We made a paracord Survival bracelet for Jody Mitic which we gave him at his recent book signing in Calgary, Alberta. We were honoured to see him wearing it the next day on CTV News.
Thank You for your service Jody. We are humbled.
Category Archives: Kit
November 29th 2015 Winter Camping Seminar
WHERE: FORT WHYTE ALIVE
WHEN: November 29, 2015 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Extend your camping season with the tips you’ll learn at this timely workshop led by the experts at Maple Leaf Survival.
COST: Free with regular admission
Nalgene Survival Kit
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Nalgene Survival Kit List:
1. 1L Wide-mouth Nalgene bottle (watertight, floats, crushproof).
2. Snow Peak Mini Solo Titanium Cookset (fits perfectly with 1L Nalgene bottle).
3. Small Metal Tin w/ fishing supplies (hooks, jigs, lures, line, weights etc.).
4. Lanyard (attach a whistle, neck knife, compass, signal mirror etc.).
5. Space Blanket (can be used as a fire reflector, signalling device).
6. Sea to Summit Small Bag w/ small carabiner (holds the entire kit and store survival items if the Nalgene bottle needs to be used for water. Bright orange.).
7. Iodine (treat cuts & scrapes, use to purify water).
8. Mil-spec Tourniquet (keep separately – ideally on your person – so it can be accessed at an instant).
9. Mil-spec 550 Paracord.
10. Headlamp (pack spare batteries. Allows your hands to be free vs. flashlight).
11. High-lumen flashlight which can be used for signalling (min. 600 lumens).
12. Condom (placed in a sock to store water, wrap bloody hand etc.).
13. Signal Mirror.
14. Magnesium Tinder Block.
15. Tampon (great tinder).
16. FireSteel.
17. Whistle (bright orange, floats).
18. Compass.
19. Sewing Kit.
20. Band Aids.
21. Aqua-Tabs.
22. Candy.
23. Tweezers.
24. Dental Floss (makes great expedient cordage).
25. Buff Headwear (Protection against the elements, strain/filter water, bandage, wash cloth, etc.).
26. Rubber Bands (use to hold a Buff in place as a bandage, use as Tinder in wet conditions, etc.).
27. Bug Spray.
28. Tick Key (wood tick remover).
29. Space Pen (usable in extreme conditions, use to write impromptu maps for reference, messages etc.).
30. Red Sharpie (use to leave messages on vehicle windows etc.).
31. Bic lighter (brightly coloured).
32. Small folding knives x 2.
33. Small fixed neck knives x 2.
Not shown: multi-vitamins, small salt packages.
Why we like our version of the Nalgene Survival Kit:
There is a lot of talk these days about packing light… the problem with packing light is that some people take this concept a little bit too far, sacrificing essential items, and potentially compromising their safety and survivability as a result. Instead of trying to “pack light” try to “pack right.” Packing right includes packing light.
The problem with a lot of survival kits, is that they can be so “comprehensive” that they are too big and cumbersome to take with you – they simply get left behind because they are a pain in the butt. The Nalgene Survival Kit is small and light weight so it can easily be transferred to and from a backpack, car, kayak, etc…
In addition to storing water, many “off the shelf” survival kits lack a simple, robust, and reliable means of making water safe to drink. This is why we’ve added the Snow Peak Mini Solo Titanium Cookset. The Nalgene bottle fits perfectly into this set. It’s super light and extremely durable. Now you have a very robust bottle with a screw top to store and transport your water, and a simple and reliable way to treat water – no filters to change, no pumps to malfunction. Between the metal pot, AquaTabs and Iodine, we have 3 systems to treat water, all of which are very simple – nothing to break down.
A small sturdy bag is essential to this system. Why? Once you need to use your bottle to store water, where are you going to put all those nifty survival items? In the brightly coloured bag of course.
There are a few items which we do not contain in the bottle, either because they don’t quite fit, or for quick access. For example, we leave the headlamp out so that if the survival kit needs to be accessed at night, the headlamp is readily accessible so that we have light as we start removing the contents.
We consider many of the items in this kit to be “essential items”. We define “essential items” as those which you cannot effectively replicate in nature.
Nobody is as smart as everyone… and everyone you meet knows something you don’t. Do we believe this kit is an excellent base/foundation that is very versatile? Absolutely. Can our version of the Nalgene Survival Kit be improved? Of course! Feel free to make it your own.
Stay safe.
Patagonia Capilene Winter Headwear
Sometimes you just want something to take the chill off your head and ears without overheating during high activity pursuits in cold weather. The Patagonia Capilene winter beanie caps are breathable, super lightweight and very packable. At first glance, they might not look very warm, but their warmth-to-weight ratio is very good.
Material
“Capilene baselayers feature a moisture-wicking polyester fabric that dries quickly. Capilene polyester is also recycled, recyclable and features Gladiodor® garment odor control.”
– Patagonia
Patagonia Capilene 4 Beanie. Cost: Around CDN $40
Patagonia Capilene 4 Expedition Weight Beanie (ultra lightweight). Cost: Around CDN $40
Wool Winter Touques
Navy SEALs Survival Kit
The U.S. Navy is seeking to buy 300 new survival kits for the Naval Special WarfareDevelopment Group, sometimes known as Navy SEAL Team 6.
Read more: Navy SEALs Survival Kit
Arc’teryx Atom Jacket
Amazingly light and packable, this mid-layer jacket also works well as a standalone jacket. Considering it’s not a wind or rain shell, I found it to be surprisingly resistant against moderate wind and light rain.
Upon first inspection, the jacket is quite thin and you may not expect it to provide much warmth… However, the Coreloft insulation by Arc’teryx is quite effective. The Atom is well fitted, very comfortable and makes a great mid-layer.
The quality of this product is quite evident once you begin inspecting the garment up close. The cuffs are notably superb.
Paired with a proper wind/rain shell, the packability, warmth, and weight, make this jacket extremely versatile and worth every penny.
Cost: Around CDN $200
Buying Clothing, Gear & Equipment…
The message here is “Quality…Not Quantity”.
Proper kit makes a huge difference, especially if you expect it to potentially save your life. Before making your next purchase, remember this quote:
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”.
– Benjamin Franklin
Coghlan’s Sight-Grid Signal Mirror
As opposed to the BCB signal mirror (which has a shiny metallic finish) the Coghlan’s model has a glass reflection surface which is far superior when it comes to producing a strong flash of light. Metallic type finishes will soon lose their lustre, which dramatically reduces the brightness of flashes. Glass on the other hand, will provide you with much stronger and more powerful flashes for a very long time.
Although the Coghlan’s model is slightly larger, it’s by no means big and no less portable. It can easily slip into your pocket and is ultra-light. Additionally, the larger size of the Coghlan’s signal mirror is noticeably more ergonomic (making it easier to maneuver and less susceptible to dropping) and catches more light. The larger sighting hole also makes focusing and aiming less strenuous and less tedious.
The plastic sleeve it comes in can be reused and has a tab that can be tucked in, helping to protect the device from scratches. Because this signal mirror is literally a mirror, it can be used as such – something that is not really possible with the BCB model once it loses its reflective qualities. One similarity both models share are instructions on the back – a very handy feature.
- Glass reflection surface for superior flash distance
- Waterproof & Break-Resistant acrylic case
- Instructions for use on back of signal mirror
- Lanyard hole
- Floats
Highly recommended
Made in Japan
Cost: Around CDN $12
SureFire® 123A Batteries
For use in the Klarus XT11 Flashlight
These batteries have a 10 year shelf life.
SureFire Lithium batteries pack a lot of power into a small package. Unlike alkaline batteries, SureFire High-Performance Lithium Batteries boast a ten-year shelf life, which means they will be ready when you need them.
Note: The Klarus XT11 takes two 123A batteries.
Cost: Around CDN $35 for a pack of 12