Survival - Part Two

Survival of the Mind

Let me start off by saying that I am neither a psychologist nor professional of any degree when it comes to how our minds work.


What you’ll read here is a combination of years of practice and various tit-bits of information I’ve collected in my travels. The knowledge I impart from here on and the skills you develop will become important tools in any survival situation, however the will to live and the manner in which you nourish it will totally depend on you.


A real life survival scenario is stressful, and anyone who tells you otherwise has never been in one. (No, watching your team lose the grand final is not one of those situations!) By being able to recognize the different stresses that occur you’ll not only be able to handle them better but you’ll also be able to gauge how stressed you are which, in turn, will help you even better to survive.

Stress

Stress is a natural state; man would not have survived as long as he has if not for stress, it can manifest physically, emotionally, mentally, and sometimes even spiritually.


It’s normal to experience stress in our everyday lives; imagine driving to work one morning through the usual heavy traffic of your city or town, this time imagine the traffic this morning is heavier than usual. The guy on the radio tells you there’s a three car pile-up on the very road you’re on, you look around to see other drivers getting agitated and impatient, you hear sirens but aren’t sure where they’re coming from. What happens? You start to feel tense, your hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter, and your eyes dart around, perhaps looking for an exit or alternative route.


I’ll say it again; what you’re feeling is completely normal, you do not have anger issues or an anxiety disorder. Then why is it that when you get to work you feel so angry and frustrated before you’ve even seen the workload on your desk? It’s because, as primal inhabitants of the world hundreds of thousands of years ago, those feelings and emotions are what kept you alive to escape predators or to bring down prey to feed your tribe. Yet because you’re unable to release that tension of being in a potentially dangerous situation it stays with you when you arrive at work and winds down slower than evolution has trained it to. Hang on a minute! Traffic jams aren’t a potentially dangerous situation! Really? Tell that to the people involved in the three car pile-up.


Stress is like red wine, moderately it’s good for you, too much of it and you’re in trouble. Some people will try to avoid stress or deflect it in some manner; this isn’t any good for you either because the only way to get rid of stress is to deal with it. An overload of stress can cause anguish which is worse as it interferes with your very being and interrupts your objectives. It can manifest in the following forms:

• Decisions making becomes difficult
• Angry outbursts
• Forgetfulness
• Lethargy
• Constant agonising
• Unsociability
• Shirking responsibilities
• Carelessness

Stress and Stressors

It’s pretty simple; a stressor is the cause to what you experience, which is stress. The brain triggers your “fight or flight” response and, whether you want it to or not, the body steps up to the starting line. Your body prepares for a brief and rapid response:

• It releases reserved fuels to provide a quick energy burst
• Respiration rate increases to supply more oxygen to the blood
• Muscles tense
• Senses become more acute (hearing becomes more sensitive, eyes become big, smell becomes sharper) so that you are more aware of your surroundings
• Your heart rate and blood pressure rises to provide more blood to the muscles.

Stressors don’t give a shit if you’re ready for them or not either. You can overcome one only to instantly be hit with another, they can stack in any order, or they can happen all at once. Only by learning the tell-tale signs of these stressors can you tackle them successfully.

Types of Stress

Environment

Weather can be unpredictable at the best of times and extreme the rest, being unprepared for sudden changes in weather or extended periods in scorching heat or freezing rain can mean the difference between life and death. Knowledge of your environment, your skill-set, and your kit will play a major role in handling any stressful conditions you may encounter.

Fatigue

A number of factors can induce fatigue; the environment, predators, bushfire, avalanche, and other events which may cause you to pack up and move unprepared. Sometimes it’s just the traveling itself, you may not realize you’re fatigued until you stop to make camp. When you’re fatigued you can find it hard to make camp, hunt and gather food, procure water, or even cook a meal.

Hunger and Thirst

Your body can survive three days without water and three weeks without food, but by that time you’ll probably be too weak and lethargic to hunt or gather food. So from day one the stress of needing to procure food and fresh water is upon you, even if you’ve already got a supply of both.

Injury, Illness, and Death

At home, in the bubble of life that is suburbia; an injury or illness is a relative uncomplicated thing. You can go to the doctor, get it treated, by some medicine from a chemist, and lay up until you’re healed without too much fuss. Even death can be handled without too much stress (about stress-free as death causes anyway), as funeral homes, friends and family help you through it all.


However; if you’re alone in the bush then and injury or illness can severely hamper your ability to travel, gather supplies, and hunt. If you’re in a group then these things are slightly easier to handle, but what if someone dies? Not only do you have to take care of the real-world affairs of a corpse, but you have to deal with the loss of a companion, an extra set of hands, and a friend. Blame can get thrown around, you may even blame yourself, and people need to grieve.

Isolation

Even if you’re someone who enjoys their own company, the sudden onset of a survival situation makes one realize how much we rely on those around us. With that safety net no longer there the stress of isolation, if left unchecked, can grow and form into fear.

Uncertainty and Control Issues

Some people need all of the information available before they can begin to work through a problem. In the bush uncertainty rules us unless we’re thoroughly familiar with our environment, you can hunt/camp in the same forest for years until you discover one day that a pack of wolves have moved into the area to claim it as their own. Suddenly everything you thought you knew about the area has changed and you’re uncertain as to where safety can be found.


These are just a few stressors that you can face in the field; what you find stressful someone else may not, and vice versa. The knowledge you develop, how you use that knowledge, practical training, and experience will all help you deal with stress. At the end of the day it’s up to you to retain the will to live to utilise the tools you have. What you want to do here is not to avoid stress but to work through it so that you can face your situation and move on.

Reactions to Stress

Stress can manifest in several forms, for centuries this stress has been a warning to man, and he has responded and adapted accordingly. He may not have got it right every single time but he obviously did well enough for you to be reading this.

Anger and Frustration

Frustration is when we are beaten time and time again whilst trying to achieve an objective. Since Murphy’s Law is not purely restricted to Murphy himself we will, at one stage or another, fail and get frustrated. It is this repeated failure that gives birth to anger, and any subsequent failures can fuel that anger. Pretty soon you’re so angry and frustrated that no matter what you try to do you will fail because you lack the clarity and patience to get even the simplest of tasks done.

Anxiety

Anxiety is heavily associated with stress, as is fear, yet it too is a totally natural emotion. It’s the cold sweat, pulse-racing, hard-to-breathe physical symptoms. It’s your thoughts telling you you’ll never make it. It’s your emotions reacting to your thoughts and driving you downward in a spiral of confusion and chaos. It’s also the kick-start that urges us to react to the danger and successfully make our way through the ordeal.

Depression

Sometimes the act of survival can get you down, especially if we try and fail a few times, that’s okay if these thoughts give you the energy to keep going. However if you’re already frustrated and getting angry, then you try something else that doesn’t work which makes you more frustrated and angrier, then this vicious cycle will continue until you are physically too exhausted to go on. This is that dangerous time when depression can set in. Soon your thoughts are telling you how hopeless you and your situation is, and you begin to believe them, after that you begin to question your will to live, this is the most dangerous time of all.

Fear

If we believe that our physical, emotional, or mental well-being is under threat we can succumb to the most immobilizing reaction to stress there is, fear. It may not be the worst reaction to a stressor but it can literally immobilize you. It is the ability to foresee the reaction in an adverse situation that will help you to remain in control throughout.

You vs. Stress

As you can see there is a lot involved when it comes to stress, professionals have written entire books on the subject, I’m sure! Whether you’re facing a hostile environment, fatigue, hunger, thirst, injury, illness, death, uncertainty, or isolation, you’ll run into at least one of the aforementioned reactions. And perhaps one or two that I’ve missed. The trick is to be mindful of stressors before they grow and attack you, this way they’re smaller and easier to manage.

Get to know You!

Take some time to discover the inner you, your strengths, your weaknesses, and work on those you think make you a stronger and better individual. Ask your friends and family to help you, discuss you and what makes you who you are.

Anticipate Fears

What scares you the most? Before you even step out into the field confront your fears so that if you happen to be faced with them in an uncontrollable environment, they are easier to handle. When you are in the field be aware, without being paranoid, about potential hazards.

Keep it Real!

See your situation for what it is, not for what you want it to be, and remind yourself what’s at stake. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

Practice, practice, practice!

You can’t play the piano by reading a book, you must practice, and practice, and then practice some more. Start off at home in the back yard; lighting a camp fire, building a shelter, packing your kit effectively, procuring water, and so on. Move on to lighting a fire in the rain, building a shelter on a windy day, etc. Gradually make your training more and more realistic so that when faced with a real survival condition it isn’t as daunting.

Breathe!

An anxiety attack is simply the body receiving too much oxygen and that oxygen overwhelming the natural balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. By breathing into a paper bag you’re recalling some of your carbon dioxide to regain balance.

It is also a good idea to learn some meditation and relaxation techniques. Whether you need them or not, practice them daily so that they become second nature.


Time management is import as you have fewer conveniences in the field and therefore have to do a lot more for yourself. You do not want to be cooking at one a.m. because of poor time management skills.


So that's stress in a (fairly big) nutshell. Hopefully it can act as a jump off point for you to investigate further, and I hope that stress never gets the better of you.

The Importance of Staying Human!

1 - http://vegasmike.deviantart.com/

When you’re out trudging the boonies day-in and day-out it can really catch up with you. You can feel like an animal! You may not think that its anything to be concerned about, after all, you are living in the wild, aren't you? Well believe it or not, cleanliness is an important issue to keep in mind when in the wild, especially for an extended period of time. I'm not saying that “cleanliness is next to god-liness”, far from it, I'm talking about what staying clean in the field can do for you, and what to avoid.

Okay; so you can’t exactly soak in a hot bath filled with essentials oils at the end of a day’s hunting and gathering, but there are things you can do. But first let me explain why you need to clean up your act. Medically, you'll be taking preventative measures that you may normally not even consider. If you forget to brush your teeth for a week your partner or work colleagues may start to complain about your bad breath. Don’t brush your hair for a week and your boss might ask you to do something about your scruffiness. Don’t bathe for a week and you'll probably be asked to take a leave of absence and to sleep outside with the dog!

However if you’re roughing for an extended period of time then not cleaning yourself can lead to some pretty nasty bugs catching a free ride, and sometimes a free meal…you!

Teeth

Try to brush your teeth once a day, preferably at night before you bunk down. Brush them in the morning and your body has three meals and a few snacks to compete with during the day, by brushing before you retire you'll allow the body to heal any potential gum diseases such as gingivitis while you sleep. Take a trip to the airport one day and visit either the gift shop or the bathroom, I bought the travel toothbrush kit from a vending machine for $3.00. It’s small, compact and weighs less than 25 grams!

2 - Travel toothbrush kit

Hair

You may not be able to shampoo and condition your hair on a regular basis, (or if you’re bald like me you can NEVER do that!) but you can at least comb your hair daily. Whether you buy a speciality kit or just a pack of combs, combing your hair has a number of benefits:

• It cleans and massages your scalp
• It separates your hair, allowing air and sunlight onto your scalp
• It helps to remove some ticks and lice
• It prevents your head becoming a suitable area for ticks and lice to procreate

3 - Comb and Mirror

Bathing

Fungal infections in the bush can be dangerous and can become septic, especially from the smallest skin lesion. Whilst you may not be able to take a shower there are still areas of the body you should keep clean and dry. Even if you’re rationing your water supply you can use baby wipes to keep yourself clean.

4 - Baby Wipes

Areas you need to concentrate are:

• Your ears (behind and the outer canal, not the inner canal!)
• Your face and neck
• Your armpits and groin (it is VERY important that these areas are clean and dry!)
• Behind your knees
• And in-between and underneath your feet

Moist areas of the body attract all sorts of fungal infections that you do not want to allow to get out of control, especially your feet which are your main mode of transportation. After cleaning them make sure they are thoroughly dried, let your feet air for as long as possible before placing clean, dry socks on them. Microfiber towels are great as they roll up and pack nice and small, are lightweight, and dry in no time at all.

5 - Microfiber Towel

There is one final benefit to keeping yourself clean whilst in the bush; you'll feel a little bit more human every night. Not only will this feeling aide in a good night’s sleep but the simple act of having a routine to follow reinforces in your minds that you have not been beaten, no matter of the day’s failures or successes, and that you have the power to get up tomorrow and do it all again.

The above artwork “Zombie Cop” was done by a fantastic artist, Vegas Mike, who can be found at http://vegasmike.deviantart.com/. He has this, and many other prints for sale, so please stop by and check out his fantastic work. Thank you.

Bob - A Detailed View Part 2

Clothing is possibly the most important part of your BOB by far; choose the wrong types of clothing and you can find yourself inadequately protected from the elements such as the cold and rain, chafing can become a problem which in turn hampers your movement, and you soon realize that all of those action stars just got it plain wrong. In part two we'll be covering clothing and not much else, after all, there’s a lot worth protecting.

You'll notice that I've gone for a lot of military grade items as you read on. This is because the military is possibly the last industry in our time that pushes the human body to the extreme in hostile environments that calls for durability, protection, and camouflage in its equipment. And when it comes to survival of those persons not militarily trained, you’re going to want the same in the equipment you use.

2.1 – Underwear

Yes, underwear! Jocks and socks for your toes and… well, you get the idea.

When it comes to underwear you really should've listened to your Grandma, cotton breathes, and those little guys need to breathe. (Undies and your Grandma… yep, I went there!) The old girl knew what she was talking about too; cotton not only allows air to circulate around down there but also prevents chafing. If you live in a colder climate then you might want to think about thermals, but otherwise, don’t worry too much about it. And that’s all I have to say about underwear. (I didn't really want to spend too much time around your groin, thanks!)

Let’s talk toes! There are two things you need to remember about your feet; they need to stay dry, and they need to stay warm. Simple really, isn't it? You’d be surprised.

For decades armies all over the world have had problems keeping the feet of their soldiers dry and warm, the results were anything from mild fungal infections to gangrenous foot-rot that sometimes led to amputation.

Woollen socks are the best choice here; wool insulates (even when wet), dries quicker than polyester or cotton when wet, and breathes much like cotton does. These are all advantages when it comes to travelling on foot, walk a few kilometres or cross a few creeks and rivers and you'll see what I mean.

 If you’re still living in a colder climate then you may want to consider layering your socks, which is, wearing woollen socks over cotton socks. This will give you extra insulation needed to keep your feet warm. Have a spare set in your BOB so that when the ones on your feet start to smell and feel a bit stiff from sweat you can put on a clean pair, wash the dirty ones, and hang them off your BOB to dry as you continue.

Figure 1 - Woollen Socks

2.2 – Boots

Nice segway, huh? Boots are also an important piece of kit to have; after all, they’re protecting your primary mode of transport. So it makes sense that you choose a pair of boots that will not only do the job right, but ones that will last a long time as well. When looking for a pair of boots you'll want to take in a few considerations, such as:

• A high ankle for added support
• A solid sole with a good tread (Especially on the toes, this can prevent dangerous slips.)
• Moderate flexibility (The world isn't flat after all!)
• And most importantly, comfort!

The choice of steel capped toed boots are purely optional but keep in mind that in hot arid areas that steel heats up, even under leather. Increase your body temperature, especially your feet or head, and the body needs to work harder to cool you down.

There are also plenty of water-deterrent products on the market that you can use on your boots as well but be sure to ask first if the product will damage the boot in any way, prevent air circulation, etc.

Figure 2 - High End Military Grade Boots

2.3 - T-shirt

The principle of the t-shirt is very simple; it will help insulate you under your shirt or jacket, and when it gets too hot you can still be covered to prevent sunburn. Common sense stuff really. Again, choose a cotton shirt that will breathe, and perhaps even pack a spare one in your BOB. If you want to be slightly more prepared you can now buy t-shirts with anti-bacterial properties that expel the moisture, preventing fungal infections.

Figure 3 - Antibacterial T-shirt

2.4 – Long Sleeve Combat Shirt

Another shirt you'll need is a long sleeve shirt; this is to prevent any cuts or scratches from branches, shrubs, barb wire fences, etc. On top of everything you may go through you’d feel like a bit of a goose if you let a cut on your arm get infected and it has to get amputated due to septicaemia.

Figure 4 - Combat Shirt

2.5 – Jacket

This one’s pretty self-explanatory really; you need something to keep out the cold on those chilly nights, and something that will keep you dry during light showers. You probably don’t need to wear it all the time because of the two layers you’re already wearing, but you might just regret it if you don’t have one in your BOB. 

                                                   

Figure 5 - Jacket

2.6 - Pants

Much like your combat shirt you'll need a tough pair of combat pants. You could go for leather or denim but your inner thighs will end up bleeding from the chafing, those action heroes don't know shit! Any pair of pants that you can find with reinforced knees and groin isn't such a bad idea either. 

Figure 6 - Combat Pants

2.7 – Wet Weather Poncho

I know, I know! How much more am I going to make you carry? Shit-loads!  This one’s not so bad, I swear. A wet weather poncho is obviously used to keep the rain off; however they can also be used to collect water, and as the cover of a shelter to provide shade and as a roof, as a ground sheet, or even as a stretcher to haul supplies or to carry the injured. It rolls/folds up quite compactly, weighs very little, and doesn't take up too much space in your BOB.

Figure 7 – Wet Weather Poncho

2.8 – Headwear

Headwear comes in a variety of forms, some designed with a specific environment in mind, but all being able to do the job required. That is, to protect our heads from the sun and prevent rapid heat loss from our heads. Depending on the environment of course, you may need to retain that heat.

Shown below are the following types of headgear (Top to bottom, from left to right)

• Scrim: Great as a head wrap as it allows air to circulate around your head. Can also be used to aide camouflaging a cache, hide, etc.
• Shemagh: Also another great wrap, best known for keeping the head protected in deserts, could be used in snow as well.
• Headsox: Provides UV protection and has multiple uses. It also allows you to wear a helmet comfortably whilst absorbing perspiration.
• Giggle Hat: A classic bush hat that diffuses your head shape for added camouflage. Foliage can be added to the hat thanks to the added keepers around the brim.
• Peak Cap: Look cool whilst keeping the sun out of your eyes, or look like a dick by wearing it with the peak facing your right shoulder!
• Neck Warmer: This item does what it implies; it keeps your neck warm in cold environments. You can also pull it up to cover your mouth and nose. If you don’t have a dust mask then this (as well as a scrim, shemagh, or headsox) will suffice.
• Neck Cooler: It's like a Neck Warmer, only not! Dangle it in some cold water or a cool running stream for five minutes and watch the water-saving crystals expand. Tie it loosely around your neck and even in 40 degree heat you'll feel as cool as a cucumber.

2.9 – Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a great piece of kit if you’re outside for an extended period of time, no matter what climate you live in. They protect your eyes from the glare of the sun, dust and sand, and can be used as safety glasses. Nuff said!

Figure 8 - Light Adjusting Sunglasses

3.0 – Gloves

When it comes to our hands, they’re no different to our head and feet, they’re something that needs protection, and they’re the earliest tool known to man. Without your hands survival would be near impossible so you’d better buy some decent gloves.

Leather’s okay, but takes a long time to dry when wet. Wool’s great for warmth, but doesn't protect your hands too well and bumps and scrapes. So, once again, I've gone for a military combat glove.

Figure 9 - Combat Gloves

3.1 – Watch

Watches are only as useful as the uses for which they’re needed. Therefore, when you buy a watch, really think about these three things:

• What you need the watch to do. (Do you need to use it at high altitudes? Does it need to be water/shock resistant?)
• The battery life of the watch. (Will a battery operated watch do the job or do you need a self-powered unit?)
• The environment in which you'll be travelling.

Figure 10 - Watch

BOB – A Detailed View Part 1

Earlier we described a BOB (or Bug Out Bag) and listed the items you might need within. Here we'll be taking a closer look at what goes into a BOB and their uses; part one covers the camp axe, shovel, and cash.

1.1 The Camp Axe

The camp axe is a very handy piece of kit to have; although it can weigh 600g and upwards it shouldn't impact on the overall weight of your BOB, keep this in mind when selecting your axe. Bigger isn't always better. You might also want to consider choosing a one piece axe, that is, not your traditional steel head on a wooden handle. A wooden handle can break, leaving you with the laborious task of crafting a new handle.

Needless to say that the camp axe makes an excellent modified weapon, but of course its main uses are that of cutting timber, kindling, etc.  Used side ways it also becomes a handy hand trowel, which brings us to our next item.

1.2 The Shovel (or Entrenching Tool)

I like to call a spade a spade so let’s use the correct term for this item, its an entrenching tool, so called because, much like any tool, it has multiple uses. Ideally you want a fold-up E-tool, this makes it easier to store and carry. It too can weigh from 600g upwards and, like the camp axe, you don’t want to skimp on quality when buying one.

Pictured is the same E-tool that I own. It has a tempered steel head, its fold-able, has a serrated saw edge for cutting, a pick head for digging up hard ground, a classic shovel head for soft sand, and a triangular handle for ease-of-use from multiple angles and positions. You can see why I chose this particular model.

Its uses range from:

• Shovelling soft sand
• Digging up hard ground
• Cutting/sawing/hacking wood and small trees
• A modified weapon
• And whatever else you can think of!

 1.3 Cash

Seems like an unusual sort of thing to have in your BOB, right? Wrong. Cash can come in very handy.

No matter how long you've been stranded in the wild, when you finally trudge into town or stumble across a service station, no amount of fox furs, rabbit carcasses, or good will is going to get you a room, a shower, and a hot meal. So how much should you carry? $100 - $200 should suffice, keep them in two or three separate waterproof pouches/containers in different sections of your BOB. This way, if you are robbed, you don’t lose all your money at once.

Alternatively; if someone runs into you in the middle of nowhere and you are threatened, you can always attempt to bribe your way out of danger. Because most people are inherently greedy they will actually spend up to ten seconds contemplating your offer. This is when you can do one of two things; run like the clappers, or try to overpower them. The second choice is obviously the more dangerous of the two and is not recommended unless you've no other choice left.

Tasco 10 x 25 Monocular

Product Review

Tasco 10 x 25 Monocular

The housing, which comes in black or camo, is an armoured rubber design that protects it from rain and snow as well as a decent amount of shock absorption.

Although it boasts a field of view of 115m, I was able to focus on streets signage over 200m away quite comfortably.

My next test was its shock absorption (Tasco clearly states in their product manual NOT to drop any of their products!), which I’ll readily admit made me a little anxious.

I stand at 186cm tall so I dropped the monocular from three heights. The first was from a waist height of 100cm, the second was from my eye level height of 170cm (This is possibly the most common height from which it would be dropped.), and the last was from a height of 210cm in which I had my arm raised to its full height.

After I coaxed my heart from my throat and back into its proper position I found that, on close inspection, that the monocular didn’t have a scratch on it and still viewed perfectly.  I recommend that you DO NOT drop your mono/binocular; let idiots like me do it for you!

My next test was its weather proof abilities, and since I am yet to be able to make it snow or rain, I did the next best thing. I had a shower! As an ex-watch technician I always told my customers that no matter how waterproof your watch says it is, never wear it in the shower. The heat and steam from a shower can expand and penetrate the tiny O-rings that seal the device, so you shouldn’t even have it in the bathroom!

So, what did I do? I slipped the small attached strap over my wrist and took a nice long hot shower. I figured 15 minutes was long enough and, although I had gained a little more bravado after the drop-test, I was still a little anxious about the results of this test. After drying and cleaning the lenses with the polishing cloth provided I found that not only did it still view perfectly but there was no fogging within the lenses which tells me that no moisture got inside.

This monocular could be used by anyone really, keeping in mind the distance you wish to see. It should be considered a part of any kit; whether you are a hunter, fisherman, in the military or protective services. And its economical price means that it’s a great gift idea as well; I bought mine as an initial part of my hunting kit, I needed something that would do the job and didn’t cost a fortune, then when I upgraded I thought I could give this one to my son. I think I’ll just buy another on for him and keep this one.

For a reasonably price optics unit you really shouldn’t look too far past the Tasco 10 x 25 Monocular; for less than $50 you’ll be buying a quality unit that will last you a lifetime (if you take care of it as recommended). Weighing in at only 88 grams it is not cumbersome in the slightest and will fit just about anywhere on your kit or your person.  

I expected to find the ribbing on the unit to be a nuisance but on the contrary I found it quite useful when focussing on an object, it rolls quite smoothly between thumb and forefinger. And additional advantage to using a monocular is that, once I was focussed in and had steadied my hand, I then had a free hand to use.

The only drawbacks I found to this unit were two; firstly the wrist strap is a bother, it doesn’t really get in the way but I can’t ever seeing myself using either, and secondly the pouch’s belt loop is a single sewn in strap, which means that if I want to attach to any part of my kit aside from my belt then it’s almost impossible. (It’s too small to fit on your average web belt and its vertical loop means the strap needs to come in from the side.)

What more could I want from the Tasco 10 x 25 Monocular? If anything I’d like to see them develop a small tripod that you could clip the unit onto so you could stand it on places such as; the roof/bonnet of your car, in a hunting hide, etc.

All-in-all this little monocular has really grown on me and I think it will retain permanency as a resident of my kit for many years to come. Go…get one…I dare ya!

So, down to brass tacks…

Includes:

• Wrist strap
• Carry pouch

Specs:

• Magnification: 10 x
• Field-of-view (at 1000 yards/meters): 288 ft. / 115 m
• Exit pupil: 2.5 mm
• Prism type: Roof
• Weight: 4.7 oz
• Objective lens diameter: 25 mm
• Lens coating: Fully coated
• Focus type: Eyepiece
• Colours Available: Black and Camouflage.

Price: 

• $43.16 AUD (This is with your Kit Bag Club 10% discount)

Where to get it?

Buy on-foot:

Kit Bag
Unit 7 / 14 Farrall Road
Midvale
Perth, Western Australia 6056

Opening hours 0900 – 1700 hrs, Monday to Friday (WST)

Buy on-line:

http://www.kitbag.com.au/products/Tasco-10-x-25-Monocular.html

The Kit Bag Club

Product Review

The Kit Bag Club

Retail outlets across the globe have some form of customer loyalty card of another; and the Kit Bag is no exception to the rule, but why should you join?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hunter, fisherman, survivalist, or even a zombie apocalypse prepper; you love the sorts of stuff the Kit Bag sell. You may tell your wife that you’re just popping in to have a quick browse, but if she’s still sitting in the car when you come out two hours later then you’re in a world of hurt!

Let’s face it, you walk in and could spend hours looking at the wide variety of stock that is on the shelves. We love this shit, and we know we do, that’s why you need to join the Kit Bag Club.

Y’see, even a discount of only 10% is the same of getting something for free; if you buy five items and use your discount then, Holy-Smoking-Jesus-on-a-Stick, you can afford to buy a sixth item. Your dumb-ass buddy next door who said “They’re just trying to keep a track of your spending…put you on file! They’re like the FBI! It’s a conspiracy to make you spend more money!” however CANNOT afford that sixth item because he paid full price! Well done Barry…you dumb-ass!

So what do you get for your $20 to become a life-time valued shopper? (See? Looks better already doesn’t it Barry?) This is what you get:

• Receive 10% discount on all purchases forever!
• Receive your personal VIP card.
• Gain access to KitBag Club unique products only available to Club members.
• Be able to provide your input into KitBag product developments.
• Be informed of the latest products, launches and events.
• Be able to purchase new products prior to product launch.
• Receive monthly newsletter e-mailed with specials just for you.
• Receive countless discounted products available through www.kitbag.com.au 

…and I quote! That’s straight off their website, no apologies for plagiarism there at all. Not only do you get all of that, if you’re in the area and are able to pop into the showroom, the guys down there are very friendly and are quite happy to have a yarn. 

Being ex-servicemen they can also help you square away your kit; whether it’s finding the best webbing layout for you, or recommending a better piece of kit for whatever it is you’re into.

Oh! And by-the-way; I don’t work for the Kit Bag store, I don’t receive any additional discount for these reviews, and I’m not getting paid to blow smoke up their arses! (Unless you want to guys…guys?....hello?)

In all seriousness though; it’s a top place to shop (online or in-store), the guys know their stuff, and the kit is all top quality. (Oh! And I don’t really have a neighbour named Barry!)

NB: The prices I quote in any further reviews take into account my 10% discount.

Survival - Part One

Introduction

Most instructional guides on survival start off with an acronym, which is great, because it should be the first thing you remember in the event of an emergency. The only problem with acronyms is that they can be too long or too complicated to remember. My personal rule of thumb is: If you've got to remember an acronym to a tune then it’s too long! So, not unlike other survival training guides, I will show you how to remember the essentials with an acronym that is (hopefully) easy to remember.

S – Scale

What is the scale of the shit you’re in?

• Are you in imminent danger?
• Are you being hunted?
• How much time do you think you have?

Your environment will always be your first clue; whether it’s what you can smell on the wind, what you can hear around you, what you can see. Use your senses and examine the environment. (E.g. can you smell smoke? Are birds frantically flying away from danger? And in what direction?)

How’s your physical condition? Can you walk? Do you need immediate medical attention? Physically check yourself over for any injuries; if you’re in shock then adrenaline can give you the boost you need to get to safety, and fast. This is our “fight or flight” impulses working; however it can also blind you to the fact that you may be seriously injured. 

If you’re bleeding profusely and do not take a moment to stem the blood loss then by the time you realise it may be more difficult to do anything about it as your body will be falling deeper into shock and your adrenaline will be depleting.

How’s your kit? In the event of an incident you may have lost or damaged some of your equipment; do a quick run through of everything you have and the condition it’s in. If you’re like me and constantly re-pack and take stock of your BOB and other equipment then this will take mere seconds.

Right, that’s done. Let’s assume that you had no physical injuries. How long did that take? The average time is sixty seconds. Now all we have to do is look for water, food, and shelter.

U - Undue Haste Makes Waste

We’ve all heard it and we can all remember it; it’s the most commonly recalled part of any survival acronym invented, which is why I’ve chosen to include it in this one.

Don’t act just for the sake of doing something, you’re not being clever, you’re just wasting valuable time and energy. You may forget some of your kit or move off in the wrong direction, putting yourself in more danger. Make a plan in your head before you take a single step. If you've done step one – Scale – then you probably already have an idea of what to do. Take a deep breath and think.

R – Recall your Region

Where’s Wally? Who gives a shit?

You don’t want to be a Wally (or Wally's corpse) so pull out your map (the one in your BOB or EDC of the local area that you should have) and your compass and figure out your location. Now that you know where you are you can orientate yourself to things such as:

• The immediate area of danger
• Any areas of possible aide
• Water sources
• Areas of shelter, cover, or concealment if required

V – The Vault

To coin a phrase from Seinfeld’s Jerry and George “Put it in the vault!”. What is IT exactly? Fear and Panic.

Those two bastards will be your greatest enemies in a survival situation, bigger than the situation itself. And unless you’re a robot you'll never truly be rid of fear and panic, so best to just harden the fuck up princess and deal with them later.

Imagine yourself pushing fear and panic, kicking and screaming, into an impenetrable vault. Be aware that you will have to deal with them later, as bottling up any emotions can be detrimental to one’s mental well-being, but for now they’re better off anywhere but where you are.

Fear and panic can do some, if not all of the following:

• Hinder your ability to make informed and rational decisions
• Cause you to react to your imagination and emotions rather than the facts
• Drain your energy

I – I am MacGyver!

Most people live in a bubble; all any action movie director needs to do is take a mundane everyday item and give it to the hero to use as a weapon, instantly we are all in awe about what James Bond can do with dish cloth and a tube of toothpaste.

Not being able to improvise in a survival situation can tip the balance out of your favour. Learning to improvise with the tools available to you, whether they be tools you've bought with you or those you can create from nature, can make a big difference to your situation.

V - Value Life

Your own, obviously! Long gone are the days where man lived in constant fear from predators and everyday was literally a struggle to survive. The 60’s saw TV dinners and more conveniences than you could poke a stick at, and as time went by it only got worse. Today, in our drive-thru “Would you like fries with that?” society, people have become fat and lazy. The world has been handing everything to us on a platter so hard and for so long that people actually demand more convenience than is possible.

Well now you’re in the shit! Don’t give up though. Dig deep and push onwards. Take your notebook and pencil from your BOB; now you’re going to write two lists, the first is a list of ten conveniences you miss (those that you actually use…not a Blackhawk helicopter!), the next list is of ten things you’re going to change when you get home. (E.g. buy a Blackhawk helicopter!) 

Now get up and move.

A – Adopt a Native

If you’re in an unfamiliar environment, and if that environment is non-hostile, then making friends with the native people can not only give you a unique perspective on the way they live, but you can learn how to survive from them, either directly and indirectly. However don’t expect them to openly teach you everything (that’s a very Western way to be), eat some humble pie and earn their friendship and trust. Then you may politely pose questions of importance.

If you’re in a hostile environment (or cannot gain aide from the native people) then the native animals are your next best bet. Birds are a very good indicator of both water sources and danger. Flocks of birds will often fly to water sources to drink at dawn, and will frantically fly away from any danger.

L - Learn to Live and Live to Learn.

Don’t wait until you’re in a survival situation to learn how to survive. By practising these skills on a regular basis you are training yourself for a moment in your life that may never arrive. However, if you often partake in bush-walking, camping, fishing, hunting, or any other outdoor endeavour that takes you away from civilisation then you’re increasing your chances of placing yourself in a situation where you may require these very skills.

Summary

Now that we've been through the fundamentals of survival you can practise this easy to remember acronym.

Tip:

·    Print this instructional guide
Place a credit card over each picture then trace around it
Once you've done that cut each picture out and write each heading (and any notes of your own) on the back of each corresponding picture
Laminate them and keep them on hand, in your EDC, or in your BOB for easy reference

• S – Scale
• U – Undue Haste Makes Waste
• R – Recall your Region
• V – The Vault
• I – I Am MacGyver
• V – Value Life
• A – Adopt a Native
• L – Learn to Live and Live to Learn