 [136] Fidonet: WILDRNSS (1:352/111)  WILDRNSS 
 Msg  : 44 of 60 - 29 + 45                                                      
 From : Ken Pulford                         1:247/311       Thu 11 Nov 93 12:33 
 To   : ALL                                                                     
 Subj : Survival Pt.1                                                           

The following is a txt file written by a Scout Leader in the U.S.A.
any references to State Licenses must be edited to suite your state
or Provincial requirements.
                    .................

You may take a folding knife, with a blade 4 inches or less.  No
fixed blade sheath knives will be necessary.  If you are over 16,
you will need a resident fishing license.  Hatchets and saws have
to fit into the coffee can.

Remember you may not cut down a living tree, not even a sapling.

                  What to put in a survival kit

There are a lot of suggestions for what to put in a survival kit.
Some kits are what you might put in your car in winter or in the
desert.  Some are what you might put in a small airplane when
flying in the bush.  Even for backpacking, there is a difference
between the emergency supplies you might put in your backpack on
a long trip, where you might be delayed, and the sort of things
you always take when you are in the woods.

Somewhere between is the small backpacking survival kit that you
would clip on your belt or carry in a fanny-pack.  This type of
kit is small and light, so you will carry it, yet contains enough
material and supplies to keep you alive and comfortable in the
woods for a few days.

What follows are several suggestions from well-known
"authorities."  I have commented on them.  Ultimately, you have
to be your own judge of what you want and need.  This is why the
Wilderness Survival Merit Badge pamphlet has no specific list,
though it has a lot of suggestions of things you might want to
consider.
Backpacking One Step at a Time, New, updated edition, Harvey
Manning (1985), lists 10 essentials plus some additional (Chapter
15; pp 374-401:

1.  Extra clothing (such as a           additional items
    sweater and a storm shelter)
2.  extra food                          11.   whistle
3.  sunglasses                          12.   sunscreen
4.  knife                               13.   insect repellent
5   Firestarter                         14.   repair kit
6.  matches                             15.   toilet kit
7.  first aid kit
8.  Flashlight and extra batteries      and the "eleventh essential," toilet
9.  map                                 paper.
10. compass

This list contains no water (which should be essential), water
carrier, water purification, and nothing to use as a cooking
utensil.

Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival, Tom Brown, Jr.,
and Morgan Brandt (p. 272):

Pocketknife                             Solar still items:
waterproof matches                        clear plastic sheet 5' x 5'
candle                                    plastic or surgical tubing 6 ft
50 ft. strong cord                        collapsible plastic cup
compass
50 ft monofilament fish line

This list contains nothing to cook with.  A solar still is really necessary only
in the desert, but it will purify almost any water anywhere.


Fieldbook, Boy Scouts of Canada,       Fieldbook, Boy Scouts of America, 3rd
2nd Ed,                                Ed. (1984), p. 196

Every good woodsman always carries a    In addition to carrying a first aid
knife, matches in a waterproof          kit, you can further prepare by taking
container, a compass, and a few         a lightweigth survival kit on all your
adhesive bandages in his pockets.       outings.  Put the following items in a
Under normal conditions, that's         small plastic container, tape it shut,
enough.  But your prepared for more     write the date on it, and open it only
than just normal conditions when you    to replace perishable items or for a
assemble and maintain your own          real emergency.
survival kit.
                                        1.    rescue blanket
The container should be waterproof      2.    50 feet of nylon cord
and small enough to fit in your         3.    hard candy, chocolate, meat bar
pocket.  It should contain:             4.    matches/metal match and 0000
1.  emergency food like bouillon              steel wool
    cubes, ration bar, malted milk      5.    candle/fire starters
    tablets, wheat kernels              6.    plastic whistle
2.  matches waterproofed with nail      7.    small glass mirror
    polish.                             8.    pen light with spare batteries
3.  fire starters made from tightly     9.    small, sharp pocketknife
    rolled paper soaked in paraffin     10.   metal cup or plastic water
4.  compass                                   bottle.
5.  whistle to let searches know        11.   water purification tablets
    where you are--saves your voice     12.   clear plastic sheet or an
6.  razor blade and small knife               emergency shelter
7.  fishline, nylon, 25 lb. test.
8.  fishing lures good for your         This is also a good list.
    area, sinkers, flies, spinners
9.  wire, 5 to 10 feet, light and
    flexible for snares
10. adhesive tape, 1 inch wide and 6
    to 12 inches long
11. Pencil and paper for messages
12. aluminum foil, 2 sheets 12
    inches square to tmake drinking
    and cookiing utensils

13. bandages
14. iodine tablets to purify water
15. list of items in the kit and
    dates to replace or inspect
    items 1 and 10.

A good list, but a lot to fit in a
box.  The food is just a taste. There
is no water carrier. Space blankets
were not available when this list was
compiled.  The lack of a plastic
sheet is surprising.

continued on next page....

--- GEcho 1.00
 * Origin: Do To The Lack Of Interest-Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled (1:247/311)

 [136] Fidonet: WILDRNSS (1:352/111)  WILDRNSS 
 Msg  : 45 of 60 - 44 + 46                                                      
 From : Ken Pulford                         1:247/311       Thu 11 Nov 93 12:34 
 To   : ALL                                                                     
 Subj : Survival Pt.2                                                           

continued from previous page........


Some additional suggestions including my own

How to Survive on Land and Sea, 4th edition (1984), Frank C.
Craighead, Jr. and John J. Craighead, revised by Ray E. Smith and
D. Shiras Jarvis.  This is the classic book on outdoor survival,
developed for the Navy in WW II.  It covers the entire world and
all kinds of situations.

pp. 10-12.  When assembing a general survival kit for land or
sea, refer to the items listed belwo.  In addition, consider
special protective clothing and footwear, and other special tools
and equipment recommended for specific geographical areas.  Items
[listed here are those] marked with an asterisk [and] are
cosidered the "bare bones" of a survival kit.  Also included in
all survival kits should be a survival manual....

1.  first aid kit
2.  mirror
3.  flares
4.  smoke signals
5.  plastic containers for water
6.  6 ft x 6 ft plastic material (for solar still)
7.  purification tablets.
8.  knife (strong and sharp)
9.  whetstone and/or file
10. wire saw
11. candles
12. line
13. hard candy
14. beef jerky
15. aluminum foil (2 pieces, 1 sq yard each)
16. compass or wrist compass
17. map of the area.

The SAS Survival Handbook, John Wiseman, pp. 16-19

This is a British publication, like How to Survive on Land and
Sea or the U.S. Army Survival manual which is readily available
as FM 21-76, Survival.

The following are to be put in a tin such as a 2 oz tobacco can,
which should be kept in a pocket at all times.  Polish the inside
of the lid as a reflector, and seal it waterproof.

1.  matches.  dip strike-anywhere matches in paraffin and cut in half.
2.  candle.  If tallow, it's edible and can be used for frying.
3.  [hot spark]
4.  magnifying glass
5.  needles and thread  At least one needle with a very large eye.
6.  fishhooks and line (small hooks) a few spit-shot weights.
7.  luminous button-sized compass
8.  beta light (miniature light that works by squeezing; not a flashlight
    --I have not found any source for this)
9.  brass snare wire: 2 to 3 ft.
10. Flexible saw (remove rings)
11. [first aid kit]--includes water purification tablets. bandaids,
    butterfly bandages.
12. 2 scalpel blades of different sizes.
13. condom (makes a 1-liter emergency water bag)

In a car, boat or aircraft, put the following in a canvas pouch
that can be grabbed in an emergency.  Anything used from this
pouch on an ordinary trip should be replaced as soon as possible.

14. Mess tin.   (The British army mess tin is squarer and deeper than
    the US army version, and made of aluminum.  Any rectangular box that
    fits in the pouch might be used.)
15. Fuel--heat tabs or the US Army equivalent
16. [Flashlight] pen-light type.
17. signal flares.
18. marker panel, fluorescent, 1 ft x  6 ft, for signalling.  (1 bar
    signals for immediate evacuation--medical emergency)
19. matches (as many as possible in waterproof container)
20. brew kit.  (tea, milk, sugar)--for morale.  Tea quenches the thirst,
    coffee makes it worse.
21. food.  tubes of butter or lard.  Dehydrated meat blocks.  Chocolate
    (replace often).  Salt (a must).  [I carry peanut butter and breakfast
    bars, or both]
22. survival bag (7 ft x 2 ft), or space blanket.  Survival bag can be
    plastic, but space blanket material is better.

He assumes you will carry a good knife.  A folding knife should
have a good lock for the blade.


                            Mr. Chessler's Coffee Can

These are the items I put in my coffee can for the demonstration.

Space blanket                           whistle (Goast Guard approved)
6' x 6' clear plastic (1 mil) in        water purification tablets (not
    plastic bag                             needed on trip)
trash bag                               30 ft strong nylon twine (braided
large plastic bag                           mason twine)
1 ft x 3 ft aluminum foil               30 ft parachute cord
4 fish hooks, 30 ft monofilament        compass
    line, needle, 60 ft. waxed          Can opener ("G.I." or "P-38" type)
    dental floss                        candle stub
match box, 23 matches, hot spark on     1 gallon ziplock freezer bag
    bottom, striker and 0000 steel      mirror
    wool inside, "wet or dry"           plastic spoon, handle trimmed to fit
    sandpaper on side                       (metal is better)

I also had a pocket knife, a folding knife, and a canteen.

                          Mr. Chessler's Blue Belt Bag

These are the items I have in my bag, approx 9 inches x 5 inches
x 2 inches, with the loops and clips to wear on my belt.  I
always have a pocket knife with me.


Steel cup (1 pint) with folding         approx 50 ft assorted small cord
    handle and cover in nylon           approx 12 ft parachute cord
stuff bag                               fishhooks, monofilament line,
steel spoon                               sinkers
space blanket                           Needles, thread, strong thread
trash bag                               approx 6 ft fine copper wire
plastic bags                            approx 6 ft iron wire
aluminum foil                           wire saw
water purification kit (iodine          compass
    solution)                           whistle
tea bags and sugar                      mirror
matches (wind and waterproof)           signal code chart
Matches in match safe with hotspark     GI can opener
    on bottom, sandpaper on side,       salt tablets
    striker and 0000 steel wool         candle
    inside                              6 ft x 9 ft x 1 mil clear plastic
Butane lighter                          1 gallon ziplock freezer bag
fire starters
toilet paper in plastic bag


continued on next page.....

--- GEcho 1.00
 * Origin: Do To The Lack Of Interest-Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled (1:247/311)

 [136] Fidonet: WILDRNSS (1:352/111)  WILDRNSS 
 Msg  : 46 of 60 - 45                                                           
 From : Ken Pulford                         1:247/311       Thu 11 Nov 93 12:40 
 To   : ALL                                                                     
 Subj : Survival Pt.3                                                           

continued from previous page......

The following lists are for really severe trips, and show what a
survival list might contain if one had to use it for an extended
period of time.
   --------------cut here--------------------
According to Parade, May 2, 1993 (In the Washington Post), air
crews in Antarctica carry a survival kit that weighs many pounds.
The probable contents of that kit are as follows:

Survival in Antarctica, 1974 ed., National Science Foundation,
pp. 16-18.

In addition to the cold weather clothing you will use and will
have with you when you travel, it is recommended that the
following be available as part of a travel kit.  There are
several items of equipment that are not provided aboard the
aircraft in a survival situation.  Some of the equipment will be
useful whether you are alone or with a group.  Be familiar with
the equipment in standard survival kits available on airplanes
operating in Antarctica.

Matches                                 toothbrush and paste
Pocket knife                            soap
Watch                                   comb
Notebook and pencil                     toilet tissue
first aid kit                           primus (gasoline) stove
mittens and liners                      fuel
long underwear                          ice axe
sunburn lotion                          candles
sunglasses or goggles                   snow saw
sleeping bag                            emergency tent
wool and ski socks                      map
cup                                     compass
knife and spoon                         climbing rope
innersoles                              whisk broom
emergency food                          signalling mirror

Equipment weight:  approximately 10 kilograms (22 pounds)

The clothing referred to above is:

USARP Clothing Issue:
USARP Clothing Issue:
Balaclava                               mittens (buckskin with wool inserts)
cap (pile)                              Mittens (fur-back gauntlet, "bear-
ear band                                  paws"
underwear (thermal shirt and            Trousers (field wool with liner)
drawers)                                socks (cushion sole)
shirt (wool, heavy)                     boots (thermal insulated, "bunny
Anorak                                    boots")
Parka (coat type)                       Boots (mukluk with liners)
gloves (leather, with wool inserts)

Signalling equipment, food, water, and possibly tents are in the
aircraft survival kits.  Water is not a problem to find; but
melting it may be.  There should probably be a water bottle or
canteen in the personal equipment list.



How to Stay Alive in the Woods, by Bradford Angier, (1956,
collier paperback-- the book is also published as Living off the
Country) says (p. 298):

What, depending on its size, should such an emergency outfit
logically contain? Most of us will at least want matches,
compass, knife, mirror, maps, and, in addition to the several
items each of us uses everyday, a few small adhesive bandages.

We may want to add such other articles as the right kind of
firearm and ammunition, the most satisfactory kind of axe,
sharpening stone, rolled saw blade, fishhooks and line, safety
pins, [insect repellent], adhesive tape, binoculars or a small
light telescope, flashlight, a few small stout candles, small
magnifying glass, halazone tablets, [water purification] tablets,
a rectangle of plastic for overhead  waterproofing, sunglasses,
and [extra pair] of perscription glasses.

If possible we will desire to go farther and include extra
clothing, toilet articles, a tarpaulin or light fly-proof tent, a
carefully filled repair kit, light eiderdown sleeping robe, air
mattress, canvals bucket, nested cooking outfit, cantten, and a
few books--perhaps even this volume.

We may spend some time choosing a few pounds of the best possible
emergency foods.  And how about our first aid kit?

On p. 271 he lists a survival kit currently issued by the
Hudson's Bay Company (Hudson's Bay Company is still active in
Canada, running department stores in the cities and trading posts
in the north).

item             quantity    purpose
Tea bags         28          making tea
vitamin pills    50          making up for diet deficiency
Pilot bread      30 oz       food
butter           16 oz       food
strawberry jam   14 1/2 oz        "food
Klik             12 oz       food (I don't know what this is)
condensed milk   14 oz       food
chocolate bars   10 1/2 oz        food
matches          100         lighting fires
knife            1           multiple purposes
spoon            1           eating, scoop or shovel, fish bait (the spoon is
                             pre-drilled so it can have hooks attached and be
                             used as a lure).
whistle          1           signalling
double faced mirror  1       signalling
fishing line     1           fishing, snaring, wick, string
fishhooks        4           fishing, catching birds
snare wire       1 oz        setting traps and other uses
candles          2           cooking, light
kleenex          small amt.  various uses
camphor          small amt.  mosquito bites, cuts, chapped lips

Note that this list does not include anything to carry water, or
use as a cooking utensil, and that Angier's first list seems to
relegate them to secondary importance.



Quantity and types should be adjusted to suite the weather conditions.
Above all let people know where you are going and direction of route
and when you expect to return.
If you find yourself lost. STAY WHERE YOU ARE. Build yourself a shelter
and wait it out. You won't be lost for long.BTW If I meet you on the trail
Just think I maybe lost too.
Good Hiking and Camping
Ken

--- GEcho 1.00
 * Origin: Do To The Lack Of Interest-Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled (1:247/311)

