Category Archives: Survival

When Nature Calls…

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Made from repurposed Lexan®, this serrated, sure-grip sanitation shovel is a great piece of kit for the proper disposal of human waste whilst in the backcountry. The serrated edges also make this trowel handy for general light duty digging tasks in and around your campsite. The Cathole Trowel from GSI is lightweight, quite a bit more durable than other camp trowels, and has Leave No Trace™ Usage Guidelines molded into the back.

Leave No Trace – Centre for Outdoor Ethics (Attached to each GSI Cathole Trowel)

“Improper disposal of human waste profoundly impacts the once pristine natural environments which we all cherish. From the simple unpleasantness of encountering someone else’s waste to the potential contamination of water sources, waste disposal affects everyone who ventures beyond the confines of the urbanized landscape. A cathole is an excellent way to dispose of human waste in the backcountry.”

Location:

  • Select an inconspicuous site at least 200ft. (approx. 70 adult paces) from water sources, trails and campsites.
  • The best sites have deep organic soil with dark, rich coloration and maximum  exposure to sunlight to aid decomposition.
  • Avoid areas of water runoff; seasonal or otherwise.
  • When camping for an extended period at one site or with a large group, be sure to widely disperse cathole locations.

Note: When camping in river canyons, solid human waste must be packed back out.

Excavation:

  • In most environments, dig a hole 6″ to 8″ deep and 4″ to 6″ in diameter.
  • In arid or desert conditions, dig a hole 4″ to 6″ deep and 4″ to 6″ in diameter.

Toilet Paper:

  • Use only plain, non-perfumed toilet paper in sparing amounts.
  • In arid conditions, toilet paper should be sealed in plastic bags and packed back out.
  • Whenever possible, substitute stones, leaves, snow or other natural materials for toilet paper.

Tampons:

  • Tampons must be packed back out in sealed plastic bags as they do not biodegrade readily.

Burial:

  • Always fill cathole with original soil and disguise with native materials (rocks, brush, etc…)
  • When burying toilet paper, be sure to bury it at bottom of catholes and cover completely with soil.

Urination:

  • When urinating, try to select inorganic surfaces like rocks or gravel which will serve to disperse urine and protect vegetation and soil.

Note: In some Western River Corridors, it is best to urinate directly in the river to protect the vulnerable shoreline. Please refer to local land management recommendations.

www.LNT.org

From the GSI website:

“Made from repurposed GSI Outdoors Lexan products Serrated edges make for easy digging, even in the most stubborn soil. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Usage Guidelines molded into back of trowel.”

MAJOR DIMENSION

10.2″

WEIGHT

3.1 oz.

DIMENSIONS

10.30″ x 2.60″ x 1.00″

MATERIAL

Recycled Polycarbonate

www.gsioutdoors.com

Cost: Around CDN $4.25

Survival Stories

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Spend a day immersing yourself in survival situations through a compilation of some of the greatest tales of survival ever. Live through harrowing true life adventures from the safety of your favourite reading spot and gain a new appreciation for those who’ve survived some of the most extraordinary survival ordeals ever recorded.

“The Best Survival Stories Ever Told recounts stories of ordinary mortals who achieved extraordinary things. Spanning the ice-locked Poles and the endless deserts of Arabia to the storm-tossed South Atlantic, the rainforests of the Amazon, and sheer peaks of the Himalayas, it charts the dangerous relationship between men and nature.”

“Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. Jon holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history, and his work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out, and the Guardian. He is also editor of SAS: The Elite Special Forces in their Own Words.”

ISBN: 978-1-61608-455-4

Cost: Around CDN $13

 

Shelter and Warmth

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In a survival situation, shelter from the elements is critically important. Although water is a high priority, depending on the circumstances, a person can easily succumb to the effects of hyperthermia or hypothermia much faster than dying of dehydration. To put things into context, a person may survive for 2 – 3 days without water; however, in extreme cold or heat, a person may not last more than a few hours.

When it comes to shelter and the idea of warmth, it is important to recognize that it isn’t necessarily the shelter itself that generates warmth. The primary function of a shelter, especially in a survival situation, is to provide protection from the elements (wind, rain, snow, etc.) and to a certain extent, predators. We seek protection from the elements because they endanger our ability to maintain our core body temperature.

For example:

The source of heat for a snow-based shelter could come from a candle, small fire, your body heat (by default), a lantern, or a combination of several different sources. While snow-based shelters provide excellent insulation, you should ask yourself – what is the source of heat it’s insulating for you?

Think about the shelters we move in and out of on a daily basis. Our homes, offices, vehicles etc… It is not the structure itself that generates warmth per se, but rather a furnace, fireplace, heater etc… In other words, the shelter’s warmth is generated by a heat source. In a survival situation, give some thought to the heat source of your shelter as it may ultimately determine the type of shelter you construct.

Remember – In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

 

Practice Safe Survival

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In most compact/pocket size survival kits, it is rare to find a proper means to hold and carry water. If you wish to keep your kit small, a non-lubricated condom can be used as an improvised container. Place the unrolled condom inside a sock (to protect the condom) and fill with water – it will hold roughly 1 litre of water.

Tip:

To fill a condom with water, try to find a large source of water with a certain degree of water pressure.

Outdoor Research Zip Sacks

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Ultra-durable, waterproof and fully featured.

The versatility and functionality of these zip sacks is in their simplicity. They can be used to create your own survival kit, First Aid kit, Toiletry Bag…the list is endless.

From the Outdoor Research website:

Made of a tough Antron nylon with a durable, waterproof Hydroseal® coating, this dry sack provides reliable waterproof performance. Taped seams and a roll-top closure ensure complete protection, and the external daisy chain and webbing bottom handle simplify carrying.

Avg. Weight (oz./g): 2.4 / 68 5L

  • Hydroseal® coated nylon is waterproof and durable
  • Waterproof taped seams; roll-top waterproof closure
  • Durable buckle secures roll top
  • External daisy chain
  • Webbing bottom handle

Cost: Around CDN $15 and up, depending on the size.

www.outdoorresearch.com

Dress for Success

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Here are a few quick tips to remember the properties of clothing fabrics to help you dress for the outdoors:

Remember – In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

C is for Cotton: Casual, Comfort, Cold when wet, Can’t Wick moisture

W is for Wool: Warm, Wicking, Works Well Wet, Won’t Stink, Works Well around a fire

F is for Fleece: Fluffy (warm), Fears Flames, Fights moisture (wicking)

P is for Polyester: Poor around fires and flames, a Pro at wicking

S is for Synthetics: Sensitive to fire and flames, Super for Specialty kit (technical clothing)

Tip: If your outdoor clothing is not particularly suitable for sitting around a camp fire, pack a light wool blanket with which you can wrap yourself up in…this will help protect your clothing against sparks.

 

Patagonia Capilene® 3 Midweight Baselayer Bottoms

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These baselayers from Patagonia are extremely soft, wonderfully comfortable, and wick moisture quite effectively – by far the best baselayer bottoms I’ve ever tested.

In a survival situation, shelter and protection from the elements is critical. Don’t forget that your clothing is your primary shelter and clothing should therefore be well thought out.

Shelters are effectively micro-climates which allow us not only to survive, but to live and settle in environments that would otherwise be quite inhospitable. Proper clothing is what allows us to leave our shelters (homes, buildings, vehicles etc.) and move around. Therefore it is essential to think of our clothing as a shelter… After all, our clothing does in fact protect us from the sun, wind, rain, snow etc…

Cost: Around CDN $60
From Patagonia’s website:
Our most versatile synthetic baselayer keeps you dry and warm in cool to cold conditions.
Product Information
An alpine fact: Sweaty leads turn into cold belays. Designed to manage the extremes of high-output exertion in cool to cold conditions and keep you dry and warm beneath layers, Capilene® 3 Midweight is the most versatile and fastest-wicking of our performance baselayers. Brushed on the inside for warmth, it’s soft and compressible and has a jersey exterior that glides smoothly under layers. Details include a brushed-elastic waistband and a gusseted crotch with a functional fly. Made of a 5.4-oz Polartec® Power Dry® polyester double knit, with Gladiodor® odor control for the garment.

Details

  • Stretchy, double-weave fabric wicks extremely well
  • Durable smooth jersey face slides easily beneath layers
  • Fabric is brushed for warmth, softness and compressibility; provides excellent insulation and breathability
  • Elastic waistband is brushed for next-to-skin softness
  • Gusseted crotch for unimpeded mobility
  • Functional fly
  • Machine-wash cold, tumble dry at low temperature
  • Solids: 5.4-oz Polartec® Power Dry® 100% polyester (65% recycled) double-knit. Heathers: 5.4-oz Polartec Power Dry 100% polyester (51% recycled) double-knit. Both have Gladiodor® odor control for the garment
  • 187 g (6.6 oz)
  • Made in El Salvador.

Material

Capilene baselayers feature a moisture-wicking polyester fabric that dries quickly. Capilene polyester is also recycled, recyclable and features Gladiodor® garment odor control.

Technology

Climbing, skiing, running: at some point you’re going to sweat, and at some point you’re going to stink. Gladiodor® Garment Odor Control reduces unwanted smells on the fabric of a garment so you and your partners can breathe a little easier. Gladiodor treatments are rigorously tested for functionality initially and after washing.