Rough Camping & Survival Tips

93marlin · Jul 16, 2022

observe said:
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Made these in boy scouts 50 yrs ago

fourfive8 · Jul 16, 2022

I see everyone on the show picked a “space blanket” for one of the options. Makes sense because what other material was offered? The Mylar blanket has almost cult status with universal coverage by the news media of every rescue of people showing distribution of the things. Hey, cheap, extremely compact and recognizable by the viewing public- a feel good type thing.

I got a kick out of one of the episodes of Dual Survivor. The special forces guy built a hot air balloon out of a space blanket, attached a note and released it. Presto, some Transylvania? sheep herders (with sheep) show up carrying the Mylar balloon and the duo get rescued.

Also, I wish I had half the bushcraft skills of the San Bushmen!

observe · Jul 16, 2022

93marlin · Jul 16, 2022

observe said:
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Lololol

observe · Jul 16, 2022

ALONE Series
Food for thought and an interesting observation- of the 8 completed season, only 1 was won by a person who is primarily a “Wilderness/Survival or Primitive skills instructor”.
Season 1- corrections officer
Season 2- missionary
Season 3- boat builder
Season 4- outdoor writer/videographer
Season 5- primitive skills instructor (Sam) who also does a lot of other things
Season 6- construction
Season 7- hunting guide
Season 8- bowyer/hunter
I’ll have to look back at past seasons, but from memory only- primitive skills/wilderness guides are usually middle of the pack or early taps.

observe · Jul 16, 2022

fourfive8 · Jul 16, 2022

On Dual Survival, if nothing else, Teti and Lundin are quite the entertaining pair! Most of the “Survival” type shows are pretty good but you have to filter the content and look past the director’s artistic license done solely for entertainment for the mass public

For what it’s worth IMO, Les Stroud does as good a job as any in these shows.

As far as why I’m so negative about relying on Mylar space blankets for use in survival kits?…. Experience. I like most, thought originally, “ What a great idea!” Extremely compact and light, body reflective IR, slick marketing… etc. But had the luxury of trying the theory under real field conditions. Once with visqueen and once with reflective Mylar. Both failed equally badly. My recommendation is put one in your kit if you wish but don’t rely on one for use as advertised as an emergency sleeping bag! It might kill you…

TroyF · Jul 16, 2022

Ray mears had some interesting shows, tho never seen them on tv just yt. The 8th of alone seemed lacking, just something about it. To many rules like can't hunt squirrel and couldn't have a bill net until day 45 of I remember. Seemed like they could have been doing more then what was shown.

TSIBINDI · Jul 17, 2022

...Willem, I just finished reading THE SHELTERING DESERT, by Henno Martin. There are survivalists, then there are SURVIVALISTS. Henno Martin and Hermann Korn were in a class all their own. Amazing what lengths some of us will go for freedom. Great read.

Lungshot202 · Jul 18, 2022

Stay alive. That is really key to the whole thing.

F. Vaccaro · Jul 19, 2022

bluey said:
do any of you guys take a personal locating beacon (plb) with you ?
l have a place in all my packs for mine .
l take it everytime l get off the track .
its good for five years between services ,and once activated any where above ground or water , it sends lat/long of your position for 72 hours in any temp.in any conditons
its registered to amsa (Australian maritime safety agency ).and if you teravel anywhere on earth , you get online before you leave and punch in where you will be (country)
peace of mind , light weight ,and compct
l also take 2 hand held flares with me , sealed in vac sealed bag .one smoke flare, and one red .the red doubles as a fire lighting implement aswell .no mater how wet or windy it is when burning at 2000 degrees c ,you can always get a fire started .

This! I ALWAYS have at least one road flare with me.
I have deployed them at auto accidents in pouring down rain. They still light & burn hot. Another are emergency blankets & extra sox!
Oh yes, STAY PUT unless unsafe to do so. Rescuers have a hard time following a bouncing ball!