tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868046587664484744.post4857481856040399947..comments2023-05-05T05:14:28.572-06:00Comments on The Whines of a Crochety Bookman: Survival?Jim Handcockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15031746838301932977noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868046587664484744.post-37530557471731478522009-03-30T16:58:00.000-06:002009-03-30T16:58:00.000-06:00A guy I knew ALWAYS carried a thick paperback in a...A guy I knew ALWAYS carried a thick paperback in a baggie. He would get several uses out of it: Reading. Fire starting. Toilet paper.<BR/><BR/>I'd forgotten that -- THANKS, vIC!Jim Handcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15031746838301932977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868046587664484744.post-27229536056368419362009-03-30T16:18:00.000-06:002009-03-30T16:18:00.000-06:00that is a very good start. The itemization of sur...that is a very good start. The itemization of survival is a good one too. I am not sure if I have seen it referred to in such a way, but it is worth noting few people distinguish it in such a way.<BR/>The best bug out bag I have seen is usually one carried in a the trunk of a car. it has shelter (pup tent), warmth (thermal clothes, and sleeping bag) Food(enough canned goods for 7 days) and water (enough for 2 weeks). The tools vary from kit to kit, but the better ones usually have some form of blade (knife, hatchet, or other cutting tool), a utility can opener (remember those canned goods?), fish hooks are a great idea, and of course a spool of line to go with it. Rope is also handy, but in different circumstances finding a place to carry enough rope to be of use is not always prudent. Twin also works well in a pinch and some form of cordage should be considered. utensils for eating with, and from; Spoon and bowl are most common, and if they are metal can be cooked in too. Fire starting equipment is great to have, but knowledge comes in very handy if you lose it. Waterproof methods of starting an emergency fire are a good thing to have here. Flares work quite well for this, but are not always practical to carry (except in a vehicle). The term waterproof matches is not one to be trusted, though that magnesium block is a great starter, once it has reached ignition temps. Lighters are nice, and handy, but often times will break if they get too hot. A good old Zippo lighter works very well in this regard, as long as you keep it fueled. If not, all you will have is a flint, and nothing that will ignite (care to figure out how I know that one?)<BR/>there is one last thing you might need in a survival kit, though it is often times not thought about, and that is entertainment. A good book, or something like a pack of cards is a good thing to have, especially if you are not able to move around during the day due to weather conditions (high heat, or extreme cold) Getting bored while needing to survive can be a hazard to your health too.<BR/>Taking a page from some one elses book is to put together a bag, and use it one weekend (or to the max time you can allow for the bag to be used. then when you have experienced it, you need to figure out what is missing, and what is not needed. Make you adjustments from experience and it will pay dividends if you ever need to use it in real life.Jean&Vichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305391492922615558noreply@blogger.com