun to assemble and disassemblefor cleaning, maintenance, storage andtransportation. The Vinci reliably shoots car-tridges up to three-inch magnum loads.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “The BenelliVinci is like nothing you’ve ever seen before,”said Stephen McKelvain, Benelli’s VP of Mar-keting & Communications.

3 SAVAGE ARMS Model: Savage B.MAG rifle

www.savagearms.comMSRP: $349

Key Features: Rimfire action, center-feedrotary magazine

Description: The new Savage B.MAG con-tains a completely new compact rimfireaction with rear locking lugs and cock-on-close bolt. It features a center-feed rotarymagazine, as well as a soft rubber buttpadand hidden action-screws. Savage designedthe B.MAG rimfire rifle specifically to handlethe high velocities of the 17 WinchesterSuper Magnum with design features typi-cally reserved for its centerfire rifles. Inorder to maximize accuracy in this long-range shooter, the B.MAG utilizes Savage’sthread-in barrel headspacing system, rear-locking lugs and a cock-on-close boltcapped off with the light, crisp AccuTriggerthat is user-adjustable without special tools.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “If you are anew gun owner and you bought a pistol or anAR first, this would be your ideal second gunthat you will never outgrow and that you willstill enjoy shooting in 30 years with yourgrandchildren.”

4

“The Benelli Vinci is like nothingyou’ve ever seen before…”

“Firearms canprovide both

personal protection

and huntingfunctions…”

ASG_1310_BG_GUNS 9/23/13 3:18 AM

buyer’sGuideGUNS

3 $1359BENELLI

4 $349SAVAGE ARMS

“this would be your ideal second gunthat you will never outgrow…”

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buyer’sGuide GUNS

6 $500�and�upSPRINGFIELD ARMORY

HI-POINT FIREARMSModel: 916

www.hi-pointfirearms.comMSRP: $179

Key Features: Affordable, semi-automatic

Description: The Hi-Point 916 is an affordable, American-made semiautomatic pistol. The polymer frame and han-dles have matching black powder-coated slides, whichlock open after the last shot. The three-dot sight systemsfeature fully-adjustable rear sights. It has 8+1 capacityand includes a holster. It’s available in 9mm, .380 ACP, .40S&W and .45 ACP calibers and weighs only 29 ounces.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “Simply put, you can’t get abetter-quality gun for the price.”

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY Model: XDS 3.3-inch Single Stack 9mm handgun

www.springfield-armory.comMSRP: Starting at $500, price varies by dealer

Key Features: Ultra-slim profile, fiber-optic front sight,USA Action Trigger System

Description: The XD-S offers a unique combination of anultra-slim profile paired with enhanced performance point-and-shoot features, allowing you to shoot accurately with-out having to adjust your wrist. The pistol boasts a numberof safety features, including the Ultra Safety Assurance(USA) Action Trigger System, loaded chamber indicatorand grip safety. In addition, the XD-S offers a top-of-the-line, enhanced secure grip texture for greater control andusability. The XD-S also features a fail-safe disassembly toprotect users from disassembling the pistol while a maga-zine is in place, or from inserting a magazine when thegun is being disassembled.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “The comfortable design ofthe all new XD-S feels so natural, it’s like an extension ofyour own body” —DEB WILLIAMS, ADVERTISING ASSISTANT WITH SPRING-

FIELD ARMORY

5

6

“The comfortabledesign of the allnew XD-S feelsso natural…”

5 $179HI-POINT FIREARMS

“Simply put, you can’tget a better-quality gun

for the price.”

ASG_1310_BG_GUNS 9/23/13 3:18 AM

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BROWNING Model: A-Bolt III AB3 Bolt Action Rifle

www.browning.comMSRP: $599.99

Key Features: Matte blued barrel and action,detachable double-stack magazine

Description: Browning introduced the AB3 bolt-action rifle in 2013. Built to be an accurate andvalue-priced rifle, the AB3 features a bolt lockoverride button that allows shooters to unload thefirearm while leaving the top-tang safety in the onsafe position. A premium Inflex Technology recoilpad reduces felt recoil by absorbing recoil andusing directional deflection to pull the comb downand away from your face when shooting. The steelreceiver has a matte blue finish and is drilled andtapped for scope mounts. The AB3 also has aremovable box magazine. The AB3 CompositeStalker model is chambered in .30-06 Springfield,270 Win, 300 Win Mag, and 7mm Rem Mag.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “The firearms markethas many different offerings in bolt action rifles, andmaking a decision can be daunting. But it need notbe. With the AB3 you can have the accuracy and per-formance you demand in a hunting rifle with moremoney leftover for ammunition.” —PAUL THOMPSON, MEDIA

RELATIONS MANAGER WITH BROWNING/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS

KEL-TEC CNCModel: KSG Shotgun

www.keltecweapons.comMSRP: $1197

Key Features: Pump-action, compact size

Description: The KSG is Kel-Tec CNC’s first entryinto the shotgun market. The size, shape, anddesign are similar to those currently available Kel-Tec RFB rifle, but the KSG ejects downward,instead of forward. The pump-action KSG is ascompact as legally possible, with a 26.1-inch over-all length and an 18.5-inch cylinder bore barrel.Even with this compact size, the internal dual tubemagazines hold an impressive 12 rounds of 12-gauge, three-inch rounds in total (six per tube). Itcan also reliably shoot shells as short as 1 3/4-inchup to three-inch. The pump includes an underPicatinny rail for the mounting of a forward grip, alight, or a laser. The included top Picatinny sightrail will accept many types of optics or iron sights.

Manufacturer’s Comments: “The KSG is Kel-Tec’s first pump shotgun and large amounts ofresources were put towards its development andproduction.”

7

8

“With the AB3 you can have theaccuracy and performance youdemand in a hunting rifle with moremoney leftover for ammunition.”

7 $599.99BROWNING

8 $1197KEL-TEC

ASG_1310_BG_GUNS 9/23/13 3:18 AM

127

AS ANYoNe WHo iS TRAiNed Tosurvive in a harsh winter environmentwill tell you, the cold can be a killer if youare not prepared.

While the days of having to trekthrough snow dunes on foot are longgone (unless you are going on a trekkingexpedition), having a vehicle doesn’tmean you will be immune to the dangersof extreme weather conditions.

Winter storms are considered decep-tive killers … as most of the deathscaused by them are indirect. everyone ispotentially at risk during winter storms,yet the actual threat to you depends onyour specific situation. in recent years,winter deaths or injuries were found tobe related to ice and snow, with about75 percent occurring in automobiles,while the other 25 percent were thoseof people actually being caught outsideduring the storm. With such a high per-centage occurring in automobiles, every-one should carry a winter survival kit inhis/her car.

Although some of the gear you needmay be common sense, being as preparedas you can for any eventuality or emer-gency could mean the difference betweenlife and death.

PHOT

O CO

URTE

SY OF TIM RAL

STON

ULTIMATE KIT

“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”—Tim Ralston, Founder, Gear Up Center

PREPPINGWITHRALSTONBY TIM RALSTON

KIT BASICS• Topography map of area• Shovel (Recommend Crovel Extreme or Shovel Multi-tool)• Windshield scraper and small broom • Flashlight with extra batteries • Battery powered radio • Water • Snack food, including energy bars • Matches and small candles, magnesium fire rods and lighter • Extra hats, socks and mittens (recommend wool)• First aid kit• Pocket knife (Multi-tool or Mora knife recommended)• Necessary medications • Blankets or sleeping bag (wool blanket, Mylar survival sleepingbag recommended)

• Tow chain or rope • Road salt, sand, or cat litter for traction • Booster cables • Emergency flares and reflectors • Fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention • Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter • Tin cup/metal pot (vessel you can heat to melt snow)• Goggles• Small notebook and pen• Snow boots• Neon florescent marker tape• 1 small pup tent (Adventure Pod recommended) • Jump cables, snow/tire chains (these may or may not need to be attached prior to departing)

• Additional medication if anyone in group requires it

Timothy Bryan Ralston is an American inventor, veteran, adventurer, author and movie consultant for his expertise in the field of survival and preparednesseducation. He is best known for his appearance in the powerful motivational film, The Compass, and for being the international spokesperson in the launchof NatGeo’s #1-rated program, Doomsday Preppers.

THE NUMBERS

About

75% of winter deaths

occur in automobiles, while the other

25% is made up of people

caught during thestorm.

What You Need To Survive Winter

PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK

ASG_1310_RALSTON 9/23/13 3:08 AM

AD INDEXWINTER 2013

ADVERTISER PAGE

5.11 Tactical Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

American Gunsmithing Institute . . . . . . . . 15, 33

American Tactical Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

CampingSurvival.com(JHL Supply) . . . . . . . . . 27

Dillon Precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

DSG Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Knife and Gun Finishing Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Knife Center Of The Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Long Life Food Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Major Surplus & Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Midwest Native Skills Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

MIL-TAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Nitro-Pak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 39

Ontario Knife Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Paracord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Savage Arms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

SCCY Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 62-63

Survival Bags Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Tormach LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

WILSON COMBAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Zombie Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

The Advertiser Index is provided as a service to American SurvivalGuide readers. American Survival Guide is not responsible for omissions or typographical errors on names or page numbers.

128

Know Your EnvironmentBefore you put your survival kit

together, it is important to do some pre-liminary research regarding the climateand major dangers of the area you arelocated in, or traveling to. If traveling,make sure you are aware of possibleweather fronts that could hit and howthese conditions will affect the conditionsof the road, as well as how you will navi-gate through it. Generally, avoid drivingthrough snow or ice unless absolutelynecessary, as your chances of breakdownand getting stranded increase when youdo. Making sure you are as aware as pos-sible about weather conditions, generalareas of danger when traveling, and whoto call in an emergency, are all very cru-cial no matter where you are going.

PREPPINGWITHRALSTON

ENJOY WINTER!Once you have these basics in your kit, you can add more supplies as needed should you be

planning longer or more extended trips. Having such a kit on hand, whether you are skiing at aresort or trekking in the woods, is always a good idea. Accidents can happen anytime, fromavalanches, snow storms and other forms of extreme weather that can quickly leave youstranded. Without a winter survival kit, you could be in real trouble. That said, while wintercan be dangerous, by respecting it, having a little knowledge of your environment and beingprepared, you can really enjoy the winter season.

CAUGHT IN AWINTER STORM?

Try to find shelter andstay dry. Cover all exposedparts of the body. If you can-not find shelter:• Prepare a lean-to, wind-break, or snow cave forprotection from the wind.

• Build a fire for heat and toattract attention.

• Place rocks around the fireto absorb and reflect heat.

• Do not eat snow: It willlower your body tempera-ture. Melt it first.

VEHICLE SENSEStay in your car or truck.

Disorientation occurs quickly inwind-driven snow and cold. Runthe motor about ten minutes each

hour for heat. Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon

monoxide poisoning and make sure theexhaust pipe is not blocked.

TIPS – If possible, make yourself visible to rescuers:• Tie a colored cloth (preferably red) to yourantenna or door.

• Turn on the dome light at night when running yourengine.

• Raise the hood indicating trouble after the snowstops falling.

• Exercise by moving your extremities from time totime to keep your blood circulating and to keepwarm. Don’t forget your toes!

• Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energyfor producing its own heat. Keep the body replen-ished with fluids to prevent dehydration.PH

OTO BY

THINK

STOC

K

KIT TIPS• Reverse batteries in flash-

light to avoid accidentalswitching and burnout.

• Store items in the passengercompartment in case the

trunk is jammed orfrozen shut.

ASG_1310_RALSTON 9/23/13 3:08 AM

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ASG_1310_129 9/22/13 11:33 PM

130

PHOT

O BY

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“We could do it, you know.”“What?”“Leave the district. Run off.Live in the woods. You and I,we could make it.”

—Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

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ASG_1310_CLOSING 9/20/13 6:20 AM

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The E.A.T. PodTM

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ASG_1310_C4 9/20/13 4:15 AM Page C4

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