Rain Gear

One of the first things that they ever taught me in boy scouts was the boy scout motto, "Be Prepared." It's something that I have incorporated into my everyday life, not just boy scouts. Whether it was work, school, or everyday life I always did my best to be prepared. However, no matter how hard I worked towards being ready for anything, there was always something that I would forget. Nine times out of ten this was my rain gear. I can't even remember how many times I used a plastic trash bag as a poncho when I found myself in a downpour with no rain coat.

Rain gear is something that is extremely important to have with you pretty much at all times. You never know when the weatherman is going to be wrong... or right for that matter. Rain gear is especially important if you plan any trip for the outdoors. Not only will it keep you dry but you can use rain gear for many other purposes as well.

Ponchos

Plastic ponchos are a fantastic thing to keep in your backpack or car. They are quick, easy, and pack very nicely. They can also have many other purposes. There tons of uses for a bit of plastic sheeting. They're relatively durable and good for storing your items in if you don't want them to get wet. You can also make a quick, waterproof shelter out of one. I'm not saying it would be a regular Holiday Inn but it would do in a pinch. I myself have used ponchos a number of times to waterproof a shelter.

Rain coats

Rain coats don't have a lot of extra purposes but if you have some ingenuity and resources available you can figure something out. For example, if you tied up the sleeves and the hole for your head you could mack a quick rucksack out of it. You could also use it as a signal flag if you are in a situation where you need help.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas can provide you with a ton of resources for a survival situation if you had one available. You could make snares, traps, hooks, shelter pieces, and tons of other things as well. There are invaluable uses for the metal pieces that make up the structure, the handle as well.

Homemade vs. Store Bought: Backpacking Stove

Every serious camper, hunter, backpacker, or any outdoorsman knows what a backpacking stove is and its importance. It is definitely something you should have with you if you plan to be in the outdoors for an extended period of time. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to go out and but a seventy dollar piece of equipment. For very little money you can make your own.


I went to my recycling bin and found this metal can that is the perfect size (as opposed to a larger one that you would cut down to size). I believe this can used to contain Blue Diamond Almonds.

The Process:

Step 1: Using a thumbtack push holes all around the can. This allows heat and oxygen to pass freely but not too much heat so that it doesn't heat up. 

Step 2: You have to create an opening that you can use to monitor your fuel, adjust heat, and take the fule source out or put it in easily. In the first picture ther are two dents in the metal. This was to mark how wide I wanted my opening. 

 Here is what my opening looks like. 

 Optional: I bent back the edges so that I wouldn't cut my finger. 

 Step 3: Add a whole to the top so heat will escape and move up through the center of the can. 

 Step 4. Cut from the circle out so create a sort of cross hairs. 

This is my finished product. I put a tea light candle in it to test it. These tea lights can also be used as a heat source but they do burn quickly and dont put off a substantial amount of heat.  You would have to use a few of them.

I would suggest using Sterno. It is a gel fuel that would work nicely with your new back packing stove. 

Sterno

Homemade vs. Store Bought

This is my homemade stove next to my store bought one. It is an MSR backpacking stove and uses MSR propane fuel. It is very nice but it was a little pricy. As you can see they look very different but I assure you the homemade one works just fine. The best part is I made it for free so if it didn't work I   could throw it away OR use it for something else. 

   

I challenge you to make your own backpacking stove out of what you have lying around. Post your picture and process in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

Homemade vs. Store Bought: Survival Kit

When it comes to "survival" many people think they have to go out an buy a pre-made survival kit. This is not the case. You can walk through your house and pick up a few odds and ends you have laying around and put into a container and have it be just as good if not, better than one you would but at Cabela's or REI. 

The Challenge: 

I walked around my house picking up stuff that I could put into a survival kit. I'll admit I may be at somewhat of an advantage because I was in the Boy Scouts, a Venture Crew, and I'm outdoorsy. However, that doesn't mean you can't do same thing. Everything I have was a hand me down, bought from a garage sale, found, or given to me as a gift. 

The Loot:

This is what I found in only FIVE minutes of walking around opening doors:

A dozen or so razors
A LOT of cotton swabs

Electrical tape

Scissors

Forceps
A pocket knife/ Bottle opener combo
Pony tail holders
A few match books
A paint brush

Medical Tape (two kinds)

Floss

Pain Medicine

Bandaids 

Travel Size Gold Bond, Shampoo, and Conditioner

An analog watch

Tea light candles

A whistle

A small fishing kit

Finger nail clippers

Rope

Army canteen

Mosquito repellant for a butane candle + the butane candle+ butane

Mylar blanket

Mess kit

Metal coffee mug

Compass

Mini First Aid kit

Backpack poncho

Snowboarding mask

Several pocket knives

Water proof phone case with lanyard

More matches and Tea lights

An old army First Aid kit box

I only glanced in these drawers and took about 5 minutes to do it. I could build a quick, efficient survival kit and the best part is: I didn't spend any money. Of course someone bought this stuff but I don't have to go to the store and buy specifically for a survival kit. 

My challenge for you is to do the same. Take a few minutes to walk around your house and see what kind of a survival kit you can build

Welcome!

To start off my blog's internet life I would first like to welcome you all and thank you for viewing my blog! Please bear with me as I get the ball rolling with running this site. I'd like to start off by asking you to please comment or email me with items that you would have with you on a normal out door trip, camping trip, hunting trip, etc. Then, I will take these items and tell you how you can use them to help better your survival situation. Also, feel free to ask any questions via comment or email. Thanks!