American_Survival guide september_2018

How-to: Build Your Base Camp

FOOD WATER SHELTER SECURITY COMMS HEALTH

Vol. 7 Issue 10

CREEK STEWART DISCUSSES HIS LIFETIME DEDICATION TO PREPARATION

REVIEWING

THE ROAMER R315

Where There’s a Steel Will, There’s a Way!

HENRY’S NEW U.S.

SURVIVAL PACK

Big Advantage in a Small Package

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HOME, SAFE HOME

How to Select and Maintain Your Secure Home

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FEATURES

12 CREEK STEWART TALKS WITH ASG

Part one of our exclusive interview with an American survival legend

By Michael D’Angona

28 ESCAPE FROM L.A.

A real-life rescue during the 1992 Los Angeles riots

By Dave Strom

72 THE APEX PREPPER'S WEBSITE

Bunker Days is the place for prepping info, expertise and tools.

By Steve Barlow

HOW-TO

36 HANDTOOLS FOR THE HOMESTEAD

Cut the (power) cord with these sharp woodworking tools.

By Dana Benner

54 BASE CAMP BASICS

Key considerations for your home-away-from-home

By Dana Benner

80 HOME, SAFE HOME

How to select and ensure a secure home

By Brian M. Morris

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98 DINING AT THE ROADKILL CAFE

Set aside the stigma and sample the cuisine.

By Brian M. Morri s

REVIEWS

20 THE NEW HENRY U.S. SURVIVAL PACK Big advantages in a small package

By Sean Curtis

62 ROUGHING UP THE ROAMER 315 Where there’s a Steel Will, there’s a way.

By Mike Travis

90 TRUST HONEYVILLE WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY Hearty, freeze-dried meals are portable taste treats.

By Dana Benner

106 BUSHCRAFTING ON A BUDGET

Affordable and effective camp tools from UST

By Mike Travis

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year—January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December—by Engaged Media, Inc., 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Survival Guide c/o VSI, Inc. 905 Kent Street Liberty, MO 64068. © 2018 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada.

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GEAR GUIDE

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PACK IT IN!

Great gear-carrying options for your next adventure

By Michael D’Angona

DEPARTMENTS

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FIRST WORDS

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NEW PRODUCTS

114

LAST WORDS

Some articles in this issue might include stock images that are the property of Getty Images.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 10

EDITORIAL Mike McCourt Editor Kelly Nomura Executive Managing Editor Amy Maclean Managing Editor DESIGN Nadezda Sverdlova Art Director CONTRIBUTORS Steven Barlow, Dana Benner, Sean Curtis, Michael D'Angona, Brian M. Morris, Dave Strom, Mike Travis

TRAIN, PRACTICE, EXECUTE

I

t has been said that it takes about 20 hours of practice to go from knowing nothing about a new skill to being pretty good at it. If you think about it, this is probably true for most things we do in our everyday lives.

Now, if you want to become an expert, that can take a lot more time; maybe as much as 10,000 hours. But, in your pursuit of self-reliance, how many skills should you be pretty good at versus needing to become an expert?

Keep in mind that your skills continue to improve as you pass the 20-hour mark, and you’ll probably be proficient at building a fire or shelter and growing and sourcing food before you hit the 100-hour mark—that is, if you’re paying attention as you practice. It makes more sense to be good at a number of skills than to be an expert in one.

When I first started driving, I was all over the road and couldn’t keep my family’s Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser station wagon at a consistent speed, no matter how hard I tried. My initial outings were pretty disappointing (and short). After all, I had wanted to drive for many years before I got my learner’s permit on my 16th birthday.

Before my first time behind the wheel, I had imagined myself riding down the road smoothly, expertly maneuvering around the upstate New York potholes, navigating the narrow town streets and perfectly parallel-parking in front of one of the uptown shops I liked to frequent. I thought I was ready to execute like a pro.

The problem was, I had no prior training or practice. As much as I’d gone over everything in my head, I never had any training and didn’t have a moment of actual practice until the day I got my permit.

I had the keys to this big, beautiful car and the open road ahead. But, because of my complete lack of experience, my

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first outing was a fiasco. Had driving not been so important to me, I might have tossed the keys on the kitchen table and declared myself a failure.

Aside from getting a bitter taste of reality that day, the real lesson I learned was that practice—not daydreams—makes perfect. This has been a useful tool for me ever since.

As you read this month’s cover story about Creek Stewart, the first in a three-part series (see page 12), you’ll see that he learned the value of practice and training early on.

Maybe it was his involvement in Scouting, or maybe he had an innate understanding of the order of things. Nevertheless, the key to his success as an outdoorsman and survival instructor is his dedication to learning and practice.

One effective way to expedite becoming pretty good or expert at something is to enlist the services of a good trainer. Whether it’s in person, online, or from a recorded or written syllabus, take advantage of the practice and insight a knowledgeable practitioner and successful trainer have amassed. Learn the key skills you need to accomplish your goals. Then, apply those learnings in regular practice, and you will find you’ll be able to accelerate your level of achievement sooner than if you started from scratch on your own.

If you draw no other benefit from Michael D’Angona’s interview of Creek Stewart, be sure you get this: Practice is what builds skills that win the day, not possessions. While we all love to investigate and accumulate the nifty gear we expect to insulate us from disaster, it’s not as much what’s in your hand as what’s in your head that makes the difference between success and failure, life and death.

“Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men.” —Sun Tzu —Mike McCourt

ADVERTISING Gabe Frimmel Ad Sales Director (714) 200-1930 gfrimmel@engagedmediainc.com Casey Cliff ord Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1982 Mark Pack Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939 Spencer Redmond Account Executive (919) 771-8919 John Bartulin Account Executive (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746 Eric Gomez Advertising Traffic Coordinator MARKETING Michael Chadwick Digital Marketing & Media Coordinator OPERATIONS Devender Hasija Newsstand and Circulation Analyst Shailesh Khandelwal Subscriptions Manager Alex Mendoza Administrative Assistant Victoria Van Vlear Intern Program Manager EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614 (714) 939-9991 • Fax: (800) 249-7761 www.asgmag.com www.facebook.com/americansurvivalguidemagazine www.facebook.com/eembybeckett AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year— January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December—by Engaged Media Inc., LLC, 17890 Sky Park Circle,, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE, C/O ENGAGED MEDIA INC, VSI, INC. 905 KENT STREET, LIBERTY, MO 64068. © 2018 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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Weego 66 Updated Jump Starting Power Pack

TOPS Knives Operator 7

KA-BAR Ek Model 5 Knife

Classic American “fighting knife” aesthetics were the inspiration for TOPS’ new Operator 7 knife. The thick-steel slab and handles make for a hefty, well-balanced knife that will become your workhorse tool. Because it is a tool, it’s also got to be comfortable during extended use. The rounded handles and guard are hand friendly, and the finger choil allows the user to get great precision for finer cuts. The included Kydex sheath with dangler attachment makes it safe and easy to carry wherever you go. The Operator 7 is 12.5 inches overall, with a 7.25-inch, Acid Rain-finished blade of 0.31-inch-thick 1075 steel. The handle scales are G10 over Micarta for a unique blend of durability and feel.

KA-BAR's third introduction in the John Ek Commando Knife Company product line is the highly anticipated Model 5. This updated version of the occupational fighting knife with hilt is made from 1095 Cro-Van steel and features a parkerized Bowie blade, textured, glass-filled nylon handles and traditional X-head fasteners. An American-made Celcon sheath with retaining strap, self-locking function and multiple tie-down points is also included. The overall length of the Model 5 is 12.938 inches, and the 0.154-inch-thick blade is 6.875 inches long. It’s hardened to HRC 56-58 and has a flat grind. More than carrying on the legacy of the original Ek knives, this is a dependable, quality-made working knife.

ROTHCO Everyday Work Shoulder Bag

MSRP: $199.99

MSRP: $240

MSRP: $135.95

MSRP: $21.99

www.MyWeego.com

www.TOPSKnives.com

www.KABAR.com

www.Rothco.com

At just 2.5 pounds, the four-in-one Weego 66, made for 12V gas and diesel engine systems, jump starts with 2,500 peak amps and 600 cranking amps. It can also charge phones, tablets and other mobile devices, power 12V portable accessories and provide 600 lumens of light with its multifunction flashlight. It includes AutoBoost functionality for extra-tough jump-starting situations and new Smarty Clamps with tapered tips to fit into tight spaces. They incorporate lights and sounds to guide users through the jumping process and feature built-in safety and power surge protections. The Weego 66 is IP65 rated for water, dust and dirt resistance.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

This simple and unassuming shoulder bag will keep you organized while you’re on the go.

Made with heavyweight, 100 percent cotton canvas, the bag measures 8.75x5x11 inches.

Several storage compartments are perfect for holding and organizing all your gear. The front flap has a hook-and-loop closure and a 7.5x5.5-inch zippered pocket. The zippered main compartment measures 11x8.75 inches and has a fold-out mesh pouch. There is also a 9.5x8.5x1-inch zippered compartment on the back. The inside of the bag has an organizer with pockets to stash your credit cards, pens, cell phone and other essentials. The shoulder strap is adustable and removable.

W

hether you’re looking for some new durable footwear, another awesome knife or you have other gaps in your various kits, we’re sure you’ll see something to strike your fancy in this month’s collection of new products. When you visit the websites for the products you find interesting, be sure to poke around their other offerings to see if there are other options that suit your needs better or additional goods you might not have realized you needed.

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Rocky Alphaforce Women’s Rocky Alphaforce 8-Inch Boots Women’s 6-Inch Boots

Ridge Momentum 6-Inch Side-Zip Boots

Ridge Momentum 8-Inch Side-Zip Boots

For those women who need increased ankle and shin support or protection, Rocky’s new 8-inch waterproof boot is a great choice. Like its 6-inch sister, this boot’s waterproof inner layer is complemented by the upper’s external construction that provides a barrier to help keep water out. Daylong comfort is provided by the removable, contoured polyurethane insole that has extra padding under the heel. This lightweight boot has a nonmetallic stabilizer, fabric and full-grain leather upper, and a slip-resistant, nonmarking RigiTrac EVA/molded rubber lug sole. It’s available in medium and wide widths in women’s whole and half sizes from 5 to 10.

MSRP: $94.99

Built on an athletic last for speed, extreme light weight and a streamlined fit for dynamic movement, the 6-inch Momentum’s form-fitting design reduces bulk and provides improved stability and performance. The debris-releasing, open lug, oil- and slip-resistant outsole reduces buildup in the tread. This model has a breathable Hi-Lite Mesh upper and toe with a durable, abrasion-resistant toe cap. It is triple-stitched for durability, and the EVA midsole, Vapor Wick lining and composite shank all enhance foot comfort. It’s available in men’s sizes 4 through 12, 13, 14, 15 (regular) and 7 through 12, 13, 14, 15 (wide).

The 8-inch Momentum’s form-fitting design provides ankle and lower leg support, reduces bulk and provides improved stability and performance. It’s built on an athletic last but still protects your feet like a boot. The Momentum has a full-height YKK side zipper. The 90-degree heel helps keep you in control going down unpaved hills, and the open-lug sole pattern doesn’t clog with dirt and mud. The rubber outsole is oil- and slip-resistant. This boot features a polishable, full-grain leather toe. The upper is made with breathable, tear-resistant Hi-Lite Mesh and anti-scuff panels. It is available in men’s sizes 4 through 12, 13, 14, 15 (regular) and 7 through 12, 13, 14, 15 (wide).

www.RockyBoots.com

MSRP: $120

MSRP: $135

https://RidgeFootwear.com

https://RidgeFootwear.com

MSRP: $104.99 www.RockyBoots.com

6 Rocky’s waterproof construction for this women’s boot combines a waterproof inner layer with the upper’s external construction, thereby providing a barrier that helps keep water out and feet dry. A key feature for all-day comfort is the removable, contoured polyurethane insole that provides extra padding in the heel contact area. This lightweight boot has a nonmetallic stabilizer, a fabric and full-grain leather upper, and a slip-resistant, nonmarking RigiTrac EVA/molded rubber lug sole. It’s available in medium and wide widths in women’s whole and half sizes from 5 to 10.

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Advanced Shelter Systems Growpod

Sustain Essential 2 Backpack

Midland MXT115 MICROMOBILE Radio

Advanced Shelter Systems SHIFTPOD MINI

If you want to start your gardening early, protect plants from freezing or avoid mold from early fall rains, GROWPOD has you covered.

The GROWPOD is easy to set up and take down and can be used for a short time or left up all year around. Based on Advanced Shelter Systems’ desert-tested frame and covered with heavy, 350-gram, ultra-clear greenhouse cover, this unit can stand up to strong wind, rain and sun. The GROWPOD is a great way to extend your growing season, and its portability means you can take it with you if you have to move to a new location.

Enjoy the comfort and durability of the roomy Essential 2 Backpack and be worry-free because of its included 72-hour load-out of emergency supplies. Large containment pockets come equipped with life-sustaining items such as water and food rations, a Sawyer water filter, bath wipes, glow sticks, a Morakniv fixed-blade knife, emergency blankets, an LED lantern, paracord and more. Alternatively, stock it with your own assortment of gear. No matter which way you go, you’ll appreciate this pack’s long-lasting reliability. The top handle allows for multiple carrying options.

Maximize your communication range with the 15-watt Midland MICROMOBILE MXT115 GMRS two-way radio. It can broadcast up to 50 miles in unobstructed environments. It easily mounts in most vehicles and communicates with all GMRS radios. It features all eight repeater GMRS channels for massive transmission and reception ranges, multi-colored LCD backlit display, NOAA weather alert and USB outputs. The detachable antenna comes with a magnetic mount. The radio has 15 high-power GMRS channels and 142 privacy codes and also features silent operation, channel scan, programmable squelch, keypad lock, 12-volt power cord with auto adapter and more. The radio’s dimensions, including the bracket, are 5x5.25x1 inches.

The SHIFTPOD MINI utilizes Advanced Shelter Systems’ newest seven-layer BLACKOUT super-composite fabric with synthetic-down thermal insulation and highly reflective UV layers. This fabric makes it cooler during the day and warmer at night. It reflects more light and is highly water-resistant; it also blocks light so you can sleep, even in bright sunlight.

The MINI has one door, four windows and two vents, all with screens. It comes with 12-inch, stainless steel pins and packs small enough to backpack or put over your shoulder and go.

Its dimensions are 8x8x40 inches (stowed) and 72x72x56 inches (set up).

MSRP: $699.99

MSRP: $159 www.Sustain.com

https://store.AdvancedShelter SystemsInc.com

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MSRP: $149.99 https://MidlandUSA.com

MSRP: $799 https://store.AdvancedShelter SystemsInc.com

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TOPS Little Bugger Neck Knife

Midland HH50 Weather Radio

Laundreez Laundry System

Realsteel Knives Survival Kit Elementary

The Little Bugger was designed by Matt Graham, noted survivalist, ultra-marathon and triathlon athlete, rock climber, martial artist and expert in primitive weapons, hunting and shelters. This knife has a sharp, full-tang blade that can be carried when everything else is left behind. It’s made of 3/32-inch 1095 steel with TOPS’ modified Scandi grind, thin, tan canvas Micarta handles and black liners. With its Kydex sheath, it weighs less than 4 ounces. The sheath’s narrow J-clip lets you mount it on a belt or a pack. Its overall length is 5.75 inches, with a 2.38-inch cutting edge.

Perfect to take on the go, the HH50 automatically scans all NOAA weather channels. It has seven preset weather channels and is equipped with a standby mode with alert override that automatically switches over to warn you of hazardous conditions in your area. The HH50 has auto scan for weather channels on startup, which makes finding your local weather channel easy. The telescopic antenna provides crystal-clear reception. This radio requires three AAA alkaline batteries, which are not included.

At just 1.8x5.6x0.8 inches, it conveniently fits into your pocket, purse or pack.

The Survival Kit Elementary is a great kit you can use in a variety of situations and customize as needed. This entry-level kit provides essentials needed to survive in the wild, including an RSK- and Ostap Hel-designed Marlin tactical fixed-blade knife with sheath. The MOLLE-compatible pouch can be attached to a larger pack or mounted on a belt. Other components include a multifunctional compass, 65 feet of paracord, a fire starter, emergency blanket, mirror and whistle, and a number of other useful components.

MSRP: $120

MSRP: $24.99

Laundreez is an innovative solution for washing clothes on the go or at home. Made strong and resilient, it's ideal for washing everything from delicates to ground-in dirt on sports and activity attire. Add detergent, water and clothes, seal it and then swish clothes to clean them. Only 11 ounces, it features a resilient PVC outer shell and soft, durable inner mesh bag.

The screw cap makes it easy to refill and rinse your clothes without unfolding and refolding the bag and spilling out clothes, detergent and water. It folds into a compact size—ideal for a backpack. It can also be used as a dry bag, compression bag for packing, a toiletries bag or a water carrier. Capacity is about 1 gallon.

www.TOPSKnives.com

https://MidlandUSA.com

MSRP: $29.99

www.RealsteelKnives.com

MSRP: $49.50

https://Laundreez.com

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

CREEK STEWART:

DEDICATION TO PREPARATION PART 1 OF AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE’S EXCLUSIVE THREE-PART INTERVIEW WITH AN AMERICAN SURVIVAL LEGEND

C

reek Stewart didn’t take the easy way out; no short-cuts, no jumping to the head of the line.

This now-polished, but always constantly learning, survival expert has paid his dues through thousands of man-hours “out in the field” to position himself as one of the top survival and preparedness instructors in the country today.

From an early age, the thirst for the outdoors pulled him into scouting. As a young man, Creek learned about the beauty, as well as the unpredictable dangers, of the outdoors. From there, his love of Mother Nature—and preparing for what she brings, both good and bad— continued to expand almost exponentially.

He has taught large groups about survival and emergency preparedness at his compound in Indiana. He has been a featured guest on numerous programs, hosted several television shows centering on various aspects of the survival world and has written numerous books on the subject, which comprise both nonfiction and entertaining fictional stories of overcoming the odds when all seems lost.

But Creek Stewart is more than just a famous

BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA

person with a list of accomplishments; he is a down-to-Earth man who loves to share what he knows with others.

Here, in the first of a three-part interview, Creek opens up about what led him into the world of survival, what those new to the field should know and what the foreseeable future has in store for this highly relatable and humble outdoorsman.

EARLY YEARS American Survival Guide: At what age did you first realize the outdoors was going to be your “office” and your life focused on survival and emergency preparedness?

Creek Stewart: Growing up on a farm and actively involved in Boy Scouts, I fell in love with the outdoors at a very young age. However, it wasn’t until my early 20s, while in college and studying pharmacy, that I made the decision to pursue something in the survival training genre as a career.

Of course, I had no idea how hard and long the journey would be, but looking back, I consider that blind naïveté was my best skill at the time.

ASG: Once the survival “bug” bit and you were just starting to learn outdoor skills and techniques, who did you look up to as a mentor or role model as you were learning the basics?

CS: When I first got into survival specifically, I didn’t even know there was a survival industry—or survival instructors, for that matter. I had only ever seen old Boy Scout manuals (which I considered to be survival manuals at the time) and some of my dad’s old Army survival books.

If I had mentors then, they would have been Sir Robert Baden-Powell (a founding father of scouting) and my own grandfathers. I scoured the early scouting books written by Baden-Powell and picked up a ton of great outdoor skills through them. I also learned a ton from my grandfathers. From wild edible and medicinal plants to simple animal traps they used during the Great

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FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS OF MY SURVIVAL TRAINING BUSINESS, I WAS A TRAVELING INSTRUCTOR, WORKING FROM PUBLIC LAND, BORROWED LAND, RENTED LAND, AND STATE AND LOCAL PARKS. Depression, their skills were very real and tangible.

Their stories were even better. For example, my grandfather shared with me a very simple live-capture bird trap he used to catch song birds, sparrows and anything that would hop inside.

These birds helped feed him and his seven brothers and sisters during the Great Depression. They would pluck them and skewer them like tiny chickens over a fire in the backyard of their old, rundown farm house. He grinned when he told me that the red cardinal tastes just like chicken. Skills like this weren’t just words on paper. They were proven and tested to work.

ASG: Using only three words, how would you describe yourself?

CS: Grateful Boy Scout.

STUDENT BECOMES TEACHER ASG: At what point did you go from survival skills student to wanting to open your own facility and teaching others on a large scale?

CS: I’m a 0–100 type A personality. I typically live by the rule, It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. In my young mind, I was an instructor before I was a student. It didn’t take long to figure out I had so much more to learn about survival and life.

‹ Above: Creek Stewart, in his preferred natural environment (Photo: Creek Stewart)

‹ Left: The Paiute deadfall trap is a common survival skill taught by Creek during his outdoor classes. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

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‹ Left: Filming outdoors “in the field” sometimes entails long hours and a grueling schedule, but it allows Creek to spread his knowledge to a large audience. (Photo: The Weather Channel)

‹ Below: The central fireplace within Creek's compound offers him a comfortable place to sit back and relax—or to sharpen his blades for an upcoming adventure. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

I’ll never forget one of the most humbling moments of my young career. Of course, this happened back in the days when I “knew it all.” I was featured on the largest morning news program in our region as a survival Instructor. I even bought a new shirt and had my logo embroidered on it for the occasion. I was going to show the world how to make fire by bow drill on live TV. I started the conversation with the host by talking about the importance of fire and training and how choosing the right survival instructor is so important. Then, I started to do the bow drill for them. Long story short, I couldn’t get it. I was sweating, frustrated and humiliated. They had to eventually cut to a commercial break. I left the television studio feeling defeated—and quite frankly, lost. Still, to this day, almost 20 years later, that experience keeps me grounded. I also hope that the video never surfaces!

Not only did I have to take the necessary time (which would end up being years) to train in the skills I wanted to teach, I also had to figure out how to pay the bills in between training and teaching my weekend courses.

For the first 10 years of my survival training business, I was a traveling instructor, working from public land, borrowed land, rented land, and state and local parks. Needless to say, state park officials don’t see eye-to-eye with things like fires, traps, shelter-building, harvesting wild edibles—or anything “survival”! I knew that in order for me to really grow my business, I needed my own land and facility. As we all know, land isn’t cheap, especially if you need a building with restrooms, etc. I saved every penny I owned. Ten years later, I found a foreclosed piece of property with a building and made what I would define as the “go big, or go home” commitment to my survival training business.

ulate core body temperature, purify water, cook food, signal for rescue and make tools; and, it’s your best friend in the dark, lonely woods.

ASG: You’ve been described as a “hybrid” sur-

‹ Bottom: Every environment has its own benefits and dangers. Here, in the dry plains, Creek plans his next move to secure life-sustaining water. (Photo: The Weather Channel)

ASG: What advice would you give a person who wants to begin survival training and preparedness?

What is the best starting point?

CS: I always tell people that one of the best ways to “wet their beak” in the world of survival is to build a bug-out bag (BOB). A BOB is a three-day survival backpack designed to get you and your family through 72 hours of independent survival in the event that a large-scale disaster would unexpectedly drive you from your home.

Building a BOB forces a person to gather some tools and skills in a variety of survival categories, including water, fire, food, shelter, first aid, firearms and tools. This will not only help you figure out what you need to know, it will also help you discover what your specific interests are in the world of survival. And, after you’re done, you have an awesome survival kit, just in case.

As far as a specific skill goes, I believe fire is the most important survival skill, so when someone asks me what they should start learning first, I always say fire. It can make up for a bad shelter, reg-

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE

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vival expert, focusing on primitive skills, as well as utilizing modern gear and equipment. Would you say that description is accurate?

CS: Yes, I would. While I certainly teach primitive, “off-the-land” skills, I am far from exclusively primitive. In fact, there are far more talented primitive skills survival experts than myself.

‹ Creek’s “Survival Skill of The Month” instructional sheets are organized in the included three-ring binder for future reference. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

ASG: If you could teach only three survival skills to a “newbie,” which ones would you choose?

CS: How to make a proper tinder bundle; how to start a fire using a Fresnel lens by magnifying the sun’s rays; and how to build a proper fire (starting and building are different).

LIVING THE SKILLS ASG: Is there one survival expert—well-known to the public or not—who you would jump at the chance to work with or, at the very least, meet?

CS: The survival experts I seek aren’t [those] most would expect. My interest in recent years has been to train with individuals who are living the skills I want to learn. These people are hard to find. For example, I’ve long wanted to train in several southwest America desert skills. Through

‹ Creek jumps in with both hands —and feet—to complete a complicated rope-weaving task. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

an anthropologist who lives in Mexico, I arranged a two-week trip to train with an indigenous tribe of Paipai Indians in Baja California, Mexico. Those amazing people live the skills they teach. From natural cordage to wild desert edibles, I learned skills that are as close to the source as it gets.

ASG: What would you say is the most underestimated aspect of survival that most beginners fall victim to when in a real life-or-death situation?

CS: I’ve had the unique opportunity through filming SOS: How to Survive for The Weather Channel to intimately study and interview many survivors of real-life survival stories. Through this experience, I have identified two common threads that always seem to make things worse, and they are very intertwined.

First, simply not stopping at the first inclination that they’re lost. It is amazing to me how far people will drive, walk or paddle after they realize they are lost. It almost always leads to a worse scenario.

However, I believe this is directly perpetuated by the second: the fear of spending the night in the woods. The notion of spending an unexpected night in the woods, in the desert or on a mountain drives people to make horrible decisions. As I tell my students, the woods are the exact same at night as during the day. It’s just dark. Of course, both of these concerns can be adequately dispelled with a little knowledge and experience.

ASG: In most professions, a person seldom stops learning. To whom or where do you turn to learn new techniques or skills?

I’M DELIVERING SURVIVAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN A UNIQUE AND EXCITING WAY AND AT A LEVEL THAT THOSE WHO ARE TIRED OF “THE SAME, OLD SURVIVAL STUFF” WILL FIND VERY REFRESHING. 16

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

CREEK’S BOX OF GOODIES Many “newbies” to the survival world would love to become more knowledgeable about survival and emergency preparedness but don’t really know where to start. That’s where Creek Stewart steps in.

Created under his direct supervision and shipped every other month, the Apocabox is chock-full of useful gear and gadgets assembled to get you out of a nasty predicament or survive Mother Nature’s full fury.

Not only are the boxes loaded with survival items, they also include Creek’s unique “Survival Skill of the Month” (taught by him and with a YouTube password-protected video link), a handmade tool or weapon, along with useful information in the form of guides, mini-books and instructional pamphlets.

MSRP: $50 (+$10.95 shipping & handling) www.MyApocabox.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Want to learn more about Creek or his outdoor adventures? Keep up with Creek’s latest activities via these links: • Website: www.CreekStewart.com • E-mail: creek@CreekStewart.com • Instagram: @creekstewart • Facebook: facebook.com/creekstewart

CS: I know it’s contradictory to what most people associate with success, but I’ve never been a long-term-goal person. My interests change daily and, with them, my goals.

One initiative we will certainly be doing more of in the future is raising funds for people who have suffered through large-scale natural disasters such as hurricanes Maria and Harvey.

So many people fall through the cracks in the aftermath, and we, at Team Creek, have made it our internal mission to find some of these people and help them [by] using our sphere of influence.

ASG: Aside from survival instruction, you are also a published nonfiction and fiction author.

Are there more books possibly hitting the shelves in the future?

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

‹ Top right: Creek Stewart's bi-monthly Apocabox arrives loaded with survival gear and useful information that enhances subscribers' ability to respond to tough situations. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

‹ Bottom right: This is an assortment of some of the types of items that can be found in an Apocabox shipment. (Photo: Creek Stewart)

CS: Yes, The Noncon Pack (a backpack for when coming back home isn’t an option) will officially release this year. This is a follow-up to my best-selling book, Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag. The Noncon Pack is for the absolute worst-case scenario. Part fantasy and part “maybe,” it will not disappoint survival enthusiasts.

I also publish an average of one Pocket Field Guide per month as well. These are small, pocket-sized guides that cover a specific survival skill set or topic in much greater detail than you might find in the average survival book.

The second installment to my fiction [book], Rugosa, is also in the final stages. Look for it in early 2019.

GETTING PERSONAL ASG: What is one thing about yourself that would surprise many of your fans and followers?

CS: I used to be a carnie—you know, a carnival worker. That’s right! While building my survival business, I needed a source of income to pay the bills, so I started a seasonal snow cone business.

I sold snow cones at fairs and festivals to support what I considered my real job: survival instruc-

tor. My favorite flavor was black cherry, and I also made the best lemon shake-ups east of the Mississippi!

ASG: When you can finally take a break from the world of survival, whether teaching, filming or writing, what do you do to have some fun or to relax?

CS: “Relax”—what’s that? I have a motto when it comes to rest: “I’ll rest when I die.”

ASG: Was there a time during a solitary adventure in the outdoors when you thought you were prepared to the fullest but soon realized you were not?

CS: Yes, on day three of a five-day solo hike, I got a thorn in my eye. I couldn’t get it out. I didn’t have a mirror. It was before smartphones with cameras. It was absolutely horrible. I will never hike without a mirror again.

ASG: Do you feel that survival shows on television are double-edged swords, in that they do help inform and instruct people but also don’t convey the severity of most survival situations?

‹ Creek Stewart’s Build the Perfect book series offers great survival advice to beginners and experienced emergency preparedness practitioners alike.

(Photo: Creek Stewart)

CS: I don’t have cable television, so I don’t get to see most of the shows that come out, but I’ve always enjoyed survival television shows for what they are—television shows [whose] first and foremost goal is to entertain.

Having been behind the scenes of survival television, it is a very grueling job, with long, hard days.

There are many dedicated and extremely talented individuals who make these shows happen. I can’t help but have respect for all of them, because I’ve been in the television trenches too.

Author’s note: The next installment of this exclusive, three-part interview with Creek Stewart will cover his thoughts on urban survival. He’ll address some of the unique challenges you can expect to face and how to respond to them. Look for it in the December issue of American Survival Guide.

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THE NEW HENRY U.S. SURVIVAL PACK ANSWERS THE CALL WHEN YOU’RE OUT IN THE WILD.

BY SEAN CURTIS

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER [MARCH 2018] 2018]

H

enry Repeating Arms, a proud American firearms manufacturer, recently released its reimagined survival pack. Henry kindly sent a U.S. Survival Pack to me for testing, and I gladly put everything through its paces.

The kit starts with a stowable bag that holds the venerable Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle. There are also several pockets on the bag’s exterior that contain a number of survival essentials. When you see what was included with the kit, as well as what wasn’t, you quickly pick up the philosophy behind its creation.

ODE TO EUGENE STONER To begin with, the rifle, itself, is a descendant of the original Armalite AR-7, which was issued to U.S. airmen as a survival tool as early as 1959. The AR-7 was the brainchild of famed weapon designer Eugene Stoner, who was more well-known for creating the AR-15. The platform is a .22 long rifle, straight blowback (semiauto) configuration.

Most interestingly, the weapon breaks down into components (with no tools required), all of which can be stowed in the weapon’s buttstock. These consist of the stock, receiver, two eight-round magazines and barrel. When broken down, the watertight AR-7 can actually float. It offers good accuracy and weighs just 3.5 pounds.

In 1997, Henry Repeating Arms Company bought the rights to the weapon and made some improvements. Rebranded as the U.S. Survival AR-7, the newer version comes in different colors (two camo patterns and black) and has a much-appreciated bright-orange front sight blade. The rifle is, without a doubt, the core element of the pack.

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SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS Besides the rifle, there are many great survival-minded items included in this kit. They can be broken down into the basic survival hierarchy so you can rate this assembly in your own mind and add to it later.

Water. This is one of the most important items you can possibly procure, because you can’t go without it for more than a few days. To this end, Henry has included an Aquamira Frontier Straw.

With this lightweight tool, you can pack it and forget it—knowing you’ll be able to consume around 30 gallons of clean water. The straw filters out cryptosporidium and giardia and reduces other chemicals.

Fire. The ESEE brand is known far and wide for its great knives and other products. Included in the U.S. Survival Pack is ESEE's Fire Steel Kit. It’s packed in a tin the size of an Altoids can and is a multipurpose fire tool. The tin can be used to create char cloth. The tool serves as a ferrocerium rod on its sides, can be used as a traditional flint and steel (Jeremiah Johnson style) with char cloth and has a divot in the middle designed to be used with a bow drill. There is nothing like redundancy in a critical tool such as this. If something isn’t working because of your particular environment, it’s good to have other options.

Shelter. The U.S. Survival Pack includes a survival blanket from H&H Medical Corporation.

It isn’t exactly a zero-degree sleeping bag, but it is maximum utility for minimum weight and size, opening up to 84x56 inches. Wrapped around you or tied up with cordage as a lean-to, this crucial, little item can make a huge difference in what you have to endure.

Food. Having a rifle, particularly a .22 long rifle, is essential for being able to procure your own small game. Remember, the idea behind this kit is survival, not long-term thriving. You’re not looking to take down a moose for your dinner.

That being said, Henry thought of a couple of crucial tools concerning the processing of game

WHEN YOU SEE WHAT WAS INCLUDED WITH THE KIT, AS WELL AS WHAT WASN’T, YOU QUICKLY PICK UP THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND ITS CREATION.

‹ Top: Within the pack, you receive emergency rations, a water filter, fire-making tools, a knife, tourniquet, space blanket and 100 feet of paracord. ‹ Bottom: The provided paracord has seven inner strands that can be exposed and used individually for tasks such as snares and fishing.

‹ Left: Henry also makes a U.S. Survival Kit that comes in a tin (not included in the Survival Pack).

This fits perfectly into one of the U.S. Survival Pack’s exterior pockets and comes with enough gear to push it to excellent levels of preparation.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

HENRY U.S. SURVIVAL PACK CONTENTS • Henry U. S. Survival AR-7 .22LR rifle • Aquamira Frontier water filtration straw • Buck Rival folding knife • Datrex 1,000-calorie emergency food packet • ESEE Fire Steel Kit • H&H Mylar Emergency Blanket • MIL-C-5040H green paracord • SWAT-T tourniquet MSRP: $550

greater array of survival equipment.

‹ Left: The small Buck knife in the kit is a quality tool. It comes out of the box razor-sharp.

DOWNRANGE Because the Survival Rifle is at the heart of this kit, I decided to spend more time testing it for a number of metrics. The gun I used weighed in at 3 pounds, 6.4 ounces. All stowed, it was 16.5 inches long. The barrel is 15.5 inches long, and fully assembled, the rifle measures a total of 35.13 inches.

Using three different types of ammunition,

and for a backup for the dreaded scenarios of no luck at hunting and/or running out of ammo.

A small Buck knife comes with the kit. Called the Rival, its 2.75-inch-bladed lockback comes out of the box razor-sharp. It will skin small game all day long. This knife will also help you with other minor cutting tasks you might need to accomplish throughout your ordeal.

If hunting fails for some reason, Henry provided a Datrex emergency ration. This vacuum-sealed, 1,000-calorie bar is not much bigger than a bar of soap, but it can help you carry through a little longer.

Medical. Fewer things can threaten survivability greater than a bad bleed. Consequently, Henry included a SWAT-T tourniquet in the kit. While this is my least favorite option for stopping bleeding in a limb, I’d rather have it than not. One upside to this unit is that because of the tourniquet’s composition, it can be used for multiple medical purposes, perhaps as well as other uses outside this application.

All categories. Henry includes 100 feet of green MIL-SPEC paracord in this kit. It is certified to support 550 pounds and can be used for innumerable purposes out in the wild. In addition, the cord can be broken down to the seven inner strands for smaller cordage purposes such as snares or fishing line.

THE BAG The black, two-handled bag is made in America by Allen. Crafted of nylon, it has a long, clam-style, zippered opening and measures roughly 20.5 inches long and 9.5 inches tall. The interior is padded, and one side of the exterior of the bag has two zippered pockets for storing the bag’s other contents. Henry also hints on its website that one of these pockets is a perfect size for its survival tin, called the Henry Repeating Survival Kit. This item contains an even

‹ Above: This ESEE multipurpose fire tool is included in the survival kit.

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‹ Left: All the rifle’s parts are shown deployed on the bag prior to assembly.

› Near right: Simply I tested for accuracy at 25 and 50 yards using slide the barrel (tab five-round groups. I also tested velocities and slot indicated) into the receiver using a chronograph. The results were impresand then screw sive for a semiauto rifle that was torn down down the nut to assemble the top and reassembled multiple times during two end. different trips to the range.

I did not use optics. This is getting tougher as I age, but true to the intention of the designer, the AR-7 does not include a scope. I keep hoping someone will come up with a sin› Far right: All controls (except the mag gle lever mount for the 3/8 rail on top of the release) are on the receiver—something that will keep zero once right side. The bolt pulls out from the established. Fifty yards is a decent reach for receiver for working the .22 long rifle, but accuracy at this distance the action and then tucks in for storage. would greatly improve with a viable optic that could be removed and packed away, along with the rifle. As it stands, the gun could not be broken down with a mounted optic, so I tested it accordingly.

The first day was at an outdoor range. The wind was gusting out of the northwest anywhere from a steady 10 up to 25 mph. On tap for ammo were Winchester Super-X 40-grain, Armscor high-velocity hollow points coming in at 36 grains, and CCI hollow points in 36 › Right:The author grains. I later shot indoors to eliminate the has tested a few wind as a factor and averaged my groups.

Henry Survival Rifles. Some I believe the rifle is incredibly accurate float better than for its size, and I like that it breaks down others. The critical element is the seal and reassembles so easily. However, an optic on the cap of the would certainly help (some shooters) when buttstock.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

THE RESULTS WERE IMPRESSIVE FOR A SEMIAUTO RIFLE THAT WAS TORN DOWN AND REASSEMBLED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING TWO DIFFERENT TRIPS TO THE RANGE.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS Shooting at 25 yards, I attained the following five-round groups: CCI

1.8 inches

Armscor

2.1 inches

Winchester

2.3 inches

At 50 yards, the groups spread out farther than I would have liked:: CCI

2.36 inches

Armscor

4.23 inches

Winchester

5.38 inches

VELOCITIES Velocities were impressive for the tiny rounds. They were measured in feet per second (fps) using the Caldwell G2 Chronograph and averaged five-round groups for each ammunition brand.

‹ After removing the buttstock cover, you are faced with the barrel, two magazines and receiver.

Winchester average velocity

1,349 fps

Armscor average velocity

1,190.44 fps

CCI average velocity

1,164.28 fps

reaching out to greater distances. Considering this rifle is designed to take small game, 25 yards is a decent distance to hover around a group of 2 inches.

The trigger, tested on a Lyman digital gauge provided by Brownells, broke evenly right at 3 pounds each time. There was approximately a millimeter of creep before it resisted and then snapped. Although the rifle is small, its ergonomics are quite good. The buttstock offers a comfortable cheek weld, allowing me the opportunity to easily pick up the bright-orange

‹ Far left: Pushing the receiver into the buttstock and tightening the bolt at the bottom of the pistol grip completes assembly.

‹ Near left: Armscor gave adequate performance with groups such as this at 25 yards.

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BESIDES THE RIFLE, THERE ARE MANY GREAT SURVIVAL-MINDED ITEMS INCLUDED IN THIS KIT. THEY CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THE BASIC SURVIVAL HIERARCHY SO YOU CAN RATE THIS ASSEMBLY IN YOUR OWN MIND AND ADD TO IT LATER.

‹ The SWAT-T Tourniquet is popular in individual first aid kits. The SWAT acronym stands for “stretch, wrap and tuck.”

front blade through the rear peep sight. Out of the box, the rifle shot high; however, the rear sight is adjustable.

S O U R C E S Aquamira (360) 306-5586 www.Aquamira.com Armscor (775) 751-4425 http://Armscor.com Buck Knives (800) 326-2825 www.BuckKnives.com CCI Ammunition (800) 379-1732 www.CCI-Ammunition.com Datrex (800) 828-1131 www.Datrex.com ESEE Fire Starter Kit (256) 613-0372 https://ESEEKnives.com H&H Medical Corporation (800) 326-5708 https://BuyHandH.com Henry Repeating Arms (201) 858-4400 www.HenryUSA.com Liberty Firearms Institute (970) 578-0717 www.LibertyRange.com Winchester Ammunition www.Winchester.com

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AWESOME STARTER SURVIVAL KIT Henry has a great product that approaches the survival mentality from a couple of different angles. First, this could be a go-to bag that is stuffed in the trunk of a car or stashed in a hidden spot in your cabin. Should things go awry, or if something happens that requires survival gear, the bag is ready to go and generally has you covered.

The second approach is how I looked at the bag: It's a great jumping-off point. Those who have more knowledge and experience with prepping, hunting, medical and survival skill sets will note what is missing from this bag.

For instance, not included are a large knife, compass, light and IFAK. And, when you get to a point at which you have enough training and knowledge within these categories, you have probably already formed preferences for specific brands or types. In addition, leaving out these items keeps the price point down— but it also creates a wonderful package for users to buy the pack and then build it up to their own specifications.

Overall, the Henry U.S. Survival Pack is a winner. At a minimum, it will get you there. With some additions, it will get you there in style.

(Author’s note: Special thanks to Liberty Firearms Institute for arranging transfers and allowing me to test this rifle indoors.)

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

‹ The provided space blanket is great for keeping warm and can also be adapted for use as an emergency shelter.

‹ The Aquamira Frontier Straw is a great compromise of size and utility, allowing you to drink from raw water sources without fear of illness.

ESCAPE FROM L.A. A REAL-LIFE RESCUE DURING THE LOS ANGELES RIOTS

BY DAVE STROM

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L

os Angeles in 1992 was the scene of the largest riots in U.S. history. Most people are at least aware of the looting and destruction in the “City of Angels” that occurred during those few days. Many people across the country and around the world saw the truck driver pulled from his vehicle and brutally and severely beaten. Many folks were trapped at home, some without power or telephone service.

One of those people was Carrie, an elderly woman who is a family friend. She had no family close enough to help her. On day two of the riots, I drove into her area, alone, to take her to safety. This is the story of that trip.

PROLOGUE The first day, rioting started in limited areas in the afternoon and soon spread. I arrived home safely after spending the day at my job as a lineman. My wife and infant daughter arrived home later, safe and sound.

Cell phones were not common at that time so, like most people, I was on the landline, contacting friends and family to check on their situation. I tried repeatedly to contact Carrie ... without success.

Throughout the night, I received an “all circuits busy” recording when I called. There was no point in calling the police to check on her, because we already knew they were overwhelmed.

We spent the night glued to the TV news reports. Multiple fires raging throughout the city had both fire fighters and police overwhelmed. From news helicopter video, I could see poles and cables burning. I had placed many of those cables, and I knew I would be replacing them in the next few days. Of course, the homes served by these cables now had no communication link with the outside.

My intimate knowledge of the streets would soon serve me well.

TIME TO SADDLE UP Early the next morning, Carrie finally answered the phone. She was fine but had spent the night in the bathtub. Some readers might find this odd; however, when shooting started in her high-crime area, the metal tub was often the safest place to go. Like many in tornado-prone areas, people

hide their children or themselves in cast iron bathtubs. The hope is that while a bullet can go through a wall or two, it will not penetrate the cast iron tub.

Carrie wanted to go to her godson’s home. But he did not know the streets as well as I did, so I was the logical choice to pick her up and take her to his place. As we made the plan, I instructed her to have just one or two bags packed with clothing, important papers and other musthaves. We’d need to move very quickly once I arrived, and I had nobody coming with me as a backup. The time was about 7 a.m.

As I hung up, my wife asked if I had spoken with Carrie; this was quickly followed by, “What are you going to do?!”

I had a simple answer: “Go get her.” She knew I was serious and in a hurry. She never tried to talk me out of it, because she realized it was the right thing to do, and I was likely the only one who could do it.

It’s common for very rough areas to be quiet early in the morning. Drunks and drug addicts usually sleep until the mid- to late morning, and thugs and looters keep similar hours.

This obviously was in my favor ... but the clock was ticking.

THE FIRST DAY, RIOTING STARTED IN LIMITED AREAS IN THE AFTERNOON AND SOON SPREAD.

› Right: Although miles from the flash point, first responders and smoke from several fires can be seen.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

distant police or news helicopter. (Some folks have suggested they were looking at a guardian angel. I cannot prove this in any way, but it is a comforting thought.)

Holstering the .45, I got Carrie’s house keys and her bags, loaded them in the Jeep and then returned for her. There was a short delay, so I called my wife on the landline. She had a short and pointed suggestion: “Don’t call me!

Get the hell out of there!” I followed her advice.

GETTING OUT OF DODGE Carrie has a difficult time walking and uses a cane, along with the handrail I had installed on her porch. About a year before, Carrie had been run down by some thugs in a stolen car. This was revenge for informing the police of crime activity in the area. I helped her down the front stairs, locked the gate and then picked her up and settled her in the CJ-7.

Noting that a few more people had gathered at the grocery store, I headed the other way.

I was already dressed, so it didn’t take long to add a vest and other defensive tools. My jeep CJ was gassed and ready to go. Small and maneuverable, it earned its keep that day. On the dash was my handheld spotlight, which I really hoped I wouldn’t need. (In the past, I had used it to temporally startle thugs who tried to block the street.) Other tools and gear were always in the back.

From news reports, I learned that the freeways were clear. It was a quick drive with no traffic—unlike a typical weekday. The closest off ramp was located at a very high point. I drove down it slowly, and this allowed a great view, enabling me to look at several options for escape, if needed. From there, I could see to within about 200 feet of Carrie’s home. The streets were fairly clear of people. Still, there was no time to waste.

Fewer than 100 yards from Carrie’s home, a fast food restaurant was gutted by fire. A short distance away, the grocery store and pharmacy had been looted. There were just a few people milling about or entering the store.

The street was littered with trash, a couch and other junk. The Jeep easily rolled onto the sidewalk to get through. Parking in front of Carrie's home, I found the gate locked, but I quickly hopped over it.

I knocked loudly on the door and called her name as I knelt by the wall on the porch, my 1911 at low-ready. Two guys walked by on the other side of the street. They did not notice me because they were looking up—likely at a

› Above: The Los Angeles Times’ front page stated there were 1,000 fires in the city during the riots.

› Near right: GI surplus 1911 magazine pouches are still reliable after 25 years. › Far right: The author’s 1911 .45 ACP pistol—still a faithful sidearm, even over a century after its adoption by the U.S. military.

› Right: In L.A.’s Koreatown, store owners take cover and have personal firearms ready to protect themselves and their property.

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THERE WAS NO POINT IN CALLING THE POLICE ...

BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNEW THEY WERE OVERWHELMED.

‹ Above: Smoke from fires such as this one filled the sky many miles away. You might need face masks or respirators to operate outdoors if you are forced to be nearby.

‹ Left, top: With the almost total destruction of this grocery store in L.A., thousands of people had to find an alternative source for food and other everyday essentials.

‹ Left, bottom:

Few have seen the destruction in a riot situation as the author did. It took weeks for him and his fellow linemen to rebuild the telephone communications network alone.

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We drove up Hoover, then right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and past the L.A. Coliseum. Its parking lot would be full of military vehicles in a few hours. It was a very welcome sight that day.

As a result of our planning and quick action, the drive to Carrie’s godson’s home was uneventful. After she was settled in, I went home. This was a quite few miles from L.A. and, at the time, there were no problems in the area. Fortunately for us, the total trip took under two hours. On TV a short time later, I recognized the strip mall that was one block from Carrie’s home going up in flames. We had been very lucky that morning.

BUG-OUT TRAVEL TAKEAWAYS This “excursion” took place more than 25 years ago, but the lessons learned are still valuable today.

You can view videos of these L.A. riots on YouTube; but remember this is but a fraction of the damage done and the danger folks faced.

Knowledge of the streets is vital, especially in urban areas. Because of my job, I was very familiar with them. However, that would be unlikely for the average person.

You should do a detailed map study of any routes you might need to take in an emergency.

This includes to and from work and family and friends’ homes, as well as other places you visit regularly. Church or sporting events are two examples. Keep paper maps handy, and take them with you if you must abandon your vehicle.

If possible, drive these alternate routes to get familiar with them. Note any concerns.

Preferably do this early in the morning and with a friend to double the visibility of the route.

Make notes on your paper maps, because some signs or landmarks could disappear in a serious natural or man-made emergency situation. Do not depend on GPS: EMP or other events might destroy this system.

Your gas tank should stay at least half full, and you should stay on top of maintenance items.

The riots were no time to have a damaged fan belt or a bum spare tire.

If you must cross a rough urban area, you

might need to hide part of the day and evening. The rioters start to tire after 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. and are up at 10:00 or 11:00 in the morning. This time frame can allow a safer time for you to be on the march.

You might find help from people who live in the area. For many days after order was restored, the tension was very high. There were those who wanted to “light the match” again. Several times, local people warned me to leave an area, because someone they knew was looking to make trouble. Others offered to hide the truck and me if things got bad again. There are many good and decent people in high-crime areas. I was very grateful for the many kind and courageous offers I had at the time.

You will need lots of water, so you’ll need to carry it or find and purify it. Water can often be had from pipes in buildings, even if the water service is off. Gravity will bring it to you.

The tool you will need is called a four-way sillcock key. These are available at most hardware stores for under $10. Although it’s likely the city’s purification will be enough, it’s best if you treat all water you find, because you won’t know how long it’s been there or what’s in the pipes.

Test the type of food you will carry on your trip.

Try different types of food and flavors to find out what works for you. Peanut butter and crackers, beef jerky, energy bars and similar portable food can keep you going for the short term.

If you drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks regularly, you should provide for this. A caffeine headache can be fierce, and this type of situation is no time to try and work through one. Caffeinated gum is available, as are other items that can deliver your required jolt. A small packet of instant coffee can be added to a hot cocoa packet and a little water to form a palatable drink. This is an old trick

‹ Left: Officers were almost powerless against the forces behind the massive destruction in the L.A. riots of 1992.

... WHEN SHOOTING STARTED IN HER HIGH-CRIME AREA, THE METAL TUB WAS OFTEN THE SAFEST PLACE TO GO ... THE HOPE IS THAT WHILE A BULLET CAN GO THROUGH A WALL OR TWO, IT WILL NOT PENETRATE THE CAST IRON TUB.

‹ Left: Heartless looters stole everything from damaged stores.

Many businesses never recovered.

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› Top right: MPs patrolled the burning streets of Los Angeles. The good people and businesses in the area welcomed their presence.

› Middle right: U.S. military personnel stood guard with riot gear and gas masks outside a post office. Their presence was absolutely necessary during the L.A. riots.

› Bottom right: Even though they were overwhelmed, firefighters were very successful in stopping the spread of fires set by arsonists.

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that should get you through until your coffee “fix” is available.

Sturdy shoes or boots and good socks are a must. Broken glass and other debris will be on and around your route. You might well be traveling on foot in rough areas. This is no place for high heels or light running shoes.

Footwear must fit well and be broken in. In addition, be sure to have a couple of pairs of spare socks, as well as Moleskin and other foot-care items.

THEN AND NOW In 1992, there was little of today’s tactical gear on the market. This stuff is great— however, you do not need to spend a lot of money.

Back then, I used a GI pistol belt with a holster I made. Four spare mags were carried in GI surplus mag pouches. My pockets held cash, my wallet, a Mini Maglite flashlight and a folding knife. My belt carried a multi-tool, and a ferro rod and P-38 can opener were always on my key ring. A pack with other emergency gear was in the Jeep for that trip through Los Angeles.

Medical gear is always a must. A modern “blowout” kit is not bulky and can come in handy. At least a couple of battle dressings and tourniquets should be carried, along with trauma bandages for sucking chest wounds.

Several bandages in various sizes are not heavy, and all should be quickly available. You might have to treat injuries, small or large, in a big hurry.

Cell phones are common today. To keep them fed, you should at least have a car charger and a small solar charger. Any emergency will overload the cell phone system, so you should look into having an amateur radio license and gear. If there are GMRS repeaters in your area, this might work for you.

Other needed items include gloves, sunglasses/ eyeglasses and sunscreen or insect repellent.

Bandanas have hundreds of uses, and I often prefer wearing one instead of a hat.

These are some items I carry. However, the list can be endless, and components change, depending on the immediate need and product upgrades. Ultimately, you should decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

As a result, every bug-out or get-home bag will be different.

Preparing a good plan, knowing your area of operation, having and knowing how to use appropriate gear, as well as the ability to adapt to a fluid situation, can all save your life—and will also allow you to help friends during tough times.

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

THERE ARE MANY GOOD AND DECENT PEOPLE IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS. I WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY KIND AND COURAGEOUS OFFERS I HAD AT THE TIME.

CUT THE (POWER) CORD WITH THESE SHARP WOODWORKING TOOLS.

HAND TOOLS FOR THE HOMESTEAD

BY DANA BENNER

© GETTY IMAGES

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER [MARCH 2018] 2018]

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W

hether you’re a DIY homeowner or a hardcore homesteader, you will see your fair share of woodworking projects.

That said, there are only two reasons you would rely upon hand tools for wood construction projects: you want to or you have to.

No matter which reason is yours, in a survival situation, having the right tools and the ability to use them could mean the difference between life and death.

In the short term, you might be able to get by with just an axe and a bush knife. But, if the situation is protracted, your tool arsenal must include hand tools that have broader capabilities. Within your "bag of tricks" should be three tools, all of which will make your life easier. They are the draw knife, adze and a set of wood chisels.

In this article, we will take a look at all three and discuss how they are used and when you would use them.

‹ Right, top and bottom: When using a draw knife, it is important to shave small amounts of material at a time; otherwise, the blade will bind in the wood. You can control just how much material is removed by pushing down or lifting up on the handles. This piece of cherry will end up being a spindle for a chair.

WHY THESE TOOLS? Why am I discussing these tools, as opposed to axes and saws? Simply put, axes and saws will provide you with the lumber you need to make sheds, barns, fence posts and a home.

However, draw knives, adzes and chisels will allow you to take that lumber and turn it into those things you need.

Whether by choice or not, if you plan on longterm survival in off-grid living conditions, you

‹ Left: It is important to keep your tools sharp. Here, the author is sharpening a draw knife using the Work Sharp WSGSS sharpening system.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

WHETHER YOU’RE A DIY HOMEOWNER OR A HARDCORE HOMESTEADER, YOU WILL SEE YOUR FAIR SHARE OF WOODWORKING PROJECTS.

‹ A mattock is basically just a dull adze that is used to dig in the ground. The author sharpened this hand mattock to convert it into an adze. While it is not the same quality as a true adze, it will work in a pinch.

will need to make things. These tools will allow you to do that easier and more efficiently. Bark will need to be peeled, and pegs will need to be made. Gutters will also need to be made to allow rain and snowmelt to be diverted from the homestead. The list could go on and on. So, once again, to accomplish these tasks, you will need these tools.

DRAW KNIFE The draw knife is an ancient tool. Examples of draw knives have been found among Viking tools that date back to 100 AD. They were very popular tools for shaping timbers in the shipbuilding industry.

Draw knives were brought to America by the early colonists and were very common in places such as Jamestown and the Plymouth Colony. Although draw knives have been replaced in modern times by more-efficient power tools, they will make a comeback if the power grid goes down.

© GETTY IMAGES

WHERE TO FIND THESE TOOLS Because of the dependence on power tools, draw knives and adzes have fallen off the radar—except in the case of some custom woodworkers—so this could make it difficult to find them at your local hardware store. If you are looking for draw knives and adzes, you will have to go to a specialty store, order online or do what I do: check local yard sales and flea markets.

Chisels are a different case. Of the three tools we are discussing, chisels are common and the easiest to find.

When shopping at flea markets and yard sales, you will usually find that these items are being sold at low prices—unless the seller is marketing a tool as an antique. If that is the case, stay away from it, because you will never get it for a reasonable price.

Many of the tools you will find could be 100 years old or even older.

They might be rusty, dull or need new handles. Tools of this age were made to last, so a little care will probably bring them back to life.

If the price is right, and you are willing to do a little work, they are worth the effort.

You need to be prepared to spend a little money if you are interested in buying new tools. Do some research and make sure you get the best quality you can afford.

Many of the really good woodworking tools these days come from Sweden (although there are some American toolmakers that make some very good products as well). If you are interested in buying American-made woodworking tools, I suggest checking out North Bay Forge (www.NorthBayForge.com).

If you can’t find a decent adze, consider a mattock. The mattock is essentially a dull adze that is used to break up and dig in rough soil.

Sharpen the blade, and you will have a “poor man’s” adze. I did this when I couldn’t find an affordable hand adze. I simply sharpened a garden tool, and it works great.

‹ This woodworker is using a chisel to refine the tenon that will fit into a mortise, solidly joining two pieces of wood.

Draw knives come in various sizes, ranging from 8 to 21 inches long. The blade is normally chisel-shaped, with a beveled cutting edge on the front. On each end of the blade are forged tapering tangs set at right angles to the cutting edge. Onto these tangs are fitted the handles.

The handles of draw knives are usually wood (although with the vast amount of new materials out there, the handles could be made from just about anything).

The draw knife is used by grasping the handles and, as the name implies, drawing it toward you.

For proper results, the piece of wood should be clamped in place or stabilized in some manner,

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CARE FOR YOUR TOOLS As with all your equipment, proper care of your tools is essential. Draw knives, adzes and chisels should be treated like all bladed cutting tools (axes, knives, machetes, saws, etc.). Even dry wood contains some amount of sap. If it is not cleaned off your tools, that sap could lead to reduced efficiency and rust issues over time.

After each use, clean your tools. Then, put a light coat of gun oil or GetSome 1000 lubricant on it to help keep it protected from corrosion.

Another important part of care is to keep your edged tools sharp. Before every use, make sure that is the case. A sharp blade is a safe blade. Besides, a sharp blade will make your job easier and more efficient.

and the cut should be made with the grain of the wood. The depth of the cut is controlled by raising or lowering the handles. The idea is to shave away small amounts at a time until the desired result is reached.

The uses for the draw knife are almost endless. It can be used to remove bark from logs, for rounding logs to be used for fence posts or for taking down rough edges from timbers used for building homes or barns. Draw knives can also be used to make pegs and handles for axes and other hand tools. They are perfect

‹ Above: A draw knife (top), wood chisel (middle) and an adze made from a mattock (bottom)

‹ Near right: Split-rail fences are easy to make and are a good choice for the offgrid homestead.

The pieces were processed by using an adze. The mortises (slots) and tenons (tabs) were made with a chisel. The edges of the posts were rounded using a draw knife. ‹ Above, top and bottom: All the work required to build this rough split-rail fence can be done with simple hand tools such as a draw knife, adze and chisel.

‹ Left: This wood-

© GETTY IMAGES

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

worker is shaping the wood with a draw knife that has a curved blade.

‹ A draw knife can perform fine work too. Here, it is being used to remove rough edges from the side of a barrel.

DRAW KNIVES WERE BROUGHT TO AMERICA BY THE EARLY COLONISTS AND WERE VERY COMMON IN PLACES SUCH AS JAMESTOWN AND THE PLYMOUTH COLONY. for making furniture legs and taking the sharp edges off planks and handrails. So, you can see why this tool is an important one to have in an off-grid situation.

ADZE The adze is another ancient tool, dating back to the Stone Age. It is made similarly to an axe, but where the blade of the axe is in line with the handle, the blade of the adze is perpendicular to the handle, similar to a garden hoe. With its sharp edge, the adze is sometimes referred to as a “chisel” made for chopping.

There are two forms of adzes: the hand adze and the foot adze. The hand adze is a short-handled tool made to do finish work.

These adzes are used a great deal today by wood carvers and are available with straight and curved blades. They are also perfect for making wood gutters and chair seats for your off-grid home. Foot adzes have long handles and are made to be swung using two hands, with the cutting edge striking the log near the foot. These tools are designed for large-scale wood removal, such as making a trough for your livestock or roughing out a dugout canoe.

The adze has multiple uses around the workshop and homestead. It has almost been made obsolete by the power saw and power planer, but in a world without power, the adze will get the job done. With proper practice, a person using an adze is capable of producing useable smooth and flat timbers from a log.

It was men using adzes who made the railroad ties up through the early 1900s. Adzes were also used to shape the timbers used to build sailing ships during the golden age of sailing.

Around the off-grid homestead, the adze can be used to shape logs into wood for sheds, barns

© GETTY IMAGES

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‹ Near right and middle: These chairs were made with hand tools and scrap lumber.

Furniture will always be needed at a homestead.

and homebuilding, as well as to shape wood for making chairs, tables and even bowls.

CHISEL Like the draw knife and the adze, the chisel has been around for a long time ( it dates back to the Stone Age). There are a few different types of chisels, including wood chisels (made for working with wood), masonry chisels (made for shaping stone and masonry) and cold chisels (made for working with metal). We will concentrate on wood chisels in this article.

Wood chisels are cutting tools with flat, angled cutting edges that are available in a variety of widths. They are primarily used for cutting, planing, carving, gouging and finishing wood. To work efficiently and safely, chisels, like knives, need to be sharp. Because of this, a great deal of caution needs to be taken when using them.

A slip with a chisel can result in a serious injury.

The trick to using a chisel is learning how to apply just the right amount of pressure and the right angle at which to hold the tool. Too much force or the wrong cutting angle can ruin the job you are working on. The amount of force (pressure) can range from simple hand pressure (for smoothing or light carving) to the use of a mallet (for the removal of large amounts of wood). You also need to use the right-sized chisel for the job at hand. It all depends on what the project calls for.

You will probably find multiple uses for a wood chisel. Maybe you will be cutting mortise and tenon joints. Perhaps you will have to cut a hole in a jamb for a door latch or bolt or to recess door hinges. Another common use for a chisel is

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

DRAW KNIVES, ADZES AND CHISELS ARE THREE CRITICAL TOOLS YOU WILL COME TO DEPEND ON—RIGHT ALONGSIDE SAWS AND AXES—FOR LONG-TERM OFF-GRID LIVING. © GETTY IMAGES

shaving away small amounts of material to allow a piece of wood to fit into place. You can even use chisels to help make bowls and plates. Thus, a good set of wood chisels is a must.

Draw knives, adzes and chisels are three critical tools you will come to depend on—right alongside saws and axes—for long-term off-grid living. Whether life without electric power is thrust upon you or if it is by your own choice, your ability to effectively use simple hand tools will ultimately impact your chances of survival.

Everyone has an axe and a bush knife, and they are great for the short-term emergency situation.

Nevertheless, sooner or later, you will need the efficiency and capabilities of these tools to maintain and enhance your shelter and its contents.

‹ Above: This chair

is being built with scrap decking. Learn to use whatever is available, along with simple hand tools.

‹ Left: A small hand

adze is being used to shape a bowl.

S O U R C E S North Bay Forge (360) 317-8896 www.NorthBayForge.com Work Sharp Outdoor (800) 597-6170 www.WorkSharpTools.com

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GREAT GEAR-CARRYING OPTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

PACK IT IN!

BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA

Y

our two hands can’t carry everything you need to keep handy. Luckily, there are innumerable load-bearing choices to help you out.

From sling packs to waist pouches and duffle bags to traditional backpacks, there’s a style of gear-carrying vessel suitable for every type of adventure that includes cross-country trekking to a short, intra-city commute.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

As with nearly every other aspect of survival, the choice of gear should mirror your own individual needs, as well as sport a style that reflects your individual personality. If you’re not comfortable with your pack—which might be needed to either save your life or secure your valuables—it shouldn’t be part of your supply cache. Do your research and choose the right bag for the right job. Only then can you head into whatever adventure lies ahead, prepared and looking for action!

Chrome Industries Urban EX Rolltop 28L Backpack Overview

Specifications

Cyclists, skateboarders and other travelers can benefit greatly from this bag’s large storage space and quick-access compartment. Its watertight design enables you to store your keys, lights, electronics, wallet and other sensitive items safely and securely within its several organization pockets, where everything will be squared away until needed. This backpack features a durable, synthetic rubber bottom panel, radio frequency welds to keep the elements out and a 600 Denier poly/nylon shell that stands up to rugged use.

• Two-strap harness for extra comfort • Quick-access storage compartment • Reflective trim on shoulder straps • Dedicated laptop compartment • Dimensions: 6x14x21 inches

MSRP $140

URL www.ChromeIndustries.com

Maxpedition Noatak Gearslinger Overview

Specifications

Easy and fast access to your gear is this pack’s number-one priority.

Whether you are sitting or standing, you can get to your gear or weapon fast via a quick rotation of the pack around your body. Inside, you’ll find spacious front and main compartments that are complete with numerous pockets for small items (knives, compass, multi-tool and more). The Noatak Gearslinger also has a built-in, zippered hydration compartment, as well as a bottle holder and a convenient grab-andgo top handle.

• Shell is made with 1,000 Denier ballistic nylon • Rotates from back to front for easy gear access • Anti-theft zipper capture system • Double-stitched stress points increase durability • Multiple organizational pockets to organize your gear • Dimensions: 10x5.5x14.5 inches

MSRP $126.99

URL www.Maxpedition.com

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Rothco Vintage Multi-Pocket Messenger Bag Overview

Specifications

This over-the shoulder bag offers a touch of the past with a modern flair. It features multiple exterior pockets and a large inner compartment with enough room to carry all your essentials while still being able to pack numerous “luxury” and personal items. The bag’s materials and hardware have a vintage appearance, yet it provides modern durability and expert craftsmanship to ensure years of reliable use.

Carry everything—small electronics, survival gear and personal grooming items. You name it, it’ll hold and haul it in style.

• Washed cotton canvas material • Multiple easy-access external pockets • Pouches, pockets and straps have brass hardware • Adjustable shoulder strap • Available in black or olive drab • Dimensions: 16x11x5 inches

MSRP $43.99

URL www.Rothco.com

Chrome Industries Brigade Backpack

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

Overview

Specifications

If you’re traveling on skates or boards around town, you’ll need the Brigade for all your gear. This urban backpack is especially designed for the person on the go. Because of this backpack’s integrated skateboard and helmet attachments, you’ll go from mobile to transporting in seconds. Its padded sleeve holds your laptop, while the front overflow pocket can store footwear or extra clothing. For both long and short commutes, the Brigade won’t let you down. The Brigade is available in solid black or Mirkwood.

• 1,050 Denier nylon shell fabric • Load-stabilizing sternum strap • Hook-and-loop lash-down straps • Front overflow pocket • Interior compartment fits up to a 15-inch laptop • Dimensions: 6.5x12.5x20.5 inches

MSRP $170

URL www.ChromeIndustries.com

Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo Backpack Overview

Specifications

The Barrage backpack exceeds the needs of cross town travel and beyond, because it combines urban style and design with practicality and functionality. A watertight main compartment holds an immense amount of gear, clothing or equipment, while its exterior cargo net adjusts to all your needs. An integrated sternum strap assists with load distribution.

The padded shoulder straps offer hour upon hour of fatigue-free travel. The Barrage is available in black, brick, indigo, Ranger and black/night colors.

It is made in the U.S.A.

• Ergonomic shoulder strap design • Abrasion-resistant 1,050 Denier nylon exterior • Easy-access side U-lock water bottle pockets • Roll-top closure for varying load sizes • Welded waterproof tarpaulin liner • Dimensions: 5.5x11.5x21 inches

MSRP $180

URL www.ChromeIndustries.com

Chrome Industries Kadet Messenger Bag Overview

Specifications

Ideal for basic essentials, the low-profile Kadet sling bag is ready and on the go when you are. Military-grade 1,050 Denier nylon protects your valuables from the harsh urban outdoors, while the padded shoulder straps offer a comfortable fit, even after hours of travel. YKK zippers give you easy accessibility to your goods. For traversing the concrete jungle, as well as open spaces, the Kadet is always on your side.

• Cross-body wear with easy swing-around access • Padded rear U-lock holster • Quick-release seatbelt-buckle shoulder strap connection • Daisy-chain mounting loops for additional accessories • Dimensions: 4x8x17 inches

MSRP $80

URL www.ChromeIndustries.com

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Hazard 4 Freelance Photo and Drone Tactical Sling Pack Overview

Specifications

This sling pack ensures you’ll get your gear to your destination safely and in style, whether you are transporting camera gear, a small drone or other sensitive equipment. It is equipped with a large main compartment with movable dividers in addition to a multitude of exterior storage pouches, so space will never be an issue. This sling pack hangs comfortably and balanced across your back, which ensures stability as you move over rough or uneven terrain. Need an item quickly? Just swing the bag to your chest for fast access to any pocket or pouch.

A heavy-duty, protected compartment, zip-open mini organization center and a thermoformed back panel complete this amazing sling bag.

• Rotates from back to chest for fast access • Water-resistant 1,000 Denier Cordura shell • Movable divider system and thermoformed back • Tripod tie-down area and multiple grab handles • Padded, MOLLE-compatible main strap • Dimensions: 7.9x7.5x14.9 inches

MSRP $157.99

URL www.Hazard4.com

TravTac Onyx Tactical Sling Bag

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

Overview

Specifications

The backbone of the Onyx sling bag is its simple, practical design that is unencumbered with nonessentials.

The bag represents a clean slate for customization for your own particular needs and wants. The Onyx features three storage areas: One large section can accommodate small electronics, while the other two can hold various tools and gear. All three are Velcro loop lined to accept CCW hook-andloop accessories. The shoulder strap system easily converts for three- or two-point shoulder carry (on chest or back; right or left hand), and the strap stows away for carry by hand.

• Genuine 1,000 Denier Cordura fabric shell • Sternum strap allows fast removal of pack • Padded mesh backing for comfort in hot weather • “Glove-friendly” zipper pulls allow ambidextrous access • Dimensions: 11.5x9x7 inches

MSRP $189

URL www.TravTac.com

Maxpedition Remora Gearslinger Overview

Specifications

Ideal for carrying everyday items or more-survival-related goods, this sling pack offers an ambidextrous design that lets you switch between sides, depending on your immediate needs. Constructed of 1,000 Denier lightweight ballistic nylon fabric (which repels water and prevents everyday wear and tear), high-tensile-strength nylon webbing and composite nylon thread, the Remora Gearslinger can take some serious punishment. Foam padding provides shock protection for sensitive items, and high-strength zipper pulls and tracks won’t leave you with a busted zipper while on the go. It is available in black or khaki.

• Low profile and lightweight • External pocket organizes small items • Includes front and back dividers • Stowable shoulder strap • Concealed-carry capability • Dimensions: 8x5x10 inches

MSRP $102.99

URL www.Maxpedition.com

Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II Backpack Overview

Specifications

The Pygmy Falcon II is the way to go, whether it is used for an auxiliary bugout bag or just to carry personal items for a weekend outing. Equipped with a large main compartment for bulky goods and a smaller exterior space for personal items or small electronics, it provides all the room you need to handle whatever task lies in front of you. Its unique, Y-shaped compression strap aids in the bag’s structural integrity, and its exterior webbing is ideal to add optional Maxpedition pouches and accessories. It is available in khaki, black, Wolf Gray, Foliage Green, dark brown and green.

• Shell is made with 1,000 Denier ballistic nylon • 3D breathable mesh padded back and shoulder straps • 270-degree main compartment zipper • Each side mesh pocket holds one 32-ounce water bottle • Supple ergonomic shoulder straps minimize stress • Dimensions: 9.5x8x17.5 inches

MSRP $122.99

URL www.Maxpedition.com

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Hazard 4 Plan C Daypack Overview

Specifications

Go slim, but don’t give up valuable space ... that’s the beauty of the Plan C. It is equipped with dual shoulder straps that distribute your load evenly, thereby reducing fatigue and letting you trek farther before needing to rest. Its 1,000 Denier Cordura shell is extremely durable, while its interior allows for organizing your gear for easy access and increased stability.

Upper and lower side compression straps hold long, oversized objects, while smaller, more-fragile gear has a place within the spacious pack. Enjoy comfort, durability and versatility, all in one streamlined pouch. Choose from black or Coyote options.

• Side elastic-topped pockets for odd-shaped gear • Distributes heavy loads across both shoulders • Thermoformed, semi-hard case/cap in front • MOLLE cutouts for greater customization • Compatible with hydration bladders up to 2 liters • Dimensions: 6.9x7.9x20.1 inches

MSRP $145.99

URL www.Hazard4.com

Hazard4 Grayman Tonto Urban CCW Mini-Messenger

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

Overview

Specifications

Bigger is not always better, and in the case of the Tonto mini-messenger, small and compact is the way to go.

Sporting a nontactical design, this shoulder bag works well in everyday urban environments, for which you need an extra “hand” to carry all your essentials. One large compartment, several smaller pouches and zippered sections keep your wallet, keys, pistol and more stored away from others while allowing you quick and easy access when needed. The adjustable, padded shoulder strap ensures allday comfort. Unique “Grayman” fabric blends into any city landscape.

• Stylish, slim design for comfortable carry • Vented, padded top strap • Two outside bottle pockets • CCW capability for pistols • Removable front panel • Dimensions: 10.5x6.75x4.75 inches

MSRP $65.99

URL www.Hazard4.com

Loctote Flak Sack II Overview

Specifications

Simply put, this is the toughest drawstring backpack ever created. Made from double-layer FLAKnit slashproof fabric, this bag acts as a portable safe and allows you to lock your gear to any secure object until you return. There is no need to constantly have someone “watch over” your stuff, because the bag, once locked, will be practically impenetrable. The Flak Sack II is elegant in style and design, yet tough and durable, so no one will know your secret or have access to your stuff but you. This backpack offers ultimate protection from theft, weather and electronic data scammers. A leather sternum strap is included.

• Steel-reinforced locking strap • Large, internal fleece-lined RFID-blocking pocket • A9-level cut protection—the best slash-resistance rating • Includes heavy-duty combination lock • Heavy-duty solid-brass strap • Dimensions: 18x14 inches (flat)

MSRP $149

URL https://Loctote.com

Granite Gear Blaze A.C. 60 Backpack Overview

Specifications

The Blaze A.C. 60 backpack, with its simple, straightforward design, gets the assignment when backpacking for long distances. It features the company’s Air Current (A.C.) suspension, which includes the three-dimensional molded alloy frame, a torso-length adjustment system, padded shoulder straps and swappable hip belt for a personalized comfortable fit.

Its overall body style is simple and light, yet highly effective, with a top-loading spindrift opening that rolls down when rain or snow falls or expands when you need to accommodate larger loads. Arched LineLoc compression cinches the pack in all directions, and its outer lashings allow gear to be secured on the exterior. This pack is a true beast for those venturing on long treks or with a lot of gear.

• Compatible with hydration bladders • Large stretch-mesh front pocket • Made with 100 and 210 Denier Cordura nylon • Three stretch exterior pockets • Sizes: Short/55 liters; regular/60 liters

MSRP $239.95

URL www.GraniteGear.com

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Granite Gear Lutsen 35 Backpack Overview

Specifications

The Lutsen 35’s compact design makes it ideal for single or multi-day excursions. Sporting numerous pockets and compartments, it offers plenty of room for all your gear while maintaining a balanced, secure load. This backpack’s top feature is its incredible adjustment system. No tools or technical know-how is needed; just detach the hook-and-loop connections, use the corresponding measurements for your particular size at the hip and torso, and reconnect. This pack easily conforms to you—quickly, securely and comfortably.

Three color options are available.

• Made with 100 and 210 Denier Cordura nylon • Hydration port and internal hydration sleeve • Side and front compression straps • Zippered stretch-mesh hip belt pocket • Tool loops and adjustable tool-holders • Sizes: Two torso sizes, both with 35-liter pack capacity

MSRP $179.95

URL www.GraniteGear.com

Granite Gear Slacker Packer Dry Sack

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

Overview

Specifications

Use the Slacker Packer Dry Sack as your main pack or as an auxiliary dry bag; either way, you’ll have ultimate protection from the harsh outdoors for your clothing, gear and sleeping materials. It is lightweight, fully water resistant and comfortable for long treks out in the wilderness. Need an extra bag for your return home? Stuff this sack into your main luggage or backpack for additional, on-the-spot storage. It weighs only 5.10 ounces empty, with a capacity of 1,500 cubic inches. You just can’t go wrong with this versatile pack. It is available in the easy-to-find orange-and-Moonlit combination color scheme.

• 30 Denier and 100 Denier Sil-Hybrid Nylon Cordura fabrics • Adjustable sternum strap • Roll up when not in use • Comfortable, fully padded shoulder straps • Fully seamed-sealed for ultimate water protection • Size: 25 liters

MSRP $42.95

URL www.GraniteGear.com

THE RIGHT TO

SELF DEFENSE IS THE FIRST LAW OF

NATURE

HE515-CM C-SERIES

CREATED WITH CUTTING-EDGE FEATURES LIKE SOLAR FAIL-SAFEâ„¢,

YOUR NEXT OPTIC

ALLOWING THE OPTIC TO WORK WITH AMBIENT LIGHT OR BATTERY POWER

HOLOSUN.COM

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME

BY DANA BENNER

© GETTY IMAGES

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A

s I write this article, many of my friends on the Big Island of Hawaii have been forced to bug out due to the recent eruption of the Kilauea volcano. Some flew off the island to stay with friends on the other islands; others flew to the mainland. Still others are forced to stay, move to safer locations on the island and ride out the river of lava.

Gathering with friends and neighbors, they have pooled their resources and established base camps as—hopefully, temporary—“homes-away-from-home,” if you will. They’ll stay in these safe places until they can go home again. They will make it through this natural disaster, because they planned in advance and were prepared to deal with this dangerous situation.

WHAT IS A BASE CAMP? Simply put, your base camp is your base of operations after you’ve been forced from your residence. It is where most of your (remaining) supplies are kept. It is where you will find “the comforts of home,” as your new situation defines them. Your base camp is your safest haven in times of trouble. However, a base camp, along with the relative sense of security

› When severe weather has made staying home impossible, it’s time to get out and follow your plan for setting up a remote base camp.

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it provides, is only as good as the people in it and a plan and gear that put it all together. It all starts with that plan.

› Natural disasters can happen anytime, anywhere.

You had better have a plan and a place at which your group can weather it out.

THE PLAN Something has happened that causes you to leave home quickly. You have all the “stuff.” Your bug-out bag is overflowing with the latest gadgets (which, hopefully, you know how to use), and your truck is full of fuel. You are ready to go, right?

Not if you don’t have a plan. Where are you going to go? Who will you go with? What skills, supplies or gear will they bring with them? How are you set regarding medical and communications capabilities? If you haven’t figured all this out, you’re basically just all dressed up with nowhere to go. © GETTY IMAGES

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‹ Left: A cabin in the woods makes a great base camp location.

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WITHOUT A PLAN, YOU COULD END UP IN A WORLD OF HURT. IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME, HEED THE WORDS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: “IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU ARE PLANNING TO FAIL.” Long before any disaster strikes, you should have a plan drawn up and be able to execute it.

As things change over time (minute to minute, in some cases), you should also have a plan B and perhaps even a plan C. As you devise your plans, keep where, when, who, what, why and how in the back of your mind.

Where? Figure out where you will run to, if anywhere. The area you choose for your base camp could even be your own home.

The area selected must offer several types of protection: It should be as free from natural threats, such as floods, as possible and defensible from the human kind while having access to water and food sources that can supplement your stores. Is your base camp easy for you to get to or get away from but not readily apparent as a survival shelter to the unknowing observer? Do you have enough space to store your supplies? All this needs to be taken into consideration when picking a location for your base camp.

When? When do you make the call to head to your base camp? The sooner the better. At the first sign of danger, you should have your vehicle ready to go. You should have contacted all the members of your party so everyone knows you are on the move. In addition, confirm when and where you will meet.

When do you start planning? Now! All members of your party should be stocking up on food, water, medical supplies, fuel and ammo on an ongoing basis. Don’t wait until you are running out the door to plan a quick stop at the Piggly Wiggly.

Who? Who will you have with you? Does your group comprise friends and family? Does it include neighbors or members of a like-minded survival group? Who will be in charge? Who will delegate the different duties that go into making a base camp run and make sure the work is done right?

All this should be part of the plan, and it should be agreed upon long before the plan needs › Near right: Go through your supplies so you know exactly what you have.

› Far right: Set up an area where food will be prepared and served.

› Right: Keep accurate records about the supplies you have on hand.

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‹ Far left: Make sure your base camp is fully stocked with freeze-dried foods and MREs, such as those from MRE Star, Mountain House and Paleo Meals to Go.

‹ Above: A good pack, such as this one from Blackhawk!, will help ensure your gear makes it to your base camp with you.

‹ Left, middle: A Solo Stove bio-fuel stove is just one way to cook meals in base camp using available, free fuel.

‹ Left, bottom: The

enclosed front porch of this cabin makes a great base camp communications room.

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to be implemented. One person can’t, and shouldn’t, do everything. Serious consequences can arise if there is only one skilled and prepared member in your group. The primary advantage of the group is that you share each other’s strengths and minimize the impact of their weaknesses.

For example, if anyone in your party has medical training, they should be in charge of all medical situations and supplies, which will include proper hygiene and sanitation.

If someone is tech-savvy or mechanically inclined, I would put that person, or persons, in charge of keeping the power going (generators, solar panels, recharging batteries, etc.) and communications (radios and cell phones, in particular). While all members of the party are responsible for base camp security, I would put the most experienced hunters or those with applicable military or policing skills in charge of weapons and security. In other words: Pick the right people to get the job done in the most efficient manner.

What? While there is no one-size-fits-all list of “stuff ” that will guarantee success in a survival situation, you should be able to assemble a list based on a scaled-back version of your current everyday needs.

Basics include— • Food and water and the implements needed to process and prepare them; • Medical, hygiene and sanitation needs; • Security and food-procurement materiel; • Tools suited to the variety of projects, tasks and repairs you expect to face; • Assorted types of identity, health, ownership, financial and legal documentation, along with reference materials for survival and other skills.

This list is longer, of course, but remember to weed out the things you’ll be able to make from materials at your new location from those you have no choice but to bring with you.

Why? Why do you need a plan? Why do you need to move? Why do you need the help of others?

Without a plan, you will lose focus. You will get nothing done, because you will be pulled in different and unproductive directions.

Without a plan, you could end up in a world of hurt. If you don’t believe me, heed the

human and animal predators that will probably approach your location in groups.)

Being part of a group allows you to draw upon the skills of others. The term, “safety in numbers,” applies here. It also enables you to provide each other with emotional support, without which you might not be able to thrive.

How? How do you plan on getting to your base camp? Are you traveling by vehicle, on foot or via some other method? How will you manage if you have to carry all your supplies on your back? How can you take advantage of natural resources at your new location? How is it all going to work? How long can you stay at your base camp? The answer: Prepare and follow the plan. words of Benjamin Franklin: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Despite your best efforts, your current location might no longer be safe, and you might have to move. Follow the plan, and head to your base camp location—no matter where it is.

You need others, because it is highly probable you won’t survive over the long term if you’re alone.

On your own, you might go down due to an illness or injury that someone else could have helped you overcome. Working with others allows you to pool resources, divide up the work that needs to get accomplished and helps defend what you have from those looking to take it from you. (Learn from

‹ Portable stoves, such as this Camp Chef Everest, as well as a good cast-iron Dutch oven, such as this one from Lodge, will make food preparation much easier.

SETTING UP Wherever your base camp is located, it is important to stay organized. Areas need to be designated for medical, kitchen, supplies and latrines. Fuel storage must be separated from living areas. Latrines, if they must be dug, must be located away from food storage, processing

LONG BEFORE ANY DISASTER STRIKES, YOU SHOULD HAVE A PLAN DRAWN UP AND BE ABLE TO EXECUTE IT. AS THINGS CHANGE OVER TIME (MINUTE TO MINUTE, IN SOME CASES), YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE A PLAN B AND PERHAPS EVEN A PLAN C.

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‹ Always try to secure more food whenever you can.

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MUST-HAVE ITEMS Your base camp must have food, water, shelter, communications, the ability to cook and boil water, and provisions for proper sanitation.

FOOD: Food is any long-term storable product you can get your hands on and that your group will eat. Include a selection of grains, cereal, canned foods (fruit, vegetables, meat and fish), freeze-dried meals (such as those made by Honeyville, Mountain House, The New Primal and Paleo Meals to Go). Be prepared to hunt, fish, grow and forage to supplement your supplies.

WATER: You can never have enough water. Conservatively, you’ll need at least 1 gallon of water per person per day—just for consumption. Body size, weather, exertion levels, cooking and cleaning food, hygiene, sanitation and other needs might push that up to 3 or 4 gallons per person per day. Keep an ample supply—perhaps 30 days’ worth—of bottled water on hand at all times. Fill water-safe containers in manageable and large-capacity sizes; rotate their usage to ensure potability. Untreated raw water needs to be filtered, so have high-volume filtration systems on hand.

SHELTER: Shelter can be as simple as tarps or as substantial as a military-style canvas tent, a cave or even a building. Whatever it is, it needs to be suitable for keeping your people and supplies out of the elements and safe from theft.

COMMUNICATIONS: You must have some form of communication to keep in touch with the members of your party and the outside world. Cell phones are good if the system is working, but you should also consider FRS, GMRS, ham or other types of radios. A variety of lower-tech signal devices, such as whistles, mirrors, flares, flashlights and similar tools, can also be helpful for short-range comms.

COOKING: Cooking will need to be done separately from the living area. Portable propane stoves are great—as long as you have stocked up on fuel. Bio-fuel stoves are also good standbys. I keep the Camp Chef Everest gas stove and the Solo Stove bio-fuel stove with my emergency supplies. Both are light and easy to use.

You’ll need cookware and utensils. A Lodge cast-iron Dutch oven is the one extra pot I would have with me; it’s versatile and is a way to cook without requiring constant attention.

SANITATION: For proper sanitation, you’ll probably need to dig a latrine, so you’ll need a good shovel or two. Just make sure you locate it away from base camp and well away from any water source.

MEDICAL: Medical supplies should comprise much more than a simple first aid kit. You should be equipped to handle everything from splinters to gunshot wounds, and at least two people should know how to use each of the components. Make sure you have plenty to accommodate the size of your group, along with any specific concerns for your area, such as snakebite kits.

I carry all my extra supplies in a 5.11 ALS backpack, which stays in base camp. You should also have portable kits that can be carried when hunting or otherwise venturing away from camp.

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‹ This simple, three-sided shed makes a perfect place to set up a field kitchen.

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‹ Pick a location that has a reliable water source. I wouldn’t locate my base camp right on the banks, but I would be close to this stream.

‹ Riding out the “storm” inside base camp. Life can be quite comfortable when the base camp is a cabin—even a small one.

‹ This base camp is well-constructed and will provide good protection from the elements.

Would you and your group be able to build something this robust quickly and efficiently?

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THE AREA SELECTED MUST OFFER SEVERAL TYPES OF PROTECTION: IT SHOULD BE AS FREE FROM NATURAL THREATS, SUCH AS FLOODS, AS POSSIBLE AND DEFENSIBLE FROM THE HUMAN KIND WHILE HAVING ACCESS TO WATER AND FOOD SOURCES THAT CAN SUPPLEMENT YOUR STORES. and dining areas, and water sources. If your base camp is a sound building, shelter is already taken care of. If not, you need to set that up as quickly as possible, especially if the weather or environment is harsh.

Once your base camp is established, take stock of your supplies. Figure out what you have and what you need.

Food and water are your top priorities. You will never have enough of either. Unless more of both can be found, you need to be prepared to ration them. Keep in mind that all water sources are suspect, so have the means to purify it before drinking or cooking with it.

Sanitation is another topic that needs to be addressed. A group of people, no matter how small, will carry diseases and germs. Poor sanitation will increase the chance of illness quicker than almost anything else. Have the means to stay clean. Make sure human and pet/livestock/ poultry waste is disposed of properly—away from food or water sources. Dig a latrine away from base camp and then bury the waste; alternatively, develop a composting plan if anything other than human waste is anticipated.

MY BASE CAMP PLAN This is something I hope I never have to implement, but I am prepared to do so if necessary. In my plan, my first choice for a base camp is my home. I chose this for numerous reasons: • It is located on high ground so flooding is not an issue.

• It is easily defendable.

• It has a large stockpile of food, water and other supplies.

• There are friends and neighbors nearby with resources that can be combined/shared.

• There is plenty of room for family, friends and neighbors to join us.

• It offers numerous escape routes if we need to evacuate quickly.

• I am very familiar with the area and region.

Because even the best-made plans can go wrong, I have a plan B. This is another base camp site that is deeper in the woods and is already stocked, just in case.

Every emergency situation will be different, but you have to be prepared, no matter what. You could be at your base camp for days, weeks or even months. In a worst-case scenario, it might become your new home.

You might have running water or even electricity (for a little while), but chances are, you will not.

Work as a team with the members of your group, whether they’re your family, friends or neighbors. You can’t rely upon the state or federal government to take care of you. If you doubt that, just look at Puerto Rico—now, almost a year after the hurricanes hit that island—as an example.

If you develop a plan, stick to it and are proactive instead of reactive, there is a good chance you and the members of your group will be fine.

S O U R C E S 5.11 Tactical (866) 451-1726 www.511Tactical.com Camp Chef (800) 650-2433 www.CampChef.com Gerber (800) 950-6161 www.GerberGear.com Honeyville Foods (888) 810-3212 www.Honeyville.com Lodge (423) 837-7181 www.LodgeMfg.com Midland (816) 241-8500 www.MidlandUSA.com Mountain House (800) 547-0244 www.MountainHouse.com Paleo Meals to Go (970) 541-9672 www.WildZora.com Reliance (800) 665-0258 www.RelianceOutdoors.com Sawyer Products (800) 356-7811 www.Sawyer.com Solo Stove (817) 900-2664 www.SoloStove.com The New Primal www.TheNewPrimal.com

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‹ The Roamer 315 is Steel Will’s version of the classic hunting knife.

ROUGHING UP THE

ROAMER 315 PROOF THAT WHERE THERE’S A STEEL WILL, THERE’S A WAY

BY MIKE TRAVIS

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Steel Will Roamer R315-1BK Specifications

• Overall length: 9.72 inches • Blade length: 4.5 inches • Blade thickness: 0.16 inch • Blade steel: 9Cr18MoV • Handle: Thermoplastic elastomer • Sheath: Leather belt with dangler

MSRP: $59.95

I

was asked to review some knives for a fellow writer, and I agreed—not knowing what knives I would be getting.

When the Steel Will Roamer R315 showed up at my door, I was intrigued.

I’ve watched numerous reviews on YouTube that praise several models from Steel Will. However, until now, I had never tried one for myself.

Steel Will’s reputation for making high-quality, high-value knives made me eager to test this blade.

‹ Steel Will has taken the lines of a traditional hunting knife and combined them with modern materials and a healthy dose of steroids to create a blade that is just as at home processing a deer as it is preparing wood for the campfire.

‹ Below: In a last-ditch effort to find a weakness with the Roamer, the author used it to chop into a large oak log. Despite the heavy blows of the baton and the significant resistance of the oak, the Roamer remained sharp and straight— and seemed to be begging for more.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A HARD-USE, BACKCOUNTRY HUNTING/SURVIVAL KNIFE, I CAN GIVE THE STEEL WILL ROAMER R315 MY ABSOLUTE STAMP OF APPROVAL. FIRST IMPRESSIONS I was immediately struck by the thought that this knife could be a direct competitor to the venerable Buck 119. The 119 is a legendary blade in the American hunting and outdoors knife arena, so living up to those expectations would be no easy task for the Roamer.

The Roamer R315 has an overall length of 9.72 inches. It has a blade length of 4.5 inches and a thickness of .16 inch. The thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) handle fully encloses the full-length tang, except for a small, exposed section at the butt of the knife.

While the Roamer is made in Italy, the blade is made from Chinese 9Cr18MoV stainless steel. I will be the first to admit that this caused my “inner knife skeptic” to take notice. Yes, I have had some superb experiences with Chinese knife steels, but I have also experienced some that did not live up to my expectations.

My initial impressions of the Roamer were good. The knife rides in a sturdy, right-hand, black leather belt sheath. The leather appears to be of good quality, and the stitching is clean, even and reinforced with two steel rivets. The sheath also features a dual layer welt and well-executed dangler belt attachment system. The knife is held securely in place by an integral snap closure that is easy to engage and disengage one-handedly.

The Roamer, itself, appeared to be well made. The TPE handle has a soft, but firm, feel and is grippy without being aggressive. The fact that it fully encloses the tang means it should pose no problems when used in extremely cold weather. The grip is well contoured and fit my large hands nicely.

The grinds are clean and perfectly even, and the edge comes razor sharp right out of the box.

There is some jimping along the spine just forward of the handle. It’s not overly pronounced but provides some extra traction when using the knife in a saber grip. The exposed surfaces of the blade have an even, well-executed, brushed-satin finish that is pleasing to the eye.

Overall, my first impressions of the knife were that it was high quality and showed good attention to detail.

TESTING THE ROAMER’S METTLE Because my hunting seasons were long over, I would not be able to put the Roamer to use

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‹ Left: The sheath utilizes a dangler-style belt attachment system. The flexibility of the dangler keeps the knife accessible, even when wearing bulky clothing.

‹ Below: The Roamer 315 occupies the same workspace as the venerable Buck 119. Those are some very big shoes to fill, but in the author’s experience, the Roamer has what it takes. ‹ Bottom: The Roamer is shown with the author’s chosen edge-maintenance tools for the field: an Eze-Lap CD4 sharpening stone and a homemade leather strop.

field-dressing and butchering deer or other large game. I needed to devise another test.

My main concern with this knife was the quality and integrity of the steel. I could think of no better way to test the edge—and the knife overall—than to take it up to the Appalachian Trail, find some seasoned (and frozen!) red oak and use the Roamer to process it down for firewood.

After a nice hike along the trail. I found a deadfall oak that would serve as my testing medium.

I cut off several sections that would eventually become my firewood for making lunch. I also cut off several sections of a maple log for making a baton to help drive the Roamer through the oak.

Carving out a handle for the baton proved to be no problem. The Roamer easily split off sections of the maple, reducing one end to hand-sized proportions. I then used the keen edge to smooth out all the sharp ridges and angles.

With a solid baton in one hand and the Roamer R315 in the other, I found the most twisted, knotty section of the oak I had cut. Hammering the Roamer through the tight, twisted grain of frozen red oak would quickly point out any deficiencies in the steel.

I aimed the Roamer right at the middle of the knotty wood. After a few blows with the baton, it got stuck. It took quite a bit of pounding on both the tip of the knife and the TPE handle to remove it from the wood. Seeing that there was no damage to either the handle or the blade, I began to take smaller “bites” from the wood, deliberately aiming for knots to stress the edge. At the end of this round of abuse, the Roamer was still in perfect shape. There wasn’t so much as a nick on the edge.

Next, I wanted to test the integrity of the tip. For this, I took the Roamer to the main body of the downed oak and used the tip to stab, pry and dig a hole into the log. My bare hand did not slip during the stabbing, and the tip remained in perfect condition from start to finish. The exposed tang at the butt of the knife provided a good surface to hammer the tip into the log without causing damage to the handle.

I then wanted to put lateral stress on the edge. I placed the edge flat against the surface of the oak log and used the baton to hammer it into the wood. This is called “cross-grain batoning.” It puts a lot of stress on the edge.

To increase the stress, I made incomplete “V” cuts into the oak. By twisting the knife in the cut

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AT THE END OF THIS ROUND OF ABUSE, THE ROAMER WAS STILL IN PERFECT SHAPE. THERE WASN’T SO MUCH AS A NICK ON THE EDGE. ‹ The author has chosen a piece of red oak to create a baton.

‹ The Roamer is being used to take out large sections of wood to reduce its diameter.

‹ Due to its excellent grind geometry, the Roamer is just as good at finer cutting chores as it is at heavy work.

‹ The Roamer 315 is shown with the tool that will be used to push it to its limits.

as I hit it with the baton, I could pop sections of wood free from the log. Several times, I twisted the knife so hard that I could see the entire blade flex prior to popping the wood loose. When this had no effect on the integrity of the edge, I used the Roamer to split a piece of maple in half. I then hammered the edge straight through the split wood to create a sturdy, dry base for my cook fire.

The Roamer R315 has a short section of spine with a 90-degree edge. It is located directly between the jimping and the start of the swedge. It is extremely sharp, and I used this to strike the ferro rod to start my cook fire.

I know some of you are convinced that I am an idiot for putting a knife through such abusive testing. Well, you might be right, but I did it with a specific purpose in mind.

I wanted to know if this knife would hold up to the rigors of a hard-use hunting knife. › Left: Any defects in the steel or

heat treat used to make a knife are sure to be revealed by hammering the edge into a piece of seasoned wood at a 90-degree angle to the grain. None were found here. › Above, left: Because the author didn’t have an elk to delimb, the Roamer’s edge integrity was tested by pounding it through a knotty piece of twisted, frozen oak. It suffered no damage at all.

› Right: Not satisfied with

pounding the Roamer through frozen maple, the author hammered the edge through a piece of frozen oak. This turned out to be no challenge for the blade.

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STEEL WILL’S REPUTATION FOR MAKING HIGH-QUALITY, HIGH-VALUE KNIVES MADE ME EAGER TO TEST THIS BLADE. It might be called upon to split a pelvic bone, chop through a rib cage, take apart joints and fillet a backstrap.

In addition to the normal game-processing tasks, this knife might be called upon to help prepare a cook fire or set up an impromptu field shelter. You do not want to find out in the middle of your hunt that your knife isn’t up to the job!

‹ When the abusive testing was done, the author used the Roamer to prepare a small cook fire and ignite it with a ferro rod.

‹ Knife-testing can help build up an appetite! The Roamer R315 is certainly right at home doing basic camp chores.

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KEEPING YOUR EDGE IN THE FIELD There are two schools of thought when it comes to selecting a blade for the backcountry. Some choose steels that hold their edge for a very long time and that, theoretically, will require little field maintenance. Others prefer steels that are easy to maintain while still having a reasonable level of edge-holding ability.

The high-end super-steels are excellent, but their downside is that they often need very specific tools to maintain, restore or repair their edges. Additionally, the time and effort needed to work on these steels are greatly increased.

Steel Will has chosen 9Cr18MoV for the Roamer R315. This is a high-carbon stainless steel that was developed for use in machine bearings. The steel has a reputation for being tough and for taking, and holding, a good edge while still being easy to sharpen.

Steel Will claims that these properties are enhanced by their advanced heat-treat and cryo-quench processes.

My testing for the Roamer R315 was meant to stress the steel as much as realistically possible in a short period of time. I have performed these same tests on other knives and know what kind of damage to expect.

When I began my testing, the Roamer R315 had a factory edge I had touched up very slightly to make it hair-poppingly sharp. I examined the edge continuously throughout the test and never found any damage. Considering what I did to the knife, I was both surprised and impressed.

I brought two tools with me to make whatever edge repairs might need to be done. The Eze-Lap CD4 is a pocket stone that includes a fine diamond plate and a super-fine ceramic stone. It was my intention to use the CD4 to repair any nicks or dings the edge might receive and to bring the edge back to a level of “working” sharpness.

The second tool was a pocket strop that was made for me by my good friend, Kevin Estela. The strop consists of a simple strip of leather that has been impregnated with different grades of polishing compound.

Because the Roamer R315 suffered no edge damage and still had a working edge, the only tool I needed was the strop. Stropping is my preferred method for maintaining an undamaged edge. It removes very little material from the blade and works by realigning and refining the existing edge. The Roamer R315 responded well to the strop and was back to popping hairs off my arm within a few minutes.

While the Roamer R315 might be considered a budget-friendly knife that is made with a budget-friendly steel, it stood up to a lot of abuse, held its edge well and was easy to maintain. That’s a win-win in my book!

Technologies_Schrade_1_2h 1 BTIBattenfeld AD_AmericanSurvivalGuide_Schrade_HalfHoriz_OctIssue_June2018.indd 1

7/17/2018 6/6/20184:54:04 2:52:12AM PM

MY INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE ROAMER WERE GOOD. THE KNIFE RIDES IN A STURDY, RIGHT-HAND, BLACK LEATHER BELT SHEATH. THE LEATHER APPEARS TO BE OF GOOD QUALITY, AND THE STITCHING IS CLEAN, EVEN AND REINFORCED WITH TWO STEEL RIVETS.

S O U R C E S Steel Will Knives (877) 969-0909 https://SteelWillKnives.com Eze-Lap http://Eze-Lap.com

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THE VERDICT I observed absolutely no damage to the edge or to the knife overall during any of my testing. When I got it home, it was still paper-slicing sharp. After less than a minute with a strop, the edge was popping the hair off the back of my arm and was sharper than before I started testing!

To say I am impressed with the Roamer R315

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would be an understatement. I was fully prepared to say that while I liked the design, I wish it had been made with a better steel.

However, my testing and use of the knife have shown that the steel is fully up to the job. It might not be one of the high-end, expensive steels I thought I would have preferred, but it has proven itself to be tough, capable of taking and holding an excellent edge, and is easy to maintain. I’m not sure what else I could ask for—especially at its MSRP ($60)!

If you are looking for a hard-use, backcountry hunting/survival knife, I can give the Steel Will Roamer R315 my absolute stamp of approval. I don’t think it will replace the Buck 119 in the annals of legendary hunting knives, but it appears to be earning a place right alongside it.

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THE APEX PREPPER WEBSITE BUNKER DAYS COMBINES THE INFO, EXPERTISE AND TOOLS TO GET YOU THROUGH ANY SURVIVAL SITUATION. STORY BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW / PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUNKER DAYS

I

t’s easier to be self-reliant if you have a little help.

That may sound like a contradiction, but it’s not. We all like to think of ourselves as being able to take care of our loved ones and ourselves during times of crisis. But in preparing for the worst, we must acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, formulate plans for numerous specific scenarios and assemble the gear that will enable us to survive. All those things are easier to attain when we have access to the experiences of like-minded people who have traveled down that same road.

Beyond that, it helps to have some organizational

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tools that enable us to track and evaluate our readiness on a continual basis. Yes, there are many online forums via which people exchange ideas on preparedness topics; and there are countless sites on which gear is sold.

Now, there is one online destination where the community, the equipment and the tools to pull your survival strategies together are available all in one place: Bunker Days (www.

BunkerDays.com). And there is no cost to become a member.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE Bunker Days was created because brothers and co-founders Mike and Chris Lambrix saw a

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need for such a site while they were assessing their own self-reliance needs. They wanted to be able to protect their families during emergency situations without relying on a response from government agencies.

They were frustrated: They couldn’t find one site that offered everything the average person might need to attain a more self-reliant lifestyle and state of readiness. Until they created Bunker Days, there wasn’t a place that consolidated information with active learning and access to gear.

“I was based out of South Florida, and a big concern of mine was hurricane preparedness and whether or not my house and my family were ready for a natural disaster,” Mike said.

“As we went about the process of educating ourselves, we found there wasn’t a great solution that combined all of the components that are required to be prepared for a situation. So, that’s why we launched Bunker Days.

What we did was create a platform that has the three main components.”

The first component was a community aspect—important because they didn’t want to simply post information. Rather, they sought to provide a platform for an active conversation between folks with the same concerns who are striving to become more self-reliant.

“The second component is to have some tools to help you to actively prepare. So, on top of the community, we created some online proprietary tools: the Inventory Management Tool and SIPs (Situation and Inventory Plans),” Mike explained. “And then, the third piece is the gear. When we were doing our research, we found lots of blogs out there, and there were places to buy gear, but there wasn’t any place that put those two together with some active tools to help you to manage them and actively stay prepared.”

They had the site up and running about a year and a half ago. Now, it’s about getting the word out on the tools the site offers.

Exactly what does Bunker Days offer? You really need to delve into this site to get a full appreciation of its capabilities. Nevertheless, I’ll highlight some key areas.

BUNKERS “Bunkers” are areas on the site that deal with specific self-reliance topics. Everyday Carry (EDC), Prepping, Survival, Homesteading and Tactical are examples of some of the various bunkers. Once you become a member and you log in, you choose the bunkers you want to join. In each one, you’ll find members' articles

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› Some of the articles on Bunker Days' website naturally deal with wilderness survival, but the site also has valuable information on urban survival and tactics.

› The Bunker Days

home page gives visitors to the site a quick introduction, but you really need to explore the site to see its many benefits.

and photos on those specific subjects.

You can read them, comment on them or post your own articles and photos to get the discussion going. While you’re expected be on your best behavior, the content isn’t censored or discriminated against the way it is on some sites that try to be politically correct.

You might post an article about some new gear you’ve tested or try to get some feedback from other members on a piece of kit you’re considering. If you have some insights on the best way to pack a bug-out bag, tips on food preservation, how to trick-out an AR-15 or are simply looking for tips for sustaining a vegetable garden, the bunkers are the places to do that.

If you don’t see a specific bunker for your area of interest, it’s easy to create one. For instance, you could start one called Under Cover, dedicated to primitive shelter-building; Fanning the Flame, concentrating on fire-starting; or Snowbound, for winter survival. You’re limited only by your imagination.

Another component to the community aspects of Bunker Days is that you can buddy-up by assembling a group of “mates” (similar to “friends” on other social sites). You can follow their posts or send private messages back and forth. There’s a live-chat feature as well.

BOARDS Bunker Days also has a feature that allows you to store and post interesting or inspirational images to photo boards. You can follow boards of other users or create your own to share with others on the site. If you’re highlighting a product, you can add a link to it so that others can add it to their inventories or find it easily in the site’s Depot area, where gear is for sale.

YOUR INVENTORY According to Mike, “The Inventory Management Tool is a virtual representation of your physical inventory."

It’s one thing that sets this site apart from others. Here, you can catalog and track your equipment so you always know what you have, where it’s located and what needs to be replaced.

You start by entering items of your existing gear into your inventory and noting the quantities. As you purchase gear, either through the site’s Depot or other places, you add it to your inventory as well. It gives you a convenient listing of what you have and helps you determine what you might still need. No one else can see what’s in your inventory. It’s a tool for your own reference.

Within the Inventory tool, you can designate certain items as containers: your survival gear backpack, your bug-out bag or your emergency bin, for example. You can then move items from your inventory into those containers, which provides a way of keeping your gear organized.

... YOU CAN CATALOG AND TRACK YOUR EQUIPMENT SO YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE, WHERE IT’S LOCATED AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

› Above: This image is from an article on setting up survival caches—an example of the informative articles found on the Bunker Days website.

As you use your gear (the Mountain House dehydrated meals you ate, the compass you lost, the flashlight batteries that died), you can change the quantities of those items in your inventory.

When the quantities reach zero, those items will appear in your Depleted Gear section so you can track items that need to be replaced.

‹ Far left: A large selection of gear is offered in the website’s Depot section. Purchases are automatically added to your personal inventory list.

‹ Middle: An overview of the Bunker Days website provides newcomers with a rundown of some of the site’s features.

‹ Near left: This page explains how to make use of some of the website’s self-reliance management tools.

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WORKING WITH THE BUNKER DAYS SITE TOOLS I am not a newcomer to the subjects of outdoor survival, defensive tactics and self-reliance. So, what would Bunker Days have to offer me?

For one, no matter how much I think I know, there is much more I can learn. Checking into the various bunkers on this site is a great way to tap into the experiences of the members—whether it’s learning some small tricks of the trade on fire-starting, techniques on snare setups or getting helpful advice on setting up a home canning and food storage area.

And as much as I try to stay current on available gear, after spending some time on the Bunker Days site, I found some interesting, new products I didn’t know existed, along with some old standbys I had assumed were long discontinued.

Browsing through the site’s Depot section also provided some ideas on useful items I had overlooked; things I really should add to my kit. By flagging them over to my online inventory, I found I could build a wish list of gear I wanted to purchase to complete my outfit.

Also, that inventory feature will help me keep my gear organized. Too often, I’m “borrowing” items from one bag or pack to put into another for a hike or a hunt. After a while, I have no idea of the key items that might be missing, should I have to grab and go.

I found the SIPs very beneficial as well. I realized I have a lot work to do in this area: I need to create them for specific emergency events I could experience where I live. I’m literally surrounded by gear, but I need to do a better job planning routes for possible evacuation scenarios, secure my premises better if I need to hunker down, and set up a regular schedule for physical conditioning and skills training. Being able to track my progress on the site will keep me motivated while ensuring all needed readiness steps are addressed.

I believe that the more I make use of the tools provided on the Bunker Days site, the more I’ll find positive ways to make use of them.

› Near right: The Headquarters page on the Bunker Days

website gives you a quick update about what’s new and trending on the site. › Far right: In the “Lost in the Woods” SIP, a list of suggested gear is provided to enable you to prepare for such a situation.

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SIPs Another valuable tool on the Bunker Days site allows you to create any number of situation and inventory plans—“SIPs,” for short. They allow you to plan for specific threats or emergencies and to organize the things needed to handle them, such as skills, gear, routes and fitness levels.

Some basic SIPs have been loaded onto the website to get you started. These highlight some common situations, such as preparing for a hurricane, an active shooter, being lost in the woods or putting together a bug-out pack. The SIPs list some suggested skills and gear you might need for those circumstances. However, it’s understood that you are the one who knows what’s best for your individual situations and your specific area.

“There’s no off-the-shelf solution that’s going to be perfect for every single person or that will work in every single scenario,” Mike pointed out.

So, the site aims to simplify things by providing great pieces—knowledge and tools—but have them sufficiently adjustable so members can tailor these emergency plans for themselves and for their own situations.

You can also create your own SIPs just as easily by setting up a listing of gear and skills you’ll need. Depending on where you live, you might set up one for flood evacuation or hunkering down to survive a tornado. While the SIPs focus on skills and gear at the moment, such things as escape routes and fitness will be added.

“If your 72-hour bug-out SIP requires you to travel on foot 10 miles to your bug-out location, you might want to have a weekly reminder to ‘walk 10 to 20 miles a week,’” Mike said. “We think

YOU REALLY NEED TO DELVE INTO THIS SITE TO GET A FULL APPRECIATION OF ITS CAPABILITIES.

‹ Not at all “old school”! Bunker Days provides useful, up-to-date information—for instance, how to use your phone as a survival tool.

that’s something that’s important to make this an active preparation tool and not a static one.”

A progress bar on each SIP tracks your preparedness progress as you gain skills and acquire gear. An SIP can serve to remind you not only of what gear you have for different types of emergencies, but also that self-reliance is a continual, active process.

“It’s very easy to just buy gear, throw it on the shelf and say, ‘I’m prepared,’” Mike said, “but you do need to practice the skills, and you do need to trial your gear. And if you need to walk out of the city, you do need to be physically fit. So, all of those things tie into that continuing self-reliance lifestyle and not just buy, check the list and forget about it.”

GEAR On the Bunker Days website, you can discuss gear with other members; and you can also purchase a wide variety of readiness products through the Depot.

However, while Bunker Days might highlight gear and offer some suggestions, the company isn’t pushing any gear or specific brands on anyone.

“We didn’t want to be a company that said, ‘This is the best. Go buy this,’” Mike said. “We wanted a site where there could be that open dialog and the user base could determine what’s the best backpack or the best knife and have an open debate about it.”

Gear suggestions are listed in the bunkers and SIPs; alternatively, you can browse the Depot, looking for gear by specific categories. Products you purchase there are automatically added to your inventory.

SECURITY Having all this information conveniently available at your fingertips is great, but I was concerned about the chances that this very private information could be compromised by hackers.

Chris shared some details about Bunker Days’ impressive arrangements for keeping information confidential and secure. He started by reminding us that, “in order to access the Bunker Days platform, a user must first create a secure account by providing a name, e-mail and password. We recommend that users choose a secure password when they sign up and don't share it with anyone.

“We store passwords in an encrypted format, and we have no way to decrypt it. Sensitive information around a user’s Inventory, e-mail address and other personal information is only accessible by that user and only while logged in (once the appropriate log-in credentials have been supplied).

In addition, he said, "The community aspects of the site are viewable by other

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GEAR SUGGESTIONS ARE LISTED IN THE BUNKERS AND SIPS; ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN BROWSE THE DEPOT, LOOKING FOR GEAR BY SPECIFIC CATEGORIES. PRODUCTS YOU PURCHASE THERE ARE AUTOMATICALLY ADDED TO YOUR INVENTORY.

Bunker Days members—for example, 'liking' or commenting on posts. All data on the platform is stored in our secure servers located in Chicago. Access to our servers is limited to authorized personnel, and the data center, which physically hosts the hardware, follows tight security procedures.

MOVING AHEAD The Lambrix brothers have plans to make Bunker Days even better. In 2019, for instance, they hope to roll out a mobile application.

They want to integrate the uploading of self-reliance videos soon and are planning on introducing an “Escape From X” feature that will provide survival plans and escape routes for specific cities. Also under consideration is a

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retail store location in Florida.

As far as documenting that you have acquired the skills you need for different survival scenarios, it’s the honor system for now ... but that could change.

“We’re looking at partnering with accredited providers of these skills, whether it’s first aid or concealed carry or wilderness survival, to provide certification.” Mike said.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER As I see it, the greatest benefit to this site is how it integrates so many survival elements in one place.

You can learn from the posted articles; discuss strategies, techniques and gear with other members; have the tools to consolidate your emergency plans and track your progress; and find the gear you need. Members also have access to a free, 30-page e-Book on urban survival. Bunker Days also sends out a monthly newsletter to its members. As Mike Lambrix says, “Self-reliance isn’t lone wolf.”

Because it costs nothing to become a member, I see no downside to it at all.

Even though I’ve been at this for a long time, I know there’s still much I can learn from those who live the self-reliant lifestyle. The more people who participate, the better this site will be.

I’ve become a Bunker Days member, and I look forward to “talking survival” with you on the site very soon.

‹ This image of one member’s survival gear accompanied an article on that topic that was posted on Bunker Days' site.

S O U R C E Bunker Days (844) 328-9761 www.BunkerDays.com

HOME, SAFE HOME HOW TO SELECT AND ENSURE A SECURE HOME

BY BRIAN M. MORRIS

© GETTY IMAGES

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› Right: Defeat bolt cutters by using a bolt cutter-resistant lock from your home improvement store.

P

rofessional criminals are predictable: If they think you are home, or if they perceive your home to be a “hardened target,” they won’t chance it. They will simply move on to a home that poses less of a threat. In a perfect world, you could simply hang up a “Beware of Dog” or an alarm company sign and call it a day.

The only problem is that while professional criminals are predictable, the world is full of amateurs. With the many unstable, unintelligent and unpredictable meth-heads, gang-bangers and bottom-feeders who contribute to America’s violent crime and home intrusion rates, your best bet to lower your risk of becoming another statistic is to take a “holistic” approach to your security. Be as proactive as you can and take measures into your own hands to lower your chances of being victimized.

But, guess what? There is some good news.

Contrary to what many security monitoring companies tell you, you can take all the steps

© GETTY IMAGES

‹ Below: A door is only as secure as its locking mechanism. Replace your old, flimsy locks with a more secure, reliable and durable locking system.

A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY WATCH INDICATES THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE PROACTIVE ABOUT KEEPING CRIME OUT AND THAT THEY CAN BE COUNTED ON TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION OVER THE LONG HAUL. needed on your own to protect yourself and your property from these criminals. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on high-tech surveillance systems and costly security monitoring contracts in order to be safe.

By keeping the following in mind, you will take control of your security and send a message to criminals to “keep walking,” because your property is not worth the risk of being caught.

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CHOOSE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Before you sign a lease or purchase a home, be sure to spend a few hours on a Saturday night near where you are considering living. Drive through the neighborhood or sit in your car with the lights off, observing what type of human traffic and activity are prevalent. You would be shocked at how much an area can contrast from one time of day or day of the week to another. You can also stop by the local police or sheriff’s department and find out what kind of reputation for illegal or anti-social activity exists in the area you are thinking of settling in.

Another thing to look for is the presence of community watch signs. A neighborhood with an active community watch indicates that the residents are proactive about keeping crime out and that they can be counted on to be part of the solution over the long haul.

If you want, or need, to live in an urban or suburban location, try to find a location that has a thriving economy, a strong middle class and a large population of young, educated professionals.

These types of areas enjoy the lowest overall crime rates.

It is also important to pay attention to the physical characteristics of the property you are considering moving into. In semi-urban and suburban areas, look for a house with a garage for off-street parking. If you are looking at condos or apartments, look for how well the grounds are lit and landscaped. Is staff on site and available 24/7? What kind of passive or active security measures are in place? Does the facility have surveillance cameras, doormen, and roving security or emergency call boxes in the parking lot?

You can also take a look at the cars parked in the parking lots or garages. They are a definite

SIMPLE SECURITY SOLUTIONS

© GETTY IMAGES

‹ If you’re moving, stop by the local police or sheriff’s department and find out what kind of crime exists in the location you are thinking of settling in.

indicator regarding the affluence and lifestyles of the residents.

A gated community is often an advantage in a suburban setting—but it can also be a bit of a “paper tiger” if the criminals from whom you are trying to protect yourself live within the gates.

On the other hand, if your bank account can handle it, there are gated communities that go far beyond the simple presence of a gate with a passcode. If you have the money, find a community that uses security cameras with 24/7 monitoring, as well as gate guards with direct communication to the residents, armed security patrols and other security amenities that help mitigate the risk of crime.

If you want to live on a larger piece of property, you are probably looking at living in a suburban or rural community. Many rural areas in America have been devastated by the reduction of available agricultural jobs, the exit of factories and the loss of those income sources. The lack of jobs on such a large scale can bring drugs and crime to these rural communities.

The bottom line is: When you choose the neighborhood you live in and the neighbors you live next to, choose wisely!

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS If you already live in a community that has a problem with criminal activity, there are plenty of things you can do to up your security posture; and with the help of neighbors and concerned citizens in your area, it won’t take much to dramatically increase the community’s

© GETTY IMAGES

There are many other steps you can take to reduce the threat of crime in your home and the surrounding neighborhood: • Trim the shrubs as low as possible around your home to minimize places for prowlers to hide.

• Have mail, newspaper and package deliveries stopped prior to leaving home for an extended period.

• Install a fire safe in a remote, discreet location in your home. Fasten it securely to the floor or wall so that a criminal can’t carry it away.

• Keep your most valuable items in the safe when they’re not on your person. If you’ll be gone for an extended period, transfer your valuables to a safe deposit box at your bank.

• Avoid “hiding” keys outside your doors, because some insurance policies will not pay if the break-in shows no signs of a forced entry.

• Ask the police or a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your residence.

• Install lighting all around your home and property that has the option to turn on manually or via motion detectors. Supplement hardwired lights with strategically placed solar-powered lights to provide illumination, even if the power goes out.

• Install a solid-wood or metal-framed door that is equipped with a one-way peephole. It should also have, at a minimum, an unyielding deadbolt lock and security chain installed. Invest in secure side and rear doors as well.

• Sliding patio doors are notoriously easy to pick. You can mitigate this issue by simply placing a piece of 2x4 or a rigid pole in the bottom track to prevent the door from sliding. Alternatively, you can buy a security bar made specifically for this purpose.

• Skylights and ground-accessible windows and glass doors should have bars with locks or metal grates with interior release mechanisms that are not accessible from the outside. Be sure you will be able to remove these barriers quickly if you need to exit fast in an emergency.

• There is a plethora of effective electronic home security devices designed for DIY installation. From wireless window and glassbreak alarms to motion detectors and infrared video cameras that communicate with your smart phone, there is a solution that makes sense for your situation.

‹ Sliding glass doors are notoriously easy to break into.

You can increase the odds this won’t happen to you if you reinforce the door with a steel bar or 2x4 door jamb.

overall security posture.

You should always start by getting to know your neighbors. You will find that the greatest and most powerful tool you can have to lower the risk of becoming a victim to crime is the concerned and observant eyes of your neighbors. It never ceases to amaze

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‹ Start the conversation going about coming together as a community to make it a safer place.

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‹ While this type of warning often works for professional criminals, the world is full of amateurs.

© GETTY IMAGES

... YOUR BEST BET TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF BECOMING ANOTHER STATISTIC IS TO TAKE A “HOLISTIC” APPROACH TO YOUR SECURITY. BE AS PROACTIVE AS YOU CAN AND TAKE MEASURES INTO YOUR OWN HANDS TO LOWER YOUR CHANCES OF BEING VICTIMIZED. › Right: Neighbors keeping an eye out for one another’s property is one of the best things to do to lower the chances of someone breaking into your home.

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me how people can live next to someone for decades and still know nothing about them. Even if you or your neighbors are not sociable types, you should at least make an attempt to maintain a cordial relationship and to exchange contact information, as well as travel plans.

There are also plenty of other things you can do to bring people together in the interest of securing your home and community. You can join a local religious or social organization, because they provide an excellent opportunity to network with other likely security-minded people within the community. Local gun clubs and firing ranges are another way to come together with other people within your community who are as dedicated as you are to making the area a safer place for everyone.

The more you know the people who live around you, the more effective your outer security ring is going to be. Some people are afraid to initiate contact but are motivated to help. They just don’t have the social skills to make the first move. Don’t isolate these kinds of people, insulate them! Make the first move and start the conversation about coming together as a community to make it a safer place.

In addition, if there is no neighborhood or community watch, contact the local law enforcement agency for assistance in getting one started. You will be surprised how many

© GETTY IMAGES

‹ Above: It is smart to keep a safe in your home to secure your valuables. Be sure you secure it to the wall or floor so a thief can’t simply take it.

people are willing to follow your lead but are reluctant to take the first step.

A LITTLE HEALTHY PARANOIA GOES A LONG WAY Put your paranoia to good use by proactively taking the steps to secure your home, property and loved ones. Be very suspicious of strangers, especially if they are asking personal questions about you and family members or neighbors. If work crews and utility companies are operating near your home, contact their respective companies to verify the nature of their work and the personnel assigned to be at that site before letting them into your house or onto the property. Many of these workers carry photo IDs, so use this opportunity to verify their identity and intent.

Be very cautious of salespersons, pollsters and other strangers present in your area. If a vehicle in the neighborhood looks suspicious, write down the license plate number, along with the car's color, make, model and distinguishing characteristics. Alert police immediately. If something looks or sounds suspicious, do not be afraid to contact the police.

When you are planning on being away from your home for more than a day or two, arrange to have your mail picked up and your trash can rolled back to your house. If

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© GETTY IMAGES

© GETTY IMAGES

‹ Back up your surveillance video with “cloud”-based memory, so you’re sure to have the evidence, if needed.

‹ For a small investment, you can buy a set of indoor/ outdoor video cameras that connect directly with your smart phone.

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‹ Far left: This “smart” doorbell allows you— from a connected device—to see and talk to anyone who rings your bell, giving a would-be thief the impression you are home.

© GETTY IMAGES

you travel in the winter, have your driveway plowed and walks cleared. Alternatively, ask a neighbor to make footprints going to and from your doors. In the summer, arrange to have your yard mowed periodically so the grass never looks overgrown. These are all indicators criminals look for to determine if anyone is at home.

You can also purchase an inexpensive light timing system to control lights throughout your house to give the appearance that someone is always home. A dog is also an excellent “thief-repellent”—but that doesn’t mean you need to own a German Shepherd to get the job done. In fact, the sound or sight of any dog, regardless of breed or size, will lower your risk of being robbed. If you can’t have, or don’t want, a dog, you can buy a device that “barks” loudly, both randomly and whenever it senses movement.

Criminals do not want to be detected. That is why the majority of home invasions happen between 1:00 and 2:30 in the afternoon— when most people are at work or school.

Criminals also don’t want to be shot, so you would think a “Beware of Gun Owner” sign would be a deterrent. In fact, the opposite is true: If you own guns, don’t advertise them, or you might be targeted specifically for the purpose of stealing them.

Whether you’re home or not, keep the house locked and the garage and outbuildings secured. If your house keys are lost or stolen, or you’re moving into a previously owned residence, replace the locks immediately.

Many cars have an alarm button on the key fob. Keep it near you at night and activate it in the event of a suspected prowler or breakin. It will attract your neighbors’ attention and might even scare off the intruder.

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© GETTY IMAGES

‹ Near left: Ask your neighbor to hold your mail or return your trash can from the curb. Arrange to have your grass mowed while you’re away to prevent signaling criminals that you are away from home.

› Right, top: When

returning home, have your keys out and ready to unlock the door so you spend as little time as possible in this potentially vulnerable position.

© GETTY IMAGES © GETTY IMAGES

› Right, bottom: While the sound or sight of any dog will lower your risk of being robbed, it can’t hurt to own a dog that looks as if it could eat a criminal for an afternoon snack!

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION From the first steps of perimeter protection—choosing the right neighborhood, joining with neighbors to share overwatch responsibilities and hardening your home to criminals—it’s up to you to set yourself up for successfully creating a place that is unlikely to be broken into. You’ll find that your peace of mind will be worth every ounce of effort you expend.

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A

bout three weeks ago, I received an e-mail from my editor asking me to do a product review on the Honeyville company and its long-term storage line of foods. The e-mail caught me off guard, because he knows I don’t often do product reviews. If I mention a product in an article, it is because I use it, have used it in the past or have seen it used. If I don’t like a product, I generally don’t write about it at all.

Nevertheless, after some serious thought, I informed him I would write the article. All I needed to do was get my hands on the product.

I decided to do my homework on Honeyville while I waited for the product to arrive. Before now, I had never heard of the company; and, to be honest, I had some serious doubts. Between the growing emergency preparedness trend, the zombie apocalypse craze and the get-back-tonature movement, freeze-dried, vacuum-sealed food companies are popping up out of nowhere.

Until I dug deeper, I figured that Honeyville was just another Johnny-come-lately packaged food company. I was surprised when I learned it has a rich history that dates back to the 1940s (see the sidebar on page 96). This gave me some hope, but I still had to wait until I got the product to find out for sure.

The box from Honeyville finally arrived, and I opened it to inspect its contents. Within the box were three packages of product and a letter from Brenden Haueter, director of marketing for Honeyville. The samples I received included Rice With Teriyaki Chicken, Mexican Style Rice With Chicken and Rotini Chicken Primavera With Zucchini. Obviously, chicken comprises the protein part of these meals.

The letter from Brenden basically explained the labeling on the packages. The packages I received were labeled “Hearty Food Storage,” which was Honeyville’s original line. Going forward, they will be labeled as “Hearty Outdoors,” the company’s new brand. It is the same food under different branding that is intended to attract more hunters, fishermen, campers—and yes, survivalists and preppers.

For me, and I am sure for most American Survival Guide readers, the label is the least important part. What really matters is what is inside and how we can make it work to suit our needs. That is what the rest of this article will cover.

SIZE The size and weight are of great importance to me. Right off the bat, I noticed the size of

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THE SAMPLES I RECEIVED INCLUDED RICE WITH TERIYAKI CHICKEN, MEXICAN STYLE RICE WITH CHICKEN AND ROTINI CHICKEN PRIMAVERA WITH ZUCCHINI. OBVIOUSLY, CHICKEN COMPRISES THE PROTEIN PART OF THESE MEALS. › Right: At base camp, a propane stove such as this Camp Chef Everest enables you to heat plenty of water for larger volumes of food.

› Below: When hunting, you should always bring along some food in case you come up short or if you want to turn a meal in the woods into a feast.

the packages that had been sent to me.

Each package provides enough food for four servings. With a dry weight averaging 8.5 ounces, these packages are, for me, a bit large for carrying on a scout or in my bug-out bag.

Granted, you can open the package and separate the food into individual bags, but that kind of defeats the benefit of the long-term packaging. Other product lines of survival food I have used contain enough for two servings, at the most.

I made a call to Brendan and explained my concern. Brendan assured me that the company realizes this, so the new product line will also be offered in smaller sizes. The four-serving size is based on people storing food away for emergencies. That explains a great deal. With that said, the Hearty Outdoors food would be a good fit for use at your base camp or shelter and/or if you were trying to feed more than two people at a time.

PACKAGING The entire reason for packaging is to keep the contents safe from damage—and, in the case of emergency survival food, to keep the product fresh for an extended period of time.

The last thing you want is to have your food

container fail while you are on the move. The Honeyville food packaging seems to be able to prevent this. The package is a fairly nondescript foil. In addition, without me being able to perform a long-term storage test, it looks capable of keeping the food safe from damage or spoilage.

The top corner has a notch for easy opening. This is a good thing: As anyone who has had to open one with their knife can verify, you usually end up with a big mess.

After opening, the package can be closed via its durable zip-seal. While this will help preserve any remaining contents of the package for a limited time, once the package is open, no matter how secure the re-sealing method, the contents are compromised by the elements. I wouldn’t open a package unless I were prepared to use everything in it. Of course, this would not be a problem with the smaller, two-serving packages.

‹ Above, left: The resealable zip closure allows you to take what you need and then close the package to protect the unused food. ‹ Above, right: Inside the package you will find all sorts of freezedried goodness.

This meal uses chicken as its protein source.

PREPARATION Preparation is pretty easy. It is made even easier by having the directions printed right on the package.

‹ Left: As long as you can heat up water, you have a meal.

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PRODUCT DETAILS Rice With Teriyaki Chicken • Weight: 9.6 ounces • Servings: Four (.5 cup each) • Calories: 240 per serving • Shelf life: 10 to 15 years stored closed in a cool, dry place

MSRP: $10.99

› Right: Beef and dairy, almost all of which is sourced in the United States, are also components of some of Honeyville’s meals.

› Below, left: Pork is a great protein source and is found in some of Honeyville’s meals.

Simply open the package, add boiling water to the contents, and allow it to heat and rehydrate for about 10 minutes. Everything can be accomplished right in the pouch. It doesn’t get any simpler than that, right?

To prepare the entire four servings the package holds, you will need 2 2/3 cups of boiling water. If you are only preparing two servings, you obviously cut that in half. The problem here is that the typical military-style canteen and most water bottles you would carry in your pack only hold 1 quart (4 cups) of water or fewer. If you are on the move, you will need to use over half the water you are carrying to prepare one meal.

Another issue is that this food requires you to use boiling water (nowhere does it say anything different). This means you will need to stop and either make a fire or use some other heat source to boil the water.

It is an entirely different story back at base camp. After a day of scouting for additional supplies, there is nothing better than a hot meal. It is good for morale, so this is where this product would really shine. In base camp, you can afford to have a fire or stove going to allow you to heat the water; in fact; you should be boiling your water before drinking it anyway.

› Below, right: Chicken is one of the primary protein sources in Honeyville meals.

THE FOOD When you are picking food to go into your emergency supplies, you need to be as diligent as you would be with the food you normally eat: If you are allergic to certain foods or have health problems, you need to take that into consideration. Remember that in an emergency situation,

Mexican Style Rice With Chicken • Weight: 9.6 ounces • Servings: Four (.5 cup each) • Calories: 240 per serving • Shelf life: 10 to 15 years stored closed in a cool, dry place

MSRP: $12.99

Rotini Chicken Primavera With Zucchini • Weight: 9.6 ounces • Servings: Four (.5 cup each) • Calories: 240 per serving • Shelf life: 10 to 15 years stored closed in a cool, dry place

MSRP: $10.99

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‹ In a “wilderness” situation, you can use a Solo Stove biofuel stove to heat up your water without the need to carry fuel.

‹ Boiling water is needed to reconstitute the meal and make it truly satisfying.

Follow us on

‹ Pour boiling water into the package, re-seal it, and wait 10 minutes.

That's all there is to it!

www.facebook.com/ americansurvivalguidemagazine instagram: americansurvivalguide ‹ All plated up, this meal will fill you up—and it actually tastes good!

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‹ Left: The Honeyville plant processes a wide variety of foods, grains and meals—all to high quality and purity standards.

› Above: The Honeyville plant in Rancho Cucamonga, California, is a very busy place.

› Right: In addition to its tasty survival meals, Honeyville offers a wide selection of grains, baking ingredients, canned foods and other products to stock your prepper pantry,

medical help might not be available—so don’t put yourself into that situation.

I am not too concerned about calories, because in a survival situation, calories are what will help keep you alive. Besides, you’ll probably burn most of them off.

What does concern me is the amount of salt included in survival rations. In every package I received from Honeyville, I found that each serving provides from 23 to 25 percent of the daily recommended intake of sodium. Yes, the human body needs salt; and yes, you will expel salt through sweat, but where do you draw the line? While this is in the range of similar Mountain House meals, some other foods I have

HONEYVILLE FOODS The Honeyville story goes back to 1942, when founder Lowell Sherratt Sr. participated in a federal program to help resettle displaced Japanese-Americans who were given the option to move away from the West Coast. Sherratt saw the need and helped move these American citizens out of California—thereby avoiding the internment camps—to farmland in Utah.

In the 1950s, Sherratt bought a small grain company in Honeyville, Utah. The Honeyville company soon made its name in many different products in the food industry. These ranged from baking supplies and fresh grains to food storage. Hearty Outdoors is just the latest in that successful line.

In addition to these meals, Honeyville offers a wide variety of baking supplies, bulk dried fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, grains and an assortment of cookbooks, cutlery, appliances and other useful items for the kitchen.

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in my stores average well under 20 percent.

The Hearty Outdoors meals could be used as your primary food source, but it will most likely be a supplement to other supplies you’ve assembled for long-term nutritional needs. If you are relying entirely upon this or any other emergency food, you have other problems that are much greater than too much salt.

That said, it’s important to note that all the meat used in Hearty Outdoors products—the protein source that will keep you functioning—comes from USDA-inspected and -approved sources, usually located in the United States. Whether it is chicken, beef or pork, you know it is safe to eat.

TASTE Taste is one of those things that is up to the individual. I found the taste of these products was well above that of other freeze-dried food I have used; in fact, I actually like it. While some emergency food tastes a great deal like cardboard, the Hearty Outdoors products are very good.

Of course, when choosing emergency survival food, I am looking more for what will keep me alive than how good it tastes. However, I have to admit that this food was tasty.

BOTTOM LINE Hearty Outdoors products will find a home in my supplies in anticipation of an emergency situation. I hope I will never have to rely solely upon my emergency survival supplies to keep my family and myself alive. I hope I will be able to hunt, fish, grow and forage for the food we need and only rely upon these rations to make up the difference.

Until you can get control of the situation, whatever that might be, you will have to fall back on your supplies. The products from Honeyville’s Hearty Outdoors brand will keep you and your family alive—and do so without giving up the luxury and morale boost of tasty meals. After all, isn’t that what it is all about?

DINING ATTHE ROADKILL CAFÉ

OVERCOME THE STIGMA AND SAMPLE THE CUISINE.

BY BRIAN M. MORRIS / PHOTOS BY ANNMARIE MELLO-MORRIS

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T

here is no shortage of reasons that roadkill should be harvested from the streets whenever possible.

From an ethical standpoint, it is wrong to let the animal die for no good reason and be left on the street to rot when there are people in this country who go to bed hungry every night. When you look at it from the perspective of sound economics, you can save a great deal of money by supplementing meat that is commercially raised and butchered with meat you can salvage from the street.

Eating roadkill is also an opportunity to get over any food aversions you might have prior to a survival situation, and it gives you a chance to try some different species of wild game you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to eat.

However you look at it, eating roadkill is not the “taboo” that many people in our society have made it out to be. Remember the infamous words of your mother: “Try it; you might like it!”

Harvesting roadkill is generally a four-part process: locating the roadkill, inspecting it for edibility, processing the meat by separating the skin, organs and guts from the meat and quartering and cleaning the meat, and finally, either cooking the roadkill for immediate consumption or freezing it for cooking at a later date.

LOCATE THE VICTUALS Locating roadkill in America is hardly a challenge. Each year, according to a 2010 Humane Society estimate, vehicles kill approximately 365 million animals on America’s vast network of highways and roads.

A 2008 Federal Highway Administration report estimated that one to two million large animals were killed on our roads per year. If you pay attention, you will not have to look very far to find an animal that has lost its life on or near a roadway.

knocked on your butt by the foul smell of the spoiled meat?

Animals possess different levels of senses to help them find food and avoid eating things that can hurt them. Humans possess a keen sense of smell for exactly this reason. If the meat is bad, listen to your nose, because it will tell you all you need to know!

If the roadkill passes the smell test, it is still extremely important to inspect it. Assess not only how fresh the meat is but also whether the animal suffered internal injuries from the blunt force trauma that killed it. Vehicle strikes can often cause internal injuries that result in tainted meat, making it much harder to salvage many of the animal’s edible parts.

Another thing you will want to check is how long the animal has been dead. Rigor mortis can often set in quite fast, sometimes in under an hour, so it is not a good indicator on its own that the meat is no good.

Most wild, warm-blooded animals that have fur are infested with fleas. One way to see how long an animal has been dead is by looking under its hair for these little parasites. Fleas prefer to feed on the warm blood of their hosts. Once an animal has been dead for a few hours or more, the parasites will generally have moved on to find another source of food.

You can also inspect the animal’s eyes. One of the first changes to occur as an animal starts to go through the decomposition process is that a white, milky film will form over its eyeballs. If the eyes are clear, it’s a good sign the animal has been dead for only a short time.

Of course, the amount of time an animal can stay on the road before you harvest it is also affected by the temperature. The colder the temperature, the longer the animal can stay in the elements without rotting and without being processed and cooked.

Finally, look for flies. Flies are amazing creatures—they have an uncanny ability to appear, seemingly out of nowhere, once an animal starts to decompose. That said, flies are not always going to be a deal-breaker when it comes to harvesting roadkill, because they are sometimes unavoidable,

› Eating roadkill gives you a chance to try some different species of wild game you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to eat.

FROM AN ETHICAL STANDPOINT, IT IS WRONG TO LET THE ANIMAL DIE FOR NO GOOD REASON AND BE LEFT ON THE STREET TO ROT WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO GO TO BED HUNGRY EVERY NIGHT.

INSPECTION IS KEY First and foremost, trust your senses. Human beings, in general, have an innate ability to know when food is edible or inedible. Dietary preferences aside, what I mean to say is that when food looks, smells or tastes rotten, you will know it.

Think about when you drive or walk by an area where an animal carcass is decomposing.

You don’t need a professional to tell you that the meat on that animal has gone sour. How often have you opened a bag of chicken thighs that had passed its expiration date, only to get

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› Right: It is always smart to carry surgical gloves and a thick contractor’s garbage bag for collecting and storing the roadkill after you harvest it from the road.

depending on the location and time of year.

There are certain animals you should pay particular attention to before deciding if they are worth harvesting. Reptiles pose a particular risk.

Turtles, iguanas and snakes are all possible carriers of salmonella and should never be eaten raw. This is really the rule for most meats—particularly when harvesting roadkill.

In this scenario, ”well done” should be the only choice in preparation.

It is possible to be infected by bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella through consumption of wild game; that is why it is important to do your research and take all the appropriate steps to inspect and prepare your harvest prior to consumption in order to mitigate the risk of getting sick.

When it comes to the risk of being infected by tainted meat or from a disease-infected animal, the best advice is to research the areas where you are going to harvest your roadkill to determine which animals might be at risk for carrying disease. Then, inspect the animal’s carcass, both externally and internally. As an added precaution, you should cook the hell out of any meat you plan to consume.

PROCESSING YOUR PROTEIN While you already started the inspection process to get to this point, you should keep in mind that the inspection never really stops, because the final test of whether or not the animal is safe to eat is going to be taste and digestion. If it doesn’t taste right, it probably is not good, and your body will let you know that ... via one end or the other.

When it comes to processing roadkill, the steps at this point very much resemble the way you would prepare any other meat for consumption. The exact steps are merely “techniques,” and everyone has their own. I will share how I like to do it, and you can use my method or do it the way you prefer. Either way, the main concern is that you have clean, untainted and apparently uninfected meat.

I like to start by removing the animal’s head.

For most animals, I try to make my cut just below the head to leave as much harvestable meat as I can. Some animals, such as snapping turtles, have some of the best cuts of meat on the neck, so you want to salvage as much of that meat as possible.

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‹ One technique for processing small game is to cut an incision across the center of its back big enough to get several fingers into. That way, you can peel the animal’s skin from its carcass.

‹ Simply pull the skin and fur in opposite directions, and the skin will generally peel right off.

‹ Special care should be taken to not rupture the animal’s bladder, bowels, bile ducts or stomach, because this can spoil the meat.

‹ While squirrels do not have a whole lot of meat, what they do have is a propensity to get hit by cars. That means you can easily collect three or four of them to cook at once; together, they should make a satisfying meal for anyone.

‹ Even inedible parts of roadkill can be put to good use.

These turtle shells were cleaned out to be used as cups.

‹ If you don’t want to waste any part of the animal, you can put all the unused parts of the roadkill into a compost heap, or you can use it for catfish or trapping bait.

When processing poisonous snakes (or any snake, if you are not certain), it is a good idea to make your cut about 6 inches below the head to make sure the sacks that contain the poisonous venom have been removed.

Because we are talking about snakes and snapping turtles, another good tidbit of information to remember is that both animals can bite you long after they are dead, so great care should be taken to avoid the business end of these creatures once the head has been separated from the body.

A snapping turtle’s body seems to live on for an hour or more after being killed. I have butchered an entire turtle down to removing the shell, separating the different types of meats and removing all the guts and organs. I was still able to hold its separated heart in my hand and watch it beat for more than 20 more minutes until it finally stopped pulsating. The turtle’s head, severed from its body, still possessed the biting force needed to break a number two pencil when placed in its beak!

Poisonous snakes completely lose the ability to regulate how much venom they deliver after they die. They still have the ability to bite you after they are dead, so you are going to get all the venom they have to give. I recommend you place the head in a sharps disposal container and then dispose of it in accordance with your community guidelines. If you can’t do this, put the head into a jar with a screw-on lid and bury it in a hole several feet deep. The jar will protect your pet if they get curious and try to recover what you buried, but I would still make sure your pet stays away from the disposal site.

I then cut off the lower portion of each of the animal’s feet just at the joint. At this point, on smaller animals such as squirrels and rabbits, I prefer to cut a small incision across the center of the backbone just big enough to get two of my fingers under the skin on each side. I then pull the skin and fur in opposite directions, and the skin will generally peel right off.

I prefer to hang larger animals that have a large amount of blood from their hind legs and peel the skin down. On animals larger than a rabbit, I cut the skin all the way around the anus before I peel the skin off the animal. When the animal is skinned, I make a downward vertical incision with a sharp knife, starting at the animal’s neck and continuing all the way down through the center of the rib cage. I continue down through the center of the hind legs all the way to the anus to expose the small intestine. Then, I remove the animal’s guts in the same way that one might clean out a fish.

It is important to note that special care should be taken to not rupture the animal’s bladder, bowels, bile ducts or stomach, because this can spoil the meat. Remember: The inspection process never really ends.

EATING ROADKILL IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OVER ANY FOOD AVERSIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE PRIOR TO A SURVIVAL SITUATION ...

After you have the animal gutted, you should inspect it to ensure that none of the tissue or organs appears abnormal in shape or color and that there are no abscesses or parasites visible.

RECIPE Rabbit and Cabbage Stew · 1 small rabbit (approximately 3.5 pounds) · 2 potatoes (diced) · 9 cherry tomatoes (quartered) · ½ a medium-sized head of cabbage (sliced and cut into bite-sized pieces) · 1–2 medium onions (sliced and quartered) · 2 tablespoons vegetable oil · Salt (to taste) · Freshly ground pepper (to taste) · 1 quart chicken broth · 1 bay leaf Rinse the rabbit, pat it dry and cut it into 12 pieces. Peel the potatoes, rinse and dice. Rinse the tomatoes and cut them into quarters. Rinse the cabbage, trim, remove any fibrous center ribs and then thinly slice. Peel the onion and cut it into strips.

In a saucepan, heat the oil and sear the rabbit pieces until they are golden brown on all sides. Season with salt and pepper, add the broth and simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Add the vegetables, herbs and spices and simmer for another 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

‹ Far left: As you can see, even a small rabbit can provide a surprising amount of meat.

‹ Near left: Once you get the meat seasoned and into your pot, you'll begin to forget that this meal was sourced on the road.

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RECIPE Snapping Turtle With Potatoes and Vegetables · 1 to 2 pounds snapping turtle meat (or you can substitute other turtle varieties) · ¼ cup dry sherry wine (optional) · 2 teaspoons minced onion · Garlic (to taste, minced or halved) · 2 carrots (sliced) · 1/8 teaspoon basil (dried or fresh) · Salt (to taste) · 2 cups water · 2 celery stalks (diced) · 1 large red bell pepper (chopped or sliced) · 1–2 large zucchini (diced or quartered slices) · ½ cup green onion (diced) · 8 small red potatoes (skinned and halved) Salt the turtle meat well and place it in your slow-cooking pot. Add all other ingredients in the order listed and then cover and cook on low heat for six or seven hours or until the turtle meat is tender. Remove the meat from the pot and cut it into bitesized pieces. Return the meat to the pot, cover and continue to cook on low heat for an additional two hours.

‹ If you do happen to come up on a mortally wounded ‹ The head of a snapping turtle is extremely difficult to cut snapping turtle, it can still reach out and bite you. The best off with a knife, so you might find that pruning shears work way to handle a snapping turtle is to hold it by its tail with much better at getting the job done. its belly plate facing away from you.

‹ Some animals, such as this snapping turtle, require you to cut through armor-like plates. A pair of gardening shears works great at cutting through the toughest animal parts.

‹ Snapping turtle skin is extremely tough, and you may find it difficult to process the animal with a standard hunting knife.

‹ The author removes all of the turtle's appendages before ‹ When it comes to cutting through bone, cartilage or parseparating the two parts of the shell. ticularly tough skin, a pair of trauma scissors really gets the job done.

While the heart and liver of most animals are edible, it is an acquired taste. However, there is no harm in giving it a try. Look for any bile ducts or glands in the liver and other organs, and make sure you do not puncture them or that they were not ruptured when the animal was struck by the vehicle. If they were, you will

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‹ When processing turtles, it is first necessary to remove the belly plate in order to get to the animal’s flesh and organs.

‹ Turtle meat is one of the easiest forms of roadkill to find—they are slow movers, even on the road. Turtle meat is actually excellent. Turtles can possess up to seven different types of meat within one animal!

... TRUST YOUR SENSES. HUMAN BEINGS ...

HAVE AN INNATE ABILITY TO KNOW WHEN FOOD IS EDIBLE OR INEDIBLE. DIETARY PREFERENCES ASIDE ... WHEN FOOD LOOKS, SMELLS OR TASTES ROTTEN, YOU WILL KNOW IT. probably smell it before you see it. The bile will taint any meat it comes in contact with, so it is definitely something you need to be aware of when processing roadkill.

I don’t like to waste any part of the animal, so I put all the unused parts of the roadkill into my composter or use it for catfish bait. If you are in a survival situation, or you just want to practice your bushcrafting skills, you can make tools and even fish hooks and sewing needles from the animal’s bones and clothing or shelter with the hides or pelts.

RECIPE BBQ Buffalo Hot Squirrel Leg Dippers · Front and back legs from 2–3 squirrels · Salt · Freshly ground black pepper · 1 bottle favorite brand of Louisiana hot sauce or Buffalo hot wing sauce · 1 stick butter · Garlic powder · Hickory wood chips Soak the hickory chips in water for about one hour. Next, season the squirrel legs with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Put the hot sauce into a pan. Add the butter and a few shakes of garlic powder.

Heat on low until all the butter is melted. Keep it on low and stir often. Add the hickory chips to a hot grill and then put the squirrel legs on it, grilling them on medium heat until done. Baste the legs frequently with the hot sauce, with a final heavy basting at the final flips prior to being finished. Grill the legs over medium to medium-low heat, adding more chips as you see fit. Cook until done (use poultry guidelines), basting often with the sauce. Save plenty of the sauce for dipping instead of using it all for basting.

‹ Top left: Once you get your street meat to this point, you'll be minutes away from a great meal.

‹ Bottom left: Follow the recipe on this page to transform a roadside squirrel find to a BBQ masterpiece.

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LET’S GET COOKING Now, you are ready to update any of your favorite “barnyard” recipes with whatever exotic treasures you were able to harvest off the street.

Bon appétit! Check out a few recipes that work well for me (see the sidebars on pages 101, 102 and this page).

While in a survival situation or when eating “at your own risk,” you can eat fresh roadkill as soon as you find it, inspect it and process it.

There are several precautions you can take to help lower the risk of getting sick from eating contaminated meat: Many experts advise that you freeze roadkill at -4 degrees (F) for four days or longer to be certain you have killed any tapeworms or other parasites that might have been present in the meat.

Regardless of whether you freeze the meat or eat it right away, it is always smart to cook the heck out of it. At a minimum, you need to make sure the meat is cooked to above 160 degrees (F) before eating it.

© 2018 O.F. Mossberg & Sons

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AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE CAMP TOOLS FROM UST

BY MIKE TRAVIS

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S O U R C E Ultimate Survival Technologies (UST) www.USTBrands.com

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‹ Far left: The Heritage Camp Ax and the ParaSaw Pro can be effective companions on your next woods outing.

ParaSaw Pro The ParaSaw Pro is a compact folding saw designed to cut through branches, small logs and brush. Included in the kit is a ferrocerium rod, signal whistle and a length of ParaTinder paracord.

Specifications • Size, closed: 6.5x1.5x.75 inches • Size, open: 12.2x1.5x.75 inches • Weight: 5.5 ounces • Warranty: Limited lifetime

Heritage Camp Ax The Heritage Camp Ax is a classically designed camping hatchet using modern materials and full tang construction.

Specifications • Size: 10x5.1x1/8 inches • Materials: Stainless steel and wood • Weight: 15.4 ounces • Warranty: Limited lifetime

MSRP: $39.99

› Above: The UST Heritage Camp Ax and ParaSaw Pro in their retail store packaging

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MSRP: $24.99

U

ltimate Survival Technologies (UST) has been in continuous operation since 1936.

Formerly a family-owned business, UST was purchased in 2016 by Battenfeld Technologies (a subsidiary of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation), joining other well-known brands such as Schrade, Uncle Henry and Wheeler Engineering. UST continues to add to its line of popularly priced wilderness survival products that are easily accessible to the masses.

When I was first asked to field-test the Heritage Camp Ax and ParaSaw Pro, I was hesitant to accept the assignment. My job as an outdoor gear and skills writer has allowed me to have access to some of the finest tools and gear that money can buy, and I was concerned that these tools might not be up to the task.

However, I quickly realized that my access to high-quality gear as a tester and evaluator is the exception and not the rule. The vast majority of people purchase their camping gear from one of many large retail chains and websites on which a wide selection of UST products is available at popular prices. It is to this huge group of camping enthusiasts and preppers that UST markets its products.

I took this opportunity to combine my experience with these tools to provide solid information on what can be expected when you’re working with them.

THE UST HERITAGE CAMP AX UST introduced its Heritage line to provide consumers with products that have a “vintage esthetic” but are still made from modern materials.

The UST Heritage Camp Ax is delivered in the clear, plastic blister packaging we have come to expect from items sold at large retail stores. While this ensures that the contents are highly visible and well protected, it does not allow the potential purchaser to get a feel for the tool before using it.

When I removed the Heritage Camp Ax from its packaging, I was struck with how light it is. This is not a heavy chopping tool. The Camp Ax is made from a solid piece of stainless steel. The grips are made from a light-colored hardwood that provides coverage about three-quarters of the way from the butt of the tang toward the head of the ax. The grips are well beveled, covered with a clear lacquer and affixed to the tang with four Torx screws. The grips weren’t what you’d expect on a $200 ax, but they did not produce any hotspots during use. The grip also incorporates a lanyard hole, and a small leather lanyard is included.

Moving up from the grips, I saw that the ax had ergonomic cutouts in the tang just below the ax head. These are provided to allow the user to grip the ax high under the head, providing more control when using it for fine carving tasks. The ax head, itself, has a classic profile. The bit of the ax has a hollow-ground edge that came reasonably sharp. The butt of the ax head has been formed into a tapered wedge, which UST says can be used as a pry bar.

‹ Left: The Heritage Camp Ax is designed to look like the classic camping tools of yesteryear.

The Heritage Camp Ax was provided with a leather ax mask. The mask is a simple, two-piece design with an added belt loop. The seams are stitched and riveted, and a welt has been incorporated to prevent the edge from cutting into the stitching or coming into contact with the rivets. The mask gives full coverage to the head and is well secured with two snaps. With a proper application of some leather conditioner, I think this mask should last for the lifetime of the ax.

Overall, my first impressions of the Heritage Camp Ax were that it was a solidly constructed, light-duty chopping tool that should perform reasonably well in the field.

PUTTING THE AX TO USE I took the Heritage Camp Ax to one of my favorite hiking and camping areas to see how it performed doing real-world tasks.

My first task was to remove branches from a deadfall hemlock tree. I confined my chopping to the area where the branches exit the main trunk of the tree. Chopping into this part of the tree can be hard on an edge, and I wanted to see how the thin-edge profile would hold up.

After removing several of these branches from the tree trunk, I examined the edge and found no obvious damage. The thin-edge profile helped the ax bite deeply into the branches and made short work of removing them.

The handle was reasonably comfortable throughout this task, although its lacquered finish made it a little slippery. I tried using the supplied lanyard to firm up my grip; unfortunately, the lanyard is too small to fit around my wrist. The Heritage Camp Ax would definitely benefit from a larger lanyard, but it’s easy enough to replace it with some paracord if you have the same issue.

My next task was to use the ax to split some cut branches into smaller pieces of kindling for a campfire. Instead of relying on my poor aim to swing the ax and hit the branch in just the right spot to create a split, I chose a safer, more reliable method: By bracing the branch between the butt of the handle and edge of the ax, I could control exactly where I created the split. Swinging the wood and the ax together and striking them on the deadfall log split the wood efficiently and with little risk of injury. The Camp Ax did a great job with the splitting task.

Next, I wanted to see if the Camp Ax could handle some larger splitting tasks. I used the ParaSaw Pro to cut two sections of wood. I used the first section to create a baton. The

UST INTRODUCED ITS HERITAGE LINE TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH PRODUCTS THAT HAVE A “VINTAGE ESTHETIC” BUT ARE STILL MADE FROM MODERN MATERIALS.

‹ Below, left: The ax makes quick work of de-limbing this deadfall hemlock tree. ‹ Below, right: After the ParaSaw Pro cut a branch to size, the Camp Ax did a good job making kindling for a fire.

‹ Bottom, left: The edge of the Camp Ax is thin enough to do some fine carving. ‹ Bottom, right: With the help of a baton, the ax is capable of splitting some larger pieces of wood.

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› Near right: The ParaSaw Pro is delivered with an ergonomic, high-visibility orange plastic handle and a blackened stainless steel blade.

› Far right: The ParaSaw utilizes a liner lock to prevent the blade from closing on the user’s hand.

‹ The saw was used to make two cuts on opposite sides of this branch.

Each cut stops halfway through the wood and will assist in splitting the wood without an ax or knife.

‹ The end result of splitting wood using only a folding saw

‹ The ParaSaw is delivered with a simple, nylon belt sheath.

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AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

second section would be used for splitting.

After cutting the wood for the baton, I used the Camp Ax to reduce part of its diameter to form a handle. Again, the ax did a good job. Its light weight and thin edge assisted in making precise, controlled chops and cuts. In addition, it had no issues with the green wood I had chosen.

Due to the ax’s light weight and thin profile, I knew splitting a larger-diameter piece of wood would not be best accomplished by swinging the ax. With this in mind, I placed the edge of the ax directly against the wood and used the baton to drive the ax into the log. Using this technique, the Heritage Camp Ax could easily split larger-diameter wood.

My final cutting task for the Heritage Camp Ax was to create a few feathersticks to help start my fire. The hollow grind and thin-edge profile should have made this an easy job. I chose some dry-split pieces of kindling from the hemlock, placed my hand up high under the ax head and got to work.

While I could create feathersticks, the job was more difficult than I expected. The exposed metal edges around the ax head and tang are quite sharp, and this made gripping them very uncomfortable. Additionally, the edge of the ax, itself, had lost enough of its sharpness to hinder its ability to do fine cutting tasks. While I could get the job done, I cut this task short in favor of another fire-starting approach.

My last test for the Camp Ax was to see how it struck a ferro rod. All of those same exposed sharp edges that made carving so uncomfortable allowed the Camp Ax to strike sparks like a pro!

THE UST PARASAW PRO Folding saws have long been a staple of most experienced woodsmen’s outdoor kits. They are lightweight, compact and effective enough to accomplish most of the tasks typical outdoorsman need to do.

In my experience, I have found that a good-quality saw is of much greater value to me than an ax or other heavy chopping tool. Outdoorsmen in colder climates will quite likely have a different opinion, but I live in a temperate climate, so a good saw is an invaluable woods tool.

The ParaSaw Pro is a kit that, like the Camp Ax, comes in a clear blister package. Included in the kit is the ParaSaw, a nylon sheath, a length of ParaTinder paracord and a ferrocerium rod with an attached whistle.

The ParaSaw is a compact, lightweight tool that can ride, virtually unnoticed, on a belt using the supplied sheath. The handle of the saw is made from plastic with a section of rubber overmolding included to provide additional grip. The grip initially feels good in the hand and gives the impression of being solidly constructed.

The blackened, stainless steel saw blade does not lock in the closed position and is easily deployed by grasping the blade and swinging it open. The blade locks in the open position using a large liner lock that is similar to those found on many pocket knives.

PUTTING THE PARASAW PRO TO USE I used the ParaSaw to cut a variety of different types of wood. When cutting dry, small-diameter wood, it did well enough. It could cut through some small hemlock branches up to about half the diameter of my wrist with no issues. However, when trying to cut larger pieces and/or

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wet wood, the saw blade had a tendency to bind. This binding not only made cutting inefficient, it also made the handle uncomfortable. Trying to use the ParaSaw Pro to cut green wood was frustrating, because the wet wood quickly clogged the teeth, forcing me to continuously remove the saw from the cut to clear them.

The supplied ferrocerium rod is glued into a plastic handle and includes a short length of ParaTinder to attach a small, plastic whistle.

The whistle is loud and will make a good signaling device.

The ferrocerium rod, itself, is of the softer variety. This allows the user to gently scrape off a pile of shavings without creating a spark.

The ability to do this can be of great help when trying to ignite marginal tinder. I tried to use the back of the saw blade to strike the ferro rod, but the edges on the spine were not sharp enough to create enough sparks.

The ParaTinder is a fairly useful item to have around. It not only functions as any other paracord would, it also contains a single strand of flammable tinder. To test how well it worked, I cut off a 3-inch piece and removed the single, red tinder cord from the paracord.

I set the paracord aside for another project, as you will see in the images at the bottom of this page, and used my fingers to “fluff up” an end of the tinder cord to increase its surface area, making it easier to ignite.

After gathering a tinder bundle full of tiny, dry hemlock branches, I used the Camp Ax to scrape off a pile of material from the ferrocerium rod. I placed the prepared end of the tinder cord into the pile of shavings and used the ax to throw a spark from the ferro rod. One strike was all it took to ignite the shavings and the tinder cord. The tinder cord burned long and hot enough to easily ignite my tinder bundle.

After a pleasant day in the woods testing these products from UST, I came away with a few conclusions: The first was that you need not spend a lot of money to have fun in the woods. I could accomplish everything I set out to do with these tools that virtually anyone can afford. I could easily learn to work with their limitations, and they would be a good choice for first-time campers.

The second was that budget-priced gear will force you to focus more on your skills and less on your gear.

In my estimation, skill trumps equipment every time!

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‹ The ParaSaw Pro arrives with a ferrocerium rod and an emergency whistle.

‹ The ParaTinder paracord contains an eighth (red) strand that is impregnated with wax to make it useful for starting a fire.

‹ Here, the author is shown separating the individual strands of the ParaTinder to make it easier to catch a spark.

‹ A piece of prepared ParaTinder is ready to accept a spark from a ferro rod.

‹ By scraping some material from the ferro rod onto the ParaTinder, it caught fire easily with a single strike.

‹ As always, having a well-prepared tinder bundle is the key to success when using ParaTinder to start your fire.

‹ The remaining piece of paracord, with the ParaTinder removed, can easily be used to create an effective fishing lure.

‹ Finish your paracord lure by melting the cord around the front of the hook and fraying loose ends at the back.

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SECURITY IS NO ACCIDENT!

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL AMERICANS REMAIN COMMITTED TO VIGILANCE.

BY BRIAN MORRIS

© GETTY IMAGES

T

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errorism not only affects targeted American infrastructure and interests, it also targets American citizens in their everyday lives. That is why it is so important for the average American to understand what the terrorist threat looks like, both at home and abroad, and how to prepare and employ situation-based measures to reduce their personal vulnerability.

It is also important that people recognize what the proper response is when faced with a threat and understand how to implement personal security measures. Most Americans are not what one might refer to as “the tip of the spear,” either cognitively or physically, when it comes to the ongoing battle against fanatic extremists in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). In fact, for the majority of Americans, the GWOT has absolutely zero impact one way or the other when it comes to the way they live their day-to-day lives ... that is, of course, until they have to travel.

Does this mean that every time you travel away from home there is a high probability you will be killed? No, of course not. What it means is that for those of us who tend to walk through life with our eyes glued to our smart phones, this is the time we need to look up for a minute and turn on our situational awareness.

What is “situational awareness,” anyway?

Situational awareness is nothing more than staying alert, being aware of your surroundings and understanding the possibility and/or presence of threats that you could face in any given environment or situation. An individual with good situational awareness never takes anything for granted, determines appropriate plans and actions for a variety of scenarios and makes security a part of his or her routine—everywhere.

In order to mitigate risk, you must first try to anticipate threats and hazards in your home base or the area in which you plan to travel. By taking these steps,

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2018]

you are sure to enhance your personal security and the safety of others with whom you are traveling.

It is possible to research terrorist activity by reading local newspapers on the Internet or monitoring police reports in the prospective area of travel. A great resource for overseas travel is the United States Department of State’s Travel Advisory website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html.

Additionally, it is important to understand the techniques, tactics and procedures of terrorist and criminal elements in areas in which you plan to travel to enable yourself to have the highest level of situational awareness and to best reduce your risk of becoming a target. Once you are able to identify the threat, it is less problematic to take the appropriate security measures to lower your overall risk of becoming a target.

Plan to avoid high-risk areas while traveling, or conduct appropriate safety procedures in the event that these areas are unavoidable. Also, pay attention to the calendar and public schedules of events for your intended destination to identify possible social triggers for demonstrations, violence and other hazards. It is imperative to remain vigilant at all times.

After more than 17 years of war, the United States and its citizens still remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks at home and abroad. Our ruthless and relentless enemies are intent on instilling fear in their targets and disrupting our way of life.

It is essential for all Americans to remain committed to vigilance—particularly when traveling away from the familiarity and relative safety of their home.

With dedication to being aware of ever-changing situations, appropriate planning and proper execution, we can still conduct our business and enjoy our travels with confidence and safety.

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